A Sudden Turn

The autumn wind carried a grim chill as it swept over the Rhine Alliance's vast encampment outside Florensburg.

The tragedy of Baron Sende burning to death in the harbor hung over the soldiers like a dark cloud. When Rudolf inspected the camp after the strategy meeting and sensed their low morale, it only stirred his desire for conquest. He was even more eager to win a victory, wash away the humiliation, and prove himself.

At the final strategy meeting before the battle, the mood was even graver than before.

Rudolf stood before the enormous map, jabbing a finger at the outskirts of Florensburg. "We can't besiege the city until we've cleared the surrounding area. The bridgeheads and the bunkers outside the moat must be taken!

"They're stepping stones for our advance, and Yulmand's minions. We must commit everything and crush them with overwhelming force!"

That had been the agreed-upon approach since yesterday, and everyone nodded.

Count Schwenstig stepped forward, his expression more severe than usual. He began laying out the specifics of the General Staff Department's plan. "Your Majesty, clearing the outskirts is certainly necessary, but committing everything is too risky. Yulmand has held out for so long and knows these defenses inside out. He must have something up his sleeve."

Everyone thought he was starting to sound like Count Ranke, one of those fussy bureaucrats, splitting hairs over his words. They had agreed on an "all-out attack" yesterday. How was that any different from "committing everything"?

But Count Schwenstig thought there was a difference. He continued, "According to the General Staff Department's plan, I'll lead half our main force today to attack the bridgeheads and the bunkers. The other half will be under Count Pisto's command as a reserve, ready to respond to any enemy counterattack, ambush, or threat