""This is Narnia's last dignity.""The Knights will fight to the last moment.""This is our land."...Aaron looked at the indignant crowd and couldn't help but shrink his neck. "This is the best method I can think of.Our chances of winning are very low; one could even say that a pyrrhic victory is a win.However, the Telmarines' population is much larger than the Narnians'. It doesn't matter if their first attack fails. As long as they don't suffer heavy losses, they can organize a second, or even a third attack after a period of rest.If we retreat now and preserve our forces, there will always be an opportunity to reclaim our homeland in the future.""But we have nowhere left to retreat," Trufflehunter said with a solemn expression. "The Narnians thought the same way hundreds of years ago. We barely survived by lingering in the forest.We cannot hide any longer, or we will gradually perish with the passage of time.""Miraz won't give us a chance to hide either," Trumpkin added. "He said he would cut down all the trees in the forest."Aaron shrugged. "Then there's nothing more to say. Let's fight!""Every one of us thinks that way," Petersaid calmly. "What I want to know is whether you have a better suggestion to help us defend this Castle."Aaron hesitated for a moment, wanting to speak but holding back."You really have a way?" Susan asked in surprise."I can't call it a way; it's more like a non-way," Aaron said with a troubled expression. "If the Telmarines want this Castle, then give it to them.""What did you say?" Caspian immediately couldn't listen anymore. "I'm not being alarmist, but if we abandon this Castle, we lose our last barrier.""Let him finish," Peter said.Aaron looked at Caspian. "You've already dug out the area in front of the bunker to deal with the Telmarine cavalry.""That's precisely why we cannot abandon this Castle," Caspian patiently explained. "On the open plain, it's difficult for us to counter large numbers of infantry, and this Castle gives us a topographical advantage.Originally, a fight to the death was the only option, but your gun can destroy catapults and heavy ballistas, which means they cannot easily destroy this Castle.In close combat within the bunker, we might not be without a chance of winning.""Shallow," Aaron scoffed, curling his lip. "Anyone can see you haven't fought a war. This strategic vision is truly embarrassing.""Don't talk as if you've fought a war," Caspian retorted. "Gaius's name isn't in Narnia's history from hundreds of years ago.""It will be in the future. Gaius will become a legend of Narnia," Aaron said confidently. "King Peter once called this Castle a tomb, and I think it's quite fitting.""Thanks for the compliment," Petersaid grumpily. "But if we don't have a better plan, this place might really become a tomb.""The key is whose tomb this will be," Aaron snapped his fingers. A red light flashed on the stone table, and a small Castle model appeared."Can I learn magic?" Lucy asked interestedly, her eyes full of anticipation."I'm afraid not," Aaron shook his head, directly extinguishing the little girl's hopes. "You don't have any Wizardbloodline, no talent for learning magic.""Not even a glimmer of hope?""Give up. Don't waste time on this.Perhaps there's magic that ordinary people can learn, but I haven't found it yet.""Ahem!" Susan coughed. "Business first."Aaron regained his composure and pointed to the front of the bunker's projection, continuing, "There's one entrance at the front. Caspian also dug two tunnels beforehand that lead to the rear of the cavalry.In other words, this Castle has three entrances, but no exits.""What are you trying to say?" Caspian asked."Your idea is to use traps to deal with the cavalry, and then use your familiarity with the bunker to fight the infantry. So why not take it a step further?For example, turn the bunker into a trap to deal with the infantry."Hearing this, Caspian seemed to understand, but not quite, and the others also seemed to grasp something, but couldn't pinpoint the main idea."Can you be more specific?" Cornelius asked."Haha! Your IQs are truly making me anxious!" Aaron said, exasperated, rubbing his forehead and shaking his head, then pointed his hand towards the back of the Castle, and an exit appeared."Lure the infantry into the bunker, we use our familiarity with the Castle to shake them off, and leave through the tunnels.At this point, the bunker will be full of enemies. If we destroy the bunker, with good luck, we can bury at least a third of the infantry."Clap!Peter slapped the table, feeling a significant release of the frustration in his chest."Let's do it. If it succeeds, the Telmarines' numerical advantage will be nullified.""This strategy is good, but there are two problems with its implementation," Edmund said hesitantly. "I know it's a bit of a mood killer to say this, but we simply don't have the ability to destroy this Castle."As his words fell, everyone looked at Aaron in unison.They were mere mortals; demolishing a Castle would take a huge amount of time, but a Wizard should surely have other methods!"Hey, hey, hey! Don't look at me like that.That kind of look always makes me feel immense pressure.""We need the power of magic," Susansaid righteously. "This might be the very reason you came to Narnia.""Don't be ridiculous. magic isn't for killing people," Aaron scoffed. "Helping you deal with those large weapons and offering advice, I've already done my utmost.I'm not some omnipotent savior. Don't come to me for something that kills thousands of people at once.I'm only fifteen; I don't want to have nightmares at night.""Then at least come up with another idea!" Peter said anxiously. "This Castleisn't as sturdy as the Telmarine Castle, but destroying it in a short time is almost impossible for us.""Can you have some wisdom?" Aaron swept his gaze over Peter and the others with an expression of caring for the mentally challenged, causing a blush to appear on their faces."So, you still have a way, right?" Lucy asked awkwardly.Whew!Aaron took a deep breath. "Complex problems are often very simple.You're looking at the problem too directly. There are many ways to destroy the bunker; you don't necessarily have to dismantle the foundations or anything. The simplest way is… fire.Prepare enough lamp oil, firewood, and hay inside the bunker. After we leave, Susan can shoot a flaming arrow from afar, and the entire Castle will become a scorching furnace."Hiss!Everyone shivered at the thought of that scene, looking at Aaron with a hint of fear."That's too vicious!" Peter said with a very unnatural expression."You said it, this is war.Being merciful to the enemy is being cruel to yourself.Besides, being burned to death and being buried alive aren't that different, are they? Either way, it's death!""Could you not say it so nonchalantly?" Trufflehunter said, trembling. "Being burned to death or being crushed by stones, anyone with a sound mind would choose the latter.""Since you're so kind, why not be a little more diligent and use your claws to dig out the bunker's foundations?""Let's not," Trufflehunter immediately changed his tune. "Burned to death it is. Who told them to attack us first!""I'll go and have everyone gather all our flammable materials and try to cover the entire floor of the bunker," the Centaur leader said."That's the second problem I was going to mention," Edmund interjected. "Whether it's digging a new tunnel or preparing and laying flammable materials, we need time, but the Telmarine army is already setting up camp.""From what I know of Miraz, he won't drag this war out until tomorrow.He will launch an attack by late afternoon at the latest," Caspian said with a solemn expression. "At the earliest, it will be at noon.""Delaying time?" Aaron tapped his chin, then turned to look at Caspian. "I think our Prince should not mind meeting his uncle, right?""I'm afraid not," Susan said. "Miraz is no gentleman. If he met Caspian, he might just shoot him with an arrow.""Then I have no solution," Aaron spread his hands. "When two armies face off, the best way to buy time is negotiation.Whether it's being obsequious or arrogant, it can achieve the goal, but if the other side doesn't even want to meet an envoy, then there's no game to play.""No, there's hope," Caspian suddenly said. "Miraz is undoubtedly a tyrant and a murderer, but as a king, he must consider traditional values and the will of the people.There's a way to buy us some time, and that's to issue a direct one-on-one challenge, a duel that only the kings of both sides can participate in.""I like this tradition," Aaron laughed. "Your ancestors must have been out of their minds to risk the king's safety when they had such a huge advantage."Caspian's mouth twitched. "The first thing I'll do after ascending the throne is to change this tradition.""Wait, what does it mean that only kings can participate?" Susan asked anxiously. "Does that mean we have to let Peter duel Miraz?"Caspian nodded noncommittally. "Only a king can represent both nations.""We can have someone impersonate him," Edmund suggested. "Anyway, Aaron and Peter are about the same height."Aaron: … "What does that have to do with me?""Nonsense. Peter might not be able to defeat Miraz, but you definitely can.""I'm not going," Aaron refused without thinking, saying righteously, "I've always been honorable since I was a child. Impersonating someone else is impossible.Besides, with my unique temperament, if Peter and I stand together, anyone can tell at a glance… who is the King."Peter stumbled.What does that mean? I admit I'm not as powerful as you, but am I not fit to be King?"Even impersonating won't work. Both sides need to confirm each other's identities before the duel," Caspian said."I'll go," Peter said, then looked at the other representatives. "I will try my best to buy time. I'll leave the tunnels and flammable materials to you.""Understood, Your Majesty," Trufflehunter said. "Many of us have charcoal and firewood stored for winter. Bringing it all will be enough to cover the entire bunker.""If the plan succeeds, our chances of winning will increase to fifty percent," Peter nodded. "The remaining fifty percent will depend on the outcome of the battle.""I can go find Aslan," Lucy suddenly said. "I saw him deep in the forest. He must be waiting for me to go to him."Peter hesitated for a moment, then nodded heavily. "Perhaps this time, we must trust you.""No," Trumpkin said. "It's too dangerous for a little girl like you to go deep into the forest.""This is the best way to reduce casualties.Aslan will help us. If he appears, all problems can be resolved properly."
