190: caged bird

Bandel Province, Tianhai City Temporary Command Center!

Clay put down his wine glass, the crimson wine rippling inside. He listened to Ocean Jack conveying Linn's latest instructions, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"Setting an ambush to devour the remnants of the coalition forces..." Clay's fingers tapped lightly on the table. "Although Usachi and Marquis Golden Peacock have just been defeated, they still have 150,000 troops under their command, most of whom are veterans of the bloody battle of Holy Radiance City. In a head-on clash, even though our army has the advantage, our casualties would not be small."

Ocean Jack nodded. "So the Lord's meaning is to win by wit."

He walked to the giant map on the wall, his finger tracing the terrain of southern Bandel Province. "Here, Blackstone Canyon. It is the mandatory path to enter the heart of Bandel Province from the southern main road. The canyon is about ten miles long, with steep mountains on both sides, and the narrowest part only allows five riders to pass side-by-side."

Clay narrowed his eyes. "You want to set an ambush there?"

"It's more than just an ambush." A cold arc curled at the corner of Ocean Jack's mouth. "I have already ordered the blockade of all small paths leading to Blackstone Canyon, leaving only the main road open. At the same time, I am spreading rumors that the defenders of Tianhai City are still holding out and requesting urgent reinforcements from the coalition forces."

"Lure the enemy deep, then trap them like rats." Clay stood up. "But Usachi is no fool; will he be so easily deceived?"

"Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't be." Ocean Jack turned around. "But what if he receives two pieces of news simultaneously! First, Tianhai City is in dire straits, and the defenders can only hold out for three more days; second, the main force of Star Sea Territory has secretly moved south to coordinate with the First Prince's decisive battle, leaving only a secondary force in Bandel Province..."

Clay understood. "He will think this is an isolated force and, in his haste to rescue Tianhai City, he will take the risk and advance rapidly."

"Precisely." Ocean Jack said. "I have already arranged enough 'evidence'—several groups of scouts we deliberately let go, several intercepted secret letters that were 'accidentally' lost, plus a Star Sea Territory unit with 'obviously insufficient' numbers that has 'hastily' set up defenses outside the canyon."

Clay pondered for a moment. "Then, how will the troops be deployed?"

"You will lead the Guard Army, Orc Legion, and Griffin Knights to set an ambush at the northern mouth of Blackstone Canyon, sealing off the retreat once the enemy has fully entered. I will lead the Star Sea Legion and Vaughan's Zhenhai Legion at the southern mouth, waiting for them to barge right in."

"On the cliffs on both sides of the canyon, I will deploy 3,000 mages and 10,000 archers." Ocean Jack tapped the map twice. "Once the enemy falls into the trap, we will first block the road with rolling stones and falling logs, then cover the canyon with fire oil and Explosive Crystals. Once their formation is in chaos, we will strike from both the north and south simultaneously."

Clay nodded. "The plan is feasible. But we must be swift and decisive. The final battle between the Second Prince and the First Prince is about to begin. We need to reorganize the army after the battle of Tianhai City and wait for the next deployment."

"Three days." Ocean Jack held up three fingers. "Within three days, I want the head of Marquis Golden Peacock and Usachi's letter of surrender."

---

Macedonia Province Frontline!

Atos stood before the throne, his brow furrowed. The war reports in front of him were piled like a mountain, and every single one carried bad news.

"Your Highness, news has come from the south that the Second Prince has rejected the peace talk proposal." A minister reported, trembling with fear. "He... he announced a decisive battle with our army on the Red River Plain in three days."

"Where does he get the nerve?!" Atos slammed his palm on the armrest of the throne. "600,000 against a million, on what basis does he dare to fight a decisive battle?"

Monk stood to the side and said in a heavy voice, "Your Highness, this matter is suspicious. Although the Second Prince has strength remaining, he should not be this reckless. I fear... someone is instigating this from behind."

Atos took a deep breath. "What about Linn? Where is his army?"

An intelligence officer stepped forward. "Star Sea Territory reports that Duke Linn has already led his main force of 200,000 south and is expected to reach the Red River Plain to rendezvous with our army in ten days. Furthermore, news has come from the north that the Werewolf Kingdom is gathering heavy troops at the East Wasteland border, seemingly intending to move south."

"Werewolves..." Atos gritted his teeth. "Of all times, it had to be now."

"Order Monk." Atos's voice became unusually calm. "Stay to defend Holy Radiance City and resist the werewolves' southward advance with all your might. As for the southern battlefield... I will go personally."

"Your Highness, you mustn't!" the ministers exclaimed in shock.

"Why not?" Atos sneered. "I have an Epic powerhouse protecting me. What does the Second Prince have? A Gordon who just got promoted to Advanced Legendary? He says he can use a Forbidden Spell to perish along with an Epic? Fine, I'd like to see if he truly has the ability."

He stood up, his gaze sweeping across the hall. "Order the entire army to set out tomorrow and head south to the Red River Plain. In this battle, I will personally end this struggle between brothers. Also, notify Linn to strike from the flank of Bandel Province."

"As for the werewolves in the north..." A flash of ruthlessness crossed Atos's eyes. "After I finish off the south, I'll turn back and settle the score with them slowly."

---

One day ago, just as the peace proposal arrived. The Second Prince's camp, Red River Plain.

"Then... then what do we do?" The Second Prince panicked. "Is it still in time for us to withdraw our troops and return to help?"

The Second Prince appeared somewhat flustered upon learning that the plan for a sneak attack on the royal capital had failed!

"It's too late." Gordon shook his head. "Atos's army will arrive at the Red River Plain tomorrow. If we retreat or negotiate now, we will only be pursued and utterly routed by them."

He looked up, his eyes shining brightly. "But this is also our opportunity."

"Opportunity?"

"Yes." Gordon stood up. "I have received definite news that the werewolves are preparing to move south, and Monk is pinned down at Holy Radiance City."

The Second Prince's eyes lit up. "Doesn't that mean Atos won't be able to get support from Monk's army of nearly 500,000, and will also be missing a mid-stage Legendary warrior?"

"Precisely." Gordon smiled. "I have also ordered Usachi and the remnants of Marquis Golden Peacock's forces to attack Bandel Province to pin down Linn's main force there. I have also secretly contacted the Magic Corps; they will defect from behind during the decisive battle!"

The camp fell into silence. The generals looked at each other, suddenly feeling that the situation was not so dire.

"Furthermore, I have an eighty percent certainty of stalling that Epic powerhouse of the royal family; his vitality has long since withered. With the Magic Corps defecting, our chances of victory are immense. If we kill Atos, the royal army will naturally collapse. Monk is, after all, your biological uncle. When the time comes, he will have no choice but to recognize you as the new king."

Count Ellis stood up. "If that is the case, I agree with Legendary Gordon. We should take this opportunity to settle this quickly. Once we take down Atos, we can reorganize the army and annihilate Linn."

After a long while, the Second Prince took a deep breath. "Order the rejection of the peace talks! Mobilize the entire army for a decisive battle with Atos in three days."

He looked at Gordon. "I leave the Magic Corps and that Epic powerhouse to you, Teacher."

Gordon bowed. "This old official will not fail your trust."

Walking out of the camp, Gordon looked up at the northern night sky. There, thirty airships were silently streaking across the sky, like scythes swung by the Grim Reaper.

He whispered to himself, "Lord Linn, the chess pieces are all in place. This game... it's time for the endgame."

Linn, thousands of miles away, seemed to sense something. He stood by the porthole of the star vault, looking down at the towns dotted with lights, the corners of his mouth curling upward slightly.

"Order all ships to make preparations," he said. "In three days, I want to watch the fireworks of the Red River Plain from the palace in Holy Radiance City."