Horace Duke, upon receiving the anonymous letter at his mansion in the capital, was immediately struck by a sense of unease. The intelligence and analysis in the letter felt like a heavy blow, striking at his deepest concerns.
He quickly unfolded the letter and carefully read each sentence. The attack from Airtulan, the vulnerability of the eastern defense line, and, most alarmingly, the potential danger facing the reinforcements were all highlighted. Horace clenched the letter tightly in his hand, his brows furrowed deeply.
"Airtulan is acting so decisively?" he muttered to himself, the weight of his growing worry sinking in. It was clear to him that this letter was no baseless rumor but rather a sharp and accurate assessment of the situation.
Horace's eyes quickly scanned the maps and dispatches around him, realizing that without immediate action, these reinforcements might be heading straight into disaster. These reinforcements were the only force that Strongson could rely on in the east, and if lost, the situation would worsen further, making it impossible for Leon to manage.
He knew there was no more time to waste.
Horace turned to his servant. "Gather the Royal Guard immediately. Prepare to depart at once. I will personally lead the team to the eastern border and ensure the safe arrival of the reinforcements."
The servant quickly responded, "Yes, Duke."
Horace's decision was swift and resolute. He understood the deeper meaning behind the anonymous letter, and his mind raced, wondering who might be watching and observing the situation behind the scenes. Though the letter was unsigned, Horace no longer hesitated—the safety of the eastern border was now his top priority.
He quickly ordered the soldiers to prepare sufficient supplies and assembled an elite detachment from the Royal Guard to accompany him to the eastern border, where he would oversee the safety of the reinforcements in person.
As Horace made his way toward the eastern border, he came to realize that relying solely on the reinforcements to defend would not be enough to turn the tide of the war. He understood that Airtulan's attack and the enemy's maneuvering were more complicated than he had initially thought. This war was not just about clashes on the front lines; it was a deeper strategic game. As a result, Horace decided to revise his original strategy.
He ordered the deployment of an elite vanguard unit to conduct comprehensive reconnaissance, ensuring that every inch of terrain, especially dangerous areas along the eastern border, was secure. At the same time, he sent spies and scouts behind enemy lines to gather information on Airtulan's movements. Horace knew that only by ensuring every action was flawless could he guarantee the reinforcements' safety and prevent the enemy from setting up any ambushes.
As the forces approached the eastern border, Horace's anxiety grew. The more he reflected on the letter's contents, the more he sensed the enemy's far-reaching and intricate plans. Every move seemed to have been meticulously calculated by the enemy. Horace began to suspect that the enemy had anticipated the reinforcements' actions and might have already laid a trap. He realized that traditional tactics alone would not be enough; he would have to take extra precautions and prepare for any contingencies.
Finally, Horace arrived at the command center on the eastern front. There, he held an urgent meeting with Lian. Lian welcomed Horace with a brief but respectful greeting, his face showing a hint of fatigue, yet still maintaining his battle-hardened composure and authority. As the meeting began, Lian immediately reported the current situation on the front lines.
"Horace Duke, thank you for your arrival," Lian said with a simple greeting, before moving straight to the point, his voice low yet steady. "Our forces have faced intense enemy counterattacks along the border. The eastern units have been overwhelmed, and some of the defensive lines have been completely destroyed. The enemy is not just using their numbers to pressure us; they have positioned numerous ambushes in key strategic locations, trying to split our forces. We are under immense pressure, and support from the rear is beginning to slow down. If we don't regain control soon, the situation could become dire."
Horace nodded thoughtfully. After a moment of silence, he spoke, "I understand. To deal with this, we must increase reconnaissance efforts and ensure every step is flawless."
Lian paused briefly before continuing, "We have also received information on Airtulan's movements. It seems their forces are massing in the east. I'm worried that if they manage to encircle us, it could be catastrophic."
The frontline situation, as you expected, is worsening. Leon has intensified his offensive against the western flank of Eldenia. However, what worries me more is something that recently occurred—a massive fire attack early in the war."
Horace's gaze shifted slightly. The mention of a fire caught his attention, and he gestured for Lian to continue.
"Before Leon broke through Eldenia's defenses, reports indicate that many soldiers at the front spoke of an unusual fire," Lian continued, his brow furrowed as he recalled the event. "The fire seemed to pour down from the mountain like a torrential storm, indiscriminate in its destruction. What's most strange is that the flames vanished as suddenly as they appeared, almost like an illusion."
Horace did not respond immediately, his mind churning with thoughts. The description of this fire reminded him of rumors from certain battles on the Western Continent, stories told by veterans of strange phenomena—fire that seemed beyond the laws of nature, descending from the sky, sweeping everything in its path, only to disappear as quickly as it came. Horace recalled that similar mysterious flames had appeared in past wars on the Western Continent, and those fires were not natural disasters, but the manifestation of some unknown power.
He furrowed his brow and felt a deep unease. Although Lian seemed to dismiss it as a natural occurrence, Horace knew better. The appearance of such flames could be a sign of some looming power, or perhaps the enemy was deliberately sowing chaos.
"Do you think this fire could be related to Airtulan's movements?" Horace asked, his tone calm, his eyes fixed on Lian.
Lian looked slightly puzzled but nodded after a moment. "I can't be sure, but at the moment, there's no other explanation. I can only assume it was part of a natural disaster."
Horace did not immediately counter, his mind still processing the situation. After a brief moment of silence, he changed the subject. "Continue with the report on the front lines."
Lian nodded and resumed detailing the complex situation on the front, including Airtulan's attacks on the eastern border.
Horace paused and slowly spoke, "No, the situation is not that simple. We are facing not only Airtulan's direct assault, but also deeper layers of conspiracy. The enemy is not just ahead of us—they may have already positioned spies all around us."
Lian looked at Horace with confusion, but Horace gave no further explanation. His mind was already calculating the next steps. He had to ensure that every action taken by the reinforcements avoided being ambushed, and he needed to increase surveillance on Airtulan's movements.
Horace's brow furrowed in concentration as he spoke softly to Lian, explaining his analysis of the current situation. "Airtulan may have already set up an ambush along our reinforcements' route. Given their sensitivity to our movements and their foresight, I don't believe this is a coincidence. This layout is likely designed to trap our reinforcements."
Lian, still somewhat puzzled, furrowed his brow and hesitated before speaking. "But we don't have time to retaliate against their positions, and their movements are very covert. Are you certain there's an ambush along the reinforcements' route?"
Horace did not immediately answer but sighed softly. "Lian, you need to understand, Airtulan is not like us. They do not rely solely on direct confrontation. They specialize in hidden and dangerous strategies like this. Moreover, they are keenly aware of our every move. I'm certain they have already devised a detailed plan targeting our reinforcements."
He paused, looking into Lian's eyes with unwavering resolve. "Therefore, we must take action now to avoid their trap."
Lian nodded in understanding, finally realizing the seriousness of the situation. "So, what do we do to avoid these ambushes?"
Horace swiftly changed the subject. "Do you have any alternative routes that lead into Eldenia? We need to find a path that will allow us to bypass the enemy's traps and ensure the reinforcements are not directly caught in their ambush."
Lian thought for a moment, recalling the terrain. "There is a mountain pass, but it's narrow and difficult. It's not suitable for large forces, and it's slow-going. More importantly, it's located within our controlled territory, which means we would have to move through it quickly to avoid detection. Our forces might be delayed and not make it in time to reach the reinforcements."
Horace didn't hesitate. He interrupted Lian, "No matter how difficult, we must take this route. Any delay could give the enemy the chance to launch a bigger attack. You need to send out our best troops to ensure this operation succeeds."
Lian understood Horace's determination and nodded. "I understand. I'll send our best troops to ensure the operation goes according to plan. I'll organize it as quickly as possible, but I must say, the difficulties of this mountain pass are greater than we anticipated."
Horace spoke with a heavy voice. "Time is of the essence, Lian. We cannot afford any mistakes. You need to ensure every detail is flawless."
Lian felt the urgency and resolve in Horace's eyes and no longer hesitated. He immediately took action, ready to do everything necessary to ensure their mission succeeded.
Horace stood in place, taking a deep breath. Though he was filled with unease about the mountain pass, aware of the risks involved in this plan, he understood that he must do whatever it took to ensure the safety of the reinforcements. The hidden risks and threats behind this war weighed heavily on him, adding immense pressure.
Deep inside, a voice of doubt echoed in Horace's mind. Airtulan was not just the representative of the enemy; there might be deeper forces at play behind them. This war seemed far more complex than he had initially realized. However, the most important thing now was to ensure the reinforcements' safety. If he failed to guide them to a secure location, the situation would become even harder to recover from.
He gazed into the distance, his mind already beginning to formulate the next steps. He knew that there was no more time for hesitation; a more intense struggle was quietly unfolding, and he had to play his crucial part in it.