Timeless Assassin

(Next day, Planet Juxta, Leo's POV)

After wrapping up their visit to the Forger's District, Leo and Veyr split up, with Leo heading back to Planet Juxta to run the war plan by seasoned veterans like Charles and Dupravel, hoping to sharpen it further through their experience, while Veyr stayed on Tithia and met up with the Legion Commanders that would be serving under him and Leo in this war.

Unlike the Elders, who hadn't cared for the finer details that Leo and Veyr had risked their lives to bring back, Charles and Dupravel were quick to praise Leo for his efforts, as they both understood the true value of the intelligence he'd returned with.

"I think the plan to blow up the shield facility from within is genius.

If executed correctly, it would surely make infiltrating the planet fairly easy, but it will also make them expect an attack.

I say, let's be smarter about it.

If we are the ones holding all the cards, then I suggest that we play them as we like…" Charles suggested with a smile, as both Leo and Dupravel listened closely, their expressions quietly focused.

"Like you've already discovered… The Righteous Faction has spies embedded within our ranks.

So why not use that against them and start a misinformation campaign?"

He leaned forward slightly, voice dropping in tone.

"Like you said, they care more about Planet Nemo than they do about Planet Koral, so my guess is, if we were to announce an attack on Planet Nemo, creating hype around it and showing real intent to follow through, then troops from Koral will most likely be pulled away and sent to reinforce Nemo's defenses."

Charles continued, as Leo slowly felt the bigger picture beginning to form in his mind.

"We deploy ships from here, make it look like they're en route to Nemo, but mid-journey, the Mana Shield on Koral blows up, and we change course.

By the time they realize they've been duped, it'll be too late to turn back.

We strike and capture Koral while their core forces are stranded somewhere between the two."

Charles finished, and Leo's eyes lit up with understanding, his mind already running simulations in the background.

It was a clever strategy that made use of every tool at their disposal.

Agreed, it was a high-risk plan with far too many moving parts….. and for it to succeed, every phase needed to go flawlessly. But if it worked, it would deliver the kind of victory that could set the tone for future conflicts, with the army gaining confidence and experience in actual battle scenarios.

"I think this plan can work," Dupravel nodded slowly, "especially if we can tightly control which information leaks from our side.

But it's risky… considering we still don't know how deeply the Cult's been compromised.

If the real plan gets leaked ahead of time, then we might fail at even blowing up the shield."

Dupravel shared, as he explained the risks associated with this plan.

"So… in your opinion, what should we do?" Leo asked him, curious to hear the veteran's perspective.

"I think we do what Charles suggested. It's the most competent plan we've got so far.

And if we fail, we take the loss as a lesson… realize that the Cult's not ready yet for such intricate war operations, and simplify the strategy next time."

Dupravel concluded bluntly, his tone neither optimistic nor pessimistic, just grounded in realism, as Leo gave a quiet nod, knowing he would take that advice to heart.

—-----------

(Meanwhile Veyr)

While Leo met with Charles and Dupravel, Veyr held meetings with the newly appointed Legion Commanders of the Dragon Army.

There were a total of twelve legions created as of yet, and the commanders of them all seemed to be fairly competent men, who had all served under Noah in the previous conflicts, and were all veterans of actual war.

After chatting with them for a while, Veyr felt reassured about their discipline and readiness, as he noticed how none of them complained or asked unnecessary questions, despite being told to prepare for war in just fourteen days.

Some were skeptical at first, especially about the feasibility of launching an assault with a barely trained army, but once Veyr assured them that the mana shield surrounding the planet would be taken care of, many of them calmed down.

Veyr did not share the exact details of how the shield breach was going to be achieved, but he didn't need to either, as the Commanders seemed to trust his word as gospel, and never second guessed his commands.

Hence, the rest of the evening was spent reviewing logistical issues such as hovercraft deployments, armor shortages, emergency mana supplies, fallback protocols, and other such technical talks, as they prepared for deployment in 14 days.

Moreover, the atmosphere was enthusiastic within the war camp, with none of the commanders making any pessimistic comments, and instead hyping each other up to see whose legion would perform the best in this upcoming conflict.

Then, somewhere around the midpoint of the meeting, Veyr received a private call from Leo, where Leo shared the revised battle strategy Charles had proposed.

After listening carefully, Veyr passed the details along to his Commanders, keeping his voice firm and measured.

They were now officially ordered to spread word among their legions that the Dragon Army would be launching a full-scale assault on Planet Nemo.

That was the story.

And it needed to reach every soldier, every junior officer, every scout, every quartermaster, everyone beneath the rank of Commander.

The deception had to feel real. Genuine. As if Nemo truly was the final target.

Meanwhile, the real plan would stay locked behind sealed lips, known only to those at the top.

Veyr made it clear that any slip-ups or loose talk would compromise the mission, and that even the smallest rumor drifting toward the enemy could lead to the death of thousands.

He looked each Commander in the eye as he said it, and not one of them flinched.

It was a dangerous bluff they were building their future on. But if played right, it just was sure to win them this war with minimal casualties.