Chapter 391
Understanding dawned on Mikazelle’s face. "You’re using the initial assault as reconnaissance. Forcing the enemy to reveal their capabilities and hidden forces. Then deploying us with perfect intelligence on what we’re facing."
"Exactly." Elric nodded. "Additionally, deploying heroes at the start tells the enemy everything about our capabilities immediately. Holding you in reserve maintains tactical uncertainty. The enemy commander—whoever they are—has to plan for multiple scenarios, not knowing when or where you’ll strike."
Gattychan’s jaw tightened with frustration, but he couldn’t argue with the military logic.
Seraphelle spoke gently. "Commander Elric, I understand the tactical reasoning. But there’s also a moral consideration. If soldiers die during the initial assault when our intervention could have prevented those deaths..."
"Then those deaths purchase intelligence that saves more lives later," Elric replied firmly. "War requires accepting that some casualties are necessary costs for achieving victory with minimized total losses. I will spend soldiers in the opening assault to gain information. Then I’ll deploy heroes with that information to win decisively."
"That’s cold," Gattychan said.
"That’s command." Elric’s expression was hard. "And it’s the same calculation every military commander makes. You four were summoned to fight supernatural threats beyond regular human capacity. But you weren’t summoned to command armies. That’s my responsibility, and I make the decisions I believe will achieve victory with the lowest total casualties."
He paused, then continued in a quieter voice.
" Gatty, you’ve fought in three campaigns since being summoned. I’ve commanded in forty-seven campaigns over four decades. I’ve led armies against demon lords, demonic incursions, and supernatural threats that nearly destroyed human kingdoms. I respect your divine power and your righteous purpose. But I ask that you respect my experience in military command."
The tension in the air was thick enough to cut.’
Finally, Gattychan stepped back slightly, his divine aura settling.
"I respect your experience, Commander. And I’ll follow your tactical plan." His voice carried steel. "But I also remember what happened to Hero Valdris."
The name hung in the air like a curse.
Hero Valdris. Summoned fifteen years ago. Possessed devastating combat power. Questioned the Pope’s military strategies repeatedly. Argued that heroes should command armies directly rather than serving under Church commanders.
The Pope had sealed him. Divine magic binding Valdris in eternal stasis, neither alive nor dead, locked in a crystalline prison beneath the Cathedral as a warning to other summoned heroes.
"I remember Valdris," Elric said quietly. "I served in the campaign where he was sealed. And I understand the warning you’re implying."
"I’m not threatening you, Commander. I’m reminding both of us that the Church expects heroes to serve, not to command. Valdris forgot that distinction." Gattychan’s hand moved away from his sword. "I’ll follow your tactical plan because you hold military command and because your reasoning is sound. But if the battle turns and I see an opportunity to save lives through immediate action, I will take that action regardless of your orders."
"Fair enough," Elric acknowledged. "I’d expect nothing less from someone with your convictions. Just try to coordinate with my tactical plan when possible."
"Agreed."
The moment of tension passed.
Elric turned back to the battlefield, raising his voice to address all assembled commanders and heroes.
"Today we break Third Line and push to the settlement core. This is the decisive battle of this campaign. The enemy has revealed demon lord support—corruption specialists confirmed, possible demon lord presence unknown. They’ve fortified Third Line but the position is incomplete. They’re exhausted from yesterday’s retreat. And they know we’re coming with overwhelming force."
He gestured toward the settlement.
"Phase One: Purification. Holy mages cleanse corrupted ground and sanctify the battlefield. Regular forces provide protection. Duration: thirty minutes. Phase Two: Artillery bombardment. Soften wall defenses and suppress archers. Duration: twenty minutes. Phase Three: Main assault. Heavy infantry advances on all three wall sections simultaneously. Light infantry and cavalry support. Heroes deploy strategically based on enemy response."
"What about enemy traps?" Captain Marcus asked. "Yesterday they baited us into a contamination ambush. Today they’ll have prepared similar surprises."
"Assume every yard of ground between us and Third Line is trapped. Advance cautiously during purification phase. Use expendable forces to trigger traps before main assault." Elric’s tactical mind had considered this. "Engineers will probe for pitfalls and buried explosives. Priests will detect magical traps. We take the time to do it right rather than rushing into prepared ambush."
Major Aldrich nodded approval. "Cautious advance. Smart."
"Our force ratio is nearly four-to-one," Elric continued. "We have numerical superiority, four heroes, better equipment, better supplies, and superior tactical position. The enemy’s only advantages are fortifications and desperation. We negate the fortifications through siege warfare and artillery. We exploit their desperation by offering no quarter—they fight to the death or surrender completely."
He met each commander’s eyes.
"Casualties will be heavy. Yesterday we lost nine hundred thirty-three soldiers taking Second Line. Today we’ll likely lose another four to six hundred breaking Third Line. That’s acceptable for the objective achieved—ending this siege and eliminating this demon-allied settlement."
"And if they retreat to settlement core before we break Third Line?" Lieutenant Thorne asked.
"Then we pursue immediately and finish this in urban warfare. We have the numbers to surround the settlement core and starve them out if necessary. But I’d prefer to break them here at Third Line, capture or kill their command structure, and force complete surrender before they can fortify further."
Elric raised his hand, signaling readiness to begin.
"All forces to positions. Holy mages, prepare purification ritual. Heavy infantry, advance to within two hundred yards of Third Line but hold position until purification completes. Artillery crews, prepare bombardment but hold fire until my command."
Orders were shouted down the chain of command. Horns blew. Drums beat.
Twenty-three hundred soldiers moved into assault formations with disciplined precision.
The fifty holy mages assembled in the center, beginning their ritual preparations. These were elderly priests mostly—men and women who’d dedicated their lives to studying purification magic and holy sanctification. Not warriors, but spiritual specialists whose magic could cleanse demonic corruption.