Chapter 309 - 304: Sand Table Simulation

Chapter 309: Chapter 304: Sand Table Simulation

Everyone had gathered in the strategy room.

A massive oak table occupied the center of the room, with a sand table on top of it.

It was made from different colored mineral powders and binding agents, depicting the complete topography around Minas Tirith Port.

Gray-white mountains, dark-green swamps, and brown plains.

The most striking feature was the bay, rendered with blue glass sand, with the varying depths of underwater reefs and trenches marked in different colors.

A scale model of the city of Minas Tirith sat nestled between the rocky mountains. Its highest point, a model of the White Tower, was carved from ivory.

"Everyone."

Velin’s voice silenced the room.

He took out a black velvet bag from under the table, reached inside, and pulled out a Crystal Stone the size of a fist.

The Crystal Stone was a deep red, with a faint light flowing within it.

"An Original Blood Crystal," Baron Kroo said aloud in surprise.

Velin walked to the sand table, picked up the ivory White Tower, and placed the Original Blood Crystal securely in its former spot.

"Beneath this city lies a small Original Blood Crystal mine."

The nobles from the Dawn Territory were all dumbfounded.

Although Original Blood Crystal mines weren’t exceptionally rare, the mining rights were typically controlled by high-ranking nobles of Count status or above.

This was also why, as an extremely versatile, high-energy material, its price had always remained exorbitant.

The nobles of the Dawn Territory exchanged glances. It all made sense now.

No wonder.

No wonder this new port city could afford Magic Power-driven elevators. No wonder this Baron of the swamp was so wealthy, able to support such a staggering pace of construction.

So this was the foundation of his power.

They had been leaning back casually in their chairs, but now they unconsciously sat up straight.

The looks they gave Velin now held a new level of gravity.

Velin ignored their reactions and picked up a command baton to begin explaining the battle situation.

"The Multi-Armed Race is after this. That’s why they will attack Minas Tirith Port at all costs." He lightly tapped the Crystal Stone.

"But our goal is not to defend the port."

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"It’s to fight a battle of annihilation. I want them to come and never return."

The command baton drew a circle over the blue bay on the sand table.

"I have already laid a belt of ’Rapid-Growth Red Leaf Tree’ seeds in the designated waters outside the port."

He picked up prefabricated models and placed them on two reefs in the bay, forming a fortress that stood opposite Mi Port.

(Image here!)

"Once the seeds are activated, the three dams they generate will change Mi Port from a port facing the sea on three sides to one facing a river on one side and the sea on another. This will also force them to launch their attack on Mi Port from the Gray Sea side."

He paused for a moment, giving everyone time to process the information.

"Two... barbicans built on the sea?" a Knight blurted out.

The idea was beyond anyone’s military common sense.

"Yes. And then, when the time is right, we’ll raise another wall to completely trap them between Mi Port and the fortresses."

The assembled nobles frowned at the model, all feeling that something was wrong with the plan.

"Baron Velin."

Baron Kroo stood up.

He had served in the Southern Border Legion and had dealt with the Sea Race on more than one occasion.

"Your idea is bold. But if I may be frank, it’s impossible."

He walked to the edge of the sand table and pointed at the fortress models.

"I’ve seen the creatures from the depths. Those behemoths are over fifteen meters long and can easily smash a small coastal watchtower. We’ve all seen your Red Leaf Trees—they’re less durable than stone. Forget the final wall, even the fortresses you build won’t be able to withstand the impact of those monsters."

His words resonated with the others, and several experienced Knights nodded in agreement.

"Baron Kroo is right. This is too risky."

"It’s practically playing with the soldiers’ lives."

"What a load of crap!" Baron Ola stood up, his reddish-brown beard trembling.

He glared at Baron Kroo, his voice booming.

"If Lord Velin says it can be done, it can be done! You bunch of lily-livered cowards, getting weak in the knees before you’ve even seen their shadows?"

"You!" Baron Kroo’s face flushed red. "You uncouth Dwarf! That is an insult to a nobleman!"

"Wait, everyone! Let’s let Lord Velin finish speaking first!" Barrett quickly tried to smooth things over.

Velin shot Ola a glare before continuing.

"Baron Kroo, the dams themselves are not the main defense."

"Watchtowers will be built on every dam, equipped with ballistae to create a crossfire."

He then picked up several small blue flags and planted them in the waterways between the dams.

"The dams themselves are a trap. We can intentionally leave gaps to lure the enemy deeper. When they enter the pre-set kill zone..."

He picked up a red flag and planted it outside the fortress. "...I can raise another dam, sealing their path of retreat."

Baron Kroo understood. Even if the dams were fragile, the attacking force would be hit from both front and rear between the multiple dams. They couldn’t be completely flattened without suffering immense losses.

But even so, he was still uneasy.

"But what about the final wall you raise?" he persisted, though his tone was much weaker. "They could just break through it and escape."

"Baron Kroo is right."

Velin spoke, admitting it frankly.

"Under normal conditions, the ’Rapid-Growth Red Leaf Tree’ isn’t strong enough to withstand the continuous impact of a Level 5 Sea Beast."

He looked at Baron Kroo, then at the others.

"But I am working on a solution."

He didn’t explain what that solution was.

Baron Kroo wanted to press him for details, but then he thought about all the unusual things about the Grey Marsh Territory and held his tongue.

The confidence in Velin’s eyes created a strange pressure, causing any words of doubt to get stuck in their throats.

The strategy room fell silent once more.

All eyes turned to Diana.

She was the Count of the Dawn Territory, their leader.

Her decision would affect the fate of everyone in the room.

Diana stood up.

She walked to the sand table, looking at the plan that was far from perfect.

She took a deep breath.

"The Dawn family honors its oaths as it honors life."

Her voice was clear and resolute.

"In this battle, all forces of the Dawn Territory will be under the complete command of Baron Velin."

She turned to her vassals, her eyes filled with an unquestionable authority.

"That is an order."

Baron Kroo opened his mouth, but in the end, he lowered his head and knelt on one knee.

"As you command, my lady."

The other nobles, whatever their private thoughts, could only follow suit and kneel.

The meeting ended.

The nobles filed out, whispering to one another with complicated expressions on their faces.

Doubt, greed, fear, and anticipation intertwined in their hearts.

Only Velin and his core team remained in the strategy room.

Tristan walked to Velin’s side.

"My lord, they don’t trust you completely."

"I don’t need their trust," Velin said, walking to the floor-to-ceiling window.

He gazed at the distant horizon, where the sea was calm and peaceful.

"When the dams rise, when the corpses of Sea Beasts litter the bay, when they carve their own family names onto the boundary markers of their fiefs with their swords..."

"Then they will believe."