The Epitome of Algedonic Love

43: THE ART OF WAR

"If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself, but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle." - Sun Tzu

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❆ CLÍODHNA EISDRACHEN POINT OF VIEW ❆

"Tito, okay lang po ba na dalawa lang muna kami ni Clio dito?" Hera politely bowed her head, apologizing for wanting to discuss our plans without anyone else hearing.

"Walang problema hija. Aalis na muna kami ni Anton, mamaya saglit ay dadalhan namin kayo rito ng inumin niyo panlaban sa init ng araw," Tito Leon said before he and Anton left.

After they were gone, Hera looked at me. "I'm sorry. Right now, we need to stay vigilant, especially since we still don't know who the traitor is." I could hear the guilt in her voice for the decision she had made.

I approached her, took her hands in mine, raised them, and kissed the back of her palms. Finally, I placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "They will understand. Don't worry, wifey," I assured her. She smiled and gave me a quick kiss on the lips.

"Discuss your plan with me, okay?" I nodded, and we turned our attention back to the map on the table.

"Base dito sa mapa, rectangle shape ang hugis ng kabuuang area ng barangay," Hera observed the map as if studying the geographical aspects of the area.

"Yes," I replied shortly, allowing her to analyze the map in her own way.

"The warehouse is located in the center, about 1 kilometer away from the residential area. They could potentially escape to the south since there's a river," Hera suggested. Just from her words, I deduced that Hera wasn't familiar with this place. Hindi kasi siya napaparito lagi, unlike me, who knew the area well.

"No, the river is a good escape route but it's too wide and the current is strong. And let's say they try to escape using the river towards the east, it's not a good idea either because there are a series of high waterfalls along the eastern side of the river. If they decide to head to the neighboring town to the south, we can easily catch them because we can wait for them at the docking point or even launch an airstrike since it's mostly uninhabited, a desolate area. It's a dead end in the south," I confidently stated, pointing out each part of the south.

Her eyes fixed on the map, she nodded before responding to me. Then she pointed towards the north side. "This one is not a good escape route," she whispered softly.

"Yes, it's not ideal because the terrain there is rough, with lots of cliffs and underdeveloped and rough roads, not to mention the presence of the CAFGU from the neighboring town waiting at the border," I pointed out. She remained silent for a few minutes before pointing the west side.

"It's risky here, Clio. The enemy cannot come this way, maraming buhay ang mapupunta sa panganib," she explained, pointing her finger towards the residential area in the west.

"I know, that's why we will try to force them to retreat towards the East. There's a controlled area by Artemis and the headquarters is about 30 kilometers from here, so when they come out of the mountains towards the East, we can launch a surprise attack on them," I explained. Both of us were now focused on the map.

"Clio... The East is too far, they will surely head towards the West," Hera said, looking at me. I stared into her eyes for a few seconds before taking a deep breath. "It's okay." I glanced at the map, and Hera's gaze followed.