Author's Note: This chapter is 5500 words long. I hope you enjoy reading it!
All this while, the Wolf Riders led by the Goblin Warlord had been constantly harassing the expeditionary army's transport convoys, causing a lot of trouble for the Eight Peaks Mountain expedition. However, Ryan and Bellegar definitely couldn't turn back to deal with this harassing army, because if they did, they would fall into Skarnik's trap!
And now, François's plan was to deal with this huge Wolf Rider army.
The Goblin Warlord Jit Sourbelly led a massive army of Goblin Wolf Riders. According to the reports of the scouts, there were at least five hundred Green Boars, five to six thousand Goblin Wolf Riders, Goblin Spider Riders, and Goblin Skueg Riders. There were also five to six thousand Goblin Foot Soldiers, as well as a small number of Green Boars. In total, there were at least twelve thousand Goblin Foot Soldiers.
However, Francois only had three to four thousand men in his mobile army, and most of them were heavy cavalry made up of knights and squires. Their charging power was strong, but it was impossible for them to catch up with the goblin wolf riders.
"This Wolf Rider army is indeed a huge tumor that must be eradicated. But … how should we do it?" Jerrold asked. "We don't have enough troops, nor do we have enough long-range weapons. If we fight in the field, it's easy for us to be moved back and forth."
In the large tent of the armory, everyone was waiting for François's next order. His female courtier, Zisis Morningstar, was brewing black tea for François.
"Eradicated, is it …" François paused. Duke Winford maintained his elegant demeanor. He took the teacup from the Prophet of the Lake and took a sip.
"Your Grace!" Outside the tent, Laing's appointed Baron Lucian came in fully armed. He knelt down on one knee. "Your Grace, there are only 121 muskets in the armory. There aren't many bullets left."
"How many Dwarven crossbows do you have?" François was very calm. He even looked at Lucian kindly.
Few people knew that Lucian was related to François by blood. He was the illegitimate son of François' nephew who died in the first battle of La Messner Abbey. He was also the only descendant. Therefore, not only did François promote him, but he also arranged for him to be with Laing. This time, Lucian was in charge of guarding the armory.
"There aren't many Dwarven crossbows, only 500 or so," Lucian continued.
"Yes, I see." François nodded.
"Your Grace, what do you plan to do?" Knight Bayard asked seriously. "We will listen to your orders, but …"
"But based on our current military strength, it's impossible to win this battle, right?" Francois said calmly. His father-in-law even smiled elegantly. His eyes were full of wisdom. "Lucien?"
"Your Grace!" Lucian knelt on one knee and raised his head in confusion.
"Let me ask you, what will decide the outcome of the battle?" François sat calmly on the main seat. His father-in-law, who was at the peak of the sacred realm, was calm and composed. He even had a teasing tone as he stroked his long goatee.
"This …" Lucian did not know how to answer.
"Hmph! The number of troops and the power of the muskets are secondary. " François stood up. "What is really important is the right time and place, and our devotion and faith to the Lady. As long as we have the protection and strength of the Lady, we Brittany knights have no reason to fear war!"
"Oh!" The knights in the tent all roared with excitement. They could not wait to show off their virtues and strength under the gaze of the Lady of the Lake!
"Gather the troops and prepare to set off!" François stood up. "Three thousand men is enough!"
"The goblin army's tactics are simple and clear. They want to lure the enemy deep, surround them, and then destroy them." François said calmly, "Since that's the case, we'll purposely go deep and lure them to attack us! We'll rest for a day. Tomorrow, arrange for the fake supply convoy that I've prepared beforehand and prepare to set off! "
"Yes!" All the knights stood up and accepted the order loudly.
Just like that, three days before the wood elf army arrived at the stream outpost, Francois led an army of three thousand soldiers and many commoners. On the surface, he seemed to be carrying a large amount of supplies and equipment as he traveled along the Evil Water River. It seemed like this was the vanguard, and his goal was to advance towards Iron Cliff before heading south.
As expected, the goblin warlord Jitte Sourbelly immediately led the entire goblin army after receiving the news. Like a shark that had smelled blood, Jitte Sourbelly rushed over. Seeing that the enemy had few troops and carried a large amount of supplies, he could not wait to swallow them whole.
Fortunately, Jitte Sourbelly remembered Skarnik's instructions and did not rashly advance. He followed François and his army, looking for an opportunity across the Evil River.
It was now the 11th month, and the Evil River was in its dry season. The goblin army could easily wade across the river, but the cunning Jitte Sourbelly did not take the initiative to attack. He was waiting for an opportunity.
At the same time, Francois, who was marching slowly, was also waiting for an opportunity.
The 12th of the 11th month, night. At the edge of the Evil Lands, beside the Evil River, François' army camp.
What was unusual was that it was raining cats and dogs.
Under the influence of the rain, the march of the army was very difficult, the knights were also very miserable, and the caravans were stuck in the mud. Francois ordered the army to encamp and rest, and the Duke and the knightly generals, armed to the teeth, took shelter from the rain in their tent.
The fine rain watered the land beside the river. François walked out of the tent alone, looking up at the dense raindrops. He held the Unicorn Sword in his hand. This divine weapon that was as old as the Brittany's age flashed with a pure white light and platinum flames. Even in the heavy rain, the flames did not show any signs of extinguishing. The pure white Pegasus family coat of arms belonging to the Winford Duchy, François's unicorn coat of arms, and the family coats of arms belonging to the many knights who came to the rescue fluttered back and forth in the rain. The rain hit the armor and soaked the inner lining, emitting a bone-chilling cold.
"Cousin, it's raining heavily outside. You'd better come in to take shelter." Jerrold came out of the tent. The Paladin stood behind François. In the rain, François's broad back was like a city wall. "It's warmer inside."
"There's no distinction between cold and warm in war." François turned around and looked at his cousin, Sir Jerrold gently. "Green skin too."
"Green skin?" Jerrold's long blond hair was already wet from the rain.
"Yes, green skin." François was still standing in the rain. He looked up at the dark night sky under the heavy rain. "You must understand, Jerrold, in war, how to play to our strengths, how to avoid our weaknesses, how to concentrate our superior forces to eliminate the enemy, and how to determine the right time to attack."
Just behind François, the tarps on the supply carts were all lifted! There were all kinds of wooden fences and anti-horse arrays inside! And a huge number of crossbows!
The workers had already started their work. In the heavy rain, under the command of the Paladin, they nailed the wooden fences deep into the muddy ground and arranged the anti-horse arrays neatly.
Not long after, the entire camp was armed like a hedgehog.
"This is?!" Jerrold opened his eyes wide. "My Duke? Could it be the green skin?! "
"Bayard and Pierre have each led a thousand Paladins out." François's face showed a cruel and cold smile. "Today is the end of the green skin Goblin Wolf Rider Legion!"
"Prepare for battle!"
"Prepare for battle!!!"
The melodious and majestic sound of the horn resounded throughout the camp.
In the heavy rain, the Goblin Warlord Jitte Sourbelly also heard the sound of the horn.
He was leading the entire Goblin Wolf Rider Legion to cross the Evil Water River. He was preparing to take advantage of the rainy night to launch a surprise attack on the canned shrimp army and their transport team.
"Hehe, the enemy is here! The enemy is tired, I WAAAGH! " Jitte Sourbelly squeezed his facial features hard to make his expression look more ferocious. "I, I found an opportunity! Little ones, let's have a real WAAAAGH with me today! "
“waaaagh！” Thousands of Goblin Wolf Riders rushed across the Evil Water River, following the green skin war boars at the front. Behind them were more Goblin Skueg Riders and Spider Riders, as well as large groups of Goblin Army.
Jitte Sourbelly had been waiting for an opportunity. Now, it had arrived.
The sudden heavy rain had flooded the entire riverside into mud. The canned shrimps couldn't rush up! Moreover, under the influence of such heavy rain, the enemy's flintlocks were useless. Hehehe, the best opportunity had come! The Goblin Warlord thought as he raised the sword in his hand. "WAAAGH!"
“waaaagh！！！”
The green skin formed a torrent, forming a green sea that rolled towards the enemy's camp.
This was the reason why Jitte Sourbelly decided to launch an all-out attack. First, the heavy rain would make it difficult for the expeditionary army's flintlocks to fire. Second, due to the muddy environment formed by the heavy rain, the canned shrimps couldn't exert their advantage of charging as a group!
We'll definitely win this battle!
However, just as Jitte Sourbelly led the green skin cavalry that could almost cover the entire riverbank to charge towards François's camp, the scene that appeared in front of the Goblin Warlord made him widen his eyes!
Wooden fences! Horse-barring formation! Horse-barring fences!
The entire camp was like a hedgehog!
Before the Goblin Warlord could signal for the army to stop, a few hundred green skin war boars charged brainlessly towards the hedgehog-like formation. A large number of Dwarven crossbows were transferred from the Armory Castle and loaded in the hands of the serfs disguised as peasants. They fired in unison!
"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!" In the torrential rain, a large number of crossbow bolts shot towards the enemy like locusts. The frontmost green skin war boars were hit by the bolts and fell to the ground, moaning in pain. The mud brought by the heavy rain not only affected the knights, but also the green skin cavalry. One after another, they charged towards the wooden fences and horse-barring fences and died one after another!
"Charge! Charge! Charge!!! "Jitte Sourbelly gestured for the cavalry behind him to follow up! The enemy only had two rows of wooden fences and horse-barring fences. How could they withstand thousands of cavalry and the numerous Goblin legions behind them?
“waaagh！”
“waaaagh！！！”
With Jitte Sourbelly's command, the Goblin Wolf Riders and Goblin Squigs charged madly towards the camp. The Goblins and Wargs at the front fell to the ground after being hit by the bolts. The Squigs at the back stepped on their corpses and charged forward, braving the long-range suppressive fire of the crossbows. They swore to flatten the entire camp!
The two rows of wooden fences stopped the green skin army for a while, but it was obvious that they could not stop the green skin army for long. As the green skin army used the bodies of countless war boars and Goblin Wolf Riders to forcefully fill the Horse-barring Formation and wooden fences, the green skin army was already close to the main gate of the camp.
"Get ready." François held the Unicorn Sword in his hand. Behind him were thousands of knights and squires. They had already formed an extremely tight shield formation. The Duke was not in a hurry. He looked at his female courtier, Zisis Morningstar, and said, "You may begin."
"Yes!" The Prophet of the Lake God immediately began to chant a divine spell.
"Boom!" A cracking sound came from the wooden gate of the campsite.
"Boom! Boom!" Finally, the simple gate of the camp was broken open. A few green skin war boars and a few Goblin Wolf Riders came in. They roared and howled in the storm and charged towards François and his army.
But they immediately realized that something was wrong.
The gate of the camp was too narrow! It could only let two or three green skin cavalry pass through at the same time! And Francois, with a large body of foot knights and squires of knights, firmly blocked the narrow gate! The green skin cavalry had no way to charge forward, and they could not spread out!
The massacre had begun!
François personally fought at the front line. Duke Winford danced elegantly among the green skin army. His body spun on the spot, and he held the Unicorn Sword tightly with both hands. He retracted his strength, turned his waist, exerted his strength, and swept the sword horizontally.
A green skin war boar was directly cut into two by him.
Two Goblin Wolf Riders rushed in. François elegantly spun in a circle on the spot, and the Goblin's dirty head flew into the sky in the heavy rain. Then he lowered his head to avoid the teeth of the Wolf Riders. The blade in his hand flipped, and the two Wolf Riders died at the same time.
Every time he swung his sword, he would kill at least one Green Knight. Every time he turned around, a large group of enemies would die around Francois.
But the old father-in-law's body was not stained with a drop of blood or minced meat. Under the heavy rain, his armor, robe, and cloak were all soaked by the rain, but his body emitted the terrifying light of the Lake God. It was bright, dazzling, glorious, and supreme.
"Follow the Duke! Follow the Duke!!! " Sir Jerrold shouted in the rain. The morale of the Brittany knights soared and they charged towards the enemy.
Under the heavy rain and the moonlight, the battle continued.
The old father-in-law alone held the fort. The green skin army paid the price of hundreds of casualties, but they were still unable to break through the gate of the camp. Beside François and the large group of knights, there were mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
Two green skin warlords rushed forward one after another to try to finish off the shiny canned shrimp, but they were all beheaded by François. They could not even last a round in front of the Duke.
The raindrops hit the ground as if playing a stirring melody. The green skin cavalry vainly charged at the gate of the camp. Those in front were slaughtered, those in the middle were stuck, and those at the back could not charge in.
"For the Lady! For the Brittany!!! "The knights roared selflessly and entered the battle.
"For the sake of Brother Fuck and Brother Hell, little ones, charge! Hit, hit that shiny canned shrimp, hit it!!! " The goblin warlord, Jitte Sourbelly, was still roaring angrily. Its army lacked siege weapons, and it was in the heavy rain. Now, the entire group of green skin cavalry was huddled together by the river. They could not even spread out. The goblin warlord commanded the cavalry to spread out and attack the enemy's camp from both sides. A goblin wolf rider braved the heavy rain and rushed over. "Boss! Boss! Not good ~ ~ ~! "
"What's not good?" Jitte Sourbelly wiped its face hard. Rainwater flowed down its face.
"East, there are many canned shrimps in the east! They are charging over on their horses! "
"What?!" Before Jitte Sourbelly could react, another goblin wolf rider ran over to report. "Boss, there are many canned shrimps charging over from the west! And these shrimps are so fast, so fast, faster than if they were painted red! "
"Ah! Little ones, we are ambushed! "Jitte Sourbelly finally realized that the situation was not good. It hurriedly signaled." Retreat! Retreat!!! Retreat to the other side of the Evil River, retreat!!! "
The Green Skins gave up on besieging the camp and started to retreat. However, when the Goblin Wolf Riders braved the torrential rain and mud to retreat to the other side of the Evil Water River, the surging river water and turbulent torrents blocked their path of retreat. Hundreds of Green Skins who tried to wade across the river were washed away by the river water.
"Oh no." Jitte Sourbelly sensed that something bad was about to happen. Now, it and its army of 10,000 were stuck at the northern bank of the Evil River. It was a chaotic mess. The cowardly Goblins were all fighting to cross the river, but they were all swept away by the raging river.
The goblin warlord raised its head and looked into the dark distance.
In the east, countless canned shrimps rode on warhorses and formed a cavalry spear formation. They were charging towards the chaotic green skin army.
In the west, the cavalry spear formation of the canned shrimps was also approaching.
In the north, Francois had also mounted his horse. The knights formed a spear formation behind him. The eighth circle divine spell of the Prophet of the Lake, "Cloud Gallop", had been cast on the knights. Even in the rainstorm, the knights could walk as if they were on flat ground.
The Lake God's Prophet, Zisis, continued to cast the spell, and the night sky was as bright as day.
"The story of the Goblin Wolf Rider Legion will end in my hands today." François laughed coldly. He raised the shining unicorn sword in his hand and roared, "My brothers! Advance! For the Lady! "
"For the Lady!!!" Just like that, the Knights from three different directions charged towards the Goblin Wolf Riders that were crowding the riverside.
At night, a huge massacre of the green-skinned cavalry began. Under the lead of Francois, the Brittanian knights chased the green-skinned cavalry for more than ten kilometers along the Evil Water River. When dawn came, the whole Evil Water River was filled with green-skinned corpses and blood.
Apart from the green-skinned warlord, Jitte Sourbelly, who led over a hundred riders to escape, the green-skinned wolf-riding army of over twelve thousand goblins became history and a military medal for the knights.
At the cost of less than three hundred people, Francois won a complete victory. His name made the Orcs of Oke excited and the Goblins afraid.
This war was known as the "Battle of the Evil River".
A week after the battle of the Evil River, in the ancestral hall of Eight Peaks Mountain in the Roof of the World, before Skarnik's throne.
The goblin warlord, Jitte Sourbelly, knelt in front of Eight Peaks Mountain's general and cried, "Not good! Boss! "
"The Wolf Riders are finished, finished!!!"
"What! Finished??? "
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