Stein Rays's Move (8): The Battle Begins

The two armies faced each other across the ruins, one on the high ground and the other at the foot of the slope. The central ancient road, which must once have supported the old capital's culture, wound gently between them.

Other narrow paths crisscrossed the area, too, but the fiercest fighting would surely take place around the central ancient road.

"As expected, they couldn't muster ten thousand after all." As Wickhart said while looking down, the Golber army appeared to number around eight thousand.

Fais's banner flew over the army. With Rodelight and Zegabain dead, he was one of the few remaining valiant generals among Golber's Four Generals.

Fais's army halted at the foot of the slope, and for a time, the two sides simply faced off.

General Fais knew that charging uphill against the Tenth Knight Order on the high ground would be foolish.

For that reason, he wouldn't want to take any unnecessary risks. My guess was that he planned to keep up the standoff until we grew impatient and came down.

As General Fais had intended, it seemed Golber's army had no need to force the issue. We were in unfamiliar territory, and behind us lay another country's land, even if it belonged to an ally.

The longer time passed, the worse off we would be. I imagine that's what General Fais had concluded.

General Fais's reasoning wasn't wrong. Given the situation, he had made the best choice. He certainly deserved to be counted among Golber's renowned generals...