War Strategy

Months passed, and the war between spies had not only erupted within Sanjay's fief but had spread like wildfire across the entire nation. Yet, these spies were not foreign agents—they were soldiers in the silent battle between the four princes, each maneuvering for dominance in the inevitable power struggle to come.

Sanjay's network operated in the shadows, unseen and unmatched. Armed with advanced technology and elite training, his spies moved like ghosts, gathering intelligence while remaining undetectable. The same could not be said for the others. Time and time again, enemy operatives were uncovered and neutralized before they could even scratch the surface of Sanjay's growing empire.

Beyond the world of espionage, whispers about Baron Sanjay's fief had taken on a life of their own. Tales of a land where the sick were healed without cost, where children learned without burden, and where no man or woman could be owned as a slave, spread like wildfire. Such luxuries were unheard of in this kingdom, making his domain the most sought-after refuge in the land.

Under normal circumstances, the nobles would have either tried to crush such radical changes or found ways to exploit them for their own gain. But the kingdom teetered on the edge of chaos. The looming war between the princes consumed their focus, leaving them with little time to act. Apart from sending a few spies, none had dared to interfere.

But today was different.

Today would be remembered as the darkest day in the kingdom's history.

The king was dead.

His decline had been slow, his health withering away over the months. And now, the inevitable had finally come to pass. Yet, before the news could even reach the common people, the four princes had already vanished into their strongholds, each preparing for war.

In Sanjay's command center, tension hung heavy in the air. A massive war map stretched across the table, covered with markers denoting strongholds, supply routes, and strategic locations. Every move, every decision, carried the weight of the kingdom's future.

Commander Navin leaned forward, his gloved finger tapping against the northern border of their territory. "Sir, we need to act now. Refugees from the north will soon flood in. If we don't manage the influx properly, we risk food shortages, civil unrest, and potential infiltration by enemy spies."

Sanjay sat at the head of the table, silent for a moment. Two years. That was how long he had been in this world. In that time, he had built an empire within the chaos, but now history was shifting. The kingdom teetered on the edge of war, and his next moves would shape its future.

He finally nodded. "Begin construction on a defensive wall immediately. We need a secure border."

Navin straightened, his voice firm. "Understood, sir."

"Also," Sanjay continued, "set up multiple refugee camps. We will not turn people away, but there must be order. Organize food distribution and medical aid. Implement vetting procedures—no one enters unchecked."

Navin gave a sharp nod before stepping back, allowing the next report to take precedence.

Sanjay turned to Chief of Intelligence Lalit, who adjusted his glasses and laid several markers on the map. "What's the latest on the princes?"

Lalit's eyes flickered over the map, his voice measured. "Sir, the news of the king's death has not yet reached them, but when it does, they will act swiftly."

He pointed to several locations. "The First and Third Princes are positioned closest to each other. Their forces will likely clash first. The same goes for the Second and Fourth Princes."

Sanjay drummed his fingers against the table. "And their military strength?"

"The First and Second Princes each command around 500,000 troops," Lalit reported. "The Third and Fourth have approximately 300,000 each."

Sanjay's eyes darkened. "Numbers mean little without proper equipment. The Third and Fourth Princes purchased the most steel from us. If they've used it wisely, they may not be as disadvantaged as they seem."

Sanjay leaned back slightly, his fingers drumming on the edge of the table. "What about the Kalyan family? How are they positioning themselves?"

Lalit adjusted his glasses, his expression unreadable. "They've shifted west, aligning their stronghold with the Second Prince."

Sanjay absorbed the information, his mind already adjusting the pieces of his strategy. "Understood. We'll need to factor that into our movements."

He turned his attention to another pressing concern. "What about our trade routes? How are they holding up within the kingdom?"

Lalit's expression darkened as he traced a line on the map, stopping at a crucial junction about 200 kilometers away. "Our trade with the north and west is completely disrupted. This is the primary blockage. The route is controlled by three barons, all loyal to the First Prince. They've formed a treaty to keep the peace among themselves while securing the passage."

Sanjay's eyes locked onto the marked area, his mind racing. "If they control this point, we're effectively cut off."

Lalit gave a short nod. "Exactly. Once the war breaks out, they'll tighten their grip even further. We had been smuggling steel north through the eastern coast, but with increased scrutiny from the other two princes, that route is no longer viable."

Navin leaned forward, his tone sharp. "Then we take it. If we want to keep our economy flowing and maintain leverage, we need to occupy that position."

Lalit exhaled, nodding. "It's a critical location. Without it, we'll be at a severe disadvantage."

Sanjay's gaze lingered on the map, weighing the risks. "How strong are their forces?"

Lalit pointed at clusters of markers. "A combined force of around 100,000 soldiers."

Sanjay turned to Navin. "What's our current strength?"

Navin straightened. "We have 70,000 soldiers fully prepared to mobilize on your command."

A moment of silence settled over the room as Sanjay considered their options. The decision was already made in his mind—hesitation would only cost them more in the long run.

"We move fast," he decided, his voice firm. "Send in an advance unit to secure the area. Also, prepare our advanced weapons. We might need to deploy them."

Navin's lips curled slightly, approval gleaming in his eyes. "Understood, sir. I'll see to it personally."

Lalit, however, remained cautious. "Sir, speed will be our greatest advantage. If we strike before they can react, we'll catch them off guard."

Sanjay's expression remained calm, but his eyes held a sharp glint. "That's the plan. By the time they realize what's happening, it'll already be too late."

Navin took a step forward, his voice steady. "When do we mobilize?"

Sanjay's expression hardened. "We march at dawn. Every detail must be executed perfectly—this needs to be swift and precise."

Lalit folded his arms, his mind already working through the logistics. "Once we secure the position, we'll need to fortify it immediately. If the other princes catch wind of this, they'll move to reclaim it. We can't afford to lose ground."

Sanjay nodded. "Exactly. Taking the trade point isn't enough—we'll use it to disrupt their supply lines and communications. It will buy us the time we need to make our next move."

Navin smirked. "And by the time they regroup, we'll already be in control."

Sanjay's gaze swept across the war table one last time. The game had already begun, and he had no intention of losing.

In the western stronghold of the kingdom, a lone messenger stood before the Second Prince, reading the sealed report with a measured tone.

"The king has passed away."

The room fell into silence. The Second Prince, lounging on an ornate sofa with a glass of wine in hand, let out a slow exhale. Then, a smirk curled his lips.

"At last, the old man is dead."

He swirled the wine in his glass, watching the deep red liquid catch the candlelight before turning his gaze toward the Duke of the Kalyan family. The Duke, a man who had served under his father's generation, stood calmly, his expression unreadable.

"What do you think I should do next?" the prince asked. He valued the Duke's counsel—his experience far exceeded that of the younger commanders in his court.

The Duke inclined his head slightly. "Your Majesty, to maintain the loyalty of your supporters, we must take an aggressive stance. We should start by eliminating our neighbors—the nobles aligned with the Fourth Prince."

He leaned forward, pointing at a spot on the map laid out on the table. "These lands are rich in agriculture. If left unchecked, they will become a major supply source for the Fourth Prince's war efforts."

The Second Prince tapped his fingers against his wine glass, considering the strategy. Then, with a firm nod, he made his decision.

"Very well. We march at dawn."

The Duke gave an approving nod.

"And my brothers?" the prince continued. "Where are they positioning themselves?"

The Duke unfurled another map, his fingers tracing across the parchment. "Your Majesty, the First Prince has secured the central region, including the capital. The Third Prince holds the eastern territories, while the Fourth Prince has a strong grip on the north."

The prince's eyes narrowed. "Then why not strike directly at the First Prince? If we remove him, the rest will crumble."

The Duke, ever the strategist, shook his head. "That would be a grave mistake, Your Majesty. If the two strongest forces clash first, it will only benefit the other two. The Third and Fourth Princes would seize the opportunity to unite against us."

The prince leaned back, digesting the words. "Then the First Prince will likely move against the Third Prince first."

The Duke allowed a small smile. "Indeed. But there is another reason he may target the Fourth Prince first."

The prince raised an eyebrow. "And what is that?"

"Steel," the Duke answered simply.

The prince's smirk faded. "Steel? What do you mean?"

"For the past few months, a new supply of steel has been flowing into the kingdom. Multiple merchants have surfaced, selling high-quality steel to various factions. Most of it is coming from the eastern port."

The prince's grip on his glass tightened. "That's impossible. The only reliable source of steel in this kingdom has always been Sanjay."

"Not anymore, Your Majesty."

The prince's frown deepened, but before he could speak, the Duke chuckled. "Do not concern yourself too much, Your Majesty. Our strength does not rely on steel alone. We have what no other prince has—the largest army in the kingdom."

At that, the prince's expression softened, and a confident grin returned to his face.

"You're right," he said, raising his glass. "Let them fight over scraps. We'll claim victory with sheer numbers."

The Duke bowed slightly, his smile unwavering. "As it should be, Your Majesty."