" What do you think about this situation, old man? " Max asked as he looked towards Rudra for counsel.
Rudra stood up calmly and looked at the map and superimposed that with the knowledge about the strength and numbers of the approaching army in his head as he could see the entire battle unfolding.
If the scouting reports were true, the Bloodfall clan stood little chance in repelling them back on its own, not only were they outnumbered, but they were also outclassed.
It was an absolutely superior force with superior numbers approaching them in a very tactically sound manner.
Not only were they eventually going to be surrounded on all sides in this fight, Rudra could see a scenario where a veteran commander like Gurdan could cut off all routes of retreat for the Bloodfall clan, ensuring that they fell to the last man should they decide to make a stand.
It was a battle that was impossible for the Bloodfall clan to win but that was exactly why Rudra felt excited by the prospect of fighting it.
He was a god at a strength level where such small forces just felt like fun and games to him.
Yes he did agree that the enemy forces were impressive, but his True Elites were much more impressive than them and had fought and won battles from equally worse odds.
If there was anyone in this universe who knew how to turn this situation around through sheer tactical dominance, it was him.
Just as he was about to suggest a strategy, a scout requested urgent permission to enter the tent as a man wearing twilight clan standard issue armour entered the tent and handed Max a scroll sealed by the stamp of the patriarch of the Twilight clan.
Opening the letter Max read its contents as he sighed deeply and said " The twilight clan has decided to retreat, they will only post minimal forces on the mountain to delay the assault for as long as possible but they won't be making a full-blown stand.
Consider the river to be compromised- "
The moment Max said this Sebastian freaked out even more than usual as his pacing around the tent became even more aggressive as he uttered words like " I told you so! They have made a smart decision and we should follow suit! "
Even Anna who was usually rash in making decisions and had a thing for jumping into fights felt uncomfortable jumping into this one as she said " It's a dead fight Lord Ravan. We can't win this one "
DarkSorrow said nothing, but his silence was indication enough that he had no confidence in winning either but he also did not want to be the coward who suggested they retreat which was why he held his tongue.
" I'll do whatever you say, even if it's fight to death " Mira said as she raised her hands in the air as if she did not give two fucks anymore.
She had seen a lot of death and carnage ever since she was born and had been in life-death situations multiple times.
For her, helping Max was more important than staying alive another day.
" Old man? Is there a way for us to win? " Max asked in a hopeful voice as he somehow expected the old man to give him a different answer than the rest of the council.
If even the old man decided that it was impossible he would have no option but to retreat, but until the old man had spoken he wanted to hold off on making a decision.
" There is a way for us to win " Rudra said with his frail old hands behind his back as he studied the war map intently.
" Have you gone senile old man? Do you not understand the gravity of the situation here? There are 6 god's on the enemy side, we have 0 on ours " Sebastian said as he tried to talk some sense into everyone in the room and urge them to stop wasting time and start packing this second but Max glared at him angrily for cutting off the old man as Sebastian had to exasperatedly shut up for now.
" How can we win? " Max asked as he listened intently to the old man's plan.
" The method of winning this fight is not through brute force but instead through diplomacy.
We have a very capable commander standing in the room in the form of Commander Max Rajput, but I don't think you people understand the gravity associated with that name.
That man can mobilise armies far bigger and fearsome than the one marching towards us at the moment " Rudra said as he pointed towards the clone dummy standing in the corner as those who did not know Max's secret looked towards the clone, but those who did just gave lord Ravan an ugly look.
" What are you suggesting? " The clone spoke as he wanted more clarification on Max's battle plan.
" What I'm suggesting is duping the enemy. Currently the Elites are the only big faction who are not responsible for protecting any discs and are hunting the enemy orbs like mad dogs.
Since the Mercenary King has mobilised such a large force from his side for this mission, I see these orbs here on the map being very underprotected.
If we manage to rout the enemy army here, the Elites will essentially have a free march to destroy the orbs these Legions are actually tasked to protect, giving them great benefits from this arrangement.
If we behave like a pig to eat the tiger and make the enemy think we are alone and weak letting them inch closer and closer to us from all sides
They will feel like we are trapped and move to block out our exit route to make sure we are trapped.
They will feel they have got us and that we are doomed, but it would be at this moment that the elites would enter the fray and dismantle their armies from their rearguard turning this battle into a two-way death trap for the Mercenaries.
It's a risky move, I expect at least 300-600k casualties on our side if we follow through with the plan- but I also believe we have a fair shot at defending the orb and routing the enemy if we do so.
Of Course this plan is only viable if the elites and the god's from the elites do decide to back us up.
That part of course depends on Commander Max and his convincing Prowess for sure…." Rudra said with a wrinkled smile as everyone sucked in a breath of cold air looking at the picture he had drawn on the map.
The old man was right, if the enemy were all lured towards their fort and made to get into a circular formation to cut off any paths of retreat for the Bloodfall clan, the elites that would be hiding a few dozen kilometres away could charge like thunder on their wolf mounts towards the enemy lines from their rearguard and force them to fight a disadvantageous two-pronged battle.
It was a plan that could turn the tide of the battle completely on it's head and give the light faction the chance to counter and get all the orbs they are defending instead.
It was a risky move, but one that could have a small impact in this grand war if successful.
The only problem for Max to assess now was the cost of the plan.
Sacrificing 300-600k soldiers for this plan
Was it really worth it?