They reach a stalemate

As the newly-conquered Elven cities are placed under rule of the Monster Horde, a gag order is issued to prevent news of their capitulation from leaking out, primarily to keep the Efrosi princes in the dark.

The proud Princes, too focused on killing each other for supremacy, never pay attention to the fact that Monster warbands were secretly positioning themselves to take their cities even as their armies fight for weeks with little to no gain on either side. Their troops are worn and exhausted, morale is low and their supplies are dwindling.

The Princes have too much ego and too little brain and brawn to compensate, and so when they see the Monster Horde betraying them and killing their troops, it is too late for them to properly counterattack.

Dead and slain like animals, their heads are displayed on spikes as warning and their bodies stripped naked from their uselessly ornamented armour, fed to the wolves for feasting.

The people are terrified at the sight of monsters marching through the streets, but even more befuddling was the sight of Humans and Elves willingly marching alongside them. And so, gathered in the city of Oxmaw - capital of Efros - were Ferdinand and his inner council debating their next move.

"Haha! I love killing idiot Human nobles!" Said Diepkutter, "Too much ego and not enough muscle; almost disappointing, really."

"There's always that type of people, no matter the society," Said Ferdinand, "Regardless, we have to get a measure of the nobles' reactions; there'll be those who won't surrender, and those who'll want to curry favour with us. If we're to complete our conquest of the Elven lands, this is a hurdle we must overcome no matter what."

"I've never trusted these nobles," Said Kassandra darkly, "They were too eager to expend lives in pursuit of salvaging their own egos and petty gains."

"And we all know that if left alone, they will stir trouble again," Said Ferdinand, "So if we're to secure our hold on Efros, we must invite them all to the capital of Oxmaw for my coronation."

Kassandra did a double-take on Ferdinand's words, and both Diepkutter and Iozunk were shocked still.

"You? Become a monarch?" Asked Kassandra, eyes wide as a fish's, "I thought you abhored the thought."

"I did, I still do," Said Ferdinand, "I'm merely using it as an excuse to lure out the nobility."

"Ah, carrot-and-stick, eh?" Said Iozunk, "I like where this is going."

"Indeed, so here's the plan..."