Amber Sword

So the remaining tasks became quite simple. Although a few still thought that penetrating deeper into the Anlek Mountains might be better, it was, after all, just a possibility. The majority got enthusiastically busy arranging the defense line. The officer cadets quickly proposed a very classic and practical plan.

This plan was immediately sent to Brand, the Princess, and Ou Fuwei’er. The plan was simple: as originally thought, to set up the main position north of where the streams converge, at the foot of Angerk Mountain—first the archery positions, then the main position—but the defensive focus was pushed forward to include the eastern slope of Machenko Mountain and the western slope of Levico Mountain.

Brand immediately saw the core of this plan, setting up a battleground on each of the southern hills; the young officer cadets intended to use the terrain’s advantage to deplete the Southern Alliance Army’s active forces on these two lines.

Such tactical intent is very typical, almost textbook-like deployment. However, to Brand, it seemed overly conservative. He glanced around; the Princess made no comment, and Ou Fuwei’er also shook his head.

Lone wolf just a lone wolf.

Only then did Brand shake his head, "Overall feasible, but some details still need adjustment."

"Ah, how to adjust it?" Caglis, who confidently brought the plan, was stunned. This plan was actually devised by him and had the unanimous approval of the officer cadets. He originally thought it would certainly pass, but now it seemed somewhat presumptuous.

"Just like this." Brand gestured twice on the temporary map and answered.

"Huh?"

Caglis almost shrugged and smeared the plan in his hand all over his lord’s face; is this a plan? Isn’t this just giving up the entire front line position? Wouldn’t it be faster if the lord asked us to surrender directly?

He looked pathetically at Brand, as if to confirm whether his lord was a bit delirious from a sleepless night and was talking nonsense. Unexpectedly, Brand immediately gave him a fierce glare and reprimanded, "What are you standing around for?"

So this young noble from Tonyger could only consider himself unlucky, hanging his head dispiritedly as he walked out.

"This seems to be a bit..." Ou Fuwei’er couldn’t help but shake his head, thinking Brand’s plan was indeed too bold, a bit beyond his expectations.

No, it’s not just bold. If he hadn’t known this young man before, he would probably start suspecting whether this guy was a spy, as this plan seemed to mock the Northern Alliance’s intelligence.

"Risky moves, you and Macaro have similar temperaments, it’s just a pity..." The kingdom’s lone wolf couldn’t help but sigh. The kingdom once had a lion, a wolf, and a fox, but now it could only rely on these young people.

He could only hope his choice was right.

Only Brand smiled slightly, full of confidence.

The sky was glowing faintly, the hidden army in the forest began to gather. Northda and his Flying Dragon Cavalry were taking off one by one in the morning breeze, then, under the coordination of Brand’s Wind Spirit Spiders, began to drive away the Northern Alliance’s reconnaissance cavalry soaring in the sky.

This was the clearing work before the big battle.

By now, neither side could hide their tactical intentions any longer. The commanders of the Northern Alliance quickly realized that Brand was preparing to fight them to the death.

"Realized you can’t run away?"

Williams caught a parchment cylinder tossed down by a passing Flying Dragon Cavalry, glanced at it indifferently, and a disdainful smile appeared on his face.

He looked up—the Mar Highlands lay ahead.

8:12 AM.

Brand closed the cover of his brass pocket watch, looking far off to the other end of the valley. His vision was extremely far; with his strong perception, he could see miles away without any aid. The first troops of the Northern Alliance had already appeared at the other end of the valley, though it was not yet clear which column it was.

"Should be Viscount Finn, quite a number, could be several thousand," Count Otin put down the monocular, murmuring, "They’ve stopped, probably waiting for reinforcements."

Brand nodded, agreeing with Count Otin, who once served in the Black Blade Legion and the Southern Army, a seasoned noble, whose judgment was accurate. His guess was likely correct, it should indeed be the Finn Column.

Meanwhile, Enrock was somewhat dismissive, shrugging his shoulders, "No matter the number, it’s meaningless; this valley can at most let 1,500 deploy to attack from the front, the Northerners sure are dawdling."

"But they can first seize the southern hills of Machenko Mountain and Levico Mountain, can’t they?" Frey, donned in battle attire, stood beside Brand, hand on her longsword, answering with a frown.

"Then it’ll be quite a show to watch." Brand chuckled.

...

(PS: So the main course begins!)(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)