Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Upon receiving the news that the "Montaigne bandits" had occupied Revodan, Major Ronald was not surprised at all.

Instead, Captain Apel was nearly driven mad, "What on earth does he want to do? With his few men and horses, how does he expect to hold Revodan?"

The other Centurions also looked grim.

"We need supplies," Ronald muttered, biting his empty pipe.

To ensure the element of surprise, Ronald's two battalions had set out lightly equipped, carrying no baggage apart from a seven-day supply of dry rations.

Reducing their load as much as possible was the only way to march quickly.

They didn't even have tents, and Ronald wrapped himself in his cloak to sleep at night.

Getting his troops from Revodan to Wolf Town with the regiment fully intact had already made the Major very satisfied with his Centurions.

But it wasn't the enemy that would break these raw recruits' morale—it would take just one heavy rain.

"We are in no worse shape than Montaigne. If he is not afraid, what are you afraid of?" Ronald suddenly burst out laughing, "Continue scouting Revodan! The main forces will go to Shizhen first for supplies. Then to Saint Town. If Revodan is vulnerable, we will take it directly. Otherwise, we'll bypass King's Bridge Town and head for Hammer Fort!"

Hammer Fort, originally a fortress north of Revodan, had gradually developed into a small town of more than fifty households.

This small town had always been the gateway to Revodan, controlling the main entry and exit passages of Iron Peak County.

"Captain Apel."

"Present!"

Ronald gave his command with emphasis, "Take your hundred-man team and head to Hammer Fort ahead of the others. Spread Captain Apel's men the dry rations from the other Centurions' squads."

"Yes!" The Centurions were invigorated.

"Let's go! To Shizhen!" Ronald laughed loudly, "I really want to see who truly rules Iron Peak County."

...

Some time later, Pierre also returned to Wolf Town.

Winters was in the stable, helping Changsheng find milk—Changsheng was a firstborn, and Botayun not only had insufficient milk but also refused to tend to the foal.

Hearing the message that Pierre brought back, he was not surprised either, asking only, "Did they explain the reasons to you?"

"Nothing," Pierre, who had been riding all day and night, could barely stand, "But Mr. A and Mr. B both support the contingency plan."

Although Paratu and Vineta were at odds, each turning red in the face, and the situation within Paratu was complicated.

Still, since Vineta had not formally intervened in Paratu's internal conflict, and to keep the identities of Moritz and Juan as secret as possible, Winters had ordered to refer to them as Mr. A and Mr. B.

"Understood," Winters nodded to Pierre while holding Changsheng's small head gently with both hands, "You go rest; leave the rest to me."

Pierre saluted with his hand and staggered out of the stable.

Changsheng latched onto the milk again, nursing with determination.

Eating, growing—it was his instinct.

On the flip side, to not do so meant death.

Changsheng was like this, and so was Winters' faction.

Seeing Botayun no longer resisting as before, Winters slowly let go of his hands.

Changsheng sucked on the milk with "slurp slurp" sounds.

Both combat plans had their pros and cons. Of course, it was better to take a city like Revodan.

But what if they couldn't hold it?

What would General Adams, the ruler of Newly Reclaimed Lands Province, do?

Although the New Reclamation Legion was currently restrained by both Red Rose and Blue Rose, how could they tolerate the fall of an entire county?

With the troops at hand, could they withstand the thunderous strike from Maplestone City?

And Plan A: to gradually take control of each township, turning Revodan into an island surrounded by land.

That strategy was Winters' favored one, and it was also why he insisted on setting the [Capture of Revodan] as the contingency plan.

Cities and the countryside depended on each other, but ultimately, it was the city that needed the countryside more.

Cities required the influx of materials and manpower. Once Revodan became isolated, it would collapse without a fight.

However, no plan can keep up with change.

War had taught Winters : sometimes success or failure does not depend on how perfect the plan is, but on whether its execution is resolute enough.

Moritz and Juan were of sound mind; their judgments must have their own considerations, and Winters trusted them.

Since they had chosen a path, they just had to walk it.

"No matter what lies ahead, there will always be a way," Winters thought to himself as he stroked Changsheng's soft mane.

...

Wolf Town, once again struck by war, turned to ashes yet again.

Amid the ruins, soldiers stood ready.

All the Cavalry Winters had left in Wolf Town, including himself, amounted to a total of eighteen riders, each with two or even three horses.

Women such as Anna, Scarlett, Eileen, and Catherine had come to the town center to see them off.

Some Wolf Town residents from nearby spontaneously arrived to bolster the spirits, and even three wealthier tenant farmers came forward, riding horses and carrying javelins, volunteering to help.

Bard, Andre, and Mason were absent, for they had already rushed to Revodan at the first opportunity.

"I'm sorry," Winters said to Anna, his voice full of guilt.

In a moment, they were parting again.

Anna clutched Winters' hand tightly.

That night, she too had hidden in the forest with the people of Wolf Town, witnessed their terror and helplessness in the face of disaster, saw Wolf Town engulfed by towering flames, and saw the best and worst of humanity.

She hugged Winters tightly and, standing on tiptoe, whispered into her lover's ear, "Go. These wooden houses, the church—they haven't harmed anyone, yet they were destroyed. They shouldn't have done that, and they had no right to do it. Don't worry about me or anyone else; we can take care of ourselves."