Imperial Crown.

Chapter 72 It’s a tough nut to crack!
Ten minutes later, everyone was in the conference room.

"Well done, man!" Volav's face showed joy, and he wanted to hit Simon's shoulder hard, but considering Simon's weak body, he hit the table hard instead.

Seven large maps and three small maps were spread out in order on the large conference table, like a cobra, covering the terrain from the Gold Town to the outskirts of the Bloody Highlands.

In addition to forests and rivers, water sources and depressions are also marked, and places suitable for temporary and permanent stationing are also marked.

"Simon, please introduce the map to us." Raven looked at Simon with encouragement.

This young man, who had always been reserved, shy and sentimental, became much more decisive after going through the hellish tempering. He reluctantly saluted, walked to the table with the help of Volav, picked up a stick, pointed at the map and began to tell the story one by one.

"The straight-line distance from Goldshine Town to Bloody Highlands is about 182 kilometers, but the actual journey is more than 487 kilometers. Most of the area is barren mountains and deserts, with almost no living creatures."

"The environment on the Bloody Highlands is similar, but the oases are denser and the water sources are more abundant. The dozen or so hollow circles marked are settlements. We don't dare to go too deep, but judging by the size, a small settlement will have a population of about 200, a medium-sized settlement will have more than 500 people, and a large settlement can accommodate at least 2000 people."

"These six solid circles are the bandits' strongholds. Two of them are close to the heart of Bloody Highlands and are not recommended as targets. The remaining two are one too big and one too small."

"I suggest starting with these two strongholds."

The stick pointed to two solid circles: "These two are close to the outskirts of the Bloody Highlands. The camps are not strong. The number of people is about 50-70. The leaders are all second-level extraordinary people."

"You did a great job on your homework!" Volaf tried to make Simon feel better, so he made a gesture to the other people while speaking.

"Ah, yes, yes!"

Mosingan immediately said: "These two places are indeed very good. With our current strength, destroying one of them is a piece of cake!"

Eric was more rational: "That's right. Since the main purpose of this time is to train the troops, then an opponent of this size is just right. We can train the new recruits and let them bleed without causing too much loss."

Gore and Link also expressed their opinions.

After they finished speaking, Raven spoke, but he did not comment on their suggestions. Instead, he asked Simon directly, "Before, you said that 'Sand King Hleti' had done something to you. What was the reason?"

Although he didn't want to face this memory, Simon replied: "I reviewed it with Barry afterwards."

"When we were in the Rustwater Oasis, we heard that Heleti had recently intercepted a group of slave traders and obtained a batch of high-quality slaves. It is said that there were also many gray dwarves. Maybe he thought we were scouts from other nearby forces and had some plans for these slaves, so he did that."

"Gray dwarf." Raven's eyes flashed with a gleam of light: "Where is his base?"

Simon pointed the stick in his hand at another solid circle. "It's here. We have conducted close reconnaissance. It is built on the mountain just like Eagle Castle. Although the walls are not as high as Eagle Castle, its scale is more than twice that of Eagle Castle."

"Moreover, Heleti himself is a third-level Yellow Sand Knight, and he has a force of at least 150 people under him. As the largest force around, they are experienced and have killed many people. They are a tough nut to crack!"

"Hard bones?" Raven sneered, "I'm only chewing hard bones!"

"This time, our attack on Bloody Heights will target this stronghold!"

These words echoed in the conference room, leaving everyone dumbfounded.

"Baron, please reconsider!" Eric said, "It is very difficult to travel a long distance in winter, and it is too dangerous to face an enemy of this size! It is not worth it even for the sake of the gray dwarf slaves!"

"Yes, Lord Baron." Goyle also advised: "I know their actions insulted the honor of the Eagle Army, but we can't act rashly in battle!"

Mosingan's statement was more straightforward: "Lord Baron, although we have been promoted to the first-level extraordinary and Mr. Eric has also been promoted to the second level, the opponent is, after all, led by a third-level extraordinary! We are far inferior in terms of both the number of people and the quality of high-end combat power!"

"Shut up!" With a bang, Raven's fist landed on the conference table.

He glanced at everyone and said loudly: "This is an order, not a discussion with you. The tactical target this time is this Heleti!"

Everyone present held their breath and dared not say much, but it was obvious that none of them agreed with this decision.

"You are too short-sighted." Raven snorted and said, "We can only attack Bloody Highland once in a short period of time. What will happen if we just pick on the weak ones?"

"The wealth of the Eagle Territory will sooner or later spread to the Bloody Highlands! If we only target those small forces, those bandits and horse thieves will think that our strength is just so-so, and they will dare to harass and rob us! And their vanguard will be this Heleti!"

He frowned and stared at everyone present: "Think carefully, he is not Anderson with only a dozen men, but a big thief with 150 men!" "When their iron hooves trample on Eagle Territory, regardless of victory or not, do you want to turn Shining Gold Town and Eagle Town into a wasteland!?"

This sentence left everyone speechless and sweating.

Raven's voice was powerful:
"So, we either don't fight, or if we do, we have to hurt them!"

"Understood, Baron!" Eric was the first to respond: "This time we go out to fight them, we are going to hurt them!"

"That's right, hit them hard!" the others responded in unison.

"Very good. Next, we need to arrange the tactics." Raven picked up a wooden stick and tapped the map. "I will find a way to get this Heleti out of his lair. And Eric, you have to lead the new recruits to hold them back for at least half an hour!"

"And I will lead my personal soldiers to ambush nearby. Once they come out in full force, I will lead my personal soldiers to charge in and destroy their lair."

"I will leave some people alive to pass on the message. Once the message is passed, the bandits will be extremely panicked and want to retreat. Once this happens, you must not chase them, but let them go."

"When the time comes, I will lead my personal soldiers to defend the city, and you will follow closely behind to attack from both inside and outside. I will use this camp as an anvil and you as hammers to completely crush this group of bandits!"

Gore and the others were fascinated by what they heard, and even a little excited, but Eric remained calm: "My Lord Baron, what if we can't transfer the people out by then?"

"It's possible, but not very likely." Raven did not get angry, but said, "The bandits are violent, irritable, and bloodthirsty. They are good at field battles but not at defending cities. And the number of new recruits is still lower than theirs."

"No matter if we provoke or seduce them, they will not think they can lose to us. If they don't move, they will come out in full force."

At this point, Raven smiled confidently: "Besides, if we are allowed to show off our power outside, how can this Heleti still have the face to call himself the 'Sand King'?"

Eric had no more questions: "I understand, sir. I will definitely hold them back when the time comes!"

Raven nodded: "Okay! Today's meeting ends here. You all need to be prepared for the next few days. Leave on time at 9 am the day after tomorrow!"

"My Lord Baron!" Simon suddenly said, "Since we are going to attack Heleti, I hope to join the battle with you!"

Raven looked at Simon and saw the strong fighting spirit and deep hatred in his eyes, so he nodded and said, "I wanted you to rest in Eagle Castle for a while. Since you want to go, let's go together!"

Volaf was shocked when he heard this. Simon’s physical condition couldn’t bear any more trouble.

But Raven's next words made him feel relieved: "Go back and rest for a while, have a full lunch, and come to the dungeon to meet me in the evening."

Simon was a little confused, but he nodded and said, "Yes, Baron!"

Everyone dispersed, and the confident expression on Raven's face disappeared a lot, leaving behind solemnity and seriousness.

A plan is just a plan. No matter how well it is made, it cannot prevent unexpected events that may occur.

War is dangerous and fierce, and swords are ruthless on the battlefield, not to mention that the opponent is a third-level extraordinary!
Even though Raven was a magician, he couldn't guarantee that he could come back alive.

Confidence is to boost morale, while caution is to remind yourself at all times.

After a short rest, Raven headed for the dungeon to continue practicing magic.

That night, Raven strengthened Simon and gave him a divine potion, which not only restored Simon's health and made him stronger than before, but also awakened his stormy fighting spirit.

"If I had this set of leather armor, maybe... Woz wouldn't have died." Simon sighed as he touched the half-Monster leather armor on his body.

After coming out of the dungeon, Raven sat in the study, reading a book and eating the dinner brought by Patty.

Just after taking a bite of bread, Patty's voice rang out from outside the door:
"My Lord Baron, Priest Lacus is here to visit."

……

(End of this chapter)