Chapter 125
The allied forces continued their meetings in Adige.
"We'll send scouts to the Osta direction."
"Our scouts will guard the western part of Adige."
"...Understood."
Without revealing their hidden intentions, and with Vittorio not asserting his pride,
They were able to decide even the allocation of sensitive border areas at an unprecedented speed.
While the smiles of others were merely masks worn to hide their intentions,
"I wish it could always be like this. Why wasn't it like this until now?"
"...We've just clearly realized that the enemy is outside."
"Haha! That's right, with an enemy pointing swords and spears at us right in front, there's no need for us to be at odds with each other."
Blake, unaware of this, laughed heartily and was satisfied with the change.
Coupled with the active scouting activities shown by the elves,
Because the view towards elves was not favorable to begin with, even this level of change gradually reduced many people's distrust towards elves.
As the allied forces' plans and individual plans progressed together for several days,
"...Everyone has arrived."
"Why did you call us?"
Vittorio urgently summoned Blake and Viktor.
"Something came up for discussion."
He spread out a map for those seated.
"In the process of confirming enemy movements, here. Our scouts who were reconnoitering this point encountered the enemy and retreated."
"Retreated..."
"Is there a problem?"
"No, it's nothing."
When the word "retreat" came out of the mouth of an elf who habitually hides weaknesses, Blake, thinking that Vittorio's mindset had completely changed, set aside his discomfort and listened attentively to his words.
"By the way, if the encounter point is here... it seems the enemy has come close."
"We also confirmed the main force moving not far from Osta. Considering the precedents, there's a high possibility they'll rush into Adige within 3 days."
"3 days... Not much time left. We need to make the response plan more concrete. Viktor, what do you think?"
Blake, who was conversing with Vittorio, asked Viktor, who was sitting quietly, for his opinion.
"...We said we'd respond in the depths of Adige."
"There's nothing as foolish as defending against orc charges on flat ground. The Berti Forest would be most appropriate."
"Hmm..."
From ancient times, orc tactics have been charged utilizing their superior physical abilities and size.
To this, the elves' basic doctrine is to engage in mobile warfare in forests, their main battlefield, while dwarves have dealt with it using defensive structures like walls.
"How are the defense preparations?"
"We've set up stakes and palisades on flat ground and main roads, but I don't think they'll be very meaningful. We need stronger materials to block their charge built of stone."
"...I understand what you mean, but the Berti Forest is too dense for us to shoot effectively."
Apart from them, Viktor was skeptical about engaging in such a dense forest where it would be difficult for the main force of longbowmen to exert their strength.
"How about advancing to the outskirts to defend instead? We shoot at the enemy rushing towards the Bosco Plains, and retreat to the forest in the rear at the appropriate time."
"Hmm. What does Vittorio think?"
"While the forest can hinder the orcs' charge, it's not enough to properly break their momentum if it's just ambiguous."
Vittorio stepped forward, rebutting Viktor's words.
"We shouldn't underestimate the orcs' charge. Well, if everyone could navigate the forest like us elves, such a strategy might be possible."
"..."
"Knowing it's realistically difficult, I thought it would be better to lure them into the forest even considering that it's hard for us to project our force."
Instead of arguing that they could do it, Viktor quietly listened to Vittorio's opinion.
"Although they're said to be following well, orcs are orcs. If they come into the deep forest, there's a high chance they'll lose control and wander."
"I think so too. Now that we've reduced the Labria Republic's forces by more than half, we have no reason to fear the forest."
As this opinion was similar to what they had been doing, Blake also supported it without particular hesitation, and,
"...Isn't it the same for dwarves that their strength weakens in the forest? If we end up fighting in the forest, whether we like it or not, the elves will have to take the most active role."
"Of course. It's about defending our land, and the forest has always been our domain. It would be strange if we didn't step up."
"..."
"Trust us. We'll respond to trust with trust."
As Vittorio appealed to Viktor, who was hesitating until the end,
"Alright. I trust you."
"...Thank you."
Viktor, erasing the expression of doubt that had momentarily appeared, nodded and grasped Vittorio's extended right hand.
Vittorio frowned for a moment but hid it with a strange smile and lightly shook the clasped hand.
"Good, good! Now let's talk about the details."
"This place is close to a valley covered with trees, so it's advantageous for ambushes. How about we lure the enemy into the forest with some of our forces and ambush them together?"
"The shock will be concentrated on the allies in the front..."
"We'll take that on. That's what we dwarves specialize in!"
"..."
The three exchanged opinions in a harmonious atmosphere, and,
"...The initial draft seems most reasonable."
"It would be good to keep the third plan as a reserve strategy in case the lure fails."
The initial draft, which involved elves taking charge of luring and dwarves, humans, and the remaining elf forces ambushing, was set as the allied forces' policy.
"We need to prepare in advance. I'll go out first."
"We'll be going too."
They decided on detailed strategies including ambush locations, common signals, and timing, and left the central tent with smiling faces until the end.
Vittorio maintained an expressionless face until he returned to his tent, then,
-Thud.
"...Burn that completely. Ah, and gather the officers too."
"Understood."
After closing the door in the tent.
He threw the cloth he had used to wipe his right hand on the floor and summoned the officers.
"What's the matter, Commander?"
"..."
"...Oh."
He shared the joy of the smoothly progressing plan with the officers entering one by one.
"..."
The officers' expressions reflected joy, mockery, and pleasure, and many expressed their feelings by moving their bodies vigorously, such as raising clenched fists or cheering, but.
A strange form of silence continued where not a single person made a sound with their mouth.
At the center of it, Vittorio was just smiling a twisted smile without saying a word.
Hopeful observations that they could strike both humans and dwarves at once passed through their minds, when,
"Commander Vittorio."
As Renato, with a worried expression, opened his mouth, the atmosphere in the tent instantly cooled.
"...There's no need to ask why."
"This plan must be stopped."
"You seem to worry too much. I don't think our plan has anything to worry about that much."
Vittorio thoroughly conveyed through mental communication, so that humans or dwarves couldn't understand, that 'We'll just give the attack signal a little earlier and retreat a little earlier,' and.
"They might notice. Especially Viktor..."
"Notice? Is it so strange to share plans with allies?"
"..."
"Are you perhaps trying to abandon your pride? Are you trying to threaten by saying you'll go crawling and reveal all our plans to the enemy?"
To the extent that he only uttered ambiguous rebukes out loud, his vigilance towards his allies was at its peak.
"If our allies are defeated, we won't be able to handle it with our strength alone. We need to join forces..."
Renato wanted him to change his mind, but,
"The High Elves will step in then, so it's not for you to worry about."
"..."
Vittorio's thoughts were already set, and,
"...Ugh."
There was a limit to enduring the crude criticism that kept pouring into his mind.
-Thud.
"...Stop, please stop!"
"Hmm."
As Renato sat down sweating, elves who were thinking of conciliatory measures similar to Renato stepped forward to protect him.
"Knowing that revealing this would be disadvantageous for everyone, I won't impose punishment. ...Be careful."
"..."
The officers who supported Renato moved to a corner, and some watched the scene with mixed feelings, but.
Most enjoyed expectations for success while exchanging hopeful stories again.
---
"What do you think?"
While I was preparing for battle by processing documents in the tent, Anna cautiously asked me.
"Hmm?"
"About Vittorio. His behavior seems completely different, but I'm curious why you're maintaining your vigilance."
"...Actually, I was curious too. I wasn't sure if I could ask, so I didn't say anything."
Erika, who was sitting saying there wasn't as much need for interpretation as expected and offering to help process documents, added a word.
I put down the documents for a moment and looked at Anna sitting beside me.
"You might think my distrust is excessive. It's your first time seeing elves, and they've been showing diligent behavior continuously."
"...Yes."
"Well... How should I explain this..."
As it seemed they wanted to gain more confidence rather than doubting me,
"There are many reasons, but yes. It seemed like they hadn't pretended much before."
"By pretense, you mean..."
"Didn't you see the expression he made as soon as our hands touched earlier?"
"No."
"It was similar to the expression he showed me when handing Volker over to the guards. How could I trust him when he makes such an expression after extending his hand first?"
I explained, recalling that expression full of disgust that briefly passed over Vittorio's face.
"It will probably be revealed soon. He didn't seem to have that much patience."
"..."
"How's the atmosphere among the officers?"
"There didn't seem to be anyone with great dissatisfaction. Rather, many agreed."
"Hmm. They're all wise officers."
"..."
As long as the officers followed my instructions, it wouldn't be difficult to deal with whatever the elves might do.
Expecting when Vittorio, who seemed to be preparing something, would pull out that dagger, I picked up the documents again.