"Our scouts found traces of the Blaises."
In the command room, the king stood at the table where the map was spread and found the spot where the scouts found Blasey's army.
"They're still a day away from us."
The command post of the army was located in a small mill near the river, which happened to be at the intersection of the two main roads. It was also the center of the troops of the three Legrand divisions. If it wasn't for the king's refusal, the devil would have wanted to turn this humble little mill into a splendid little palace—and he could.
"To the east of us, it is very likely that Count Poon's army will meet them first."
The officers participating in the meeting discussed.
In the coming war, Legrand's knights were replaced by a combat role. They are not accustomed to being placed at the front of the army to undertake the main force of the war, as the countries across the Abyss Strait are. The battle formations that have been set up are mainly defensive. The king ordered most of his armoured soldiers to dismount, combined with the spearmen to form a tight phalanx to resist the charge of Blaise's cavalry, and to protect the archers who were arranged on the flanks and extended horns. . The remaining knights who were selected were organized into a right-wing army.
"Their army is divided into three groups," said the king. "One each led by the Duke of West, the Earl of Rudolph, and the Prince of Malorin."
"I once fought Prince Malorin at the Battle of Bouven." An officer named "Noel" said, "He would not be happy to let his personal soldiers suffer too much loss. If it is the army under his command , should try to serve as a reserve, or go up the stream and avoid the frontal battlefield."
"Great, our Musketeers will teach him a lesson he will never forget at the intersection."
Hearing this, the king smiled slightly.
In the combat command post, which had a rather serious atmosphere, there was a moment of low laughter.
The commanders who participated in the discussion looked at each other with malicious smiles.
This time, the king did not put the fighters who had made great achievements in the ambush of the Eternal Knights on the front of the battlefield. They were arranged in the rear, closer to the angle between a forest and a sloping plateau in the city of Douro. The initial hand cannon that has not yet reached perfection has limited power on the frontal battlefield, but in the narrow terrain, combined with the "Blood Rose", it can play a better interception and deterrent effect.
If the Prince of Malorin, who regards his cavalry as his heart, really marches up the stream, he wants to take advantage of the stalemate of the frontal battlefield to attack the city of Douro. Then, he is afraid that he will faint with distress under the muzzle of "Blood Rose" and the musketeer.
- Artillery is much more lethal to knights than longbowmen in narrow terrain. The Eternal Knights have proven this with their flesh.
"Rudolph's strength is not as good as West's, and West should lead the main force to launch a frontal charge." Moore was also in the combat command post.
He also participated in the battle against Blasey's expedition.
In fact, despite the size of Blaise's army, they were not too daunting for Legrand's army. The war between Legrand and Blasey lasted for hundreds of years, and Legrand's army was all too familiar with Blasey.
"However, with the prestige of Duke West, although it is enough for him to assume the role of commander, it is not enough to make him ban. I think for him, how to keep the order between the front and rear teams is very troublesome. Problem." A veteran Sir Rand said with a bit of Legrand sarcasm, "Even if he has a plan that is not so bad, and if he wants to execute it not badly, he can only hope that their Lord will bless him. "
The king was thoughtful when he heard the words, and he suddenly asked a question: "If I remember correctly, our old 'friends' seem to love to flaunt their chivalry?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The king who got the affirmative answer smiled, he straightened up, and said in a slightly brisk tone: "Then, let's teach them a lesson - the old-fashioned battles need to be eliminated."
Saying that, the king looked at Count Poon - he was the commander in charge of the right wing of the army.
Count Poon, who suddenly got the king's attention, felt that something was wrong. Sure enough, the next moment, the king spoke in a cordial tone.
"I think you should be able to lead a light cavalry, go around to the left of Blaise's rear, and attack? Mr. Count."
"Yes... yes, but... "
Earl Puan suddenly stammered.
"Of course, I don't want you to die with the knights," said the king. "Night is a good time to attack, and we, as hosts, should let our guests from afar feel our warmth—wait for them. When the camp is lively, you can retreat."
"Yes... But, I'm afraid it's a little out of knightly style. Your Majesty."
Poor Earl Poon was now able to speak clearly, though hesitantly. He's a seasoned veteran and a somewhat conservative old-school knight. And going around the enemy's side to launch a night attack is not in line with chivalry. [1]
"If they really followed the spirit of chivalry, they should not be at Legrand at this moment," replied the king. "Why should we refuse, since we have an ingenious way of preventing the loss of our precious soldiers' lives?"
"Do as I say, sir."
He cannot refuse.
…
Seeing that the army was approaching Douro City, the sky gradually darkened. West, who led the former team, ordered the army to suspend its advance and camp on the spot.
"I bet there's no more stupid 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, Count Rudolph complained to his adjutant.
Rudolph is also an old nobleman of Blaisey, and his reasons for participating in the Holy Army movement are almost the same as those of West. But the Rudolphs and the Wests have had some unpleasant frictions since time immemorial. This time to attack Legrand, Rudolph was forced to agree with West's leadership, but it was obviously not an easy thing to convince him.
"No way, who made those people in his account? Lord Count."
The adjutant drew a cross on his chest.
Rudolph's face became even more ugly. He gritted his teeth and cursed bitterly: "That traitor... Does he really think that everyone is blind?"
The tent fell silent for a while, and no one answered.
In fact, everyone is well aware that they have certain guesses about the identities of those few. And it is this guess, not to mention West, even they may not be able to say half the word "no".
"My lord, there's something I don't know if I should tell you."
The adjutant watched Rudolph's face.
"Say."
"It's like this..." The adjutant carefully organized his words. "I heard a rumor, yes, it's just a rumor, and I can't be sure if it's true or not."
"When did you become so hesitant?" Rudolph frowned.
"There are rumors that His Majesty Ferry III is not dead." The adjutant gritted his teeth and said it directly, "I was thinking, if Ferry III really did not die, would it be a little risky for us to fully participate in this Holy Army movement? I mean Yes, should we send someone to contact the relevant news? You can't just put eggs in a bamboo basket, everything should be prepared with both hands, my lord."
"Ferry III is not dead?" Rudolph seemed to be scalded by the news, almost jumping from the ground, his face was gloomy and uncertain, "But to Ferry, we are also traitors."
He refers to the civil war of Blaise before the Holy Empire was established, and Prince Charles conquered Ferry III. Ferry III did not succeed in pacifying like his old rival Pullan, but was forced to retreat north. And in that infield, most of the nobles of Blaise went to Prince Charles, who had the support of the Holy See.
Rudolph is no exception.
It's just that no one thought at the time that the ambitions of the Holy Court and the appetite of Siold were bigger and more terrifying than they imagined.
But when he woke up, it was too late.
"Ferry III is not dead..."
Rudolph stood up and subconsciously thought about how this rumor would affect the current situation if it were true.
"Where did you hear this news?"
He made a dozen laps in the account and turned to look at his adjutant.
"from… "
The adjutant was about to speak when the noise outside the tent interrupted him.
"Enemy attack!! Enemy attack!"
A harsh, high-pitched sound rang from outside the tent, followed by loud footsteps.
"Fuck!"
Rudolph lifted the tent and couldn't help but curse.
"West's son of a bitch, was touched in the back, and still looks like a deaf?"
In the dark night, someone is attacking their camp. The other party did not know when to bypass the West army in front, and on their side, launched a night attack on them.
The rockets swept across the night sky in the direction of the wind, and fell into the camp one by one. The tents were quickly set on fire. In the firelight, the figure of the attacker appeared - it was a rocket that came and went like the wind. Hussar.
"These bastards! Rogues!"
An arrow flew past Rudolph's tent, and he couldn't help cursing as he shouted.
The entire camp was in chaos. Some soldiers lost their lives in a daze in their sleep. After more people got up in a hurry, the enemy had disappeared without a trace, but they were still drawing their swords and shouting loudly.
Rudolph had the intention to organize soldiers to hunt and kill, but the camp was in a mess, let alone hunt and kill, it was exhausting to prevent this group of confused ghosts from killing each other.