I will be crowned king

A thunderous roar resounded in the twilight dome, shaking the entire valley.

In the distance, the team that was marching hard through the mountains suddenly stopped. Soldiers, immigrants, the elderly and children... everyone seemed to have been prepared, and slowly looked back with heavy expressions.

I saw that Gray Pigeon Castle, which had already been darkened in the night, suddenly burst into flames. The ferocious fire turned the entire castle into a torch that illuminated the entire valley, making it unparalleledly dazzling.

Looking at the fire in the distance, Alexei and Norton were silent. Beside them, the girl who was supported by them on the horse and was similar to Polina was already crying into tears.

The people escorted by the army also burst into tears. They even knelt on the ground and sobbed. They looked at the direction where the fire burned and went out, and refused to get up for a long time.

In this case, the team stretching along the mountain road simply stopped in the middle of the road. Even though they knew it was dangerous, the two Storm Legion officers did not dare to give the order to continue moving forward.

Waiting until the moonlight was high in the sky, the furious Alexei forced the team to move and marched quickly under the night to the pre-determined destination.

This is not because he is worried about being pursued. According to the intelligence provided by Major General Ludwig, the jihadist army that has just breached Gray Pigeon Castle has not received supplies for at least two days. There is not much logistical supplies left. There is no way. Organize effective forces to launch a pursuit.

Even if we really want to hold on to Gray Pigeon Castle for another ten days and a half, we can definitely do it. And if Ludwig finds a way to jam Arthur Herred's neck and delay the supply speed, he can completely force the opponent to do so. Withdrawing the troops failed.

But there is no point in holding on. The entire Gray Pigeon Fort has been completely destroyed by the Jihadist Army. The New World Army cannot support the long supply line. Even if it wins, it can only retreat.

And Ludwig, who openly sold out his teammates, would also lose the trust of Arthur Herred. It would be difficult to use "remote control" like this time to advance the battle in a direction beneficial to the Free Confederacy.

Therefore, there was only one reason for being forced to march in a hurry, which was to avoid staying any longer, causing the grief-stricken and angry people of Gray Pigeon Castle to have thoughts of revenge and counterattack, and disrupting the strategic deployment of Commander-in-Chief Anson and Marshal Louis.

But this was actually because he was overthinking. Although the weeping Gray Pigeon Fort militiamen and refugees were extremely reluctant to leave, they were also very realistic. No one from top to bottom raised slogans like "Revenge for Miss Polina" , always silently obeying the army's arrangements, which made the anxious Alexei and Norton heave a sigh of relief.

During the rest of the journey, the entire team was unusually quiet, but also extremely depressed; Polina's voluntary sacrifice gave a planned transition a tragic color, and also made the original hope for this war... Many colonists with a "nothing to do with themselves" attitude had the idea of ​​joining the fight.

Especially Alexei Dukasky... As an officer who followed Anson and was loyal to Clovis Curve, he always regarded this war as someone else's business. He just followed the commander-in-chief to find ways to make money and gain prestige. Strive to live out the value of the united front and strive to achieve class transition as soon as possible.

Of course, it would be even more wonderful if you can achieve some life goals in the process.

Alexei thinks so, and he also believes that not only 100%, but at least 99% of the entire army thinks so. Everyone is here to make money and personal progress, so why do you think so much? ?

But now it's a little... slightly different.

The chaotic land was reunited, and the resurgent Iser was interrupted from its rise. Forces different from the old continent were rising in the new world with new ideas... No matter how stupid they were, they had experienced so many things. Alexei can also clearly feel that the world that once seemed stable is really starting to change.

And now I am not only watching it happen quietly, but I have even participated in it; if I don't want to be swallowed up by the storm of change, or if I don't know how to die when I die, then I must at least understand the truth behind it all.

When we get back, let's have a good chat with Norton about his "Truth Society", right?

Glancing at his friend who was still frowning next to him, Alexei secretly thought to himself as he stepped on the difficult mountain road under his feet, and every step was so heavy.

……………………

Compared with Gray Pigeon Castle, the progress of Black Reef Port appears to be much calmer.

After defeating Bernard's Army, Anson and Louis didn't even have time to clean the battlefield seriously. They only sent out cavalry troops to pursue and recruit the remaining deserters, and then hurriedly regrouped the main army into the town of Black Reef Port and quickly rested the city defenses. Pan, prepare for the next battle.

Beaure Levent, whose raid was thwarted, withdrew his army to the periphery of the port to avoid a meaningless street battle with the New World Army; at the same time, he roughly learned about the destruction of Bernard's Army from the deserters, and finally decided that he was the one to fight. When the enemy was in danger, the enemy did not divide his troops into garrison at all, and all the main elite troops were gathered opposite him.

So while he called for reinforcements to Sailing City, he appointed deserters as couriers to "peace talks" with the New World Legion: Borre Levent said that he knew very well that this war was a ridiculous war, and the two sides had no real relationship at all. Conflict, both sides are willing to temporarily suspend troops to maintain the status quo, exchange and redeem prisoners with each other.

Even if the Free Confederation is willing, he can use the reputation of the Levent family to mediate between the church and the empire to resolve their conflicts - of course, the premise is that the Confederation must show some sincerity, such as allowing the church to build cathedrals in the New World. Abolition of the illegal organization known as the "Promise Keepers League" and the surrender of the captured overseer Bernard Morwes.

Faced with this kind of proposal that could only deceive fools, Anson and Louis decided not to reject it for the time being, but they also didn't fully agree.

The other party was just trying to buy time to mobilize reinforcements from Yangfan City. It just so happened that the New World Army needed time to organize a retreat. It coincided with each other.

Therefore, Louis personally came forward and said that since peace talks were to be held, the New World Army would naturally also offer conditions: Bernard Morweis could not be returned immediately, but the prisoners of the Holy War Army could, but only if the ransom price was appropriate; as for I don’t need to mention the matter of the alliance and the cathedral for the time being.

Borre, who had no hope of success at all, naturally agreed wholeheartedly, and immediately sent the information to Sailing City, asking Ludwig to send reinforcements as soon as possible. He also notified Arthur Herred to speed up the attack and cooperate with him to attack Black Reef from the north and south. port.

After receiving the news, Ludwig decisively withheld the letter. While delaying the departure of the reinforcements, he continued to write letters to "remote control" the battle of Gray Pigeon Castle, allowing Arthur Herred to sweep the surrounding areas of Gray Pigeon Castle and delay the siege. s efficiency.

Of course, Gray Pigeon Castle and Black Reef Port can be abandoned, but they cannot be abandoned too quickly - it is best to be stuck before and after the arrival of the remaining two Imperial Holy War Legions, and the two important towns have fallen one after another.

In this way, of the four main forces of the Imperial Crusade, two took the lead, allowing the other two to come up with the idea of ​​"I can do it if I want to do it", creating conflicts and dissatisfaction among the Imperial people; There is no need to lose a single soldier and sit back and watch the Imperial people fight among themselves.

So while the Battle of Gray Pigeon Castle was in full swing, Black Reef Port, which was supposed to be a sea of ​​​​blood and corpses, ushered in a rare "peace". People with different agendas interacted with each other with friendly smiles, trying to find ways to get rid of each other. Get more information on your body.

This situation lasted for three days. Borre Levent, who finally received reinforcements, also learned the information that Gray Pigeon Castle was about to fall. He immediately broke his friendly attitude and ordered the attack on Black Reef Port to begin immediately.

The fleet, which had been replenished with ammunition, once again showed off its power, targeting the city with a barrage of bombings; dozens of parabolas hit the temporarily repaired fortifications and streets, blasting away debris and dust all over the sky.

Stepping on the deafening explosion point, the 4,000 Borre Corps that had logged in ahead of schedule launched a surprise attack on the town that was flooded by artillery fire. This time, there was no army to contain the strength of the defenders. It was truly a head-on battle between the two sides.

As a result, the New World Army was defeated without any suspense.

Black Reef Port is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the sea on one side. Its convenient and open beachhead is its only weakness; as long as the port is broken through and occupied by the enemy, the flat town has no danger at all and can only retreat to the surrounding highlands.

Originally, relying on temporary fortifications, the stone buildings in the city could still be effectively defended, but Borre Levent, who had replenished logistical ammunition, apparently had no scruples and poured firepower into the city at all costs, causing damage in the residential area. There were considerable casualties; and the small-caliber field artillery of the New World Army was of no help at all against the fleet at sea.

Although Louis Bernard was somewhat unwilling to do so, in the face of the enemy's extravagant artillery fire, he did not want the New World Army to suffer unnecessary casualties. He could only choose to retreat and give up the city to the mad dog-like gamblers bit by bit. Thunder Legion soldiers.

After all, the enemy can withstand casualties and replenish them. The more than 20,000 soldiers under his command are the core elite of the New World Legion. They cannot withstand any blow that damages their muscles and bones, and it is impossible to compete with the opponent.

The unyielding Borre Levent immediately accelerated the increase in troops, and soon all the more than 20,000 jihadi legions had landed; in just four days, two-thirds of the city had been lost, surrounded by tens of thousands of people. The New World Army has retreated to the edge of the town, holding on to the steel plant built by Talia as its core.

The Jihadi Army, which had been fighting for four consecutive days, finally stopped the offensive under Borre's order and began to take a short rest - he had just received intelligence that Arthur Herred had captured Gray Dove Castle but was unable to advance quickly towards Black Reef Port.

Since there is no one to take the credit for the city with him, Borre Levent is naturally no longer so active. After all, artillery shells are not cheap, and the lives of soldiers are also lives, and it is a waste of his own losses.

At the same time, the remnants of Gray Pigeon Castle who had turned in all the way finally walked out of the mountains and arrived at Black Reef Port.

……………………

"I see."

In the headquarters, Anson nodded silently after listening to the two men's account of the Battle of Gray Pigeon Castle, and softly comforted: "Paulina's death is not your responsibility, it was her own choice. As a Clovis, We have no position to interfere.”

"Of course, we can't ignore things when they happen. The Free Confederacy must take care of the Frey family. I'll go to Louis to discuss it. After we retreat to Red Hand Bay, we will hold a funeral for her in the name of the Supreme Council. Under the name of the Rune family. All newspapers collectively reported it, letting everyone in the Free Confederacy know that a young girl sacrificed herself and fought for this land until the last moment."

"This can be regarded as fulfilling Polina's last wish and not letting her sacrifice be in vain."

Anson sighed.

Of course he could guess why Polina did this, and it was useless even if he wanted to stop it; anyway, he was not the nominal leader of the Free Confederacy, so let Louis have the headache.

But of course her sacrifice cannot be wasted. It is perfect to boost the morale of the Free Confederacy. It can also leave the last legacy to the Frey family... Thinking of this, Anson subconsciously asked:

"By the way, where is Polina's sister now and how is she doing?"

"When we arrived, Miss Anna had already been taken back to his room by Lord Reinhard Roland... After all, the two were already a legal couple, although the ceremony had not yet been held." Norton said, with a somewhat heavy tone:

"As for the situation... I can only say that it is not good. She is not as strong as Miss Polina. She is a little emotional and a very simple girl."

"Also, please don't mind me saying this, but I really don't think she can succeed Miss Polina as the spiritual leader of the Free Confederacy. Forcing her to obtain such a status will probably destroy this girl."

Norton's expression was very cautious when he said this. Of course he knew that Anson had put a lot of effort into Paulina, and he definitely didn't want such a "big flag" to disappear just as soon as it was gone.

But he obviously misunderstood Anson's idea. The commander-in-chief waved his hand and said: "Of course I know this. We can't let another girl stand in the way. We just let her inherit the inheritance she deserves. There are many ways to boost morale. .”

"That……"

"Let Bishop Riper of the Faith Keepers Alliance come forward and canonize Paulina Frey in the name of the Universal Church - now that the holy war has begun, it is of course time for our religious leaders to come forward." Anson said solemnly. :

"But before that, we must lead the people of Gray Pigeon Castle and Black Reef Port to evacuate safely from here; Borei Levant on the opposite side will not give us this opportunity. If we want the other party to give up the pursuit, we must Defeat the opponent firmly once so that they don't dare to act rashly."

"So the battle is not over yet. Next, your second and third infantry regiments are still important and effective forces. Do you understand your mission?"

"clear--!!!!"