Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons novel Chapter 392

Chapter 392: Chapter 392 - Taming the Chaos - 5

"Victor," Julius said finally, "I understand your point. But Arturo also has a point about resources."

"So what do you suggest?" Victor crossed his arms, his frustration evident in every line of his posture. "That we surrender?"

"I suggest we find a third option," Julius stood, moving toward the strategic map that dominated the room. "One that uses our strengths without ignoring our weaknesses."

The silence that followed was tense, but at least there was no more shouting. The weight of impossible decisions hung heavy in the air, pressing down on all three brothers as they contemplated their limited options.

Julius remained silent for several minutes, his eyes fixed on the strategic map that dominated the central table. His fingers traced supply lines and troop positions, calculating possibilities and probabilities with the methodical mind his father had never possessed.

Finally, he straightened, and when he spoke, his voice had a new quality that made both Victor and Arturo stop to listen.

"You’re right, Victor," he said, surprising both men. "We have our own power, we can’t surrender... We’ve been living in our father’s shadow for too long."

Arturo frowned, concern creeping into his voice. "Julius, I’m not suggesting we don’t take action, just that we be realistic about..."

"I’ve placed too much hope in Zhao’s journey to find father and in my secret weapon for convincing him to return," Julius interrupted, something he rarely did. The admission carried the weight of accumulated disappointment. "Unfortunately, it’s been in vain. Years without seeing him... The last six months of greater hope... no news, no signs, nothing... My last attempt has failed."

He moved toward the window, observing the military activity in the courtyard below. Soldiers drilled with skills they might need to use within days, their movements carrying the sharp efficiency of those preparing for real war.

"Enough of relegating myself to the shadow of that irresponsible man who left everything in our hands without warning several years ago."

The bitterness in his voice was palpable, an emotion he had been suppressing for too long. The perfect King of legends had abandoned them at their most crucial hour, leaving juniors to fight seniors’ wars.

But years of responsibility had transformed the fledglings into full grown dragons.

"It’s time to live in the present and take charge of what I have in front of me," Julius turned toward his brothers, his posture firmer than it had been in months. "And Victor has a valid point. We have to make a stand."

Victor nodded vigorously, energy returning to his voice. "Exactly. We can’t keep acting in reaction to their movements."

"The best time is now," Julius continued, pointing to the map where a blue line marked the abyss bridge. "Sending our best troops to the bridge is probably our maximum priority. While Yino doesn’t completely cross, we can use the bottleneck to our advantage."

Arturo approached the map, studying the marked positions with the eye of someone who understood logistics and supply chains. "Are you sure about this? Once we commit our elite forces there..."

"If we’re correct and our Yano has better quality in its high-level troops," Julius traced lines with his finger across the map, "it’s necessary to put them at the bridge to prevent Yino from using their numerical superiority as too big an advantage."

Victor smiled, the first genuinely positive expression he had shown in days. "A bottleneck negates numerical advantages. Forces smaller-scale combats, where individual quality matters more than quantity."

"Exactly. On the other hand, you," Julius pointed directly at Arturo, "need to focus on logistics. Specifically on keeping the city functioning and people not panicking."

Arturo nodded slowly, understanding the logic. His role would be less glamorous but equally crucial... maintaining the foundation that made their military efforts possible.

"The new methods have been working. We’re very close to bringing many more people to the next level."

"Bronze 2 might not be of great utility in direct battle," Julius admitted, "but it is useful for resources, morale, internal stability."

He moved toward his desk, where a collection of intelligence reports awaited review. Each document represented another piece of a puzzle that seemed to grow more complex by the hour.

"I’ll handle preventing more side changers, as much as possible through diplomacy, losing more internal support would be our last mistake... particularly now that Kharzan will have a greater possibility of bringing people to his side through fear."

"Diplomacy when war already started?" Victor raised an eyebrow, skepticism evident in his tone.

"Yes, but for it to work we need a preemptive strike," Julius explained, unfolding a more detailed map of regional alliances. "Something that demonstrates our strength before Kharzan can consolidate more support."

"What do you have in mind?"

Julius pointed to two specific territories on the map. "Someone owes a promise that involves a spear to Kharzan... Selphira and Sirius would probably agree to a demonstration. Something that sends a clear message to our ’would be’ traitors."

Victor studied the map, his expression becoming thoughtful as tactical possibilities unfolded in his mind. "A limited but advantageous offensive. To show that we’re winning even while being attacked."

"Exactly. While you hold the bridge, we can finish off the Goldcrest front and unify our territory."

Arturo, who had been listening in silence, finally spoke. "If we do nothing, we’ll definitely fail..." he nodded firmly. "I suppose our more brutish brother is right this time. At least this way we have a chance to change the momentum."

Julius turned toward Victor, his expression serious but determined. "Prepare to defend the bridge. Take our best units, our most experienced tamers of the highest rank and level."

"How long do you think you can hold?" asked Arturo.

"What are you talking about? I’m going to win!"

"Brother, forget your delusions, this is serious..." Arturo’s voice carried the patience of someone explaining reality to an overconfident sibling.

At the Imperial Academy...