I Can Make Everything Level UP
chapter-172

In the next few days, Billy proceeded to gather Intel about the new enemies and their skills. However, the people from the Hiloh state didn't know much since there was the Toles state between them. They had traded products now and then, so Jean Becker expected that they would ally with another state to wipe them out, and apparently, they sent a force of ten thousand and resources for three months of the war, so that was quite the investment. Still, something seemed fishy regarding all that...

"Who cares about them, they are just weaklings that rely on monsters to fight," Marie said.

Billy thought that it must be nice to be that carefree. Things weren't that simple… from one's perspective. It also means that they are strong enough to rule such creatures without worrying about them going out of control.

"Either way, they ate enemies we need to be wary of," Gerald said. "Since we don't know much, we can't assume too many things about their skills, otherwise, we might fall for some obvious traps."

"While I agree with that, we can't let them determine the rhythm of the war," Billy said.

"That goes without saying, even more so when they had all the decisive factors on their side," Gerald nodded and then said.

Billy looked at Alexander's bow; usually, archers are the ones who are good at taming beasts. Since the enemy could use them to fight, using their soldiers from a distance would be the smart thing to do. That would be a pain if it were the case since they would have to fight three armies… one of the monsters, and two of humans. Considering all that, they should have brought the red archers. They would be able to take down those carefree fellows. Still, everything was just speculation, and thinking about them was useless.

After marching for two days, they stooped, and when Billy looked around, he saw the signs of the battles of two years ago. Some parts were completely dry. Even though the terrain wasn't exactly a thick grassland, it should have been full of life a few years ago.

"There aren't many things in this terrain that we can use to our advantage…" Billy thought.

It was an open field… the enemy archers would have the chance to attack with open view, but at least the defending side won't lose sight of them. It was probably for that reason they would fight in such a neutral spot. To avoid a problem, they always had to accept another…

"Look on the bright side, people like us won't have to worry about unpleasant surprises such as traps and ambushes," Alexander said after guessing what Billy was thinking.

"You sure are optimistic… by the way, which is your range with that bow?" Billy asked.

"Sometimes I can hit targets three hundred meters away," Alexander replied.

Sometimes… it wasn't very reliable. Still, he had quite the range thanks to his strength, probably better than the enemies. However, alone, Alexander couldn't do much. Unless he hits the enemies with every single shot.

"Are we sure we will face the enemies here? Where are they?" Billy asked.

"This is the shortest route without obstacles that they can find, they will definitely come using his region," Marie replied.

"We also have spies infiltrated, so that information is certain," Gerald added. "The soldiers are gathering in the biggest city in that direction. They have the manpower and the resources for a three months long war, but they will try to finish us as soon as possible. Otherwise, they will quickly lose morale. They will show up in two days, tomorrow they will begin their march."

In the end, they had to fight there because otherwise, they would be too close to the enemy territory. In any case, a long war probably was the best for them, but it would be a double-edged sword. They don't have much resources and manpower to last for three months.

Billy wondered if he should mess with the terrain a little bit with his earth magic, he could make some hills with no problem and hide some archers behind it. He had been training his magic as well as his body while he was learning how to forge, after all. Still, it would be better to consult Jean and the others first.

Billy's group began to work in setting their camps, and then they proceeded to check their gear. Soon after, they had lunch and some free time, so Billy decided to talk with the heads of the army about his plan.

"... You are saying that you can create hills?" Jean frowned.

"No… not create it," Billy said. "I can make some of the ground emerge, giving it the shape of a hill."

"You need to be at the place to do that?" Jean asked. "What is your range?"

"Around three hundred and fifty steps," Billy replied.

Billy wondered why the range was exactly that, and after thinking for a while, he assumed that it was the same distance in meters that his magic had. In any case, he knew what Jean thought, what if he could create something like that in the middle of the enemy? Or even attack them from below? It wasn't impossible, but it wasn't efficient either.

"For the time being, make three of those, we have some archers who would benefit from that and such a thing will surprise the enemies, after all," Jean said. "Once that is done, save your mana as much as possible."

Billy nodded, and he created the hills, but it was quite the weird one. The elevation were different from the enemy's side to the defenders' side. It was more like a wall if anything. Nevertheless, the archer squads that would stay there thought that it was perfect. Not only Billy elevated the ground, but the grass also didn't seem unnatural.. So, the enemies couldn't even begin to imagine that it was something made by the defenders.