novelraw Chapter 561: The Water is Too Deep
Chapter 561: The Water is Too Deep
【Warning again: If the Neanderthals kill Tyrant William and obtain the Legacy Fragments in his hands, they will have the possibility of rebuilding the Orsen Empire. Friendly reminder: The Neanderthal Giant Crocodile Tribe currently possesses 30% of the Orsen Empire Ruins Legacy Fragments. Once the Legacy Fragments exceed 50%, the empire can be rebuilt. The more Legacy Fragments there are, the stronger the rebuilt empire will be.】
So that's how it is!
Li Wei blanked for a moment. Only then did he realize that the trump cards in Tyrant William's hands were actually this abundant.
This was perfect. Unless someone could hold at least 30% of the Orsen Empire Ruins Legacy Fragments, they shouldn't even think about competing in the empire reconstruction before this. Unless they settled for the next best thing and just became a King, but that would be meaningless for the other two great kingdoms.
In short, this Global Proclamation was practically showing its hand and telling the entire Sapien faction that only by joining forces to eliminate the Nean could the subsequent storyline unfold. Trying to be a Shi Jingtang or a Wu Sangui—there was no chance. The Nean would sweep everything away.
But then why design a troubled times storyline where they suppress and infight with each other?
Furthermore, if Tyrant William had obtained 50% of the Orsen Empire Legacy Fragments right from the start, could he have skipped the intermediate steps and directly rebuilt the empire and proclaimed himself Emperor?
Just as he was thinking this, he saw a flash of light on the Troubled Times Pioneering Card. Karl was convening a meeting in the demiplane again.
This was unavoidable. Li Wei quickly gave some instructions and, under the effect of the Pioneering Card, entered the demiplane. This time, there were far more people entering the demiplane, a full twenty to thirty people, half of whom were unfamiliar faces.
Falcon Karl sat in the highest seat with a pale face. In the past eight years, it was unknown whether he had been drained dry or what, but he looked as if he had suffered a severe illness. Beside him was Jiang Xinran, who had become a delicate little bird, attentively taking care of him.Even before the meeting started, a gloomy and dismal atmosphere couldn't help but rise here.
"Everyone! The situation is urgent. Right now, before the power of the Great Frost has even dissipated, the Nean have actually impudently dispatched their army. These guys are truly vicious and sinister. His Majesty William has just passed us the latest enemy intelligence and battle report. The Nean's 200,000-strong army currently has no intention of splitting up; they are directly pouncing towards the Dindal Snow Mountain defense line."
"As for the legions of the Rylinbas Kingdom and the Sarleon Kingdom, there are temporarily no unusual movements. At least, before our side and the Nean army decide a victor, there will be no unusual movements. This can be guaranteed."
"So we'll deal with future matters in the future."
"His Majesty William has previously made the following deployments. His main legion will intercept the main Nean force along the line of the Dindal Snow Mountain. The Roger Legion will deploy a defense line at the northern foothills of the Dindal Snow Mountain to prevent the Nean from flanking around the rear."
"As for our legions, we will intercept the enemy along the line of the Whispering Forest, the lower reaches of the Ness River, and the Kadel Grand Canyon. Of course, the mission instruction His Majesty William gave us is to be flexible and mobile; we don't seek annihilation, but only to stall them."
"Because as long as we can form a stalemate with the invading Nean legions, then the Maclay Legion on the Ennor Highlands can quickly intervene, cutting off the invading Nean legions' retreat, catching them like turtles in a jar with a pincer attack from front and back!"
"This is the general strategic tactic. However, His Majesty William also emphasized that we should adapt to the timing and terrain. After all, the battlefield is so large, adapting to the circumstances is the most important thing."
"Everyone, what are your thoughts?"
Hearing this, everyone remained silent. Some people cast their gazes on Li Wei. It couldn't be helped; this guy had been too dazzling over these past few years. His Comprehensive Strength index had even surpassed Karl's, making him the veritable second-in-command of their faction now!
As for the boss, it was Duke Will, who had always been obsessed with Nature Magic and often turned himself into an ancient tree. But this old geezer was truly unreliable. Case in point: right now, some of Duke Will's trusted aides had defaulted to Karl as the successor and ran over to huddle together for warmth.
"Li Wei, what do you think?"
Karl also asked at this time, not giving Li Wei a chance to play deaf and dumb.
"Lord Karl, and everyone else, I am actually shallow in knowledge, young and reckless. Although I've made some small achievements, they were all flukes, relying on the heavens' grace. Anyway, I will listen to Lord Karl for all actions. As long as the order is given, even if it's a mountain of blades or a sea of fire, I will charge forward without hesitation!"
Li Wei simply didn't take the bait. Even if he had thoughts, he wouldn't say them on this occasion, because it was meaningless. Even if he was the Vice Commander of the legion, the only ones he could command were his own subordinates.
Who present wasn't a shrewd fox?!
Who couldn't see the drawbacks?
Next, once the Great Frost receded, high temperatures and floods would follow one after another. At that time, the entire Gumodo Basin would turn into a watery grave.
And then, guess what? Why was the Neanderthal Giant Crocodile Tribe called the Giant Crocodile Tribe?
Fighting the Nean in a watery grave?
Heh!
So the solution to this matter could not use conventional methods.
In Li Wei's view, there were only two answers. One: let Karl directly lead his legion and rush to the Dindal Snow Mountain, joining Tyrant William's legion sequence and accepting Tyrant William's direct command. Then Karl could claim illness and go home to recuperate, handing over military authority. Then, when the empire is established, he could still be a founding minister.
Two: retreat the entire line to the Locke Mountains, relying on the mountains to tangle with the Nean army, occasionally fishing up a few crocodiles, and fighting mountain battles or siege battles with the Nean. But if they did that, it would be equivalent to leaving a gap in the flank of Tyrant William's large army. At that time, the Nean would definitely not attack the Locke Mountains, but would certainly detour and flank around, giving Tyrant William a backstab. That wouldn't be fun.
In a word: I trusted you so much and handed my flank to you, and you didn't do it well; that is a major crime!
So clearly, Falcon Karl would not choose these two options. Tyrant William was forcing him to reveal his trump cards, forcing him to show his hand!
As expected, when no one else spoke up to suggest anything, Karl asked once more and then said, "It seems everyone has no objections! Then let's assemble the large army according to the strategy formulated by His Majesty William and prepare to move out! Within two months, all our legions must be assembled in position. Violators will be dealt with by martial law!"
Having said that, Falcon Karl truly solemnly issued a legion assembly order, demanding that they arrive in the southeast direction of the Whispering Forest—that is, the northern beginning of the Kadel Grand Canyon—within two months.
When this demiplane meeting ended, Hathaway, Zhao Xuanxuan, Thomas, Tucker, Jocelyn, He Yibo, A Su, Victor, Javier, and others had already gathered together.
"Li Wei, did you ask Falcon Karl for instructions regarding building the fortress?"
Hathaway asked first. The significance of this matter itself was not about building the fortress, but rather a way of casting a stone to ask the way—a probe.
"No, the timing isn't right. Furthermore, this guy Karl, he's like strong grass in a fierce wind, a loyal minister in turbulent times. He can endure too much. I'm really afraid he'll say something like 'when the sovereign commands death, the minister must perish' next."
"Really, I completely cannot see through him now. So, let's not consider anything else. Just tell me, what should we do next..."
Li Wei smiled bitterly and shook his head.
In this wave, Falcon Karl was also going to personally lead a ten-thousand-strong elite legion to battle, yet the other party truly wasn't the least bit worried.
"My Lord, we definitely cannot be this passive. Even if our Logistics Battalion is already building warships, if we encounter the giant crocodile magical beast legion raised by the Nean in the environment of a watery grave, I'm afraid we won't be able to handle it. And since the Nean are in such a hurry to attack now, I'm very worried that their second wave of Nature Magic offensive is likely already in preparation and will erupt within three months."
At this moment, Tucker spoke in a deep voice.
"That's right. At this time, the power of the Great Frost here on the Dusong Plains has dropped to around 7%~9%. Then, due to the terrain of the Gumodo Basin to the south, I think the power of the Great Frost has probably dropped below 5%. If the enemy suddenly releases a wave of Nature Magic in the Gumodo Basin that can cause temperatures to soar, it will undoubtedly stage a scene of flooding the three armies."
"Wait, My Lord, we have to be careful of Karl taking our military authority!"
At this time, He Yibo suddenly spoke of a possibility! This immediately shocked the few people present into gasping.
Because just as Karl was absolutely unwilling to let his elite legion accept Tyrant William's direct command, Li Wei was also absolutely unwilling to let Falcon Karl directly command his legion, unless the interests in all aspects had been thoroughly negotiated.
So if they encountered snowmelt floods and the entire Gumodo Basin turned into a watery grave, plus the Nean's giant crocodile legion, then the only place left to retreat and defend would be the Falcon Capital built in the Gumodo Basin!
And once they entered the city, it wouldn't be up to Li Wei anymore.
There were truly massive interests involved in this.
Although Falcon Karl had always managed his good reputation and good persona, if he could swallow Li Wei's four great legions in one gulp, then it wouldn't matter if he threw away that good reputation.
Besides, wasn't the purpose of managing a good reputation ultimately to sell for a good price?
"The possibility of this is not high, but we have to guard against it!"
"But if we disobey military orders, that is also a major crime!"
Li Wei began to deliberate. He already had vague thoughts in his mind, but he still needed to consider.
"My Lord, this lowly general is of low rank and slight words, but fortunate to be appreciated by you. I currently have a plan, I ask My Lord to decide!"
At this time, the veteran Victor, who had been standing on the periphery and only had the right to listen, suddenly spoke.
"Victor, let's hear it. Don't be constrained; we are all our own people."
Li Wei nodded and smiled. He appreciated this veteran very much, because to tell the truth, if evaluated from an overall grand strategic perspective, within his team, Hathaway was relatively good at overall planning and possessed nuanced insight into the changes in the situation. Back during the pioneering mission, she even guessed that Li Wei would come looking for her.
But Hathaway's weakness was that she easily resorted to risky military moves. Of course, she was much better now.
And besides Hathaway, among the people Li Wei currently discovered to have quite a high strategic vision, He Yibo was one. He was a good hand at leading troops in battle, although he usually kept a low profile and didn't show off.
After that, it would be the turn of this heavy cavalry veteran, Victor.
Yes, the above three were the three under Li Wei's command who could be listed above the high-score mark.
As for Li Yue, Jocelyn, Javier, Duan Bowen, Chang Wei, A Su, etc., they could only be considered just passing the line.