Three days passed in a flash, and Soron strode into the new command room set up in Kasha City.
The staff and civil servants who had spent three nights developing multiple battle plans quickly gathered around and eagerly said to Soron, "General, we are all ready and can launch a new offensive at any ti."
Noble advisor Nate, who had previously gained rit for capturing the head of Sika General Long Deshitaide, elbowed to the front and chid in, "General, according to our intelligence, the Sika people have fallen into panic after losing their General Long Deshitaide. Their main forces outside Kasha City have already begun showing signs of retreat. anwhile, our troops, as per your orders, have all taken turns to rest. If we attack now, we will definitely achieve significant victories."
"Indeed, General, this is the perfect ti for an attack..." the others agreed.
Soron patiently listened to everyone and waited until they quieted down before saying, "Gentlen, I appreciate your hard work. Although this war is being coordinated between myself and Lord Richard, this situation would not be possible without you. I am very grateful, and once this war is won, I will personally seek ritorious recognition for all of you before the Emperor."
After a pause, Soron continued in a different tone, "However, I also have so less favorable news to share. After discussing with Lord Richard, we’ve decided that it’s better for the troops not to launch an overly aggressive offensive right now. It’s best to remain in place and continue resting."
"Hm?"
"This?"
"Why?"
As Soron spoke, the advisors showed expressions of surprise but could not stop Soron from continuing.
Soron said, "Lord Richard and I have decided unanimously: all troops are to hold their positions and remain on standby. We will not attack unless the enemy initiates aggression. As for the plans you’ve drafted, let’s seal them for now and execute them when the ti cos."
Upon hearing this, the advisors were instantly in an uproar.
"General, how long do we have to remain on defense and standby?"
"Yes, General, why stop the attack when conditions are favorable?"
"General, we’ve worked hard to take Kasha City; we can’t waste this strategic advantage. We must strike quickly, or the enemy will have the chance to react and adjust, and we’ll lose the opportunity."
"General, how did you discuss with Lord Richard? I don’t think this matter should be so absolute..."
"Alright, alright." Soron raised his hand seriously, gesturing for everyone to quiet down and said sternly, "I know you gentlen might not understand, but Lord Richard and I have made careful considerations.
Moreover, the troops will not remain on defensive standby indefinitely. Once Lord Richard and I determine the right timing, we will launch a full offensive, and that’s when your plans will be utilized."
After finishing, Soron didn’t give the advisors and staff a chance to speak further, turning around and leaving the command room.
The people in the command room stared at Soron’s departing figure with complicated expressions. Especially Noble advisor Nate, who had intended to speak to Soron, angrily tossed a scroll into the corner and stord towards his desk.
...
Soron’s words left all the advisors sowhat confused, but they nonetheless held their tongues, aware of their roles.
Three more days passed in silence; they found Soron still insisted on having the troops remain on standby, driving them to collectively approach Soron and plead for a change of mind.
However, Soron remained steadfast, simply ordering them to obey military commands.
...
In a blink, it had been ten days since the battle for Kasha City ended.
The usually composed White Robed Senior Staff Kun Darsie could no longer contain himself. He wasn’t present during Soron’s initial decision announcent in the command room, nor did he participate in the advisors’ collective request, believing Soron must have his reasons.
But seeing no change from Soron even ten days after the battle’s conclusion, Kun Darsie, puzzled, privately sought out Soron, who was inspecting the city walls.
"General, why not attack now?" Kun Darsie asked, with restrained frustration, "It has been a whole ten days. Our troops have rested twice over, all supplies replenished, and the broken parts of Kasha City have nearly been repaired. All conditions for an attack are in place; there’s no reason to continue holding back.
Doing so will only give the Sika people a chance to regroup and rebuild their forces, negating the advantages we’ve gained."
At that mont, Soron stood at the northwestern corner of Kasha City, gazing at the northwest horizon as if seeing sothing extraordinary.
After a full thirty seconds, Soron finally turned back and looked at Kun Darsie and said, "Mr. Kun, please calm down. Trust ; I’m even more anxious than you. But the closer we are to this mont, the more we must stay steady and not panic. The result of our discussion, Lord Richard and I, does have its reasons; precisely because this situation is highly unusual, we must be exceptionally cautious, awaiting a rare opportunity to strike."
"Lord Richard?" Kun Darsie blinked as if confirming sothing, "So, this decision truly is the result of a consultation between you and that lazy command consultant, and not just your decision, using him as cover?"
"You’re overthinking; this truly is the consulted result between myself and Lord Richard," Soron said seriously, not sounding deceptive. "That Lord Richard may have shirked responsibilities for quite a while, but that only happened during inconsequential tis. At critical monts in the war, he ultimately stands up. Just like during the previous defensive line breakthrough battle, it’s the sa now.
After all, he is personally appointed by the Emperor as the command consultant, a rank just beneath . If considering the possibility of secret orders from the Emperor, if our disagreeing opinions arise, I suspect he could potentially replace and take full control of the troops.
Can soone of such stature truly remain idle all the ti? Would the Emperor tolerate it? Would the council and nobles following this war endure? Would those aristocrats continuously observing this war bear it?"
"This..." Kun Darsie hesitated a bit, ultimately convinced by Soron’s reasoning, nodding slightly, "Alright."
"However..." Kun Darsie continued, "But General, what circumstances have you and Lord Richard considered that led to your current decision? This baffles everyone, including ."
"That must remain confidential for now; it can only be disclosed at the right mont," Soron said.
"Why?"
"Rember when you suggested that there might be a spy within the command room? Though that investigation turned up nothing, I still worry it’s true. To prevent any mishaps, it’s essential to keep it under wraps."
"Alright." Kun Darsie understood and said no more.
"By the way," Soron suddenly recalled sothing, addressed Kun Darsie, "I’m heading to Lord Richard’s place to discuss so details of the battle plan. You should return to the command room and keep a lid on those advisors so they don’t go crazy."
"I’ll try my best." Kun Darsie replied with a wry smile.
"I trust you." Soron said, patting Kun Darsie’s shoulder, and then walked down the wall, heading towards the luxurious residence assigned to Richard in the city.
Watching Soron leave, Kun Darsie withdrew his gaze and glanced towards the northwest, where Soron had been looking, seeking what had caught Soron’s attention, but saw nothing.
"General, what are you and that lazy command consultant really up to... Why do I suddenly find you both so inscrutable..." After a while, Kun Darsie murmured to himself.
...
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