Upon hearing Elijah’s words, Atticus and Ignatius were visibly taken aback, finding it difficult to accept.
“Impossible!” Ignatius immediately rejected the idea. “Our well-trained and well-equipped army of 100 thousand, surrendering? No way!”
“You’re absolutely right!” Atticus scoffed. He added, “Even if the Southern Four Sovereigns combined their forces, there’s no conceivable way they could defeat our hundred thousand troops overnight. You’re just trying to make us panic!”
The combined military might of the Southern Four Sovereigns hovered around two to three hundred thousand.
Even if they mobilized their entire force, swiftly overcoming their substantial force of 100 thousand proved to be a formidable challenge. After all, the defenders had strategically fortified their positions, providing considerable resilience even against odds multiple times their own.
Moreover, the Four Sovereigns couldn’t afford to deploy their entire military strength, as a portion had to be held in reserve to safeguard their cities from unforeseen threats. Given these circumstances, triumphing against their formidable army became an even more difficult task.
“A direct confrontation might not work, but if we shift our strategy, the scenario changes entirely,” Elijah said, his tone hinting at amusement.
He continued, “Consider your soldiers. They have loved ones, family, and friends. Imagine the reaction if their close ones learn about their rebellion.
“And suppose we bring the family and friends of those officers to persuade them in the military camps. What do you think the outcome might be?”
Elijah’s words left Atticus and Ignatius momentarily stunned, their bodies frozen in place. Beads of cold sweat formed on their foreheads.
Their initial covert siege on Celestria, though shrouded in a veil of loyalty, would inevitably be perceived as a rebellion by the general public.
As rumors spread, the military ranks were already plagued by doubt. Though bound by orders, each soldier harbored uncertainty.
In the face of unexpected circumstances, especially if Elijah’s plan unfolded with officers’ families influencing sentiments in the camps, the entire army might crumble in spirit. In such a scenario, surrendering without a fight became a stark reality.
As seasoned warriors, Atticus and Ignatius recognized the critical importance of morale. When doubt permeated the ranks about the righteousness of their cause, victory was already slipping away.
“How about it? Scared?” Elijah sneered, his eyes watching them as if they were jesters performing on a stage.
“No! That’s impossible! You must be lying. If our hundred thousand troops truly surrendered, why haven’t we received any news at all?” Ignatius remained incredulous.
“That’s your problem, not mine.” Elijah shrugged.
“Humph! Stop trying to intimidate us! Even if you say all that, it’s useless. You can’t deceive us because your words have a glaring inconsistency, an unexplainable gap,” Atticus said, narrowing his eyes at Elijah.
“Oh, really? What inconsistency?” Elijah asked with a smile.
“If the Southern Four Sovereigns really joined forces and your colossal army is advancing, and you’ve persuaded our hundred thousand troops. Then, where are the people?” Ignatius sneered.
He continued, emphasizing the lack of evidence. “You’ve said so much, yet we only see you here. Where are the other three sovereigns? Where are your thousands of troops? Are they hiding, or do they simply not exist? Everything you’re saying is just a lie.”
“That’s right! If you’re up for it, bring them forward, and let’s have a face-to- face conversation!” Atticus chimed in.
Undoubtedly, Elijah’s words packed a punch, adeptly pinpointing their most vulnerable spot. Yet, the challenge remained, as he was merely talking without providing any concrete evidence.
