Luke now had countless achievements in Demacia. Because of him, Demacia could be said to have changed greatly.
Naturally, no one refused to acknowledge him.
But when he put forward this proposal, there were still many conservatives who were not very optimistic about it.
They raised objections.
"For over six hundred years, Demacia has never taken the initiative to attack any territory or nation. Are we going to break that now?"
"War harms the people. What benefit is there in starting a war without cause? How many tragedies of ruined families and lost lives will this create?"
"Our Demacia has only just completed internal reform, and everything is thriving. If we suddenly send troops to attack a neighboring nation at a time like this, I fear it would not be appropriate."
"That's right. Although the Second Prince has made many contributions to the nation, this decision is still somewhat rash. We cannot act so recklessly because of a moment of hot blood!"
After the ministers spoke one after another, the sounds of discussion still had not stopped. All of them wore expressions of earnest persuasion.
These people were conservatives, so this line of thinking was understandable.
In truth, it was not that they lacked the courage to do this. Rather, compared to war, they were more willing to accept the peaceful status quo.
Only after they naturally quieted down did Luke slowly speak. "Let me ask you all a question. For over six hundred years, Demacia has never taken the initiative to attack any territory or nation. But during all these years, who has recorded the number of times we were attacked?"
The ministers looked at one another.
Tianna picked up the thread and said, "Countless."
"Since it is countless," Luke continued along with her words, "then among those countless times, while we only defended passively, how many families were harmed, how many warriors were sacrificed, and how many tragedies of ruined homes and lost lives occurred?"
Tianna answered again, "Countless."
The ministers all fell silent.
Two consecutive "countless" answers truly left them somewhat unable to speak.
"The number can no longer be counted. The deep lessons of history have constantly reminded us that similar tragedies will only repeat in the future."
Luke's clear voice slowly fell. "So should we not consider doing everything in our power to reduce the greatest number of tragedies?"
His words were not without reason. Even though Demacia had never started a war, sacrifice had always accompanied it.
When enemies attacked and Demacia defended, sacrifices were still made.
If that was the case, why not become an existence those enemies would not dare attack?
Even if the future was full of unknowns, at least right now, they would be doing everything in their power to protect the greatest number of people.
After thinking it over carefully, one minister stepped forward and said, "However, I believe the current timing is inappropriate."
"Timing. Timing never jumps out on its own. It depends on us seizing it."
Luke glanced at him and said, "It is true that Noxus has strong military power, but Demacia may not necessarily be weaker than them. Not to mention, Noxus is currently continuing to send troops to attack Ionia, its internal situation is unstable, warlords have risen everywhere, and they are fighting over power. As for us, we have already made enough preparations. If we do not strike them hard now, then once they finish the war in Ionia and recover, the ones who suffer a heavy blow will still be us."
In truth, after the last purge, there were basically no ministers sitting here who failed to understand reason.
It was only that their personalities, or the education they had received since childhood, made them overly conservative.
But everyone knew that this was indeed a good opportunity.
It was just that it somewhat conflicted with the present moment, when mages had just been unsealed and Demacia was developing in two directions.
However, after thinking carefully, there were not many points of conflict between the two.
Seeing that the discussion was about right, Jarvan III spoke. "This meeting was convened to ask for the council's opinion. Everyone, it is time to state your positions."
As soon as his words fell, Tianna was the first to raise her hand. "I agree to send troops."
Then Wenward and Frey raised their hands at the same time. "Seconded."
After that, Barrett came back from his thoughts and also raised his hand. "Seconded."
"Seconded."
The remaining people spoke one after another.
The ministers around them looked at each other, then said in unison, "Seconded!"
Their orderly voices fell across the meeting room.
Jarvan III waited until it quieted down, then looked at Luke. "Since you were the one who proposed this, for this expedition, I appoint you as the commanding general, in charge of the entire army. Begin preparing troops immediately. If you have any needs, raise them as soon as possible. This eastern campaign must make Demacia's name resound!"
Luke bowed and accepted the order. "Your son obeys."
"I appoint Lev as your deputy general. The two of you will join hands against the enemy."
Then Jarvan III looked toward Lev.
Lev stood up and bowed. "This subject obeys."
The meeting did not disperse until noon. During that time, the ministers continuously discussed every aspect of this expedition.
For them, this was all a first.
But since the decision had already been made, there was no longer any need to hesitate or agonize over it.
After the meeting dispersed, departments from every side began moving, actively cooperating with this expedition.
The first matter was to prepare troops, equipment, supplies, and grain. These were not troublesome, since Demacia already had abundant reserves in ordinary times.
Preparing them would not take very long.
In other words, it would probably not be long before Luke had to set out.
When he returned home, noon had already passed.
The girls had already woken from their second sleep. At this moment, the courtyard was quiet. Only Lux was lying there bored, idly scrolling through her chat panel.
When she saw Luke return, she immediately looked over and asked, "What were you doing all morning?"
"Busy with something. Where are they?"
Luke looked around the courtyard and asked.
"Sona is in the living room. Miss Duelist went home. Kahina went to work. As for Poppy and Quinn, I don't know where they ran off to."
Lux thought for a moment, then said, "Open the group and ask."
"The group?"
Hearing this, Luke took out the Secret Key and opened the panel.
Sure enough, he saw that he had been pulled into a group, and there were quite a few chat messages, including some tagging him. He scrolled up and reached the top.
"Smartest One in the Room added you to the group chat."
Smartest One in the Room: "All right, I pulled this guy in. By the way, what are you all doing? I woke up and it was just me and Sona."
Not Miss Duelist: "Something came up at home. I went back first."
Kinda Hungry, Honestly: "The knight order assigned a new mission! Slacking off at work!"
Chord of the Heart: "O(∩_∩)O."
Smartest One in the Room tagged Dream of Nine Hundred Million Girls: "? What kind of awful name did you change to, shameless jerk? Where are you? Why are you gone?"
Smartest One in the Room tagged Dream of Nine Hundred Million Girls: "Where did you run off to cause trouble now?"
Smartest One in the Room: "Say something. Where are you?"
Smartest One in the Room tagged Dream of Nine Hundred Million Girls: "Still alive?"
"..."
He scrolled farther down. In the group chat, Miss Crownguard clearly belonged to the social maniac type, sending a message every little while.
At the moment, the group was very quiet.
Luke thought for a moment, edited a message, and sent it out. "I'm back. I have something important to announce. Tagging all members."
Not Miss Duelist: "?"
Kinda Hungry, Honestly: "?"
Smartest One in the Room: "You can tag people like that?"
Chord of the Heart: "^_^."
I'll Scout Ahead: "Poppy and I are testing a flight."
Then Quinn sent a picture. It was an image of Valor hooking Poppy and flying through the sky.
Seeing that everyone was present, Luke continued editing his message. "A lot of you aren't in the courtyard, so I'll say it in the group first. The meeting held this morning approved my decision to lead troops in a friendly greeting to our neighbor next door. We will set out soon."
After the message was sent, another pile of question marks appeared in no time.
Lux raised her head, a question mark practically popping above it. "What does that mean?"
She looked at the group again and only then understood.
Not Miss Duelist: "You're going to lead troops to war?"
Kinda Hungry, Honestly: "Noxus?"
Dream of Nine Hundred Million Girls: "That's right!"
Lux blinked somewhat blankly. All of a sudden, this guy was going to lead troops to attack Noxus?
Judging by his manner, it did not seem like he was lying.
They did not chat much more in the group, because Fiora, Kahina, Quinn, and Poppy had all begun heading back.
At this time, Luke conveniently went to prepare lunch.
At the dining table, several people took their seats.
Kahina asked, "I did indeed receive news just now. The army is mobilizing troops. I didn't expect it was being prepared for Your Highness."
Fiora's eyes were also flickering with a focused light.
She had just asked Sébastien as well and had received accurate information.
It was indeed Luke who had proposed sending troops to attack Noxus. The council had unanimously approved it, and rapid preparations had now begun. They really would be setting out very soon.
Lux ate one bite at a time, somewhat distracted. "A war…"
War was no game. It was something people risked their lives to win at any moment.
Now, after experiencing many things, she was naturally no longer a little girl.
In her memory, Demacia had never taken the initiative to attack another place before. Now Luke had become the first person to do it.
She believed that Luke's decision was correct, so she quickly made up her mind.
She was going too!
At this moment, Kahina sighed and said, "Because a portion of the troops is being transferred away, I just received a mission. I've been assigned somewhere else to serve as guard captain."
Naturally, she hoped to go with Luke. However, the transfer order had already been issued, so she could not disobey.
"Of course, you don't need to think of this too seriously."
Luke looked at their expressions and smiled. "Since we decided to send troops this time, naturally, we have made sufficient preparations."
The girls naturally trusted him very much.
Since he said he had made sufficient preparations, then that was definitely the case.
It was just that this matter involved war, so it was no small game.
After the meal, Fiora called Luke to the backyard.
The two sat down on a bench in the backyard.
Fiora said softly, "A few days ago, my appointment document was sent from High Silvermere. I was appointed as deputy sword officer of High Silvermere, and I should be able to rise to chief sword officer soon."
Chief sword officer was an official position, and not a low one.
Lux's father, Pieter, was currently the chief sword officer of High Silvermere.
He managed all major and minor affairs in High Silvermere. However, it seemed he was about to be promoted and transferred somewhere else soon.
Perhaps he would be transferred to the capital.
Naturally, High Silvermere would need a capable new person to inherit the position of chief sword officer.
There were many capable people in High Silvermere, but not many came from House Crownguard like Pieter.
Therefore, the candidate had to be capable first, and second, had to be able to convince the people.
Fiora was that candidate.
Her current popularity in High Silvermere was unmatched. As the first female swordswoman to reach the top of the sword rankings, she was practically an object of worship and admiration for many people.
Her status in the hearts of swordsmen was also extremely high.
Although she was young, she could definitely hold the field in High Silvermere.
Now Sébastien had been selected as the noble representative and could sit at the octagonal table in the meeting hall, but that alone was far from enough for House Laurent to break through in one leap and become a top noble house.
Because the strength of the main house itself was still not deep enough.
The only ones who could serve as its public face were him and Fiora.
For Fiora, being selected as deputy sword officer this time was absolutely an excellent opportunity.
Once Pieter was promoted, she, as chief sword officer of High Silvermere, could begin cultivating more outstanding talents within the family.
In other words, whether House Laurent could become a true top noble house depended on this wave.
Of course, it was not that everything absolutely depended on this wave, but this was indeed a rare opportunity.
It could save a great deal of time and trouble.
And Fiora herself had also been thinking that it was about time to return to High Silvermere and begin training the members of her family who had come from all over.
Among these clansmen, quite a few had decent talent, but they lacked cultivation and proper guidance.
As a result, although House Laurent's capacity had expanded, its fundamental strength was still not impressive enough.
Compared to other swordsmanship families, it was still somewhat lacking. This was also a threshold blocking House Laurent.
If they could not even cross this threshold, there was no point talking about becoming a top noble house.
Was House Laurent's swordsmanship weak?
Naturally not. It was even very strong.
So in Fiora's view, her clansmen were only missing an opportunity, an opportunity to become stronger.
And she could give them that opportunity.
However, now she had suddenly learned that Luke was going to send troops out.
After thinking for a while, she said, "I intend to give up this appointment and go with you."
After listening, Luke turned his head and studied her cold, beautiful profile, but did not speak.
Fiora frowned. "What is it?"
Luke smiled. "You're not love-struck, are you?"
"??"
Fiora slowly typed two question marks with her face. Her eyebrow lifted, and a cold gleam flashed in her eyes. "What do you mean?"
"I understand you. It's all because of my damned char, hiss."
Before Luke could finish speaking, he felt a sharp pain from the flesh at his waist, making him suck in a cold breath.
Fiora's lips curled into a cold smile. Her cool eyes looked at Luke as if staring at a dead man, while her hand remained at his waist. She said lightly, "There should still be limits to shamelessness."
"I was wrong, I was wrong."
Luke immediately begged for mercy.
Only then did Fiora relax her grip. "Speak properly."
"What I mean is, there's no need." Luke rubbed the flesh at his waist as he said, "I made sufficient preparations this time, and I believe it won't take too long. But if you give up your current appointment, who knows when the next one will come? Although we could use connections, wouldn't that just give people gossip to talk about?"
"That is true."
Fiora lowered her eyes.
She did not know what she was worried about. Although this guy was extremely annoying, when he actually handled matters, he rarely gave people reason to worry.
It was just that she truly did want to go with him.
Fiora realized that this was her own little woman's feelings at work, so she quickly figured it out.
It was not as if they were parting forever. It was not as if they would never see each other again after separating.
Why should she care so much about the present?
She could completely handle the family matters while waiting for good news from this guy at the front line.
She knew that her ability might be able to help Luke on the front line.
But he had made so many preparations this time. Even without her, she believed he would give Noxus a proper lesson.
Thus, Fiora no longer hesitated.
"Then I'll wait for you to come back."
She looked at Luke and slowly said this.
In her heart, she thought that since this guy was about to leave soon, and she could not go with him, there was no need to keep sharing him with Sona for the time being.
Perhaps she should let him properly pay his dues these next few days, preferably including the portion for the near future too.
Sensing that Fiora's gaze had suddenly changed, Luke instinctively had a bad feeling.
He shivered slightly twice.
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