Karl did not delay. He went straight to the Council Chamber.
Before long, the core officials and commanders who had received the emergency summons—Brendan, Edgar, Roland, Lyon, Thorsten, Richter, Klein, and Werner—had all arrived. The atmosphere was solemn. From their lord's calm yet unusually deep gaze, everyone caught the scent of something out of the ordinary.
"Brendan," Karl said without any pleasantries, calling his name directly, "how are the plans for attacking Golden City and Twin River City coming along?"
Brendan immediately rose, took a thick roll of parchment from his robes, and spread it across the long table.
Drawn on it in charcoal and pigment were finely detailed marching routes, troop deployments, logistical supply points, and even marked areas where skirmishes might occur.
"My lord, the plan is preliminarily complete. The General Staff has run repeated simulations and believes the time is nearly ripe. Our army plans to use the First and Second Infantry Regiments as the main force, supported by the newly formed First and Second Militia Regiments, for a total strength of roughly eight thousand men. I will command in person, take the enemy by surprise, approach covertly through the Southwest Mountain Pass, and make Golden City, whose defenses are comparatively weak, our main target."
"At the same time, we will order the Tyrol Regiment stationed in Tyrol to launch a large-scale feint in the direction of Twin River City, with the appearance of a full assault, to draw in and pin down the Sauron garrison there and any enemies who may come to reinforce them."
"So long as Golden City falls, Twin River City becomes an isolated island. Riding the might of a great victory, I can either persuade them to surrender or lay siege to them. This salient of the Sauron in the northern border