"Uh-huh."
Somewhat tired, Duolin sat down in the chair Ed had prepared for him, his brow furrowed with weariness.
If players fighting Duolin is like a mind-bending game, then Duolin fighting players is pure mowing-down-enemies fun.
Even the most enjoyable lawn-mowing game requires six hours of continuous mowing every day, which is not something most people can endure.
At that moment, Ed felt a sensation on Duolin that was as if a scythe was about to spark.
"You've had a really tough day."
Ed turned the chair beneath Duolin into a recliner, a gesture that flattered the captain of the guard, but he was quickly pushed back down by the vines extending from the recliner. Ed was leaning against the bed a short distance away, waved his hand.
"Let's just say this: we're all on the same side."
"OK."
Duolin nodded and said:
"Twenty-four Soul Returner have passed the test today. Considering Xilǐ'er's combat strength, we don't actually need fifty people; around forty would be enough."
"Plus, here are mine..."
"Release the water."
"Yes, release the water; we should have enough people within two days."
"Isn't that great? What are you worried about?"
Duolin said sincerely:
"As you can see, I'm worried about logistics. That's a twenty-kilometer journey. Even we Hoofed Beast feel tired after walking that distance, let alone these weaker Soul Returner. Add to that the issues of supplies and rest... We can't possibly send soldiers who have walked twenty kilometers into battle without any rest..."
Ed flicked his wrist in the air, and a vine mimicked his gesture, patting Duolin's shoulder.
"It's good that you can think of these things without being taught, but you were a little slow this time. You need to be more careful next time."
Upon hearing that gentle voice, Duolin knew that his worries were completely unnecessary, so he immediately got into study mode.
As he said this, Ed got out of bed, grabbed a yellowed piece of paper from his desk, and began to scribble long curves on it.
"This is?"
Duolin, having broken free of the recliner and come to the desk, asked.
"It's a water network."
Ed smiled and showed Duolin the map information he had just received from the [ Dark Archmage ]:
"My men have confirmed that the river next to the castle is connected to the river near the White Wax Town Church."
"The water network in the entire White Wax Town Parish is quite developed. As long as you choose the right fork in the river at a few intersections, you can go downstream and head straight to the heart of White Wax Town."
Duolin's pupils suddenly contracted. As an academic-style garrison captain, he had only learned squad combat command skills and had not been taught this kind of knowledge.
I originally thought that the Soul Returner would have to suffer by setting off at midnight so that they could drag their exhausted bodies to White Wax Town during the day and then go through a tough battle with the enemy waiting in comfort.
Unexpectedly, the Son of God resolved the problem with just a few words.
Duolin held the map in his hands as if it were a priceless treasure, Drain knowledge he had never learned before.
Seeing this, Ed couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Not to mention Duolin, even Xilǐ'er was only a novice in command, and he himself was simply copying what he had seen in documentaries from his previous life.
As for Seraphina?
She had no idea what command was.
At that moment, Ed suddenly recalled his memories of playing strategy games set in the Three Kingdoms period in his previous life.
That feeling of being snatched up by others when a top strategist is recruited first can't help but surge back into my heart.
Indeed, everyone has their own expertise. If you want a leader, the simplest way besides training them yourself is to recruit them.
I just don't know when I'll meet the right person.
As for players from another world... Ed always felt that the relationship between choosing local natives and recruiting specific players was like drawing a god-tier card versus directly using cheat codes—there was a slight difference in the experience.
After a short while, Duolin finished Drain the knowledge and imprinted the simple diagram of the water network in his mind.
Ed saw him put down the map and asked with a smile:
Are there any other questions?
Duolin thought for a moment and asked:
"So, when should we launch our attack...?"
Ed nodded:
"I estimate it will begin within five days. Apart from the fact that the Soul Returner haven't fully passed the assessment yet, we also need to wait for three things to be completed."
Duolin watched as Ed extended his fingers one by one.
"First, the intelligence personnel have not yet finished drawing the map of White Wax Town. In order to be absolutely sure, we must obtain this information."
"Secondly, the ships capable of transporting troops have not yet been built. Although I gave them the freedom to choose, the waterway is indeed the better solution."
"Third..."
"My Lord Bishop."
A deep voice came from outside the door; it was Aoda, who was on guard duty tonight.
"What's up?"
Ed looked toward the door after being interrupted and asked.
A Dragonborn has arrived near the castle; he says he has something to report to you.
Ed asked, somewhat surprised:
How many people? How did they get here?
"Just like that, a person... just came about."
You didn't bring anything?
"Yes, I brought it. I said it was a tribute for Lady Seraphina..."
Soon, Ed met the young Dragonborn he had met twice before at the foot of the castle.
The reason for meeting him outside was the same as last time: this Dragonborn dared not stand higher than Seraphina, as that would be an act of usurpation.
Ed naturally chose to respect such customs.
He watched as the Dragonborn respectfully placed the precious metal ingots that the Dragonborn Village had remelted and recast over the past few days on the bank counter, and even prayed devoutly several times, making Seraphina, who was sleeping in the back, seem as if she were dead.
After doing all this, the Dragonborn looked at Ed:
"Sir, the village chief asked me to tell you that your request has been completed and you can send someone to collect it at any time."
"So fast?"
"The village chief said it was at your request, so he personally opened the furnace."
Ed nodded, then looked at him with a puzzled expression:
"So you don't deliver?"
The young Dragonborn shook his head:
" Dragonborn Village's services only support self-collection."
Ed took a deep breath in exasperation. What kind of custom was this? The item was repaired, but they wouldn't deliver it; they only allowed self-pickup?
Not only did they not deliver it, but they even sent someone to notify them. Isn't that just plain disgusting?
Seeing that Ed was having some trouble managing his expression, the young Dragonborn explained:
"The village chief told us not to linger outside the village, saying it would easily cause trouble."
Okay, so it seems that's why Dragonborn Village only supports self-pickup.
Given the Dragonborn's nature, they are indeed prone to causing trouble outside. If the Tree Worship Church followers weren't all weaklings, the two sides would probably have already started a large-scale armed conflict.
However, Ed felt it was a waste that these Dragonborn were so healthy, looking at them so timid.
His one eye darted around, and he decided to explain to Seraphina the importance and profit potential of logistics (the key point) tomorrow.
His words were indeed of little use to the Dragonborn, but Seraphina's words were divine pronouncements; who would dare disobey them?