Chapter 85: The Further, The Better

"Appetizer?" Alvin and the others couldn't see how that was possible.Linfel then zoomed out the map and pointed at another six countries surrounding Volztain, Xanzion, and Portafe. "It is hard to perceive since Heffal took all the attention away. Even if you notice it, you would most likely cast it aside as some madness. Unless you look at it in the whole context, it won't make sense."

"Honjel, Flangion, Teruna, Lindblom, Azunia, and Lergen. When you look at these six countries separately, it doesn't seem like they would try anything. However, if they acted together, they would have a golden opportunity in their hands," Linfel explained.

"What kind of golden opportunity?" Milia was just as curious as the others.

Linfel then used a few vectors that pointed these six countries into Volztain, Xanzion, and Porfate. "The six countries could totally take advantage of the fact Volztain, Xanzion, and Portafe were attacking Heffal and attack those three. Neither of the three would be able to defend against these six countries."

He continued. "However, that is not happening. First of all, this coalition between Xanzion, Volztain, and Porfate doesn't make any sense. You have seen it yourselves. These three countries are committing their entire forces to try to take Heffal down. It looks like the right decision.

Take Heffal down fast and share the spoils."

"But it isn't. No sane country would ever leave its other borders unprotected while they are committing its forces to attack someone else. They would at least have some protection in case of emergencies. However, what did we see so far?"

Milia, Alvin, and the Familiars were taken aback. "We passed through the border between Lergen and Xanzion with easy..." They finally began to see the same picture as Linfel.

"Exactly," Linfel smiled in response. "Volztain, Xanzion, and Porfate... None of these three countries are holding back at all. They truly are sending everything they have to force Heffal's hand. Yet, Lergen and the other five countries I mentioned aren't using this opportunity to invade Xanzion, Volztain, and Porfate. It doesn't make sense."

"What you mean is that they know those six countries will not attack, right?" Alvin spoke with a dark expression.

"Yes," Linfel nodded. "Now, Heffal managed to convince Binnan, Tinfal, and Goruto to send reinforcements. As I mentioned before, neither of these three countries will send the bulk of their armies to help Heffal. However, to deal with Volztain, Xanzion, and Porfate, they will be forced to at least relocate 30% or more of their forces, perhaps half of it. Why?

Because that's the best way to prevent you from losing too many of your forces."

"If you show a display of strength from the start, you would be forcing Xanzion and the others to reconsider continuing a war where both sides will lose. Thus, an agreement would be made, and the war would be over. However, such an agreement will not happen.

When Binnan, Goruto, and Tinfal mobilize these big armies and send them into Heffal, it will be the moment the coalition's real power will be displayed."

Milia and the others finally understood the whole picture. "Simply put, the enemy was already expecting Heffal to ally with Binnand and the others and receive help. Once that happened, the coalition of three countries would show to everyone that they are actually a coalition of nine countries instead."

"That's what I expect," Linfel confirmed. "The reason for that is pretty simple, look at the east side of Heffal. Or, to be more specific, look at the borders of Binnan, Goruto, and Tinfal. These three are located to the east of Heffal, but what do they have on their east side?"

"The sea..." Alvin murmured.

"Yes, the sea," Linfel repeated as well. "These three countries are surrounded by the sea and would not be able to ask for reinforcements from other countries. Well, they can, but I doubt any country would help due to the logistical nightmare that this sea would cause. In the end, Heffal is fated to fall first.

Binnan and the other two will soon follow after losing the reinforcements they sent to Heffal, having no one to ask for help."

Felia couldn't help but ask. "You arrived at this conclusion just because we found no protection between Lergen and Xanzion when we crossed the border?"

"Not really," Linfel shook his head in response. "I already checked this scenario way before we left the academy. Unfortunately, I didn't have a better picture of the overall situation, so I wasn't certain. I had other scenarios in my head, but they were also quite blurry. After seeing the news on the TV, I'm more or less confident this is the scenario that will take place. Of course, I might be wrong.

We should have an answer in a week at most. That's why I separated from Vera and the others, who would definitely go back to Heffal regardless."

"I don't blame them," Milia sighed and looked in the direction Vera and the others left. "All you are saying looks like madness. It is just too hard to believe. How could such an alliance of nine countries take place, and no one found out about it? All countries have spies within each other, you know?"

Linfel faintly smiled. "And yet, Xanzion, Volztain, and Porfate took Heffal by surprise without anyone knowing they would attack together. If three countries can do it, why not nine? Even better, with all the attention focused on those three, why would anyone care about the other six, who seemed to be minding their own businesses?"

"I..." Milia couldn't give Linfel an answer, and neither could Alvin, Felia, or Nori. Indeed, Heffal didn't find out about the coalition until it started the attack, so was it really impossible? Obviously not.

"Wait!" Alvin grew tense. "My father is still there! We need to go back, too! I need to take him out before this breaks out!"

Linfel shook his head. "There is not enough time. It would take over a week to enter and leave Heffal. Besides, there is no need."

"It is obviously needed!" Alvin and Felia complained at the same time.

"It is not," Linfel seemed calm. "I already got him out of the country. After all, Binnan is now in an alliance with Heffal, so the borders between these countries should be open to each other."

"This..." Alvin and Felia were taken aback. However, Alvin was still skeptical.

"You don't believe me?" Linfel asked with a smile. "Catch!"

Alvin was taken by surprise and quickly extended his hand. Linfel threw him his own MCOM. "What is this?"

"My MCOM, obviously!" Linfel answer. "Call your father. If he is outside Heffal, you should be able to connect to him since there are no jamings here." S~eaʀᴄh the novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Alvin took a deep breath and called his father's number. "He-Hello?"

-Oh!- Lucau's voice quickly came out of it as the video opened. -That was faster than I expected. Are you already in Clondure? Hey, Linfel, it was just like you said. Binnan's borders were open. I got here yesterday.-

Milia, Felia, Nori, and Alvin looked at Linfel with scared expressions. Just how far has he seen?

Too bad Linfel didn't feel like he did anything out of the norm. "Hey, senior Lucau. No, we had to change our plans. Initially, I was going to drag Alvin to Binnan once he got to experience enough battles, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, we ended up in Xanzion instead. Don't worry, though. We should get to Clondure Country by tomorrow at most."

-Good!- Lucau nodded with a smile. -The further away we are from Heffal, the better.-