Reborn As Noble

Chapter 484: Deception and Dominion ( 484 )

“How is the situation on our advance into the Dwarven Kingdom?” Gurdan asked, his fingers tapping the table.

One of his senior officers stepped forward and handed him a new report.

“Here is the latest, Your Majesty.”

Gurdan unfolded the scroll and scanned it quickly.

“Hmm… so we’ve conquered five areas now, out of twenty-one total. And the humans took four on the other side, huh?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. General Libat led most of our advance. He’s proving to be the best strategist we have right now.”

Gurdan smirked. “Good. And the dwarves?”

“Chieftain Gumarak still holds the central region. Reports say they have around 300,000 troops remaining, though many of them are now spread thin trying to defend multiple strongholds.”

Gurdan nodded, pleased. But the general hesitated before speaking again.

“There’s one problem.”

Gurdan raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”

“The dwarves have started relying heavily on their Giant Hawk Units for air strikes. They’re small in number, only about 100 total, but they use hit-and-run tactics: quick fly-by attacks, then disappearing into mountain terrain.”

Gurdan frowned.

“And the humans?”

“The Human Kingdom’s wyvern corps is intercepting the dwarves easily. They have around 500 wyvern-mounted units, supported by mages and archers. They’re winning every air skirmish from their side. The giant hawks aren’t a match for them.”

“And us?”

The room fell silent for a moment.

“…We have no air units, Your Majesty.”

Gurdan’s fist slowly clenched on the armrest of his chair.

“So the dwarves harass us from the sky, and the humans crush them from the other side.”

“Exactly, Your Majesty. They’re not allies, but they’re both choking Gumarak from opposite ends. Our ground forces are making good progress, but the hawk raids delay supply lines and harass our flanks. We can’t catch them fast enough without air cover.”

Gurdan leaned back slowly, his eyes narrowing.

“Then it’s time to think of a solution.”

Gurdan leaned forward, his voice firm.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Plan a strategy to march when the dwarves send out their flying units.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I believe when the humans begin their air assault, the dwarves will be forced to send most of their giant hawks to intercept. That means their ground defenses will weaken. Use that opening.”

“Understood. We’ll coordinate the timing.”

“Make sure we conquer more regions while they’re distracted,” Gurdan added, tapping the map with a thick finger. “Push deeper.”

The general bowed deeply. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Gurdan stood up and laughed.

“More land. More people. More money. More power.”

He grinned, eyes sharp.

“Good. And when the time is right, we’ll crush the humans too.”

The general raised his fist.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Gurdan leaned over the table, studying the map of Amazarak.

“Send word to General Kumban. Keep only twenty thousand troops stationed in the Amazarak region. The rest, three hundred twenty thousand, send them back for now. Let them rest and recover. We’ll use them later for an all-out war.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the officer replied quickly.

Gurdan folded his arms.

“I assume the humans also suffered some losses?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Based on our intelligence, they’ve sent four hundred thousand troops into dwarven territory so far. We estimate they still have around four to five hundred thousand left in reserve.”

Gurdan narrowed his eyes, thinking carefully.

“Hmm… do you think we should send the rested three hundred twenty thousand to attack the Elven Kingdom?”

The officer froze.

“Your Majesty… we shouldn’t. Not now.”

“Why?”

“If we push into elven territory with that many troops, we’ll burn through our strength too quickly. The elves still have over a million active soldiers. Unlike other races, their soldiers live long, many have trained for decades, even centuries. They are stronger, faster, and more experienced.”

He paused, then added carefully.

“Not to mention their magic. It’s advanced and extremely dangerous on open ground.”

Gurdan’s eyes narrowed, his tone shifting.

“Are you saying the halflings are weak?”

The officer lowered his head. “No, Your Majesty. I would never say that.”

He looked up again, calm but firm.

“We should focus on defeating the dwarves first. As you said earlier, your goal is to capture Chieftain Gumarak and bring him before you. Let’s finish that plan before opening another front.”

Gurdan was silent for a moment, then nodded.

“…Fine. Prepare the orders. Gumarak comes first.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Gurdan smirked as he gazed at the war map spread across the large table before him. Flags marked territories conquered, arrows indicated troop movements, and circled regions pulsed with potential targets.

Inside his mind, the celestial stirred again, voice curious and amused.

“Hey… what are you doing? You know the Human King has a celestial as well. I’m sure he’s targeting Gumarak too.”

Gurdan’s smirk didn’t fade.

“I know,” he replied silently.

“Then why act so calm?”

“Because I already have a plan,” Gurdan said softly, his eyes scanning the southern edge of the map.

“I’ll make it look like the humans are attacking the Beastkin Kingdom.”

The celestial paused.

“Oh? And how are you going to do that?”

Gurdan tapped his fingers on the side of the table.

“I’ll send a disguised force. Use captured equipment, uniforms, even fake banners from the Human Kingdom. We’ll launch a border raid on one of the Beastkin villages near the edge,small, fast, loud.”

The celestial let out a slow laugh.

“Deception… I like it.”

“Once the Beastkin Kingdom believes the humans are involved, doubt will spread among the alliances. If they start focusing on the humans, they won’t look at me until it’s too late.”

Gurdan’s grin widened.

“And while they fight each other… we march straight through the dwarves.”

“Interesting. So that’s your play…”

Gurdan’s smirk deepened as he pointed at the map again, this time toward the Beastkin border.

“When the Beastkin Kingdom is attacked, the elves won’t ignore it. Their warrior clans are bound by oath, they’ll send reinforcements.”

He shifted his finger westward.

“And I know Veldrac won’t stay silent either. That demon won’t just sit back and watch. He’ll send forces too, especially if the balance tips.”

The celestial hissed with excitement.

“Yes… yes… now I see.”

“That’s right,” Gurdan muttered. “When chaos spreads, the Human Kingdom will be dragged into it from all sides. They’ll be busy dealing with the elves, beastkin, and maybe even the demons.”

He leaned forward, eyes glowing with twisted joy.

“And during that confusion… I’ll strike from behind. I’ll pretend to join their side for a short while, a temporary alliance.”

The celestial laughed louder now.

“A betrayal at the height of the battle. Brilliant!”

Gurdan grinned.

“I’ll crush their army. And when Edmund is exposed… I’ll devour him too.”

( End Of Chapter )

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