Yarra's Adventure Notes-Chapter 1283 - 69: Stabilizing People’s Hearts

"Hahaha, Mr. Arthur, your concerns are truly unnecessary; the situation is much better than you imagine. Otherwise, do you think we’d all be here chatting so leisurely? I know what you’re worried about. Indeed, the Return of the Dead over a hundred years ago inflicted too much pain on the Yarran World, but this time it’s different. Have you forgotten what Deputy Commander Garcia from the City of Freedom said earlier? This time, with Death’s Gate reopened, everyone has been well prepared, and we won’t be caught off guard and allow the Undead to spread as before. Hence, the tragedy of yesteryear is absolutely impossible to recur. Haha, even if you don’t believe me, you should at least trust Mr. Garcia, right? He’s the person in charge of the stationed coalition forces’ liaison department in the City of Freedom. Whatever he says represents the standpoint of City of Freedom’s Chairman Kara. With Chairman Kara’s prestige, his words should be more believable than those of a young man like me."

"No, no, no, Your Highness Nicholas, you have misunderstood. I don’t think Mr. Arthur is doubting you. It’s just that we’ve heard that the coalition forces have been reinforcing the front lines, and that has made everyone a bit uneasy. We thought it was due to an unfavorable war situation at the front that the troops had to be continuously increased."

"This is... Oh, it’s Mr. Nelda, isn’t it? I’ve had the privilege of reading your two books, ’The History Submerged in the Ocean of Time’ and ’Three Thousand Years of Yarra.’ They truly astonished me; you’re indeed worthy of being recognized as today’s most authoritative historian. However, I think there’s a misunderstanding on your part. There’s absolutely no disadvantage at the front lines, because the battle hasn’t even begun yet. How could it possibly be unfavorable at this stage? Hahaha, that’s right, you heard correctly. The coalition forces’ advance troops have suppressed the Undead within a five-kilometer radius of Death’s Gate, solely by the deterrence of their presence, letting not even a single bone slip through. If you look at it this way, the situation is actually favorable, hahaha, right, Deputy Commander Garcia?"

"Prince, you can’t say that even though, according to the messages sent back, the situation does indeed seem to tilt in our favor. But we must still take the enemy seriously and can’t be too careless," Deputy Commander Garcia replied.

"Ah, Deputy Commander Garcia is right. My thoughts were too frivolous and idealistic. I owe you and the soldiers who are still holding out in the desert an apology. However, Mr. Nelda, you now understand, don’t you? At least up to this point, there are no signs that indicate the concerns you and Mr. Arthur have will materialize. Rest assured. Moreover, you might think about it this way: Over a hundred years ago, we fought the enemy, and even though we were caught off guard then, we still emerged victorious in the end. A hundred years have passed; the enemy has not changed, while we have rapidly progressed for a century. Plus, we are well-prepared this time, so it’s impossible that we would fail to achieve victory."

Catherine, arm in arm with Pannis, had just approached the villa’s hall when she heard Nicholas’s voice rising above the boisterous hall. Turning her head, she could see the Falar Empire’s prince resting in a corner of the hall, surrounded by a few guests who were also taking a break and engaged in casual conversation, naturally revolving around the Undead War, the topic of greatest concern. The prince appeared very relaxed, displaying no signs of tension, as he cheerfully raised his glass to those around him, while casually addressing the queries of a few guests. Sensing Catherine’s gaze, Nicholas looked up and also noticed Catherine and Pannis. Their gazes met, and the prince gave them a slight nod before returning to his original duties.

"I really wonder if that many troops are necessary?" Leaving Nicholas behind, they had not gone far when they heard another group of guests engaged in a spirited discussion about the current situation. At any gathering, current events are always the most passionate topic for gentlemen, be they commoners or professionals, paupers or wealthy nobles. The only difference is the level and direction of the opinions offered. This particular group of guests clearly consisted of military enthusiasts, with the conversation focused on military matters: "I’ve heard the troops committed have already exceeded a million, and if we include the forces being mobilized, this number could even reach between one and a half to two million. Are the Undead really so formidable that such a immense army is required to confront them?"

"You didn’t experience the First Undead War a hundred years ago. If you had, you wouldn’t be making such naïve statements," a guest, passing by and grabbing a black Karran berry wine from a passing waiter, said as he sat down: "Though I haven’t lived through that era myself, my great-grandfather truly took part in that war. Huff, one to two million troops might sound like a lot, but compared to the tide of Undead, it’s barely anything. My great-grandfather used to tell stories to my father about that time. In order to slow down the Undead’s advance, entire battalions would often vanish without a trace. You doubt whether the assembled forces are too many; I, on the other hand, wonder if they are sufficient."

"Is it really that exaggerated?" A sense of panic spread among the more than ten guests present, most of whom were artists from the Northern City District. Their attention is usually completely focused on artistic creation, seldom bothering with matters unrelated to art. But now things are different; the rapidly approaching war threatens everyone, and without concrete news, they can only speculate wildly. Having finally come across two guests at the gathering who seemed to have a bit of inside information, the artists naturally turned their full attention to the two men who spoke up in succession, urgently asking, "If the Undead are really that terrifying, could we lose this war?"

"Oh, that’s what you’re worried about," the later guest said in an undertone, as if he had just grasped the true concern of the group: "I can’t be sure of that, but personally, I think the possibility of defeat should be small."

"Not just small, the possibility of defeat is extremely unlikely," the first guest who raised doubts said confidently: "In my opinion, even if we halve our forces, those Undead don’t stand a chance. You are vastly overestimating the enemy."

"Hmph, it’s better to speak less about baseless things to avoid being mocked by others," the later guest coldly laughed, and the atmosphere between the two men grew increasingly tense. But none of the onlookers busy trying to calm the two down noticed that in the shadows, the two men exchanged a knowing glance, allowing everything to unfold according to plan.