Chapter 104. Going Through the Motions, the Peculiarities of Galefall Fortress
The smoke of war over Iron Skull Fortress had not yet fully dispersed when news of the allied army arrived.
Although both sides had fought “fiercely,” their casualties were absurdly low. It was said that, taken together, they had lost only a few dozen n. Rather than a bitter battle, it looked more like a confrontation deliberately staged for outsiders to see.
When William heard the news, he was standing before a map of Galefall Fortress, studying the route. He rely shook his head helplessly.
“A few dozen n...”
He murmured under his breath, a trace of speechless disbelief flashing through his eyes.
The two sides really were in perfect tacit agreent. Neither wanted to make a genuine effort, yet both still wanted to put on the appearance of “coordinated operations.” Their calculations were certainly shrewd.
Zoe said from the side, “Your Highness, should we send soone to urge them on? If they keep dragging things out, I’m afraid it may give the Reinhardt Kingdom an opening to exploit.”
William waved a hand. “No need.”
He looked at Reinhardt’s position on the map.
“As long as they can keep Reinhardt’s reinforcents tied down here and prevent them from circling behind us for a surprise attack, then the objective has been t. As for how many people die, let them do as they please.”
He waved his hand again. “Pass down the order. The entire army will rest for one day. We break camp early tomorrow morning. Our target is Galefall Fortress.”
Early the next morning, William left behind two battalions to guard the prisoners and wounded at Iron Skull Fortress, while the main force marched out once more.
The noble legions cleared the way in front, while the other legions followed closely behind. The army formation stretched across the plains of the Western Frontier like a black dragon winding forward.
Galefall Fortress was less than half a day’s journey from Iron Skull Fortress. It had earned its na from the western winds that battered it year-round. Though its terrain was not as treacherous as Iron Skull Fortress, it was still a necessary passage into the heartland of the Silver Oakleaf Kingdom.
Standing atop Darwin’s back, William gazed into the distance and could see the outline of that gray-stone fortress flickering faintly in the wind.
“The scouts have reported that Galefall Fortress does not have many defenders,” Zoe said at his side. “There is only one legion stationed there, and most of them are newly conscripted recruits.”
William frowned slightly, his fingers tapping against the map.
“Is Silver Oakleaf planning to abandon the border? No... that’s not right.”
A hint of vigilance flashed through his eyes.
“Anything out of the ordinary usually hides sothing behind it. A single recruit legion guarding such a vital route is far too suspicious.”
He looked up at Zoe, his tone grave.
“Pass down the order. Have the Sixth Battalion of the Royal First Monster Legion depart imdiately and thoroughly scout out Galefall Fortress.”
“Their Two-Headed Wyverns are highly mobile. They must determine the defenders’ true strength and deploynt.”
After a brief pause, he added, “If they confirm that there really is only a single recruit legion there, then the Sixth Battalion does not need to request further instructions. They are to launch a surprise attack and wipe them out directly.”
“But if they discover anything unusual, such as an ambush or hidden high-level combatants, they are to withdraw at once. They are not to get entangled in battle. Bringing the information back is enough.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Zoe accepted the order and quickly turned to carry it out.
William walked to the observation slit and looked in the direction of Galefall Fortress.
Silver Oakleaf had already lost one Legend at Iron Skull Fortress. Logically speaking, they should have reinforced the subsequent defensive lines even more, not stationed recruits at such an important stronghold.
There might be a trap hidden behind this. Or perhaps the enemy was in the middle of adjusting its deploynt. But no matter what the truth was, caution could never be wrong.
Before long, several deep roars sounded from the horizon. A group of Two-Headed Wyverns beat their wings and rose into the sky, soon shrinking into tiny black dots as they flew toward Galefall Fortress.
The wait was not long. About an hour later, the voice of the Sixth Battalion Commander ca through the Communication Crystal, his tone carrying a trace of relief.
“Your Highness, Galefall Fortress is indeed a trap. The recruits are only a smokescreen. There is a Super-Tier Magic Array hidden inside the fortress.”
“But I cannot identify its exact purpose. This subordinate has already withdrawn according to your orders and has not exposed our movents.”
William’s gaze sharpened. Just as he had expected.
“Well done. Have the Sixth Battalion continue monitoring the periter and report any movent at once.”
After ending the transmission, William imdiately summoned the legion commanders and nobles, his expression grave. “Silver Oakleaf has set up a Super-Tier Magic Array inside Galefall Fortress. We must determine its purpose.”
He looked at the gathered crowd. “I will have Archmage Irene investigate it. All legions are to remain ready to respond to any sudden developnts.”
“Yes, Your Highness!” the legion commanders and nobles answered in unison before dispersing to make their preparations.
What William did not know was that his marching route had been leaking the entire ti through certain nobles within the noble legions. The Silver Oakleaf Kingdom had always kept track of his line of advance.
At that mont, he found Irene. After hearing his purpose, the Legendary Archmage nodded readily.
“Leave it to .”
With that, her figure turned into a streak of light and flew toward Galefall Fortress.
In less than fifteen minutes, Irene returned, her expression tinged with confusion. “Your Highness, that so-called Super-Tier Magic Array is fake.”
“I examined it three tis. There are only faint mana fluctuations at the array core. It looks more like a false front created with special materials. It does not possess the conditions needed to activate at all.”
“Fake?” William’s brows drew together. The reversal had co rather suddenly. Was Silver Oakleaf rely putting on a show, or had Irene overlooked sothing in her investigation?
After a mont of thought, he turned to the Communication Crystal.
“Sixth Battalion, launch a probing attack on Galefall Fortress at once. Keep your distance, and if anything seems wrong, withdraw imdiately.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Very soon, the roars of the Two-Headed Wyverns sounded from the horizon again. The soldiers of the Sixth Battalion launched a volley of arrows and a barrage of magic at the battlents of Galefall Fortress.
Yet the fierce counterattack they had expected never ca. The “recruits” on the battlents collapsed into disorder and fled in panic. No elite legion rushed out from inside the fortress, and there was no sign of the magic array activating either.
The voice of the Sixth Battalion Commander ca through the Communication Crystal.
“Your Highness, Galefall Fortress’s defenses are lax. The defenders are in complete disarray. It does not look like there is an ambush...”
William stood inside the tent, looking toward Galefall Fortress, the doubt in his heart deepening.
If the magic array was fake and there were no hidden troops in sight, then what exactly was Silver Oakleaf trying to achieve with this performance?
He did not notice that not far outside the tent, a noble quietly retreated into the shadows. His fingertips moved quickly across a Communication Crystal, transmitting everything that had just happened.
“Your Highness, should we have the main force follow up?” Zoe asked.
William shook his head. “Wait a little longer. Have the Sixth Battalion search everything thoroughly first.”
He kept feeling that sothing was wrong.
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