Chapter 1713 - 135: Whirlpool_2

Actually, those whispers among the girls were indistinct to Ooni; he could only vaguely catch a few scattered words like "Your Majesty" and "reason," probably about matters within the Golden Palace.

He merely blinked, pretending to have heard nothing, and continued walking forward, winding through several corridors before entering the meeting room where the Empress had yet to arrive. So he sat in a solemn posture on the side seat, closing his eyes and waiting for Her Majesty’s arrival.

The Empress was later than usual today. In the past, she would already be seated, waiting for them to arrive, but today they had been sitting here for almost ten minutes without even a glimpse of Her Majesty.

Of course, they dared not voice any complaints, though their curiosity about this change was unavoidable.

"Tap! Tap! Tap!"

It was not until the sound of heavy, firm footsteps sounded outside the door that Ooni opened his eyes, and together with the ministers who had been prepared for a long time, looked towards the entrance.

"Good morning, everyone."

Elizabeth entered the meeting room with a very indifferent expression. Although her face still lacked warmth, her features were impossibly radiant.

Ooni had witnessed this yesterday, but it was the first time these ministers beside him noticed this stark difference from the usual demeanor of the Empress.

What is there to say? Evaluating Her Majesty casually is a serious offense, but this feeling is inevitable nonetheless.

In the past, Elizabeth seemed to those beneath her like a battle-worn blade full of bloody stench, yet now she felt more akin to a newly forged, brilliantly polished treasure sword.

This doesn’t mean Her Majesty feels any less dangerous, just...

Hmm, she seems more vibrant?

It feels as though from the depths of a frigid winter we’ve suddenly arrived at the awakening of an early spring, something like that.

Uncertain if Her Majesty recently happened upon some secret elixir that could rejuvenate one’s energy, bringing radiance and exuberance to her visage, even her mood has seemingly improved.

Pity one dares not casually converse with Her Majesty, otherwise, the old man wants to inquire whether there is indeed some secret potion...

So Ooni thought, yet outwardly he dutifully greeted Her Majesty with a good morning.

Elizabeth took a seat at the head position, her vacant eyes swept over the prepared ministers below, as if she instantly understood everything. Before they could speak, she looked towards the Minister of Defense, Pietro,

"Lord Pietro, is there something to mention before the official report?"

The named minister blinked, glanced at his colleagues but dared not look at Elizabeth, silent for quite a while before resignedly spreading out the original proposal in his hand and sternly said,

"Yes, Your Majesty, it’s about... the allied defeat on the South Continent."

"Continue."

Elizabeth reclined against her chair, watching the people below with interest, allowing her cold gaze to skim their every expression, seeking to uncover any hidden secrets beneath their reactions, as though such exploration could bring her endless delight.

"About half a month ago, the allied forces on the South Continent failed in their siege against the southern Red Dragon Court, losses were... unprecedented. Not only did the general appointed by Your Majesty fall in battle, but the large recruited forces were also completely scattered, losing structure, even disappearing. We’ve yet to deploy personnel to reorganize the troops, factoring in the missing and dead soldiers, the total could be seven to eight out of ten. Such a large number, even if it were a hundred thousand pigs, they wouldn’t be caught in a day, but astonishingly, they were routed by Red Dragon Court within one day, it’s simply...

"I am aware of the situation. Reports indicate there was a celestial phenomenon at the time, it was this phenomenon that routed our troops, not the Red Dragon Court."

"According to Your Majesty, what should be done next? Should the South Continent be abandoned so easily?"

"Indeed..." Elizabeth seemed indifferent to the outcome of that side, directly announcing her order, "I have decided to relinquish all allied troops on the South Continent to stem the losses."

Pietro opened his mouth, seemingly in disbelief, he murmured,

"Wait... wait, Your Majesty, I don’t understand..."

"Is it hard to understand? Or perhaps, it’s not that you don’t understand, but you disagree with this decision?"

"I..."

Pietro opened his mouth, under Elizabeth’s intense and pressuring gaze, he was so intimidated he almost couldn’t speak, even gathering some sweat on his forehead, but ultimately, he clenched his teeth, contending with numerous "I have no objections" eager to escape his mouth, and difficultly spoke,

"I have concerns... Your Majesty... being as it may the affairs of the South Continent, or the eastern matters, or those of the Northern Realm, and the maritime issues... if I may speak frankly, I do not comprehend Your Majesty’s deeper meaning. It’s not just me; my colleagues and many ministers are skeptical of these decisions made by Your Majesty..."

Sitting on the side seat, Ooni closed his eyes and sighed silently, unsuspecting these fellows would still have the courage to express their concerns to Elizabeth.

It’s essential to know, in the past few years, Nali’s foreign policy has been determined by Empress Elizabeth as unprecedentedly forceful, especially concerning past disputes with Schwali and Kado. If it were just that, these ministers might not have shown any opinion, after all among their elders, there might be those who partook in centuries past conflicts with Schwali, a bit of national hatred and family grievance is quite reasonable.