Chapter 168 : Chapter 168

Chapter 168. On the Eve of the Great Battle

Time ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍slowly passed, and before long, it was the third day.

During ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍this period, quite a few quartermasters had arrived and placed large quantities of supplies in the newly built warehouse area outside the city.

As ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍dust rose in the distance, Marquess Winterbourne’s main force finally arrived within Lucerne’s borders.

The ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍soldiers on the city wall saw that vast army from afar and immediately sounded the horn.

Eli, ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍who had received the report, had long since finished preparing. At this moment, he stood solemnly before the opened city gates with Brandon and Buck, ready to welcome this southern line commander.

The ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍column drew closer. The one at its head was none other than Marquess Mellon Winterbourne.

He sat upright on his fine horse. Although he was advanced in years, he was still hale and vigorous, his face carrying the gentle smile characteristic of the Winterbourne Family.

“Viscount Eli.” Marquess Mellon’s voice was steady and kind as he slowly urged his horse forward.

Eli took a step forward, placed his right hand over his chest, and bowed. Brandon and Buck behind him followed suit.

“Marquess Mellon, you have had a hard journey. Lucerne City has finished its preparations, and the camp area for the army has also been properly arranged.”

Marquess Mellon nodded gently and neatly dismounted.

The nobles and officers behind him also dismounted one after another, their movements uniform and orderly, displaying excellent military discipline.

“Baron Wes,” Marquess Mellon said, turning his head to instruct a capable-looking knight behind him, “follow Viscount Eli’s people and settle the soldiers.”

“Yes, Lord Marquess,” Baron Wes answered.

Eli looked at Brandon. “Brandon, take the men and assist with the arrangements.

Immediately send people to prepare meat and drinking water. Make sure these brothers who have come from afar are given proper rest.”

“Yes! Baron Wes, please follow me.” Brandon accepted the order and made an inviting gesture toward Baron Wes.

Then he led a team of Lucerne soldiers, guiding the army that had begun dividing in an orderly fashion toward the predetermined camp area.

“Lord Marquess, let us enter the city,” Eli said to Marquess Mellon.

Marquess Mellon nodded and, with his vassals and main officers, followed Eli’s steps through Lucerne City’s gates.

As soon as he entered the city, Marquess Mellon’s gaze was drawn to the scene before him.

The streets were clean and broad, and there was almost no debris on the stone-paved road.

Shops lined both sides, their signs clear and bright. Although the arrival of the army made the number of pedestrians somewhat sparse, the residents who came and went had peaceful faces. Their clothing was not luxurious, but it was clean and tidy.

The entire city had an orderly air.

“I did not expect this,” Marquess Mellon could not help exclaiming. He looked at Eli beside him with appreciation in his eyes.

“Viscount Eli is not only outstanding in military merit. You also possess extraordinary ability in governing a territory.”

Ron, who was following behind the marquess, spoke at the right time in support. “Lord Marquess, Eli’s ability is worthy of trust.”

Eli could only wave his hand modestly.

A middle-aged man walking ahead of Ron, whose temperament was gentle and whose face bore some resemblance to Marquess Mellon, also revealed admiration in his eyes.

He was Marquess Mellon Winterbourne’s only son, the heir of the Winterbourne Family, Sir Soren Winterbourne.

His personality seemed to have perfectly inherited the Winterbourne Family’s gentleness. In fact, he had inherited it… a little too well.

In this world where strength was respected, excessive kindness was sometimes only regarded as weakness.

This was also the main reason Marquess Mellon insisted on bringing his only heir with him this time.

He needed to gild his son with unquestionable military merit and prestige on the battlefield.

The group conversed as they followed the main road toward the lord’s residence at the center of the city.

Eli briefly introduced Lucerne City’s current situation, while Marquess Mellon asked questions from time to time. The atmosphere seemed rather harmonious.

After they arrived at the lord’s residence, Eli said to Marquess Mellon, “Lord Marquess, this place may be used as your temporary command post.

All personnel and supplies within the residence may be placed at your disposal.”

“Mm, not bad. Eli, take me to the council hall. Time is tight. We need to settle the battle plan as soon as possible.”

Hearing this, Eli immediately led the group to the council hall inside the residence.

The hall had long since been prepared. On the long table at the front, there was a detailed map of the western Western Frontier, clearly marking cities, roads, mountains, and rivers.

Marquess Mellon naturally took the main seat.

Eli originally intended to sit in the rear, but Marquess Mellon smilingly grabbed his wrist.

“Eli, there is no need for such restraint between us.”

Marquess Mellon’s smile was gentle and infectious. He pressed Eli into the seat at his lower left.

“For the recovery of the southern line, I will still need to rely greatly on your wisdom. Hahaha.”

Feeling the irresistible strength in his hand and the gazes cast by the many surrounding nobles, Eli could only follow along and sit down.

“Lord Marquess overpraises me. Eli will certainly do his utmost.”

Sir Soren quietly sat opposite Marquess Mellon, in the seat at his lower right.

The remaining vassals and knights took their seats along both sides of the long table according to their titles and status.

Before long, the large council hall was filled with people. Eli roughly swept his gaze over them.

There were more than thirty people gathered here, which displayed the Winterbourne Family’s strong power and influence.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Marquess Mellon restrained the smile on his face, and his gaze became steady and sharp.

“Everyone, we have been ordered by Sir Lucius to recover the lost territories on the southern line of the Western Frontier. Lord Lucius’s required timeframe is limited.

There are eight cities that must be recovered on the southern line. Among them, the most important are the three major towns: Kael City, Emerald City, and Monta City.

You are all veteran commanders who have experienced many battles. Do any of you have a detailed marching plan?”

As soon as he finished speaking, a middle-aged noble wearing an exquisite silver earring was the first to stand.

“Lord Mellon.” Viscount Armand bowed slightly to the marquess.

“My suggestion is that the army temporarily bypass several small cities along the route and concentrate all its strength, advancing at the fastest speed straight toward this place—Kael City.”

“Kael City is located at the traffic hub of the southern line. Taking it is equivalent to choking off the Federation remnants’ retreat.

At that point, we can steadily advance west, take Emerald City, then finally turn north to capture Monta City.

In this way, after securing the rear, we can directly reach the Lost Plains before Storm City and join forces with the other two allied armies.”

Marquess Mellon looked at the map and nodded thoughtfully, but he did not immediately express his stance.

At this moment, another middle-aged noble with a cold expression and a fierce scar on his face stood.

He was Viscount Felman. His personality was the complete opposite of Armand’s, and he was known for his bravery and aggressive style.

“Lord Mellon, Viscount Armand’s plan is too cautious.”

“Lord Lucius requires us to join forces at Storm City within one month. I agree with Lord Armand’s suggestion to take Kael City first. That is indeed the crucial first step.

But after that, we can and must split our forces!”

He walked to the map, his rough finger tracing the two routes beyond Kael City.

“After taking Kael City, our army can immediately divide into two routes.

One route, led by me, will advance west to recover Emerald City and the small towns along its line.

The other route can be entrusted to Viscount Armand, who will go north and take Monta City. We advance on two lines at once!

The Federation main force was already mostly exhausted beneath Thorne City. Now, each city’s defense must be empty. This is exactly the time for us to sweep them aside. Why should we advance step by step and waste time?”

“Indeed. Lord Felman’s words are reasonable!”

“The Federation brats are now nothing but homeless dogs. Dividing our forces and advancing can end this quickly!”

Several commanders immediately spoke in agreement, clearly leaning more toward Viscount Felman’s plan.

Viscount Armand frowned slightly, but he did not immediately refute him. He only looked at the map, seeming to weigh the pros and cons.

The two viscounts’ gazes briefly met in the air, faint sparks seeming to fly between them.

Eli sat quietly in his seat and took all of this in.

He understood clearly that Marquess Mellon had likely not yet received Sir Lucius’s latest intelligence about the Federation remnants withdrawing toward Storm City.

He was just about to rise and share the intelligence he possessed.

But he saw that Marquess Mellon did not look toward either side of the argument. Instead, his gaze turned to his son.

“Soren,” the marquess said, his voice still gentle, “which of the two lords’ plans do you think is more suitable?”

Sir Soren, who had suddenly been called on, seemed somewhat caught off guard. He subconsciously scratched his head, a troubled expression appearing on his face.

“Uh… Father, this… Both lords’ words are… are very reasonable…”

He stammered, his gaze moving between the map and the two viscounts. Clearly, he was not skilled in this kind of military discussion and was even somewhat uninterested in it.

His hesitant reaction made some commanders who supported Felman frown slightly.

A trace of disappointment also crossed Marquess Mellon’s eyes, but the smile on his face did not change.

At this moment, Eli stood at the right time, providing key information both for the embarrassed Sir Soren and for this argument.

“Lord Mellon.” Eli’s voice instantly drew everyone’s gaze.

“Before discussing the specific marching plan, I have a piece of the latest intelligence that I need to share with everyone.”

“Oh?” Marquess Mellon revealed an interested expression. “What intelligence?”

“According to the information discovered by the scouts under my command,”

Eli walked to the map, his finger passing over several cities, “the Federation defenders entrenched in these cities have recently all shown personnel movements.

They seem to be gradually abandoning their original strongholds and withdrawing to gather in the same direction—Storm City.”

As soon as these words came out, low discussions immediately rose in the council hall.

Eli continued, “Therefore, based on this intelligence, aside from Storm City, the defensive strength of the other cities on the southern line… is currently empty.

It is even possible that some small cities are almost deserted.”

This news was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly changing the direction of the meeting.

“If that is truly the case…” Viscount Armand, who had just insisted on steady advancement, pondered for a moment and was the first to speak.

“Then Viscount Felman’s plan of dividing forces and advancing quickly is indeed more suitable. Lord Mellon, I withdraw my previous opinion.”

He was not someone who stubbornly clung to his own view. When the situation changed, the strategy naturally had to adjust accordingly.

Marquess Mellon looked at Viscount Armand with approval, then swept his gaze over everyone present. Seeing that no one else raised an objection, he made his decision.

“In that case, the southern line’s battle plan will generally follow Viscount Felman’s proposal.”

His voice was gentle, yet it carried unquestionable decisiveness.

“Speed is the essence of war. Once the army has finished resting, at dawn tomorrow, the entire army will set out. Target—Kael City!”

“Yes, Lord Marquess!” Every commander in the hall answered in unison, battle intent surging.

Marquess Mellon nodded, then his gaze fell on Eli again with expectation. “Viscount Eli.”

“Here, Lord Marquess.”

“You are familiar with the local situation, and the soldiers under your command were also among the earliest elites to participate in recovering Lucerne City.

The vanguard duty for attacking Kael City will be entrusted to you. What do you think?”

Although his words were phrased as a question, the meaning was already clear.

When the nobles heard this, the gazes they cast toward Eli carried doubt.

Defending a city was one thing, but attacking one was another entirely.

Eli did not hesitate at all. He struck his right fist heavily against the armor over his left breast and performed a standard knightly salute.

“I obey your command, Lord Marquess! I, Eli Pendragon, will clear the road for the army and be the first to take Kael City!”