“Yes. First, they are without a doubt cooperating with the southern invasion force. Those to the north of the fort are about to be trapped in a massive pincer attack,” I reply.
“My brother thought the same. However, son Peine seems to have taken his conjecture one step further,” says Origis.
“Oh? What does my friend have to say?” I inquire.
“Their target is Lady Kuroi,” he discloses.
Ah, I see. Yes, that is possible. He has fought them on the battlefield; surely he has some unique insight into this. It would also line up with previous reports.
If the vampires were after Lady Kuroi, that would reveal their crafty plan.
First, choosing the wide western front as a battlefield allows them to lay the groundwork for this strategy, and dip their toes in the proverbial water. Whether Lady Kuroi shows up or not is of no consequence. However, if she does appear, it gives them the chance to analyze her battle prowess for a bit before retreating. This initial force was never going to be strong enough to defeat an Apostle, so it’s only natural.
Second, they send an army to the Hell Expanse. This army is not there to attack any towns, but simply exists to threaten us, and act as a lure for Lady Kuroi. Then, they root themselves there. An effective plan with little cost.
Third, once the first and second steps are successful, they execute their brilliant plan. Now that they are familiar with the wide plains, they send about ten thousand troops charging deep into our territory, without any human hindrance. With Lady Kuroi distracted, they can do that no problem. Crumbling Mountain’s powers allow them to carve through the mountains and enter the southern territory.
Finally, they attack the fort from the south and cut off Lady Kuroi’s retreat, then crush her with their main force from the north.
I see... Now I understand. I sense the Demon God’s hand in this. And destroying the human nation as a bonus? How evil! They mean to kill Lady Kuroi only after plunging her into the deepest of despairs.
“May I continue? There’s more,” asks Origis.
Oh! It seems I got lost in thought there for a bit; how complacent of me. I pour a cup of water and offer it to him. And you, Odysson, get a hold of yourself, man!
“The prisoner clued in the possibility that the northern force could be commanded by Thunderstorm.”
“That seems suspect,” I remark after a pause.
“Oh, it’s far more than ‘suspect.’ As if the yellow-eyes would send all of their Apostles here! Even if it is true, the long-ears won’t just sit idly by,” Odysson interjects.
“Logically speaking, I agree. Nevertheless, Lady Kuroi stated that Thunderstorm was leading them until at least the halfway point,” reports Origis.
What? Why, that’s...
“Oh, and one last thing: Crumbling Mountain is heading south, according to Lady Kuroi.”
“Whoa... Whoa, whoa, whoa! Is that...?”
“True? Yes, I’d say there’s no room for doubt.”
She is God’s oracle, after all, isn’t she? The question is, should we be trembling with gratitude for this information; or be shivering at the severity of our situation, which is precarious enough for God to step in Himself? It is a good question indeed. One thing is for certain: humanity’s survival depends on our decision here.
“Mmh, that’s good water. Odysson, you should have some. Also, you don’t have to grip your cup so tightly,” says Origis.
“R-Right... You sure seem calm. Is it your military training?”
“It’s because I’m a ranked officer; I don’t need to understand the big picture. Just point me to the battlefield and I’m good. I’ll risk my life fighting, as usual.”
“Even so...”
“I have a God to serve, who has granted us an Apostle. My commander is trustworthy, and my battle buddies are reliable. I would have no regrets dying alongside my men. This is a warrior’s true desire.”
Hee hee! That loquaciousness, and the look he shoots me. I should have expected nothing less of Lord Willow’s younger brother. Yes, I understand. Let us find you a battlefield—a grand stage for our revolution.
“I will use this information to negotiate with the elves,” I assert. They cannot stay on the sidelines; I will drag Ten Thousand Bells, Deep Sea, and Absolute into this kicking and screaming if I have to. The Demon and Dragon Gods can make their appearances as well. Then, they can all die. That is our goal—no, our minimum requirement. “I am sure it will take much deliberating, but once it is done we shall head south.”
“Right, I see. There’s no point in staying here. I just hope the long-ears understand that.”
“I will make them understand. Golden’s destruction was a great victory for us. Thunderstorm was always an opponent that the elves should have taken on, anyway. You could even call it a duty. Don’t worry, they will show their pride—the pride of the Ewlogond Republic.”
It must be some bit of lingering attachment that makes me use their nation’s name... or maybe it’s a complaint. After all, we are about to lose our country. It was rotten to the core, of course, but it was the system I was born and raised in. I cannot help but love and hate it equally.
The memories of certain places come flooding back to me: the streets of the capital, the spires of the palace, the chapel of the Church. As a young lad, those buildings seemed to me like the crystallization of humanity’s intellect. I believed that the world of the humans was beautiful.
I’m not about to sit idly by and let it all be crushed underfoot, like some sort of blunder.
“We will defeat Crumbling Mountain’s army with great speed. I will not allow a long, drawn-out battle,” declares Origis.
“I mean, that’s nice but...” Odysson mumbles.
“The longer this takes, the more danger we are put in.”
Fighting a war of attrition while stepping on the corpse of our nation would be a nightmare. Our supplies would be uncertain, and the chaos that follows the collapse of the government would crush us.
“Once we’ve defeated Crumbling Mountain, we will mount a counter-invasion against the Demon God.”
The perfect plan... Deus Ex.
Right now, the only way for humanity to survive is through an all-out offensive, with our lives on the line.