V
Felix made his camp on the plateau to the northeast of the Turner Plains. Just then, he was listening to a runner giving a report on the opening of the battle.
“That concludes my report, ser!” With that, the runner sped away, armor clinking in their wake. Besides the supreme commander Felix, present at the camp were Lieutenant Teresa, as well as Major Matthew, the leader of his personal guard. The brave officers who served under Felix’s banner were assembled there also, but according to the Chronicles of Duvedirica, none spoke for some time.
I can hardly believe that sweet young girl turned out to be the Death God... Teresa thought to herself, remembering the time she had first laid eyes on Olivia when she had guided the girl through Kier Fortress. Even now, she still recalled how Olivia had been so beautiful as to make jealousy feel like foolishness, and her own surprise that one so young had earned the rank of warrant officer. After the hostage exchange was over, Lord Felix seemed a little unlike himself. That would make sense, if he had already realized in that moment how dangerous that girl was. Though, well, it’s too late to be thinking such things now... Teresa watched Felix as he reached for his cup of Hausen tea. If nothing else, she sensed in him none of the tension she saw in the others.
Matthew set off the discussion. “Their supreme commander, launching an attack alone? She’s out of her mind.” The assembled officers were apparently unanimously in strong agreement with this, as they each nodded vigorously. As though a seal had been broken, they began talking among themselves about Olivia. Felix listened quietly, taking a small sip of his Hausen tea before silently placing the cup back on the table. Just that gesture was enough to draw all eyes in the room to him.
“Through this last episode, I have come to better understand something,” he said in a mellifluous voice like clear water. Willing or not, all present in the camp were caught under its spell. Teresa observed this with something like awe.
“The Death God’s first move was undoubtedly a far cry from the standard playbook. But following that, she has been quick to seize every opportunity.”
“But what does that mean, my lord?” one officer asked, unable to restrain himself.
“It means that Death God Olivia and the Eighth Legion under her command are no ordinary opponents. What I can say is that if we fight within the bounds of common practice, we will be hobbling ourselves.”
The insane tactics alongside the painstakingly calculated plans seemed to contradict one another. Normally, they should have been like oil and water, never mixing, and yet Olivia had managed to blend them smoothly together. He could see how even Violet, with her unerring tactical acumen, had suddenly found herself outplayed. She would undoubtedly have been clicking her tongue in that quiet way of hers. Felix explained all this, allowing himself a small smile as he finished.
The officers once more began to discuss Olivia, their faces colored with anxiety. As though to allay that anxiety, Felix said gently, “Though they forestalled us this time, the battle has only just begun, and what is more, from what I have seen, their soldiers are several levels below the Azure Knights in discipline and training. Though the fact remains that this is not an enemy we can afford to take lightly, there is no call for undue fear. That I promise you, as commander of the Azure Knights.” Before their eyes, the fire returned to the officers’ faces. With the absolute trust that Felix drew from his Azure Knights, just his words now were more than enough to rouse their spirits.
“Well, then, my lord,” Matthew said, slapping his knees with a cheerful grin. “I suppose that means it’s our turn.”
Felix nodded firmly. “Just so, Matthew. I wouldn’t dream of passing up the chance to cross swords with the army of Death God Olivia.” Confidence shone out of his face as he smiled. The Azure Knights had only to show their might to its fullest degree, he told them as he brought the discussion to a close, for the scales of victory to naturally come down in their favor.
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