"The Emperor needs to send reinforcements. Pull troops from other kingdoms, establish defensive coalition, something. We can't face this alone."
"Imperial forces are committed elsewhere. By the time they could mobilize and reach us, the battle would be decided." Damien traced attack vectors on the map. "We're on our own."
"Then we evacuate. Pull civilians to the interior, establish fallback positions, prepare for siege warfare."
"That just delays the inevitable. If Valdara falls, other kingdoms follow. The entire defensive structure collapses."
Seria was quiet for a long moment. Then: "What are you actually saying? That we fight despite the odds being impossible?"
"I'm saying we need force multiplication. Something that changes the tactical equation enough to matter." He took a breath. "Lyristae thinks I should deliberately increase my corruption. Push it to double what it is now to unlock additional capabilities that might make the difference."
"That's insane."
