met free Chapter 444 Turning Point
Chapter 444 Turning Point
Chapter 444 Turning Point
In winter, the howling winds cannot lift the flags on the city walls, because the cold freezes the fabric stiff.
Chris, dressed in thick clothes, walked on the open space in the square.
He had no guards with him, and his severed arm was covered by his sleeve.
No one could recognize him as the king of a country.
Thick smoke, white or black, rose from the chimneys of every household.
Inside the church, blue smoke rose.
It is said that this is a way to communicate with the gods, to pray that when the earth is shrouded in ice and snow in autumn, some warmth will remain for humankind.
Such a prayer may seem a bit humble, but people have always been humble in the face of the gods.
Fortunately, Chris doesn't believe in gods; he only believes in fate. Mortals have a predetermined destiny, but only Chris can control his own.
So, I am no ordinary man—Chris clicked his tongue in disbelief.
A group of people are using pickaxes to break through the icy road surface.
Snowsleds were difficult to maneuver within the city, and every household needed to burn charcoal to keep warm.
In the southeast of Ma'an officialdom, three miles away, there is only one coal mine.
Every day, a large number of workers need to go to the mine to dig for ore and bring the coal back to the square.
This is dangerous, especially during wartime.
Every movement of people in the city carries the potential for foreign spies to infiltrate.
Therefore, Chris once suggested replacing coal with charcoal.
There is a charcoal factory in the square, which produces a large amount of charcoal once autumn arrives.
Opening new factories and creating jobs can also boost the economy.
Chris was quite pleased with this multi-benefit solution, and even thought of himself as a genius.
Chris only gave up the idea completely when someone suggested that the timber also needed to be cut down outside the city.
Chris was very unhappy, even though those people didn't say anything, and they didn't dare to say anything either.
But he could sense that those people were laughing at him.
Chris admitted that in many ways he was indeed less mature and professional than his subordinates.
However, all his ideas were for the good of the country.
Money, that's what Central Plaza needs most right now.
Not long ago, the plaza paid off a loan interest payment.
This resulted in all previously ordered supplies from overseas being unable to be settled.
Chris was forced to use his country's credit to buy on credit.
Meanwhile, another request came from the front lines, asking for the delivery of winter supplies and food.
However, Chris simply doesn't have the money right now.
The only saving grace was that, due to the onset of winter, all fighting on the front lines ceased.
Even with low morale, the fighting situation will not be significantly affected until winter is over.
Marshall was also extremely busy with this matter, constantly seeking out Chris to discuss financial issues.
The problem now is that the central community does not need long-term economic growth at the moment.
With war looming, Chris needed cash.
The best approach is to sustain the war through war, but currently the central community's fighting strength is inferior to that of the coalition forces.
This plan is simply impossible to implement.
Chris was driven to distraction by the uncertain and unfeasible plans.
That's why he ran away alone, trying to escape those government affairs.
However, Chris also understood that this would not help solve the problem at all.
But Chris is human too; he needs to relax his mind.
Perhaps he should visit a brothel.
There are no good men in brothels, and sleeping with those prostitutes doesn't bring him any sense of accomplishment.
However, they had a silver tongue that could make Chris feel comfortable.
Chris eventually gave up on the idea.
After wandering around the frozen city, he chose to return to his palace.
Snowflakes hit my cheeks, bringing a numbingly cool sensation.
Damn it, I need to get back indoors right away.
In the end, Chris came back.
After taking off my heavy coat, all the ice shards on my body fell to the ground and melted into the carpet.
It's dirty, so be it; someone will clean it up.
The warmth made Chris feel alive again. He let out a long sigh, and white mist floated from his mouth.
He sat in a cushioned chair.
Chris thought he would feel better, but his anxiety did not dissipate at all.
He had gained and lost too many times, and he really didn't want to repeat the same mistakes.
But what other options are there now?
Marshall couldn't come up with a good economic strategy, and Enar couldn't defeat the Allied forces on the front lines.
Chris, who else can he rely on?
Perhaps, the only solution is the perfect alchemy potion.
Chris is only missing one ingredient: the water from the Spring of the Dead.
However, can the central community really hold out until the spring water arrives?
Thinking of this, Chris's right eye suddenly flashed with a sharp light.
He suddenly realized that he still had someone he could rely on.
Right there in the bedroom, there is also wisdom to rely on!
Chris rushed into the room and looked at the staff standing on the cushion.
Chris's left hand, which originally belonged to him, opened countless eyes.
That eerie mouth began to question Chris:
"You seem to be having some trouble."
Chris nodded.
Judging from the tone of voice, the speaker was an apostle of Grellara.
This apostle harbored some kind of almost perverse affection for Gretella, however, Chris had to admit that the other's cunning was beyond his reach.
Chris immediately told the apostle about their current situation.
All eyes turned to Chris, their gazes filled with confusion.
Chris couldn't help but wonder if one of them was his own left eye, the one he had once eaten.
The apostle asked, "You are indeed in trouble, but it is not without a solution."
Hearing this, Chris was overjoyed:
"Please tell me, what is the solution!"
"Hehe, didn't you already know that yourself?"
"I understand?" Chris frowned. "I understand what?"
"Didn't you just say that only war can sustain war?"
Chris did say that: "But right now our army is at a disadvantage, and it's winter."
"Yes, winter is here. The winters on the frozen continent are terrifying; even ancient ice spirits slumber here," the apostle said coldly. "Marching in the snow is difficult, that's a fact. But if your army faces difficulties, doesn't the enemy face them too?"
Chris frowned: "What do you mean?"
"Didn't you say that the enemy didn't pursue their victory but instead postponed their military operations because winter was approaching?"
The apostle's tone turned sharp again, "That shows they are also worried about the weather. If you know the history of this land, you'll know that conflicts, big and small, all leave this land with the warm sun in winter."
"This is a consensus, and common sense, but you can take advantage of it. They act based on experience, and they are indeed very experienced."
However, their ingrained way of thinking is also a weakness they have revealed.
"I'm certain they haven't deployed heavy defenses yet, instead believing that ice and snow are the best barrier. If you take advantage of this, you can launch a surprise attack and seize the city with lightning speed—"
"...that would resolve the current crisis," Chris replied happily.
The eye on that left arm was squinted into a narrow slit.
The corners of her mouth, nestled in the crook of her arm, were also turned up high.
Chris stood up excitedly; he had to write a decree immediately, ordering Ennar to secretly assemble his army.
Let's take advantage of this winter and catch the enemy off guard!
This might be Chris's last chance.
The winters in the permafrost continent were so cold that Chris's blood boiled with excitement.
"ocean-"
Suddenly, the arm began to speak again.
He knew that the ghost of the sea was about to instill something in Chris again.
"The deep-sea race has long since awakened; oblivion keeps us from venturing ashore. My friend, you need an allied force—"