Lightning Is the Only Way

"We'll assault the land," Gravis said to Shira. "Do you already have a plan in mind?"

Gravis wasn't sure, but he thought that he saw Shira smirk.

"This is not the first time I've been part of something like this," she said. "I know how these raids go, and generally, they go horribly."

"How come?" Gravis asked. He already had some answers in mind, but he wanted to be sure. Shira had first-hand experience in these things.

"Adaptation and strategy," Shira answered. "We are not adapted to fight on land. Additionally, the common strategy is a war of attrition. We just send beasts into the enemy until either they die, or we die."

Gravis nodded. "That's indeed a stupid strategy. What's your idea of a better one?"

"Using the Water Makers," Shira answered. "Water Makers are beasts with an affinity with earth. They are very rare, but their skills are invaluable. After the war ends, they can lower the ground and distribute it over a wider area. Because of that, the lowered ground gets flooded with water."

Shira knew that Gravis wasn't from here. So, she had explained the concept of a Water Maker to him. Gravis was a bit surprised about the Water Makers' affinity. By the name, he had expected that they had an affinity with water, not earth. Yet, the explanation of Shira made sense.

"But that isn't so simple, right?" Gravis asked.

"Yes. Water Makers are rare and, therefore, valuable. Sending them in while we're still fighting is putting them at risk. That's why they generally only come after the fighting is finished."

Gravis nodded. "And I guess the beasts on land have beasts that can do the same, correct?"

"Of course," Shira answered. "Additionally, beasts with an affinity for earth are more numerous on land. They create high walls and mountains to make it harder for us to fight. In general, the land dwellers don't do invasions but counterattacks."

rubbed his chin in thought. "When the invasion from the sea exhausts itself, they can take another

are fewer beasts on our level among the land dwellers.

the continent in the center of the world and also bigger? Why do they have

twinkled a bit. Not many beasts knew about the greater layout of the world. The fact that Gravis knew about this, but not about the concept of

is smaller with more Natural Essence. This means that we have more beasts on our level and about the same number of Lords. The difference comes into play at the next level. Kings and Emperors are more common

more powerful Lords and Kings aren't interested in territories this far away

the power of their followers. After all, when we lose, we leave behind

of ocean that even touched the center of the world. When Gravis had seen that, he hadn't

of these Water Makers would allow the land beasts to reclaim that part of the ocean. Yet, they didn't. This could only mean one thing. There was at least

do you plan to use the Water Makers?"

Water Makers will lower the land on these territories, giving

better strategy, yes,

it when someone questioned her craftiness. "Which is?" she asked with a hint

can attack our rear. Instead of attacking the stretch of water, they might go to the shore and attack the territory behind us. At that point, we would be stuck in

perfect. Yet, she wasn't sure what she could do against such

saw that, he sighed. "Shira, if you want to become powerful,

"Explain," she said icily.

say that the you from ten years ago is as smart as the

not," Shira answered as if

years in the future will also think that

stopped glaring and fell into

the current you means that you still have room to grow. You pride yourself in your intellect, but there are beasts just as intelligent as you that have the advantage of experience, and sometimes, even stupid beasts can find a better way. Always reevaluate if

herself to the level of common, stupid beasts. How could their plan be better than