No one could think of a way to conquer the Pobiliqi Mountain's unusual terrain. Lollister planned to gather the family's experts and climb up the cliff at night while the enemy was unprepared to disperse the Fisablon Family's guards. This would cover the family's armed forces as they passed through the fork at the bottom of the cliff. However, this plan was opposed by almost all of his subordinates. No one was willing to take such a huge risk for Lollister.
Putting aside the fact that the cliff was forty to fifty meters tall, any small movement or negligence at such a height could lead to a disaster, not to mention climbing it at night. Even if Lollister and his group could successfully climb up the cliff, how many enemies would they face? Eighty thousand! According to the old bandit's calculations, it would take half a day for the family's armed forces to pass through the fork at the bottom of the cliff and reach the open area inside the mountain, even if there were no obstacles …
In other words, Lollister and his group had to climb up the cliff to disperse the guards at the fork and be responsible for defending for more than eight hours. This was not a mission they could complete. Especially since Lollister and his group could not rely on the danger to defend. Instead, they had to move at the same speed as the family's armed forces on the fork so that they could take care of each other. This was even worse because if something happened to Lollister and his group, the family's armed forces below would not be able to escape. They would either be completely wiped out or be captured obediently.
Lollister was not a superman, and he knew this very well. Even a Sword Saint could only retreat when faced with a well-disciplined army of ten thousand men. It was very simple. No matter how powerful a Sword Saint was, he could only kill two to three thousand men at most before being drowned by the remaining soldiers. Lollister was very regretful. He had originally prepared a decapitation tactic. He would bring his men up the cliff and cause trouble for Duke Fisablon. As long as he could subdue or capture this old man, perhaps the eighty thousand Fisablon Family's armed forces would obediently lay down their weapons.
Of course, this was only Lollister's fantasy. With Duke Fisablon's personality, even if he fell into Lollister's hands, he would only fight to the death. It was very likely that he would order the Fisablon Family's armed forces to attack and perish together with Lollister. In fact, he wouldn't even meet Laurist face to face. Once he discovered that Laurist and the others had ascended the cliff, he would immediately order his family's armed forces to launch a counterattack …
Bodfinger's words were very reasonable. Currently, be it in terms of military strength or family strength, we had the upper hand. Regardless of whether it was a prolonged confrontation or a defense against the Fisabulon Family's ambush, we had the confidence to emerge victorious. Putting everything else aside, if we were to drag on for another year or so, the alliance of the four families in the Northern Region would still be able to hold on easily. On the other hand, the Fisabulon Family would collapse due to the lack of resources. After all, supporting an armed force of 80,000 families in a battle-ready state required a huge price.
Currently, the southern province had basically fallen into the hands of the alliance of the four families in the north, cutting off the trade route between the territory of the Fisabulon Family and the four central duchies. Even if Grand Duke Fisabulon led 80,000 armed families to occupy Mount Pobiliqi, it would be of no use. The overall situation had already been decided, and no matter how much they struggled, it would only be a deathbed struggle. Since we had no intention of attacking the Eastern Barren Province, we just had to build a sturdy line of defense around Mount Pobiliqi. The longer we dragged on, the more resources the Fisabulon Family would consume, and the faster they would be defeated.
Laurist was a little unwilling. Although Bodfinger made it sound easy, the Fisabulon Family's armed forces occupying Mount Pobiliqi had indeed held back the majority of the forces of the alliance of the four families in the north. In the original plan to attack the southern province, after chasing the Fisabulon Family out of the southern province, they would build a fortress at the border of the Eastern Barren Province and set up a blockade. Laurist was only prepared to arrange for the Monolith Army to be stationed there, and the Pegasus Army of the Filim Family would provide support.
However, the current situation forced Laurist to deploy the majority of the forces of the alliance of the four families here. This was equivalent to having double the number of troops to defend against the armed forces of the Fisabulon Family that occupied Mount Pobiliqi. This caused Laurist to have no reserve forces in his hands. Although the Norton Family was rich and powerful, when compared to the Fisabulon Family, the longer time it took to consume resources was also not a small burden. He believed that Baron Spear, who was in charge of the family's finances, would soon appear in front of him with a gloomy face.
Laurist felt a headache coming on, but he couldn't order the armed forces of the family to attack Mount Pobiliqi in such a dangerous terrain. That would be like ordering them to die. The old fellow had found a good place, leaving him helpless and at his wit's end. After thinking about it, Laurist decided to adopt Bodfinger's suggestion. They would first set up a defensive line and slowly drag it out. In the end, the only ones who couldn't stand it would be the Fisabulon Family.
Laurist handed the task of defending against the armed forces of the Fisabulon Family on Mount Pobiliqi to the Monolith Army led by Bodfinger. He also ordered the Pegasus Army of the Filim Family to provide assistance. Meanwhile, the Flying Tiger Army led by the Ferocious Tiger Ross moved to the border of the Southern Province and the Eastern Barren Province with the heavy armor troops of the Cumis Family and the light cavalry and infantry troops of the Shahin Family to set up a blockade according to the original plan.
Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, three months had passed. It was very peaceful during this period of time. Other than the armed forces of the Fisabulon Family on Mount Pobiliqi occasionally sending barbarian cavalry and roaming cavalry to carry out sneak attacks and night raids on the defensive positions of the Monolith Army, there weren't any major conflicts or battles. Even when they launched sneak attacks and night raids, they would leave immediately without any delay. If they didn't gain any advantage, they would run away quickly. It would be more accurate to say that they were harassing the enemy.
It was already November, and the weather was getting cold. Laurist wondered how the armed forces of the Fisabulon Family on Mount Pobiliqi were preparing to spend the winter. Living on the mountain was different from living at the foot of the mountain. People would really freeze to death in winter. Laurist approached the mountain a few times to investigate, but he didn't find any signs of construction on the mountain. He called the old bandit over to ask and confirmed that there weren't any large caves on the mountain. He thought that perhaps the armed forces of the Fisabulon Family had built their camp halfway up the mountain, so he couldn't see it from here.
However, if that was the case, it might be a good idea to launch a sneak attack during winter. He thought that the soldiers of the Fisabulon Family wouldn't foolishly stand on the cliff and let themselves freeze. It would be easy for them to neglect their defenses on the forked roads below. In that case, when the heavy snow sealed the mountain, they could use their skis to quickly charge in from the forked roads and catch them off guard. The armed forces of the Norton Family had always insisted on winter training. They would install steel crossbows on the sleds, and as long as one of the armies charged in, Mount Pobiliqi would be theirs …
The more Laurist thought about it, the more he felt that this was a good idea. Just as he was about to gather his subordinates for a good discussion, he saw Shi Huade rush into the camp with a panicked expression. "Your Highness, Your Highness …"
"Calm down, what are you panicking for? The sky isn't falling. You have to remain calm even in the face of a landslide. Where did your usual martial arts training go?" Laurist scolded with dissatisfaction.
"No, Your Highness, look, there are two new secret reports from the family territory. They are extremely urgent!" Shi Huade spread out two pieces of grey silk that were as thin as a cicada's wings on the table. The silk was densely written with words. It seemed like it had just been delivered by a messenger eagle.
He hurriedly picked up the silk and took a closer look. The more he looked, the paler his face became. He only had one thought in his mind. F * ck, I've been tricked. That old fellow Fisabulon is really as sly as a fox. He cleverly escaped. I thought he was on Mount Pobiliqi, but I didn't know when he had moved to Munohara Province. These two heavy blows really hit the Norton Family's weak spot, but I don't have any troops to deploy …
The two silk letters sent by Shi Huade were both bad news. The first letter reported that the Hunter Corps had suffered heavy losses in Munohara Province. The corps commander, Sharpshooter Josk, was severely injured, and the deputy corps commander, Yuri, was severely injured. The third corps commander, Peter, had died on the battlefield. The three corps had lost more than 30,000 men, and the Hunter Corps could be said to have been crippled. Now, they had completely retreated to the eastern region of the North. Munohara Province, which originally occupied more than half of the territory, had been reclaimed by the Fisabulon Family. If it wasn't for the 7th Imperial Guard Battalion, who was guarding the iron chain bridge, forcing the enemies to retreat with their steel crossbows, the iron chain bridge connecting the North and Munohara Province might have been destroyed …
The battle report briefly described the reason behind the defeat of the Hunter Corps. Ever since the Hunter Corps, under the leadership of Sharpshooter Josk, defeated the 4th Border Ranger Corps of the Fisabulon Family, they had already occupied more than half of the Munohara Province. The 4th Border Ranger Corps could only retreat to the east of the Socus River and defend by the river. Two-thirds of the Munohara Province had become the territory of the Hunter Corps. According to the orders before the battle, the Hunter Corps carried out a method to weaken the strength of the Fisabulon Family. All the citizens of the Munohara Province and the grazing cattle and sheep were forcefully moved to the eastern region of the North.
Three days ago, the newly formed 3rd Hunter Corps and two Chariot and Steel Crossbow Battalions were led by Corps Commander Peter to carry out a mission to sweep through the eastern grasslands of the Munohara Province. A force of 21,000 men was more than enough to complete such a mission. However, they didn't expect to be ambushed by countless barbarian cavalry. In the end, they were trapped on a nameless highland and had no choice but to release a messenger eagle to ask for help. When Yuri received the letter for help, he immediately led the 2nd Hunter Corps to rescue them. However, he didn't expect that it was Duke Fisabulon's plan to surround them and attack their reinforcements. Halfway through their journey, the Hunter Corps was ambushed by the 4th Border Ranger Corps. After much difficulty, they managed to break out of the encirclement and regroup with the remaining soldiers of the 3rd Hunter Corps …
If it wasn't for Sharpshooter Josk leading the 1st Hunter Corps, the 2nd and 3rd Hunter Corps would have been completely annihilated. Peter had already died on the battlefield, and Yuri was heavily injured. Josk led the remaining soldiers to break out of the encirclement. However, he was heavily injured and fell off his horse when he tried to stop Duke Fisabulon. He sacrificed six or seven Silver-tier knights of his family before he was rescued with great difficulty.
According to the battle report, the number of barbarian cavalry that surrounded them was estimated to be around 100,000. The surviving soldiers of the Hunter Corps recalled that there were barbarian cavalry everywhere, and the more they killed, the more barbarian cavalry there would appear. Furthermore, they used huge wooden shields to build their carriages, rendering the Chariot and Steel Crossbows useless. All the soldiers of the Hunter Corps had no choice but to engage in close combat with the barbarian cavalry. In addition, the 4th Border Ranger Corps of the Fisabulon family had been restored to full strength. However, most of the barbarian cavalry had joined this corps …
This was bad news. Without the Makino Plain Province, the Hunter Corps had suffered heavy losses. Then, the fortress city of Pitro City, which was located at the junction of Winston Province and Makino Plain Province, would lose its cover and protection. If the victorious Duke Fisabulon led the barbarian cavalry to directly attack Pitro City and capture it, then the Winston Province would be like a helpless girl shivering in front of a gangster. If the capital city of Wendeli were to fall as well, then all the efforts and sacrifices made by the alliance of the four northern families would be in vain. Other than withdrawing their troops back to Winston Province to counterattack, there was no other way. In that case, the situation in the southern province that had already settled down would return to its original state, and the Fisabulon family would be able to reestablish contact with the four central duchies.
That old fellow's move was amazing! At this moment, Laurist was in a dilemma. He couldn't transfer any troops from the Southern Province, and the 80,000 troops of the Fisablon Family were gathered on Mount Porbili, restraining so many troops of the Northern Four Family Alliance. If they returned, the blockade that had been built over the past three months would be easily broken. After all, the armed forces of the Fisablon Family had already been locked out. Moreover, Laurist was worried that Duke Fisabulon would use a diversion tactic. When he brought his troops back to reinforce them, the old fellow would turn around and lead the barbarian cavalry to sweep through the southern province. The result would be just as bad.
"Where is Baron Freya?" Laurist thought of the commander of the imperial guard corps.
"This …" Schwald flipped open a notebook and quickly searched, "Your Highness, Lord Freya inspected the castle fortress being built in Serhek Mountain seven days ago. After leaving, he returned to the capital city of Wendeli. On the way, he continued to inspect the construction in Dusklake Town. He should be back in the capital city by now."
"Send out a messenger hawk immediately. Tell Freya to defend Pitdrol no matter the cost. Send a letter to Count Shahin and inform him of the current situation. Ask him to send another family's army to reinforce Pitro City. "
"Yes, Your Highness." Schwald turned and hurried out of the tent.
Laurist sighed, "Aire, Redi."
"Your Highness …" Aire and Redi appeared in front of Laurist.
"Did you hear that? That old fellow gave us a heavy blow. Now, I'll give you a mission. Find a way to get a few survivors down from the mountain. I want to know how many of Fisabulon's armed forces are left, and how many people that old fellow took away. Also, how are they preparing to spend the winter on the mountain? "
"Yes, Your Highness."
After Aire and Redi left, Laurist sat down and picked up the second silk letter. This was a warning letter personally written by Tagger, and it wasn't good news either. It said that the mountain barbarians in the Demonic Dragon Mountain Range were on the move, and it was very likely that they were targeting the Norton Family's territory.
The mountain barbarians were a sore spot in Laurist's heart that he didn't want to touch. His past encounters with the mountain barbarians caused him to avoid certain matters regarding the mountain barbarians. Even though he'd only stayed there for a few months, Laurist still had some information about them. For example, the mountain barbarian tribe that bordered the Norton Family's territory. What was it called again? The Habibaba Mountain Barbarian Tribe was fighting with another mountain barbarian tribe in another region for the position of 'Great Johnson', so they didn't pay much attention to the movements in the Norton Family's territory.
In the first few years after returning to the family's territory, Laurist had built a small sentry fort at the border between the family's territory and the Demonic Dragon Mountain Range, and hired a mercenary group called Five Swords to defend it. Later on, he'd escaped to the Demonic Dragon Mountain Range. After his encounter with the mountain barbarians, he'd given the sentry fort at the border of the two mountains to the Five Swords mercenary group, allowing it to gradually develop into a small mercenary town for exploring the Demonic Dragon Mountain Range. It was said that the small town and the mountain barbarians also interacted, and became a source for the mountain barbarians to exchange goods and supplies.
Tagger's warning letter was about the news from this small town. It was said that the mountain barbarians would soon attack the Norton Family's territory to plunder resources. The people in the small town were panicking, and many of the residents had already retreated to the family's territory. In addition, the person in charge of the Snow Salt Chamber of Commerce in the eastern region of the north, who was responsible for purchasing and trading the mountain barbarians' resources, had also written a secret letter, saying that the mountain barbarians who were on good terms with the Chamber of Commerce had revealed that a group of grass barbarians had arrived in the mountains. Their goal was to unite all the mountain barbarian tribes and attack the Norton Family's territory …
Needless to say, it was definitely Fisablun's handiwork. One move after another, as expected of the God of War of the grasslands. Laurist's face was gloomy as he pondered whether he should return to the family's territory to calm the people's hearts. The mountain barbarian tribes were nothing to be afraid of, and the family's territory had so many guards that they could guarantee their safety. The only thing he had to worry about was whether Pidro City could be defended. This was the key to whether the Fisablun Family could make a comeback.
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