Almost half an hour had passed after the scouts of the Regis clan found the Royal Army’s movement.
Gathered inside the strategy meeting room in the Inner Wall Defense Headquarters were the Regis Patriarch, heir, and elders.
A magic-projected map of the Regis Estate was on the round table with bright red marked points around the inner walls.
The Regis elders; were all wearing a dark gray robe with gold and silver linings.
From the right stood Greer, an older man with short dark gray hair, the elder in-charged of the assessment team. Beside him was Abe, an older man with medium-length black hair and white streaks, who was in-charged of the planning team. Next to him was Eleanor, an older woman with gray hair tied in an elaborate bun, in-charged of the communications team. Across her was another older woman named Arabella, her twin sister. She had short bob black and gray hair, and she was in-charged of the force deployment team. Last was Zeniff, a middle-aged man with short brush-up black hair, in-charged of the field operations team.
The five of them stood around the table, with their dark gray eyes keenly observing the points on the map.
Aron and Cade stood on the northern end of the table and were also looking at the marks.
“What are your thoughts?” Aron asked no one in particular.
“A couple of days ago, the army was busy running around the premise of the outer wall. And now they have started to move around the inner walls. Judging from the areas where their people are going, it looks like they plan to counter our defensive array with an array of their own,” Zeniff was the first one to speak his mind.
The others nodded in agreement. Although the marks on the map did not provide the kind of array the army was trying to make, just from looking at the areas where these markings were located, it was easy to deduce the army’s intent.
“I believe it is an attack-focused array,” Greer added. “Our scouts reported that when the army were visiting the areas around the outer walls, they would stop for a few minutes and reinforce the array they had initially setup around the estate. Unfortunately, because the army has tightened their security, our scouts were unable to study the array’s formation and confirm what it could do, but I am sure it is related to their movement around the inner wall.”
“If I am to put myself in their leaders shoes. If I am planning to attack the inner walls and destroy its defenses, and yet I do not want the army’s operation be known outside, then I would setup a concealment array or probably a camouflage array around the Regis Estate. What are your thoughts, Lord Cade?” Abe also shared his thoughts and turned to Cade.
“Hm. The array they prepared may not be as simple as a concealment or a camouflage array, though. It may be a combination of complex arrays. I will not be surprised if the array they prepared can also strengthen the array they plan to create outside the inner wall.”
“I see. It may also have an amplification effect,” Abe agreed with a slight nod.
“Yes. But,” Cade paused and stared at the map where the makeshift camp of the army was located. “In order to setup this kind of complex array, based on the manpower they have shown so far…”
“It is impossible,” Arabella interjected. “Maintaining such an elaborate array will need a lot of mages.”
“Also, from the communication signals we were able to decipher, the highest level of authority they currently have is a Major. In terms of mage level, that equals to an Adept only.” Eleanor said.
“True, even if he combined his magic with the other two confirmed Captain ranked personnel they have, it is not enough,” Arabella added. “However, that may not be the case if they are still expecting more people to arrive.”
Greer shook his head, “No. They will not reveal their movements if they are still expecting reinforcements. Even now, we can already stop them from finishing their array.”
“Exactly,” Abe agreed. “But why would they risk exposing their movements knowing that we can stop them? Do they think we won’t make a move because we may think it is a trap to lure our forces out of the inner wall?”
“No. This isn’t a trap,” Cade suddenly spoke.
Everyone looked at him.
Even Aron turned his head to look at him. There was a slight smile on his face as he asked, “Oh? Did you notice it?”
The elders turned to Aron as well before looking back at Cade. All of them waited for him to continue.
Without looking away at the makeshift camp of the army marked on the map, Cade replied, “I think so. Father, will you let me handle this operation?”
“Oh?” Aron was surprised at his sudden request.
Even the rest of the elders were looking at Cade in surprise.
It was not that they did not trust Cade’s ability to lead. But because it had been some time since he volunteered to lead an operation.
Because of an accident that almost crippled Cade’s progress in magic, he had not led any operation of the Regis clan. The accident happened before he got married, and although he still managed to improve his magic, he would never become a Magus.
“Very well. I’ll leave it to you,” Aron agreed after a short pause.
Cade turned to Aron and bowed his head in respect, “Thank you.”
====================
At the Royal Army Headquarters.
Gael was busy reading the record Jax had submitted. This record was the one he told Jax to get from Milfiore Military School, Kyran’s military school record.
His eyes narrowed as he found out the color of tokens Kyran received.
“Humph,” Gael sneered and remembered how Dean Fallon bragged about him a few years back. Gael ignored it before. He even thought Fallon was exaggerating. But not anymore.
“Really, such an outstanding combat student. He may even be the youngest combat specialist to start with a high rank if he entered the Combat Hall. Of course, this is impossible given his real situation.”
He closed the folder and placed it on his desk before turning his chair to look out the window.
Earlier, Gael was in a bad mood because the President of the Mercenary Hall had not yet approved his request to update his bounty. His anger was only elevated after receiving news that Jax and his men would start their operation to break the defensive array of the Regis Estate.
Gael initially planned to take part in the operation. However, because his scythe broke from his encounter at the forest going to Valin Fort, he had to leave it to his trusted Master Artisan up north of Meliora for repair. Now, he did not have a weapon to use.
Of course, Gael had a spare weapon, and it was not like he could not use his magic just because he didn’t have one. However, after going through Kyran’s record, his interest had taken a full 180 turn.
‘He could be in Starhorn right now,’ he thought. ‘Since the Mercenary Hall has not approved yet, maybe I should make a move myself.’
A smile crept at the corner of his lips as he leaned back on his chair and stared at the blue sky.
====================
When Stella returned to her office, she immediately noticed the books she brought to Kyran were already on the other side of the table.
The seven worn-out books she placed on the table were currently open, and Kyran looked at not one but all of it simultaneously.
He would stop now and then and would write something on a parchment placed all over the map he had placed in the middle of the table.
Stella noticed that there were notes and markings everywhere on the previously clean map.
‘Don’t tell me…’
She cautiously walked to Kyran’s side and placed the breakfast she prepared at an unoccupied space on the table.
Since she anticipated time would be different once she returned, she prepared a hearty meal for him.
“Kyran, why don’t you rest and eat first?” Stella asked and sat on the cushion just beside Kyran.
However, Kyran did not seem to hear her and just continued to read.
‘I knew it,’ Stella could not help but sigh.
She remembered a report she received from Malek when Kyran was still at military school.
The Milfiore Military School had a joint activity with another military school. During one lesson, Kyran found out that the techniques studied in the other school were different. He became curious, and immediately after, he borrowed the books of one of the visiting students. Instead of joining the social gathering the schools had prepared during their day off, he locked himself in his room and just read all day.
He did not even come out for a meal.
‘I should’ve told him to eat first before coming here,’ Stella thought.
She looked at Kyran’s notes on the map and read them.
After a while, black lines appeared on her head.
She could not read them!
‘W-What are these? Coded notes?’
Wasn’t Kyran acting too cautious? Why did he have to write his notes in codes? Did he think she would read them?
Well, she did try to read them just now, but it was only because she wanted to know his progress.
After a few minutes, Kyran took a deep breath and leaned back. He made one last look at the map and the notes he wrote. Then he placed his left hand above them.
Purple rings appeared on his palm.
“H-Hey!” Stella was startled.
The purple rings connected and formed a disc large enough to fill the map and the notes.
“Kyran what are you-!”
Before she could finish what she was saying, the rings fell on top of the map and all the notes. And in just a few seconds, all of it disintegrated.
“Why would you do that?” Stella exclaimed and looked at Kyran incredulously.
Kyran, who seemed to notice her presence finally, only tilted his head a little to the side and asked, “Do what?”
“Destroy your notes? You even used coded letters so why bother destroying it?”
“I can’t leave evidence,” Kyran replied with a shrug and reached for the seven worn-out books.
“Can’t leave evidence…” Stella repeated in a daze.
“Here,” Kyran placed the books in front of her. “Thanks.”
With a slight shake of her head, Stella looked at the books and asked, “You’ve read all of it?”
“Yes. I understand the gist of the relationship of each faction in the empire and outside. Now I need a plan,” Kyran replied and also took the books on the other side of the table.
“Wait. You’re not going to tell me you’ve read those as well?” Stella was starting to doubt if she really input the correct time ratio inside her study.
“I’ve read some of the books before, so I skipped them. Do you mind if I look around and find more books about magic?” Kyran replied curtly and changed the subject right after.
“No,” Stella replied, then shook her head. “I mean, yes! Stop for a moment. Do you realize you’ve been reading non-stop? I’ve been away for what more than an hour outside which makes it less than two days here. You need to eat or you’ll fall sick!”
“Of course, I know that. I did eat.”
“You did?”
Kyran pointed at his pouch and said, “As you said. I’ve come prepared.”
Stella’s brow twitched.
“Right.”
“Do you mind?”
“Eat first,” she said and slid the plate in front of him.
Kyran looked at the plate and frowned slightly.
The food Stella brought him was full of protein. Steak, sausage, egg. There was also a big loaf of bread, hot soup, assorted sliced fruits, and a milk bottle.
“I can’t eat all of-.”
“Please, let me see you eat or else I’d think your no longer normal.”
Kyran frowned, “That’s rude.”
“I know. But if you keep on doing all these…” Stella gestured at the books and even at Kyran and continued,”… impossible stunts you can’t blame me for thinking this way.”
Kyran bit back his argument because he thought it would be pointless. He was actually glad that he managed to read all those books and even memorize what he had to in less than two days.
Of course, if Stella knew what he was thinking, she would probably make a big deal out of it.
With a sigh of resignation, Kyran picked up the fork and started to eat.
Stella leaned back with a smile and watched him eat. After a few seconds, she asked. “So do you understand now the different factions in the empire?”
Kyran nodded as he sliced the steak. “I do. And I realized how complicated their relationships are.”
The emperor holds the highest power, being part of the Royal Family that originally fought and established the empire. However, while on the surface, the Royal Army acted according to the emperor’s will, in reality, the Three Noble Families had a better hold of the army.
Then the West faction had a complicated relationship with the deputy marshal assigned there, Deputy Marshal Imman. First, since the Templar Code had its own independent faction, and their base was near the deputy marshals’ office, they tend to clash, especially when it comes to their interests. Second, during the forest beast’s invasion, the deputy marshal would always call for their assistance, and if they appeared, they would always be the ones to lead. Thus, when danger happens, their members tend to suffer first before them. Third, they needed to share their resources directly with the deputy marshal.
The North and East factions had a better relationship with the deputy marshals assigned there. In the north, Deputy Marshal Ingrid rarely order the Aureole to help during the beast’s invasion. She also rarely meddled in the Aureole’s affairs. Same with the East faction. Deputy Marshal Mannick was too busy finding ruins to conquer. Apart from that, the East faction was the Conclave, and they had been neutral and independent all these years.
Then there were those smaller factions. And Kyran already had his eyes set on one of them. For now, he planned to visit the leader of that faction.
“Anything you want to know, just ask. I’ll answer as much as I can,” Stella’s voice broke Kyran’s thoughts.
“I’m good for now.”
“I guess your target now is read as much as you can about magic? I’ll go find more books for you.” Stella volunteered and stood up.
“Thanks,” Kyran said and watched her go down the stairs.
Once she was out of sight, he immediately placed the fork he was holding on the side of the plate and sighed.
He looked at the big map of the empire mounted on the wall and looked at the spot south of the Empire.
While reading the books on history and geography, Kyran came across a place south of the Ylfaen Empire.
Chaos Palace.
The books mentioned an unconquered ruin by the Dark Sage, and he wanted to visit that place.
After reading the records of war, Kyran had realized a lot of the things he was lacking. While he was confident with his hand-to-hand combat and weapon knowledge, he did not have a weapon that would complement his magic. And that might become a problem in the future. Kyran wondered if he could find something in Chaos Palace. He was also curious what kind of weapon the Dark Sage had used and if it was inside his palace.
However, his priority was to secure his clan’s safety first.
He was aware that his clan would never be out of danger as long as they were in Ylfaen Empire. Unfortunately, he knew his family would never agree to leave their ancestral land. He could not evacuate each of their clan members as well.
But it wouldn’t matter once he sorted out his plans. He’d be able to secure their safety, and no one, not even the army, the Royal Family, and the Three Noble Families could touch them.
====================
Jax left his tent as soon as he heard carriages arriving.
Six carriages stopped just outside the makeshift camp. Some officers went to the last carriage and helped in unloading supplies.
The door of the front carriage opened, and a woman with flaming reddish-brown hair in green uniform got out.
The woman was Vera.
She immediately saluted upon seeing Jax and said, “Major Jax. Awaiting your orders.”
Jax nodded and gestured for her to stand at ease.
Vera obediently followed.
“The preparations are completed. Now I need you and Luka to go in position. Here,” Jax handed her an orb. “Use your magic sense to read the contents of what you need to do in that orb.”
Vera held the orb and nodded, “Yes, Major Jax.”
“Then let’s go.”
The two, together with six officers each, made their way out of the camp.