The Lord Of Blood Hill-Chapter 206: Strategic Deployment
As the bait actively seeks out the big fish, Henwell convenes a military meeting. All senior commanders of the various armies are present; this is a closed-door meeting, exclusive to these high-ranking officers.
This isn't about tactical deployment but rather defining strategic directions.
This war is planned in several phases.
The first phase is strategic deception, spearheaded by Chick from the intelligence department, which is already underway.
The second phase involves strategic contraction, where the bait is used to stage a show, leading Ika to make further strategic misjudgments about Peace Haven.
The third phase is strategic encirclement. Once the big fish takes the bait, Peace Haven will use it to net the following school of fish.
The fourth phase is strategic stalemate, providing the Kingdom of Ika with a graceful exit, allowing both sides to withdraw with dignity.
During the strategic contraction, a legion is needed to accompany the southeastern forces of Ika in this charade, leading their southeastern commander, Rifidi, step by step into the trap.
After some discussion, Henwell decides to assign Arnold from the Second Legion to the task. Unlike Rawkins, despite his noble background, Arnold's experiences at the Forge Furnace training camp and in the gladiatorial arena have made him more mature.
Additionally, his years of growth in Yinxin City have sharpened his understanding of human nature.
This task requires acting skills and realism. Rawkins, trained as a traditional knight, wouldn't perform as flawlessly as Arnold in such a role.
The third phase of encirclement is particularly nuanced.
How many Ika troops should be surrounded?
What kind of damage should be inflicted on Ika?
How can they be forced to retreat, and how can Peace Haven avoid immediate retaliation from Ika?
These are all critical points for careful deliberation.
Henwell aims to minimize Ika's animosity towards him.
Even if a complete shift is impossible, he intends to redirect most of their hatred towards Vorry. This requires strategic actions on the two northern battlefronts.
Fabio's ironclad defenses need to deliver another significant blow to the Ika forces come spring. Meanwhile, Henwell needs to mobilize the mixed legion in the Vorska area, creating favorable conditions for Count Descartes to further sting the Kingdom of Ika.
By doing so, the small piece of territory Henwell intends to claim will seem less painful for Ika to lose. The demonstrated combat effectiveness of Peace Haven will also make Ika reconsider the costs of a major offensive.
The Kingdom of Ika might tolerate a small territory being occupied by a minor lord unfriendly to Vorry, but they cannot accept Vorry annexing it.
It means that the difficulty of reclaiming these territories differs significantly, at least from the perspective of Ika's leadership.
While Peace Haven is not weak, this fact is only known to those around it.
Until now, the upper echelons of other nations, and even some within the Duchy of Vorry, have underestimated Peace Haven, believing it to be a minor issue that could be crushed whenever they choose.
Henwell's race against time is aimed at strengthening Peace Haven while larger powers are preoccupied.
According to his strategic plan, after the conflict with Ika, he envisions two years of growth. Ideally.
Peace Haven's population would double, and with nearly a hundred thousand troops and an upgraded industrial chain, it should withstand the pressure from a kingdom, at least enough to inflict serious damage.
If anyone dares to risk their kingdom's downfall to attack, Henwell is also prepared for mutual destruction.
While he can't obliterate the enemy, he can weaken them to the point where others will swoop in to take advantage.
Thus, the third phase of this war is the most challenging and dangerous of the entire conflict.
The group discusses the topic at length and finally decides on a strategy of encircling to attack reinforcements.
The plan is to surround the Ika Kingdom's commander, Rifidi, and his troops, then fiercely attack any reinforcements the kingdom sends. At the right moment, they'll allow a rescue force to break through and extract Rifidi and his army.
The fourth phase, a dignified end to the war, hinges on Rifidi. Given his influence, whether to shirk responsibility or save face, the narrative in the Ika Kingdom will likely portray the southeastern conflict as a back-and-forth battle with Peace Haven, with Ika even gaining a slight upper hand.
Whether the public believes it or not is their concern; the higher-ups certainly won’t be fooled—they’re not idiots. But they need the public to believe in this fabricated victory.
Will Ika let it go?
Of course not.
As the continent’s strongest kingdom, they won’t take a loss lightly. However, after a major battle, the kingdom will also need a period of rest.
Besides, post-war, Vorry is set to ascend to kingdom status. Attention will shift to this event, and any real moves against Peace Haven would likely be delayed by at least a year.
By then, Henwell's fortress defenses will be complete, making any attempt by Ika to tackle such a tough target unwise and costly.
At the same time, Henwell plans to forge new alliances with the southeastern nobles of the Ika Kingdom, offering them sufficient incentives to secure their cooperation.
Do the southeastern nobles of the Ika Kingdom despise Henwell?
Are you kidding?!
Henwell seizing their land and taking their subjects is way beyond mere animosity—they wish Henwell would just drop dead!
But as long as they love gold more than they hate him, those glittering, beautiful coins might just spare Henwell’s life for a while.
In just over a year, any attempt by the Ika Kingdom to move against Peace Haven would face resistance from these southeastern nobles.
The reason is simple: how can they profit if there’s a war?
Renewed conflict would disrupt livelihoods and territorial development, leading to endless disputes.
Time is on Henwell’s side—the longer it drags on, the harder it becomes for the Ika Kingdom to mobilize forces here.
Overall, Henwell’s move to seize Ika’s territory is a risky one.
He lacks land and population but doesn’t have faster ways to gain both. This bold move is all about Peace Haven’s further development.
Henwell aims to completely sever the territorial link between the Ika Kingdom and the Ogiro Kingdom while reaching out to the Duchy of Lumir in the southwest.
This would effectively make Peace Haven a central hub for east-west trade across the continent.
Imagine the enormous profits involved!
Once this trade system is established, Peace Haven could easily support not just the current military but even double its size.
As for Peace Haven’s growth, Henwell also has plans for the territory and population it will need.
Just as Count Obiken once analyzed, Henwell will look for opportunities from the future Kingdom of Vorry.
Sure, he’s made plenty of enemies, but by then, Vorry will be the bigger target of hatred.
While Henwell stirs up trouble for Vorry, other nations will likely sit back and enjoy the show, perhaps even offering covert support!
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Chapter 206: Strategic Deployment
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