Exactly. So we might as well actually earn it, right? It'll fall on us regardless. [And there's a considerable amount of frayed nerves that he's finally starting to fail at hiding.]
But that's not the important part. Messenger wants everyone to start getting ready: prepare stores of food and water, if you haven't. Determine alternate shelters, should you need them. And be ready to fight any Ophiuchus still under King's control.