Chapter 597

The horizon brightens as the sun slowly rises behind me, tattered robe fluttering as I dash through the shadows of dawn.

The sound of Cascador’s hooves pounded the earth like a torrential downpour pouring onto the empty hall’s ceiling. Riding on its back, I kept a vigilant eye on my surroundings as we raced toward the barrier.

According to Ludwig’s instructions, it had been two days since I left the barrier, so it was about time to head back.

He said it would take about three days for them to notice the anomaly and respond. In other words, by tonight, Ka`har’s forces would start scouring the grasslands to find me.

Just as planned.

—

On the way back to the barrier, I lit a cigarette and reflected on the past few days.

After hearing the outline of the operation from Ludwig, I crossed the barrier alone, disguised as a regular scout, and spent my time slaughtering every warrior I encountered.

Last night was especially fruitful. I managed to take out two outposts, hundreds of warriors, and even two paladins in one go.

Though they were weak for paladins, likely having just awakened to the Power of Feats, they were still a significant threat to ordinary knights.

I even left my name at the second outpost, so by now, Or-han must have received detailed news. He’s probably investigating the situation.

Of course, it won’t be easy.

While they might confirm the presence of a sorcerer from the melted earth and pulverized bodies, without any survivors, the exact details of what happened will remain a mystery.

Was it done by me alone? Or with the help of other knights and magicians? Was it really my doing? The questions will only pile up.

Ludwig called it a “minor time-buying tactic.”

Since we’ll be openly fighting in the next phase anyway, it might not mean much, but if it buys us a day or two of confusion, that’s enough.

—

Ludwig’s plan was, in short, a four-stage time-delay diversion strategy.

First, I would attack a couple of Ka`har outposts alone to draw their attention and then return. That was the first stage of the plan.

Originally, other masters were supposed to join me, but since my power had grown incomparably, it was no longer necessary. Setting fires myself was several times more effective than adding one or two masters.

Unless we were facing a powerful enemy, wiping out a mediocre force was something I could handle alone.

Ludwig agreed, so the first stage ended up being carried out by me alone. Honestly, it was more convenient for me too. More people would only make stealthy movement more cumbersome.

In any case, the first stage of the plan was a great success.

Whether the enemies would react as planned remained to be seen, but eliminating two paladins without any losses was a feat even Ludwig couldn’t help but applaud.

“You’ve done well. Taking out two paladins is truly an encouraging achievement.”

In fact, when I met Ludwig after crossing back over the barrier, he even clapped his hands in admiration after hearing my report.

“Well, they were disappointingly weak for paladins. More like rookies who had just become paladins, I’d say.”

“Their skill is a secondary issue. What’s important is that there were two paladins stationed at a temporary military outpost, not even a key stronghold.”

Ludwig clicked his tongue softly and continued.

“A meaningless waste of power. It implies they have so many paladins that they can afford such waste. I suspected as much, but thanks to your report, I can now be certain.”

…That makes sense. The war must have left them with so many paladins that they can afford to waste a couple.

“Isn’t that bad news?”

It wasn’t a pleasant thought.

The Empire also had a few masters here and there, but given the vast territory and enemies on all sides, it was impossible to concentrate them all in the east.

Even I had to leave more than half of my forces in the Imperial Capital.

Thus, the number of masters Landenburg could mobilize was no more than fifteen at most.

Nine existing masters, including Nigel, Leonor and Ja-han who joined under my command, and those sent by the Imperial Knight Order.

On the other hand, the enemy seemed to have so many paladins they could afford to waste them.

“Well, that depends on how you look at it. While we’ll inevitably face defeat if a full-scale war breaks out, even with you here, it also proves our strategy is correct.”

Contrary to my concerns, Ludwig seemed unfazed, as if he had already expected this.

From the start, the goal was to divide and conquer, so the overall power disparity wasn’t a critical issue. Whether he said that to encourage me or truly believed it, his calm expression was somewhat reassuring.

—

After my conversation with Ludwig, I enjoyed a brief rest with Rana before the next phase of the plan began. Though “rest” was just a quick bath, a short nap, and dinner.

Leonor, Ja-han, and Nigel, who had been waiting for my return, joined us for dinner, and we chatted about this and that while enjoying the meal.

Rana expressed some dissatisfaction about being left alone inside the barrier, but she knew full well how absurd it would be to bring a healing priest to the heart of the battlefield.

So, for this time at least, she didn’t insist on following me. Admirably so.

And then.

Late in the evening, as dusk turned to night, I led five masters and about two hundred cavalry over the barrier.

This marked the true beginning of the diversion operation.

—

Two hundred cavalry galloped across the night-time grasslands. The thunderous sound of their hooves echoed as one, shaking the earth and startling flocks of birds into the night sky. It was quite a sight.

‘So far, so good.’

I discarded the robe I had been wearing to conceal my identity and rode alongside them in my usual Winter Armor. In my mind, I revisited Ludwig’s instructions.

– Your role is to tie down the enemy’s main force alongside the special unit.

In short, I was to be the enticing bait.

There was no need to directly clash with the enemy’s main force. Just burn down noticeable villages or outposts while advancing toward Ordos, and when their main force approaches, turn the unit around and retreat to the barrier.

– They won’t follow us all the way to the barrier. Given how blatant the bait is, they’ll be wary of ambushes or counterattacks. They’ll chase us for a while but eventually give up and turn back. Then, we’ll repeat the same process.

The idea was to keep the enemy’s main force tied up by circling between the barrier and Ordos.

– The worst-case scenario is Or-han personally taking the field… In that case, I’ll rely on you. You’re skilled at sensing presences. If you feel Or-han’s presence, retreat to the barrier with all your might. Absolutely do not engage.

Ludwig repeatedly emphasized not to fight Or-han.

If Or-han were to chase us alone, that would be one thing, but he’d likely bring part of his main force… Facing them head-on would mean the two-hundred-strong special unit would be wiped out in an instant.

So, the moment Or-han’s presence was felt, we were to flee with all our might.

Hersela seemed somewhat displeased at the idea of turning tail in the face of the enemy, but even she understood that facing Or-han’s main force with just the special unit was suicidal.

– What if Or-han chases us all the way to the barrier?

– Given that your attack has been revealed, they’ll likely issue mobilization orders everywhere, but it’ll take time for their full forces to gather. If I were Or-han, I wouldn’t risk attacking the barrier with an unprepared force.

Ludwig was confident Or-han wouldn’t recklessly pursue us. As someone who had risen to Kagan’s position, he would have to act based on strategic judgment, not impulsively.

– Until our main force’s movements are detected, he won’t act rashly. If he attacks the barrier with a small force and gets surrounded by Landenburg’s full army, even with his Indestructible Body, he’d be worn down and defeated. So, for now, don’t worry.

A bluff disguised as a diversion.

In reality, it wasn’t about luring and ambushing but a diversion strategy where the special unit and the main force targeted different areas. There were no troops to stop Or-han… but as long as we weren’t discovered, it would work.

If we were discovered?

Then things would get complicated. We’d have to stop Or-han with just me, five masters, and the defensive troops, excluding the main force.

What Or-han didn’t know was that Landenburg’s main force had long since moved far south from here. Six masters, one hero, and over a thousand cavalry—all of them.

What remained here were only infantry.

While the special unit—us—drew the attention of the enemy’s main force in Ordos, Landenburg’s main force would be sweeping through the southern Great Plains, picking off scattered enemy forces one by one.

At least, that’s what I understood.