At the City Lord's Mansion in Rostock, Velin received orders from the Fourth Legion to attack the satellite city, Iqiq City.
Iqiq City was built against the mountains, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. Its garrison numbered more than twenty thousand, led by an Eight-Seal Knight named Harvey. He had come from the German Kingdom's royal court garrison, and his eldest son had accompanied the German Kingdom's Fourth Prince on a diplomatic mission to the Angoya Empire.
"Guards."
The two Silver Intermediate Knights standing outside entered the hall, dropped to one knee, and awaited instructions.
"Go invite General Ilius, commander of the Miens Army, and General Fray, commander of the Blackrock Army."
"Yes, my lord."
After the two Silver Intermediate Knights left, Velin rose and stretched lazily.
Five days had passed since Rostock had fallen. The other three directions had already achieved their assigned objectives. The Fifteenth Army had suffered the fewest losses, with only five hundred casualties. The Sixteenth Army and Eighteenth Army had suffered the heaviest losses, with more than thirteen thousand dead, most of them from the Auxiliary Army.
For the attack on Iqiq City, Velin intended to appoint Ilius, a Low-Tier Holy Seal warrior, as commander. Fray, commander of the Blackrock Army, would assist him, while a Soul Intent Mid-Tier Arcanist would serve as overseer. If Ilius showed any sign of betrayal, he would be executed on the spot.
Although Velin outwardly expressed trust in Ilius, he remained deeply wary. Expendable spies were not uncommon in the Kingdom of Isia's military history. Only after Ilius had endured enough tests would Velin dare to use him without reservation.
Before long, Ilius and Fray arrived at the City Lord's Mansion. After saluting Velin, they took their seats.
"General Ilius, how many men does the Miens