The Shadowy Valley was a truly strategic location, one any army would fight to control.
It sat right on the only route from Blackflame Pass through the Barren Mountains and into Baphomet Canyon. Its elevated position and rugged terrain made it an ideal place to block the sole road leading to Transia, even without coordinating with any other strongholds.
If the gnolls entered the valley without sending troops to capture it, their march would remain exposed to attacks from the defenders for a long time.
But if they did send troops and couldn't take it quickly, then although the valley's meager resources meant it couldn't hold out for long, having this thorn in their side would ensure that no matter what the gnolls chose, they wouldn't have an easy time.
Strategy and tactics were simple, really. A plan that made the enemy feel as if they had a thorn in their back was a good one. A tactic that made them curse loudly was bound to be excellent. And one that made them want to strap explosives to themselves and send you flying was perfect.
The more viciously the enemy cursed you, the more likely it was that you'd done something right.
Adele's mother had clearly put a lot of thought into choosing a campsite back when she and the gladiators who had escaped Mejwa City were looking for one. And now, decades later, that choice had worked out in favor of the people of Transia, who were preparing to make their mark during the Black Calamity.
"What a fine place!"
At dusk, Maxim hovered in the air and surveyed the terrain around the Shadowy Valley from above. Even the vampire general, who was commanding troops in battle for the first time, couldn't help exclaiming in admiration.
Beside him, Kudell,