YEAR: 1724. JUNE 27TH. LOCATION: WAR ROOM IN FORT KESPARE

“Now let us start the meeting.” General Cedric said, his eyes serious as he sat on the head chair in the room.

Many officers were also sitting on the chairs, all looking tense as they stared at the map in front of them. The map had white pawns that represented their force and black pawns for the Imperials. Currently, the black pawns were moving forward while the white pawns were in Fort Kespare.

“You know why you are here don’t you?” Cedric asked which he received nods from all the officers. “Then let’s cut to the chase. We need a way to deal with 50,000 soldiers that are currently marching on to us.”

There was silence as everybody glanced at each other. Finally, after a long silence, an officer spoke.

“Shouldn’t we try to defend Fort Kespare?” Lieutenant Colonel Elion, who had a promotion, suggested. “The enemy isn’t stupid like the last one and they are likely preparing for a surprise attack. On top of that, they outnumbered us with all of them being veterans.”

Colonel Zaiden, who also received a promotion, said, “Lieutenant Colonel Elion, I’m sorry but I disagree with you. We should attack the Imperial army instead of defending against them. Even with the high grounds, the Imperials could do a siege and it is very likely that they would have more supplies than us to last longer.”

Although it was unlikely, there was still a chance that the imperial soldiers might arrive with substantial supplies. The 9th Corps had its own supplies, but there was no guarantee that their supply chain hadn’t been disrupted by the Imperials. The Kingdom of Shiena lacked the resources to assist the 9th Corps even if they requested help, leaving them potentially isolated.

On the other hand, the Imperials would have their own supply chain and could afford to wait until the soldiers at Fort Kespare either starved or surrendered.

However, the Imperials would have a supply chain on their own and they could wait until the soldiers in Fort Kespare starve to death or surrender.

“But we can’t attack them face to face.” Elion countered. “The new recruits would be massacred if they leave to fight with just a few weeks of training.”

Both Elion and Zaiden argued back and forth as they both stated their opinion. Cedric only waited in silence and Devon followed suit. The rest of the officers were too afraid to interrupt the two officers. While there were some officers who held higher ranking, Elion and Zaiden both achieved great feats during the Iron Thrust. Thus, they were unofficially higher rank than they really were. Not to mention, many soldiers admired them for their feat and bravery so not many officers wanted to be on their bad side.

Stolen story; please report.

Finally, Lieutenant Colonel Cameron, who had stayed silent until now, spoke quietly. “I suggest we take battle at the Plain of Jade.”

“Plain of Jade?” Elion scoffed at the suggestion. “You mean that forest? We both know there are barley and plains left in that place, instead just a bunch of trees and plants.”

“Exactly.” Cameron said, slightly smiling. “We could use the forest as their advantage.”

Then Cameron moved forward and started to place the white and black pawns on the map. The white pawns were all stationed at the Plain of Jade while the black pawns were close to them.

“Firstly, we do the hit and run tactic with our longbows.” Cameron placed a pawn at the edge of the forest. “We make the Imperials believe we have our force stationed in the forest.”

“And do you think that the Imperial soldiers are dumb enough to fall for this kind of trap?” Elion smirked. “I know where you are getting at. You are trying to lure the Imperial forces to the forest where they will have a hard time passing as a one big force. When their force separates into smaller forces, you are planning to attack one by one to lower their number, correct?”

“Correct.” Cameron smiled, “Now the only problem, just like Lieutenant Colonel Elion had said, is that the Imperial force will likely realize it is a trap and not take it.”

“Then what do you suggest we have as bait?" Zaiden asked with suspicion in his eyes. “You don’t mean you will use Lord Cedric as bait?”

Cameron stayed silent at the statement. Everybody’s eyes, except for Cedric, widened their eyes in horror as they stared at Cameron with disbelief in their eyes. A few moments of silence passed before Cedric opened his mouth.

However, instead of shouting toward Cameron for thinking something so ridiculous, Cedric laughed. “HAHAHAHAHA! Ever since I was made into the commander, nobody ever suggested things like that to me anymore.”

“Lord Cedric?” Devon asked carefully, trying hard to not to think about the worst possible scenario. However, it came true.

“Lieutenant Colonel Cameron, I accept your operation.” Cedric said, wiping a tear that came down to his face. “I will be the bait to lure the Imperial Soldiers.”

“Lord Cedric!” Immediately, several officers shot to their feet as they screamed their opposition. However, they were all silenced by Cedric who held his hand.

“When I was a new recruit, the higher ups never cared about sending soldiers such as me to the battlefield to die. This will be no different, I am a soldier to the Kingdom of Shiena.”

Devon and other officers couldn’t say anything. After all, they all realized there was no point trying to change their general’s mind when he looked so determined. Instead, they glared at Cameron who was the one who suggested the idea.

“Now let us plan the operation.” Cedric said, moving pawns. “We need to prepare or we will be killed without mercy.”