Immediately following the conclusion of his training, Rei was summoned to the magic tent where the Rebel Army Executives were convening.
Upon entering, he was met by a gathering of somber expressions. However, not every face was clouded with gloom; those who lived for the thrill of the hunt, such as Vihera and Gurgast, wore eager smiles, while Mercurio maintained a serene expression that masked his true thoughts.
Theoreme showed no signs of shock, joy, or despair. He simply gave a slight nod when he saw Rei step inside, his mind likely dwelling on the strategy Rei had proposed earlier.
The most miserable countenances belonged to the three nobles who, following the matter of Frizion’s letter, had been designated for the Lead Unit. Under normal circumstances, they would have betrayed the rebellion during this engagement to deal it a devastating blow. Now, however, they were forced to find a way to stop the incoming Subjugation Army just to ensure their own survival. Their glares toward Rei were laden with pure venom.
Yet, there was nothing more they could do. Since the earlier incident, Mercurio had placed them under strict surveillance, with the implicit understanding that any further treachery would be answered with their lives. Unable even to flee the Rebel Army's Position, they were left to smolder in silence.
Ignoring their stares, Rei addressed Theoreme.
"I heard a new Subjugation Army has been dispatched."
"Yes," Theoreme replied. "We received a report from our informant in the Imperial Capital."
"What’s the scale?"
"Roughly four thousand combatants. That number climbs to six thousand if you include the supply unit and its escorts."
The executives reacted to Theoreme’s report with heavy sighs and groans of frustration. They had heard the numbers before, but hearing them reaffirmed made the grim reality of their situation sink in.
Their despair was warranted. In the previous clash, the Subjugation Army had been larger than the Rebel Army, but Prince Schuls had filled its ranks with men he considered disposable—men who were largely incompetent. This time, while the numerical disparity remained a thousand, the enemy had undoubtedly sent men capable of countering the Rebel Army’s strengths now that their hand had been revealed.
"This Subjugation Army is composed of His Highness Cabajid's operatives," Theoreme added.
"I figured," Rei replied flatly.
Theoreme cast a meaningful look at him. "In that case, do you think the plan we discussed will be effective? The distance is certainly favorable."
Beside him, Vihera also turned a knowing smile toward Rei.
"I don't mind," Rei said, "but if we go that route, what will you do about them?" He jerked his chin toward the three nobles who were meant to lead the charge.
The curt exchange, devoid of explicit detail, left the three listening nobles in a state of high anxiety. Among the other executives, some looked convinced while others remained baffled; it was clear Mercurio had divided the leadership between those he trusted and those he did not.
"I understand Rei's point," Mercurio spoke up, "but I don't believe their services will be required this time. We should save their efforts for a greater clash—one where I directly cross blades with my brothers."
"Are you... saying that while fully aware of the risks?" Rei asked.
It was common knowledge that the three nobles had intended to betray them. To intentionally introduce such an uncertain element into a battle that would decide the fate of the rebellion—a battle against Schuls or Cabajid—seemed reckless.
Several of the nobles frowned at Rei's bluntness. While they were accustomed to his demeanor, his lack of etiquette was still an affront to their status. They only held their tongues because Rei was the rebellion's trump card and the object of Vihera's intense favor. Conversely, the representatives of the mercenaries and adventurers saw Rei’s attitude as a breath of fresh air.
"Yes, of course," Mercurio said. "I am confident they possess the strength we need. Is that not so? You told me you would risk your lives to lead this rebellion to victory. I choose to believe those words."
"Y-yes... of course," the lead noble stammered. "You shall see the extent of our power."
In truth, they wanted nothing more than to flee, but with eyes constantly on them, they could say nothing else. Their only consolation was that they wouldn't have to stand on the front lines in the coming fight.
I can only pray the Rebel Army loses this next battle, the noble thought bitterly. Or, if they truly can overwhelm His Highness Cabajid's forces, perhaps I might actually consider cooperating with them. Whether we win or lose, being caught in the middle is the worst possible outcome.
He kept his face neutral, glancing at Rei with his two companions. His gaze was naturally sharp with resentment, but he quickly masked it as he spoke for the trio.
"On that note... I would appreciate some clarification regarding your discussion. Neither I nor my colleagues understand what His Highness Mercurio or Lord Rei are implying."
"Oh, that?" Rei replied. "Simply put, I've thought of a little plan for the incoming Subjugation Army. If it works, we should be able to wipe them out in one fell swoop."
The executives in the tent stirred in surprise. They were facing an elite force that outnumbered them, led by competent commanders. Survival was already a daunting prospect, yet Rei spoke of total annihilation as if it were a triviality.
"Are you going to use the Flame Tornado?" one of the other nobles asked.
Rei opened his mouth to answer, but Theoreme cut him off. "That’s enough."
The general looked around the room. "Forgive me, but the specifics of the plan must remain confidential. We cannot rule out the possibility of enemy operatives within the camp."
His gaze settled pointedly on the three nobles. They reflexively averted their eyes or wore strained smiles. Normally they would have protested such an accusation, but knowing their standing among the Rebel Army Executives, they dared not speak. If they provoked the leadership, they feared Rei might step aside and leave them to face the Subjugation Army alone.
The other nobles looked at Theoreme as if to distance themselves from the suspect trio, but Mercurio intervened.
"Let's leave it at that. A gift is best when it's a surprise, after all. Rest assured, you will all experience a most extraordinary surprise."
"A surprise... is it?" one of the nobles murmured.
Mercurio nodded with a charming smile. As Vihera's biological brother, he possessed a natural magnetism that left even the nobles momentarily spellbound.
Seizing the moment, Theoreme added, "As His Highness Mercurio said, please leave this to Rei. He has officially taken command of a unit, and if this operation succeeds, we will defeat the Subjugation Army with the First Prince Faction as its main force with almost zero casualties on our side."
"If everything goes as planned," Rei said, feeling the weight of the nobles' stares, "their forces will either be completely annihilated or very nearly so. However, this is just a plan I came up with—it's hardly a proper strategy. Think of it as a bonus if it actually works."
"His Highness... he speaks like this, and yet..." one noble began, his anxiety plain. It was difficult to feel confident in a trump card who sounded so dismissive of his own plan.
"Furthermore, you speak of near-total annihilation," another added. "Is such a thing truly possible? We heard of your performance during the Spring War, Lord Rei—how you dealt a blow that decided the conflict. But even then, it wasn't a total wipeout. My information suggests the Flame Tornado only devastated the Lead Unit, and even then, many managed to escape."
Several nobles nodded, while others looked surprised. Public rumors often claimed Rei had burned the entire Bestia Imperial Army to ash, but the truth was less dramatic. The Lead Unit had been half-destroyed—a significant blow, certainly, but not a fatal one to the entire army. The Firestorm—a threat without peer—had been followed by Rei's own slaughter with the Death Scythe and the Kingdom of Mireana Army's subsequent push, but a fair number of survivors had still managed to retreat.
If Rei had been unable to annihilate the vanguard even with the help of elite adventurers like Elk, they found it hard to believe he could wipe out a larger, better-trained force on his own.
Theoreme and Mercurio, however, remained unmoved. Vihera, meanwhile, looked at Rei with absolute, unwavering trust. Theoreme knew the details of the plan, and he was convinced that it could truly result in the enemy's destruction without any cost to the rebellion.
Vihera felt a brief pang of sadness knowing that the enemy soldiers were her fellow countrymen, but she believed that anyone who stepped onto a battlefield had to be prepared for death. It was a view shaped by her love of battle, and she accepted it.
With the rebellion's highest-ranking leaders firmly backing the operation, the other nobles had no choice but to concede. They agreed to prepare for an interception just in case, but formally entrusted the engagement to Rei.
While some nobles were still disgruntled by Rei’s special treatment, they kept their complaints to themselves for now. There was no telling what they would say behind closed doors, however.
"Rei," Mercurio said as the meeting adjourned, "your Mobile Unit will be the only force to sortie, correct? The Subjugation Army will be here in three to four days. As an army, they move slowly... but the same is true for us. Even as we prepare our defenses, morale is a factor to consider."
Rei gave a silent nod, accepting the weight of the coming clash.