Chapter 692 — A Thousand Troops and Ten Thousand Horses, Squatting Tiger-Like at the Impregnable Pass

The commander of the scouting force stood before An Luo, reporting the situation meticulously: "General, we have discovered at least six newly built positions in the vicinity of the Palemel Heights, all garrisoned by large numbers of soldiers. In the hill country to the north we have also spotted troops and positions of unknown number. Furthermore, according to intelligence from traveling merchants, the Cecil people have been moving troops frequently of late—many soldiers and wagon trains entering Longwind Keep from the northwest and southwest..."

An Luo thought of the intelligence received not long ago, and of the reports of Longwind Keep's constant reinforcement.

"Where did they get so many soldiers..." The young wolf general's brow furrowed tightly. "Can we confirm the details of those soldiers and positions?"

"Those soldiers seem to be the rumored Cecil Arcane Legion. Their equipment is very different from ordinary soldiers—they carry distinctive combat packs and are highly disciplined. As for the positions... the scouts did not get too close, but we did observe the Cecil people testing weapons. The power was as immense as earlier intelligence described, fully a match for our mage corps."

An Luo left the table and went to the operational map hanging nearby, marking out point after point along the line of Longwind Keep's defenses according to the reports the scouts had sent back.

"It's a complete defensive line..." "The scale matches the earlier reinforcements." "Large formations are massing at the Palemel Heights and the northern hills..." "They've already prepared to counter the Iron River Knights' 'legion-level spells'?"

Gazing at the operational map before him, An Luo??Wendel sank into long contemplation.

Through the tireless relay of magical communication towers, intelligence from the border reached Luo Yan??Augustus in the very first moment.

"Pei Yi, my minister—the Ansans have once again reinforced their defensive line."

The Typhonians emperor raised his head and said to the old duke standing before him.

"We call them Cecil now, Your Majesty," Pei Yi??Wendel said in a deep voice. "Building upon the original Longwind Keep defensive line, they have constructed a series of extended positions. Combined with the intelligence we obtained earlier, they have most likely prepared to counter the Iron River Knights."

"...The Iron River Knights can conjure an energy storm nearly two kilometers across in a single charge, and they excel at destroying heavy fortress shields. But if a series of positions with long-range firepower can mount sustained attacks and interference, the Knights' legion-level spells would be scattered... The new commander of Longwind Keep is an experienced man."

Duke Pei Yi nodded. "An Luo's scouts have 'crossed swords' with the other side several times already. The Cecil scouts are experienced and well equipped—though most of them are ordinary people, they are not the least bit outmatched when facing superhumans. They must indeed be elites."

Luo Yan said nothing, merely sitting quietly in the high-backed chair. Across from him, Pei Yi paused a moment, then continued: "The Royal Advisory Council has assessed the recent trade situation with the Cecil people and the intelligence gathered through civilian channels, and its conclusion is that war is inadvisable."

"The advisory council's opinions are all based on indirect intelligence, but An Luo's intelligence was obtained through direct contact," Luo Yan broke the silence. "We must make a decision. If we are to fight, now is the last opportunity; if not, we must also decide now on what to say to the nobles' council."

Pei Yi was silent for half a minute, and only then did Yan Qi speak: "...My opinion aligns with the advisory council's—war is inadvisable, Your Majesty."

"And the reason?"

"Our industry and economy are undergoing a great transformation. In this process, a large portion of the reform pressure accumulated previously can be relieved. We no longer have such an urgent need for war. And on the other hand, once the Cecil people are truly prepared to meet battle, the setback we suffer will be greater than previously anticipated—not only will internal pressure remain unrelieved, but even the industrial construction currently underway will be interrupted."

A great transformation of industry and economy...

Luo Yan furrowed his brow.

What Pei Yi said was a fact that could not be ignored—the Typhon Empire was entering a critical juncture of a new era. The emerging arcane industry was destined to thoroughly transform the rules by which society operated, and within the foreseeable range, the benefits produced by these changes might surpass those of the previous several centuries.

Under such circumstances, did Typhon truly still need a war?

Luo Yan rose and left the desk, slowly pacing beside it.

Only after a full dozen minutes or more did he stop.

"Have An Luo contract his forces and withdraw the Iron River Knights to the east of the Winterwolf Fortress line."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After making the decision, Luo Yan seemed somewhat more relaxed overall. He slowly let out a breath and turned his gaze to Pei Yi: "I hope our decision today is the correct one, Pei Yi-qing."