Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 3125

Petra asked in confusion, "I know the Cathedral would never agree, but if you plan to move first, isn't that a contradiction?"

Andrew smiled and said, "I already told you, it is a smokescreen. Vance is smart, but when dealing with smart people, you sometimes have to use clumsy methods. His rationality will keep telling him that I am just talking and that I would never dare to act.

"But after a day or two, Vance will not be able to sit still. He will start wondering whether I was just bluffing, or that I might actually shock everyone by boldly grabbing that prize first."

He explained, "If we somehow pulled it off and took Throne City, especially now that the Ludendorff family is already shattered and barely worth mentioning. Whether by luck or sheer madness, the other factions would beat their chests in regret.

"To prevent even that tiny possibility, Vance will slowly plant a seed of doubt in his own mind. At that point, he will half believe it and half fear that we truly intend to attack Throne City. So what can he do? He will have only one choice, to strike Throne City first."

Petra frowned and mumbled, "But earlier, Vance said he might take advantage of our attack and strike Abyss City."

Andrew snorted. "That was something he said on purpose, and whether it's true or false doesn't hold up under scrutiny. Right now, there's only one prize worth having, and that's Throne City. If I succeed in taking it, would it even matter if I hand Abyss City over to him? Once my forces are firmly established in Throne City, all the surrounding major cities will have to either submit to me or be destroyed."

Petra was thoroughly convinced. "Brilliant! After you break it down like that, I suddenly see everything clearly. So when do we start the attack?"

Andrew smiled mysteriously. "Very soon. But the attack won't be a real attack… Sometimes, a feint is the essence of warfare."

…

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