Realm of Power

451 The New Overlord of the North (3)

"Wow!" The raindrops beat on the marble steps of Wallenburg, the northern fortress of Redien.

Waves of white water splashed on the steps, and the entire building turned into a hazy and beautiful scenery in the fresh rain.

"We are nobles and we have the right to ask the Northern Army to fulfill the responsibilities of the Kingdom's knights." A nobleman in rich clothes with an excited look raised his hands.

Behind him were more than a hundred Ruidian nobles who were also shouting. The nobles were shivering in the rain, but they did not retreat.

on the short steps in front of them

Hundreds of serious-faced Ridian knights lined up in a human wall, wearing heavy armor that was rarely seen in normal times, and let the raindrops falling from the sky hit them.

The rainwater dripped onto the ground along the lines of the knight's metallic helmet and armor.

"We want to see the Duke of Harlinger." On the flat ground in front of the steps, countless nobles wearing raincoats were gathering there anxiously.

Although he shouted fiercely, no one dared to step on the steps at his feet.

Because they are not qualified and do not have the courage to step onto this step that represents the glory of knights,

The ranks of knights, each level represents a level of knight, from the bronze heraldic knight to the final gold royal heraldry, a total of eighteen levels

Anyone without military merit or a marquis or above would be considered an insult to the entire knight class if he or she set foot on it.

"Anyone who steps on the steps will be shot to death." The knight captain's face was cold, and the knight's sword was half drawn out in his hand. This is the headquarters of the Ruidian Northern Army. Even if a few blind nobles are killed, it is not a big deal.

"Yes" the knights on both sides nodded in response,

The murderous gazes chilled the hearts of the nobles who were confused by their anger. Their footsteps stopped in front of the steps. Although their faces were red from suppressing their anger and they were anxious as if they were going to set the dark sky on fire, there was nothing they could do.

A murderous atmosphere permeated the rain. The knights on the steps did not even look at the noisy nobles below. Their eyes were fixed on the steps in front of the nobles.

The rain is dripping, and it seems that the fresh air is frozen by the heavy atmosphere

The rainy season from the north follows the warm airflow from the south, covering most of the northern grasslands and the northern province of Ruidian in the continuous rainy season.

This rain brought some coolness to the hot summer, but also brought bad news to Ruidian North.

Just when the Ruidian Northern Army had just won a great victory in the north, the patrolling scouts discovered the presence of the Vecian army in the southwest of the city.

According to a request for help from the north,

Fully two full-strength Vekian Infantry Banner Regiment appeared southwest of Aichmore, mixed with some scattered scout cavalry. Although the number was smaller than the 40,000 Ruidian defenders who stayed behind in Aichmore. few

But judging from the sophisticated weapons and the large number of infantry heavy crossbows on the soldiers, these are two regular Vekia main battle flag regiments.

Behind them, there are about 40,000 Vekian troops and nearly 30,000 merchants operating frequently on the border.

Countless horse-drawn carriages transporting supplies traveled to and from the northern part of Wikiya. The strategic supplies accumulated on the northern border of Wikiya were even filled with hundreds of temporary warehouses, enough to support 100,000 people in continuous fighting for half a year.

"What do the Vekians want?"

The nobles are not very concerned about the outcome of this northern war. They are just some local lords and wealthy families. Most of the results of the northern campaign will fall into the hands of the northern nobles. They have little to do with them, even if some of them have nothing to do with them. Most of them are related to assisting in defense matters.

They were more concerned about what was going on on the northern border. What made the northern nobles of Ruidian feel anxious and anxious was precisely the amount of food and troops hoarded on the Weixia border.

One hundred thousand troops only need half a year

The Wikia merchants who were eagerly looking forward to the war did not know that their crazy actions had frightened these unsuspecting Ruidian nobles.

The Vekians not only want to occupy the grasslands, but also want to take the entire northern border into their arms

I don’t know when such rumors spread among the nobles

Although the Northern Army Headquarters swore that this was absolutely impossible, the Northern Army had just achieved the great victory of Aichmor.

Even 100,000 Kujit cavalry were defeated. Are they still afraid of being harassed by tens of thousands of Vekian infantry?

The explanation given by the Northern Military Headquarters made the nobles very dissatisfied. The Northern Army, which had always asked for troops and food from them, was just prevaricating when they needed protection the most.

This undoubtedly made these nobles feel even more speculative. They didn't know that the main force of the Northern Army had already moved westward, otherwise they wouldn't have collectively exploded.

Although Wikiya can dispatch the forwards of the two main battle flag regiments, the news about the Wikiya people this time is by no means a trivial matter. It has already spread throughout the border territories.

According to the Ruidian Kyoto Nobility Law, the families above the marquis who stayed in Kyoto,

We must shoulder the defense responsibility on the northern border. This is the origin of these small territories.

They are close to the border and have an army ranging from thousands to a few hundred. Most of them are vassals of the wealthy families in Kyoto.

The northern border is the most dangerous defense zone of the kingdom. The Kujit cavalry come and go like the wind. Stationing here is definitely a chore.

The meager military strength and forward defense position made these vassals who replaced the wealthy families of Kyoto complain endlessly. Every year, many people became the victims of the Kujit cavalry that invaded the south.

Although they are not Kugits this time, the danger is even more severe.

That was the strangulation of more than 100,000 troops,

Even a few collisions on the border are enough to make the little lords on the northern border suffer.

Wekiya, who sent out troops, is no longer the barren little country nestled in the mountains before.

Strong soldiers and strong horses

The Battle of Dehreim in the center and the disastrous defeat in the north of Vecia showed that the Vecia army, mainly based in the southern mountainous area of ​​Samor, has far exceeded the strength of ordinary powerful countries that mobilize 100,000 elites.

This country that once made the entire continent laugh at it is gradually becoming a great power with its strength and trade lines all over the continent.

The abnormal movements on the sideline undoubtedly caused chaos on the entire northern Ruidian sideline.

The anxious nobles gathered at Twalinburg, the headquarters of the Northern Army,

They received news from inside that today's meeting will determine their only savior, the final answer of the Ruidian Northern Army.

Different from the anxious atmosphere outside, there was a solemn atmosphere in the Northern Army Hall at the top of the steps.

The hall was eerily quiet. Several generals Rui Erdian were sitting upright. On the main seat of the hall, the old nobleman with deep eyes was scanning the generals on the seats.

"You must have read this report. Regarding the nobles' earnest request, what do you think we should do?"

Duke Harlinger, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Military Affairs of Ruidian, stood up from his seat. His sharp eyes and slightly inward-curved aquiline nose showed that he was a man of firm character.

From the reports of frontline scouts, he smelled a beast coming out of its cage.

The Vekians finally took action. Although they had been prepared for a long time, there was no movement. But just when everyone thought the situation was calm, the Vekians put on a posture of overwhelming the enemy.

"What the hell is this?"

This urgent news from the northern front not only caused chaos on the northern front, but also plunged the Northern Army Headquarters into a heavy atmosphere.

All the generals who came to the meeting had their heads lowered, their eyes looking at the map on the long table, and their ears listening to the hoarse explanation of the strategic staff.

If it were in the past, they would have preferred Miss Angelie, a famous beauty from the headquarters, to be the commentator. Her clear and melodious voice was like a ribbon sliding across the eardrum, giving people a sweet enjoyment.

But now, they want another voice to express,

A strong voice that can lead them to victory

Before the war, there had been heated discussions within the Northern Command about the possibility of the Vekians participating in the war.

The main war faction headed by veteran Kurd believes that the northern war between Samor and the Stian family in Wikiia has just ended, and the entire north and west have turned into chaos because of this war.

Samor, which rose up in the south, has always been known for its developed commerce and trade. Therefore, they who have just gained dominance will inevitably choose to restore the severely damaged economy in the north first.

Otherwise, without the need for external forces, continuous wars will drag down this emerging kingdom on its own. The rulers of Vecia will never take this risk.

However, the warring faction headed by the deputy commander Duke Harlinger firmly believed that based on the strength of the Vecians in the northern unification war and their determination to fight against Ruidian, they would never sit back and watch their northern barrier. Kuji The Te Khanate was defeated by Ruidian and will definitely join the war at the last moment.

In the end, Marshal Berlant of the Kingdom chose the Kurdish suggestion, but for the sake of safety, he also left Deputy Commander Harlinger to stay at the base camp.

It seemed fair, but actually he had no intention of expelling Duke Harlinger from the decision-making level of the decisive battle in the north. When he heard that the Vecians would participate in the war as he predicted, Duke Harlinger was not only worried but also worried. Somewhat complicated emotions,

As a powerful traditional overlord of the mainland, Rui Erdian held a contemptuous attitude toward the Kingdom of Wikiya, which had just emerged from the mountains in the southwest, and most of its generals.

The throne of the continent's hegemon was won by the Ruidian people in bloody battles over the past hundred years. They drove the powerful Kugits to the north, blocked the ambitions of the feuding Lods to march into the central part of the continent, and continued to suppress them in the east. The people living in the Dorok Mountains who have always refused to obey the rules,

Only the west side has never taken it to heart because it almost destroyed the country by defeating the Wikians.

No one thinks that Wikiya, which has just developed for a few years, has the strength to challenge the Kingdom of Ruidian. Even the ceded Dehreim is just a temporary relief for His Majesty the King to use all his strength to conquer the approaching mainland. The expedient measures taken to annihilate the Lods in the central part,

Dehrem in the west is just an insignificant and remote province. All the generals believe that as long as they defeat the difficult Lods in the south,

With the help of the Vekians, who still focus on infantry combat and have just climbed out of the barren mountains in the west, and the returning elite knights of the southern legion, they can completely reenact the Battle of Dehrem.

But now it seems that this new overlord in the southwest is not willing to be lonely.

Duke Harlinger sighed inwardly, glanced at the generals with murderous eyes, and said in a solemn voice, "Whether I am the deputy commander of the Northern Army or the Duke of Harlinge who is in charge of the north, I must remind you all."

"Our decision this time is related to the stability of the entire kingdom's northern front. No matter what decision we make, we are not allowed to say a word to the outside world.

Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude, I believe that His Majesty the King will also agree with my decision." Harlinger emphasized his tone, and the murderous aura in it made General Ruidian stand up and nod in response, with an extremely expression on his face. Respectfully

In the absence of Marshal Berlant, he is the supreme commander of the Northern Campaign Headquarters. In addition to holding an important position in the Ministry of Military Affairs, Duke Harlinger is also one of the three powerful Northern Dukes.

He has extremely strong prestige both in the northern army and among the northern nobles. To a certain extent, his words are more intimidating than Marshal Berlant.

Such a huge decisive battle in the north was planned for a whole year by Harus, the king of Redian who was proficient in strategy.

Not only did he transfer commanders like Berlant who were good at fighting from the south, but he also arranged pivotal tasks like Harlinger early on that could connect the Royal Army with local forces.

Most of the generals of the Northern Army are closely connected with these local forces. If it weren't for a big boss like Harlinger, Marshal Berlant, whose sphere of influence is mainly in Kyoto and the south, would not have been able to command the Northern Army so easily.

It's a pity that God's calculations are not as good as those of man

Sceris's fire not only forced the tens of thousands of elites from the Left Guard into a desperate fight with Ruidian's main force, but also forced the entire northern plan carefully laid out by Ruidian to be completely eliminated due to the delay in time. Change,

In order to gain a time advantage, Berlant had to make dangerous moves, and finally put himself on the scale of gambling.

"Your Excellency, regarding those small territories on the sidelines, I think we should give them up temporarily." Flag Captain Feherai was the first to stand up. He looked around with an arrogant look and continued.

It’s not that our northern frontier army doesn’t want to help these nobles, it’s because we really don’t have enough troops.

If the main force of our northern army is still stationed in the northern part of Ruidian, this lone intrusion of the Vecian army will be a trivial joke.

However, the current Northern Army is not there. Under the leadership of Duke Berlant, they are quietly crossing the inaccessible western snowy mountains, and then completing the strategic encirclement from behind the Kugits.

In one fell swoop, the Ruidian people’s dream of being the northern hegemon that they have longed for for hundreds of years has been realized. Now, the only ones left in the north are Ai Chemoer’s 40,000 second-line troops and our 20,000 northern frontier troops who stayed at our headquarters.

"Such a force is really stretched against the 100,000 elites of Wikiya who are capable of fighting." Feherai pretended to be sad and sighed.

"In this case, instead of taking the initiative to attack, we should immediately shrink the defense line. Not only should the borderline be abandoned, but even the defenders of Aichmore should also withdraw."

Feherai's voice paused, his eyes subconsciously glanced at Harlinger on the main seat, and then continued, "Only by holding on to our northern border, the westward advancing army will have no worries and the kingdom will not be in danger."

Feherai is Duke Harlinger's confidant. After hearing his words, several other banner leaders secretly speculated whether this proposal was Feherai's idea or Duke Haringel's.

"Sir, I'm afraid it's inappropriate." A flag captain sitting on the right hesitated for a while, and finally stood up boldly.

"Ai Chemore was defeated by the warriors of the Kingdom with their blood and lives. If it is surrendered to others, what will happen to the main force of the North Army marching westward? If the westward march is thwarted, our army of more than 100,000 Ruidian will not even be the last one." Is there no way out? "

He was transferred from Kyoto by Marshal Berlant to serve as a reserve army.

Although it is just a second-line flag regiment that is not reused, it can get the opportunity to participate in such a big battle. As long as it works a little bit, there will definitely be a chance to get military honors, so he is still somewhat grateful to Marshal Berlant.

In addition to being of noble birth, Rui Erdian also plays a very important role in military service. No matter how capable you are, you must have a big boss willing to give you a chance.

"I also think it is not advisable to give up Achemore." Duke Harlinger's deep voice surprised everyone,

He stood up from his seat, a flash of light flashed in his eyes, pointing to the map spread out on the long table and said, "The Wekiians we found this time only have 2 flag regiments, with a maximum strength of 20,000 people."

Although they may still have more troops to press forward, in this decisive battle involving hundreds of thousands of people in the north, it seems that the Queen Mother is too late to realize it.

Obviously, all they can do is cause us some trouble at the last moment." Duke Harlinger smiled.

He looked at the confused flag captains with meaningful eyes and pointed at the map with his finger.

"Everyone, please see, Aichemor belongs to us, and Drifa'eban, the throat of the Kugit Palace, has also fallen into our hands. Now we are just waiting for the main force heading west to Dugan to reach the designated location.

"When the time comes to surround Turga on three sides, even if the Kujit people are made of iron, they will be beaten by our Ruidian Iron Cavalry." The corners of Duke Harlinger's mouth twitched, and he slammed his clenched fist on the table with a low voice. There was an unconcealable excitement in his voice.

Although the intentions of the Wikiyan strategy have not yet been fully revealed,

However, as a leader who has been assisting His Majesty the King in defending the north all year round, Harlinger has reason to believe that the Vecians appeared like a rogue at this time, and suddenly at the most critical point in the northern campaign, it was obvious that there was someone The plot,

These despicable Wikians, Duke Harlinger, curled his lips in disdain. He felt that this time the Wikis prominently sent troops to the northern grasslands just to gain points from Ruidian when the Kugits perished. Eligibility for a piece of cake

"Tap, tap, tap" a burst of rapid horse hoof sounds suddenly came from the front door of the castle, and the warhorse representing the messenger symbol galloped in like an arrowhead,

"Urgent news from the north" The messenger reined in the galloping warhorse in front of the knight's steps. Seeing the messenger covered in mud and looking like a mud man, the nobles who always loved cleanliness dodged one after another

At this moment, the messenger did not care about these nobles. He took off the battle report sealed with oilcloth from his body and shouted loudly while running, "Aichmer has been lost, and we urgently need reinforcements from our headquarters"