Paul immediately went to look for one of the officers and reported his findings as soon as he found one.
The officer was skeptical at first, but decided to check the information either way just to be on the safe side.
Being an earth mage himself, he adjusted his search spell the way Paul told him to and went white when he saw the tunnel.
-Kid, you just saved us all.
The officer said a moment later, after he got over the shock of the discovery, and rushed away to inform the generals about this discovery.
Less than an hour later, there was a whole group of higher and lower-ranking officers who personally confirmed the existence of the tunnel, discussing what to do about it.
The opinions were divided, and no solution seemed to guarantee success.
Some of the ideas consisted of trying to use earth magic to collapse the tunnel, while others insisted on digging their own tunnel and meeting the ants in battle once the tunnels collide.
The first idea would most likely work for a while, but the beasts could simply dig another tunnel once this one collapsed.
As for engaging them underground, it was the least preferred option since not many people survived facing devouring ants underground.
Another plan involved filling the tunnel with smoke to asphyxiate the beasts, but it would not work too well since there was a scarce amount of air in the tunnel as it was, and the ants could simply wait for the flames to die out before resuming their digging.
The last option they came up with was to dig under the ants' tunnel and blow it up with bombs or explosion magic, but considering the ants' vicinity to the wall, at the time everything was ready, the risks involved were quite great.
-Why don't they just flood the damn thing and be done with it?
Natalie asked, hearing as the officers argued not far from them.
Hearing her words, one of the higher-ranking officers turned to her.
-What did you say, young lady?
The man asked.
-Just flood the tunnel with water and be done with it.
The girl repeated a lot louder, before anyone could stop her.
All the officers looked shocked for a moment, then they laughed out loud.
Natalie looked at them like they had gone crazy, and she was not the only one; everyone around looked at the officers like that.
The officers, on the other hand, laughed because they had the answer right under their noses all the time, but it took a young girl to point it out to them.
-Thank you, this was the exact idea we were looking for.
The officer who spoke to her first said.
-With any luck, this may also destroy their nest.
Another officer said after regaining his composure.
Now it was Natalie's turn to be surprised, as she only said that because she was annoyed by their quarrel.
However, she quickly returned to her senses and smiled at the praise from two high-ranking officers.
Then turned to Paul, hoping to have impressed him, but to her surprise, he was in deep thought right now.
-What are you thinking about?
Urine asked, seeing that he barely acknowledged the idea her daughter had, which impressed the officers.
-I'm trying to figure out how the ants would know when to come to the surface?
Paul answered.
Everyone was stunned at this, since according to the books they read on these beasts, they dug tunnels, but made their exits at random, since they had no way of knowing what's above them.
Actually, the directions of their tunnels were also quite random, so chances were slim to none that they would start digging a tunnel in the direction of the Capital at the same time they started their attack.
-Are you saying that someone is controlling them and ordering them to dig in this direction?
One of the officers asked.
-It's a possibility, but as of yet, there is no proof that they are being controlled.
As for directing them, if that really was the case, the person behind it would need to observe their progress to know when to order them to go to the surface.
His words made everyone think about it, as this theory made a lot of sense.
-Are there any suitable observation positions around this part of the wall?
Any hills or exceptionally tall trees?
Anywhere that provides a good view while making it easy to stay hidden?
Paul asked.
-On this side, there are only three such places.
An older man in a general's armour said, approaching them.
-All of them are hills, but have you considered that the forest begins only about a kilometer from the walls, providing almost infinite hiding spots for observers?
The general asked Paul.
-I did, but considering that we have a lot of incendiary bombs at our disposal, there is only a small chance of the culprit, if he exists, hiding there.
At least I would not risk it if I were in their place.
The general laughed in amusement at Paul's words.
-Son, even if we have the bombs, we can't throw them so far away, so there is no risk of us burning them.
The older man said.
-Who said anything about throwing?
Paul asked and took out a piece of paper inscribed with a small teleportation spell.
It only took a moment for everyone to understand his meaning, and the officers were all shocked at this revelation.
-I prepared a few of these, in case I needed to blow something up without getting close to it.
Now I'm thinking of using them to send incendiary bombs to the three places you mentioned and also to the forest, to eliminate all the observation spots and, with any luck, some ants as well.
Additionally, it would be a good idea to flood the ants' tunnel simultaneously.
With any luck, we might be able to flood their nest and kill their queen, leaving them without anything to control them, making dealing with them much easier.
Paul submitted his plan.
-That sounds great, but why do it at the same time?
The general asked, not seeing the connection between these two tasks.
-Because if we flood the tunnel first and there really is someone controlling these ants, then they might order them to collapse the tunnel to prevent the water from flooding their nest.
Also, if we burn the spotting positions, they would know we are on to them, and might send the whole ant army in one massive wave; we would have a hard time stopping, or they can simply run away.
But if we do both at once, then the tunnel will be flooded, and the culprit will have his own problems to deal with, giving us the chance of destroying the nest and making all the other ants much easier to exterminate.
Hearing his reasoning, the general was stunned as this was a good plan, and even if it was a bit complicated, it had a high chance of success.
-What do you need for this plan to work?
The general asked, deciding to go with it, since this was the best idea anyone had, and if it worked, then their work would become many times easier.
-A few earth mages, some bombs, and around two hours to prepare everything.
Paul answered without hesitation.
-Give this man everything he needs and show him the three hills outside on the map so he can adjust his spells.
-Yes, General.
All the officers said and moved to execute the orders.
-Thank you.
Paul said to the general.
-No, it is I who should thank you and this young lady for coming up with this plan.
The old man smiled.