Chapter 103: A Feint Operation (1)

“First of all, our army has not yet informed Benedict that our negotiations have broken down. Therefore, we can assume that the rebels are currently only on basic alert, and we expect that most of the rebel forces are still stationed in the southern oasis.”

They started to set up the framework of a plan. However, Henry was well aware that this was a smoke-screen operation to hide information from each other; it was a waste of time.

‘Arthus must have seen the report that arrived at the imperial palace, so he probably told Benedict that the negotiations had broken down. They must have dispersed their forces not only in the capital but everywhere else as well.’

In addition, Benedict probably knew that it wasn’t the imperial army involved but the private armies of the counts.

‘Surely… There will be less pressure.’

The rebels would not have to fear the imperial army and could focus on destroying the private army. Arthus had promised to take care of everything afterward. The meeting continued blindly in the direction that everyone wanted little by little.

Finally, the first plan was decided.

“The first thing we’ll do is a feint operation. We will attack the city in the eastern oasis, Sultan, and the city in the northern oasis, Caliph, at the same time. However, we will only send a small force to Sultan as a distraction and the rest to attack Caliph.”

It was a simple arrangement.

No matter how much Benedict dispersed his forces, they could not attack the inner capital because of the distance. In addition, Sultan was too close to the capital, making it difficult to prepare for future counterattacks if they attacked it first. The only city left to attack was Caliph.

“Then the only thing left to do now is to decide which troops will buy us time in Sultan…”

No one wanted to take on the role of distraction since it would mean a different level of achievement compared to an attacking force.

Right then, Eisen lifted his chin slightly and said in a calm voice, “I’ll go.”

“...!”

Everyone had believed that Eisen would choose to be part of the regular army. The two counts opened their eyes wide at the unexpected action and exchanged glances.

‘Idiots.’

Henry smiled viciously at the two counts.

The problem that everyone expected would take a long time to resolve was over in an instant and the meeting ended quickly without any conflict.

Henry praised Eisen as soon as they returned to the Shonan army’s barracks after the leaders' meeting. “You did really well, count. Thanks to the count's generosity, the meeting ended quickly without any problems.”

“Hmm, I only did what you told me to do.”

“That’s not true. Listening to a subordinate is also the act of a truly wise man.”

“Hahaha, of course! Isn’t listening attentively to a loyal subject an attitude that a good leader should take?”

All that was left to do was an overall inspection and advance.

“Advance!”

Honk!

They heard the sound of horns accompanying soldiers,

“It seems like they’re departing already.”

It was the Falcon and Eiji army. Although Caliph was closer than Sultan, more soldiers had to move so they had to leave right away.

Henry leisurely walked out of the barracks and watched the two counts enter the gorge. Once all the count’s army had passed the gorge…

‘We should also get going.’

After Henry confirmed that the counts were out of sight, he approached Eisen and said, “Count, let’s start the real Shonan army meeting now.”

Henry had taught Eisen how to act at the leaders meeting and now that the two counts had left, it was time to reveal the information he had so far kept to himself.

‘Eisen must become the marquis and behead Benedict.’

This was the beginning of the real subjugation for Henry.

* * *

The power of the magical horseshoes were incredible. The two counts arrived in just two days when usually it would have taken more than three.

Honk!

Immediately after the subjugation army arrived in front of the Caliph palace, the rebels blew their horns to signify an emergency.

‘It's starting.’

The dignified appearance of the 10,000 soldiers was intimidating. However, no matter how ferocious the force was, they still had to capture a massive palace that exceeded the size of a normal territory.

“Everyone, back away!” said Oscar, his shout infused with Aura. He took out a large scroll, which contained magic called Rising Castle.

It was a high-level architectural magic that could create a fortress. Henry had used it for the Rising Grand Mansion in the past.

Gulp.

Oscar swallowed nervously.

The Rising Castle scroll could instantly create a massive fortress, which was why it was so expensive that even Count Oscar had felt the pinch.

‘I invested a huge amount of money just to buy this thing. I don’t know about other places, but I must make Caliph my achievement.’

It was a spiteful pledge. Oscar was more desperate than the others because Duke Arthus had high expectations of him. It was not an exaggeration to say that Oscar had invested all of his family’s wealth to ensure victory.

Boom!

After taking a deep breath, he tore the scroll into large pieces as the wizards had told him. The enormous amount of mana stored in the scroll began to pour out like a waterfall.

Rumble!

A huge magic circle appeared in front of his eyes. It was the Rising Castle magic circle. The magic triggered by the scroll began to swallow the surrounding environment just like the Rising Grand Mansion that Henry had cast.

“Wow…!”

The fortress started building up from the bottom and continued to rise higher and higher into the sky. Like the Tower of Babel trying to challenge the authority of the sky, Oscar’s fortress was beyond imagination as it continued to grow bigger.

When the fortress was finally complete, it sported an impressive siege tower.

Smirk.

Looking at the fortress that was grander than he had expected, Oscar felt confidence in his victory that was as large as the fortress. He shouted at the Eiji army once more.

“Let’s go!”

“Yes, sir!”

The fighting spirit of the soldiers also went up due to Oscar.

Oscar took a quick glance at Terion’s hard expression.

‘You’re behind now. This is what you call true preparation.’

He didn’t know what Terion was thinking, but it was clear that Oscar had the upper hand.

“...We should go too,” said Terion.

“Falcon army, follow the Eiji army!”

At Terion’s command, the Thousand Commanders spread the word.

The soldiers filled the fortress in an instant like ants.

When everyone was in their respective places, Oscar ordered the Thousand Commander again.

“Prepare the siege weapons.”

“Everyone, take out your siege weapons!”

The orders of the Thousand Commander were passed down to the Hundred Commander, then to the Ten Commander. They all took out their Subspace Pouches and began to take out various siege weapons parts.

“...!”

The Falcon army was surprised once again. The Eiji army immediately assembled the siege weapons, like catapults, and began to pour out throwing objects with even more energetic expressions.

‘This Caliph is mine.’

Seeing the gap widen with the Falcon army, Oscar did not hide his smile. In fact, his smile grew even bigger as if he wanted Terion to see. Finally, when everything was ready, Oscar once again gathered his Aura and shouted out loud.

“Everyone, attack!”

Thud! Thud!

Crack!

The pure white walls that Henry had built around the Caliph palace started to crack due to Oscar’s attack.

* * *

𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

‘As expected.’

There were four oases in the Shahatra desert and in the center of the large desert was La’s Tower, from where you could see everything in the desert.

Benedict sat at the top of La’s Tower with his arms and legs crossed.

‘They’re here.’

Eyes of the desert was a power that only La’s Sword, who protected the desert, had. The field of view that could be seen with the eyes of the desert was very wide. However, even the eyes of the desert had a limit. It was only possible to overcome that limitation in La’s Tower, which made it the best location for the warrior of the desert.

Benedict could see the large subjugation force moving to Caliph through the eyes of the desert.

‘Around 10,000 soldiers?’

Although his eyes were tightly closed, Benedict could see clearly. The corners of his lips rose.

Just like Mordred had said, it was private soldiers and not the imperial army.

‘

Good thing I have a large number of troops in Caliph.’

The number of troops was almost the same as Mordred had said. Benedict also predicted that they would attack Caliph first, so he purposely placed more troops there. He felt a sense of joy when they really came after Caliph first.

‘How dare they try to fight me with military force. They don’t know their place.’

It was ridiculous.

It was different if they were the imperial army, but mere private soldiers were another matter. In addition, they must have heard about his ability through Khan, and to attack with such an obvious route was an insult.

‘No, this could be a diversion. It won’t be too late to leave after I watch their movements for a little longer.’

Benedict was not in a rush.

He had prepared for this rebellion for a long time.

It was said that tigers did their best even when hunting rabbits.

In addition, because Benedict had been holding back his anger for a long time, he made every action with a cold heart.

Most crucially…

‘The bastard who slapped my face is not there!’

No matter how hard he looked through the 10,000 soldiers, he could not find Eisen.

‘I will definitely behead that bastard myself.’

Benedict could not forget the humiliation of being slapped.

Benedict waited for quite some time.

‘As expected!’

After some patience, Benedict was able to detect the movement of another force in the Shahatra gorge, where he found Eisen.