"That's odd. We've never been attacked."
"Because they can't win. Who in their right mind would lead an army into elven territory?"
Elven lands were beyond forests teeming with monsters, and no one truly knew the terrain there. Even reaching the destination would be in doubt, and those who survived the journey would likely be wiped out by elven counterattacks.
"But if the elves willingly enter human territory, the story changes. The Emperor would eagerly send his army."
"And my forces would slaughter them like pigs," the Duke retorted.
"You already know. Humans don't value lives like the elves do."
Especially the current Emperor and Crown Prince. The Emperor might ignore it out of laziness, but the Crown Prince would likely charge forward, trembling with excitement. Even if their armies were annihilated, they'd keep sending soldiers, funding fresh forces, and pushing them forward.