That very night, Henwell sets off with his personal guard, racing south under the cover of darkness. On the road, he finds the pace too slow, so he instructs the Lord Iron Guards to follow while he speeds ahead on his own. Five days later, after a relentless ride, Henwell returns to Peace Haven alone.
By now, Peace Haven is already gearing up for war.
Three days earlier, a ssage was sent back by a Wolf Falcon. Victor has already gathered mbers of the general staff and various administrative departnts for preliminary discussions.
They have been deliberating on logistics, troop movents, and tactical plans for the past three days.
Yesterday, upon receiving the ssage from Peace Haven, Count Jansen arrived at Henwell's estate. The two et first to discuss the broader strategic direction.
Jansen asks, "Are you planning to use this opportunity to give the Ika Kingdom a good lesson?"
Henwell marks a large swath of territory on the map, "Not just that! I intend to seize this area as well!"
Seeing the nearly ten thousand square kiloters Henwell has outlined, Count Jansen's eyes widen, "That might be difficult. The Ika Kingdom isn't like the Ogiro Kingdom; Ika remains one of the most powerful kingdoms on the continent! They were already quite displeased when Peace Haven was taken. If they lose more territory, I doubt they'll let it slide."
Henwell points to the northern part of the Ika Kingdom, "It's not that simple. During the previous marriage alliance war, the Kosen Kingdom bypassed Ika and secretly reached an agreent with Vorry, which already irked Ika.”
”After Kosen captured part of the eastern seacoast, the situation changed. Politically and militarily, Ika needs to be more wary of its northern neighbors. With their current campaign against Vorry, Ika must guard against Kosen and Vorry forming another covert alliance like before."
Count Jansen remains concerned, "You still don't quite understand the Ika Kingdom. They have a massive army. Even if they commit two hundred thousand troops to the northern front, they can still muster another two hundred thousand elite soldiers for the southern front."
Henwell chuckles, "That's why timing is crucial. The strategic impact we aim to achieve is equally important. If we can hit them hard enough to make them feel that any gains from us aren't worth the cost, then we're safe.”
”With such a long border between Ika and Vorry, if we're the tough nut to crack, they'll look for an easier target elsewhere."
Count Jansen examines the map, "Are you suggesting that the Ika Kingdom might try to break through the Vorska City defense line?"
Henwell shrugs, "As long as they can't break through here, that's fine with ! The timing of our engagent is crucial, and so is the mont we exert our full strength.”
”Initially, I'll deploy one legion, and uncle, you can send half a legion. Our twenty thousand troops won't be a significant threat to the Ika Kingdom, so they won't pay much attention to our side.”
”Once the Iron Wall Legion makes its move, the Ika Kingdom's best option will be to reinforce that direction. They'll also likely reinforce the Vorska City front, since breaking through there would directly threaten the Iron Wall Legion's rear."
Count Jansen seems to grasp Henwell's strategy, "You're saying we should wait until that stage to make our move?"
Henwell nods, "Exactly! By then, the Ika Kingdom will face two choices: either divert forces to deal with us, which isn't easy due to the distance and the risk of interception, or bolster their forces at Iron Pit City or Vorska City."
Count Jansen adds, "But afterwards, we'll still face imnse military pressure from the Ika Kingdom!"
Henwell laughs softly, "Pressure is all it is. Once I secure my new territory, even if Ika sends ten legions, I won't be afraid!"
Though Count Jansen still finds the plan sowhat risky, he refrains from further objections and instead collaborates with Henwell to discuss the detailed battle plans.
Henwell is well aware that this plan is inherently risky, even carrying an elent of gamble.
Situated in a region surrounded by potential conflicts, Peace Haven's situation is sowhat akin to that of the Vorry Duchy. Vorry may be small, but its fighting capabilities are formidable. Similarly, Henwell's forces might be weaker, but they are fiercely tenacious.
Both entities are fighting for survival in the cracks between larger powers. Any force that tries to crush them must be prepared to face a vicious counterattack, a consequence that no side can afford.
Peace Haven and the Vorry Duchy share two primary fears: antagonizing a single power to the point of provoking a relentless vendetta, or offending all surrounding powers and being carved up in a joint effort.
However, despite the apparent risks in each move they make, Peace Haven and the Vorry Duchy have managed to avoid these two most dangerous scenarios. This tightrope-walking developnt strategy demands exceptional leadership, requiring a keen understanding of the political landscape and the surrounding environnt.
Henwell's control over Peace Haven is actually the most acceptable outco for various parties involved.
It's even more palatable to the Ika and Ogiro kingdoms than if the Vorry Duchy were to take control.
Although Henwell has dealt so blows to the Ogiro Kingdom, causing them to lose face and territory, does Ogiro hate Henwell?
Absolutely!
But if the Vorry Duchy attempts to reclaim Peace Haven, Ogiro will imdiately react, realizing that Henwell's control is actually in their best interest.
If the Ika Kingdom were to retake Peace Haven, that would be an unacceptable outco for Ogiro.
No matter how fierce or threatening Henwell might be, he can't compare to the most powerful kingdom on the continent.
Even with his formidable war skills, he commands only tens of thousands of troops.
But if Ogiro were to share a border with Ika again, they'd need to deploy several legions along the border imdiately.
Being neighbors with a kingdom boasting hundreds of regular legions is far from ideal.
Similar to the previous defensive counterattack, if Ika controlled Peace Haven, it wouldn't just be Henwell nibbling away a few thousand square kiloters. Ika might seize the opportunity to join forces with the Lumir Duchy, potentially tearing away half of Ogiro's territory.
Thus, Peace Haven serves as a strategic buffer zone for all parties involved. In their eyes, having a small lord like Henwell occupy it is the most suitable and least worriso outco. Their main interest in Peace Haven is to exert enough influence to achieve political and tactical goals.
If Henwell manages to take a bite out of Ika's territory this ti, and if Ika dares to send ten legions in response, Ogiro would likely pressure Lumir to force Ika to divert support.
This is a delicate strategic balance and a dangerous strategic ga. Henwell must proceed cautiously, taking one step at a ti without overreaching.
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