Chapter 1849: Tactical Planning! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Everyone had seen the power of the Great Tang's defense line. The two hundred thousand Arab cavalry had been wiped out before they had even broken through the first defense line, and even the Behemoths had only broken a portion of the steel walls. None of them knew what the Hierophant and the High Priest were planning that could destroy those steel walls.
As if understanding what they were all thinking, the High Priest swept his sleeve and nonchalantly said, ”Cease your questions! You will know tomorrow!”
Everyone lowered their heads. None of them doubted the High Priest. The High Priest was the most mysterious person in the empire, who not even the Caliph knew much about. But he was also the one who had created the Behemoth Army, and no one doubted his strength.
If he said he had a way, he had a way!
After a few moments of silence, Abu Muslim suddenly stepped forward. ”Hierophant, High Priest, there is one other matter!
”For this war, the Great Tang has sent all its elites. All the soldiers appearing before us are their very best, and they also have a special banner that can stack the abilities of their armies on top of each other, greatly increasing their power. In the Battle of Talas, my and Qutaybah's soldiers lost to them because of this. This is an extremely special banner that we must make countermeasures for,” Abu Muslim seriously said, bowing.
Buzz!
Khatabah and the others in the hall all had strange expressions, Khatabah even raising an eyebrow.
”What war banner? Why did you not mention it before?”
Everyone focused their attention on Abu Muslim.
Abu Muslim bitterly smiled. He was a defeated general, so how many people would listen to him? Moreover, that banner had appeared very suddenly, and not even Abu Muslim had been entirely sure what it was, so how could he bring it up with others?
Abu Muslim lowered his head and deferentially said, ”Hierophant, that banner's origins are extremely mysterious, and even the Great Tang appears to rarely use it. After that battle, I sent many spies to the Great Tang, exploiting their militarist-Confucian conflict to gather information, but all I have learned so far is that it is called the Nine Dragon Blood War Banner. I know nothing else.”
Khatabah's brows pensively creased, but this soon passed.
”I understand!”
Khatabah gave a slight nod and turned to Lucis.
”Lucis, when you discover the enemy using the war banner Abu Muslim has spoken of, do as we previously discussed and activate the Moon God Tree!”
The Moon God Tree?
All the people in the hall were taken aback. Despite the many Governors present here, none of them had heard of this name before.
But the High Priest's black robe faintly trembled in understanding.
The Moon God Tree, also known as the Tree of the Sea Mother, was a power of an ancient civilization that Khatabah had obtained from that well in Hamuhad.
The Tree of the Sea Mother was one of the strongest treasures he had obtained and contained a mysterious energy. But using the tree's power was no simple task, and it required paying a heavy price. Even Khatabah had to pay this price when first obtaining the tree, and it could not be used as one pleased.
”Shamsudin!”
Khatabah suddenly turned his head.
”I give you command over all the archers, the hunting falcons, and also the giant bird army. In tomorrow's battle, I need you to completely wipe out all the Great Tang's birds.”
Shamsudin shuddered upon hearing this. Although he had a group of excellent master archers under his command, he hadn't expected the Hierophant to so abruptly make this decision.
”Shamsudin, everyone in the empire is watching this war. If we cannot exterminate the Great Tang and conquer the eastern world, taking all these infidels under our rule, do you really think you can go back alive?
”Even as a high noble, if you cannot serve your empire, you are only useless trash. A high noble like you will face the same end as Apolis.”
”Yes, Hierophant! This subordinate will do his utmost to exterminate all their birds!”
”Hasim, I will place all the giants under your command. Amongst all the Governors of the empire, you have the greatest skill with catapults. In tomorrow's battle, you are to accurately cast all the giants into the Great Tang's ballista formation. If there are any mistakes that spoil our chances at victory, I will personally end you!
”I have killed many high nobles who failed to obey my orders. Even if you report this to the Caliph, no one will be able to help you!” Khatabah callously said.
”This subordinate would not dare. Hasim will definitely complete the Hierophant's mission!”
Hasim inwardly trembled as he lowered his head and bowed.