“There’s no time for small talk, Lieutenant. Since your Captain is not here and has entrusted me with your 9th Division, I’ll be sure to make full use of you. I assume you have no objections to this?” Aurie inquired.
“I’m not really sure what’s going on here, but since our Captain has placed his trust in you, we’ll go along with it. Besides, according to the layout on this table, it seems like you’re getting ready to do something rather interesting.” Niflheim said as his eyes were locked onto the map displayed at the table’s center.
Based on a few of the key landmarks, Niflheim was able to determine that it was a map of Malentansium. To be more precise, it was a layout of their surroundings that expanded several kilometers from their current position.
Of course, this detail was also picked up by Menerva.
“Naturally, you’ll come to understand everything in time,” Aurie said as she gestured with her hand for Niflheim and Menerva to join them around the table.
She then announced, “Everyone, this is Lieutenants Niflheim and Menerva of the General Support Unit’s 9th Division under Captain Izroth. They, along with the 9th Division, will be participating in this mission with us. Make sure you do your best to work with one another.”
Niflheim and Menerva could feel the gazes of those present sizing them up. The pressure given off by those intense gazes was enough to cause the average player to retreat instinctively.
Niflheim and Menerva had seen a few of the Captains here from a distance during their march through Malentansium; however, this was the two’s first time meeting them face to face.
“So, these are the Captains of the 2nd Unit. But what is this? Their auras don’t match that of the Captains I’ve come across before at all.” Niflheim thought to himself.
NPC Name: War Brigade 1st Division Captain of the 2nd Unit Kalmesia(???)
NPC Level: ???
NPC Name: War Brigade 2nd Division Captain of the 2nd Unit Ward(???)
NPC Level: ???
NPC Name: War Brigade 3rd Division Captain of the 2nd Unit Granden(???)
NPC Level: ???
NPC Name: War Brigade 1st Squadron Lieutenant of the 4th Division Ranne(Elite)
NPC Level: 50
NPC Name: War Brigade 5th Division Captain of the 2nd Unit Rose(???)
NPC Level: ???
NPC Name: War Brigade 6th Division Captain of the 2nd Unit Vigoros(???)
NPC Level: ???
NPC Name: War Brigade 7th Division Captain of the 2nd Unit Nagaza(???)
NPC Level: ???
NPC Name: War Brigade 8th Division Captain of the 2nd Unit Yan(???)
NPC Level: ???
In total, excluding Aurie, there were eight other individuals in the command tent upon his and Menerva’s arrival.
Among the eight were five human males, two human females, and one trephasia female.
Surprisingly, it was the trephasia who held the rank of 1st Division Captain. This made her the second-in-command of the 2nd Unit under Commander Aurie, which was even more of an unusual occurrence than a trephasia being a part of the War Brigade to begin with.
“Welcome, Lieutenants~. We’ve heard quite a bit about that Captain of yours, so we have high expectations of the two of you~,” Rose said in a gentle tone with a warm and welcoming smile.
The 5th Division Captain, Rose, was a woman with light coral hair that was slightly curly at its ends, baby blues eyes, and a soothing voice that caused those around her to naturally lower their guard.
“We’ll do our best to live up to those expectations, Captain. Though I do hope you don’t compare us to our Captain too much.” Niflheim replied with a helpless smile.
Niflheim had already learned his lesson when it came to trying to compete with Izroth. In his eyes, that guy was a monster in a class of his own. After all, if even an ex-core player of a top guild like himself had a challenging time keeping up with him, what chance did the average player ever have?
“Alright, let’s end the pleasantries here. We have work to do and not a lot of time to get it done.” Aurie stated as the command tent fell silent.
After the command tent went silent, Aurie continued, “I know all of you must be wondering why I chose to break away from the main force and set up camp here.”
Aurie’s words struck everyone in the command tent. Indeed, her actions were irregular, to say the least.
“Well, if it’s the Commander’s doing, then the reason must be sufficient enough, right~?” Rose commented.
“Of course, we did not stop here just for some rest and relaxation. It is here that we are going to begin implementing the Golden Bridge Strategy.” Aurie declared.
Golden Bridge Strategy? This was the first time they had heard of such a strategy; however, based on its name alone, for some reason, it sounded rather inciting.
However, when Niflheim and Menerva heard that name, the two came to a sudden realization.
“You, too?” Niflheim asked.
“Yes. It would appear that our Captain was rather cautious regarding this matter.” Menerva replied calmly as she quickly caught on.
Aurie looked over at Niflheim and Menerva and said, “This was a strategy suggested by your Captain. Since the two of you know him the best out of anyone present here, feel free to speak up if you notice anything out of the ordinary.”
Niflheim had a somewhat awkward expression on his face upon hearing those words; however, he did not speak up just yet and held back his suspicions.
At the same time, Aurie proceeded to go over the “Golden Bridge Strategy”.
In simple terms, it was a strategy that was made for the sole purpose of dealing with the Pzenium warriors, who never retreated from a battle.
Using the Pzenium warriors’ pride as its driving force, the 2nd Unit would split into several groups.
One group would consist of 300 troops, five of 100 troops, and the rest would be divided into groups of 50 or fewer troops.
The smaller groups would be made up of those confident in their speed and ability to escape, while the largest group would be filled with the elites of the 2nd Unit.
However, their purpose was not to clash head-on with the Pzenium warriors. Rather, it was to bait them into multiple small-scale battles and ultimately lead them as far away as possible from the Night Lord’s Crypt. After doing so, the 2nd Unit would circle around and meet up with the allied forces while a small portion stayed back to keep the Pzenium warriors occupied.
All in all, it was a solid plan that was, on the surface, perfect for dealing with Pzenium warriors without having to risk an all-out battle that would inevitably deplete their forces. But there was a problem.
By the time Aurie completed her explanation, Niflheim released a heavy sigh.
“Is there something troubling you, Lieutenant?” Aurie asked after noticing the strange mood around Niflheim and Menerva.
“This…” Niflheim was trying to think of the best way to deliver the news to Aurie; however, before he could do so, a voice sounded from right next to him.
“Commander, I am afraid that our Captain has, as some would say, pulled one over on you,” Menerva stated without hesitation.
Immediately after she spoke, Menerva removed a scroll from her inventory.
Niflheim also removed a similar-looking scroll from his inventory.
“I did not take you as the humorous type, Lieutenant. Captain Izroth went over these exact details in person. To say that he pulled one over on us, I hope you can bear the weight of your words.” Aurie said somberly as the atmosphere in the command tent became heavy.
“Indeed, I have met and spoken with Captain Izroth. He does not seem like the kind of man to fool around when it comes to important matters.” Yan commented.
“The plan our Captain suggested is sound; however, it is too artificial and lacking in depth,” Menerva stated nonchalantly.
Lacking in depth? Even the War Brigade 1st Unit Commander of the 1st Legion, Ezra, who was a well-known strategist under General Solomon, confirmed the feasibility of the strategy. How could they say it lacked depth?
“I understand your doubts, but the answers you seek are undoubtedly contained within these scrolls given to myself and Lieutenant Niflheim,” Menerva said as she placed the scroll on the table along with Niflheim.
Before they started their journey to Tempest, Izroth handed a sealed scroll to Niflheim and Menerva without either of them knowing the other was also in possession of one.
He did not tell them the contents of the scroll and told them to keep it safe.
During that time, Izroth also said, “When the time comes to walk across the golden bridge, you are to hand the scroll over to Commander Aurie of the 2nd Unit.”
At the time, those words meant nothing to Niflheim and Menerva. However, without a doubt, this must have been the moment Izroth was speaking about back then.
Aurie briefly examined the two scrolls on the table. She glanced over at Kalmesia, who was a few steps away from her side and saw her give a small nod of approval. This meant that there were no harmful effects contained within the scrolls.
The following moment, Aurie picked up the scrolls and read over their contents. By the time she finished reading, the Commander’s hands trembled as a fierce look appeared in her eyes.
