I Build a Modern Shelter in Fantasy World

"Wait? What do you mean?" Luke asked.

"Princess Hannah is not used to the battlefield. I am sure that with you by her side, she will learn a lot about war strategy and the like," Anastasia answered.

"She also has many troops who can help you later," Anastasia added.

The woman made it clear she had brought them to Earl Ashfield's residence. Gideon grew curious. He stood up from the sofa and stepped forward, with Lena and Luke right behind him.

Gideon was surprised to see so many soldiers lined up neatly in the front yard outside Norton's residence. Princess Hannah sat on a horse and immediately bowed her head in salute to Gideon.

"We are ready to take your orders, Lord Gideon," Hannah said, and the rest of her soldiers echoed her.

Gideon shook his head. To him, seeing hundreds of soldiers like that was far more surprising than seeing a wolf using binoculars.

Maybe they would be useful if Gideon planned to attack the enemy lines. But his plan is different.

This mission required secrecy and caution. He and his team would enter a secluded area between two kingdom borders, then push into enemy territory to infiltrate and sabotage.

"I cannot bring them. They are too conspicuous for the mission we have now," Gideon said.

"If you insist, I can take Hannah with me. She might help a lot with what she knows about this world," Gideon added.

Anastasia nodded, reflexively glancing at Hannah to check the woman's readiness. Hannah, who had the mindset of a soldier, said she was ready and would fully obey Gideon's orders.

"Alright, you may take her with you," Anastasia said.

"What about the Blue Rose Order soldiers?" Hannah asked.

"All their soldiers will be under Earl Ashfield's command. You only need to follow his orders if you want to stay alive," Gideon replied.

"We understand your orders, Lord Gideon!" the soldiers said in unison.

After Gideon gave his orders, they dispersed and returned to their barracks. Earl Ashfield said he would gather them tomorrow for a troop briefing.

Hannah dismounted and stepped toward Gideon with no hate, no regret. Now all that remained in her was ambition to learn and gain experience.

Given Gideon's wealth of experience, it was wise for Hannah to keep following him as a subordinate and perhaps as a student.

Together with Gideon, they entered Earl Ashfield's residence and saw many bottles of wine stored on the lounge table. Norton and Gideon had been relaxing earlier.

"So, what is your plan?" Hannah asked.

"Woah, wait, Your Highness. Relax a bit before we talk about complicated things," Luke joked.

"Sit here," Lena said. Hannah nodded and accepted a glass of wine from Lena.

Gideon and Norton talked about many other matters, mostly about the kingdoms. At first Norton refused to talk because Queen Anastasya was at his residence. But Gideon kept bringing it up and Anastasya did not mind.

Queen Anastasya joined them, but she could not stay long. At nine in the evening she said goodbye and entrusted Hannah to Gideon.

"Of course, I will take good care of her," Gideon said.

The queen's entourage left Earl Ashfield's residence in the capital. Gideon looked back, staring at each member of his team.

"All right. Let's start discussing our plan," Gideon said firmly, and the three of them nodded in understanding.

Earl Ashfield heard them and offered the meeting room so they could discuss their plan. He also provided maps and markers for their needs, in case they wanted to mark important locations.

"You should come with us. With your knowledge of the area, you might help us a lot," Gideon said.

"May I?" Hannah asked.

"Of course, you are part of us, remember?" Gideon replied.

Norton agreed. He felt honored to join Gideon's planning session. They went up to the second floor and arrived at the meeting room, a large space with a big wooden table. Servants brought maps and wooden markers as needed.

"I do not know the situation of Luthe and Sisyla's forces. Can you give me an overview?" Gideon asked.

"Of course, Lord Gideon."

Norton took the marker and placed it in several locations like the west and the north. He also explained the size of their forces to give Gideon a picture of the war map.

Gideon studied the map. From it he saw a narrow road cutting through hills and mountains. That road's destination was the Kingdom of Luthe, and it could also reach Sisyla.

"I see this route. Can it be used?" Gideon asked.

Norton and Hannah looked at him. Some commanders had considered going through that road, but there were risks to watch for, one of which was traveling between two cliffs.

"The entrance to the cliffs comes from Luthe. Some soldiers tried to enter the gorge before, but the enemy trapped them and they died," Norton explained.

"Is there another way up the cliff besides going through the gorge?" Gideon asked.

"There is, but it takes a long time and I worry that Luthe's forces are already stationed on the mountain," Norton answered.

Gideon listened. He took a red marker and placed it at different locations, on the mountain and on the cliff. Before entering Luthe, they had two places to watch.

"How about that?" Norton asked.

"Is there no other route?" Gideon asked. Norton shook his head.

He fell silent, thinking about the most effective way to defeat the enemy. The main problem was on top of the cliff. The archers there could have a major impact on Gideon's plan.

"How high is that cliff?" Gideon asked.

"Around 200 to 250 meters."

"That is quite high. There are no buildings or hills that match that height," Norton said.

Gideon paused for a moment. Lena, Luke, and Hannah watched Gideon's serious face as he thought. After one long breath, Gideon finally made a decision about the matter.

"There is no other choice. We destroy the enemy base on the mountain, then go to Luthe via that cliff," Gideon said.

"There are about 1000 troops there. That will be a difficult battle."

"Just create panic. Soldiers will be terrified when attacked by something they have never seen before."

"With my rifle power, I can easily defeat them and make them panic."

"Attack directly?" Norton asked, shocked.

"Guerrilla tactics."

"We do it at midnight when many of them are asleep."

"Move fast. Burn the base, create chaos, lure the cliff archers to come down to help."

"Are we going to kill them?" Luke asked. Gideon declined.

"Our mags are limited. Avoid direct conflict. Our focus is getting into Luthe."

Luke and Lena nodded in agreement. Norton and Hannah could only stare because Gideon's plan sounded crazy and reckless.

However, this was Gideon's team, famous for its ghost-team reputation. The impossible could happen if Gideon led the attack.

"I will call this operation Blazing Mountain!"

"Prepare the gear. We leave tomorrow night!"