Luxembourg Fortress.
On the afternoon of the second day after Massena feigned defeat and withdrew westward, Surt hurriedly knocked on the door to Berthier's office.
"Come in." Berthier set down the ammunition stockpile reports in his hand.
Surt tipped his hat to him, his expression grave. "General, I believe there has been a major shift in the situation."
"Please explain your reasoning."
"First, the cannon fire to the north has stopped for over a day," Surt said. "Second, the enemy troops besieging the fortress have shifted more forces to the northwest side, and the frequency of their attacks has dropped noticeably."
Brusch, the southernmost point where the French Army and Allied Forces had previously clashed, was less than ten kilometers from Luxembourg Fortress. With a favorable wind, the fortress could faintly hear the thunder of heavy cannon from that direction.
Berthier looked at him. "You mean our defensive line has shifted?"
"Yes, General." Surt nodded. "The enemy besieging us has concentrated toward the northwest. It may be precisely to prevent us from learning what is happening over there."
Berthier fell into thought. "If the Massena Legion's line has moved westward, there can only be two possibilities—they were defeated by the enemy and had no choice but to retreat. Or they have strategically withdrawn for some purpose."
Surt immediately said, "It should not be that our army was defeated. Otherwise, Ferdinand would certainly have drawn troops to strengthen his assault on us. But no additional enemy forces have appeared so far."
Berthier shook his head. "So Massena intends to do something, but for the moment we cannot contact him."
Surt walked to the map and pointed at the Ardennes Plateau. "General, according to my guess, the Massena Legion intends to lure the enemy deep into the Ardennes Plateau.
"And there can