CH 163 Night Attack

"Our scouts have discovered traces of the Bressi people."

In the command room, the King stood in front of the table where the map was spread out, and found the location where the scouts discovered Bressi's army.

"They are still a day's journey away from us."

This time the army's command post was located in a small mill near the river. It happened to be at the intersection of two main roads. It was also the center point of the troops of Legrand's three districts. If the King hadn't refused, the Devil would have wanted to turn this humble little mill into a splendid little palace——and he could indeed do it.

"To the east of us, Earl Pane's army is likely to confront them first."

The military officers participating in the meeting were discussing.

In the upcoming battle, Legrand's knights have been replaced with a new combat role. Unlike the countries across the Abyss Strait, they were not accustomed to being placed at the front of the army to bear the main charge of the war. The combat position that had been deployed was mainly defensive. The King ordered most of his soldiers to dismount and combine with the infantry with spears to form a tight phalanx to resist the charge of Bressi's cavalry and protect the archers who extended out at angles on the flanks. The remaining knights who were not selected were organized into the right wing army.

"Their army is divided into three groups," said the King. "Duke West, Earl Rudolf, and Prince Malorin will each lead one."

"I once fought against Prince Malorin at the Battle of Bouvines." A military officer named "Noel" said, "He will not be happy to let his own soldiers suffer too many losses. If it is the army he commands, he is likely to try to serve as a reserve, or go up the river to avoid the frontal battlefield."

"Excellent, our musketeers will teach him a lesson he will never forget at the intersection."

When the King heard this, he smiled slightly.

The originally quite serious atmosphere was broken by the low laughter that suddenly erupted.

The commanders participating in the discussion exchanged malicious smiles with each other.

This time, the King did not organize the troops who had made great achievements in ambushing the Eternal Knights on the front of the battlefield. Instead they were arranged in the rear, closer to the angle between the forest and the sloping highlands in Douro City. The initial hand cannon, which had not yet reached perfection, had limited power on the frontal battlefield, but in narrow terrain, combined with the "Bloody Rose", it could play a better interception and deterrent effect.

If Prince Malorin, who regarded his cavalry so preciously, really marched up the stream, wanting to take advantage of the stalemate on the frontal battlefield to attack Douro City. Then, he might be in for some distress under the gunfire of "Bloody Rose" and the musketeers.

——In narrow terrain, artillery was much more lethal to knights than longbowmen. The Eternal Knights have proven this with their own flesh and blood.

"Rudolph is not as strong as West. West will likely lead the main force to launch a frontal charge." Moore was also in the combat command post.

He also participated in the battle against Bressi's expeditionary force.

In fact, despite the large number of Bressian troops, they were not too fearful of an enemy for Legrand's army. The war between Legrand and Bressi lasted for hundreds of years, and Legrand's army was too familiar with Bressi.

"However, with the prestige of Duke West, although it is enough for him to assume the role of commander, it is not enough for him to impose orders and prohibitions. I think for him, how to maintain the order between the front and rear teams will be a very troublesome problem." Sir Rand, a veteran general, said with a bit of Legrandian sarcasm, "Even if he has a plan that is not that bad, if he wants to execute it without it going wrong, he could only hope for the blessing of their Holy Lord."

The King was thoughtful when he heard these words, and he suddenly asked a question: "If I remember correctly, our old 'friends' seem to be particularly fond of flaunting their chivalry?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The King who received an affirmative answer smiled. He straightened up and said in a slightly brisk tone: "Then, let us teach them a lesson——the old stuffy formations need to be eliminated."

As he spoke, the King looked at Earl Pane——he was the commander in charge of the right wing of the army.

Earl Pane, who suddenly received the King's attention, instantly got a bad feeling. Sure enough, the next moment, the King spoke in a friendly tone.

"I think you should be able to lead a light cavalry team around to the left side of Bressi's rear and launch an attack, right? Mr. Earl."

"Yes...it's fine, but..."

Earl Pane suddenly stuttered.

"Of course, I don't want you and the knights to die." The King said, "Nighttime will be a good time to launch an attack. As hosts, we should let the guests coming from afar feel our hospitality—-—once their camp has become lively, you can retreat.”

"Yes...but, I'm afraid this is not in line with chivalry. Your Majesty."

Poor Earl Pane was able to speak clearly now, but he still seemed a little hesitant. He was an experienced veteran and a somewhat conservative old-school knight. It was not in line with chivalry to go around to the enemy's flank and launch a night attack.

"If they truly follow the spirit of chivalry, then they should not have appeared in Legrand at this moment." The King replied, "Since we have an ingenious way to prevent the lives of our precious soldiers from being lost in vain, why refuse?"

"Do as I say, Mr. Earl."

He could not refuse.

……………………

The army was approaching Douro City, and the sky had also gradually darkened. West, who was leading the front line, sent an order for the army to suspend their advance and set up camp on the spot.

"I bet there's no stupider way to march than ours."

There was a distance between the front team and the rear team. In the command tent of the rear team, Earl Rudolf complained to his adjutant.

Rudolf was also an old nobleman from Bressi, and his reasons for participating in this Holy Legion movement were almost the same as West's. But the Rudolph family and the West family have had a history of unpleasant frictions. This time when attacking Legrand, Rudolph was forced to agree with West's leadership due to practical reasons, but it was obviously not an easy thing to convince him.

"There is no other way. Who allowed those people to be in his tent? My lord."

The adjutant crossed himself.

Rudolf's expression became even more ugly. He gritted his teeth and cursed bitterly: "That traitor… does he really think that everyone is blind?"

The tent suddenly became quiet, and no one answered.

In fact, everyone tactfully knew about the identities of those people. And precisely because of this guess, let alone West, even they may not be able to say even half of the word "no".

"Sir, there is something I don't know whether to tell you."

The adjutant observed Rudolph's face.

"Speak."

"It's like this..." The adjutant carefully organized his words, "I heard a rumor, yes it's just a rumor, I can't be sure whether it is true or false."

"When did you become so hesitant?" Rudolph frowned.

"There are rumors that His Majesty Ferri III is not dead." The adjutant gritted his teeth and said it directly, "I was thinking, if Ferri III is really not dead, isn't it a bit risky for us to fully participate in this Holy Legion movement? What I mean is, should we send someone to get in touch with the relevant information? One can't put all the eggs in just one basket, and it would be better to be prepared for everything, sir."

"Ferri III is not dead?" Rudolf seemed to be burnt by the news and almost jumped a mile. His face was gloomy and uncertain, "But to Ferri, we are also traitors."

He was referring to the Bressi Civil War and Prince Charles's usperation of Ferri III's throne before the Holy Empire was established. Ferri III failed to successfully pacify the rebellion like Pureland, his old rival, had and was instead forced to retreat northward. And in that civil war, most of the Bressian nobles sided with Prince Charles, who had the support of the Holy Court.

Rudolph was no exception.

But no one thought at that time that the Holy Court's ambition and Theolde's appetite were bigger and more terrifying than they could've imagined.

However, by the time they woke up, it was too late.

"Ferri III is not dead..."

Rudolph stood up and subconsciously thought about what impact this rumor would have on the current situation if it were true.

"Where did you hear this news?"

He paced around in the tent more than a dozen times and turned to look at his adjutant.

"From……"

Just as the adjutant was about to speak, the noise outside the tent interrupted him.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

A harsh and sharp sound sounded from outside the tent, followed by noisy footsteps.

"Dammit!"

Rudolph lifted up the tent and couldn't help but cursed.

"That son of a b*tch West, the enemy has already come up from behind, and he still acts like a deaf man?"

In the dark night, someone was attacking their camp. The other party had somehow bypassed West's army in the front and launched a night attack on them on their flank.

The flaming arrows cut across the night sky in the direction of the wind, and each one fell into the camp. The tents quickly burned, and in the firelight, the figure of the attackers appeared——it was a team of light cavalry that moved like the wind.

"Those bastards! Scoundrels!"

An arrow flew past Rudolph's tent, and he couldn't help but shout curses.

The whole camp was in chaos and some soldiers unknowingly lost their lives in their sleep. After more people got up in a hurry, the enemy had already disappeared without a trace, while they were still only just pulling out their swords and shouting loudly. 

Rudolph had the intention to organize his soldiers to pursue and kill them, but the camp was in chaos. It was difficult to stop these confused idiots from killing each other let alone give pursuit.