Chapter 3 Hei's Wisdom, Ineptitude of Masses
It is clear that General Hector wanted to ask Hei something, but everything that is happening right now is just completely unexpected for him. In the beginning, it is obvious that General Hector wanted to use his prestige to scare off this young man, but apparently it did not work. With that emotionless face, it seems like this man cannot be moved by prestige alone.
The sound of a light sigh eventually comes out of the general's mouth.
"In the end, I'm still a defeated general…"
Carefully shaking his head, the general regains his focus on the young man before him.
"You should know why you are taken here."
"You are trying to determine if I am an enemy scout. If I am, you will force me to tell you the position of other enemy scouts, and you will eliminate all of them. If the enemy loses all their scouts, the foggy atmosphere will grant you a slight advantage over them."
Not showing any sign of panicking, Hei answers the question in a manner as if he had known what the general was going to ask.
"Do you know that the answer you just gave me will increase the probability of you being an enemy scout?"
General Hector glares at Hei with a mixture of curiosity and doubt.
"Such ineptitude of masses…"
…
Hei's emotionless poker face completely overwhelms the crowd. Who is this man? Does he know that he is not in the position to lecture his potential executioners? Small talks among the officers start to spread across the meeting tent.
"I am a traveler. Lost in the middle of the forest. If you think that killing me, a random stranger, will help you win a war against the army that is sixty times larger than your current forces, then I will let you do whatever you want with me. In the end, if this battle is still considered a fair battle, then why even bother sitting around the tents and all look like you have experienced the end of the world?"
A visible sneer takes over Hei's emotionless face. He turns his head to observe all the officers around him, and all of which gradually lower their heads.
In reality, this group of the revolutionary army only contains about five hundred people, but Esdeath still has a total of more than thirty thousand troops. The revolutionary army does not have any backup for food or water, so if the siege continues, then all of them will gradually die of hunger and thirst, while Esdeath just sits outside and wait for the victory. Of course, this does not eliminate the fact that Esdeath might discover this hideout, and if that happens, then all hope is lost.
No one in this tent can be called a fool. How can they not know what type of person Esdeath is? Depression suddenly overcomes the mood of everyone.
"However, probability shows that you may still have a chance."
The mechanical voice appears like the bright star in the darkest nights, the sudden excitement for the soldiers brought by this sentence is beyond description.
"Oh? Is that so? You do remember that we can still consider you an enemy scout?"
General Hector squints his eyes to re-focus on the man in front of him, the cunning eyesight is just like a wolf looking at its prey. What he is trying to say is very clear: the revolutionary army cannot just believe the words of a random stranger. At the same time, they will also prevent this stranger from leaving the place while knowing their position.
"Foolishness."
…
"I have revealed myself to your soldiers without any means of self-protection, when it is clear that are still commanding an army with over hundreds of way to eliminate me. You are under a siege that will potentially kill every single soldier under your command, and yet you do not have a single plan for retreat or counter-attack. According to my analyzation of your current situation. Your chance of survival without me is below two percent. If you are still not willing to take a risk on the battle field where you have absolutely no courage to survive, then I have nothing else to say."
…
General Hector is shocked internally by the words of this mysterious man. From his looks, this man is only about twenty years old. He did not only held himself against a group of threats, but also persuades them to follow his orders without any demonstration of his personal strength. Even though he does not look like he has any means to protect himself.
There are two decisions that are in front of the tired general right now:
1. Starvation by Esdeath's siege, while not knowing if Esdeath will find this place before their death.
2. Listen to this mysterious and emotionless young man.
"So… According to your plan, what is our chance of winning the battle?"
"Below fifty percent. However, if succeed, then you will at least be able to destroy ten thousand enemy troops."
His voice shows complete coldness toward the situation at the moment. Even when his own life is tangled with those of the revolutionary army, he does not show any sigh of fear.
"Only below fifty percent… however, I don't think we have a choice here…" the old general lets out a long sigh, "I cannot believe I am still dreaming of a complete victory in this type of situation. How embarrassing."
Eyeing this young man again, General Hector decides to show a more respectful attitude.
"What is your name, young man?"
…
"My name is Hei."
It almost sounds like an order from a king to his people. It almost sounds like the young man is saying "My name is Hei. Remember it well. It is an order."
Who has the upper-hand now?