Hearing the report, Jin Rou couldn't help but sneer. Cal Marison was right. They were a bunch of ungrateful bastards now that the empire's survival was slim to none. He couldn't help but laugh. Did these kingdoms really think that it's the end of the Phoenix Empire?
"If they don't want to aid us, let them." Jin Rou smirked, "But after this problem is solved, I'll have them punished."
A cold glint flashed in Jin Rou's eyes. They dared to be ingrates when all the late ancestor had done for them was help them during difficult times?
He wanted to see what would their faces be after this catastrophe passed by.
"Which family is specialized in formations?" Jin Rou asked.
An old woman stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I am Duchess Sanya Roseville. My Roseville Family is the greatest formation masters of the empire."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtIt's not boasting to say. It was the truth. As a matter of another fact, they were among the top formation master clans of all the entire world. Their roots were so deep and their foundation was strong enough, making them survive so many storms for billions to trillions of years.
Furthermore, their First Ancestor was part of the ancestors making the circle of elites of the whole empire.
"What formations can you do?" Jin Rou asked. He had to set up some formations around the empire and the nearby territory to know the moves of the enemies. He had to be careful and thorough of what he do.
"Your Majesty, since we are specialists when it comes to formations, we can do all types. As long as we have enough resources, we can grant any type of formation you like." Duchess Roseville answered. Her eyes were confident.
"Then can you do a slaying formation to be set up in the entire empire and a spy-type formation in the near territories?" Jin Rou sat back on his throne and leaned.
The duchess was stumped to hear this. He wants us to set up a formation of that big? "Your Majesty, it's possible. However, the cost will be tremendous and I doubt my family can afford such a cost."
Just think about it, a slaying formation set up in the entire empire. This empire was vast as hell, spanning milllions of miles. How would her family do that? It's not impossible, but the cost of it was too much to bear.
"You don't have to worry about the cost. The empire will carry the burden of it." Jin Rou said.
"Pardon, Your Majesty. But I have to say something." After Jin Rou said those words, a youth in his probably mid 20s stood up. He was wearing a formal attire and decent looking, "I am the son of the Imperial Treasurer, Micharls Dusti. However, due to his sickness, he cannot attend it thus I am the one who is here."
"I see. Go on, state your concern." Jin Rou said.
"I don't think we can carry the burden of our the cost to set up the entire formation. A slaying formation is already too much, what more for the spy-type formation? If we push this matter through, our empire will be in an utter decline, resulting to famish in all around the places." Micharls Dusti said with a serious tone. He had taken considerations of all the possible result of this method and all was taking one path, doom.
Everyone nodded. Seeing that everyone was approving his words, he continued, "Besides to that, we have to compensate the soldiers who will be dispatched to the war. I am already deducting that if ever we are lucky to survive this catastrophe, we will drain our manpower to the worst state possible."
"Micharls is right, Your Majesty." Even Duchess Roseville had to agree with Micharls, "It will be a tremendous cost for your request and it's not the only thing we have to consider. However, I think it's possible to set up powerful slaying and spy formations in the blind spot areas where we predict they would go."
Jin Rou took a deep breath after hearing their words. He could understand their point of view. However, it wouldn't work that way, "Micharls, I don't think you have understood the severity of our situation."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Your Majesty, what do you mean?" Micharls trembled. However, he remained calm.
"You are thinking about the future prospects of the empire already. How can you think of that? We are in a very dire situation that in every move, our chances of surviving will differ. Think about it, you want to save the costs for the formations to avoid certain implications inside the empire, but what will happen if the empire ceases to exist because of this?" Jin Rou's voice was clear. He wasn't clearly targeting Micharls. He was just attacking his suggestion.
"..." Micharls was terrified and speechless. He didn't know what to say.
"This is a do or die moment for the empire, everyone. It's either we survive, or we die. The choices will be ours to choose from." Jin Rou said, "We have to go all out in this battle if we want to survive. Remember, three empires and their laws will be coming to attack us."
Everyone was silenced. The master was right. They had to go all out to increase their chances of winning. It wasn't a joke that three empires will be attacking them and with their Universal Laws in tow! This was the first time that'd happen.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I still have a lot more to learn." Micharls bowed in respect, "However, I must say that if we want to cast an entire formation in the whole empire, we have to spend at least 40% of the entire Imperial Treasury. If to say we have to go with two formations, then that will be 80%. And this is a generous estimation in my part."
Everyone sucked a mouthful of cool air as they heard this. The Imperial Treasury was almost drained to death! Take note, 40% of the treasury was already enough to make a declining empire survive without famish for millions of years!
And now, they would only be used to cast two vast formations.