The self inflicted psychological warfare had exceeded all expectations.
What should have been a disciplined military force had become a collection of individuals more concerned with their own contamination than with defense.
Selphira smiled. "That boy’s weapons have proven more effective than expected."
"They can’t trust each other. For a while they don’t know who’s infected and who isn’t."
Julius studied the enemy behavior. "Indeed.. It’s like they’re fighting against themselves."
Their enemies had become their own worst enemy, suspicion and fear accomplishing what direct assault might never have achieved.
"Exactly," Selphira nodded, her impatience finally showing again. "So it’s about time to put your numbers to work as you declared more than an hour ago."
One of the veterans cleared his throat, bringing attention back to immediate military concerns. "Orders, sir?"
Julius straightened, feeling the weight of the moment settle on his shoulders like a familiar cloak.
These were young soldiers, many fighting in their first real battle. But they were also abyss wall soldiers, trained specifically to face threats that exceeded their individual capabilities.
"Listen carefully," Julius began, "we’re going to hit the right flank with everything we have. The numbers are against us, but their morale is shattered."
"Aggressive wedge formation at the front of their march with 4,000 effectives," he continued, visualizing the deployment like pieces on a strategic board. "Maintain constant pressure on the other sides with the remaining 2,000. Don’t give them time to regroup or think about anything other than surviving the next minute."
The strategy was daring in its simplicity... use their concentrated force to open a way to Kharzan while secondary forces prevented enemy reorganization. It was a plan that tried to succeed through overwhelming local superiority rather than overall numerical advantage.
"Remember, many of their soldiers are more worried about infection than about you. Use that fully to your advantage."
The commanders nodded and began withdrawing to organize their troops, but Julius stopped them with one final order.
"And tell the boys this isn’t just a battle. This is the moment we save our kingdom."
♢♢♢♢
The attack began like an avalanche.
Julius’s forces rained down on Kharzan’s right flank with power that surprised even the attackers themselves.
Additionally, the basic strategies they had learned during wall training worked without major difficulty against distracted and disorganized enemies.
"Maintain formation!" shouted a Captain while his squadron broke the first line of enemy defenses. "Don’t scatter!"
But scattering wasn’t even a problem. The growing enthusiasm of the young soldiers was actually an advantage... Julius’s young soldiers were beginning to realize this was easier than they had expected.
The shift was visible in their movements. Shoulders that had been tense with anxiety now moved with confidence. Voices that had been tight with fear now carried notes of excitement.
"Did you see that?" one soldier shouted to his companion while taking down an enemy who had been more concerned with examining a golden stain on his arm than defending his position. "He wasn’t even paying attention!"
The observation spread through the ranks like wildfire. These weren’t the disciplined, dangerous opponents they had been expecting. These were distracted, paranoid individuals more concerned with their own contamination.
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