The Stalemate Phase Arrives (6)

Chigengster Plains, Ishgar Camp, Main army tent

"Sage Dragon, just now, the other side sent another small force to circle around behind us, attempting to obtain food from the area we control."

Upon hearing the scout's report, Belserion's face lit up with a smile, and he said smugly, "Haha! These idiots really don't learn their lesson. We've wiped out so many of their troops, and they still dare to send people to operate behind our defense lines."

"This is actually easy to understand. They're out of food, but unwilling to withdraw, so they're trying to reach behind us and obtain food from the areas we control to survive. (Hadessta)"

"I'm afraid they're not unwilling to withdraw their troops, but rather afraid to!" (Acnologia)

After Acnologia finished speaking, Hadessta was taken aback for a moment, then smiled knowingly. Seeing the two of them exchanging knowing glances, Belserion, whose mind was blank, felt his intelligence being challenged. So he began to rack his brains to think about what the two had just said, trying to understand the mystery behind it.

So engrossed in solving the mystery, Sage Dragon forgot about the scouts standing under his tent. As a result, he delayed in issuing orders to them, instructing them on how to handle the matter.

Just as the scouts were getting anxious, Acnologia, who noticed something was wrong with Sage Dragon, spoke up at the right moment to remind him, "Bell, wake up, you still have things to take care of!"

"Who's sleeping! I was thinking..."

Suddenly interrupted, the Sage Dragon shouted angrily, but when he saw the Sacred Dragon (Acnologia), the Ice Dragon King (Hadessta), and the scout staring at him, he swallowed the rest of his words. After a long pause, he continued, "I was just thinking... thinking of a solution!"

"So, have you thought of any countermeasures? (Acnologia)"

"Hmph! How could such a trivial matter stump me? I've already come up with a solution! It's just that there are too many methods popping into my head, and I don't know which one to use, which is why I hesitated for so long!"

As his best friend and buddy, how could Acnologia not guess Belserion's true colors? However, with outsiders present, he couldn't very well expose his good brother's mistake, so he could only go along with what the other man was saying, "Since you can't decide which method is better, then don't decide. Just close your eyes and pick a method randomly so the brothers can get ready!"

Faced with the steps thrown out by the Sacred Dragon, Sage Dragon naturally wouldn't, and dared not, let them go, so he hurriedly went down the slope.

"Okay, in that case, I'll just pick one randomly!"

After speaking, Belserion closed his eyes and fell into deep thought. About a minute later, Sage Dragon opened his eyes and said firmly, "Go down immediately and inform the tenth and eleventh squads to intercept this small force and try to annihilate them before they reach their destination."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I'll go right away!"

After bowing, the scout immediately turned and left the tent to convey Sage Dragon's orders.

After finishing his business, Belserion once again drifted off to sleep... Ugh! No, the Sage Dragon wasn't slacking off; he was continuing to ponder the problem he hadn't yet figured out. However, fate had other plans. Less than a second after Sage Dragon closed his eyes, someone else interrupted his thoughts, and this time, it was truly one person!

"Sage Dragon, Arthur, the Commander of the condolence delegation, requests an audience outside the tent!"

Once again interrupted, Sage Dragon's forehead creased with countless thumbs up. Just as he was about to shout "I don't want to see anyone!", his wise and capable wife, Sacred Dragon, came online again and successfully helped him avoid this mistake.

"Bell, this Arthur represents the Kingdom of Tsuyioru Xiu. You must not act impulsively and damage the relationship between the two countries."

After being doused with cold water, Sage Dragon immediately sobered up. He quickly suppressed his overflowing anger, began to take deep breaths, and adjusted his state.

A few minutes later, Lord Sage Dragon, having regained his composure, said in a gentle tone, "Please welcome Mr. Arthur, the Commander of the delegation, into the tent!"

With Belserion's order relayed, Arthur was soon led into the tent by a soldier.

"Arthur greets the Sage Dragon, the Sacred Dragon, and the Ice Dragon King!"

After Arthur finished bowing, Belserion and the other two nodded and smiled in return. Then, Sage Dragon, the commander of the central army, asked, "May I ask what brings Mr. Arthur here today?"

"Sage Dragon, our delegation has completed its mission. Staying here any longer will only cause you and the soldiers at the front lines unnecessary trouble. Therefore, I have come today to take my leave, and I hope you will grant me permission!"

"Commander Arthur, you've gone to so much trouble to come and visit us, you should at least let us treat you properly and show our appreciation. Why are you in such a hurry to leave?"

"My Sage Dragon, Arthur would also like to stay and enjoy drinks with you, but His Majesty is waiting for us to return and report! Moreover, I have heard that the Evil Dragon of the Western Continent have begun to make moves again. In order to ensure that you and the soldiers at the front can concentrate on dealing with the powerful enemy, we cannot stay here!"

Faced with Arthur's perfectly reasonable request, Belserion had neither reason nor motive to keep the delegation, so he said with a regretful expression, "Since you insist on leaving, Commander Arthur, I will contact Sordil immediately and have him bring you back."

Upon hearing Belserion mention Sordil, Arthur instinctively closed his eyes. Realizing his rudeness, Arthur quickly bowed deeply, saying excitedly, "Thank you, Lord Sage Dragon!"

Northwest of Chigengster Plains, above a mountain range

"Chief Yanimus, don't be so nervous, just relax!"

Hearing Glaide's advice, Yanimus thought to himself, "Hmph! If you'd ever fought those devils, you'd understand how dangerous our situation is. You'd probably be even more nervous than I am!"

Seeing that Yanimus still looked nervous, Talib, who was flying to Yannimus's left, said disdainfully, "Your central army is too cowardly, isn't it? It's just a matter of coming out to lure the enemy, is it really necessary to be this nervous?"

Although Glaide disliked Talib's arrogant attitude, he had no choice but to stand on the same side for the sake of the mission. However, compared to Talib's overbearing manner, Glaide's tone was much more peaceful.

"Chief Yanimus, I know you're keeping a high level of alertness because you're worried about a surprise attack. But the purpose of our operation is to lure the enemy in and then draw them into an ambush. If you stay like this, how are we supposed to lure them out?"

After Glaide mentioned the mission, Yanimus remembered the purpose of their operation and began to slowly relax his body. Of course, he only relaxed his body, because after experiencing the grain robbery and witnessing the capabilities of that mysterious force, he dared not let his guard down for even a moment.

Having resolved Yanimus's acting problem, Glaide and his group slowed down, preparing for landing. After all, this was behind enemy lines; if they went too far in, it wouldn't be a trap, but a suicide mission.

"Buzz"

The activated Magic Array emitted a dazzling Silver light, illuminating the dark underground cavern as if it were daytime. Moments later, the light faded, and about twenty dragons filled the relatively spacious cavern. After resting for a few minutes and restoring their vision, the leaders of the two dragon squads began their battle council.

"Gajil, this time we'll stick to the old rules. Our team will be responsible for the assassination, and your team will be responsible for guarding and providing support."

"Welsh, why do I always have to listen to your arrangements and act according to your decisions?"

Upon hearing his old partner's complaints, Welsh was not angry but pleased.

"Gajil, since you think my decision is bad, fine, this time you can make the decision, and our team will fully cooperate!"

Although his old friend obediently handed over the decision-making power to him, Gajil still knew his own limitations, so he passed the buck back to him, adding a touch of gentle persuasion.

"Old buddy, that's not what I meant. I just feel that it's not right for your team to always do the hard work while our team gets the benefits. So, I hope that this time, you can let us do the hard work and let us get the benefits."

"Ha ha!"

"Since you've put it this way, old buddy, I can't refuse you, can I? Alright! This time, your team will be in charge of the assassination, and our team will keep watch!"

Talib casually tossed the tree fruit in his hand into the basket on his back, then said impatiently, "Why aren't those guys from Ishgar here yet? I'm almost asleep!"

"Heh! Chief Talib, don't be in such a hurry. They need to find us before they can start their operation!" (Glaide)

"Hmph! We shouldn't have listened to you and run into these deep mountains in the first place."

"Chief Talib and Chief Glaide are just trying to make this act more realistic, so stop complaining! (Yanimus)"

"Tch! A pair of cowards!"

Just as Yanimus was about to teach Talib a lesson and make him realize his place, Glaide suddenly spoke up, "Shh! Be quiet, the fish are coming, get ready to haul in the net!"

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh!"

As soon as Glaide finished speaking, a series of sharp whooshing sounds came from the sky. Then, a dozen or so multicolored energy beams tore through the space and appeared behind them.

"Boom!"

The deafening explosion, accompanied by a blast of air, sent a massive mushroom cloud slowly rising into the sky, heralding the arrival of a turning point in the war.