Chapter 425: The Southest Front (1) The Division
The command tent was bustling with activity, filled with the sharp scent of ink and parchment, the clinking of armor, and the low murmur of voices. Lyan stood near the large strategy table, its surface covered with maps detailing every inch of the surrounding terrain, troop placements, and enemy lines. The recent skirmish had been a success, and a sense of triumph filled the air, but everyone knew that this was only the beginning. A calm before the real storm.
Alice stood beside Lyan, her eyes fixed on the maps, her expression confident. She had earned her place, and the trust Lyan had put in her during the last skirmish was evident. Beside her stood Wilhelmina, her gaze steady, her experience as one of Lyan’s closest advisors giving her an insight that others respected. Surena, her arms crossed over her chest, looked over the strategy table with a focused intensity, while Abraham, the scout leader, stood at attention, his eyes flicking between the gathered commanders.
Captain Gareth, Lyan’s newly assigned adjutant, hovered nearby, taking notes and keeping track of each movement and command. Gareth was young but competent, his eyes full of determination as he scribbled details onto the parchment in front of him.
"We have unexpected movement from the Varzadian forces," Abraham began, his voice serious.
"Their reinforcements are closer than we anticipated. They’re not moving like a unified force—it’s almost as if they’re setting bait."
Lyan frowned, leaning over the map, his finger tracing the positions that Abraham had marked. "Multiple waves instead of one continuous push..." he muttered, his eyes narrowing. "They’re trying to bait us into overcommitting, to stretch our lines too thin. If we fall for it, they’ll have a perfect opening to strike where we’re weakest."
Surena nodded, her eyes dark. "That would explain why their movements are so disjointed. They’re not aiming for a full-scale engagement just yet."
Wilhelmina spoke up, her voice carrying a note of caution. "If they’re trying to bait us, then the main force must be somewhere else. We need to keep our defenses strong, especially here at the southeastern front."
Lyan looked at the others, his eyes scanning the faces around the table. "We can’t wait for additional orders from the main army. If we do, we risk losing our foothold here. We have fewer forces in the southeast, but the main army is doing well. It’s up to us to ensure that Varzadia doesn’t find a weak point."
Alice, her gaze intense, spoke up. "We need to take control of the situation. If we push forward with our elite force, we can test their resilience, see how far they’re willing to go while maintaining our defensive lines. If we control the offensive, we control the pace of the battle."
Wilhelmina nodded thoughtfully. "I agree. But if we push forward, we need solid logistics. Supplies, communication—everything must be in place. Otherwise, we’ll overextend ourselves."