Chapter 779 — A Talk Between Friends
Blade of Dawn · Page 4 of 4
An Luo could not help saying, "But we still hold..."
"If there were only two nations in this world, Cecil and Typhon, matters would be far simpler. But An Luo, Typhon's border does not consist of Winterwolf Keep alone, the one line you garrison," Matilda cut her off again. "We let slip what may have been our only opportunity. After you left Aldren, and perhaps even after you withdrew from the Palemel Highlands, we had already lost the chance to defeat Cecil with ease.
"Now, even if we could still seize the advantage, once drawn into war we would be torn to bloody shreds by those steel machines.
"And to the south, the Kingdom of Highridge does not look on us kindly, and then there are the silver elves... Surely you do not imagine that elves who live in forests and love art must therefore love peace as well?"
An Luo fell silent.
She was only one of the Empire's frontier commanders; that she could scent the direction of international affairs at all already put her ahead of most.
But in the end she could see only a part of it. The Empire's long border was, to her, too vast a span.
Beside her, Matilda spoke slowly. "We are no longer the sole mighty empire in the human world, and around us there are no longer weak city-states and alien peoples waiting to be swallowed up. My father, and yours as well, together with the councilors and advisers, are carefully reviewing the Typhon Empire's foreign policy over the past century, the present state of international affairs, and the mistakes we have made, and seeking ways to make amends. Count Holmark, charged with contact with the Kingdom of Highridge, is laboring to that end even now. His negotiations at the Bluestone Hills are not merely for the sake of trade with Highridge and the elves."
A hush fell over the wall for a time; only the howling wind stirred the banners, snapping and billowing ceaselessly behind them.
Matilda broke the silence. "Now you should understand the reason for my existence, and for that of this delegation I lead?"
"Forgive me, Matilda," An Luo let out a breath. "I took some things too simply."
"Think nothing of it. As a wolf general, you were only doing what you ought to do."
An Luo nodded, though her expression looked far from easy.
"What is it?" Matilda could not help asking with some concern. "What has occurred to you now?"
"Nothing," An Luo sighed. "The embarrassment... has caught up with me."