"You say we should split into regiments and attack them from many angles, but wouldn't that reduce our firepower?" A question was thrown at me.
"No. The Shadows are incredibly sensitive to the level of threat posed to them. The only reason they haven't attacked this place is probably because they're gathering enough forces to storm this building at once."
Once that occurred, we would have no choice but to remain on the defensive.
"So, you're saying they want to exterminate us in one fell swoop?" Garliad asked.
"No. I doubt that."
Surprise permeated the room.
"While that is a good possibility, I don't believe this is the most efficient way to do it. In the first place, many Demons are storming the Campus, but they're spread out in different areas. If their goal was to kill us all, they would have sent more forces to our Dorms and wiped us out."
The Dorm Master gulped, and then muttered, "That's true…"
"Their objective is simply to stall us, or kill us if necessary. They must have specified purposes located at several points in the Academy. Once you view the footage, you'll understand."
I had taken the liberty of monitoring some recordings, but I hadn't gotten the full layout myself. Still, I could already tell the line by which things were going.
"They're attacking important places, most likely to obtain things that can only be found in Ainzlark Academy. This invasion is too large scale to be for mere slaughter, and too small scale to be war. It's in-between." I retorted.
"You mean… like reconnaissance?!" Garliad exclaimed.
I nodded.
"T—then… our information, technology, artifacts… I see now…" The older man mumbled as he scratched his head.
The other students didn't seem to understand his seemingly incoherent mumblings.
"What is it, Mister Garliad?" Fabian asked, showing both curiosity and unease.
"I—It's preparation… for a war!"
"WHAT?!" Multiple students echoed out.
"They're laying siege upon this place to gather information. If I'm right, they'll strike specific places like the library, research buildings, and Forbidden Zones."
Of course, most of this was speculation, but the man was right on point.
"There's no doubt about it… the Demons are starting something…" He murmured.
'Well, I wouldn't go as far as to say that, but… it's probably best to let him think what he wants for now.' I smiled wryly.
"B—but, if they're attacking all those places, and at this period when we're vulnerable, doesn't that mean—"
"Yes. We have a mole. It's most likely among the staff, but let's leave that for later. Our immediate priority is to get out of this situation. Of course, that means we can't let the enemy complete their objectives."
There was a stifling silence in the air, but I continued regardless.
"If they do, we don't know what it could spell for the Eastern Empire. The war of so long ago required heroes to fight, but we don't have those now. If we take account of the consequences of letting them succeed, the casualties that could come from it could be devastating."
War was terrible!
People died, dropping to their graves like flies. It was a horrifying sight that I would rather not experience—at the very least I didn't want those I cared about to see the horrors of true battle.
That said, peace had made these people weak. Perhaps conflict served its purpose at the time. If the humans had kept increasing their military prowess rather than pursuing other paths in Magic, this wouldn't have occurred,
Then again, if all focus had been on military technology, a lot of Modern Magic wouldn't have been developed.
Peace and War had their results, but I would pick the former at any time.
"Even if we have to risk our lives… we must prevent the enemy from achieving their aim!"
This was currently about more than just me. As a result, I couldn't shoulder everything alone. I would need to use these people well!
"B—bur, even if you say that… we're no match for them…" Someone's voice trailed.
It was Roy Lesyrio—head of the Elite Ten of his Class who spoke.
He wasn't wrong, but he wasn't entirely correct either.
'In battle, the ones who emerge victorious aren't always the ones with the most powerful forces.'
If that were not the case, there would be no way Humans could have survived for so long in the war between the Demons.
"Using your strategy, you wanted to enlist only the elite among us to fight, but that isn't good enough. My plan involves everyone present. We all have roles to play."
The stronger ones would strike the locations that were saturated with more Demons, while the weaker ones would fight against the fewer ones lurking around.
Of course, I planned to provide Potions and Automatons to each group to increase efficiency and their chances of survival. Also, at least one fairly powerful member had to be present in every team—preferably someone who could use Light Magic.
I went on to explain the weaknesses of the Demons to my audience, using my encounters with them to answer their questions as to how I knew so much.
Since I was the one responsible for saving four out of six dormitories, no one could object to my explanations.
"The most troublesome matter is finding the Lecturers' Meeting Hall." I finally addressed the biggest issue.
While it wasn't going to be too hard to do so if I used Spellcraft—in fact, I had an inkling of how to easily spot it—the problem was what awaited me after that.
"The location will b heavily guarded. There will be many forces concentrated in that location since that is the advantage they have over us, as well as their only weakness." I further explained.
Since our forces were still too limited, we probably only be able to send a few people to that area, of which I would need to be among.
'Only I can use Spellcraft to detect them… but should I really have others with me?'
Most of the students would be burdens to me. The only helpful ones were going to be needed in more saturated ones.
'That means I have to go alone, then…' My thoughts trailed.
This must have been what the enemy was after. It was clearly a trap—something to reel me in for an execution.
I had no idea how strong the enemy's forces were… however…
'They also don't know what I'm capable of.'
Ultimately, this was one large game between me and whoever the mastermind was… and all the students and demons who were fighting… were merely pawns.
