Chapter 67 - You have to think like your enemy

The army of the Kingdom of Storne was made up of a total of 180,000 soldiers. This army is currently considered one of the strongest on the continent, and the commander of this army also had a reputation that did him justice. He possessed considerable strength and a sharp intuition for the battlefield. He was responsible for winning several wars that Storne fought over time.

At this very moment, such a formidable army was moving towards the Kingdom of Solaris. The united and disciplined pace of the army made the ground shake with every step they took. At the front of all these warriors, wearing armor and carrying spears or swords, was Zeke, the commander of Storne's army.

"Sir, in a few hours we will be able to see the plains"

Said the man standing next to Zeke. At this very moment, they would be entering a plain that bordered Solaris. This was also a well-known route for merchants since it was the place where there was the shortest possible way to go from Solaris to Storne and vice-versa.

"Exactly as planned... what about the scouts we sent?"

Zeke asked the man.

"Well... about that"

The man who was accompanying Zeke seemed a bit undecided and confused about the situation but still decided to speak.

"Their report is suspicious, to say the least. They said that as predicted, the Solaris army is at the expected location, but their movement seems a bit strange... as if they are waiting for something"

Said the man standing next to Zeke. Hearing the man's words, Zeke began to think about why. Normally, it would be impossible to beat an army of 180,000 when you only have 40,000. Zeke could only think of two reasons for the strange movement of the Solaris army.

(The first and least likely would be that they were trying to negotiate with us, but that doesn't make sense. We wouldn't even be at war in the first place if the negotiations had gone well.)

Discarding the first possibility, Zeke's thoughts started to go in another direction.

(Or now they have a way to claim victory and are preparing for it)

Zeke thought as he looked up at the blue sky.

(If that is indeed the case, then it means that for their plan to work, we would have to be in position... but still, I can't think of a way to beat an army of 180,000 with cheap tricks... am I being paranoid?)

As much as Zeke didn't want to believe it, he couldn't rule out the possibility that something might have happened and now Solaris had a way to victory. Besides, Zeke had also heard about X. It's kind of hard not to know when the biggest cause of this war was X himself in question.

(But does his intellect also extend into the military area?)

Zeke's thoughts were wandering closer and closer to the truth. Zeke always had a sharp mind for plans and schemes, but even he couldn't think of something like Ren's device. Knowing that the enemy plans something and knowing what the enemy plans are two different things.

"Sir... is something wrong?"

Asked the man standing next to Zeke.

"No... it's nothing. Have the scouts keep their eyes open for strange movements. Furthermore, warn everyone to expect some ambush"

Said Zeke, shocking the man next to him.

"You find that suspicious too, sir?"

The man with a serious countenance asked, much like Zeke, he was also suspicious of all this. However, he was a simple strategist and advisor; what could he do? Although Zeke always followed his advice, he trusted Zeke's intuition.

"Not only do I find it suspicious, but I am sure they will do something. I can't know exactly what, but from a logical point of view, it is almost impossible for us to lose this war unless an external factor occurs"

Zeke said confidently. The man next to Zeke could only be thrilled. He had always been a fan of Commander Zeke, and his greatest dream realized was to serve such a man. He studied until his fingers were sore and skipped nights of sleep, graduating at the top of his class in Solaris. Although he was now saddened to face a country that had helped him so much, he had no choice. Men like him only followed orders from men like the king and nobles.

"Understood, sir. I will convey your words to the others"

Said the man, beginning to distance himself from Zeke.

(Very well, Solaris, you who are known as the realm of science. I want to see what kind of plan you will use to stop us)

Zeke said, looking forward. In his vision, the plains were already in sight, and in a few hours, that would be his battlefield.

***

"That's probably what they will think"

I said as I looked at everyone in the meeting room. Everyone was looking at me with surprised and slack-jawed faces.

(Was what I said so strange?)

I asked myself as I looked at the men.

"Did I say something wrong?"

I asked, confused. Hearing my words, everyone finally seemed to wake up from their trance.

"No, and that... we were just a little surprised by your broad view of the situation. It's really surprising to think that you thought that far ahead like that"

John said as he looked at me.

"Isn't the first step in winning a war to think like the enemy? Besides, with everything you've told me about the enemy commander, it's pretty easy to know the way he thinks. Probably a careful person like him would be alerted by the slightest suspicious movement, so I asked everyone to stand by as if they were waiting for something"

I said as I looked at the map.

"Well, I really agree with your way of thinking, and I can't deny the possibility of things happening the way you predicted"

John said with a thoughtful look on his face.

***

(Just like the king said... this boy isn't normal)

Thought John as he looked at Ren with a smile. At that moment, he could only be thankful that they were both on the same side.