322 THE OTHER WAY

Then he said. 

'There is another way'

Hmm?'

She said, and Kyle then said 

'If one of the western kingdoms attack Duvar, then Duvar have another way. And that is to empty out Duvar'

Hearing this she was shocked

'Empty out from Duvar? The Empty Fort strategy?'

Kyle shakes his head. Aero then chuckles and said

'No. Not that. Empty all the fighting forces out of Duvar is right. But it is not like I want to deceive them like in the Battle of Coro. And even if I do the Empty Fort strategy, they would still come in, so there is no point of doing that'

Smiling and chuckling a bit, Aero said

'Whoever wanted to take it could still take it. If the western kingdoms wanted so much that small kingdom, they could take it' Then laughing, Aero said

'They take Duvar, and we take Veranis'

Viola suddenly understood. 

'If we could not move forward, then we move backward' she said and Aero nodded. Then he said

'When I am playing chess, I always like the knight. They could move very flexibly' Viola nodded. Aero then continue by saying 

'If we couldn't attack the front, why not retreat and attack Veranis? We couldn't attack and if the western kingdoms attack we couldn't keep the city. So, why should we keep Duvar when there are more favorable things in front of us. Duvar strategic influence lies merely in the fact that it is the central authority of the Emperors of the past which makes anyone who conquers it to have credence and signify the right to rule. Other than that, it is the buffer between the western kingdoms and the Empire. Other than a holy city, Duvar did not have many advantages for us to keep it when our forces are isolated.'

Aero then said

'And for us to take Veranis it is easier than what most people think. Alexander did put much garrison force around the border. Before this tactic could not work. Because it would be hard at that time. Alexander was cautious of the knife from the back hence he did put some preparations in this matter' there is a pause in his words and then smirking, Aero said

'But there is one thing that seems to escape Alexander attention'

Karak' Kyle simply said.

'Karak? Why would that be the reason?' Viola asked.

Aero answered her question 

'When Karak joined them in their war, it become an advantage. Karak could cut the road to the west, and also protect Veranis from the attack on their northern border. If not for the support of Karak, how could the Empire have so much difficulty in destroying this force of the young king?'

Viola nodded, agreeing with Aero. It is true because of Karak decision, the road to the west was cut off and halted many project that is ongoing all over the Empire.

The two imperial brother intense rivalry had caused this situation where most of the southern part of the Empire under King James and the other regions belonging to the Emperor.

Of course, King James would never ever secede from the Empire. 

By seceding he would become an independent king and not a vassal king of the Empire but he would also be throwing his chance at the imperial throne. 

The moment he secedes one who call him an unfilial son to his father, a treasonous official to the Emperor and many other names

and no one would acknowledge him as one of the potential candidate for the Emperor position.

It is the reason why King James had never broken off completely with the Imperial Court. 

After all, if he secedes Emperor Edward had valid reason to kill his older brother and all under Heaven would probably sided with the Emperor. 

It is a different case if the Empire is mismanaged. 

But it is clear to the world, that in the years since Edward ascended to the position of the Emperor, the Empire is prosperous, its land is wide and vast, its army strong and invincible.

Aero had been the one to create this image of a victorious and wise Emperor like the subjugation of Duvar and the many other feast that the Emperor seems to achieve.

Most of it was achieved by the Chancellor and attributed to the Emperor. 

Even though he lacks the charismatic flair of his father, most people of the Empire live peacefully in the Empire.

Any rebellion need a cause. And there is no cause that James could champion to justify his rebellion against the Emperor.

There is also the fact that James might even lose many of his supporters by trying to secede from the Empire

Even Bradheim, the largest and strongest support of king James would not approve such decision.

This is a man who value honor than gold. 

Bradheim had even yielded against his brother and faithfully served his stepbrother with loyalty so much so that the Emperor George did not hesitate in giving him military power and won him most of Vetten and Niovar.

Because of this matter of the two brother, the western side of the continent was cut off from the Empire. 

Of course using the ships to maneuver the sea is still a possibility but Karak also had its ship and their fleet would travel around the coast of their territory to sink any Vanheim ships. 

Holy Zun has no business deals with Vanheim and while they would not attack without reason, that did not mean Vanheim would just believe in their words and send ships along that route. 

Of course it is not impossible since King James could send his garrison force to Duvar.

It appears that the entry of Karak into the war truly cut off the path to go to the west to aid Duvar and also help to close the possibility of Vanheim taking Veranis from its other borders.

'It is an advantage in the beginning. But there is a gap we could use there' Aero said Viola appear puzzled and Aero did not delay as he answers her confusion

'Before King James reinforcement arrives, I have devise a plan that if any of the western kingdom wanted to attack Duvar, we would only guard for a few days. In that few days of defending, the soldiers would retreat to the border of Veranis.' 

Of course Viola also notices something else. There is a weakness in that plan.

'If we retreat, we would be in a pincer position.' Viola said

She then said

'If the Empire army fought the Veranis soldiers in the border and have to defend against the invading army from the back, isn't that tactic backfire on us?'

Aero nodded

'True. Glad you were paying attention' Chuckling he explained

'If it's any other normal situation, that statement of yours is very right. Whoever invade Duvar would probably would not miss the chance to attack us from the back. But you forget about something'

Chuckling Aero then said 

'We are talking about the western kingdoms. I have stress many times, that their inability to threaten the supremacy of Vanheim Empire lies solely in the fact that they could never come up with a united front. Their interest is different from each other. Holy Zun Empire wanted to spread their religion, Veva wanted to be the sole ruler of the western regions, Alfhaim hated humans, Savillia was formed to fought against the invading force of Veva and watch any movements of Veva like a hawk. They all have different objective and this inability of them to form a united force against the Empire is the reason why the Empire could slowly build up its national power. Even if they knew that they would be threatened by the Empire one day, they could not lay down their different interest and work together'

'If we attack Veranis border, whoever attack Duvar would not have the time to try to attack us. Instead they would try to keep Duvar. Say, Savillia kingdom take Duvar. Kyle what do you think would happen?'

Kyle simply answer nonchalantly

'Veva would attack borders of Savillia' 

Aero nodded. 

'What would happen if Alfhaim kingdom take Duvar?' Kyle then reply almost immediately

'Holy Zun empire would attack its border' Aero nodded with a smile on his face

'Like I said, they would not have the time to worry about us. Instead they have to worry about the other kingdoms. Instead of chasing over us, they would try to send some garrison in Duvar and then pay attention to their borders. 

'At that time, our retreating army can attack Veranis border. The bulk of Veranis army is with Alexander right now. Alexander plan was ingenious. He wanted to invade Vanheim. But I think even he knows that the Empire would not fall in just a few losses in the battlefield. It would take years' 

'As such, he needed a base of which he could easily harass the defense line of the Empire. This Plain is the perfect area��

Kyle said as Aero nodded and added

'He probably put just enough of soldiers to garrison the border between Duvar and Veranis. They believe that Duvar forces would have no energy to fight against Veranis while being threatened by the western kingdoms'

Kyle then said 

'Veranis isolated Duvar from the Empire. But they didn't realize that they are being isolated to. In Duvar case, on its front is the western kingdoms. On its back is Veranis. On Veranis side, on its back is Duvar and on its front if the Empire'

Aero then said 

'We could abandon Duvar and go crazy. Isn't this very profitable deal? Lose Duvar but gained Veranis! Hahaha' Aero laughed.

Viola look in awe at this two men ending each other sentence like some bosom friend. If she did not know the bitter history between the two men, she must have thought that Aero and Kyle is each other sworn brother

Viola then ask a question 

'What if Veranis had enough forces to repel Duvar forces?' Kyle pointed once again to Karak. In the map there is a trail along the border of Veranis.

'Then we attack Karak' Kyle said simply 

Viola suddenly realizes there is a trail across the mountain that cut off through the area and went to Karak border.

Kyle then elaborated on this point

'Karak is smaller, their army is inferior and the majority of their force is engaging with Marquis Dan in the northern border. If we attack from the back, Karak military order would fall into chaos. Either they reduce the main force in the north and reinforce their borders which would free up marquis Dan forces or watch as Duvar forces conquer its western borders and pincer attack the major city of Karak'

Kyle said. By now, Kyle already understood Aero plan in detail as he looks at Aero with an eye of admiration.

'We could not lose. It is almost impossible for us to lose' Kyle said.

Aero nodded smiling and then simply said

'I like my victory to be very flawless.' He said while smirking

Kyle also understood there is another layer to this scheme and planning of Aero. Duvar in Kyle eyes right now is the apple of discord.

The other benefits were that if any of the western kingdom dares to take Duvar, then the hostility between them would intensify. 

Whoever wins Duvar among the Western Kingdoms did not matter. Their national power would decrease and Vanheim would have more time to recover. 

It is better if they all fall into chaos and weaken each other. It would make it easier when Vanheim would march for the world

If Vanheim could take Veranis with this scheme, then not only Vanheim power would not decrease, instead it would become stronger and the road that connected the west and the east would be thoroughly in the hand of Vanheim and no longer under Veranis.

But if Kyle could see this, he doubts that Black Robed Prime Minister could not see it.

Probably that is why for half a year none of the western kingdoms attacks Duvar. They all did not want to be the one who initiate this great conflict. 

With one small kingdom, Aero is trying to overturn the world. As expected of the one people called Divine Strategist

In the end, the winner is still him. The Empire winning, is him winning. Viola then nodded understanding the matter clearly now.

She too looks at Aero and sighed

'I guess the tile Divine Strategist is not undeserved'

Aero only said

'Your compliment is too much for me to bear' But it is clear from his face he took that compliment gracefully without any sense that it is underserved

'Since Duvar force could act like that, why won't you tell them to retreat?' Viola suddenly ask.

Aero shakes his head and then said

'If I ask them to retreat, then isn't that like telling the world that I have a scheme? Why would I suddenly wanted to empty the kingdom of its forces unless I have another plan. This plan could only be enacted if the western kingdom moves. If they did not move, then we do not move'

But then he smiles mischievously as he said the rest of his plans 

'But just because Duvar forces could not move, did not mean we, here at Vanheim border could not move. That is just an emergency move that could be employed if the western kingdom wanted to take Duvar. In this world, if you want to take something from my hand, unless I give it to you willingly, then you have to pay a high price for it'

Kyle nodded. He is familiar with the method of the Chancellor so he was not surprised. Then Kyle said

'How about Alexander move right now?'

'Tonight, something is afoot' Aero replied. 

Then he gestures Kyle with his hand to approach him. Kyle then approach him and Aero whisper something into his ears. Kyle could be seen nodding every few seconds.

After a while, Kyle look at Aero weirdly

'Did you have a spy in Alexander camp?'

Aero simply reply

'I used to. Not anymore'

'Then how do you know?'

'It is a guess. But even if my guess ifs wrong, you still have to do what I asked' Kyle look at the map again and his eyes seems to gaze over the Aether river and nodded to himself

'I approve' Kyle said. Aero lean back on his chair and fan his face, his eyes show mischief.

'Go, then. Make preparations' Kyle nodded and exited the tent. The secluded tent is closed again and the guard resume their duties.

Inside the tent, Aero move the small statue of lion that represent the Vanheim forces into the river in the map and smirks

'Now, I only need to wait for night to fall'

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