Second World

"Does anyone know of the existence of a spy inside Prince Therribus' army?" Ahab asked.

Everyone had gathered inside the commander's tent after Jack brought the paper regarding the siege weapons to Commander Armstrong. The lord commander had summoned everyone for another meeting. The war table was projecting the 3D map that showed the route described in the paper.

Everyone shook their heads at Ahab's question.

"I have sent a message to our friend inside the fort to ask Prince Alonzo and Commander Quintus. They also had no idea of such a spy," John said.

"And you didn't see who was the one that left this paper?" Ahab asked Jack.

"No. He must have used some kind of an invisibility ability," Jack answered.

"Then this is a trap," Ahab said. "Why would someone unknown send us such vital information without letting his or herself known? What is that person's purpose? If he had asked for a reward for exchange of this information, I will be more inclined to believe it."

"Mm…," Commander Armstrong pondered about Ahab's viewpoint. He then asked Jack, "What do you think?"

Instead of answering the question, Jack turned in another direction and asked John, "What do you think?"

John rolled his eyes at Jack. He then said, "Well, from the way I see it, there are two possibilities. The information is real, or the information is fake."

"Duh!" Jack exclaimed at John's self-evident remark.

John ignored Jack's mocking. He continued, "What if the information is fake? Then we have evaded a trap. Everything is good then. But, what if it is real? Then we have a shit ton of problems ahead of us. That fortress won't stand for long with the siege from both Prince Therribus' army and the siege weapons. Our existence also won't help much. The crown prince no longer needs to wait for the supplies inside the fort to run out. We will pretty much lose the war."

"Then… Do you mean it's better if we still treat this information as real even with the risk that it is a trap?" Armstrong asked.

"It's better to treat this information as both real and a trap at the same time," John said.

"Can you please stop talking in riddles? Not everyone has the patience to try guessing your intention," Jack said. He noticed Ahab's scowl already. It's better if he was the one that scolded John.

"It's not a riddle. It is exactly as I said," John returned. "We should definitely check out this delivery with a force that is ready to intercept it. But we have to also do it discreetly, with a scouting party. In the case that this is a trap, we will only lose this scouting party."

Hearing the suggestion, Armstrong nodded. "I can agree with such a course of action."

"We still have a problem, though," John said.

Everyone gave him questioning looks.

"We need to send the intercepting troops without alerting Prince Therribus' army," John said. "If they saw a large portion of us depart in direction of the siege weapons' delivery route. If the information is real, then our intention will already be known. They are sure to send troops to counter us."

"Which means… We will have to maintain the façade that all our forces are still stationed here?" Armstrong said.

"I am sure regular scouts are checking our army's situation from time to time, but it is unlikely for them to check our inner or rear part," John said. "The best option for this intercepting party is outworlders force. Since we can use the town return scroll from inside the camp and teleport to another nearby town before heading out to intercept these siege weapons. This way, we won't be found out. But we can't send all outworlders. Outworlders comprised half this army, sending all of us means this army is reduced to half in an instant. It will be difficult to maintain the same façade even if we tried to crowd all the native army by the edge."

"So, how many do you think we should send?" Ahab asked.

"The most we can spare is half of the outworlders," John said. "However, the information said the troops delivering the siege weapons numbered 20,000. If we try to fight this number with 15,000 outworlders, we won't achieve much. We might end up destroyed completely even if this is not a trap. We need at least another 5,000 native troops. It's better if you can spare for this mission the ones that have higher average levels. These troops can sneak away from this camp's rear during the night."

"5,000 natives and 15,000 outworlders against 20,000 natives. I still don't see a decent chance for us," Ahab said. "Not to mention that you are still unable to call your guild armies yet, are you?"

"It is not a good chance, but it is the only chance we have," John said. "Sending more troops will increase the risk of getting found out. This arrangement might be a problem if we are to vanquish the troops guarding the siege weapons. However, if we utilize the surprise factor and only target the siege weapons, it should still be doable."

The camp was silent as everyone pondered the suggestion.

Commander Armstrong turned to Ahab, "What do you think?"

Commander Ahab took a deep breath. "I think it is risky. But since I can't think of a better plan, I say we go with this suggestion."

Armstrong nodded. "Then we will decide it that way."

He then turned to Jack. "The three of us are very prominent within this camp," he said, referencing himself, Ahab, and Duke Alfredo. "If anyone of us missing, it will raise a question mark. Our enemies might find out. So, I will have you lead the sneak army. I will select 5,000 elite troops and put them under your command. You can lead them and sneak out tonight."

"Then I will make arrangements for the outworlders force," John said. "We will teleport to Thehemburgh. I will select only those that possessed rare steeds and we will use group haste scrolls. We should be able to reach here before tomorrow morning if we start riding before noon. This will be our rendezvous point, we will meet you here."

John was pointing at a spot on the 3D map that was close to the siege weapons delivery route from the information.

"All right," Jack nodded.

"Then let us go prepare," Armstrong said. Everyone dispersed and did their appointed tasks.

Regarding the rendezvous point, the city of Theneward was closer. But that city had lots of players who followed the war situation, even if only as spectators. If suddenly so many players teleported there, the news could easily reach those guilds who supported Prince Therribus. Then the news might reach the crown prince as well.

Thehemburgh was another main city second closest to the rendezvous point. If the players departed from there, it should be less conspicuous. The local players might simply take it as some large guilds going on a guild quest. Even so, John still took precautions. He divided the players who teleported to that city into groups at intervals. So that the number wasn't so big at one time. Before noon, the last group had left Thehemburgh.

*

At night, Jack left with the 5,000 native troops under the cover of night. Miller and Bailey were with him, and so were Captain Salem, Lucia, Nicholas, and high priest Laurent. Captain Salem was also amongst those that were chosen by Prince Alonzo to receive the Council of Virtus' blessing and training. His elite grade had upgraded to Special Elite. His level had increased even more than the others who received the blessing. His level was 65 now. He was at the same level and grade as Miller.

With so many high-level special elites in his command, Jack felt more confident. Aside from that, the commander also placed in his command one of his top officers, a knight commander named Uvira. She was a level 60 rare elite. Jack was pleasantly surprised when Commander Armstrong brought her to join him. It seemed that the lord commander understood the seriousness of these siege weapons if they proved to be true. Jack made a silent pledge that he would not let the lord commander down.

Grace and Red Death were also by his side. Jack originally asked them to follow the outworlder group who departed from Thehemburgh, but Grace was adamant about staying at Jack's side. Jack had no choice but to accept. Red Death came and demanded to follow him as well. Jack also could not say no to her. But he didn't form a party with them. He told them that he needed to monopolize the exp points gathered by his army due to his triple classes and divine treasure. They said they had no interest in leeching Jack's exp gain.

While he was on the way, he received a message from his grandfather, "Afei. We have arrived in Theneward. Where should we go?"

"About time! What took you so long?" Jack replied.

"That trial Haon took for his beast form turned out rather complicated. We are here now. Where are you?"

"Go to this place. We need every hand on deck. Come as soon as possible!" Jack sent Domon the coordinates where they would be hitting the siege weapons convoy.