“We’d better come up with a strategy before Five Mountains does their part,” Abel said later, in front of the adventurers’ guild. “But I have to be honest, there’s so much I still don’t get. First of all, why are the nobles—Marquis Espier and Count Contreras—even doing this?”
“Because it’s a game to them.”
“Oh, right... You mentioned that.” Abel shook his head in disgust. “But if it’s a game, then there are win conditions. If we can figure those out, we have a chance.”
“I’m certain you’re right, but I don’t know what they are.” Shinso tilted his head thoughtfully. “If I had to hazard a guess, I’d say Vicente’s condition for victory is...to capture and execute Archduke Cyrus. An additional one is likely capturing the Kingdom’s delegation.”
“Damn it,” Abel cursed, but he quickly regained his composure. “Okay, fine. I understand Espier since he’s on the offensive, but what I can’t figure out is Contreras and the defensive. What are they aiming for? What are they trying to do?”
“Well... I certainly wouldn’t know.” Shinso shrugged, then continued. “That said, in this type of game, specific conditions for victory and defeat are absolutely essential.”
“What are they?”
“The defenders must capture the general’s severed head and his base.”
“I see...” Abel said with a vigorous nod.
That was easy enough to understand. Each side had a key figure who led their respective force. Whoever lost their head lost the war. Taking over the enemy’s base didn’t qualify as a victory condition, but the players in this game were powerful nobles. In any country, saving face was important to the aristocracy—so while losing a base didn’t result in immediate defeat, it would still be a major blow. In short, taking the enemy’s base was a sure way to demonstrate power.
“Taking the leader’s head won’t be an easy task. However, you may be able to capture a base, but that would be a departure from your primary objective, Abel.”
“Yeah. My main goal is to rescue my comrades in the castle.”
“And Vicente understands that. So, once word gets out that you’re joining the fray, he’ll shore up the castle’s defenses first. Resources are finite, though. Military might doesn’t simply appear out of nowhere. Strengthening one area weakens another. War is about luring your enemy into putting his military strength where you want it, weakening the defense of your true target. That is the key.”
“Why do I get the strange feeling that this is exactly what Ryo would say...”
“Ha ha ha! Do you now? It seems like he and I will get along swimmingly.” Shinso chuckled.
Even in his absence, Ryo might as well have been the protagonist.
“In that case, I should attack the enemy’s main camp first. Making the first move while the opponent is still twiddling their thumbs increases the chances of success. So, who should I start with?”
“Sandalio.”
“Count Contreras? The one on the defensive? Why?”
“Compared to most of the estates in this capital, his is easier to capture. It’s also closer to the adventurers’ guild.” With a fairly accurate picture of the two residences in his head, Shinso had arrived at this conclusion after comparing them.
“Gotcha. So, what do I do after I take the mansion?”
“Why not simply burn it down?”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Abel was stunned—until Shinso spoke up to give him the whole picture.
“He will completely lose face in that event. And what would Vicente do in response to prevent the same thing from happening to him?”
“He’d...consolidate his forces at his base.”
“And where would they move from?”
“The castle he occupied.”
The two of them nodded in unison. They had a strategy: Attack the castle while Espier’s forces were diverted elsewhere.