Astartes of the Bear School

Chapter 1667 1639. Sudden Contrast

What about the news that Margarita brought? From various aspects, it did not surprise Lan En.

After all, he returned to Gos Velen with great fanfare and then went to High Hill Keep, which was seen by many people.

But then there was no news about him and he suddenly disappeared from everyone's sight.

This made many people who had previously hoped that he would stand up and turn the situation around like he did in the last war feel uneasy, wondering if he had undergone some "subtle" changes in his stance in the past two years or almost three years.

On the other hand, his mere presence at this sensitive time during the truce was enough to make many people uneasy.

Not to mention that after appearing, there was suddenly no news, which is even more terrifying!
What's more frightening than finding a giant spider in your room?
——The big spider is gone!
So this temptation was not beyond Lan En's expectations at all.

And the content of the temptation is not that strange.

Right now the four northern countries are being forced to retreat step by step by Nilfgaard, and there has been no good news before the ceasefire.

It was the weather and the roads that hindered the progress of the Nilfgaardian Empire and created a truce.

As the passive and weak party, it would be better to surrender directly instead of struggling during this precious truce period.

Request external aid, unite internally, and strengthen oneself. If nothing is done, this ceasefire period will be a complete waste.

The United Kingdom of Povis and Kovir was an obvious target for assistance.

Although it is the richest country in the north, it was not affected by the war because it is located in the northernmost part of the continent.

War is fought for money, and wealth is fighting power.

If we can get Kovir's support, the situation in the north will be greatly improved.

This was a test from the North to Lan En, but it was also a signal to Lan En.
“Big changes are about to begin.”

Suddenly, the witcher said this calmly, as if he was narrating a real situation.

"What?" Margarita was a little slow to react to Lan's jump in thought.

She only thought that this was probably a test of Lan En's attitude and his current position.

"No, it's nothing."

Lan En didn't want to say much about this, but after receiving the news, his eyes under the hood became serious.

"Iorveth, go inform Stuart and arrange for someone to be outside the room where Goodwin, Hans, and Henry live. I think he can hear something."

"You suspect that the priest knows something?" Iorveth's face hardened. "Then let's torture him!"

"There's no need to be so ugly and cruel." Lan En raised his hand to stop him, "Let them reveal it themselves during the conversation. This is the most natural way."

The one-eyed elf frowned. Considering Lan's previous request, it was clear who was to be sent to 'send someone outside the room to listen to something' - the Embers Knight who had become a demon hunter.

With their extraordinary senses, they can hear any voice in the room even if they are far enough away to arouse suspicion.

No one in the rebel army knew that those people were witchers under the magic cloaks.

The people from the south had never even seen what a demon hunter looked like, so there was no way they could be on guard. And if they didn't have a sense of defense, they wouldn't have any means of defense.

"So what news do you want to hear?"

Iorveth asked in confusion.

When you listen to news or eavesdrop, you have to have a focus. You can't go over every trivial matter in your mind.

"News about the change of command of Nilfgaard's Eastern Army."

"Varied?!"

Lan's soft words sounded like thunder in Iorveth's ears!
The power of words lies not in their volume but in the message they contain!

Nilfgaard's Eastern Army in this war, with tens of thousands of powerful black-armored soldiers, crushed Lyria, Rivia, and Aedirn all the way!
Such a large and powerful army, the commander was changed! This is no small matter no matter where you put it!
"Just relying on Goodwin," Iorveth lowered his voice, and even Margarita sat up straight, "How could a priest named Cliff from Naxal know this news?!"

"Menno Kuhoon is a strict military man, I know that." Lan nodded his head, "But the current recklessness of the middle and lower-level officers of Nilfgaard is not his style."

"In a place like the military, the middle and lower-level officers have already gone against the will of the highest commander, and there is no sign of being restrained or punished." "In fact, just from this, I have doubts about this matter: only leaders who are about to be transferred and have no control over you can be ignored."

"Goodwin does not need to know whether Menno Cuhoon will be transferred or not. He only needs to know how much effort Sir Hays of Lepe is making to find a better position for his nephew."

The military intelligence from Kaedwen that Cassandra and her team had previously reported also indirectly confirmed this.

But the news from Goodwin is more timely than that from the Kaedweni.

"And if the price is not too high," Lan En sneered, "then during this period of time, at least for more than a month, we can be more aggressive in our actions."

"It's not easy for a new commander to control the army. Judging from the radical behavior of these Nilfgaardian officers, it's hard to say whether the new commander will control them or encourage them. "

"Wait until you get the exact information from Goodwin, Iorveth."

"I'm listening." The one-eyed elf nodded seriously.

"Tell Sakia that it's time to attack the Nilfgaardians directly and on a large scale. After weeks of harassment, the nerves of the Kaedweni have been stretched to the limit. Any counterattack by the Nilfgaardians will immediately lead to a violent backlash from them."

"During this time, we must expand our presence as much as possible, control towns, collect refugees, and so on. Don't worry about anyone. On this eastern front, no one will be able to care about anyone soon."

The one-eyed elf's mouth opened slightly. Although he tried hard to stay awake, he couldn't help feeling a surge of shock that he couldn't react to.

After all, it was just an insignificant priest who came to the city, and the sorceress brought an ordinary message, but Lan En immediately became nervous as if he had discovered vital information.

As a result, the subsequent plans and orders suddenly became like a violent storm hitting Iorveth head-on!

This sudden contrast made Iorveth feel a little bit at a loss and at a loss.

"But." The one-eyed elf sorted out his thoughts and emotions, but still stuttered, "We are just a small-scale insurgent army after all."

At some point, Sakia also appeared beside the three of them. She crossed her arms and answered Iorveth's stuttering question seriously, "How much can this expand our influence?"

“As long as you win, you will have influence and you can expand your presence.”

Lan En was not surprised by Sakia's intrusion and just continued talking as usual.

"It may sound cruel to say this, but the fact is: for a group like the rebels, another outbreak of war is a golden period for expansion. As long as they win and as long as they can maintain their existence, refugees will continue to flow in."

"Can we keep winning in this kind of battlefield?" Sakia's face was not optimistic, and his eyebrows were twisted together. "Even if I show my true identity,..."

"Your true form, of course, won't work." The demon hunter laughed. "The rebels are a force of some size. When the real battle comes, it shouldn't be you who will have to overcome the difficulties."

After laughing, Lan looked at Sakia seriously but calmly: "Leave it to Cassandra and the others."

"When they came back to rest a few times, I specially asked the remaining Embers Knights to take shifts in batches and run with her."

"The Embers Knights are best at sweeping attacks led by a powerful vanguard. Cassandra is the 'vanguard' I promised to give them. If there are any tough problems, just give them the responsibility."

"Of course, don't be too reckless when using them." Lan En reminded Sakia, "I don't want to look back and see them lose their numbers."

"Fifteen Ash Knights, plus Cassandra herself, a total of sixteen." Sakia asked cautiously, "In your opinion, what kind of situation can they handle the most safely? Let me have an idea. I have never really seen the famous Ash Knights use their full strength."

"If your reserve troops can keep up," the demon hunter said lightly, "they can easily tear a hole in the enemy's army of 3,000 people for you."

"Tsk!"

The Dragon Slayer and the One-eyed Elf were both shocked at the same time.

According to Lan En, the sixteen of them could kill their way through an enemy formation of three thousand men and come and go freely!
This statement is so exaggerated that it is hard to believe. After all, the enemy that Lan is facing is definitely not a bunch of bandits or thugs, but the Nilfgaardian army that is rampaging and ravaging the entire north.

But when you think about the Knights of Embers' performance in the last Northern War, it doesn't seem so hard to accept.

At this moment, Margarita, who had been silent since she brought the message to Lan En, interrupted.

"You've made so many arrangements, so are you going to agree to Dijkstra's request?"

There was surprise in the sorceress' tone. In her opinion, this was just a test from the head of Redania's intelligence.

It doesn't matter whether you care about it or not. But Lan En actually wants to go?
"Of course." The demon hunter said simply, "Of course I will go."

(End of this chapter)