Raid II

"Burn down the Forest?" They all looked at Isaac with a strange look in their eyes.

"Hmm, that might actually work. Considering the terrain, if we play our cards right, we'd have the upper hand." Artemis borrowed the pen and isolated an area near the Forest's heart, "Over here, the terrain starts uphill leading up the mountainous base of the Anarchy Lord. Because of this, the fire will spread faster, and though we don't have a lot of magic users, we have Orthus, and his cold wind would fuel the fire."

"That's right, but that is not all." Isaac agreed and smiled wildly, "If we burn down the Forest around the area, that will stop the absorption of life. If you're worried about the repercussions of this plan, you really shouldn't because no matter what plan we do, the Forest will die either way. From what you said, the Anarchy Lord is absorbing the life force of the Forest. If we burn the Forest down, we will be able to avoid the Anarchy Lord's regeneration and actually limit its destruction. The Forest is the home of the monsters, so they have the advantage, but we can turn that against them by creating a field of blazing fire. We would also be able to create an advantageous ground for ourselves."

Isaac pointed over at Xerxes and his spear, who showed him a wide smile upon realizing what he meant, "If you really plan on creating an inferno just for me… hehe, it wouldn't matter what you throw at me then."

"Hmm, with this, we'd be able to create a powerful battlefield for our Vanguard. This would also eliminate the need for Tanks, and we'd be able to allocate more manpower to other areas." Talon, the only person who had been very vocal against Isaac's plans, spoke out this time.

Orthus nodded, "I see. The monsters would most likely not be able to respond well to the fire unless the two Generals make their moves, but if they do that, the Anarchy Lord would be without a guard. If we just allocate the elite troops, or even just add Talon to the Vanguard and then spread the volunteers split into their own groups around the "bonfire" in anticipation of the retreating enemies, we'd be able to disregard our weakness of having too little coordination. If we relay the information now, we'd be able to start the operation before midnight."

The plan was simple, yet it managed to cover every hole that had been there since the first day. The three looked at Isaac, and now, they understood Yulia's words.

"Isaac, are you some kind of strategic genius or something?" Xerxes verbalized the words the others couldn't say.

Isaac just showed him a wry smile, saying, "Hehe, well, it's not like it's a perfect plan. We still have to control the fire, or it would devour the entire Forest and potentially kill us all."

"You don't have to worry about that, Sir Isaac; when it comes to handling the fire, I can control it on my own." Othus claimed and then looked at the four people inside the tent, "Let's begin."

The plan for approaching the Subjugation had been in contention for weeks. What they came up with was to just overwhelm the enemies. There was a semblance of tactics, but it was barebones with actual substance that could be boiled down to [Hit the enemy until something happens].

However, Isaac's plan was different. Instead of using the number to his advantage, he instead favored using the individual strengths of those present.

Isaac left for the Inhilgar Kingdom's Border to witness the rise of the Anarchy Lord. However, he arrived not knowing he had to take the post left empty by Yulia. Thankfully, he managed to avoid the role of Support.

Instead of leading the Support Group, Isaac was instead asked by Orthus to help him fortify the plans he suggested. For the next two hours, Isaac would join the other four to make the plan even more concrete, where and when to attack, among other things, and before long, Isaac had them step out of the tent to sort out the issues and inform the others of the plan.

Isaac could hear the grumbling and the complaints, "Hahaha, good luck with those."

He laughed, knowing he had nothing more to do but wait for the time to begin the operation, "A Beast Anarchy Lord, huh."

He couldn't wait. Isaac was already looking forward to the operation. He was so full of energy that he even offered his help to move things along as a sign of goodwill… and the others accepted it wholeheartedly.

An hour later, Isaac would be asked if the people they had were enough. It was also this time he reconstructed the groups into four different Squads.

Attack Squad: those who would brave the fire and claim the head of the enemies. This is the most dangerous place to be. Only the Elites from the families of the Four Initial Leaders would be able to join to avoid any fighting - it was a team composed of Knights and the only Squad with two leaders.

Leader 1: Xerxes

Leader 2: Talon

Rear Squad: tasked with facing the monsters escaping from the [Bonfire] while matching forward, enclosing the area.

Leader: Artemis

Control Squad: Tasked in controlling the fire's intensity and the place that needed to be quelled so the Rear Squad could advance. The most crucial Squad that would control the flow of fighting outside the [Bonfire] and when reinforcements could arrive in time to assist the Attack Squad.

Leader: Orthus

Support Squad: the squad provides first aid, allocating potions, and medicines to the other squads. They are also tasked with relaying information to the different leaders.

Leader: Ian Phage

Thirty minutes later, the four leaders asked the Squires and Messengers in the camp to relay their messages and questions to Isaac to be answered.

Another hour later, just before sundown, Isaac was already being called Grand Strategist, and the main tent in the middle of the camp became his personal office of operation.

"Strategist Isaac, here is the list of people you asked for and the people that need allocation." a female Squire reported.

"The allocation of manpower is not under me outside of the Support Squad. But first, differentiate the people from their classes and list them all out. Give them to the other Squad Leaders and their Vice Leaders. Anyone confused can join the Second Branch of the Rear Squad." Isaac answered and sent the Squire back outside.

The curtains opened, and a scared messenger relayed a troubling matter, "Sir Strategist, a few people are complaining about the attack's time. Many have just rested from their long travels and claimed that it would be impossible for them to join but are still demanding compensation."

"Tell Xerxes to clear them off the camp. Remind Xerxes that he can break their limbs so they can't sabotage us if they feel the need to get revenge… no, give this paper to Xerxes instead." Isaac gave the Squire a piece of paper to be given to Xerxes.

A few minutes later, news of Xerxes breaking the legs of the troublemakers reached Isaac's ears. Fear was put in the hearts of the others, and a semblance of order appeared in the military camp.

'Fear is not good as it will affect morale, but in this kind of hectic operation, knowing someone will put them into place would make troublemakers question their next move. It wouldn't last long in a proper military camp, but this would only last for no more than 12 hours, so this is good enough.' Isaac smiled to himself.

An old man wearing light armor walked into the tent and greeted Isaac, "Grand Strategist Isaac, my name is Ian Phane. I have come to give you my utmost gratitude for choosing me to lead the Support Squad. To think you would choose me of all people to lead the Support Squad… I do not dare question your knowledge and insight, but can I ask why? The Young Knight of the Holulus Family is more well-known for his great healing skills." an old man walked into the tent and asked.

"You are the most experienced amongst the people here. You don't have a large-scale healing ability, but you are also the Viscount of a territory, so I know you can command people. This fight is more about how Leaders would respond, you may not have some Grand skills, but I can tell you are a good leader from your records. Besides, who said only the young people can gain recognition from this campaign?" Isaac shot the Viscount a knowing look.

"Thank you, Grand Strategist Isaac. I will not fail you for giving me this opportunity." Ian bowed deeply to Isaac, "May I ask what is your full name, Strategist Isaac? I feel like I will be able to hear more about you from now on."

"It's Isaac Apollyon, and I have great expectations of you, Squad Leader Ian. "

Isaac sighed after finishing his

'This young man is using this campaign to tie me down to the White Wing Town? I doubted his ability, but I guess for him to be recommended by one of the Rising Supernovas was not a mistake. Hmm, it appears the Lord of the White Wing Town has finally started filling the weakness of her territory. Did she send this man in this campaign to announce she finally has capable people by her side? Hmph, he's lacking in level, but he's more than capable.' Viscount Ian thought to himself as he walked out of the tent.

Isaac was being swamped by work he didn't sign up to do. If not for his traits and passive skills as a World Scholar, he would've already collapsed under pressure, but sweat building, Isaac did not allow himself to be defeated by mere work.

But two more hours later, Isaac finished all the questions and complaints and finally got some time for himself. He walked out of the tent and saw the people scrambling to complete their giving tasks.

'Now, I can just rest until the Raid begins.'

Isaac's walks took him to the different squads.

His walks carried Isaac into the woods; he wanted to confirm if the trees would burn and then pee, 'I can't believe the bathrooms were full.'

Isaac sighed as he released his partner from its confines and stood before a tree to give it water.

As Isaac was pissing, he felt warm wind touch his skin. He wondered what it was and turned his head to the right, and from the darkness, coming out of the shadows was a wolf's head standing at four or five meters.

Its head was bigger than Isaac's entire body, and even if he wanted to get away silently, the pee he left behind had already attracted its attention.

It growled as it looked at him.

Isaac finished peeing, hid his partner away, looked at the wolf with a wry smile, and said, "...good boy?"

BAM!

Isaac was sent flying into the military camp.

"MONSTERSSSS!!!!"

Before the camp could even pick up their weapons, a pact of Giant Ravenous Wolves rushed out of the Forest with a loud guttural roar echoing behind them, "KILL THEM!"