Chapter 186 Mind of the War (2/2)
”...” though the chatter quickly filled up the silence, Lino ignored it and focused onto the Monk, as he very much doubted that was all that the man wanted to say. However, the man patiently waited until everyone quieted down before continuing. Aah, this is why the Monks are such a pain in the ass to deal with...
”I assume that this is only the beginning then?” the Monk asked.
”Yeah.” Lino nodded. ”In total, you can expect at the very least 18 Legions of the Hell's Army, each Commanded by an individual Sin-Devil Variant. Plan accordingly.” perhaps even more than the declaration of his identity, Lino's words stunned everyone within the room into silence -- even the Monk himself. After all, only the Emperor thus far was privy to that information, and yet even he had a hard time processing it completely. It stung even more as so many people who could have at least contended with the Sin-Devil Variants had refused his invitation.
”... hoooh, I see...” the Monk took a deep breath and quickly calmed himself down before everyone else, his somewhat lazed eyes shining in a glint. ”This will be a Continental War, then.”
”Precisely.” Lino didn't deny it.
”... it also means it could last for years, if not decades,” the Monk said. ”So--”
”It won't,” Lino shook his head. ”If you don't achieve a victory -- either by completely annihilating the Hell's Army or pushing them back into their dimension -- within five years, you will all be stripped of your honors and exiled into the Desert of Madness for ten millenniums.”
”W-what?!!”
”That's impossible!!”
”Within five years?!”
”Pipe down, won't ya?” Lino quickly ended the chatter; it does feel quite good to drop bombs like this onto people... the reactions are priceless... Lino snickered inwardly.
”... p-please, tell us your plan then,” the Monk stuttered; even he couldn't quickly calm himself down. ”So we may react accordingly.”
”It's simple,” Lino said. ”If the Devils combine their Legions, you'll die. If more than four battles break out simultaneously, you'll die. If any single person in this room dies, you'll all die. If you dare run away, I'll make sure you die. So, to win, just make sure you don't do any of those things.”
”...”
”...”
”...”
”For the first battle,” Lino said, glancing at the Emperor. ”There's no need for the Guardian of Light to Command the Legion. Inform him to halt in his current position and build a battle fort, regardless of where he is. Second Prince can lead the Titan's Children Legion and clash against the En'kav's. However, Southern Seafarer Valleys are a terrible choice,” he continued, ignoring the mixed expressions. ”En'kav is a Sin-Devil specializing in the Gate Law. He had designed a method unique to him that he uses to fight: anything that can be stored within a void world, he has stored, and he can spit it out at a moment's notice. In reality, if his Qi is sufficient, he could bombard the entire continent by Ancient Artifacts and bury you all before you even have a chance to understand what's happening. Luckily, because of the uniqueness of his cultivation method, he's pathetically weak -- especially so in the duels.”
”However,” Lino's eyes narrowed momentarily. ”If you meet him out in the open field, even if you hurl twice as many men at him, the outcome would still remain the same: you would die. Second Prince will split his Legion into three; the main force should intercept En'kavs just past the Valleys, within the narrow enclave of the Southbearing Mountain range. In the meantime, the other two groups should be armed with any flying-type beast that you can find and flank the main force from the two sides. Second Prince is more than strong enough to duel En'kav alone, so long as the latter isn't protected by his own forces. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”
”... I have.” Lino glanced toward the source of the voice and saw a young man sitting next to the Emperor Rex -- Second Prince On'yal. A spitting image of his father, one could say that the only difference besides the age were their eyes, with the Prince having an eternally-bored look on his face.
”Go on.” Lino smiled faintly.
”What makes you think I can contend against the Sin-Devil Variant?”
”Usually, nothing,” Lino shrugged. ”But, you're pretty much the only person here specializing in the Spatial Law which makes you his best counter.”
”... you know of my specialization?” the Prince asked with a seemingly bored voice.
”...” Lino merely smiled before speaking out yet again. ”We'll go with the N-S-E-W defensive formation. In the south -- for the time being, at least -- Second Prince will take the Vanguard position with the Guardian Jean acting as a support behind him. Inform the latter that it's like putting out fires -- if he hears about a movement from the Hell's Army, he goes toward it until a backup arrives.”
”Patriarch Chen, I hope you'll allow Elundia to take the Eastern Vanguard, with your Guardian taking the supporting role.”
”... alright.” the man in question nodded, smiling faintly.
”The three of you,” Lino then glanced at the three men standing next to Elundia. ”Will take the Western Vanguard, leading one of the Empire's Legions. Talk with the Emperor about which one. Revered Monk, if I could bother you to act as the support.”
”It shall be done.” the Monk nodded, also smiling faintly.
”The North will be a combined effort,” Lino continued. ”Send all those close to the Godhood Realms to act as a Vanguard for the time being. The Emperor and I will take the supportive role for the time being. Also,” Lino added, taking out a few talismans. ”Each of you should bind a few to this room as it will from now on act as a War Room. In the meantime, bring your best charted maps and combine them and then hang them on the walls. Each major force, in addition, will need to start mass-producing long-range Communication Talismans, at least 5,000 per day, with minor forces contributing at least 1,000. The Logistics Legion of sorts will be formed from each force's best scouts and assassins. I assume there's no issue with Princess Annabelle acting temporarily as the Commander?”
”... no.” the Emperor said, piecing together the plan inside his head.
”For the time being, shift your focuses south,” Lino said as he got up. ”And observe the beginning of the war.”
”What if it is a diversion?” Second Prince suddenly asked before Lino had a chance to leave.
”Diversion?” Lino glanced at him and smiled faintly. ”Looks like you've truly never met a Devil before. Have fun entangling with one. I have high hopes for you.”
Lino left the previously calm room in disarray. He was certain none of them would be getting any sleep anytime soon. While he didn't exactly lay out the entire plan, it was never his intention. He simply chose to organize a defensive formation that could endure multiple battlefronts without falling apart. There was no reason yet to proactively seek engagements as the Continent certainly wasn't yet ready for an all-out war. Just the formation of the Logistics Legion, Lino imagined, would take at least a month, and then at least half a year before they're anywhere close to decent.
He'd also devised a contingency plan in case the Hell's Army sent out someone else to act as a vanguard, but it seems that they had similar ideas to Lino. En'kav, while by no means weak, was definitely the weakest of all the Commanders. If the Devils were truly interested in immediately engaging into a massive war, they'd have never sent him to act as the main force.
”This is a good chance for you to get stronger.” the robotic voice suddenly echoed inside his head as he landed back into his bedroom.
”Or to die. That's also a possibility.”
”Indeed it is, though there is no reason to be pessimistic. If you manage to craft the armor you're designing, your chances of survival will increase exponentially. However, the first thing that should be on your list is to reach Illumine Realm. You're only a few Levels away anyway.”
”Will I get something good if I do?” Lino asked with a grin.
”You'll be able to further assimilate the two singularities, and will have authority to select a Primal Spirit.”
”... I guess I should cultivate instead of sleep, then?” Lino grumbled boorishly.
”A few days should be enough.”
”Yeah, yeah... god, which freak designed cultivation to be so boring... just sitting around all day like a freaking statue, doing absolutely nothing, watching the precious days of youth pass you by... what more proof does anyone need that intelligence means insanity? I mean, just how power-hungry you need to be to design...” and so Lino grumbled as he got into the cross-legged position, deciding not to leave his room before reaching Illumine Realm.