Chapter 886: Towers! Forts! Strongholds!
Ling Zhan stared at the holographic projection map before him, falling into deep thought.
This projection map came from the battleship's built-in magical satellite reconnaissance system.
Logically speaking—
This highest-grade magical satellite could map an entire continent's terrain.
But the enemy wasn't incompetent—they clearly knew how to counter magical satellites.
So the range that could actually be scanned was limited.
Areas not detected appeared as black fog.
On the map, fifteen camps, five towers, and one fort had been located nearby.
The regional territory occupation system also had a tiered structure.
As mentioned before—
A territory owner had three forced expulsion rights against invaders.
But only stronghold-level territories had this privilege.
The territory grades were—
From low to high: camp, tower, fort, small stronghold, medium stronghold, large stronghold, super stronghold.
Camps, towers, and forts, even when occupied, did not grant expulsion rights—only the [Territory BUFF].
Small strongholds granted one expulsion.
Medium strongholds granted two.
Large and super strongholds granted three.
The difference between large and super strongholds lay in their walls, facilities, and more advanced BUFFs.
And they were harder to conquer.
Camps supplied towers, forts, and strongholds, producing large quantities of magic energy resources.
Towers acted as signal relay beacons. Each had a "Detection Eye" with a vast range. Once within that range, all targets would be detected—even invisible assassins couldn't hide.
Forts were the first layer of defense for strongholds. They deployed camps and towers, serving the stronghold.
Strongholds were the most heavily fortified and troop-concentrated locations.
Normally—
When a large army arrived, its first task was to find a region with stronghold authority, station troops, and build a stronghold.
Then…
Send troops out like casting a net, expanding outward.
Prioritize deploying forts, then use them as centers to place towers and camps around.
Of course…
Camps were the most basic but also the most important.
Within strongholds, camps were also built to provide internal supplies—just in case outside camps were destroyed. Every stronghold had backup camps.
At present—
The warship Ling Zhan led had just entered the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Demons' territory.
All camps were within tower detection range.
Once a camp was invaded, nearby towers would instantly transmit the alert to all surrounding camps and towers.
Then the fort would be informed, and in turn, the stronghold.
Silently seizing a camp or tower was basically impossible.
Unless the tower could be destroyed from extreme range.
Of course…
The key was destroying the tower's "Detection Eye."
Because towers primarily relayed info through that.
Once an enemy was detected, it instantly spread the intel.
Within two seconds, it could copy the invader's complete data and transmit it elsewhere.
Because of this—
David, Alchi, Moldes, and the other legion members all looked grave.
Destroying a tower outright…
Was wishful thinking.
Its detection range was massive. Once your attack entered it, you'd be spotted.
Not to mention its reinforced walls and defensive arrays.
In this situation—
Thinking about destroying the Detection Eye was just fantasy.
Now they were all waiting on Ling Zhan's decision.
But they also knew this problem was extremely difficult.
Capturing camps was possible.
Maybe even one or two towers.
But stopping the enemy from transmitting the alert? Impossible.
Once enemy reinforcements came, those towers and camps would be taken back.
What's the point then?
After all, they only had two thousand people.
Even holding a single camp would be tough.
Even if they succeeded, they couldn't defend it.
If they had billions of troops behind them, then conquering and defending camps, towers, and forts would be viable.
Hmm…
Difficult.
Very difficult.
Even though they weren't the commanding general, they could feel Ling Zhan's pressure.
They were just at the enemy's doorstep.
Not even inside yet, and they already didn't know how to proceed.
If they reached the super stronghold, wouldn't it be even worse?
Was there really no solution?
While everyone was troubled—
Ling Zhan finally spoke with calm clarity.
"David."
David immediately stepped forward and looked at Ling Zhan.
"Take five hundred troops and attack the three eastern camps. No order required—just capture them within one hour."
David nodded and accepted the order.
Though confused, the commander's orders must be followed completely.
No room for doubt.
Next—
Alchi, Elbert, and Jana were also each ordered to lead five hundred troops to seize the southern, western, and northern camps.
Maybe it was due to the towers or the spread of camps—defensive strength at these outer camps was light.
Of course, this only applied to the outer regions.
The closer to the fort or stronghold, the stronger the camp defenses.
Those camps also had anti-detection arrays—magical satellites couldn't scan them.
And so, the two thousand troops were divided.
Only Moldes, Ye Qingling, Bazel, and the other top ten legion members remained.
These top ten weren't disappointed when Ling Zhan didn't call them—they looked even more eager to fight!
They weren't stupid!
If David and the others were handling the camps…
Then what was left?
The towers, of course!!
The top ten would naturally follow Ling Zhan to assault the five towers!
As for the distant fort—it would be last.
Just as they expected—
Ling Zhan turned his gaze on them.
"You ten—directly drop into the enemy towers."
"Yes, sir!"
Moldes, Ye Qingling, and the others responded in unison.