Encirclement and Exhaustion (Sub-chapter)

To prepare for the second phase of the campaign, Lunamaria merged forces with the 12th and 9th Legions, and together they advanced towards Nation's outer perimeter.

"We will encircle, isolate, and exhaust them. No supplies will reach them, and they won't be allowed to regain their strength." Her voice was cold and precise, like a blade fresh from the whetstone.

"So, you plan to cut off all their supplies, right? Including food, ammunition... everything?" Javis slightly furrowed his brow, his eyes following Nation's defensive line at the outer perimeter, his voice low and somewhat skeptical.

"Exactly. Target their food and ammunition depots, then sever all supply routes. Seal off everything; not even a cockroach should get through."

"Right! When they're desperate, without food or ammunition, their morale will collapse. Then, just a few 'reminders' will make them waver." Leon, standing next to Javis, clenched his fist lightly.

She turned to Leon, her gaze unwavering, and emphasized the use of psychological warfare: they would place speakers around the encircled area, continuously broadcasting messages to demoralize the enemy, while simultaneously unleashing barrages of firepower. Once Nation's troops realized there was no escape, surrender would become the inevitable choice. Javis pondered for a moment, then smiled slightly. He thought the plan was both harsh and effective, forcing Nation to face two options: either abandon the isolated forces or throw more troops into a futile rescue attempt. Lunamaria calmly affirmed the necessity of a tight encirclement and holding key strongholds firmly. If Nation wanted to send reinforcements to rescue them, they would pay a heavy price.

That night, without further description of the scenery, the strategy was clearly shaped in each command. Support units deployed, cutting off supply routes, destroying food depots, blocking all ammunition transport lines. Around the outer perimeter, Organization soldiers maintained their positions, ready to open fire if even a shadow of a Nation soldier appeared. Loudspeakers blared short, repetitive messages about the hopeless situation of the besieged troops.

Next, Leon's Legion proceeded to cut off the communication lines of the outer perimeter while disseminating false information to make "higher-ups" believe that the outer perimeter was still stable, with no issues. Under Leon's orders, special task forces quickly deployed jamming equipment, blocking all signals leaving the outer perimeter. Nation's transmission stations were seized, antennas completely disabled, and urgent messages from the outer perimeter strongholds were intercepted and replaced with corrupted codes, continuously broadcasting fake messages claiming the perimeter did not require assistance. Signal lights and flares were activated according to pre-set codes, creating an illusion of calm. She monitored reports from the electronic warfare officer, satisfied that no real signals escaped. As expected, they would think there had been no attack.

"There are no more reinforcement routes for Nation. We've completely taken control of the information. They're trapped like fish in a drying pond." An officer from the support group reported.

"Good. Maintain the formation. Wait for their reaction." Lunamaria showed no emotion.

In the silence of the battlefield, the encirclement and exhaustion tactic was unfolding exactly as she desired. Nation was forced into a difficult position, and the Organization firmly held the advantage, with each passing hour only strengthening the position they had planned.

After the will of Nation's troops at the outer perimeter had completely collapsed under the relentless barrage from the Organization's legions, without hesitation, she ordered all units to advance simultaneously, seizing the entire outer perimeter before the support forces could arrive to rescue them.

"Swift and clean. Don't give them a chance to catch their breath." Lunamaria looked at Javis, her voice low.

"Rest assured, I'll have the assault team sweep away the last pockets of resistance. They won't even have time to lift their swords." Javis smiled slightly, a cunning glint in his eyes.

Under Lunamaria's leadership, the Organization's forces operated smoothly: encircling, exhausting, and then neatly capturing the outer perimeter. Meanwhile, Nation remained under the illusion that their frontline defenses were intact. They had no idea that by the time they realized the truth, it would be too late to turn the tide.

After taking control of the outer perimeter, she, along with Leon and Javis, reorganized their forces into three armies, ready for the next campaign. At that moment, a message arrived from perimeter three. It stated that the Nation Guard, under Crown Prince Arthur's command, would send two armies to support the outer perimeter to reinforce defenses in case of an attack.

"They still don't know the situation here," a sinister smile flashed across Lunamaria's lips, for she knew that the second plan in the campaign to breach Nation's border had succeeded.

"Send a message as if from the outer perimeter: 'We will receive reinforcements; please send troops early!'" Lunamaria ordered the communication officer.

Three days later, as light shone on the roof of the outer perimeter's command post, under Nation's flag fluttering in the wind. These strongholds still stood firm in the cold winter wind, as if Nation was still holding on after a long war. But no one knew that the outer perimeter was now like a worm-eaten apple: its skin still smooth and beautiful as before, but inside, decay was rotting away its vitality. From the top of the stronghold, using captured Nation drones and UAVs, they all saw that Nation's support troops were advancing towards them.

"Excellent, they're falling into our trap," Javis said calmly, knowing full well that this success was only the initial phase; the outcome of the war still depended on many other factors.

However, when they were just an hour away from the outer perimeter, the support armies gradually slowed down and then withdrew.

"He's back! But it's too late," Lunamaria commented casually. She turned to look at the report; all three armies were ready for action. Everything was set.

"Send the signal; our job here is done!" Lunamaria ordered, with an energy rifle on her shoulder and a nuclear-core-tuned spear, she turned and left the command tent, heading towards her legion.

"Prepare to move out!"