The Lord Of Blood Hill-Chapter 168: Joint Operation
As Fabio crushes two of Kosen Kingdom's legions, the Billie reinforcements for Yosui City arrive at the battlefield just outside the city. The reinforcements number over thirty thousand, consisting of three legions and a cavalry corps of six thousand.
They bear not only the kingdom's banner but also the royal sunburst emblem, indicating the presence of a royal family member at the front lines. For Yosui City, besieged for over a month, this is a significant morale booster.
Clad in armor, Daniel rides up to Catherine. "Your Highness! Yosui City is saluting you! Shall we respond?"
Catherine shakes her head. "That's just for show! Breaking the siege is what truly matters to them. Relay my orders: all units are to rest and prepare. We attack at dawn. That will be my true response to the soldiers and civilians of Yosui City!"
Daniel is taken aback. "Aren't we going to wait for Vorry's Iron Wall Legion?"
Catherine smirks. "This is our war. The outcome will affect future border delineations and our own standing. Within the kingdom, there’s already suspicion about my forces. Only by achieving greater victories can I silence the critics and secure a larger share of the spoils."
"The Iron Wall Legion isn't interested in us achieving a major victory; they'll only intervene if absolutely necessary. Their goal is merely to drive the Kosen forces away. But I aim to annihilate Kosen's fifty thousand troops!"
Though the plan seems risky, Catherine is confident. Her thirty thousand troops are seasoned veterans, well-equipped by kingdom standards. Additionally, Yosui City holds four more legions, totaling another thirty thousand soldiers, which should at least ensure a stalemate.
Most importantly, she has received confidential intelligence revealing the true strength of the Iron Wall Legion, their rapid marching capabilities, and insights into Fabio's personality. The analysis suggests that Fabio won't stand idly by, especially if Catherine's forces find themselves in a fierce battle.
The next day, the battle erupts, with both sides clashing fiercely. Catherine commands from the rear with her six thousand cavalry, continuously issuing orders and sending reinforcements into the fray. By afternoon, the battle remains deadlocked. Catherine's forces are slightly stronger, but the enemy has the advantage in numbers, resulting in a stalemate.
A few kilometers away, Fabio receives a handwritten letter from Catherine, requesting his support on the battlefield. After Catherine's messenger departs, an officer remarks, "Sir, if we engage now, the Kosen Kingdom's forces will collapse quickly! This isn't in line with the orders from command. We're only supposed to drive them away, not crush them."
Fabio waves the letter in his hand. "How can I stall? This joint operation is crucial for the peace talks between the two nations, showing our sincerity. Now that Catherine has reached out, if I just sit back and watch, how can the peace negotiations continue?"
Another officer chimes in, "But if we inflict heavy losses on this part of the Kosen army, the duchy might lose some leverage at the negotiating table!"
Fabio shoots him a glare. "We've been at war for nearly a year. Don't you want to go home? These new territories have nothing to do with us. Once the war ends, we'll be sent back to the western front. I'm not at the negotiating table, so why should I worry?"
"Our job is to fight, and that's it. None of that other stuff concerns us. Relay my orders: the entire army is to march quickly to the battlefield. We'll strike from the flank and take out one of their legions!"
By evening, the Iron Wall Legion arrives on the battlefield, immediately putting the Kosen Kingdom's commanders on high alert. Fabio swiftly directs his troops to attack, catching the Kosen forces off guard.
Initially, the Kosen army still has a chance to retreat. However, once Catherine sees the Iron Wall Legion entering the fray, she raises her lance and shouts to the cavalry that had been observing all day, "Charge with me!"
Over seven hundred knights form a neat line behind Catherine, followed by the rest of the six thousand cavalry preparing for battle. Moments later, Catherine begins to ride slowly towards the battlefield, gradually picking up speed. Within minutes, her cavalry corps enters a full charge.
Leading with over seven hundred knights as the spearhead, Catherine charges head-on into the Kosen Kingdom's northern cavalry. Just as they are about to engage, a radiant glow emanates from the royal banner beside Catherine. The knights at the forefront activate their Fighting Spirit, and under the guidance of the banner, a miraculous unity forms.
A thin veil of light envelops each knight, shining brilliantly in the fading light of sunset. The Kosen Kingdom's commander, eyes wide with shock, exclaims, "A knight order!"
Though the Kosen Kingdom boasts several thousand cavalry, they are no match for the knight order empowered by Fighting Spirit. Like a hot knife through butter, Catherine's knights pierce through the enemy ranks effortlessly, tearing a three-hundred-meter-wide gap in the Kosen cavalry lines.
The cavalry clash ends in a resounding defeat for the Kosen Kingdom. Catherine's remaining six thousand cavalry easily rout the disordered Kosen horsemen. Suffering almost no losses, the knight order, under Catherine's leadership, charges directly towards the main infantry corps of the Kosen Kingdom.
Fabio notices the unfolding situation and gently rubs his forehead, saying, "How does she still have a knight order? This is the end for Kosen Kingdom's forces; they're going to be shattered!"
Catherine's ambitions extend far beyond this. She had already coordinated with the garrison inside Yosui City the previous day. As soon as she charges, the Yosui City forces will emerge to flank the Kosen troops. Additionally, three thousand cavalry from the city have already circled around to cut off the Kosen army's retreat.
Catherine intends to completely annihilate the over fifty thousand troops of the Kosen Kingdom. Only such a monumental achievement will silence her critics and allow her to proceed with her next plans more confidently.
In the end, very few of the Kosen Kingdom's fifty thousand troops manage to escape. The Billie Kingdom secures a significant victory, and Catherine benefits greatly as well. After just a three-day rest, Catherine, with a reluctant Fabio in tow, continues the offensive northward.
Over the following month, their combined forces engage in two more battles, both resulting in decisive victories. They not only reclaim a vast amount of lost territory but also enable Catherine to amass even more troops. The title of "Princess of War" begins to echo throughout the region!
When Henwell receives the news, he chuckles softly and instructs Chick to withdraw the spies who had been in contact with Catherine. It seems he has created quite a predicament for the Duchy of Vorry, ensuring they lose at least several thousand square kilometers of territory at the negotiating table.
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Chapter 168: Joint Operation
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