"…I understand. So that's what happened."
Tailon, Hiderom, Cavirieth, and Enrico had just heard the news Elaris brought from the invaded base. While they discussed how to proceed—whether they should go retrieve the bodies and risk a trap or wait until the war ended—Enrico thought deeply in silence. He wanted to leave with as few casualties as possible, but with the situation worse than in the original story due to the alliance between Elithia and the cult, it would be difficult to avoid deaths.
'How are they finding our bases so quickly? As far as I remember, they didn't have anyone capable of locating things in the original story.'
[It seems they are recruiting new mages.]
The reason they were recruiting new mages was likely because Sairao had failed to sacrifice the dark elves to obtain the body he wanted. Since power was now necessary, they had become desperate for more allies. In the original story, the only human who allied with him was Azharkiel, his son, and his subordinates.
'If they recruited a mage with Location abilities at Circle Eight, it would explain how they found these bases even with Cavirieth's barriers. The minimum requirement would be someone specialized in Location magic and at Circle Eight.'
Since Cavirieth had to maintain so many barriers across multiple hidden bases while also fighting Circle Nines, it was simply unfeasible to raise the requirement to Circle Nine level. That would exhaust him faster than he already was. Looking at Cavirieth, who had maintained those barriers for years, Enrico wondered what his true level really was. That question arose because, in the original story, he died without ever being able to demonstrate that power.
'He had to sacrifice himself to take the other Circle Nine on Elithia's side with him.'
Because of that sacrifice, Elaris lost a powerful ally while Elithia still had Malik, which forced her and her companions to convince the neutral Circle Nine to fight on their side.
'The good thing is they succeeded—but it took many days.'
[If I remember correctly, he made them work for him in a dungeon for days while the war was ongoing.]
That elf was somewhat troublesome, to put it mildly. Elithia couldn't simply command him because he was neutral and difficult to persuade.
Setting those thoughts aside, Enrico looked at the princess sitting in her chair with a dark expression.
'The problem now is Elaris.'
In a way, this would only increase her hatred for her sister. That would reduce even further the already small chance she might let Elithia live—which was good for his plans. Even so, seeing her in that state was not good, especially since she was an important companion to him.
"So we're really going to leave the bodies there…"
"We can't risk it if someone is waiting. The princess did well to keep her distance."
Tailon wanted to recover the bodies while Hiderom disagreed. In the end, they reached a mutual agreement that it was better to wait.
"We must end this war as quickly as possible. I won't allow my soldiers and civilians to remain dishonored."
"I agree, Tailon, but it will be difficult to end this war quickly."
"Enrico said he had a plan for that."
Elaris interrupted them. Both they and Cavirieth turned toward him. At first, he felt slightly caught off guard that she spoke so quickly. Sighing, he placed the black note he had taken from Kaedryn on the table. At its center, a white vortex swirled in irregular patterns.
"The princess is right. I obtained something very interesting during our invasion."
Since he had been given the opportunity to speak, he would not refuse it. After he explained everything he had thought of and the possibility of killing the cult leader and Elithia, they remained silent for a few seconds.
"It's a good plan—to strike while they're distracted by a meeting."
"I like this plan as well, Tailon."
"So you agree too, Lord Cavirieth?"
"Of course. Eliminating those traitors is my primary objective."
Cavirieth seemed quite satisfied. It was somewhat similar to what had happened years ago—catching them off guard and massacring them as they once did.
"I agree as well."
Elaris nodded, thinking it could be an excellent opportunity. If they didn't seize it, it might become something they would regret later.
The only one still doubtful was Hiderom, who was thinking deeply. Just as he was about to accept, Enrico continued, pointing out a problem with the plan.
"There is only one problem. Actually, two—though one of them can be used to our advantage."
The first problem was the locator mage they had. If that mage constantly used his ability inside the castle, he might detect the invasion.
"A locator mage?… Now I understand how they found the two bases."
Clenching her fists, Elaris's expression darkened further. Killing that mage during the surprise attack would be ideal—but as Enrico said, it could be a problem.
"I can prevent that from happening."
Standing confidently, Cavirieth explained he could increase the requirement of his magic so that only a Circle Nine locator mage could detect it. It would tire him more, but he would apply it only to the people invading the castle, not an entire base.
"Using my magic this way is far better than applying it to bases with many people."
"That's excellent, Lord Cavirieth. But Lord Enrico mentioned there was a second problem."
Hiderom looked at Enrico as he said that. Among everyone in the room, he was undoubtedly the one who thought the most and was most cautious about plans that could fail. Elaris was also thoughtful, of course, and was undoubtedly noting every word spoken in the room before making a decision—even with fury burning in her heart.
"The second problem is that there will be an attack meant to draw our attention at the same time I intend to strike. They will execute several prisoners who supported you and destroy an entire city to force us to react."
Everyone in the room froze upon hearing that. It meant they would have to choose between saving the prisoners or carrying out the surprise attack—or so they initially thought, until Enrico continued.
"It also means they will divide their forces to execute that strategy while holding that meeting."
The other side had kept that meeting secret and never imagined it could have been discovered. First, because Elithia trusted Kaedryn. So when Enrico assumed the dead elf's form to speak through the communication stone, he told a half-truth—that only two had survived.
'And she's certain that even if Kaedryn were captured, he would never betray her. Lastly, she never even mentioned that meeting to him.'
"You mean then…"
"We can do both, if you wish. I will inform you which city it will be and prepare before they arrive."
Everyone in the room—even Hiderom—was surprised. This plan could work—no, they would make it work. Elaris stood up with a serious expression, gripping the table as anticipation burned in her eyes.
"Then let's begin planning and refining it immediately."
"Yes, my lady."