Chapter 1532 – Watching and Learning

I know the strength of the Colony, I know everything we can do individually, or as a well-trained and disciplined army. If I am also aware of what the enemy is capable of, then what do I have to fear? A single battle, a dozen, a hundred or a thousand, the outcome of all can be calculated and predicted. Knowledge and preparation are what win wars. That has always been my belief, and every experience has only reinforced it.

– Excerpt from ‘Words of Solant – Colony General’ by Historiant

Peaceful and calm, Solant watched the unending rage of the fifth continue to boil and froth all around the platform. Reports from the front were one thing, but witnessing the neverending torrent of mucus and slime for herself was certainly an experience. Even more disturbing were the monsters who moved within and amongst the stuff, churning and oozing their way through the muck to attack the platform and hurl themselves into the cleansed mana.

She stood in the middle of the reserve militia, observing the battle unfold with her keen eyes, seeing the actions of the Legion through her thousand lenses, each one focused on a different aspect of the fighting.

“What do you think, general?” her sibling, Leonidant asked. “These Legion people seem to think a lot of themselves; I wonder if they deserve their reputation.”

“We don’t underestimate our enemies,’ Solant stated evenly.

“We don’t overestimate them either,” Leonidant countered. “If they aren’t dangerous, then I refuse to treat them as such. Appropriate force for appropriate demand, that’s your philosophy.”

“Our philosophy,” Solant reprimanded, “and yes, I would say they are worthy of their reputation. Their infantry are holding much better than I was led to expect, given the accounts I read of the siege in the second stratum.”

“The Legion defeated us in that siege, did they not?” Leonidant asked, confused.

“Of course they did. We were saved only by the wave breaking when it did. Yet, there were numerous direct clashes between the Colony and the Legion, and I have studied all of the accounts of those interactions. Despite an overwhelming advantage in numbers, we were pushed back almost every time. However, if the ants of those battles were to face the Legionaries in front of us, I believe they would be soundly defeated.”

“They’re that much stronger?” Leonidant asked doubtfully. “What’s the difference between the soldiers then and now?”