Seventy miles away from White Raven City, Storm's End Fortress was filled with a tense atmosphere.
The ruler of the Northern Region, the new head of the Bretton Family, Ansai, had arrived at this military town yesterday morning. At the same time, the soldiers and militia from the other cities were sent here from behind him.
In just two days, more than ten thousand soldiers had gathered here. More than half of the Northern Region's armed forces were here.
Ansai had just rode his horse to inspect the fortifications outside the city. He took off his gloves and strode into the mansion. An aide who was waiting at the side immediately reported to him.
"As of this morning, three thousand and six hundred soldiers from two cities have arrived. Another five thousand militia. The farthest city, Dut City, is still on its way. They should arrive tomorrow morning. Including the troops already stationed in Storm's End Fortress, there are a total of twelve thousand soldiers."
"Hmm. How's the recruitment of guards and adventurers coming along?" Ansai took the hot towel and wiped his face.
"Frenza has recruited a thousand soldiers. The Coors Family is the most proactive, volunteering six hundred. The Swains Family is willing to provide four hundred, the Mittal Family 220, the Arnold Family 160 … That's a total of around three thousand and six hundred. The families have promised to send them to Storm's End Fortress by the day after tomorrow. Also, the adventurers have seven hundred."
"That's too little." Ansai shook his head. "There are more than four hundred noble families in the Northern Region, and they occupy more than half of the territory. Their guards can't be so few. My bottom line is seven thousand. I don't care what methods they use, they have to get me this number. Don't use tenant farmers or children under fourteen to make up the numbers. I want soldiers who can fight. Seven thousand elites. Tell them that if Storm's End Fortress can't hold the fort, the Northern Region will be finished. No one in this land will be spared."
Ansai then ordered, "When these people arrive, regroup them and let Compton command them."
"Yes." The adjutant nodded and noted it down.
"Also, the Adventurers Guild will increase the bounty. All participants will be knighted and promoted to nobles. Those who perform well will be rewarded with land." Ansai tossed the towel away, and the guard pushed open the door to the meeting room for him.
The moment he opened the door, the sound of quarrels and curses rushed into his ears. He couldn't help but frown at the chaotic scene before him.
Seated in the conference room were the generals of the various armies. Not only were there from Storm's End Castle, but there were also those from the other three cities. Apart from the Bretton Clan, there were also troops from other nobles who had been conscripted. Militia and regular soldiers were mixed together, and there were also adventurers who had been elected as temporary leaders. These people had many old grudges against each other, and it was only natural that they would quarrel when they were in the same room. When they arrived at Storm's End Castle and found out the truth of the matter, only then did they realize that they had been placed on the war chariot of the north by Ancer. Many of them cursed in their hearts.
However, there was no point in regretting now that things had come to this. Ansai had told a lot of lies, but there was one thing he was not lying about. If Storm's End Castle fell, the Northern Region would be finished. The remaining resistance of the various families would not be able to stop the monsters from the Abyss.
For the entire morning, everyone was discussing how to defend Storm's End Fortress. Unfortunately, they did not come to any conclusion. Even though they had gathered more than 10,000 soldiers, the difference in strength between them and the monsters was too great. The other monsters were still manageable, especially the six Abyssal Lords. They could not do anything to them at all with their current manpower.
When Ansai walked in, the voices in the conference room gradually quieted down. Everyone's eyes focused on him, but Ansai's face was expressionless. He walked to the front of the conference table, pulled out the metal chair in the middle, and sat down. "What are you arguing about?" he asked.
The commander of Frenza's troops, Roche, bowed. "Lord Ansai, we are discussing the deployment of our troops. Storm's End Castle is only a small city. It cannot accommodate so many troops. Coincidentally, Baron Gaylord's troops are mainly cavalry. I was wondering if we could split a part of our troops to patrol nearby."
Baron Gaylord was a young man in his twenties. His father, Old Gaylord, fell off his horse while hunting last year and broke his neck. Hence, his only son inherited his title. Gaylord's family had been vassals of the Bretton Family for generations. This time, he had personally led his men here after receiving Ansai's order. There was no doubt about his loyalty. When he heard Roche's suggestion, he could not help but curse, "Fuck you, Roche. I'm not the only one with cavalry. Didn't I beat up your youngest son in the tavern three years ago? You're just using your power to avenge a personal grudge."
From a strategic point of view, there was nothing wrong with Roche's suggestion. Sending a team of cavalry to ambush the enemy outside would allow them to infiltrate the enemy's formation at a critical moment. However, regardless of whether they succeeded or not, Gaylord and his men would not be able to return alive. Storm's End Castle would not open its gates for them in a chaotic battle. It was almost certain death.
There were many similar situations. Storm's End Castle had gathered many troops from different places. On the bright side, Ansai's plan had worked. He had mobilized the armed forces of the Northern Region to the greatest extent. However, there was also a problem. Could the troops obey his orders and fulfill their respective duties? Could they put aside their prejudices and work together in the face of certain death? This was the most serious problem Ansai had to face. If he could not solve this problem, Storm's End Castle would definitely fall.
Ansai knocked on the marble table with his finger, and the meeting hall instantly fell silent. He then took out a note and threw it on the table. "This was sent by a carrier pigeon from White Raven City. Everyone, take a look."
Roche, who was on the left, was the first to receive the note. The edge of the note was still mottled with blood. After unfolding it, the content was even more shocking. Roche's expression immediately changed after reading it. He did not say anything and silently passed the note to the next person …
In the end, everyone read the note, and the conference hall was dead silent.
The content of the note was very simple. White Raven City was surrounded. Although the enemy had less than four thousand troops, almost every monster could fight a hundred at once. By the end of the first day, White Raven City's garrison had suffered nearly ninety percent casualties. More than twenty thousand civilians had died or been injured. White Raven City was on the verge of collapse. City Lord Warren had urgently requested for reinforcements from Storm's End Castle, which was seventy kilometers away.
After a moment of silence, Gaylord was the first to speak. "Damn it, the men of the Northern Region are all pushovers. I'll bring my men to White Raven Castle now. Who's willing to come with me?"
Before he could finish his sentence, many people chimed in. The Northern Region valued martial arts, and there was no lack of courageous people. Roche also said seriously, "Although my troops are mainly infantrymen, there are three Mages who can cast Group Lightening Spells. We can reach White Raven City in two hours."
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