Chapter 145 : Chapter 145

Chapter 145. The Battle Plan

Orders ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍were issued one after another with crisp clarity.

“Count Quintus,” Lucius’s voice echoed through the council hall.

“You will take two thousand five hundred soldiers and be responsible for defending Dragon Gate. Baron Pendragon, Baron Ron.”

When their names were called, Eli and Ron immediately rose from the lowest seats and stood solemnly to receive the order.

“You two will assist Count Quintus,” Lucius said, his gaze sweeping over them. “You must defend Dragon Gate.”

“Yes, Lord Lucius!” the two answered in unison.

“Count Hanard,” Lucius said, turning to the old count famed for his martial valor.

“I trust in your bravery. I will also assign you two thousand five hundred soldiers. Viscount Will, Viscount Katerin, you will assist Count Hanard. Steel Gate will be entrusted to you.”

Count Hanard answered in a resonant voice and accepted the order together with the two viscounts who rose beside him. “As you command!”

“Count Ponchi, you will have the same arrangement, two thousand five hundred soldiers.

Viscount Roland and Viscount Gareth will assist you. King’s Gate will be your responsibility.”

Count Ponchi and the two viscounts likewise rose neatly and accepted the order.

After that, Lucius quickly appointed several other nobles.

They would each lead five hundred men and serve as the defending commanders of Forest Gate and Riverside Gate, where the defensive pressure was relatively lighter.

Finally, he looked at everyone and said in a calm tone, “I will command the remaining forces from Lion Gate.”

“In addition,” Lucius’s gaze turned toward one end of the long table, toward an aged count with graying hair and a somewhat stooped figure.

“Count Habe.”

Hearing his name, the old count worked hard to straighten his back a little.

“Your loyalty will never be forgotten by the La Roche Family.”

Lucius’s voice softened slightly. “The order inside the city is equally crucial.

I order you to recruit some reliable mercenaries in the city, as well as those wandering knights, and form an internal patrol unit.

You will be responsible for maintaining order and suppressing any disturbances that may arise. We absolutely cannot allow any internal problems.”

Count Habe stood shakily. “Yes, Lord Lucius. Habe… will not fail your command.”

Lucius nodded slightly, then swept his gaze across all the nobles present once more. “The orders have been made clear.

Next, everyone may first lead the soldiers brought by your own families to your assigned defensive zones.

If your own troops fall short of the planned number, you may immediately come to me to receive a transfer order and go to the military camp in the outskirts to requisition more men to make up the difference.

Remember, in this battle, only victory is permitted! There is no second choice.”

He paused slightly. “I hope all of you will always remember the honor and responsibility of being nobles of the Western Frontier.

In this battle, if anyone disobeys unified command or flees before the enemy…

Count Alders’s fate will serve as the lesson before your eyes. The meeting is over.”

The final sentence made some of the nobles who might still have harbored lazy thoughts in their hearts shiver slightly.

Count Alders had been personally punished by Sir Lucius for rebellion.

The news that the family head had been placed under house arrest and the family’s power had suffered heavy losses had long since spread throughout the Western Frontier.

This was both a reminder and a warning.

“For the Golden Lion La Roche!” the nobles immediately shouted in unison.

No one delayed any further. They rose one after another and quickly walked toward Lucius’s main seat to receive written transfer orders.

Then they left the council hall in twos and threes with hurried steps, rushing to their respective posts.

The shadow of war was urging every person onward.

Soon, the vast council hall grew empty. Only five people had yet to leave.

Lucius, Count Quintus, Count Habe, and Eli and Ron.

Count Habe was still sitting in his original seat, seemingly having some difficulty standing.

Seeing this, Lucius stepped over and came to this old retainer’s side, showing his respect for this loyal elder.

“Count Habe, your loyalty is admirable.”

Count Quintus, who was clearly familiar with Count Habe, laughed and scolded him from the side.

“Old Habe, with those old bones of yours, why did you insist on coming in person?

Why did you not have your son or grandson come in your place to answer the summons?”

Eli, who stood nearby, took a step forward and politely supported Count Habe’s arm, helping him stand steadily.

Count Habe used Eli’s strength to straighten himself. On his wrinkled face, he gave Eli a somewhat strained smile.

“Hehehe… Lord Lucius, Quintus… I will not hide it from you.

The thing I regret most right now is that I did not firmly follow His Grace’s footsteps to the royal capital back then.

So this time, I came. I had to come.”

His tone changed. “But… I am indeed old now, and my energy is failing me.

Recruiting mercenaries and knights requires some legwork and discernment.

I wonder… whether Lord Lucius might allow these two young and promising barons to temporarily assist me with this matter?

Once the initial recruitment is completed, they can immediately return to Dragon Gate’s defensive zone. It will absolutely not delay the important matter of defending the city.”

Lucius narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Count Habe’s cloudy yet sincere eyes.

He silently considered it for a moment. Count Habe was a well-known kindly old man in the Western Frontier, and his seniority was extremely high.

Although his family’s power was not at the very top, his reputation was high, and there was no need to doubt his loyalty.

This request seemed to be taking advantage of his seniority, but it was also reasonable. It could also be considered giving Eli and Ron a chance to temper themselves.

“Very well.” Lucius made his decision.

“Eli, Ron, you two will temporarily assist Count Habe and complete the recruitment and reorganization of the armed forces within the city.

After the matter is done, immediately go to Dragon Gate and follow Count Quintus’s command.”

“Yes, Lord Lucius!” Eli and Ron accepted the order in unison.

A grateful smile appeared on Count Habe’s face. “Thank you for your consideration, Lord Lucius.”

After that, with Ron taking the initiative to support him, Count Habe slowly walked out of the council hall while chatting and smiling with Count Quintus about old matters.

In the blink of an eye, only Lucius and Eli were left inside the magnificent council hall.

Eli, who had been standing perfectly straight just moments earlier, almost immediately relaxed.

He unceremoniously pulled out a nearby chair and sat down, letting out a long breath. “I am exhausted.”

The continuous mental tension had indeed consumed a great deal of his energy.

Lucius looked at his appearance, which was utterly different from his calm and steady bearing just now. The corner of his mouth hooked up faintly, but it soon returned to a straight line.

He walked over to Eli’s side and lightly kicked the leg of the chair Eli was sitting on, his tone calm.

“Move. I am more tired.”

Eli glanced at him wordlessly, but still honestly stood and gave up the seat.

Lucius was not polite either. He sat down directly and rubbed the space between his brows. There was indeed a trace of fatigue on his face.

Coordinating the entire situation and balancing all parties took far more mental effort than charging into battle.

“It does not feel good to be ignored by those old fellows, does it?”

Lucius suddenly spoke, his voice returning to its usual calm as he looked at Eli.

“Clearly, the greatest contributor to Thorne City receiving an early warning this time was you.”

Eli was stunned for a moment, then shrugged indifferently. “It is fine. I am more worried about my Obsidian Territory.”

That was his true feeling.

Compared to experiencing the subtle interpersonal relationships here, he was more concerned about the foundation he had built with his own hands.

Lucius did not respond to his words. Instead, he threw out a question that seemed completely unrelated.

“What do you think? They clearly swear loyalty to my elder brother, Federico, Duke of the Western Frontier, so why would they obey my orders so readily?”

Eli found the question somewhat baffling and subconsciously answered, “Hm? Is that not only natural?

You are the Governor of the Western Frontier. When the duke is not present, you naturally represent the La Roche Family and the highest authority of the Western Frontier.”

When Lucius heard this, he let out a soft laugh of unclear meaning.

“Heh… Go back and think about it carefully.”

He waved a hand, seemingly unwilling to continue this topic.

“Go. Go see Lynn… She should know that you have returned.”

With a stomach full of doubts, Eli nodded and turned to walk out of the hall.

Just as he was about to step out through the door, Lucius’s voice sounded again from behind him.

“Eli, this is an opportunity. Seize it…”

Eli’s steps paused slightly. He did not look back. He merely committed those words silently to his heart, then quickened his pace and left.

Why was Sir Lucius always like this again…

......

At night, most areas of La Roche Fortress had fallen into silence. Only a few places were still lit.

The library hidden deep within the fortress was one of them.

At the front desk by the entrance, there was still only a single candle burning with a dim yellow glow.

The gaunt old man, Reeves, was just as Eli had seen him every time before.

His entire body was curled up in that broad chair, and he was covered in a gray hooded robe.

At this moment, standing across from him was an equally aged but upright old man—Sebastian.

The two old men stood facing each other at the entrance to the silent library.

Reeves gave his signature low laugh from deep in his throat.

“Hehe… It really has been a long time… hehe… little Seb…”

The corner of Sebastian’s calm and unruffled face twitched almost imperceptibly.

His tone carried a rare trace of helplessness. “You are actually still not dead?”

“Hehe… That is not a very nice way to speak… hehehe…”

Reeves seemed to laugh even more happily, and his breathing also grew a little more hurried.

“The lifespan of elves truly is long.”

Sebastian stated this plainly, making it impossible to tell whether he was sighing with emotion or feeling something else.

“Hehe… Why have you come to La Roche Fortress?… hehe… Has House Black fallen?… hehehe…”

Reeves’s cloudy eyes examined Sebastian from beneath the shadow of his hood.

“I came by following my lord,” Sebastian said concisely. “He came to deliver an important piece of intelligence to Lucius.”

“Oh.” Reeves answered, his voice carrying a trace of interest.

“Hehe… Which Black is it…”

“He used to be,” Sebastian corrected. “Now, he is a Pendragon.”

“Pendragon…”

Reeves repeated the name in a low voice.

Then, his cloudy eyes seemed to brighten, and the laughter in his throat became somewhat smoother.

“Hehe… cough… It is the little sparrow… hahahahaha…”

It was as though he had heard something extremely interesting. He laughed until his breathing grew somewhat uneven.

Sebastian raised his brows slightly. “Oh? Little sparrow? You know him?”

“Hehe… yes… I have met him a few times…”

Reeves finally managed to stop laughing, panting as he spoke slowly.

He raised his head, and the gaze beneath his hood seemed to pierce through time and space.

“Do you not feel… that he and… are very alike…”

Sebastian fell silent for a moment. He neither admitted it nor denied it.

The two old men, who had lived for who knew how long, continued chatting in this dusty library steeped in the air of history, their words coming and going in fragments.

Their topics leapt about in scattered pieces, involving the distant past, indistinct figures, and certain obscure meanings only they could understand.

The dim candlelight stretched their shadows long, casting them onto the abyss of endless bookshelves behind them.

In the air, only Reeves’s labored and intermittent laughter and breathing remained,

as well as Sebastian’s occasional calm replies, gently echoing through the empty space…