GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 20.1: Inheritance

"See these banners?" Vel pointed to the Royal and Church markers. "I think that's where reinforcements will arrive from."

Mira nodded in understanding as Vel continued his explanation, pointing to specific choke points on the map.

"Let's form barriers here and here," he indicated narrow passages between hills and a river bend. "Not every fight guarantees a win. We need places to fall back to, otherwise we'll potentially get wiped out."

He directed Mira to position her Royal Forces infantry to establish a defensive wall at the first choke point, while Tomas's Church units provided magical support behind them.

"I'll take my scout to expand the area," Vel said, moving his cloaked adventurer figure forward. "Trying to get some view on the objectives."

In his mind, Vel was playing the long game, carefully checking if his predictions would prove true. The scout moved swiftly through the terrain, revealing more of the map as the fog of war receded.

A few moments later, they discovered an unoccupied strategic point—a small hill with a ruined tower that overlooked a significant portion of the battlefield. Vel moved his adventurers forward to secure it.

As soon as his party claimed the position, something unexpected happened. A golden aura enveloped all four figures before slowly dissipating. The scout seemed to flicker, becoming less visible even as Vel watched. The knight's armor began to gleam with an inner light, while the robed figure's staff pulsed with magical energy. Wind swirled around the archer, making their cloak flutter.

"Do you see this?" Vel asked, leaning forward excitedly. The scout had unlocked something—a fading ability that made it nearly invisible.

"The strategic points aren't just objectives," he realized. "They're power sources for our adventurers. Every point we secure makes them stronger."

"As long as adventurers stay alive long enough..." Tomas said, watching the enhanced figures.

"They grow stronger with each point we hold," Vel finished, his eyes darting across the map with new understanding. "That's why they start with such small numbers."

Mira's eyes widened. "Quality over quantity?"

"Exactly. If we can keep them alive long enough to secure several points..." Vel trailed off as movement caught his eye.

Through the dissipating fog, a formation of enemy units marched directly toward their newly captured hill—their tabards distinctly marked with the Royal emblem.

"Damn," Vel muttered, his fingers hovering over his units. "Enemy units approaching from the northwest. Royal Forces, full battalion."

Tomas's hand froze above his Church units, his face paling. "Should we engage?"

"No. We're not ready for a direct confrontation." Vel quickly moved his scout away from the approaching troops. "Scout, hiding mode, withdraw to that forest patch."

The cloaked figure seemed to shiver before disappearing among the miniature trees, becoming nearly invisible on the table. The enemy troops continued their march, oblivious to the hidden observer tracking their movements.

"Are those barriers ready?" Vel asked, glancing at Mira's formations.

She shook her head, adjusting her infantry positions. "Another few minutes before we're fully entrenched."

A plan formed in Vel's mind as he studied the approaching enemy formation. "I'm going to play cat and mouse with them for now. Buy us some time."