If Allen wanted to confront Ulric, who was stationed at Seven Crossings Fortress, head-on-or even pose enough of a threat to make the nobles around him waver-
The forces he currently possessed were not enough.
Of course, if they were comparing only the quality of their troops, he had more than enough.
The Noldor Elves were unmatched in combat across the Pendor Continent. Whether in ranged attacks or close combat, even in mounted fighting, which was far from their specialty, they stood above the rest. Not a single knight was confident of defeating a Noldor Elf head-on.
But fundamentally, elite troops alone were far from enough. Or rather, fifteen hundred elite troops were not enough.
They could certainly handle surprise attacks like those at White Stag Castle and Long River Town, even with ease. But defeating a kingdom's army with a full complement of troop types would stretch their numbers thin.
Even if they could win, many elves would likely have to pay with their lives. If Allen wanted to continue drawing on Elaraclay's strength in the future, he had to be especially mindful of that.
The elves' population was simply too small. Excessive casualties would likely displease the four family heads.
To truly unleash these elite troops' fighting strength, he needed, at the very least, large numbers of auxiliaries to handle necessary but menial tasks such as transporting supplies and garrisoning camps.
Once the fighting began in earnest, he would also need enough ordinary soldiers to tie down the enemy's fighting forces-cannon fodder, as they were commonly known-to give the elves an opening for a decisive strike.
All of that required time to prepare.
Still, Allen believed he could buy himself some time.
The messengers Foucher had sent out had already been overtaken by the faster, hardier Twilight Knights.