Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 264: Near the end

KOER WAR TENT

'Your strategy is working Dawarai Arial' said Koer Vor showing a satisfied smile.

Arial sits in one of the chairs in the war tent smiling.

Arial knows that Bor have many troops and if they attack the Fortress now when it is badly damaged and Koer forces is practically weary, to win is almost an impossibility.

He could of course just storm the stronghold and at least kill thousands of Orcs then flee but that would be too arrogant of him.

The world is vast. Who knows how many experts there is in the world? And who is he to be so arrogant? Who knows if there is an Orc expert or someone on his level.

Arial might seem arrogant but his arrogance has basis. In the Human Continent, no noble dare challenges him and Arial know enough of his ability that he is confident that no noble could defeat him in one on one battle.

Why?

Because nobles even though some of them do learn internal energy cultivation from they are a child, in their youth they then will have to assume their responsibility as lords or count or baron of certain estate.

Naturally their internal energy training stopped, if not slackened, some because they are preoccupied with the matter of their estate, some trapped in the politic of the court, while some get indulgent with the power.

But Arial know in the martial art world, expert is as many as the clouds.

Even though Arial knows that in the martial art world he is not considered weak, he himself do not have the confidence to declare himself the strongest.

Of course unbeknown to him, his level of internal energy surpassed even that of the Four Immortals, which is acknowledge by two Immortals, The Southern Healer and the Western Serpent but in terms of technique and understanding he is still so inferior to the Four Immortals.

It is this that prohibits him from winning against the Four Immortals if they clash.

But if he fights against the Four Immortals on the basis of internal energy alone, even if three of them sent internal energy wave against him, he could handle it.

Arial knows that he is lucky enough to be blessed with the knowledge of Levitia training Manual and his understanding of internal energy always increase every year.

Recently he created another technique. The Imposing Presence.

But it is still at the elementary level, and Arial knows he need time and patience and insight to the deeper meaning of cultivation of the internal energy, its profound truth and the insight to really create this technique.

There is so much he can do alone.

This he silently acknowledges.josei

In the matter of the Bor forces, if they really attack then surely Koer will retreat back to the north and maybe lose the initiative to end this war in a swift manner.

How many years it would take for Koer to once again invade the South if he retreated back to the North?

Arial could not let that happen.

'This strategy of yours is brilliant Dawarai Arial' another Orc commander commented.

They have heard the story about the brilliance of Arial strategy in battlefield but since all they could see before is his overwhelming strength, most of the Orc believe he manage to push through using strength alone.

But this strategy of him has earned the respect of the Orc commander.

'Always mislead, and surprise the enemy if possible' Arial reply

While the south force is hesitating to attack, the Koer Orc is fortifying the fortress and waits for reinforcements.

The Capital has managed to persuade the Elven Council to send the Legion of Leaf to join the war effort on Koer Vor side.

What Arial employs is an unpredictable move.

Unpredictability is most often the tactic of the master, but the under­dog too can use it to great effect.

If you find yourself outnumbered or cor­nered, throw in a series of unpredictable moves. Your enemies will be so confused that they will pull back or make a tactical blunder.

People after all are always trying to read the motives behind your actions and to use your pre­dictability against you.

Throw in a completely inexplicable move and you put them on the defensive.

Because they do not understand you, they are unnerved, confused, bewildered and in such a state you can easily intimidate them, Arial thought as he grins.

A simple smoke screen he mused.

On the Fort they captured, it is undergoing renovations. The ruined walls are repaired and the supply line is established.

And small forts made of woods, and watchtower is built alongside the Fortress and every time they went to the Valley they put some construction resources so that when Arial decided to attack ad occupied the valley then construction can be done in a swift manner.

Stones are gathered and towers are built, renovation to make the Fortress sturdier then before.

'The Legion of Leaf will arrive tomorrow' Velamina said informing Arial as he stands on the southern wall supervising the construction

'Good.'

'Do you need me to go to the Valley again?'

'No, go in the evening. Attack a few of them, do some casualties and then return back. Safe' he intoned the last word

Velamina nodded her head with a little beautiful smile on the edge of her mouth

All around her is Orcs partaking in the construction. They may not be talented builder but because of their strength the construction becomes fast.

The supply will also come faster when the supply lines is established. Not only that it can supply the reinforcement that is coming both from the Legion but it can also supply the clans of the South.

The legion is consisted of Dark Elves and White Elves. A few days from now when all the troops have arrived Arial could begin the offensive.

Even then even if they knew Arial tricked them it will be too late. Armors and arms, daggers, spears, axes, arrows and many more all are supplied by the South by that time.

This is the decisive battle. And Koer must win or the war will drag on for years and might even spread to the Capital.

The battle preparation was in full swing at the fortress.

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The sound of marching in the distance, the wind blowing hard and the sound of Orc yelling to prepare themselves sound like a foreshadowing of something tragic

The Fortress is alive with shouts and orders.

At the top of the wall tower, a person is seen looking at the marching soldiers with apparent ease, with a smile on his face and an Elven beside him.

'When you force the other person to act, you are the one in control. It is always better to make your opponent come to you, abandoning his own plans in the process. Lure him with fabulous gains, then attack.'

Arial said as they are watching the advancing Orc horde of Bor. Arial has spread a rumor using the Legion to spread it among the Bor camp.

The rumor suggest that Arial is just deceiving the Bor camp and he is waiting for reinforcement.

It is true about Arial deceiving Bor but the reinforcement has long arrived. Hearing that, Bor and his horde began to move to try and stop Koer plan to come to fruition.

Arial is smiling on the southern side of the wall watching as the march of Bor is making the plains shake just by the sheer amount of their horde.

The largest army of Orcs Arial has ever seen. The largest horde compared only during the Invasion. But at least his plan work.

Now he just has to win the battle.

'Is this a wise choice to lead them here?' Velamina ask as she looked at the approaching horde.

She is not particularly confident after seeing the enemy's army. Though, she is more worried about Arial

Arial then said

'If there is something I learn as I try to navigate the muddy water of politics in my region it is this. What is the point of chas­ing enemies here and there, trying to solve problems and defeat my enemies, if I never feel in control? Why do I always have to react to events instead of directing them? The answer is simple: That idea of power is wrong. '

'What so wrong about it?' Velamina ask again. He smiles as he espouses some strategies and art of war and politics.

Arial might not seem like it but he is an avid reader and he had learned from the most secretive library that the Old Empire had ever possesses

'One must never mistake aggressive action for effective action. I could not have beheaded all conspirators of a conspiracy or kill everyone I suspected of treachery thus losing more than I would gained. Most often the most effective action is to stay back, keep calm, and let others be frustrated by the traps I lay for them, playing for long-term power rather than quick victory.'

Velamina nodded looking at Arial unaffected expression at looking the hundred thousand of the Orcs. She looks admiringly at Arial.

Arial added

'In power, initiative is everything. Letting others react to my moves, to keep my nobles and opponents, conspirators and plotters alike, around me in the defensive, that is the ideal plan. When you make other people come to you, you become the mastermind. You control the situation to a degree.'

'Control' Velamina mutter.

She looks at Arial and she realizes she never truly know Arial. She knows him as a warrior and a great military commander but she never saw his side as a Lord.

A politician.

Even though when she knows that Arial is a prince that fact didn't really dawn on her until now. After all, Arial rarely act like an obnoxious noble.

From the stories that the kind Grandma Elves always tell her, nobles are usually overbearing and pride mark each of their step. 

And so that image stuck on her and her experience in the Capital didn't really help her to improve her image of nobles.

Since Arial rarely act like such, she forgot about his status. But hearing Arial, she understands Arial must have done many things to survive in the human continent.

Politics is not the matter of normal elves but when she was to be Elder she was taught of how politics work.

She travels to the Capital and see secret deals being made in suspicious alley or establishment, trading promises only to broke it if there are no benefits and she made a very stern impression on politics.

A pure kind hearted heart will be swallowed by such acts.

Arial continue his explanation, a calm face even though maybe a million Orc is heading to the fortress right now.

'The one who has control always has the power and initiative in any battle or negotiation. I will teach you Velamina how to place yourself in this situation. Learn to master your emotion like you control your sword and never be influenced by anger like the flowing water, however you must not forget to play on people natural tendency to react angrily when pushed and baited. The ability to make others come to you is a weapon far more powerful than any tool of aggression.'

She nodded and then ask

'How do you know Bor would fall to your tricks?'

'He falls for the retreating tactic didn't he? That is how I knew. Orcs is not used to espionage or rumor mongering. But we humans, deceitful we are, are all too familiar with false rumors and lies. In a way maybe the elven is not that wrong about us humans' he smiles a bitter smile.

Looking at his troops and then back at Velamina he continued

'Took the time and place into your own hands and rarely things would go out of control. Even if it does fall out of control, the degree of such would be negligible. All of us have only so much energy, and there is a moment when our energies are at their peak. When you make the other person come to you, he wears himself out, wasting his energy on the trip. And this march with a million of Orc only will tire them faster. Bor enemy is not only us; it is also his own army. How many have died in starvation since they began their march?'

'Not many' Velamina reply.

'True, but when they try to siege this fortress, with their supplies dwindling they will undoubtedly put in a difficult position Velamina. I have dangled bait at Bor. To crush Koer forces once and for all.'

He said grinning, still looking at the approaching horde with calmness.

'And the throne of Kings of Orcs. The bait is sweet enough. Bor want the kingship. And he wants the fame and glory.  I, on the other hand wanted him to come here to the place of my choice so I could kill him. Being on enemy ground will make him nervous and often he will rush his actions and make mistakes.'

He said, clearly excited to impart this wisdom to her.

'And in a battle, one mistake can turn the tide of the battle. In meeting or negotiations in my court, I have always find it wise, to lure others into my territory, or the territory of my choice. You must wonder why am I so calm in the face of such numbers?'

He asks a rhetorical question to Velamina. Then he answered it. It is clear that he also missed his night talks with Silas

'I have my bearings, and can afford to be calm and collected while the other party will see nothing familiar and are subtly placed on the defensive. And with the Orc and the Legion effort the wall is sturdier and encompassed almost everything around this strategic position. They have to break us here or they will be the one destroyed. If I can get others to dig their own graves, why should I tire myself? Let them come to their own grave. Push them of the ledge and bury them' Arial said laughing

From the distance the Orc horde is approaching. Arial grip his large glaive tighter.

'Be ready Velamina. This will be the battle of your life.'

Velamina nodded.

'Fine. As long as you are out there with me, this battle will be memorable' She said and looking at the approaching horde she began moving. It is time for her to lead her troops to battle.

'I will order my troops to battle now.'

'Go and bring victory' Arial said nonchalantly, his eyes is still looking at the marching soldiers

'Good tiding to you hemlen' she said and she is off.

Arial then goes to his troop and look at all of them. Who would have thought he would command his own Orc horde?

There are so many of them, hundred thousand of them over the fortress and wall stretched around the Plains.

He smiles and hold up his glaive high up in the air and roars.

'LET US GO TO WAR!' he shouted

And so the last battle begins.

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