The map in front of me looked far too simple for something this large. Marks scattered across it indicated advances, retreats, and troop divisions. Drawn lines showed predictable routes. It was a clean, organized pattern... and that bothered me more than any chaos could.
The room remained silent, but it was no longer a silence of waiting. Now it was a silence of analysis. Everyone was trying to understand the same thing: what was really happening.
The King of Vailor placed his hands on the table.
"We need to consider every possibility. We can't act based solely on assumptions."
"But we also can't ignore the obvious," replied the Dwarf King in a firm tone. "They're advancing. That's a fact."
"Advancing, yes," said Elara beside me calmly. "But not attacking."
That difference was essential.
One of the guild masters stepped closer and pointed to one of the regions on the map.
"Here. Three villages were evacuated solely due to the pressure of the demonic presence. They didn't attack directly, but they forced a retreat."
Lyannis crossed her arms.
"Territorial control without direct combat."
"Economy of force," Vespera added.
Liriel kept her eyes fixed on the map.
"Or preparation."
I continued observing everything in silence. Every detail, every recorded movement. The more I analyzed it, the stronger the feeling became that something was out of place.
"Estimated troop numbers?" I asked without taking my eyes off the map.
The King of Vailor answered.
"Based on the reports... several hundred on each smaller front. The main force could exceed a thousand."
"Could?" I questioned, looking at him.
He nodded.
"The numbers aren't precise. There are difficulties in detecting all units."
"Concealment," I murmured.
The Elf King tilted his head slightly.
"You think he's hiding part of his forces?"
"I don't just think so," I replied. "I think it's essential to his plan."
Scarlett let out a quiet sigh.
"So we're only seeing what he wants us to see."
"Exactly."
The guild master spoke again.
"But even so... the division of forces is real. We have concrete records of it."
"Yes," I replied, finally stepping back from the map. "And that's exactly what makes all of this more dangerous."
Everyone turned their attention back to me.
"The strategy is being built to appear logical. Divide forces, pressure multiple areas, force a response... that's the expected pattern. So we react as expected."
Elara narrowed her eyes.
"And that's where we make the mistake."
I nodded.
"Yes."
The King of Vailor slowly crossed his arms.
"So you believe this division isn't the primary objective."
"No," I replied. "It's only a tool."
The Dwarf King gave a short, dry laugh.
"A tool for what?"
I took a deep breath before answering.
"To make us divide as well."
The silence returned with force.
Liriel stepped forward.
"If we divide our forces to protect every point... we become vulnerable."
"Especially at the most important point," Lyannis added.
"Vailor," said Vespera.
No one needed to confirm it.
The King of Vailor remained silent for a few seconds, absorbing that. His gaze was more serious now, more focused.
"So we're still the primary target."
"Yes," I replied. "Everything points to that."
"But then why not attack directly?" one of the lesser leaders asked, visibly confused.
I looked at him for a moment.
"Because a direct attack would be expected."
Scarlett continued.
"And it could fail."
"Exactly," I said. "But if he can make us weaken our own defenses... then the attack becomes much more efficient."
The Elf King nodded slowly.
"A war of positioning."
"Before the real war," I added.
The guild master spoke again, now with a more tense tone.
"So what we're facing isn't just strength... it's advanced strategy."
"Yes," I replied. "And that changes everything."
The Dwarf King lightly struck the table with his fist again, but this time without irritation—only as a gesture of resolve.
"Then we need to stop thinking the way he expects."
"We need to think like him," I corrected.
The King of Vailor looked directly at me.
"Then tell us... what would his next move be?"
That was the hardest question.
I turned my gaze back to the map once more. I imagined the troops moving—not as they were marked, but as they could be hidden. I thought about alternate routes, areas where a force could move unnoticed.
"If I were him..." I began slowly, "I'd maintain this constant pressure. Small movements, slow advances... all to keep the enemy's attention divided."
I pointed to a region farther north, where there were fewer markings.
"And then... I'd move the main force through a less monitored route. Something fast. A direct and unexpected strike."
Elara spoke next.
"A decisive blow."
"Yes."
Liriel frowned slightly.
"And by the time we realize it... it'll already be too late."
The weight of that settled over everyone.
The King of Vailor took a deep breath and stepped back slightly from the table.
"So we're dealing with an enemy who doesn't just want to win... he wants to control the pace of the war."
"Yes," I replied. "And so far... he's succeeding."
The Elf King looked toward the other leaders.
"Then we need to break that rhythm."
"But how?" one of the guild masters asked.
The silence returned, but this time it was different. It wasn't doubt... it was construction.
Everyone was waiting for an answer.
I closed my eyes for a brief moment, organizing everything in my mind. When I opened them again, the answer was already clear.
"By stopping our reactions."
Every gaze fixed on me.
"If we keep reacting to what he shows us... we'll always be one step behind. We need to hold our position and force him to make a real move."
The Dwarf King crossed his arms.
"You're suggesting we ignore some of the movements."
"Yes," I replied. "And focus on what truly matters."
The King of Vailor stepped back toward the table, looking directly at the map.
"Central defense."
"Exactly."
Scarlett nodded slightly.
"Keep the main force intact."
Lyannis added.
"And respond only when necessary."
Vespera spoke last.
"Without falling into the trap."
The Elf King looked at me more carefully.
"That's risky."
"Yes," I replied. "But dividing everything... is even riskier."
The final silence that formed was no longer one of doubt.
It was one of decision.
The King of Vailor straightened up, fully assuming his commanding posture.
"Then that's it. We'll adjust our strategy based on this."
He looked at everyone around him.
"We won't fall into his game."
I remained silent, watching.
Because deep down, I knew.
We weren't just trying to avoid a trap.
We were stepping into a much larger game.
And the Second General... had already started playing long before we arrived here.
The war hadn't truly begun yet.
But now, at least, we finally understood that.