CHAPTER 107: TACTICAL PROBLEM

Liam left the command tent and found his assigned quarters—modest tent that was larger than common soldiers’ but not ostentatiously so.

Inside, simple bedroll and basic equipment. Nothing that suggested supreme military commander deserved special comfort.

He lay down, expecting his mind to race with tactical concerns and strategic calculations.

Instead, exhaustion claimed him immediately.

And for first time in weeks, he slept without dreams.

———

Liam found peace in the embrace of unconscious, of simply resting without the constant responsibility of surviving.

However, he knew more than most - peace did not last.

The second day began with screaming.

Liam was already awake when the alarm spread through Legion One’s encampment—years of combat instinct had made him a light sleeper even before demon physiology made sleep optional.

He was armed and moving before his conscious mind fully processed what the noise meant.

"Fourth Order scout just returned," Torven reported, appearing beside him with the efficiency of someone who’d also been waiting for problems.

"Says there’s Radiant Empire patrol three miles south of our borders. Approximately two hundred infantry. Appears to be standard border reconnaissance, not specific response to our march."

"Appears being the operative word." Liam’s mind was already calculating. "Could be genuine patrol. Could be bait to draw us into engagement that reveals our position and strength."

"Or could be advance element of larger force that’s responding faster than intelligence projected." Torven’s tactical mind was running parallel calculations. "Do we engage or bypass?"

It was the kind of decision that seemed simple but carried massive implications. Engage and they announced their presence definitively. Bypass and they potentially left hostile force in their rear that could harass supply lines.

"Where’s Kael’thra?"

"Already moving Fourth Order assets into position around the patrol. Waiting for your command to eliminate or withdraw."

Of course she was. The militant faithful didn’t hesitate when potential threats manifested.

"Tell her to observe only. No engagement unless the patrol discovers our position." Liam’s voice was firm. "We’re not starting fights unnecessarily. If they’re just routine patrol, we let them complete their route and leave."

"And if they turn toward our position?"

"Then Fourth Order eliminates them quietly before they can report. But we don’t initiate contact just because enemies exist nearby."

Torven departed to relay orders, and Liam found himself wondering if restraint was tactical wisdom or dangerous hesitation.

The Radiant Empire patrol represented first potential hostile contact. How they handled it would set precedent for entire march.

Lilith emerged from the command tent, already dressed despite the pre-dawn hour. "I heard. Radiant patrol. Are we engaging?"

"Observing unless they discover us. Then eliminating quietly."

"Conservative approach. Probably correct but frustrating for Fourth Order warriors eager to prove their usefulness." She moved to the maps. "If this is routine patrol, there will be more. Border territories have regular Radiant presence. We can’t avoid them indefinitely."

"We avoid them when possible. Eliminate when necessary. Minimize engagement until we’re committed to main assault." Liam studied the map showing their position relative to Radiant Empire borders. "We’re still in territory where Radiant presence is light. Gets heavier as we advance."

"Which means today’s decision to observe rather than engage might not be available tomorrow."

She was right. The deeper they marched into Radiant-influenced territories, the more contact became inevitable.

---

The army broke camp with the disciplined efficiency that came from professional military training. Tents collapsed, equipment packed, formations established—all within two hours of first light.

Legion One began marching while Fourth Order scouts monitored the Radiant patrol that thankfully seemed unaware of massive demon army just miles away.

Liam walked with Legion One’s vanguard, his presence among common soldiers generating mixture of awe and nervousness.

Some demons knelt as he passed. Others just stared. A few seemed uncomfortable being so close to entity they’d been told was Primordial Demon.

"They’re not sure if you’re god or commander," Torven observed quietly. "The ones who worship you want blessing. The ones who don’t worship you want orders. Creates interesting dynamic."

"Probably should have figured out consistent approach to that before march began."

"Probably. But you were busy planning our glorious suicide. Religious protocol took back seat." Torven’s dry humor was refreshing. "For what it’s worth, most soldiers don’t care if you’re god or talented commander. They care that you win battles and keep them alive when possible."

"I’ve won four major battles and am marching them toward eighty-five percent casualty rates. Not sure that qualifies as keeping them alive."

"You’re keeping the species alive. Individual survival is secondary concern." Torven gestured to the marching formations. "These are veterans. They understand that sometimes winning requires dying. Long as the dying serves purpose, they’ll march."

They walked in companionable silence for a while, watching Legion One advance through territory that was becoming progressively less welcoming.

The villages here were smaller, more suspicious, with populations that had clearly experienced Radiant Empire occupation.

Some villagers watched the demon army with hope. Others with terror. Most with resignation that armies—demon or human—brought disruption regardless of intention.

Around midday, word came from Fourth Order scouts: the Radiant patrol had completed their route and departed without discovering the demon army’s presence.

"First potential contact avoided successfully," Lilith reported when they stopped for brief rest. "Kael’thra is disappointed we didn’t eliminate them, but she followed orders."

"Note the disappointment. We’ll need to manage Fourth Order enthusiasm for violence before it creates diplomatic disasters." Liam accepted water from supply wagon. "Any other intelligence from advance scouts?"

"Radiant Empire military presence increases significantly twenty miles south. There’s garrison town called Ashford that we’ll need to either bypass or go through. Going through means engagement. Bypassing adds three days to march."

The tactical problem was clear. Take direct route and fight, or take longer route and preserve forces for main assault.

"What’s the garrison strength?"

"Approximately fifteen hundred troops. Mixed infantry and cavalry. Some paladins but nothing approaching Grand Commander level." Zara appeared with detailed intelligence report. "Fortified position but not impregnable. We could overwhelm with minimal casualties. Maybe two hundred dead, five hundred wounded."