Chapter 637: A Field Chosen

Below the plateau, ranks of militia and auxiliary tenders reinforced the embankment with bracing logs and bundles of woven willow under orders from Hans.

Hans sent two tenders down the embankment to inspect a brace, waiting for their signal before allowing another supply wagon onto the span.

Hajin spread the two newly acquired route maps across the planning trestle, pinning down the curled corners with iron ingots.

Beside them lay the ancient schematics of the provincial heart network, its glowing pathways etched into calfskin parchment.

"The resonance lines align with terrifying precision," Hajin observed, tracing the junction point beneath the central aqueduct arch.

"The Incarnation wants to bottleneck our advance where the valley narrows into the viaduct basin," Taren agreed, leaning over the board.

"If they entrench their constructs on the upper spans, our supply wagons will be pounded by continuous artillery."

"Then we will not let them entrench at their leisure," the summoner declared, looking around the assembled officers.

"Instead of reacting to their movements, we will challenge the Choral Incarnation directly on this open ground."

"A direct challenge?" Juna asked, her silver wolf ears perking up with sudden, sharp interest.

"We issue a formal declaration of battle and fix the field at the viaduct’s eastern apron," Hajin explained.

"An Incarnation of that scale cannot ignore a sovereign summons without losing its command authority over the local nodes."

"It forces the entity to materialize its true physical body rather than hiding behind endless disposable constructs."

"And if it materializes its true body, we can finally strike at its central spiritual anchor," Hans added from the doorway.

The veteran commander rested his single hand on the hilt of his broadsword, his gaze studying the map contours.

"The terrain favors our mobility, provided our flanks remain completely secure against flanking detachments."

A royal dispatch runner entered the pavilion, bowing deeply before presenting a cylinder sealed with the monarch’s signet.

"Urgent dispatch from the royal vanguard, summoner," the courier reported, extending the brass cylinder with both hands.

"General Roderic’s division completed their river crossing and will secure the northern approach before sundown."

Hajin broke the royal seal, reading through the dispatch with a steady and approving nod.

"The King’s troops are right on schedule," he told the council, rolling the parchment back into its case.

"They will hold the northern ridges... preventing any auxiliary reserves from reinforcing the Incarnation’s flank."

Eirwen stepped into the pavilion from the observation balcony, her tall longbow unstrung and slung across her back.

The elven archer carried an aura of quiet restraint, her clear eyes bright despite the weight of recent campaigns.

"My connection to the national root network remains completely depleted after our stand in the forest," she reported frankly.

"I cannot call down another forest zone to swallow their formations or shield our front line."

"We do not need another miracle from the forest, Eirwen," Hajin replied warmly, meeting her gaze with steady confidence.

"Your natural marksmanship and tactical instincts are more than enough to protect our field tenders."

"The viaduct tenders need an archer who can read wind shear and suppress enemy sharpshooters on the upper aqueduct."

"I will keep those tenders safe," she promised, touching the feathered fletchings of her quiver with quiet determination.

"No enemy projectile will reach their work stations... not while my bow has arrows left to loose!"

With the battle lines established, Hajin took up a quill and drafted the formal challenge upon royal vellum.

He stated the precise hour and location of the engagement, daring the embodied divine entity to face mortal resolve.

The mounted messenger galloped down the switchbacks toward the northern horizon, carrying the formal challenge sealed with royal lacquer.

Twilight descended over the viaduct basin in deep indigo hues, settling across the encampment as watchfires flared along the perimeter.

Hajin walked the perimeter of the camp, visiting each of his companions to inspect their battle preparations.

Juna walked alongside him toward the western earthworks, her sharp ears twitching at the distant rumble of gathering thunder.

"The storm is already beginning to coalesce beyond the horizon," she observed, looking toward the dark mountains.

"It will be here by dawn, but our earthworks will channel their initial charge straight into our kill zone," he replied.

At the field forge, Ferra was examining the mounting brackets she fashioned for the defensive ballistas.

The young apprentices worked by lantern light, checking the tension ropes on every secondary winch along the battery.

"How are the fixtures holding up, Ferra?" he inquired, watching the sparks dance from her whetstone.

"Strong enough to deflect a runaway battering ram, summoner," the smith grinned, tapping her hammer against the anvil.

"Just make sure you bring that monster within range so I can test my new grounding circuits!"

Further down the palisade, Loccy was tightening the straps on her war mallet while munching happily on dried fruit.

"Are you ready for tomorrow morning, Loccy?" he asked with an affectionate smile.

"I was born ready!" she exclaimed, swinging her massive weapon with effortless ease through the evening air.

"Just point me at their biggest construct... and watch me turn it into scrap metal!"

Nearby, Rumi and Nari were sharpening their daggers side by side, their lynx tails swaying in synchronized rhythm.

"We marked all the retreat culverts along the eastern bluff," the elder twin reported with a sly grin.

"Nobody is sneaking past our claws tomorrow... neither forward nor backward!" Nari chimed in with fierce excitement.

He walked past the medical station, finding Vella and Didi organizing bundles of fresh linen and healing salves.

"The field dispensary is fully stocked," the healer reported calmly, looking up from her inventory slate with a reassuring nod.

"Didi synchronized the reserve soul shards with the ward stones, so our anchors will remain stable throughout the engagement."

"Your preparation gives everyone the courage to fight without fear," Hajin said, resting a grateful hand on her shoulder.

Before returning to his tent, he opened his personal status screen, reviewing the numbers that represented their hard-won journey.

Six physical Rings hovered in radiant equilibrium within his spiritual sea, vibrating with seven hundred million points of cumulative energy.

Two fully unlocked clones were primed and ready, allowing him to deploy across three separate sectors simultaneously if necessary.

"Seventy percent to the Seventh Ring," he whispered into the twilight, feeling the immense hum of his spiritual meridians.

"Tomorrow, we finish what we started at the southern border and break the Incarnation’s grip on this kingdom."

High above the silent camp, the celestial stream interface sparkled with thousands of glowing superchats and excited comments.

[ Seoul_Tactician: "Hajin issued a direct challenge to the Incarnation. He really chose this ground!" ]

[ StarlightScholar: "Notice how every companion has a clear, independent role? Juna, Loccy, Ferra, Eirwen... true teamwork!" ]

[ IronVanguard: "Eirwen’s honest acknowledgment of her spent network, no fake miracle rescue, just pure archery skill!" ]

[ HearthKeeper: "The King’s army securing the northern flank gives our team total freedom to focus on the boss!" ]

[ ShadowMage44: "That storm front is almost here. I hope every station got the same signal!" ]

Hajin looked out over the darkened viaduct basin, feeling the calm stillness that always preceded a cataclysmic clash.

The challenge was sent, the field was chosen, and tomorrow the embodied storm would answer their call.