Chapter 58: Two Fronts, One Big Headache
The Throne Room had been meticulously cleaned, the last of the groaning, hungover goblins unceremoniously kicked awake, and a sharp, serious mood had settled over Ragnar’s commanders.
He stood before his assembled Bloodkin, a glowing, three-dimensional map of the city’s sectors projected onto the stone table between them. Light from the illusion flickered across the walls, painting twisted shadows.
"Alright, listen up," he began, his voice cutting through the silence like a shard of glass.
"The game has changed. Our new neighbor, Queen Alyssa, is a significant problem. A smart problem. We cannot afford to attack her directly while she’s playing host to a hero infestation.
Therefore, we are splitting our forces. We are opening a second front."
Isabelle Vhagar, her armored arms folded neatly over her chest, raised a single, perfect eyebrow. A thin lock of silver hair slipped free from her braid as she tilted her head.
"You want us to engage two Demon Kings simultaneously, my Lord? Our resources are already stretched."
"I don’t want to fight them. I want to make my enemies fight each other," Ragnar corrected her, a wicked, fanged grin playing on his lips.
"Isabelle, your Wrecking Crew will continue to be a thorn in the side of our original target.
Harass Gorgon’s old mall. It’s our territory now, but it’s still a hotbed of his remaining forces and a magnet for curious heroes.
Bleed his stragglers. Annoy any hero patrols you find. Keep everyone’s attention locked on you. You are the anvil."