The Lord Of Blood Hill-Chapter 147: Breakthrough and Rearguard
Cronin, the ceremonial officer, glances around at their surroundings. "This isn't the direction to the principality! Why are we heading south?"
Henwell, in a unhappy tone, replies, "Didn't you know the current situation? Our disappearance has been discovered! The border will be sealed immediately, and there's likely already fighting there. Are we going to march to our deaths with just this small group? So, we must head south to avoid the conflict zones. The kingdom's legions are deploying today! Do you want to travel alongside them?"
Knight Chabri understands Henwell's intention. "You're aiming to enter Ogiro's territory?"
Henwell sighs, "Let's see how it goes! If we get the chance, entering the southeastern region of the principality would be ideal."
At this moment, Henwell is unaware that the kingdom's pursuing knights have already set out. With their speed, they'll catch up to the delegation in no more than three days. However, Henwell has made preparations, using some diversions to buy time.
As they change direction, Henwell's people have already hired a sizable merchant caravan, all mounted and carrying seemingly valuable goods, heading towards the principality. Heading south, Henwell and his group move for another two days, passing kingdom legions marching north and numerous summoned noble private armies preparing to join the battle.
Here, Henwell's previous collaboration with Catherine in smuggling proves useful. The noble passes they acquired allow the delegation to pose as a noble entourage heading south, pretending to prepare defending against Ogiro Kingdom. This way, they can boldly travel along the main roads.
However, these passes are only useful for a while and can't be relied upon to approach the border.
Upon reaching Backmount City, Henwell connects with Jar Chick. Pi's remaining hundred elite soldiers have been waiting for Henwell here for almost half a month.
Chick brings bad news: "Henwell, we can't head south anymore! Ogiro and Billie have formed an alliance, organizing a joint force of seven legions set to march north in two days. Entering Ogiro's territory is now impossible. The border is under strict surveillance, and patrols are everywhere!"
Henwell spreads out a map, studying it carefully, but can't find a better solution. After consulting with Chabri, Robin, and others, they decide to head west, looking for an opportunity to force their way across the border. Backmount City is about 500 kilometers from the border, and the journey will be fraught with challenges.
Initially, Henwell's group disguises themselves as a merchant caravan, making it to a point 200 kilometers from the border. Here, they encounter numerous kingdom patrols, making it impossible for civilians to cross. Henwell and his group find themselves stuck in a small town, but Henwell has made preparations here as well.
Another large caravan awaits them, a contingency Henwell arranged after receiving Melissa's warning. As they left the principality, both caravans had swapped out most of their personnel. Half of the caravan members are Henwell's elite cavalry, and the horses pulling the carts are actually disguised warhorses.
After delivering arms to Catherine, under the guise of procuring supplies, Henwell has withdrawn all his assets from Billie. The remaining two hundred plus individuals are all Henwell's warriors. This boosts Henwell's force to over four hundred elite cavalry, making a forceful border crossing not entirely out of the question.
After two days of rest, intelligence comes in revealing a vulnerable spot at the border. In the farmhouse, Henwell has crates opened, revealing neatly arranged standard weapons and equipment.
Cronin looks at the items in astonishment. "Henwell, how did you manage to get all this?"
Chabri inspects the gear. "These are top-quality knight equipment. Where did you get so much of it?"
Henwell doesn't bother explaining, simply orders, "Suit up! Chainmail on the inside, armor on the outside! Those at the knight level take the premium gear. Remember, if you take these, you're expected to lead the charge! If you're not up for the risk, take the standard equipment. There's no shame in that! But don't grab the good stuff only to hang back when we meet the enemy."
The combat members of the delegation, chosen as Arius's guards, aren't the type to back down. Among the twenty-seven guards, twenty-one are at the knight level. The remaining six are members of Arius's personal guard, whose skills are nearly on par with the knights. All these individuals opt for the premium gear. Henwell's forces have over fifty more who can use the top-tier equipment.
With Henwell, a Grand Knight, leading the charge, they have over seventy knights and nearly four hundred elite cavalry. If they launch a fully armed assault, it would take at least two thousand cavalry on the opposing side to stop them. The border legion's cavalry is spread thin along the border, and at most, they can organize a few hundred cavalry as a group.
Under the cover of night, the group sets out, carrying the banner of a Billie Kingdom army unit. They travel over a hundred kilometers overnight. Along the way, they encounter patrols, but Henwell manages to deflect their inquiries, claiming they are royal cavalry delivering the kingdom's orders to the border.
The patrols, seeing the elite nature of the cavalry and Henwell's forged royal orders, don't suspect much, especially given Henwell's fluent Billie royal capital accent, which convinces them these are indeed knights from the capital.
After traveling a few more kilometers, while Henwell's group is resting, Chick s that a cavalry bearing the king's banner is heading their way. Henwell climbs to a higher vantage point and uses binoculars to survey the area.
Sure enough, he spots a cavalry unit of over thirty riders. Henwell, having spent over a year in Billie's royal capital, recognizes them as the king's royal guards. Worse still, with the guidance of nearby patrols, this royal guard unit is already heading in their direction and will reach them in about ten minutes.
Robin, in a grave tone, suggests, "Let's kill them and cross the border immediately!" Henwell shakes his head, "No, this is just a small unit. There are likely more royal guards converging on us!"
At this moment, Chick suddenly speaks up, "Henwell, give me your cloak! I'll attract them away!" Henwell hesitates, and Chick urges, "Don't hesitate! If we're surrounded by the royal guards, none of us will get out!"
Henwell, in a firm voice, orders, "Prepare for battle! We're taking a gamble!" But Chick holds his arm, "You know this won't work! Hurry!"
Then, a young gladiator steps forward, "I'll impersonate Henwell! Chick, you have more important things to do. I'm alone, and living this long is already a bonus!" With that, he steps forward and yanks off Henwell's cloak. "Henwell! I owe you my life! Now it's time to repay that debt!" He ties the cloak around his shoulders, mounts a horse, and commands, "Eighth squad, follow me!"
Watching the departing cavalry, Henwell stands rooted to the spot for a long time.
Chapter 147: Breakthrough and Rearguard
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