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."

in thought. "When the invasion from the sea exhausts itself, they can take another territory by attacking. Yet, this forces them to survive the defense. Though defending is

still isn't easy," Shira said. "There are fewer beasts on our

center of the world and also bigger?

knew about the greater layout of the world. The fact that Gravis knew about this, but not about the concept

correct, but that doesn't hold true for beasts on our level. We have a far bigger territory with less Natural Essence while the continent 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

"That makes sense. I also assume that the more powerful Lords and Kings aren't interested

their followers. After all, when we lose, we leave behind a lot of meat for them

of the world. There was a stretch of ocean that even touched the

they didn't. This could only mean one thing. There was at least one very powerful beast able to resist the land invasions in the

do you plan to use

very small territories and defending them. The Water Makers will lower the land on these territories, giving us a

brows. "This is a better strategy,

it when someone questioned

force them to attack us. That is true, but the issue is that they can attack our rear. Instead of attacking the stretch of water, they

Yet, she wasn't sure what she could do against such a counterattack. Sadly, her pride was in the way and disallowed

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

"Explain," she said icily.

life up to now. Would you say that the you from ten years ago is

course not," Shira answered as if that

ten years in the future will also

glaring and

intelligent as you that have the advantage of experience, and sometimes, even stupid beasts can find a better way. Always reevaluate if there isn't a

lowering herself to the level of common, stupid beasts. How could their