Chapter 322

Odinel.

It was an agricultural city located upstream of the Lime River, the lifeline and blessing of the central region.

The environment was ideal for farming, and Odinel’s wheat was renowned throughout the continent for its high quality.

The problem was,

Odinel was under the control of the Crown Prince’s forces.

It served as a crucial supply base.

One reason was that Odinel itself was one of the most fertile regions in the empire, with its granaries overflowing with surplus crops.

But the most important reason was its strategic location along the Lime River, which allowed for swift and easy transportation of supplies via waterways.

Given its importance, the Crown Prince’s forces had naturally fortified Odinel with a strong garrison.

“You want to attack Odinel? Do you think I’m a fool who doesn’t even know the geography of the central region?”

Lobel’s face hardened.

“Of course not, brother.”

Max replied seriously.

“Then why are you bringing up Odinel? Do you think we can cross the river?”

Lobel pointed out the problem accurately.

Odinel was a city situated on the Lime River.

To attack Odinel, they would have to cross the river.

The problem was that the princess’s forces had practically no naval power.

When the Crown Prince’s forces had captured the Imperial City, they had also seized control of the Lime River basin.

That’s why the Crown Prince’s forces could freely transport supplies via waterways without any interference.

Crossing the river was impossible.

Because they didn’t have any ships.

Even if they mobilized their forces and built ships in a hurry, it wouldn’t make a difference.

The Erenbert army might be the strongest army on land, but they were novices when it came to naval warfare.

And the Celtrine army was no better.

They also had no experience in naval warfare.

They would be lucky if they didn’t all drown before they even reached the other side.

“We can’t.”

Max, who had brought up Odinel in the first place, agreed.

Lobel’s face flushed with anger.

“Are you messing with me?”

Fortunately, there was someone to mediate.

“Calm down, brother. I’m sure he has a plan.”

Regina said, soothing Lobel.

She was one of the few people in the world who could calm him down when he was angry.

Lobel crossed his arms and leaned back, his anger subsiding.

“Fine, let’s hear it. Let’s see what brilliant plan you have.”

His tone was still sharp, though. He clearly thought that Max had said something ridiculous.

“I’m curious too.”

Regina added.

It seemed like even she had no idea what Max was planning.

“Then allow me to explain.”

Max took a sip of water before continuing.

He looked calm and collected.

It was an attitude that only someone who was confident in their plan could have.

He set down his glass and said, “We don’t necessarily have to be the ones to cross the river.”

“What?”

“…What do you mean?”

Lobel and Regina were both confused.

It was understandable.

Max’s words had completely overturned their understanding of the current situation.

“We can make them cross the river. That would be a good field battle.”

Attack the enemy while they were exhausted from crossing the river.

It was a beautiful strategy in theory.

It was a classic example of military tactics.

The problem was,

It was practically impossible.

“What kind of nonsense is that? Do you think they’re idiots? Who would fall for that?”

Lobel raised his voice.

Wait for the enemy to cross the river and attack them?

It might be possible if the enemy commander was a complete moron.

No, it wouldn’t even work then.

If he gave such a ridiculous order, his subordinates would rebel and remove him from command.

It was only natural.

The Crown Prince’s forces held the strategic location of Odinel.

They had no reason to cross the river.

They could simply maintain their strong defenses and attack anyone who tried to cross, drowning them in the river.

“We just have to create a situation where they have no choice but to cross.”

But Max remained calm.

Regina rubbed her forehead and asked, “How are you going to create a situation where they have no choice but to cross?”

“We just have to use one fact.”

“What fact?”

“The army can move, but Odinel can’t.”

Max’s words resonated with power.

* * *

The Safia family, the Erenbert family, and the Celtrine family.

The first war council with all the key players of the princess faction present.

The atmosphere was thick with tension.

Because everyone knew how important this meeting was.

Their lives could depend on which battlefield they were assigned to.

“Emily, please give us a brief explanation.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Emily stood up at the princess’s request.

The western lords’ faces brightened.

The princess’s action was clearly a sign of respect for Marquis Safia, the leader of the west.

‘As expected.’

‘She can’t afford to upset the west, after they mobilized one hundred and twenty thousand soldiers.’

The western lords thought to themselves.

It was a sign that they were also wary of the Celtrine family’s rise and the princess’s special treatment of Max Celtrine.

They knew that their rewards would be greater if Marquis Safia was in a good position.

The northern lords and the central lords who had submitted to the Celtrine family, on the other hand, had neutral expressions.

They might have different stances, but they were probably thinking along the same lines as the western lords.

“According to our intelligence, the patricide’s army will most likely be divided into three forces.”

Emily began her explanation, standing before a large map of the empire.

“How are they divided?”

The princess asked, helping her along.

“Eighty thousand from the east, led by Duke Cavern one hundred thousand from the south, led by Duke Henatus and fifty thousand led by the patricide himself.”

“Oh, my dear brother is leading an army himself?”

The princess’s expression was subtle.

“Yes. There might be other minor movements, but those three will be the main forces.”

Everyone agreed with Emily’s assessment.

It was practically a foregone conclusion.

“Then we have to respond accordingly.”

“Yes. They’ll probably try to pressure us from three directions.”

“Indeed.”

The princess nodded.

If they marched in one direction, they could simply focus their defenses on that location.

But the Crown Prince’s army, with its superior numbers, wouldn’t make such a simple mistake.

The fact that they had divided their army into three meant that they were planning to attack from multiple directions.

“Please continue.”

“The battlefield will be the central region. And one of their targets will be Celtrine Castle.”

Emily’s hand moved across the map.

She pointed to the main road that led northwest from the Imperial City.

It was the same road that led to Ataraxia Forest, where Max had achieved two major victories.

The road that led to the Celtrine territory.

It was only natural for the enemy to target this location, considering that they had suffered humiliating defeats here and that it was a strategic location in the central region.

It was a fact that everyone knew.

“And they’ll also pressure us from the south.”

Emily pointed to the road that led south from the Imperial City, Mount Rathma, the highest mountain in the central region.

The road that led to Lambert Castle.

“And finally, they’ll also attack from the center.”

The center of the central region.

It was the most dangerous battlefield.

Because it was the easiest location for the Crown Prince’s forces to deploy their troops.

It was not only close to the Imperial City, but it also had the Lime River.

The Crown Prince’s forces, who controlled the Lime River basin, could easily transport supplies via waterways.

It would be a difficult battle for the princess’s forces.

It was a battlefield where it was difficult to achieve merits, and even if they did, they would suffer heavy losses.

‘Hmm, I’d rather avoid that place…’

‘I have to stay away from there.’

Many lords thought the same thing.

It had become the battlefield that everyone wanted to avoid.

“So we have to defend against those three directions.”

The princess summarized, a faint smile on her lips.

“Yes. We also have to divide our army into three forces.”

Marquis Safia said with a serious expression.

Everyone seemed to agree.

It was the natural response.

“Alright, let’s start with the south. The center of our defense will be Lambert Castle, right?”

“Of course. We must defend Lambert Castle and hold back the enemy.”

Marquis Safia’s response was textbook.

Some seemed slightly disappointed by his passive stance, but most were satisfied.

They knew how difficult it would be to achieve victory in a field battle against the Crown Prince’s main forces.

“I see. Senior Max has made a great contribution.”

The princess seized the opportunity to praise Max for securing the Lambert family’s betrayal.

Max replied calmly, “You honor me with your words.”

Meanwhile,

The western lords’ faces darkened.

‘Those Celtrine upstarts, with nothing but money…’

‘Tsk, how long do they think they can be so arrogant?’

They couldn’t express their displeasure openly, but they were already wary of the Celtrine family.

“Then let’s decide who will lead the army to Lambert Castle and defend against the enemy.”

“I will go. I will do my best to repel the enemy.”

Marquis Safia said without hesitation.

The western lords immediately started singing his praises.

“Marquis Safia is the perfect choice for this task.”

“He has protected the western border for decades, repelling the Kingdom’s constant provocations.”

“With Marquis Safia leading the defense, the enemy won’t be able to advance a single step in the south.”

There were even some central lords among them.

They were the lords that Marquis Safia had already won over.

On the other hand,

‘Tsk, they’re really going all out.’

‘They have the largest army, and they’re choosing to defend the safest location?’

The lords who opposed Marquis Safia were dissatisfied.

The princess smiled faintly, sensing the tension in the room.

‘Hehe, this is getting interesting. Now, if I…’

“Does anyone have a different opinion?”

She was deliberately trying to stir up a debate.

But it was also a natural progression.

Marquis Safia and his supporters had expected opposition from Erenbert and Celtrine.

They had already prepared for it.

And finally,

Max raised his hand.

“I’d like to say something.”

“Go ahead.”

The princess smiled inwardly, anticipating a clash.

Marquis Safia also prepared his next move.

But,

“I also believe that Marquis Safia is the perfect person for this task.”

‘Huh?’

‘What?’

The princess’s eyes widened in surprise, and Marquis Safia froze.

Almost all the lords stared at Max in disbelief.

Recommending a rival for the safest and easiest battlefield?

It was something that only a naive fool would do.

But Max Celtrine was anything but naive or foolish.

That’s why even the princess and Marquis Safia were genuinely surprised.

‘…What is he planning?’

Marquis Safia was suspicious.

He had been so sure that it was the perfect choice for him, but now he felt uneasy.

‘Wow… This is anticlimactic, isn’t it? Is this a psychological tactic? A provocation? What kind of attack is this?’

The princess’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.