Chapter 119: Tactical Meeting
The old general was the first to speak. "Your Holiness," he addressed the Pope respectfully before turning to Mikael, "and esteemed envoys of the goddess, we deeply appreciate your arrival in our time of need. I will not waste words—the war is at a breaking point. The Valden Kingdom holds a decisive advantage over us in both numbers and logistics. Their generals are shrewd, their armies disciplined, and their supply lines well-maintained. If this continues, we will be crushed within months, if not weeks."
A tactician stepped forward, gesturing toward the war map. "The enemy has secured key supply routes and strongholds along our borders. Our forces are stretched thin, barely holding the frontlines. We have strategic locations that could turn the tide, but taking them back would require resources we no longer have."
He pointed to several marked locations. "The three key fortresses that we cannot afford to lose are Ironhold Keep, Stormwatch Bastion, and Blackthorn Fortress. Each of these strongholds is vital, and losing even one would be disastrous for the kingdom."
"Currently, we have 5,000 able-bodied men defending Ironhold Keep. They are up against 20,000 enemy soldiers, but due to the fortress's strong defenses, they have managed to hold their ground."
"The situation at Stormwatch Bastion is the most stable of the three. Thanks to its maritime advantages, the 4,000 troops stationed there have been able to repel the 20,000 attackers."
"And finally, Blackthorn Fortress—the most critical of the three. We have 6,000 men defending it against 17,000 attackers, but the terrain offers little advantage to our forces, making it increasingly difficult to hold."
The tactician continued, outlining additional key locations, the condition of supply lines, troop morale, and logistical constraints. The discussion grew increasingly detailed, with maps, troop distributions, and strategies being laid out.
Mikael, however, quickly realized something. War was not just about numbers or strategies—it was a complex web of logistics, terrain, morale, and timing. But as the tactician continued delving into increasingly intricate details, Mikael understood that, for him, this information was largely irrelevant.
They weren’t here to fight a drawn-out war. They were here to end it.
Seeing that the tactician was unlikely to stop anytime soon, Mikael interrupted. "While this information is useful, it isn't what we are looking for." His voice carried an undeniable authority, immediately drawing the attention of everyone in the room.
The sudden silence was palpable, as multiple high-ranking individuals turned their gazes toward him. Unfazed, Mikael continued. "The goddess has entrusted us with a mission," he said, leaning slightly forward. "And that mission is not to engage in a prolonged war, nor to exhaust your kingdom with endless battles. Our purpose is to bring a swift and decisive end to this conflict, minimizing casualties on both sides."
The Pope observed him carefully, his wise eyes unreadable, but the general frowned. "A decisive end? I do not doubt your strength, divine envoy, but even the power of the divine—vast as it is—cannot end a war overnight."