The group continued their discussion on their war plans.

While the talk proceeded smoothly, each factor that came up and was articulated made the future all the more terrifying and uncertain.

Mainly…

What the hell were they going to do about the supposed oracle?

Sure, their guess may be wrong, and there may have been no oracle at all. But better safe than sorry.

As for countermeasures…

Salome.

She was the answer.

The villagers and Ophelia had no easy way to defeat her unless she put herself in a terrible situation.

'Which surely wouldn't happen.'

'Salome isn't the type to run headlong into a burning building and get stuck or something.'

In any case, she'd have to fight in a way that even if everything she did was predicted, it was unavoidable.

What that entailed was pretty much staying in the air, away from Ophelia, while destroying everything important she could and picking people off one by one.

Easier said than done…

It got a little more complicated when it came to Toy and the warriors' job.

Their success hinged on taking over undefended farms and establishing defensible positions; however, if the enemy could predict their movements and reinforce the area before they attacked, victory would still be possible but tricky.

By "tricky," it was meant to be time-consuming.

They'd have to burn the crops and buildings while retreating every time a force tried to engage them.

Then, there was also the factor that they'd be able to predict where their blockades would be set up and avoid them in case of retreat or flank. Worst situation, they fled and returned with reinforcements.

In any case, the strategy meeting ended with a plethora of contingency plans in place.

Although Awilix was unhappy that she'd been excluded from the assault and forced to defend the dungeon. Her ability was much better suited to the dungeon.

But that was the other problem at the moment…

Their defenses for the dungeon would be just Vale, Awilix, and half of Mias, the workers, and maybe a Warrior or two.

If they had an oracle, then possibly they'd be able to plan an all-out assault while Vale's main Legion was away. Thankfully, their position at the bottom of the gorge made that quite difficult, and there was no way to lower a sufficient force without it being noticed.

When the discussion ended, Mias was the last to speak.

"Master Vale, can I talk to you in the Dungeon Core… alone?"

***

The next day came, and it was eerily silent outside the dungeon. No cawing and screeching of beasts. The distant waterfall felt quiet.

It felt as if the world was waiting in anticipation for Vale to make his move.

And that day was approaching much faster than Vale had wished it to.

Because that day would be tomorrow.

The skies were clear, and winds were neither calm nor raging; the air was cold, but not freezing. It wouldn't be the best environment for fire to spread, but neither would it be the worst.

As for today's task…

Salome and a small force had been sent to cull any remaining beasts they could with the only goal of feeding the Legion and empowering Vale. Of course, they'd been quite thorough in their endeavors the previous day, so their gain would not amount to nearly as much.

Plus, the downside of whatever entities were going to make this place their home next in place of those they culled…

Vale could hope and pray all he wanted, but he was near certain Emergent beasts were going to start popping up.

As for what Vale and everyone else were doing…

Organizing and training the army.

There was a clear gap between the strength of the newbies and the veterans, which there was no time to fill, but Vale tried to at least polish and remove as many flaws as possible.

Starting with what Mias had suggested…

Seven was promoted to commander and renamed Edith. While Alpha assumed command of all the Warriors and Archers as the general.

Toy would also be with them, but that girl was not only shy and unfit to lead, but her mission would be reinforcement wherever needed.

As for why Alpha was chosen as the general despite her strength being at least second to Diana, Edith, and maybe Stacy, it was because she'd been the one leading the all-rounder group.

She also possessed quite a level head and even a slightly higher intelligence than the others.

She'd be able to make rational decisions on the fly.

For the three squads under each commander: Edith, Diana, and Stacy…

There was some moving around to accommodate. Because each group was optimized differently, not all squads would have the same number of members.

The 51 remaining, minus the general and the commanders, were split into 24, 17, and 10.

The squad of 24 members was Stacy's, who was the one best suited for direct confrontations on an open plain.

They were the ones who would take point in the charge and attempt to draw the most attention from the three groups.

Well, the overall goal wasn't attention, but if attention needed to be diverted, it was their job. It would also be their job to confront any counterforce and give Alpha time to digest information on whether to fight or retreat.

Next was Edith's group, which got 17 members.

They got a lower number because individual members were of higher-than-average strength.

They would be the group raiding the barns and farmhouses, lest that plan go awry.

Last but… well, least number but not least, there was Diana's group of 10.

They only numbered 10 because they were a sort of cavalry unit, just without horses. So, not really cavalry, but their job was similar. So… cavalry.

The group consisted of the most mobile warriors, mostly Archers, and their goal was simply to cause havoc wherever they could.

It was also their job to serve as scouts, skirt the edges of the battlefield and relay information on enemy positions to Alpha.

Then there was Toy, the Champion, mixed in with these forces.

Her job was reinforcement as needed.

What that entailed was helping with retreats, passing orders, and fighting the strongest foes…

There was also another problematic factor to consider: getting the Legion out of the canyon.

They all had the strength and stamina to do the climb, but they simply didn't know how. So, in between sparing breaks, they'd been going out and practicing.

Vale was confident they'd eventually be able to get out, but it was undeniable that they'd be a little weakened and would have to let their Aether replenish before they could truly launch the assault.

Next was the logistical issue of feeding his troops…

Sadly, there was a simple yet horrible solution to it, which Vale didn't even want to think of.

As Aether Constructs, none of them technically needed 'food' to survive, just Aether. Which, yes, they could get from food, as Aether could be found inhabiting anything that possesses or once possessed life.

However, the most efficient solution to this issue was to consume enemy bodies...

Of course, the members of Vale's Legion and even Toy had zero gripe with such an atrocious act. But that was because such an abominable act was simply a matter of nature.

After all, they weren't even human. To them, it was merely a meal, far from cannibalism.

Not that Vale was human anymore either…

But Lust did little to downplay the severity and disgusting practice in his mind.

Vale would have loved to ban his Legion from the action, but one of his thoughts from the first day he'd been summoned resurfaced in his head.

'I'd be dumb not to use every ability at my disposal, no matter how nefarious they may be…'

While that thought had spawned upon ruminating on his [Charm] Trait, the sentiment applied here.

Being morally righteous would put one at a disadvantage in war.

After all…

'Ask the dead what they think of honor and morality. Their silence is the answer.'

Vale, however, wasn't going to give the order, but let them come to that conclusion on their own.

He was being a little hypocritical on that front, but the sheer gravity of the act made his reserved feelings all the more understandable.

Next was finally the 89 Aether Salome, and the others were able to hunt, which Vale readily absorbed, bringing his total count to 477/700, finally breaking the 400 point.

Instantly, he'd felt his body swell with strength, and the members of his Legion all grew slightly stronger.

With that…

Vale's confidence in their success was at an all-time high. Or at least, it should have been.

But something was bugging him about the Reaper of Knowledge… especially after what the smoky spectre had told Vale.

The thing he had to drag Vale away from everyone, even the workers, to tell.

'That little bastard…'

He straight-up told Vale he was going to betray him to his face.

Specifically, the scholar had said:

"Master Vale, don't take this the wrong way… but I've taken a liking to this Ophelia girl. So, I will guide this war to the conclusion I see fit. But, take care, I have no intention of dying or letting you or any of your troops die by my machination, but neither will I stand to let her be captured or killed… She's much too fascinating."

'Ah… There goes that solution…'

Vale trudged back to Ximena's Crystal Prison and placed a hand on the cold, hard surface.

"Sorry…"

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