"Linda, I want a report," Master commanded.
"The war is proceeding as we planned," Linda reported. "Our marching rush had caught the enemy by surprise. That first day had reaped large casualties on the enemy's side. They went into a defensive state after that. But with Aurebor pinning them from the other side, it was only a matter of time until they are defeated. We have chipped off their force in these past four days. I estimate in another four or five days, they will be routed."
"We beat the enemy's first army in a lesser time frame, why does it need longer time now that we have an ally and has the enemy pinned?" Master asked with dissatisfaction.
"That's because, under this situation, we can win without many losses. We should take our time and whittle their force. If we put them in a desperate situation, their resistance will be greater and thus cost us more losses than we need to. We let them think that they still have a chance to win and slowly weaken them."
"You should know that it doesn't matter even if we have losses, our army count will not reduce."
"A strategist's job is to plan for a victory with a minimal loss," Linda said. "If you are willing to use the reserve, we will be able to finish the war here quickly."
"No, I will keep them for when we assault the capital. The surprise should catch them off-guard and allow us to take down the capital more swiftly," Master said. "Keep using the native army, but I want the enemy here defeated and we march for the capital in two days!"
"… As you wish, my lord," Linda replied.
"You aren't going to tell him about the two ghosts?" Spring Crown, who was next to them, asked.
"What two ghosts?" Master asked.
"Nothing for my lord to be concerned about," Linda replied. "Since the Hydrurond force was pinned. Several clashes caused some of their forces to break away from their main formation. These forces were unable to return to the main formation so they fought in a guerilla-style from our rear and flanks. I have formed several companies to deal with these disjointed forces."
"She is saying that there are many mini-battles outside the main battlefield," Spring Crown said.
Master glanced at Spring Crown in annoyance. He understood what Linda said and needed no interpretation.
"So, what is the problem?" Master asked.
"Many of the companies I sent consisted of players. Mostly members of the guilds who had submitted to us. Each of these companies had a number that should be more than enough to deal with the disjointed forces outside the main battlefield. But starting two days ago, the companies that I sent to deal with the guerilla troops were destroyed one by one."
"By these two ghosts?" Master asked.
"Two ghosts are just what the players who have revived called them. They were actually two players, a draconian and an ethereal. They used swords and were reportedly very skillful swordsmen. The players called them ghosts because they just came out of nowhere, killing everyone, and then left as abruptly as they appeared. Even the few natives our players brought couldn't last long against those two. The slain players said that from the expressions of the enemy force they were chasing, those enemies also didn't know about the two. They were as surprised as our people."
"They are just two players. They won't make much difference in the war," Master said.
"That's why I said it is not something that my lord should concern about," Linda said.
"So, we are just going to ignore them?" Spring Crown asked.
Master turned back to a figure who was sitting leisurely by a tree. "Ronald! You are known as a battlefield hunter. Go and hunt these two ghosts down."
Ronald stood with a wide grin. "I've been waiting for you to ask ever since I heard you talk about these ghosts. Hunting battlefield ghosts is my favorite. I will turn them into real ghosts."
"Great! I'll join," Spring Crown said. "I've been bored to my bones here. I have wanted to go after these ghosts myself. That's why I brought them up, but I'm just too scared to go at them alone. I mean, what if they are real ghosts?"
"Chickenshit," Ronald ridiculed.
"I don't mind that. I am looking forward to us working together," Spring Crown replied.
"Just don't get in my way," Ronald returned.
"Don't worry. I will let you fight these ghosts. I will support from afar."
Ronald acted like he didn't hear, but Linda glared at Spring Crown. 'Aren't you supposed to be a melee and he a ranged class? Isn't the plan should be the other way around?'
She didn't voice her thoughts. He had already gotten used to Spring Crown's playfulness. The guy was a gamer, after all. She sent some commands and had a company of two hundred players and fifty natives followed the two.
"Two days," Master reminded Linda again.
"Yes, my lord," Linda replied.
The two ghosts were none other than Jack and Arthur. The two knew about the natives' unwillingness to work together with outworlders due to the serial killing cases. Even though Arthur was close to some military officers, it was only a small minority. The army might let him come into their ranks but not Jack.
So, they just followed what the other guilds do, they fought outside the main battlefield. Stole attacks whenever they see vulnerability.
The guilds that were still fighting for Hydrurond in this war had greatly decreased. Many had thought the war was hopeless and they couldn't score enough contribution points to be worth the risk. Even Everlasting Heavenly Legends had less than half its members still joining. Jeanny never forced their members to join a war, it was mostly volunteers.
Jack didn't join his guild members. He was afraid they might recognize his fighting style and blew his cover. So, he and Arthur roamed around the edge of the battlefield with just the two of them.
When they saw some native soldiers who had been forced away from the battlefield needed help, they went to help and then left again once the enemies were defeated. They didn't even stay long enough to receive the soldiers' gratitude.
That's how they earned their ghost nickname.
