The Lord Of Blood Hill-Chapter 195: I’m Not Afraid Anymore
After Amir's rebuke, everyone's gaze shifts to Henwell, their expressions oddly amused. They hadn't spotted him earlier and assumed he was absent. Turns out he was hiding behind a pillar—what a peculiar fellow!
Henwell chuckles awkwardly, "Your Grace, I'm rather large, and if I sit up front, I might block the view for everyone."
Grand Duke Amir snaps, "Get up here!"
Henwell pouts as he drags his chair to sit behind some counts.
"Move even closer!"
Geez! Henwell reluctantly joins the front row.
Grand Duke Amir looks at Henwell, "You're skilled in military strategy. Tell us, how should we fight this battle?"
"Well, I'm not sure..." Henwell starts but falters under Amir's piercing gaze.
He stands and moves to the map, "The Ika Kingdom has mobilized twenty standard legions, which sounds like only two hundred thousand troops. In reality, the numbers are higher, including noble coalition forces and border fortress legions. The total exceeds three hundred thousand!”
”While our forces can defend, there's pressure. But the duchy needs more than just a successful defense; we need to repel the Ika Kingdom's advance.”
”If we end up in a prolonged strategic stalemate, the Ika Kingdom's goal is essentially met. They don't need to invade the duchy or fight fiercely. Their aim is to stall the duchy, delaying its transformation.”
”Delays can lead to complications, especially when the duchy's three neighbors are unreliable. The longer it drags on, the more problems can arise elsewhere."
Grand Duke Amir is frustrated; he's well aware of this dilemma. Not only Amir, but most present can see the hidden risks behind this situation.
Grand Duke Amir says, "I'm not asking for an analysis of the battle's impact; I want to know what we should do."
Henwell points to Iron Pit City, "We should reinforce this area. Lord Fabio's Iron Wall Legion is the duchy's elite. In my opinion, all five available legions should be directed here. This way, we'll have the strength of ten main battle legions, with other supporting troops for defense. These ten legions can serve as our strategic offensive force to attack the Ika Kingdom and force them to retreat!"
Grand Duke Amir asks, "What about the direction of Vorska City?"
Henwell replies, "Implement a scorched earth strategy and rely on those seventy thousand troops to defend it fiercely!"
Count Descartes is furious, "What if my area falls?"
Henwell responds calmly, "If it falls, it falls! Let the Ika Kingdom come in and cause a ruckus. That way, we'll gain a strategic advantage on the northern front."
Everyone understands Henwell's point. It's about sacrificing part of the territory to gain another. Though risky, it's a feasible strategy.
However, Count Descartes would undoubtedly find it unacceptable, and the noble alliance wouldn't agree to this plan either.
Grand Duke Amir shakes his head, "No, we can't let the Ika Kingdom enter our borders. I have to be responsible for the duchy's nobles and citizens!"
Henwell lowers the command baton, "Your Grace, then I have nothing more to add."
Grand Duke Amir asks gravely, "Can't your troops be deployed?"
Henwell shakes his head, "Currently, Peace Haven is surrounded by enemies. I have to guard against both the Ogiro Kingdom and the Ika Kingdom, so I can't risk it!"
After a moment, Grand Duke Amir suddenly turns to Henwell, "You mentioned earlier that you could lend the duchy five million gold coins. Does that offer still stand?"
Henwell replies with righteous conviction, "In times of national crisis, I certainly can't stand idly by!"
Grand Duke Amir nods, picks up the command baton, and lightly marks a section on the map, "This area will be pledged to you by the duchy."
Henwell frowns, not because the area is too small, but because it's too large. Initially, they discussed an area of about a thousand square kilometers, but the area Amir marked clearly exceeds two thousand square kilometers.
Before Henwell can say anything, Amir continues, "Can you deploy your troops now? Open a front in the south and draw some of the Ika Kingdom's forces!"
Henwell picks up another command baton and points north of Peace Haven, "The Seventh Legion and the Thirteenth Legion can be reinforced towards the Vorska City direction. With these two legions, I believe the defense there should be sufficient. I will organize a militia of twenty thousand to try to hold back the Ika Kingdom's forces as much as possible!"
(Note: The Seventh Legion and the Thirteenth Legion is currently deployed by the Amir near Peace Haven to defend against Henwell)
Amir glances at him, "So, you're not afraid anymore?"
Henwell, as if he doesn't catch the implication, responds, "Right! This way, the Vorska City defense line remains secure. Count Jansen and Peace Haven won't face threats from the north. I can then lead twenty thousand militia into battle without worrying about issues at home. Even though my militia can't compare to the duchy's legions, they will fight bravely and not disgrace the duchy!"
Everyone can't help but laugh at Henwell. Those two legions were originally meant to guard against Henwell. Now that they're being redeployed, Henwell naturally has nothing to fear.
Grand Duke Amir doesn't press the matter further. If Henwell deploys his troops, the whole strategy comes alive. The talk of twenty thousand militia is just Henwell's way of putting it—everyone knows the true strength of Henwell's forces. His capability in commanding warfare is well recognized by all present.
With Henwell in motion, Count Jansen will also have to move, and together they can field at least thirty thousand elite troops. This will effectively tie down a significant portion of the Ika Kingdom's army, easing the pressure on the Vorska City front.
This, in turn, allows the duchy to maintain strategic initiative towards Iron Pit City.
Does Henwell really not want to join the battle?
Of course not.
He's been itching to give the Ika Kingdom a good thrashing.
But he can't act rashly; after dealing with Ogiro, should he immediately take on Ika?
Treating these established kingdoms like pushovers would surely invite fierce retaliation from Ika. Timing is everything, and right now is the perfect moment.
With the Ika Kingdom waging war against Vorry, the vast frontline stretches over a thousand kilometers, involving hundreds of thousands of troops clashing. Henwell's forces, in comparison, don't seem so conspicuous.
This time, Henwell plans to make a significant move.
He's preparing to commit his three legions and a cavalry regiment. Alongside Count Jansen's twenty thousand, Henwell is ready to deploy over sixty thousand main combat forces from the Peace Haven direction alone.
To counter these sixty thousand, the Ika Kingdom would need to mobilize ten legions.
However, Henwell won't commit all his troops right away; otherwise, his area might become the main battlefield, which he wants to avoid.
He plans to simmer the situation slowly.
Once the northern fronts are fully engaged, Henwell will go all in, aiming to carve out a substantial gain from Ika.
After all, his actions align with the duchy's overall strategy, so any fallout would be the duchy's responsibility to handle!
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Chapter 195: I’m Not Afraid Anymore
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