OBS Chapter 634 I need to focus my energy on the city of Rona.
Chapter 634 I need to focus my energy on the city of Rona.
The wind in the canyon carried dry stone dust, sweeping past Yoda's supply train. The dull, dragging sound of wheels rolling over gravel mingled with the footsteps of soldiers and the clatter of horses' hooves, echoing repeatedly in the narrow passage.
Each carriage was bound with bulging canvas bags by thick hemp ropes, through which the gleam of armor, the tips of spears, and the folds of grain sacks were faintly visible. The horses pulled the carriages with their heads down, the white breath from their nostrils dissipating instantly in the dry air, and their shoulder muscles trembling violently from carrying heavy loads for so long.
At the very front of the procession, the escort captain rode a sturdy, chestnut-red warhorse, clad in plate armor, his left hand resting on the hilt of a longsword at his waist, and his right hand on the kite-shaped shield in front of the saddle.
His gaze swept repeatedly across the ochre cliffs on both sides. The few remaining clumps of withered yellow shrubs in the crevices rustled in the wind. He knew very well that if this place wasn't in the rear, it must be Midland's natural ambush site.
The captain's Adam's apple bobbed, and he was about to raise his hand to signal for a faster pace when a cold light suddenly shot out from the shadows of the right rock wall.
The captain's pupils contracted sharply. He instinctively tried to turn and raise his shield, but his neck was a beat too slow. The arrow pierced the left side of his neck with precision, and blood gushed out instantly. The captain groaned, his body stiffened, and then he released the reins. His body fell straight off the horse and crashed heavily onto the gravel ground. Blood continued to gush from the hole in his neck, spreading a thick, dark red liquid beneath him. He twitched a couple of times and then fell still.
"Enemy attack! Raise your shields to defend!"
As soon as the exclamation arose, a dense sound of bowstrings vibrating echoed from both sides of the rock wall.
On the mountain, the mercenaries of the Hawk Band and the local people lay in ambush behind the rocks. Longbows and shortbows were drawn simultaneously, and arrows rained down like meteors. The Yoda soldiers were caught off guard and fell to the ground with screams.
Just as Yoda's soldiers were being suppressed by a hail of arrows, the thunderous sound of horses' hooves echoed from the entrance to the canyon.
Amidst the rising dust, a troop of cavalry clad in silver-white chainmail galloped in, their lances standing like a forest of pine trees, pointing straight to the bottom of the valley.
Griffith, the leader, wore a white cloak and had his long white hair tied back. His face was handsome but carried an icy majesty. He drew his sword and pointed it directly at the panicked Yoda soldiers in front of him.
All of this was within Griffith's calculations. Three days ago, he used intelligence provided by the mountain people to find out the route, strength, and supply patterns of Yoda's supply corps. He calculated that they would cross the canyon at noon, when the sun shines directly into the valley floor and the soldiers are most relaxed after half a day of trekking.
He deployed hundreds of Eagle Band archers and civilians in advance on the cliff face, while he and Guts each led a cavalry unit to lie in ambush, using arrows as signals to trap the enemy in a natural cage. He even calculated the possible rhythm of Yoda's soldiers' resistance and prepared a backup plan to deal with a sneak attack.
"Charge! Shoot straight for the enemy's heart!"
Griffith's voice pierced the roar as he squeezed his legs tightly around the horse's belly.
The cavalrymen shouted in unison, their warhorses accelerated, their hooves kicking up a cloud of pebbles, like a sharp spear piercing the enemy's rear.
As soon as a Yoda soldier turned around, a lance pierced his chest, the tip of which pinned his body to the carriage.
Griffith took the lead, severing a soldier's wrist with his longsword through the gap in the shield, and then thrusting the sword through his throat with clean, swift movements.
A Yoda soldier thrust a spear at his waist, but he dodged to the side and swept the spear shaft in half. He then pierced the soldier's abdomen with his sword, before leaping into the air with his left foot on the stirrups. He shattered the helmet of the soldier on his left with his sword, while simultaneously kicking the soldier on his right in the chest with his right foot and severing his neck as the soldier staggered.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the canyon, Guts rode his warhorse, his wild fighting spirit burning, a bloodthirsty smile playing on his lips. He gripped the horse's belly tightly with his legs, and the warhorse neighed as it charged into the crowd like lightning.
A Yoda soldier gripped his spear and thrust it toward Guts' chest. Guts snorted and swung his sword, cleaving the spear in two. The broken spear splintered and hummed as it struck the rock face.
The longsword, its momentum undiminished, cleaved the soldier from his left shoulder to his right waist, splitting him in two. Blood and entrails gushed out, staining the rubble in front of him crimson.
Guts didn't stop. His two swords swept horizontally, slashed vertically, and thrust forward. The Yoda soldiers were so frightened by Guts's bravery that they retreated repeatedly, but because the canyon was narrow, they had nowhere to escape and could only grit their teeth and fight back.
He was like a tiger among sheep, his armor stained with blood, drops of blood splattered on his face sliding down his chin, yet his eyes grew ever more piercing.
At this point, Yoda's supply train was caught in a pincer attack and suffered heavy casualties.
An officer hid behind the overturned carriage, holding a heavy repeating crossbow, quietly loading a bolt, his eyes fixed menacingly on Griffith's back as he gave orders.
He thought he was well hidden, using the carriage as cover to slowly adjust his angle, but he didn't realize that Jiedu was already watching every movement on the battlefield from behind a rock not far away.
When the officer furtively fiddled with the crossbow, he immediately became alert. Without the slightest hesitation, Jiedu quickly took down the crossbow, knelt on one knee, supported the crossbow with his left hand, and deftly strung and nocked an arrow with his right hand. His eyes, like those of a hawk, locked onto the weakest point of the enemy's right shoulder armor.
Just as Officer Yoda was about to pull the trigger, Jedo pulled it first, and the crossbow bolt shot out with a sharp whooshing sound, hitting his right shoulder precisely.
"Ah! Damn it!"
With a sharp "crack," the officer's shoulder blade was severed, and the heavy crossbow fell to the ground. He let out a shrill scream, clutched his shoulder, and squatted down, blood gushing from between his fingers, staining the rubble in front of him red.
Without hesitation, Jiedu quickly nocked another arrow, and the second bolt accurately struck the man's throat, piercing through his neck and embedding itself in the carriage floor.
The officer's eyes widened, and he fell to the ground, filled with resentment and shock, his life extinguished.
Griffiths turned around upon hearing the commotion, nodded slightly to Jedot upon seeing the scene, and then continued to direct the clearing of the remaining enemy. He raised his hand to signal the cavalry to circle around to the side and cut off their retreat. The deployment was meticulous and flawless, perfectly in line with his pre-battle plan.
The resistance in the canyon grew weaker and weaker, and the battle finally ended when the last Yoda soldier was struck in the head by Guts.
The valley floor was littered with corpses, carts were overturned or standing upright, grain and weapons were scattered all over the ground, and the horses were pawing the ground restlessly.
The soldiers of the Band of the Hawk wiped the blood off their weapons, their faces showing exhaustion but excitement.
The people climbed down the rock face, carefully skirting the corpses. Some picked up the scattered grains, while others stroked the intact horses, their faces showing relieved smiles.
Griffith rode his horse to survey the battlefield, his face expressionless, but he had already made his plans.
"Everyone obeys orders."
Griffith's voice was clear, cold, and powerful, echoing throughout the canyon.
"People of the mountains, please take stock of the supplies and horses and send them all to the temporary camp on the mountain. Grain and medicine should be moved first and carefully packed and bundled; weapons should be sorted and placed separately, chainmail, spears and crossbows should be stored separately, and damaged ones should also be taken away for repair; strong horses should be taken away first, and the wounded ones should be left where they are."
The crowd responded enthusiastically, and an old hunter stepped forward and bowed.
"Thank you so much for your generous help, Commander. These supplies have solved our urgent problem."
Griffith nodded slightly and turned to the mercenaries:
"You are responsible for guarding the area and patrolling along both sides of the canyon to prevent any fish from escaping; send three people to scout the entrance and exit to prevent Yoda's reinforcements from arriving; the rest of you assist the people in moving the people, and make sure the evacuation is completed before sunset."
"understand!"
The sounds of supplies being carried immediately filled the canyon as people led horses, carrying sacks of grain and weapons, and slowly made their way up the mountain.
Griffith watched their retreating figures. This victory was just the beginning. He had long anticipated Yoda's counterattack and was already planning his next move.
At night, in Yoda's main camp hundreds of miles away, the central command tent was brightly lit.
Adon sat in a large oak chair covered with animal hides, his fingers gripping several parchment reports tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.
The atmosphere inside the tent was extremely oppressive. Several scouts stood dejectedly below the tent, their heads almost touching their chests, not daring to look Adon in the eye.
"Trash! They're all trash!"
Adon slammed the report to the ground, scattering parchment across the floor with a rustling sound.
His face was contorted with rage.
"Three supply trains, carrying winter provisions and weapons, just vanished into thin air? The scouts we sent out couldn't find a single trace. What's the use of keeping a bunch of good-for-nothings like you!"
The scouts trembled, none daring to answer. One of them mustered his courage and raised his head, about to explain that they had not found anything unusual along the way, but was forced to lower his head immediately by Aten's fierce gaze and swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
Search! Search to the death!
Adon slammed his hand on the table, causing the bronze goblets to shake violently, spilling wine that splattered onto the animal hide, leaving dark marks.
"Search every inch of the transport route, dig three feet into the ground, and find the supply convoy! If you can't find it, don't bother coming back!"
"Yes Yes!"
The scouts quickly agreed, and turned to leave as if they had been granted a pardon.
"return!"
Aten roared, and the scouts froze on the spot, their bodies stiff.
"Three days! I'm only giving you three days! If there's no news after three days, come back to me with your heads!"
The scouts dared not say a word and quickly retreated from the tent, the tent door being slammed shut to block out the outside light.
Adon was panting heavily, his chest heaving. His gaze swept across the tent and landed on the huge map hanging on the wall. The map was marked with several transport routes in beast blood, the red lines extending from the main camp and eventually converging in the direction of Rona territory.
He stood up, walked to the map, pressed his finger on the location of the Rona collar, and gritted his teeth:
"Who on earth is behind this? Daring to touch anything belonging to the Imperial Army, they're simply asking for trouble!"
After a moment of silence inside the tent, a civil official in a gray robe emerged from a corner. He was thin, carrying a scroll of parchment, and with a cautious expression on his face, he slowly stepped forward.
"My lord, I have something to say."
Adon turned and glared at him, her tone unfriendly:
"Speak quickly, don't beat around the bush and waste time!"
The civil official bowed and slowly unfurled the parchment, on which was drawn a detailed route map:
"My lord, this is the transport route analysis I have compiled. The three supply convoys departed at different times, but their routes have one thing in common—they all pass through the mountainous canyons in the northeastern part of Rona territory. The terrain there is complex, and it is the only necessary route, as well as the place where they are most likely to be ambushed."
Adon frowned, his gaze falling on the canyon location the civil official pointed to, marked in black on the map to indicate its treacherous and difficult terrain.
He hesitated for a moment, then softened his tone slightly:
"You mean, the supply train might have been attacked there?"
"I dare not say for sure, but it is highly likely."
The civil official continued in a calm tone.
"The mountain valleys are flanked by towering cliffs, making them easy to defend and difficult to attack. If someone were to lay an ambush beforehand, the supply train would have no chance to defend itself. Moreover, recent intelligence reports indicate that Midland has hired a mercenary group called the Eagle Band to plunder our supply trains from our rear. They are most likely our target."
"Mercenary group?"
Adon paused for a moment, then chuckled, his face showing deep contempt.
"They're nothing but a bunch of rabble who work for money, yet they dare to block my path, Yoda? They're nothing to worry about!"
He turned and returned to the large chair, his tone disdainful:
"Mitland really has no one left to rely on, actually expecting mercenary groups to succeed. How many people can a mercenary group have? No matter how well-equipped they are, they are just scattered soldiers and cannot withstand the impact of a regular army."
The civil official hesitated, then stepped forward to try and persuade him:
"My lord, the Eagle Band has managed to steal three supply trains in succession, so they must be quite capable. Their tactics must also be flexible, and the mountainous terrain is advantageous for them. We should not underestimate them. It would be better to wait for our scouts to find out their troop deployment before sending our elite troops. It's the safest approach."
"shut up!"
Adon interrupted him sharply, his eyes as sharp as knives.
"I've fought for years, what kind of army haven't I seen? Mercenary groups are mercenary groups after all. Without firm beliefs and proper tactical coordination, they're just a bunch of cowards who fear death. Give them a taste of their own medicine, and they'll be scared out of their wits!"
He slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and spoke with unwavering resolve:
"Pass on my orders! Immediately assemble a thousand-strong squad and proceed at full speed to the northeastern mountains of Rona Territory! No need for reconnaissance, charge directly into the canyon, locate the Eagle Band's camp, and annihilate them all! Anyone who dares to touch my supplies will pay the price of total annihilation!"
The civil official, still unwilling to give up, tried to persuade him again:
"My lord, a thousand men is not a small number, but we are an isolated force deep in the mountains. If we are ambushed, we may suffer heavy losses. The situation in Rona territory is already tense. It would be better to withdraw some troops to stabilize the defense line first, and then gradually try to wipe out the mercenary group."
"No need to say more!"
Adon waved his hand, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"A thousand men are enough to deal with a mercenary group! I want them to know how terrible the consequences of provoking Yoda are! Have the team set off tonight and reach the canyon within three days to completely wipe out the Band of the Hawk!"
He paused, his gaze returning to the location of Rona City on the map, his expression turning serious:
"I need to focus my energy on Rona City. Only by holding Rona City can I completely control the entire Rona Territory. A mere mercenary group is not worth my attention."