Chapter 39：Organizing my Troops (2/2)

”You first, Avelin.”

”What if you reduced the number who will be enhanced?”

Her suggestion is good. It will reduce the channeling time.

”Next, Erin.”

”I'll add to her suggestion. Those who were not enhanced by the aura will be on standby.”

Well, it's not good to send them when they're not enhanced. They won't be able to keep up to those who have the aura.

”Last, Ophelia.”

”I'll also add to their suggestion, only enhance three Platoons, when the effect wore off, they will be substituted by the other three Platoons who were on standby.”

I see. Half the numbers will reduce the channeling time to two and a half minutes.

But there's still a problem. The enhancement buff lasts for ten minutes and the cooldown time is another ten minutes. Then it won't be much different from enhancing everyone and resisting the enemy for fifteen minutes.

Ah.

I guess I'll stretch it out. Everyone has limited stamina, only willpower will not tide them through if they get exhausted right in the middle of fighting against an enemy.

”Thank you for your suggestions. I decided what we will do.”

The three stood in attention. All their suggestions piled up to one another is already a great plan. But I have to add up my own improvisation.

”Like you all said, Avelin, I'll reduce the number of who will I enhance.”

I first turned to Avelin, when she heard I considered her suggestion, she showed a happy expression.

”Then Erin, you're right. Those not enhanced will be on standby, providing support from a distance. We have Bow and Arrows prepared to reduce the pressure for those fighting at the front. They will alternately shoot arrows to preserve their strength.”

Erin also happily jumped but when she remembered that's not how she usually acted, she turned red from embarrassment.

The bows and arrows weren't made from wood. They're all made from wild beasts' bones and tendons. Because of the lack of wood, the blacksmiths here made use of bones that they couldn't chew. They mix it with the metals they mined to make arrows and arrowheads. The bows were made from durable but flexible bones and the bowstrings were made from tendons.

However, the barbarians favor close range combat so only large tribes like this use them.

Using it is easy but to accurately hit someone from a distance, that's what irked them the most. They'd rather charge towards their enemy with their own weapons in hand than aim to hit someone from a distance.

”Ophelia, you're right. Enhancing half of them at first is a good idea, but those who will substitute won't be enhanced, so I'm thinking to pull back the frontline and passively maintain the position until the cooldown ends and enhance them.”

Right. When the enhancement wears off, I'll support the barbarians that will be sent next using Physique Boost until the Orb can be used again. Those who were sent first will take their places of providing support using the bow and arrows while they recover.

This way we would always have rested barbarians to take the frontline.

”The general is wise. I support this plan.”

”Alright, then relay the message, Ophelia, I'll leave it to you which platoons will be sent first.”

”Understood.”

When Ophelia left, Avelin and Erin stayed at their position. These girls are also waiting for what order I will give them.

”You two, you'll stay with me. Ophelia will command the 300 barbarians. I will be walking around the battlefield, sending Physique Boost to anyone that might need it.”

”I see, so we'll protect our General?”

Avelin, no I just want you to be by my side. There will surely be casualties here and you're still at 1st Stage Augmented Realm. You need more time to grow.

”This monster doesn't need our protection. I'm sure he just doesn't want us to leave his side.”

Erin, I won't praise you for getting the correct answer.

She will most possibly be smug again if I confirmed her guess.

In one hour the battle will start. I wonder. Will we really be fine? Ah. I should look at the brighter side. What we're facing is just the detached force.

Raiden and the tribe's army will face their main forces. But what about the other tribe? If their Chieftain was killed by Raiden, will they submit to him and join hands to repel the marching army of the Invading World?

Ah. I shouldn't worry about his side for now. Old Man Reol is confident with him. That guy is strong, maybe if he and Yuko fight each other, it will end in a draw.

Surely, they prepared countermeasures so they can face those enemies without worrying for retaliation from that other tribe.

For now, the battle here is my concern. We'll live through this. I'll make sure of that.