Chapter 265: The New Barons
"Lyan, thank you for coming," the prince said, his voice commanding yet warm.
Lyan bowed slightly. "Your Highness, it’s an honor to serve." It’s a formality as he’s in front of lots of Astellians. He can’t make William, or rather the crown prince Erich lose his face in front of his retainers.
The prince nodded with an amused smile, then motioned for Lyan to join them at the large table in the center of the room. Spread out on the table was a detailed map of Astellia, with various markers indicating strategic points and areas of interest. The prince’s generals stood around the table, their faces serious as they discussed the plans for the upcoming campaign.
"We’ve received intelligence about the Count’s city, Grafen," one of the generals said, pointing to a location on the map. "It’s heavily fortified, and we anticipate significant resistance. But taking it is crucial for our advance."
Lyan studied the map, his mind already strategizing. "What are the defenses like?"
"High walls, a moat, and more than 2000 well-trained guards separated from his knights and his soldiers," another general replied. "But we believe there’s a weakness in their supply lines. If we can cut those off, we might weaken their defenses enough for an assault."
Lyan studied the map, tracing his fingers over the indicated supply lines. "If we can intercept their supplies, we can force them into a defensive position. But we’ll need precise coordination to ensure our forces can sustain the siege."
The guildmaster, Gildevart, nodded thoughtfully. "We’ve gathered intelligence from our scouts. The supply caravans travel through a narrow pass to the east. It’s well-guarded but not impregnable."
Borton, the leader of the Brave Rings mercenary group and a towering figure known for his strategic mind, leaned over the table. "I suggest a two-pronged approach. We send a smaller, agile force to disrupt the supply lines while the main army advances towards Grafen. This way, we can apply pressure from both sides."