Bear School Astartes

Marshal Meno Kuhorn, after hesitating for a little while, set aside the unease in his heart and began to immerse himself once more in the unprecedented information flow of the war.

The feeling of unease stemmed from his own intuition, but after rational and logical analysis, he still could not understand the source of his unease.

He was a practical man, preferring to focus on what he could do here and now instead of an inexplicable inner turmoil.

And indeed, he was doing quite well.

When a large number of low-level Warlocks were assigned by Niflgaard people alongside high-ranking Commanders, the efficiency of orders and intelligence transmission reached an unprecedented level.

The improvement in information transmission rate led to an increase in organizational capacity.

Previously, some small-scale sudden operations could only rely on the impromptu performance of grassroots soldiers against each other.

However, now the Niflgaard people were able to receive direct orders from upper Commanders.

These Commanders focused on the overall situation of the war, holding the outcome of each battle in their hands.

The impact of this was devastating for the Northern Alliance Army.

Several Northern People’s armies ran into the Niflgaard people during the movement.

In principle, in such sudden situations, no one could be sure of the opponent’s status. Was the opponent on a mission? Had they finished and were returning for rest? Or were they prepared, blocking the path on purpose?

Unable to confirm, nor dare to bet.

So, they could only engage upon encounter.

But the Niflgaard people could receive orders from above at this time to temporarily retreat, avoiding entanglement.

Then more Niflgaard troops were notified to come as reinforcements, defeating large units of the Northern Alliance Army with minimal losses by playing the numbers game.

Because the Niflgaard people’s support response speed exceeded normal expectations, many commanders of the Northern Alliance Army even failed to issue breakout orders in time.

Beyond the small units, larger legion battles also saw a widening gap due to the advantage in information transmission efficiency.

Every clash between both legions brought not only mutual damage but also intelligence about the opponent.

Which segment of the frontline, which troop was hit and in what condition, their equipment info, troop composition...

This information was compiled through multiple battles between the Niflgaard Legion and the Northern Alliance Army and then used by Meno Kuhorn for targeted adjustments.

A brilliant tactician can continuously create local advantages on a large-scale battlefield, turning the entire battlefield into a path to victory.

The efficient circulation of battlefield information allowed Meno Kuhorn to achieve this.

The Niflgaard Marshal steadied his somewhat dizzy head, a satisfied smile lingering on his face, pale from overexerted thinking.

This feeling of controlling the entire massive battlefield through information... it’s simply divine!

”Is the opposite Meno Kuhorn the god of war!?”

In the command headquarters of the Northern Alliance Army, Veltrest shouted in fury with eyes wide open.

”Why does he predict everything... Damn it, the records of his commands in the Niflgaard Military Academy textbooks aren’t as terrifying as today!”

Veltrest’s appearance, which people described as ’majestic and handsome’, was now twisted into a grotesque expression by intense anger and the fear of impending defeat deep in his heart.

For an average Commander of this era, their understanding of the battlefield situation is only half based on intelligence.

Because the intelligence transmission is too slow, the other half relies on their experience, their understanding of the enemy, and knowledge of their own warriors to calculate.

Orders falling behind the changes in the battleground is normal.

The larger the battlefield scale, the more apparent this becomes.

Up to this point, Veltrest, as the overall Commander of this battle... almost every estimation he made was wrong!

Almost all battles he originally believed he could win ended in defeat.

The resulting chain reaction was completely fatal.

Troops that should have reached their position were annihilated halfway, the defensive lines that should have been established were breached by the enemy...

He now feels as though he is a puppet being manipulated by Meno Kuhorn!

... Is this Niflgaard Commander really that strong?

This isn’t what the textbooks said!!

In actuality, Veltrest managed to study his opponent’s command records before the battle, which already surpassed the majority of Commanders.

But unfortunately, the difference with his opponent is not in command capability.

The Northern Alliance Army’s command headquarters was a scene of chaos, secretaries and clerks dropping documents all over the place without time to tidy up because the next document was even more significant.

Vizimir, the King of Redania, was nominally also one of the commanders of the alliance.

But now, this elderly man who was spirited and lively yesterday seemed utterly exhausted to the utmost degree.

He too had been fighting on the battlefield for decades, yet had never encountered a battle as bizarre as today.

... The gap was too large.

The opponent’s command capability makes the two Kings seem like rookies on their first battle.

”Let the Warlocks save the day.”

The old King rubbed his face heavily in fatigue and spoke softly.

The position of the Warlocks was a crucial element of their pre-war arrangement.

They were to gather on a strategically located nameless hill and use their powerful Mana to inflict maximum casualties on the Niflgaard army forced into this spot.

But in light of current developments... perhaps it will be they who have to relocate.

And across the large table in the command headquarters sat a man appearing to be in his mid-thirties, strikingly handsome, robust in stature, with a strong physique.

Although in the midst of a frantic, chaotic command center, his eyes were closed as if leisurely enjoying some magical tune.

Upon hearing the tired muttering of the Redanian King, he suddenly woke up as though from a dream and opened his eyes.

”Oh, certainly. I lead my colleagues here to assist, of course, to obey commands. After all, we are all for the victory of the North.”

He smiled and made a small gesture in the air, and a sturdy iron Magic Staff flew lightly from the tent’s edge into his hand.

Veltrest and Vizimir both watched him with heavy yet hopeful expressions.

They both knew that the man before them was ambitious, dangerous, and lethal. Yet simultaneously, so exceptional that he was indispensable.

Viggo Fortez of Logueywen, the youngest member in the history of the Talent and Skill Association.

Also, the initiator and leader of the twenty-three Warlocks participating in this war.

The two Kings responsible for commanding the Northern Alliance Army hoped that Viggo Fortez would be able to rescue the situation now nearing collapse.

However, just as Viggo Fortez smiled and stood up, his movements suddenly froze for a brief moment.

His deep, mysterious eyes turned to his side, and that gaze seemed to penetrate through the fabric of the command tent, reaching a distant place.

”What’s going on?”

Veltrest keenly noticed the brief stiffness and inquired.

”Nothing,” Viggo Fortez’s eyes briefly flickered with a hint of Chaos Magic Power, then he spoke thoughtfully, ”Nothing, maybe just an illusion.”

But is it truly an illusion?