Northlyn has suffered from chronic grain shortages and a strained treasury for years, with people starving to death every year. In the new emperor's first year on the throne, hoping to improve his people's lives, he took advantage of Eastlyn's campaign against Southlyn to send troops into Eastlyn, trying to snatch some easy gains. But instead of getting lucky, he only dug Northlyn into a deeper hole...
This year, even with silver, Northlyn couldn't buy grain. Four of the Nine Cities had already fallen to Eastlyn, and Northlyn had just fought a war with Eastlyn. Eastlyn would have to be crazy to sell grain to Northlyn—why feed their enemy just so they could come back and fight again?
Of the remaining five cities, Cloud City and Jade City keep to themselves, refusing to join any conflict and subtly leaning toward Eastlyn—they would never sell grain to Northlyn.
As for smuggling?
Sorry, but the biggest smuggler between Eastlyn and Northlyn was Ninth Royal Uncle. Now, not only has Ninth Royal Uncle gotten hold of the Former Dynasty's treasure hoard, he's also ascended as emperor—he's hardly short on silver. If Northlyn wants to smuggle grain from Eastlyn, they'd be better off going to bed early and dreaming about it.
With Southlyn gone and no more smuggling from Eastlyn, Northlyn has lost its two biggest grain suppliers. All that's left is to turn their attention to Lyndaria. But Lyndaria is split in two, and even if they had the ability, right now they'd be stockpiling grain for the wars to come.
Neither the Princess Royal nor Prince Titus of Lyndaria trusts the other to hold only half of Lyndaria—they're both scheming to devour the other and unify Lyndaria under their own rule.
To swallow the other, and to avoid being swallowed themselves, both sides have to prepare in advance. Stockpiling grain is just one way—and even if they had surplus, they certainly wouldn't sell any to Northlyn.
If Lyndaria won't sell grain, Northlyn still has its own methods. Northlyn knows that Prince Titus of Lyndaria has always been close to Eastlyn, so they approach the Princess Royal instead.
"Your Majesty, you provide the grain, we provide the troops. We'll help you conquer all of Lyndaria, and Northlyn won't ask for much—just the three cities near our border." The Northlyn envoy met with the Princess Royal of Lyndaria and got straight to the point.
"I'm afraid of inviting the wolf into the house." Princess Royal Helena of Lyndaria eyed the envoy cautiously.
Everyone knows Northlyn's troops are fierce in battle—even Eastlyn can't get the better of them, let alone her. Although the Princess Royal wants an alliance, Northlyn isn't exactly an ideal partner.
In fact, the Princess Royal has already privately contacted Reed City, Peace City, and Ancestral City. She's hoping to ally with these three to jointly resist Prince Titus's half of Lyndaria and Eastlyn.
Eastlyn is too powerful—if they don't work together, they'll just end up being devoured one by one. Just look at how Prince Titus attacked those three cities; it's clear Eastlyn won't let them go.
The Northlyn envoy had already prepared his strategy. Even though Northlyn was asking for help, they weren't desperate. With a calm smile, the envoy said confidently, "Eastlyn today is nothing like it used to be. Not just half of Lyndaria—even the whole of Lyndaria can't stand against Eastlyn. Looking at the whole realm, only Northlyn's soldiers can truly rival Eastlyn. Your Majesty, your best option is Northlyn. As for inviting the wolf in, you can rest assured—we won't send a huge army; you decide how many troops come."
It's a trap, but even knowing it's a trap, the Princess Royal is tempted to jump in—because Northlyn's logic is hard to deny. With just her and the three cities, they're no match for Eastlyn at all.
The reason Eastlyn isn't attacking Lyndaria and the three cities right now isn't because they lack the strength—it's because they don't want to start a war that would drive those factions into an alliance with Northlyn and put Eastlyn under pressure.
The Princess Royal knows Ninth Royal Uncle's plan well—he intends to conquer Northlyn first. Once Northlyn is crushed, the rest of Lyndaria and the five cities won't stand a chance against Eastlyn; their defeat is only a matter of time.
Northlyn may be poor, but it's the only force in the Nine Provinces Realm that can restrain Eastlyn. If Northlyn falls, Eastlyn will truly be able to unify the continent...
"I need to convene my ministers and hear their opinions on this." The Princess Royal didn't answer right away, and the Northlyn envoy didn't press her—no one seals an alliance of this scale after just one meeting.
"The sooner this is settled, the better. Your Majesty, please make a decision quickly." The Northlyn envoy bowed and returned to the relay station, quietly waiting for good news from the Princess Royal.
Northlyn is eighty percent sure the Princess Royal will agree to the alliance. And they're sixty percent sure they can use this opportunity to swallow all of Lyndaria!
Three cities? Just three cities could never satisfy Northlyn's appetite. Seeing Eastlyn take four cities and then swallow Southlyn, Northlyn couldn't help but start thinking bigger.
Eastlyn has swallowed half the Nine Provinces Realm. If Northlyn can devour Lyndaria and the remaining five cities, they'll control half the continent too. Then there would be only two great powers left: Eastlyn and Northlyn. When giants clash, who can say who will rule the world?
Northlyn's new emperor, Prince Quentin Northlyn—the consort of Princess Serenity—is a man of ambition. Years ago, he married Serenity, who couldn't bear children, and endured Eastlyn's humiliation for the sake of power and status. Now, for the sake of the realm, he's ready to feign friendship with Princess Royal Helena.
What are allies for? To be betrayed, of course. Just look at how Eastlyn married off a princess, then immediately took her back.
Prince Quentin Northlyn has taken that lesson to heart—and he intends to put it into practice on Princess Royal Helena!
"Princess Royal Helena wants to ally with Northlyn." The alliance wasn't even sealed yet, but word had already reached Ninth Royal Uncle.
Tap... tap... tap!
Ninth Royal Uncle said nothing; he simply tapped the table, just as he always did when deep in thought. Each tap landed squarely on the hearts of everyone present.
The newly appointed Shadow Guard commander hadn't yet adapted to Ninth Royal Uncle's overwhelming presence. With every tap of Ninth Royal Uncle's fingers, he felt as if an invisible mountain pressed down on him, leaving him nearly breathless...
The atmosphere in the hall was stiff. The new Shadow Guard commander was already drenched with sweat down his back, and even the spot where his knees touched the floor was soaked through.
He was completely unaware of it himself—his full attention was fixed on resisting Ninth Royal Uncle's tapping, until the knock-knock-knock of someone at the door broke Ninth Royal Uncle's deep contemplation. Only then did the Shadow Guard commander feel alive again...
At this hour, only one person would dare knock—Serena Feng!
If Serena Feng was coming at this hour, it could only mean Little Dumpling had fallen asleep and she was heading back to the palace. Every night, when she returned, she'd stop by the imperial study to bring the busy Ninth Royal Uncle home.
Ninth Royal Uncle immediately set aside his deep thoughts, a trace of warmth unconsciously appearing in his eyes. He looked up and saw the Shadow Guard still kneeling below, and waved him away.
The Shadow Guard commander felt as if he'd been pardoned, and hurried out. As he passed Serena Feng at the doorway, he gave her a very sincere salute...
Your Majesty the Empress, you truly are a lifesaver!
Only now did he understand what the former commander meant when he patted his shoulder and said, "Take good care of yourself."
Living under constant pressure—it's really easy to die young!