Victor learned that the Fourth Regiment still held the advantage in the siege, keeping the fortress secure with only light casualties. That was already better than he had expected, and he decided to adjust his plan.
Under his orders, the Third Regiment, commanded by Santos, began withdrawing from its position behind Blue Lake Bay. Victor planned to refit the regiment for a new mission.
To leave Marvin enough troops in reserve, Victor also sent half of his own reserve force—3,500 soldiers—to the rear of the Blue Lake Bay Region. They took over the Third Regiment's former position, ready to support Marvin and the Blue Lake Bay Garrison at any time.
As the two forces changed positions, Victor ordered the Intelligence Department to step up its collection of intelligence on the Barbarians. He needed to track their army's movements as closely as possible and find a chance to break the deadlock.
Victor believed Marvin could hold the Blue Lake Bay Region against the besieging Barbarian detachment with the Fourth Regiment and the reserve force he had sent. That would give Victor enough time to revise his battle plan.
Meanwhile, the fighting at Blue Lake Bay remained steady. Neither the Barbarians nor the defenders made any unexpected moves. Both sides let their established rhythm continue while staying alert for an opening.
Shikele, however, was growing worried. Nearly ten days had passed, and the messengers he had sent to the Barbarian main force still had not returned.
Given the short distance between Blue Lake Bay and the Barbarian main force, three days should have been enough for messengers with fresh horses to make the round trip.
Yet not one messenger or reply had arrived. Shikele found it strange and could not tell what had gone wrong.
He could think of no reason why