The discussion continued dragging on without reaching any conclusion. Every leader present had a valid point, but none of them seemed to see the complete picture. The map spread across the table had already been marked with so many possibilities that it was starting to lose its meaning. Dividing forces, reinforcing borders, protecting every region... everything seemed correct, yet at the same time, everything seemed wrong.
I observed in silence for a few moments. The more I thought about it, the clearer it became that this was not just an ordinary wartime movement. There was intent behind every step the enemy took, something calculated to provoke exactly this kind of confusion.
"The safest option is to divide our troops," one of the leaders said firmly. "If they're attacking multiple regions, we need to respond the same way."
"That only weakens our main defense," another immediately replied.
"And leaving other nations unprotected is acceptable?" the first shot back.
The tension increased with every exchange. The King of Vailor was still observing, trying to find a balance between all the opinions, but it was obvious there was no consensus.
I took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"You're analyzing this the wrong way."
Silence fell instantly.
All eyes turned toward me, some curious, others suspicious. The King of Vailor looked directly at me.
"Then tell us," he said. "What are we missing?"
I approached the table and looked at the map once more. The markings were not random, but neither were they complete. This was only what the enemy wanted us to see.
"These demon movements... seem too logical," I began calmly. "Dividing forces, advancing slowly, pressuring multiple regions at once... that's exactly what any commander would expect."
Scarlett, standing beside me, crossed her arms.
"And when something seems too obvious... it's usually not what it appears to be."
I nodded slightly.
"Exactly."
I pointed to several locations on the map.
"They're showing us multiple fronts of advance. They're creating the impression that we need to respond to everything at the same time. That forces a decision."
Elara narrowed her eyes.
"To divide our forces."
"Yes," I replied. "And the moment we do that... we'll be playing exactly the way he wants us to."
The Dwarf King frowned.
"So you believe all of this is an act?"
"Not completely," I answered. "The troops are there. The threats are real. But that's not the main objective."
Liriel stepped forward.
"Then what is?"
I looked directly at the center of the map.
"To make us make a mistake."
Silence returned, heavier this time.
"If we divide our forces to protect every region," I continued, "we weaken the most important point."
"Vailor," the Elf King said quietly.
"Yes," I replied.
The King of Vailor remained silent for several seconds. His gaze was fixed on the map, but his expression had changed. There was understanding there now.
"So the primary target is still our kingdom," he said.
"Most likely," I replied. "And if that's true... then dividing our troops would be exactly what he expects."
The Dwarf King let out a quiet sigh.
"That would explain why they still haven't attacked directly."
"They're waiting," said Lyannis.
"Waiting for us to make the mistake," Vespera added.
Scarlett glanced at me.
"And you think there's even more hidden."
"I'm certain of it," I replied. "These movements are only the surface. The real offensive hasn't appeared yet."
The Elf King crossed his arms.
"That means we may be underestimating the true size of the enemy army."
"Or its position," I added.
The Guild Master stepped forward, visibly concerned.
"If we don't know where the main force is... then we're fighting in the dark."
"Not completely," I replied. "But we're being guided by the perspective he wants us to have."
The King of Vailor finally stepped back slightly from the table. He seemed more decisive now.
"Then we need to stop reacting to what's being shown," he said.
"Yes," I confirmed. "We need to focus on what truly matters."
The Dwarf King tilted his head.
"Central defense."
"Exactly."
The Elf King nodded slowly.
"Keep our main force intact... and avoid the trap of dispersion."
Liriel still seemed slightly worried.
"But what about the other regions?"
"They'll be protected," I replied. "But not at the expense of the core. Small forces can contain minor advances. The main army, however, must remain concentrated."
Elara added,
"If there's a real attack on another region, we can respond with full force."
"But only when we're certain," said Lyannis.
"Without acting impulsively," Vespera concluded.
The King of Vailor looked around at everyone present once more.
"This changes the entire plan."
The Guild Master nodded.
"But it makes sense. It prevents us from being manipulated."
The Dwarf King gave a small smile.
"I like that. I don't enjoy playing the enemy's game."
The Elf King turned his gaze toward me.
"You managed to see what no one else here was considering."
I simply took a deep breath.
"I only considered that he isn't an ordinary enemy."
The silence that followed was no longer one of doubt.
It was acceptance.
The King of Vailor then spoke firmly.
"We'll follow this approach. The main force will remain in Vailor. The other regions will receive support, but we will not divide everything."
One by one, the other leaders began to agree. The decision had been made.
I stepped slightly away from the table, feeling that this moment had defined more than just a strategy.
Scarlett moved a little closer.
"You basically changed the direction of the entire meeting by yourself."
"Not by myself," I replied, glancing briefly at all of them. "I just said what needed to be said."
Liriel smiled softly.
"Even so... that changes everything."
Rai'kanna, who had been observing in silence until now, spoke calmly.
"Now they'll listen to you."
I looked at the map again, but this time with a different perspective.
It wasn't just about preventing a mistake.
It was about understanding that this war had already begun... long before the first direct attack.
And the enemy wasn't just trying to win.
He was trying to control every decision we made.
The difference now... was that we had finally realized it.
And we were no longer going to play the way he wanted us to.