Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

But overnight, the East Bank of the Anya River was ablaze with beacon fires.

In all the villages and towns, they were either already raided by the Rebel Cavalry, or traces of the Rebel Cavalry had been spotted nearby.

"These little bastards are using Herdman's tactics," Colonel Gaisa scanned the briefing ten lines at a glance, tossed it back onto the table, stretched his arms languidly, and asked, "What's for breakfast?"

"White bread, red soup, boiled eggs," Captain Hudson replied rapidly, pressing further, "Aren't we going to do something about it? Sending a few men back wouldn't hurt, rather than letting the Rebels have their way."

"I'm asking what the grunts are having for breakfast?"

"Coarse bread, mixed vegetable soup."

"That's not too bad."

"So, we're really not going to deal with it?" Captain Hudson asked again.

"Why should we?" Colonel Gaisa used a wet towel to wipe his face and scalp as if washing up.

"The Rebels are pillaging our villages!"

"Let them loot," Colonel Gaisa snorted, "Don't be fooled by the emergency calls from twenty or thirty villages at once; it's actually just a small cavalry team. Even I don't have many cavalrymen at hand; how much can the Rebels have?"

"Even with just thirty cavalrymen, that's not something the villages and towns can withstand."

Colonel Gaisa sat down heroically and motioned for Hudson to bring the breakfast, "That's where the Rebels are being foolish. They're using Herd Barbarians' tactics, but they are not Herd Barbarians. Barbarians kill people, burn villages, steal goods. Given the small number of Rebel Cavalry, if they dare do so, the village militias would drain them dry."

"You mean to let them loot?"

"Let them loot! The more they loot, the less likely they are to occupy Mont Blanc County. The Rebels won't take Mont Blanc County, so what are we afraid of?"

Captain Hudson sighed, "You're the Officer of Baishan County; it's your call."

The Captain turned to leave.

"Wait a second, I do have a question," Colonel Gaisa, resting his chin in his hand, asked, "The intel says that Rebel Bard and Rebel Mason have been stripped of their command?"

"Correct," Captain Hudson nodded, expressionless.

"Rebel Cherini dead?"

"Presumed dead."

"Rebel Montaigne is in Revodan."

"Right, reportedly still peddling his bonds."

"That's strange," Colonel Gaisa's smile was full of amusement, "Then who's commanding this cavalry in Mont Blanc County?"

Captain Hudson gave a light snort, "It could be someone recently promoted by Rebel Montaigne; it's said he has quite a few Dusacks under his control."

"In my opinion, there's a serious problem with your intel."

"It's intelligence sent by the big households within Revodan City," Captain Hudson furrowed his brow, "They wouldn't side with the Rebels."

"Alright then," Colonel Gaisa laughed heartily, "Issue the order to eat well and drink plenty, and continue our march toward Revodan!"

...

Despite the fire under his rear, Colonel Gaisa was unmoved.

Leaving two companies of a hundred men each to guard the Floating Bridge, the Mont Blanc County army set out once again.

Their fist hadn't changed course, still aimed at Revodan.

And all of this was witnessed by Winters.

Because he was in the Manyun Valley.

More accurately, he was in the forest between Manyun Valley and Tuo Song Street.

Moreover, he was with the troops of Bard, Andre, and Mason—now reorganized into the First, Second, and Third Hundred-Men Teams.

After declaring martial law in Revodan, Winters rushed to Manyun Valley overnight to join up with the three hundred-men teams already waiting there.

If Andre's Cavalry could hold the Mont Blanc County army in check, all the better.

If the Cavalry couldn't manage it, then Winters would take to the field himself.

The depths of Iron Peak County were much greater than Mont Blanc County; Manyun Valley was 150 kilometers from Revodan, and less than 60 kilometers from Falconflower Fort.

If the fire under the butt wasn't enough to shake the Officer of Baishan County, then it's time to plunge in another harsh blow.

So after the Mont Blanc County army had left Manyun Valley, Winters patiently waited a whole day.

Until Xial, who was tailing the enemy's scouts, returned.

"They've set up camp!" Xial's voice could hardly contain his excitement, "Just as you predicted, thirty kilometers away, right between Tuo Song Street and Manyun Valley."

"Move out!" Winters grabbed his sabre and mounted his horse, "Follow me and break the Floating Bridge garrison!"

The soldiers hidden in the woods rose to their feet, and military orders forbad speaking, so the warriors pounded their chests.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

The muffled sounds were like the drumbeats of heavenly gods, scattering flocks of birds into the air.

Entering Iron Peak County meant enemy territory, and Winters had gauged that the Officer of Baishan County would not force a march.

So they would cover the sixty kilometers between Manyun Valley and Tuo Song Street in two days.

Now, the Mont Blanc County army was in a delicate position.

They were approximately ninety kilometers from Falconflower Fort, and about one hundred kilometers from Revodan.

They were situated halfway between Revodan and Falconflower Fort—slightly closer to Falconflower Fort.

Choosing this moment to strike, Winters was virtually teasing the Officer of Baishan County.

Because their location was just right.

If they marched another day to reach Tuo Song Street, perhaps the commander of Mont Blanc County, driven by impulse, would head straight for Revodan without care.

His gaze swept over his most elite troops, and Winters raised his sabre. The drumming in the woods ceased at that moment.

Silently slicing toward the direction of the Floating Bridge, Winters Montaigne charged out of the forest in the lead.

His standard-bearer Heinrich was the second to break through the trees, with the three hundred-men teams close on their heels.

Three against two, and with a formidable Spellcaster like Winters, the defending forces at the Floating Bridge collapsed at the first blow.

Winters didn't have time to pursue the fleeing enemy; after crossing the river, he set the Floating Bridge ablaze till there was nothing left.