The Limits of Defense

Yushikin's command post was not far from Mount Mishil, but the battle reports coming in were anything but encouraging.

Calm and composed, he patiently studied the briefs supplied by the staff department every minute. In the face of a true crisis, he was enveloped by a glacial calm.

Yushikin had never had the time or energy to waste on long-winded speeches or shirking responsibility. Those things could wait until after it was over.

In the heat of battle, what he needed was coldness, precision, and absolute focus.

"Our first and second defensive lines have both collapsed. Two full divisions, including the Great Legion volunteer units, have been overrun."

Major General Dave entered from outside and handed him the latest report.

"The Black Legion's Eleventh and Seventeenth Infantry Regiments have both been annihilated or routed."

Yushikin glanced at it, then nodded.

Major General Dave and the other senior officers waited for him to speak. Whispers from communicators and the chanting of Wizards came from all around.

"What about the Blades of Delirium?"

After two minutes of silence, he finally asked.

"They suffered severe losses at C3."

The Nightblade representative in the command post shook his head and answered:

"They can no longer be committed to battle."

Yushikin sighed and turned to leave the room.

His attendants followed close behind. The Nightblade nodded to Dave, signaling that he should follow as well.

With a young man's vigor, Yushikin strode up to the observation platform, taking two steps at a time.

His guards quickened their pace to keep up.

They stepped onto the open platform beneath the discolored sky. A low-walled terrace along the upper edge of the command post had been converted into this long-range observation station. Heavy telescopes and detection systems stood beside the railings, while clusters of tall communication lines