Emergency Deployment

Before long, the once-empty meeting room was packed. Voices filled the air, and the noise was deafening.

The people summoned to the meeting had arrived one after another. Nearly everyone was there.

Yet confusion was written all over their faces.

Many gathered in small groups, whispering and asking one another why Lord Victor had called them to a meeting so late at night.

James looked at Ron and Baron Brown beside him and said confidently, "I'd say we're going to attack Silver Maple City. Northern Alliance Command wouldn't let us go to the main battlefield before, so Victor must want us to drive straight into the heart of the Grand Duchy and attack its stronghold!"

Ron immediately objected. "James, aren't you jumping to conclusions?

"With so little time to prepare, how could we possibly be heading for Silver Maple City?

"I think something unexpected has happened at command headquarters, or they've changed their plans. That would explain why we're abandoning our original orders and heading to the main battlefield instead!

"The situation in a war can change in an instant. Even the smallest shift can set off a chain reaction..."

Baron Brown nodded slightly in agreement. "Yes, that's what I think too.

"James, you do get carried away sometimes! Taking Silver Maple City would be no easy feat.

"We'd have to pass through several fortified chokepoints along the way. Even if Silver Maple City itself is lightly defended and short on troops, the Garrison Army at the surrounding passes is still largely intact.

"We'd need to prepare in advance to take those defenses.

"Given Lord Victor's usual caution, there's no way he'd rush into an attack on Silver Maple City like this!"

They were far from the only ones talking. Everyone had a different guess.

Seeing that nearly everyone