Chapter 437: Chapter 262: Realization (Part 2)
"On the island and in Lanxi City, we have a total of about 400 Curse Sealers, around 600 of their family members, and just over 800 soldiers."
"As for ordinary people who can participate in the city’s defense and combat, there are about 1,200 in total, both men and women. This represents the entirety of our forces."
"We do have plenty of weapons in Lanxi City, and since we’ve just had the harvest season, our food supplies are adequate. However, we have no further reinforcements or supplies."
"Morale is fairly high. After all, this is our headquarters. Everyone here is part of the Whig Society’s core—our strength, our will, and our spirit are all at their peak. We are united as one, filled with a common hatred for the enemy. That isn’t a problem."
"Lanxi City itself is fairly well-fortified. Even if besieged by a large number of aberrations, we can hold out for some time. Moreover, being on an island, it’s unlikely the aberrations have large-scale siege weapons. We can probably hold our ground."
"This is the overall situation at the moment. Strictly speaking, we currently hold the advantage."
"However, Rooney’s earlier mention that the number of aberrations would be ten times our own was the result of a projection. It reflects the situation in the near future. If this trend continues, it won’t be long before the number of aberrations is ten times our total available manpower. Our odds of victory will plummet."
West briefly summarized the situation on Glan Island.
"We do have a temporary advantage, but our disadvantages are just as glaring," a white-haired elder, a senior member of the Whig Society, remarked.
"Before our headquarters was exposed, we could develop peacefully. We only kept core members here, dispatching most of our Curse Sealers across the Kingdom. Their mission was to secretly organize resistance against the Eternal Night Council and to recruit new members."
"Our headquarters wasn’t actually the place with the most Curse Sealers. As long as we weren’t on the Eternal Night Council’s radar, we were able to develop quite well here."
"But now that the Eternal Night Council has us in their sights, we can expect a continuous stream of aberrations to land on and attack this island."
"The aberrations currently on the island are unorganized, attacking spontaneously. Many simply drifted here across the sea. The Eternal Night Council has ways of influencing these aberrations, driving them here. For now, they are merely trying to wear us down."
"And I refuse to believe this is the extent of the Eternal Night Council’s tactics. They must be preparing a much harsher assault, intending to attack us soon and continue this war of attrition."
"Eventually, even the resources we’ve built up in Lanxi City will be completely exhausted."
"Moreover, any Curse Sealers from across the Kingdom would have to be extremely cautious about coming to our aid. Otherwise, they risk being ambushed while trying to reinforce a besieged headquarters. Our forces are already outnumbered; depleting them further would only compound our disadvantage, wouldn’t it?" the white-haired elder said.
"So, Anglo, what is your point?" West’s eyes lifted, landing on the white-haired Anglo.
"My point is that while Lanxi City is important, it’s now a target for the Eternal Night Council. We can defend it once, maybe twice, but how can we sustain such a defense long-term? We’ll exhaust our strength sooner or later," Anglo said.
"So, I still suggest we consider relocating our headquarters."
The moment he said this, the looks on the faces of some present changed. The atmosphere instantly grew heavy.
A sharp glint flashed in West’s eyes.
"What, Anglo? Are you suggesting we become deserters?" West asked.
"There’s no need to be so harsh. I am merely stating facts. If it truly comes to war, and the Leader decides to defend this city, then I will fight to the last. I will stake my old life to live or die with Lanxi," Anglo retorted.
"But right now, we are engaged in careful, rational analysis to determine the most advantageous course of action. This isn’t a matter of spite," Anglo said, his face flushing slightly red.
West didn’t press Anglo any further. He simply frowned and said, "We have to defend Lanxi City. Otherwise... the Kingdom might sound vast, but it’s crawling with aberrations. How long can we keep running?"
Hearing the two opposing viewpoints, everyone’s gazes naturally fell upon Alexander.
From the back of the room, Fang Zhen watched intently, curious to see how Alexander would handle the situation.
"We are defending Lanxi City." Alexander’s opening sentence immediately set the tone.
As all eyes turned to him, Alexander continued, "I know we’re under immense pressure, especially not knowing how many aberrations will come. But Lanxi City must be defended. It is our main base of operations, our foundation."
"Besides, we’ve been suppressed by the Eternal Night Council for so long. If we abandon our own headquarters, then everyone across the Kingdom—whether they are common people or our own Whig Society members—will begin to feel doubt, disappointment, and even despair."
"They’ll question the very meaning of the Whig Society’s resistance. They’ll wonder how much longer we can hold on."
"Running away is no solution. We will have to face the Eternal Night Council in a decisive battle eventually. The only question is whether we fight it well or poorly."
"Only by defending Lanxi City, by raising our banner high for all the world to see, can we demonstrate our resolve. Only then will people not abandon hope, not fall into despair, and not be reduced to mere slaves and food for those aberrant rulers."
