The Failed First Assault

"Rune Defense Array... Why had this never been mentioned in the intelligence?"

Hurrying into the tent, the general removed his helmet, slammed a hand onto the table, and hurled the question into the faces of every priest present. The priests lowered their eyes and said nothing, and the atmosphere turned awkward for a moment.

The general's expression darkened even further.

"Are you people going to explain yourselves or not? 'The most perfect intelligence gathering'... Who was the one who said that back then? Why has everyone suddenly gone silent?"

At last, one priest cleared his throat and slowly spoke. "General Pres, we actually mentioned the Rune Defense Array in the initial intelligence on the academy. You must have overlooked it."

"Overlooked it?" The general snorted coldly. "If the intelligence had said something like, 'The Rune Defense Array can withstand the bombardment of dozens of Holy Light Cannons at once,' instead of brushing over it in a single line, I don't think anyone would have overlooked it."

"That was not something we could investigate, either." The priest did his best to keep his expression calm as he slowly replied. "The Rune Defense Array had only appeared once before, when the Magic Academy used it to defend against Ikor's attack. Other than that, this technology had been kept deeply hidden. This was the limit. We investigated as thoroughly as we could."

"Then you shouldn't have talked such big game from the start."

"..."

Watching the priests fall silent again, the general could not help slamming his fist on the table once more. He shook his head.

According to the original plan, they would use a volley from the Holy Light Cannons to crush Locke City's defenses outright, after which his soldiers could rush in and reap the demoralized enemy at will. Yet