Ch. 44: Changing the Fate [3]

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Alexander's right palm cupped his face while his elbow rested on the table. He looked at the paper in his left hand and let out a long sigh while leaning back on the chair.

His golden eyes swept across the faces of the people sitting with him at the round table. There were five people, four Knight Lieutenants, and Ulrich.

"Alright. Let's start this meeting."

Thanks to Sir Ulrich's help. They succeeded to make them listen to him.

"As I stated before,  there will be a raid tonight. Their troops are estimated to be around eight hundred."

Alexander stopped talking and turned to the Knight Lieutenant who raised his hand. He nodded in agreement and the knight opened his mouth.

"Pardon me Your Highness, but what is the enemy aimed for by attacking us?"

Clearly speaking, he also had no idea what their ulterior motives were. From what he remembered, they seemed to prefer killing the refugees over fighting the knights.

"To slaughter our people, perhaps?"

Alexander twirled his head to the owner of another voice.

"Your Highness, if that's the case, wouldn't it be better if we vacated this camp?"

"Evacuating two thousand people at once is not easy. Even if we evacuate them, where will they be moved to? To the mountain and let them sleep in the wild? Not to mention that the enemy will notice if we make such a bold move."

Only then did they shut their mouths. Moving the refugees was possible, but Alexander had no intention of doing so, because given how quick-witted that little brat was, he without a doubt grasped our current situation instantly.

Alexander didn't want Damian to know, he planned to put him in the dark until the raid ended. This time Ulrich spoke his mind.

"So we really had no choice but to turn this camp into a battlefield?"

Alexander shook his head.

"I have no intention of turning this camp into a battlefield."

"I believe Your Highness has a plan in mind."

He turned to Sir Wyatt.

"Of course, I have."

What was the point of holding a meeting if he didn't have any strategy? What a stupid question. As no one queried him, Alexander continued.

"The plan is to let the enemy infiltrate this camp."

However, the five people inside the tent shared the same expression, they were dumbfounded after hearing his plan. Each of them couldn't help but exchange glances with each other.

Didn't he say that he didn't want to turn the camp into a battlefield, yet he wanted them to let the enemy in? Did he possibly lose his mind?

Of course, Alexander let out a forced smile when saw their outrageous attitude. He hadn't finished conveying his idea yet, how dare they judge him?

Then again, he was just an eight-year-old boy, and sometimes they didn't take his words seriously. But whatever, Alexander recited the rest of the plan.

"The enemy won't land a surprise attack on our camp, they will likely send a group to infiltrate this camp."

At least that was what the enemy did back then. 

"What is Your Highness' purpose to let them infiltrate our camp?"

Alexander glanced at Ulrich.

"When they send us their men, the rest of the forces must be somewhere hiding in the forest and we will ambush them there."

Ulrich nodded his head, and now he could fully understand what Alexander's plan was. Since they couldn't move the refugees and the enemy was after them, he decided to make this camp a net and use the refugees to lure small fishes while we were out there setting a net to capture bigger fishes.

Somehow it amazed Ulrich, the Prince, just an eight-year-old but he could come out with an impressive strategy. He resumed his words.

"If it's the idea, then we need to divide our troops."

"Yes. I plan to divide them into two squads. The 1st squad is to defend this camp, and the 2nd Squad is to join in the ambush."

Alexander swiped the paper forward.

"The 1st Squad will consist of 100 archers and 200 infantry. The 2nd Squad will contain 200 archers and 300 infantry."

He put another piece of paper in front of Wyatt.

"This is a list of weapons that will be distributed among the troops. Please prepare them right away after the meeting ends and I want everything ready before nightfall."

Wyatt looked at the paper and nodded. 

"I understand."

"Then, I--"

Knowing what Ulrich would say, Alexander hastily cut him off.

"No. Sir Ulrich and you-know-who will be staying here."

"B-but Your Highness, your safety--"

"I'll be fine. These four reliable Knight Lieutenants will be with me."

Ulrich sighed in defeat at the Prince's firm answer.

"I will heed your orders."

Since the meeting took so much time, he decided to wrap it up.

"The strategy is, I will station the troops in the woods, and once they send their men to infiltrate our camp, please take care of them stealthy so the enemy will not notice and that will give us time to close all exits and prepare an ambush for their main army. Also, for the 2nd squad, please don't use torches. I want our eyes to adjust to the darkness. But, leave the camp torches lit so the enemy doesn't find it strange."

"We understand."

With that, the meeting officially ended.

===

"I'm the one who will take your life."

The leader in front of him spat on the ground.

"Ha. You stupid braggart! Do you think a little brat like you can stand a chance against me?!"

Unfazed by his insults, Alexander responded with a smile.

"Try me."

As they exchanged death glares, Wyatt's scream broke the silence.

"CHARGE!!"

"Waaahhh!"

The troop's roar echoed throughout the forest as they passed him and rushed toward the enemy.

--Bang! --Bang! --Bang! 

The clamoring of clashing swords and the shrieking sound of pain filled the space. Somehow Alexander felt nostalgic for this kind of atmosphere, and he liked how the thick scent of blood wafted into his nostrils, the smell he longed for.

"Hahaha."

The boy chuckled and dashed to the leader of the black-attired men. The man swung his sword at him, and a split second before his cut landed on him, suddenly a sword appeared in Alexander's grip. He channeled his mana onto it and a loud bang was heard the moment their blade collided.

"Urg."

The man's foothold was pushed back when their sword bound. The sparks of clashing metal were seen. He couldn't help but curse inside.

'He's just a child yet, how come he has this much power?'

Seeing how fear was creeping across the man's face, Alexander's smile widened.

"Why? Are you scared? When did your confidence go?"

He twisted his wrist and parried the sword away, he hastily jumped back to distance himself.

"Shut up!"

"Hahaha!"

Alexander laughed like a madman as he ran, his heart fluttered, and he enjoyed every bit of this mood.