Does the Butterfly Effect Really Exist? (15)
Reversal to an hour earlier in the ambush area. After the fighting ceased, the soldiers on both sides began to rest.
"Yelibell, why didn't you retreat? Instead, you made us all stop attacking and rest."
Hearing the anxious voice that reached her heart through Mind Talk, Yelibell could imagine the Sacred Dragon's worry and anger. This warmed her heart, but also made her feel incredibly troubled. The Sacred Dragon was on the verge of losing control, and if her explanation wasn't acceptable... no! If her explanation wasn't precise and concise enough, the Sacred Dragon probably wouldn't even listen to her finish, let alone discuss any further plans!
So Yelibell carefully reviewed what she had discovered and the action plan she had prepared, to ensure that there would be no omissions when she recounted it later.
"Call!"
After all the preparations were completed, Yelibell took a deep breath and then began her speech.
"Lord Sacred Dragon, the reason we haven't withdrawn is because someone among the enemy has guessed our intentions. The reason we've asked you and the First Brigade to withdraw and rest is to make the enemy's supreme commander believe that his judgment is correct, thereby lowering his guard and giving us ample time to formulate and execute a new withdrawal plan."
When he heard that their attempt to break out had been discovered, Sacred Dragon's heart nearly stopped. Fortunately, Yelibell managed to say what was to come in time; otherwise, the supreme commander here would probably be dead before the enemy even attacked. However, regardless, Sacred Dragon managed to receive all the information without any major incident and began his own unique form of contemplation.
"Yelibell, are you saying that the enemy's highest-ranking commander in charge of this ambush operation believes that our retreat was not for breaking out, but rather for temporary rest due to exhaustion?"
"That's right!"
"The reason you let us withdraw for rest and reorganization is to make the enemy believe their judgment, thereby lulling them into a false sense of security and giving us time to prepare a new withdrawal plan?"
"Yes, but not entirely!"
"Huh? What does that mean?"
"Sacred Dragon, the reason I did this was not only to lull the enemy into a false sense of security, but also to get the enemy commander to help us suppress that guy who saw through our intentions, so that he wouldn't jump out and cause trouble again!"
"Let the enemy commander help us suppress the enemy? What's going on?"
"Lord Sacred Dragon, you are unaware of the fact that the enemy's supreme commander and the one who discovered our intentions have developed a rift for some reason and are extremely hostile to each other. That's why he did not adopt the other's opinion and instead insisted on his own opinion, remaining inactive."
"Oh! I see!"
Hearing that the enemy had missed a crucial opportunity due to discord among their generals, allowing his side to escape a calamity, Sacred Dragon felt immense relief. Unfortunately, this relief didn't last long before the perilous situation Sacred Dragon side was facing dispelled.
"Alas! Although our intentions haven't been exposed, and the enemy has been temporarily misled by the illusion we've created, we have no way to withdraw in the short term. Once the enemy realizes what's happening, everything we've done will be in vain! (Sacred Dragon)"
Hearing the Sacred Dragon's concerns, Yelibell, who was already confident, smiled and said, "Sacred Dragon, you seem to have forgotten that we have a secret weapon. With it, we can get rid of the enemy's surveillance and leave silently."
"You mean..."
"That's right, that's the thing! As long as we use that thing, we can easily get rid of the enemy. At that time, not only the Second Brigade, but also you and the First Brigade can evacuate from here."
Thanks to Yelibell's reminder, Sacred Dragon finally found his last hope for ensuring the success of the operation. However, at that moment, he discovered a flaw in Yelibell's plan.
"Yelibell, the First Brigade and I cannot evacuate from here, because once we leave, the enemy will immediately realize our intentions, and then our plan will be ruined. So only you can lead the Second Brigade to evacuate and go to find reinforcements."
"In that case, I will go alone to seek reinforcements, leaving the army to you, so that you can hold out for longer. (Yelibell)"
"No! Yelibell, you should know that on the northern and southern fronts, the enemy and our forces are evenly matched, and we can only maintain a stalemate. There's no way for reinforcements to come. On the central front, we only have two thousand Dragon Slayer Magic left, but the enemy has amassed nearly three thousand dragons there. The disparity in strength is enormous; simply maintaining our defensive line is difficult enough, let alone sending reinforcements. (Sacred Dragon)"
"Therefore, after receiving your request for help, that brat will definitely, and can only, select a few top experts from Bell's group to come to our rescue. Therefore, you must take a portion of your forces with you to ensure they have sufficient combat resources to free us. (Sacred Dragon)"
"But... (Yelibell)"
"No buts, this is an order, execute it immediately! (Sacred Dragon)"
"Yes!"
Long after she finished Mind Talk, Yelibell slowly opened her eyes, fearing that if she opened them too early, the two large pearls in her eye sockets would roll out against her will, revealing their plans. After calmly opening her eyes, Yelibell gazed at the Sacred Dragon with reverence for a long time before beginning to organize the operation according to the new retreat plan.
Half an hour ago, in Peterburg City, at the Lord Mayor's mansion
"Buzz!"
A blinding silver-white light curtain rose from the central courtyard of the Lord Mayor's mansion, drawing the attention of everyone in the city (including the dragon).
"Haha! That Aku guy is really capable, he finished so quickly!"
Looking at the silver-white light screen above the Lord Mayor's mansion, Sage Dragon, who was directing the soldiers to set up defenses on the city wall, laughed loudly. Then he handed over the matters in his hands to Kurelle behind him and flew straight towards the location of the light screen.
Not only Sage Dragon, but also Irene and others (the elite core members like Diphiya) in various locations in the city rushed towards the Lord Mayor's mansion as quickly as possible after seeing the light screen.
However, when they arrived at the Lord Mayor's mansion, they found the scene completely different from what they had imagined. There were no prisoners everywhere, no endless spoils of war, only a group of exhausted and defeated soldiers lying on the ground. Seeing this, Irene and the others immediately realized that their operation had gone awry, and they quickened their pace.
Sage Dragon, who had scanned the area but found no trace of his old friend, was instantly thrown into a panic. Just as he was about to shout an explanation, a clear, ethereal voice appeared in his mind, stopping him from acting rashly.
"Sage Dragon, please don't shout. That will escalate the situation and destabilize the army!" (Yelibell)
Although Sage Dragon was blinded by concern, he hadn't completely lost his rationality, so he knew the other person's reminder was correct. Therefore, he swallowed the words he was about to say and, while accelerating his descent, used Mind Talk to inquire about the specific situation.
"Yelibell, what exactly happened? Why are only you people back? Where is the Sacred Dragon? Where is the First Brigade?"
"Sage Dragon, I will answer all your questions later, but not now, because Irene and the others haven't arrived yet. Please wait patiently for a little while longer!"
"Okay! I can wait, but you have to promise not to hide anything, and you have to guarantee that Aku and the others will be in no danger while we wait."
"Okay... I promise!"
After Yelibell gritted her teeth and made a promise, Sage Dragon was finally calmed down. The two of them stood in the courtyard, quietly waiting for Irene and the others to arrive.