Once every four days, King Makai XXII would hold strategy meeting in Makai Royal Hall. In the small but luxurious meeting room, just next to the main audience room, he calmly started the meeting.

“Uncle Migal, how far is our progress for the second campaign?”

Grand Commander Migal respectfully replied, “Your Majesty, we have secured enough supply for each Battle Group, but in return the food shortage in Makai Royal City increase several folds, followed by clear sign of imminent public riots.

Also, as we suffer massive casualty in the first campaign, now we have to pay a huge amount of pension and death gratuity for the family of fallen personnel.”

“For now, hold the payment for pension and death gratuity,” King Makai XXII casually decided. “And let’s use public riots that occur as a means for population control. The population density in Makai Royal City had already hit an alarming rate since last year. We can’t let this issue remains unattended.”

“Your Majesty,” Count Murak, the current trade and finance minister, respectfully said. “May this humble servant propose an idea?”

“You may, Uncle Murak.”

“As we know, the number of potential rioter in Makai Royal City is massive. Even if we manage to suppress the first riot, I’m afraid the second riot and the next one will break out shortly after. In that case, we---

“City Guard will annihilate it, no matter how many or how big the riot,” Count Karg, the current commander of City Guard, confidently said. “We had done this kind of routine for the last thousand years and we will do it again to ensure Kingdom of Makai’s existence and glory.

Not to mention Makai Guard has recruited most of adult male along with boys above 13 years old, and they will depart to frontline soon. So, the majority of rioters are only widower, orphan kids, or elderly.”

After heaving a deep sigh Count Murak immediately said, “Count Karg, don’t just cut me in the middle of my explanation.”

“Why? Do you have something else to say other than doubting City Guard’s capability?” Count Karg asked in mocking tone.

“No, I don’t.”

“Do you want us to spare the rebellious commoner?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Then, what idea do you want to propose?”

“This fool.” While trying to hold back his anger Marquis Murak continued, “That’s why don’t just cut me in the middle of my explanation.”

Seeing the verbal exchange between Marquis Murak and Count Karg started going into unhealthy discussion, King Makai immediately said, “Count Karg, do not cutting in into someone explanation and waste our time.”

Your Majesty,” As he slightly bowed his head, Count Karg respectfully continued, “please pardon this foolish servant’s rudeness.”

“As long as you don’t do it again in my presence.”

“This humble servant won’t dare to repeat his mistake.”

“Good.” King Makai XXII then turned his gaze towards Marquis Murak, “Uncle Murak, you can continue your explanation.”

“As you wish, Your Majesty.” As he grinned from ear to ear in his heart, Marquis Murak continued his explanation, “As this humble servant had said before, killing the rioters will not ensure the return of public order as long as the amount of population remains above the food supply. So, why don’t we trade some of the population with food supply and money?”

Coincidently, slave traders from Empire of Mikasa have made an inquiry about the availability of slave women and slave children.”

After hearing Count Murak’s idea, Grand Commander Migal instantly frowned. “If member of Makai Guard in front line hears that we sell wife and children of their fallen comrades, it will destroy their loyalty and fighting spirit.”

“That’s why, we will do it covertly. In a small but well organize squad to kidnap and transport the rioters to Port of Ursu. City Guard only needs to conduct a fake investigation.”

“Uncle Murak, how many women and children do they need?”

“As many as we can offer, Your Majesty.” Count Murak happily replied. “If we trade half of women and children in Makai Royal City, we will get enough food for the remaining population, along with a good amount of gold to refill kingdom’s treasury.”

King Makai XXII didn’t immediately reply but fell into deep contemplation. He had legal and moral justification to execute commoners who became rioters, but openly and massively selling them as slaves was different pond and fish. It could ignite great rebellion.

That was also one of the reasons why every king in the previous era had never adopted this idea. However, those previous kings had never facing an opponent like TF Amethyst, or to be precise systematically losing three battle groups in matter of days after first contact.

Right now, King Makai XXII firmly believed he couldn’t show sign of weakness no matter how difficult the situation. He had to make sure Kingdom of Makai in a favorable position before starting peace negotiation.

Of course, the idea of having peace negotiation with TF Amethyst would crumble as soon as he knew the fate of Prince Dellan. But for now, King Makai XXII was not in the mood to declare total war against TF Amethyst.

After taking a deep breath, King Makai XXII turned his gaze towards Grand Commander Migal. “Uncle Migal, I guess we can employ Count Murak’s idea. Currently, we have no means to feed the commoner or to lower their huge number. We will also need a lot of money to replace the destroyed warships and fallen Riders.”

“This humble servant understand and obey,” Grand Commander Migal respectfully expressed his agreement. “But we also have to prepare a scape goat, as precaution in case this operation gone into public and we need to appease public anger.”

“Your Majesty,” Count Karg respectfully added, “We can’t let people to think that Makai Royal Hall take a part on this operation.”

“I know.” King Makai XXII turned his gaze towards Count Murak before continuing, “Uncle Murak, are you ready to take full blame if this operation doesn’t go according to the plan?”

“Your Majesty, whatever the result, this humble servant is ready to bear the full responsibility.” Count Murak confidently replied, while inwardly he happily imagining the token of gratitude he would receive from the slave traders.

“In that case, I will give you full authority to run it.”

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

“Good,” King Makai XXII nodded in satisfaction before continuing, “Now, let’s talk about the disturbance in our crystal communication network. Also, can someone explain to me why last night we heard a lot of noise from Penna Hi---”

Booom!

King Makai XXII didn’t finish his words as suddenly he heard an explosion in the distance. At first, it was only a single faint explosion. But then, it was closing in rapidly and became very intense.

Bo-bo-booom! Bla-bla-blaaaarr!!

Ratatar! Ratataaaarrr!!

KA-BOOOMM! KA-BOOOOMM! BLUAAAARRR!!!

A moment later, a loud “Bleg ge-bleg ge-bleg ge-bleg!!” sound was heard from above Makai Royal Hall. At the same time, a captain from Palace Guard entered the small meeting room and reported.

“Your Majesty, four unknown flying carriages had landed in the side yard, carrying small number raiders who were closing in to this place from four directions. You have to evacuate you right now.”

“What an audacity!!” King Makai XXII cursed in furry.

The captain didn’t explain the identity of the intruder, but King Makai XXII with ease concluded that they were TF Amethyst’s personnel. However, he didn’t panic even after fully aware that hostile combatants had penetrated deep into the heart of Makai Royal Palace.

As he stood from his chair, King Makai XXII said, “After more than two hundred years, finally someone has to use the secret corridor under Makai Royal Palace.”

Wasting no time, King Makai XXII walked to the lamp holder on the wall behind his chair. Then, he calmly pulled it down and the floors next to him shifted to the side, exposing a walkway to a secret corridor.

“Captain, lead the way.”

“At once, Your Majesty.”

Wasting no time, the lieutenant stepped in into walkway. Meanwhile, other than Grand Commander Migal, everyone in the room looked at the walkway with big wondering gaze. It was easy to tell that they didn’t know the existence of the secret corridor.

*****