Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 294 The Maginot Line
"Change locations?"

“That’s right, it’s about exchanging bases.” Arden’s expression had switched to a profound one: “The famous strategist Clausewitz once said that exchanging bases is the mother of all tactics.”

Clausewitz? A strategist? I've never heard of him.

What a coincidence, I've never heard of it either~
Seeing Daum's confused look, Arden silently echoed the sentiment, but on the surface, he spoke with earnestness:

"I'm not mocking you, but this person is stupid. They just need to read more books and broaden their horizons, then they'll understand."

A seemingly lecturing but actually sarcastic remark made Dom's face turn as red as a purplish eggplant. He was angry but didn't know how to vent it, which made Arden secretly happy.

Thinking back, almost the exact same scene had played out just two days ago, except that the location was the study of Shining Gold Coin's base, and I was playing the unlucky role of Dom on the other side.

Arden quickly broke the awkward situation by gesturing and pointing on the map, then turned to the other person and asked, "That's the plan of action. What are your thoughts?"

What's your opinion?
No matter how Daum looked at it, he thought this move of launching a full-scale attack on the enemy's base was too crazy, and he shook his head repeatedly.

"The main force of the Money Gang has been transferred to the North District to confront us. Moreover, they need manpower to manage the territory they just acquired. There must be a power gap in their rear. Isn't the market area stronger than the warehouse area in the North City?"

"That's true, but even if we could take it, what would we use to defend ourselves if the enemy turned around and retaliated?"

"We can make some arrangements in the northern area to distract the enemy, while our main forces hold their positions and fight back with the advantage of terrain and defense. We are not without a chance of winning."

After a brief argument, Dom still felt the risk was too great. In addition, there was another problem: "We're all stuck in the base, so how should we divide the territory, and who should have the authority to make decisions?"

Arden wasn't in a hurry at all and changed his tune again.

"So what do you think of our Maginot territory?"

Dom was taken aback at first, and then looked at the other person in disbelief: "You, you mean?"

“If you don’t dare to go and attack the Money Gang’s headquarters together, then let us, Maginot, go. Our territory can be left to your Finger Gang, but there’s a condition.”

"What are the conditions?" Dom asked impatiently.

"While we launch our offensive, you must contain and block the Money Gang's forces that were previously entrenched in your territory."

As he spoke, Arden slammed his hand heavily on the map, his palm landing squarely on the bridge connecting the north and south parts of the city:
"We must hold them back from their mission to reinforce headquarters!"

"This," Dom hesitated upon hearing this, "with the strength of my gang, how can we possibly stop those beasts from the Money Gang?"

"With their base destroyed, they won't linger in battle. What you need to do isn't a direct assault, but harassment and delaying tactics will suffice."

“We,” Dom opened his mouth, then hesitated.

How should I put it? Should I say that the psychological trauma we suffered was so severe that we could hardly muster the courage?
"Either you can take over this headquarters and defend it against any retaliation, and the market area will be yours, or it's the road I just mentioned."

Arden's tone suddenly turned stern, as if he was angry at his lack of ambition:

"No risk, no reward. There's no such thing as a free lunch. If you don't even have that much guts, you might as well go sell yourself to Mr. Fishman or go to the slums to beg for food!" Having said all that, Dom gritted his teeth: "Fine, leave this to us. But what will you say if you fail to take them down?"

"It's nothing more than either turning back to attack the territory you previously lost, or joining the Bloodsail Gang. When the time comes, you have to be bold. The more you think, the more worries you'll have." Arden shrugged indifferently.

"Lady Luck doesn't protect cowards. It's settled then. We'll start the operation tomorrow morning."

"So fast?"

"Or do you want to wait until they've established themselves before having a gentleman's duel?"

The meeting ended with Arden's confidence and Daum's unease.

Dom had every reason to be uneasy. His two encounters and the two beatings he received had made him somewhat apprehensive.

Arden's confidence was not unfounded. Having read the script, he knew that this seemingly dangerous battle was actually just an armed parade to cover up a private deal.

The reward for my hard work performing for many days is almost in my hands, and I'm really looking forward to it.

Back in his private bedroom, Arden, who had been so passionate and eloquent, now had a lewd grin on his face, rubbing his hands together incessantly.

Cluck cluck cluck, this crowing-like laughter once led to rumors within the Maginot Line that they were crowing at midnight.
Luscan, north of Faerûn Sword Bay, mid-month of the year-end month, DR 1364.

The intense gang war has finally reached its climax and finale. After the setbacks and defeats in Market Garden and Operation Overlord, the Maginot and Finger gangs, who seemed to have lost the initiative and retreated to a corner of the North District, finally rose up to fight back.

The counterattack was launched by the Finger Gang. After losing their territory and fleeing to their neighboring ally Maginot, they were almost universally underestimated. This proactive attack truly surprised many.

Although these guys were less of an attack on the Money Gang and more of a whack-a-mole game, they would always show up on familiar streets they had previously occupied, throw darts and stones at their former strongholds, and then disappear when the other side showed up.

Although these guys' slogans were a hundred times more radical than their actions;
Although no one was optimistic about their operation, their courage was still remarkable.

After all, it's rare for a mouse to actively provoke a cat.

This farce only came to an end when astonishing news arrived from the other side of the river.

Like a thunderbolt ripped across the sky above Luskan, even the winter frost seemed to tremble and melt away at this bold and decisive action.

This keynote, representing the escalating intensity of the battle, was composed by Ardennes and the Maginots.

This time, instead of swaggering through the streets and alleys to storm the Money Gang's stronghold as before, they boarded a group of carriages disguised as merchant caravans at dawn, crossed the bridge, and headed south to the market district.

That morning, some early-rising vendors were fortunate enough to witness this scene: nearly twenty fully armed soldiers emerged from several vehicles parked not far from the Shining Gold Coin base, and led by several particularly tall figures wearing black cloaks, they quickly rushed towards the base's gate.

This time, they were not met with an open-door attack or a head-on assault. Due to the shortage of guards, Bard, who was in charge of guarding the area, saw the enemy coming in aggressively and simply turned around, went into the camp, and closed the gate.

Thank you to Brilliant Cherry Blossom Era and yywhs for your monthly ticket support!

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(End of this chapter)