Realm of Power

Outside Andrade

Three hours before dawn, white fog began to fill the edge of the forest like running water. Hu Keqili, who had been hiding in the forest for most of the night, decided to take action.

Standing up from the ground, Hu Keqili patted the broken leaves on his body and ordered behind him in a low voice, "Everyone, gather together."

Following this order, the nearby tree shadows that seemed to have merged into the darkness began to move. They were clusters of people. Because they were wearing black armor, they looked like black tree shadows. In the night sky tonight There are no stars, and it's the darkest time now. If you don't look carefully, you can barely see anything 30 meters in front of you.

The white mist that filled the ground also quickly blocked the 100-meter-long area between the forest and the moat of Andrade City, turning it into a misty land. All these conditions achieved what Hu Keqili had been waiting for. thing,

As an expert in night attack warfare, Hu Keqili knew that dawn was the best time to launch a surprise attack, because it was already midnight in terms of time, and it would be dawn in a few hours, and the human body was at its most vulnerable to drowsiness. During this period, even the most vigilant sentry will not drag his tired body and brave the cold to patrol in the middle of the night.

How to cross this hundred-meter-long area is the biggest problem in this battle. Only by crossing this distance without alerting the enemy can the siege troops have the opportunity to cross the suspension bridge and reach the city directly.

Fortunately, the other party did not have many manpower near the most important suspension bridge. The number of sentries on the city wall at this time was significantly reduced. Some bonfires were lit on the city wall to keep warm. The crackling sound of firewood in the fire, The sentries gathered together, and from time to time they laughed at each other and floated in the night wind.

Hu Keqili has observed it several times. There are four people in one position, one every hour, and the latest rotation was 10 minutes ago, which means that there will be 50 minutes before a new person will take over.

Although an order to prepare for war has been issued, Andrade, as the city itself, is obviously not in a state of war readiness in terms of defense because it is located in the hinterland controlled by the East Aile people. The East Ailei people would not have thought that the other party had crossed the outpost of Poppara without warning.

Out of their sight, groups of black shadows in the forest not far away began to move, just like the rising tide of the ocean. The 7,000 soldiers of the Fifth Flag Regiment of the Central Army were like a black line emerging at the edge of the forest. , these soldiers half-crouched under the tree, hiding themselves in the shadow of the tree.

There was only one pair of eyes staring at the city wall a hundred meters away. The five fingers of Hu Keqili's right hand were clenched together, and the knuckles were slightly white due to tension. Time passed second by second, and finally he was close to the left in the distance. The light of a sentry tower on the side suddenly flickered inexplicably. There are two faint black spots falling from above,

"It's done." The corners of Hu Keqili's mouth turned up slightly. This subtle change did not attract the attention of the lax sentry on the city wall. After a while, there was a visible fire that drew three irregular circles on the sentry tower in the distance.

"Second Team, Suspension Bridge"

Hu Keqili's eyes were bloodshot as he stared at the fire in the distance. Suppressing the excitement in his heart, he shouted in a low voice. The 10 senior sniper crossbowmen who had been waiting beside him quickly bent down and dived into the white mist in front of them like nimble civet cats.

These senior sniper crossbowmen all have more than 2 years of experience, and the number of people who died in their hands exceeds three digits at least. These 20 people are not soldiers of the Fifth Flag Regiment, but Hu Keqili who used his authority , transferred from the Third Banner Regiment, which is a gathering of elites. Even in the Third Banner Regiment, where veterans account for two-thirds, the names of these senior crossbowmen are well-known. Among them, there are 7 people at the squad leader level alone, and 2 squadron leaders with higher levels.

On the walls of Andrade, the East Ailei people still knew nothing about the upcoming raid. Several East Ailei sentries squatting next to the fire put their frozen hands on the fire.

Opposite them sat other soldiers. The blazing firelight shone on their You Xiaobai's face, which looked a little pale. The sentry looked at his companions on the opposite side and asked in a low voice, "Do you think we will really go to war with the southerners this time? I heard that Lian Asu The Russians were all defeated, I don’t know if that’s true or not.”

"I don't know, but according to businessmen from the original Asu'o area, the Asu'o people were indeed defeated, and they were defeated miserably. Not only was the head of the clan leader hung on the flagpole, but almost the entire clan was killed. It's so light. It's hard to believe it. , I heard that there are many tribes involved this time. Many tribes who followed Asu'o at first have now chosen to move further north to avoid this disaster. "A veteran on the opposite side looked ugly. The corners of his mouth grinned and he said with some hesitation.

"So, the southerners are stronger than the Assuos?" The sentry tightened his linen collar with an ugly face and threw a piece of firewood into the fire. For some reason, he felt that the temperature tonight was particularly low. , even though I was very close to the bonfire, I always felt a cold feeling behind me.

"That's not necessarily true. This is the cold land of the north. Those southerners are just staying here temporarily. I think they will leave when winter comes." The veteran stirred the fire. "Actually, I really don't want to fight with the southerners." , my son’s coming-of-age ceremony is just a few days away, and we have already discussed it with old Savile. He will be engaged to his daughter as soon as the coming-of-age ceremony is over. If there is a war, both my son and I will have to go to the battlefield. At that time, It’s hard to say whether we can come back alive.”

"Old Saville's daughter?" The sentry who was talking to him was stunned for a moment. "The one with some freckles on his face and his hair in two braids? You are really lucky. Although you don't look very good, I heard that you are very diligent. Ah, the most important thing is to have a strong body and bones. If you get married, you will be able to have a grandson in less than a year. Then you will have to treat everyone to a drink."

"Haha, this is only possible if the adults in the clan don't fight." The veteran's ugly face finally had some smiles. While the sentries were squatting by the fire and talking, they did not notice that under the suspension bridge, four white cold lights shot out from the white fog below the city at the same time, almost in no particular order.

With a low "collapse" sound, the four sentries standing on the suspension bridge were simultaneously penetrated by four speeding white lines from their throats. The sentry's body was shaken, and his body was nailed straight behind by the impact of the huge arrowheads. on the wall,

One of the sentries was not dead for a while. He struggled to hold the tail of the arrow that had penetrated his throat with his hands and feet, trying to pull it out. His face turned red with pain. The throat that was shot through made an unpleasant sound, like a pile of rubble rubbing against each other, and an arrow shot from the thick fog hit his neck from the left side.

The white arrow quivered in his throat. His last efforts came to an abrupt end, his arms and legs hanging down weakly, and his feet hanging there off the ground.

In just 3 seconds, all four sentries in charge of the suspension bridge were shot dead. In the distance, the Falcon Army, who received the signal, also began to take action. A large number of soldiers in black armor rushed out from the dense woods outside the castle. .

First, he rushed through the guard tower that should be occupied. Hu Keqili effortlessly led fifty guardsmen to the suspension bridge. The cold sword in his hand drew a cold light in the night, and there was a crisp "collapse" sound. Metallic sound. The iron chain of the suspension bridge was cut into two pieces with a knife, leaving the suspension bridge slightly lifted. Like a broken paper vulture falling heavily from a height. "Pa" hit the riverside of the bridge hard,

The city gate opened by Andrade was completely defenseless before the eyes of 7,000 falcon troops.

"Enemy attack" screamed from the city wall. The sentries who were still laughing were stunned for a moment, and they ran towards the battlements in a panic. The sight in front of them scared everyone.

Countless black soldiers, like the most terrifying monsters in countless nightmares, emerged from the thick fog in the distance. Spears standing like a forest rushed toward the city gate. The dense reflection of mail made these sentries tremble. It took quite a while for the sentries to react and start shouting hysterically, "Quick, pull the suspension bridge!"

Hearing the chaotic sounds on the city wall, Hu Keqili, who had led cavalry raids many times, had a disdainful sneer on his lips. The war horse under his crotch turned into a shadow, and several Dong Ailai people who wanted to run to close the city gate were knocked to the ground by the strong war horse. The raised hoof of the horse trampled a soldier over. The brutal screams echoed at the city gate

"Kill" Hu Keqili flashed the sword in his hand. A series of knife shadows were formed, and several people were chopped down in succession. Blood spattered on the wall of the city gate. The last remaining Dongailai man was frightened by the brave Hu Keqi and turned around and ran back.

"The whole army attacks" Hu Keqili shouted, waving his sword, and the Falcon Army poured into the city gate like a tide.

The "dang-dang-dang-dang" alarm bell sounded like a frightened woman in the sky, coming from the watchtower on the city wall. The war horses rumbled. Broken the silence of Andrade City

The terrain of Draunder City is like a diagonal funnel, high in the east and low in the west, narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. The outer moat limits the scope of the city, but it is also a large city with a population of more than 30,000. From the main road in the city More than ten forked roads extend out,

Going down from the city road, you have to go down a slope of about 200 meters before you can enter this main road leading to every corner of the city. This is also the area where the Falcon Army first encounters obstacles. As a Dong Ailai person, Although the main city of the city hastily responded to the challenge, the advantages of the local people are also very obvious.

Hearing the war alarm sounding on the city wall, these Dong Ailai people rushed out of their houses, regardless of whether they were soldiers or civilians. The whole city was like a large village surrounding the city wall. This section was about 200 meters long. The descent quickly became the scene of the most intense fighting.

The Falcon Army is well-equipped and well-trained, but it is extremely difficult to push forward on this downhill slope, which is neither long nor short. The dense spears are like pushing a human wall. In a short period of time, at least a thousand Dong Ailai people gathered in the slope area. These Dong Ailai people, who could not tell whether they were soldiers at all, held various weapons in their hands, and there were even many Farm tools, looking at the dark rush of Falcon Army in front, they came forward without fear.

The fierce and violent sound of "kill" sounded quickly, and blood was floating in the night wind like a downpour. The spears thrust forward by the Falcon Army made the rushing Dong Ailai people fall over, but the narrow terrain also made the Falcon Army stuck in this area

"Forward!" The infantrymen of the Fifth Flag Regiment shouted with all their strength, pushing forward with their shields against the enemy's corpse, while all the Dongailai people crowded forward.

"Clang, clang" thousands of knives, swords, and spears swarmed on this slope. The soldiers on both sides could not even turn around and take a breath. Many of the Dongailai people who were not protected by shields were inexplicably killed. Their own people were pushed in front of the opponent's spear and stabbed to death, but even if they died, their corpses could not fall down. They were wrapped in the crowd and continued to move forward, as if the dead were trying to charge.

Because the roads were blocked, many of the Guards cavalry entering the city could only dismount and fight on foot. They held swords in hand and held up the cavalry bucklers and followed the pikemen on foot. Slashing all the way, the fighting areas of the two sides were tragically intertwined, making it impossible to distinguish them specifically at the critical moment. Hu Keqili ordered his troops to seize the high city wall. Thousands of crossbowmen formed an attack line on the city wall, shooting arrows like raindrops at the heads of the East Ailai people.

"Ah!" Screams came one after another in the darkness. Although the specific number could not be seen clearly, there was still a large area of ​​​​empty space behind the Dong Ailai people, and those who came to support from behind were beaten and fled. With strong troops and crossbow support, the Falcon Army's path forward was cleared. At this time, the sky was already slightly bright, and the 15,000 people led by the fat man also arrived outside Andrade City.

"Your Majesty, it seems that the attack is not going very well. If we, the East Court Cavalry, are required to join the battle, I would be honored." Princess Ruitang Tingna of the East Courtyard wore a red female knight's armor.

On top of the head is a crescent crown made of gold. Wearing a bright red cloak behind him, it looks like a fluttering flame from a distance, looking as noble and attractive as ever. The royal temperament and slim figure, with icy skin and yang, and the beautiful expression exposed outside the armor make people feel excited when they see it. There is a bit of ridicule in his tone,

This time Ruitangtingna brought 6,000 Dongting cavalry. In addition to being responsible for clearing obstacles and seizing the sentry outside Poppara Fort at the beginning, these 6,000 Dongting cavalry have been following the flank of the Falcon Army. If Fatty After agreeing to the reinforcements, the most likely possibility is that the Dongting cavalry broke in through another city gate, thinking of the cruelty of the Dongting people. Fatty decided not to use this power for the time being.

"Don't worry, if we can break through it at once, that would be the most impossible thing." The fat man immediately stood on the hill, looking at the city with thick smoke rising in the distance. He stretched out his hand out of thin air and took out a piece of broken debris that fell from the sky. Snow in hand. With a slight smile on her lips, she waved her hand to Ruitang Tingna and said in a solemn voice.

"Although the Fifth Flag Regiment's attack is slow, it has opened the door to Andrade. Intelligence shows that the entire Andrade force is only more than 5,000 people. Even if civilians are included, the total number of people who can participate in the battle is definitely not enough. More than 15,000 people, which is more than enough for our total army of 30,000.

But I don’t want to cause a large number of civilian deaths. I will first let the Fifth Flag Regiment attract the enemy’s troops, and then I will order the Third Flag Regiment to open a gap from the flank and go straight to the opponent’s hall, hoping that this can break down the opponent’s resistance.

The fat man's voice stopped, and he said with some emotion, "But if the other party still insists on mobilizing civilians to resist, then it will be beyond my control."

"There is no mercy in war. Since His Majesty calls this plan a deterrent, it can be regarded as a sacrifice to stabilize the people of the North and deter those evil eyes. It would be most at ease if we follow the habit of Dongting people and kill them all. . . . Only the dead will take up arms to fight you.”

Ruitang Tingna used her hands to stir up the bun on her temples, and rolled her pretty eyes disapprovingly. Her playful manner was particularly beautiful and sultry, but her words contained a strong smell of blood, which made the Dongting people from the wolf tribe The bloody performance is perfect

"Killing people cannot solve all problems. The purpose of war is not to kill people." The fat man smiled in surprise and gave a helpless smile.

Only then did he remember that the beautiful Dongting beauty in front of him was a Dongting native who killed people without blinking an eye. Looking at Ruitang Tingna's indifferent expression, the fat man suddenly felt a shock in his heart.

He found that he had begun to deviate from the track he insisted on. Before the Battle of Ruidian, he had always adhered to the principle of reducing excessive civilian casualties. Even in the Battle of Luode, he tried to avoid large-scale casualties. However, I just don’t know why, since I came to the Northland, I personally let the Dongting Western Army massacre the Asu people, and recently, in order to suppress the dissatisfaction of the Northland people, I even did not hesitate to use the Dongting people to participate in this attack on the East. The crusade of the Ailai people,

I don’t know since when, like the people of Dongting, my tolerance for killing has become a habit.

This may be a problem caused by regional identity. Fatty couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Although he had always said that he wanted to bring the Northland into the empire's sphere of influence, psychologically and geographically, he was the same as everyone else. It treats the Northland as an external region,

Therefore, when issuing designated combat orders, there was a little less compassion for the Northland people. But is this Northland really the Northland that we need?

Regarding this issue, Fatty also hesitated a little. If the Northland always suppressed it with force like this, even if it could be included in the empire, it would be at the cost of countless corpses.

Regardless, let’s settle the battle in front of us first. Fatty is indeed a battle-hardened overlord. He quickly recovered from the shock. An hour later, looking at the Fifth Flag Regiment that had entered the urban street fighting, Fatty began to move his flanks. Two flag regiments entered the battle,

Because the main force of the Dong Ailai people was devoted to the battle to stop the Fifth Flag Regiment, the flanking walls on the east and west sides soon fell under the control of the Falcon Army. Most of the resistance in the city was quickly suppressed by three effective attacks. suppress