Chapter 142

Chapter 142

The vast majority of the paths from the Bernini Mountains to Saint Mathilde are believed to be under the control of Jean Beltoir, except for a few feudal lords classified as staunch loyalists. All territories relying on trade routes will willingly submit to Jean Beltoir.

Even if they are considered loyalists, it is uncertain whether they remain loyal to the royal family in the current situation.

Eugene. (Ivan)

Big Brother!! How come youre here already? (Eugene)

I guess you need to learn how to ride again. (Ivan)

Ivan caught up with the party that had left earlier and looked around. At this speed, they might not be able to shake off any potential pursuers.

Even the somewhat inexperienced riders had no trouble catching up with these greenhorns. The party seemed exhausted from the nights climb and the journey across the battlefield, but the real battlefield lay ahead.

There are two options. (Ivan)

Yes?

To scatter and head to Saint Mathilde individually. In that case, at least one of you might make it. But in this case (Ivan)

Ill die. (Oscar (

Probably. (Ivan)

Ivan nodded at Oscars words. Oscar would likely be the one the Counts would most want to deal with at this moment.

We cant do that! (Isabelle)

Right! How can we abandon a friend! (Ecdysis)

Isabelle and Ecdysis immediately protested. Ivan nodded quietly.

If Oscar dies here, there will be no pretext for seizing control of the capital. Unless its under the authority of Duke Etarique, everyone here is essentially an outsider.

Or we could try shaking them with a decoy. Elpheira. (Ivan)

What?! M-m-me as the decoy?! (Elpheira)

No. Me. (Ivan)

Huh?

Ivan took out a map and threw it to Elpheira. It was a military map obtained directly from the Counterintelligence Command.

Elpheira glanced over the map once and asked quietly.

While it might feel strange for me to say this, would it be wise to give a military map to an elf? (Elpheira)

Anyway, the intelligence agency probably already has a copy of the Tylesse military map. Its not that valuable of a secret. (Ivan)

Even if you say you trust empty words So what should I do?

From now on, well have to create a spell.

Ivan leaned in beside Elpheira, placing a finger on the map she held in her hand.

This map isnt very precise. So, just use it as a reference, and follow my instructions exactly. (Ivan)

So you mean to move while quantitatively calculating the distance traveled? (Elpheira)

Exactly.

It doesnt seem like a difficult spell.

Ivan began drawing crooked lines from one corner of the map. Sometimes bending, sometimes making gentle turns.

From Piercour, heading northwest at 120 degrees, 2km. Then, pass through the 27th crossroad and continue 5km towards Roshval. If you find the railway, dont stop, pass through to Tiribue, 9km away

Ivans explanation flowed smoothly like water. Kind and clear, as if retracing a path they had always known, even though describing ones homeland in such a way would be impossible. The party stared blankly at Ivans face.

Then, leaving the road from Lozane to Sobar on the left, continue for 9km. Once you reach the southern road of Saint Mathilde, run all the way to Vansung at full speed. Got it?

9km from Lozane to Sobar Yes, yes. I remember everything.

In this task, scouting will be solely your responsibility. If you take the wrong path, the entire party will perish. Can you handle it?

If I say I cant, you wont force me, right?

Choose another way, and Oscar will die instead.

In Krasilov, the decoy opens up the prey.

*

The vanguard of the demons crossing the Bernini Mountains for invasion has three main routes.

To pass through the eastern front, they couldnt assemble more than one legion. Any more would be inappropriate for infiltration, and the primary troops of the enemy, the Taurs, were creatures with very high basic calorie needs.

Assuming that their supplies were obtained only through plunder, their total numbers wouldnt exceed two thousand.

If such a force were divided and utilized, even if the god of strategy arrived, they wouldnt be able to surpass a few territories. The end of the offensive would come too quickly.

The demons worshipped only strength. This meant that unless the command was nearby, they couldnt control individual soldiers who acted independently.

The demons would definitely come as a single warband. Such an assembly couldnt erase its tracks.

When the demons attack and burn down the surrounding territories, Count Guillaume will come to their rescue and gain support from the royalists.

He would exploit that operation. Faster than the demons, more cunning than the demons. By imitating the demons tactics, he would seize what the demons desired before they could.

He would defend the territories from the threat of the demons. Gain support from the royalists and consolidate the minimum military strength.

Through this, he could achieve three things.

First, disrupt Count Guillaumes plan.

Second, he could strike tiennes legion from behind.

Third, by raising an army near Count Jean Beltoirs territory, he could bind the demons legion and attention.

Gradually undermining the plans of the three Counts from the outside.

There will be no more than 15 destroyed territories.

It should be possible to achieve Eugenes quest at the same time. If the demon guerrillas offensive proceeds as planned, Count Guillaume wont move until at least seven territories are burning.

A skilled agent never formulates a strategy for only one goal.

Its something Ive done before.

Its not difficult to do something twice if youve done it once before.

Ultimately, the task is simply to break the demon vanguard and instigate potential allied territories.

Its nothing more than a series of straightforward tasks akin to the extermination units routine.

*

Ivan brushed his hands over the broken trees and torn earth haphazardly.

Having spent two days scouring the expected path of the demons, his horse was already exhausted.

Ivan took out a nutrition bar from his pocket and chewed it. The familiar smell, the familiar surroundings.

The scent of demons was thick in the air not far away.

After two days of searching for the demons traces in the Bernini Mountains, this was the final expected infiltration point.

Its been two days.

Considering the operation began with the arrival of the wyverns, they were about two days behind the demons.

When the infiltration team consisting solely of Taurs began successfully raiding unarmed territories, how many villages would have burned down within two days?

This could be quantified.

Five.

If targeting rural areas with populations of 100 to 500, to sustain a warband of this size, they would have had to burn at least five villages.

Taurs are carnivorous beasts.

The demons eat humans. Quite happily.

Ivan had seen that sight before. It was common in those days.

He closed his mouth, gripping his pistol, and began to descend the mountain.

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