Just as Horace had expected, Stormveil's second offensive came swiftly.
Only five days after the first rout, scouts on the eastern front sent back word: the Storm King was personally leading his main force in a massive advance toward Liurnia.
Meanwhile, news also arrived from the western front: a detachment of around three thousand men was operating near the Lake-Facing Cliffs, clearly intended to tie down their troops.
"The Storm King wants a decisive battle." Horace traced his finger across the eastern and western fronts.
Uriel stood beside him, his brow furrowed. "My lord, although the terrain on the western front is unfavorable, if they break through, our supply line will be cut."
"I know." Horace nodded.
"So we cannot lose the western front. But the main battlefield..."
His finger stopped at the bridge.
"Will be here."
The eastern front lay along the main trade route, where the relatively open terrain suited the deployment of large armies. But for that very reason, both sides understood that it would be the stage for their decisive battle.
Most of Horace's preparations were concentrated here.
By contrast, the high mountains and treacherous paths around the Lake-Facing Cliffs on the western front hindered the advance of Stormveil's heavily armored troops.
But that did not mean they could let their guard down in the west.
"Send the Crayfish and Crabs over there," Horace ordered.
"The western front has plenty of marshes and wetlands, perfect for them. Have the Albinaurics fight alongside the puppets. They don't need to wipe them out. Just hold those three thousand men down and keep them from threatening the eastern front's flank."
Uriel noted down the orders, then could not help asking, "Then the main force in the east..."
Horace smiled.
"We wait for the Storm King. I've prepared a grand