Chapter 453: The Mountain Pa.s.s That Was Ready
The mountain pa.s.s could not be lost!
Of course, Fatis understood the strategic significance of defending this place. Otherwise, Kant would not have let him, who had received a professional n.o.ble education, be in charge of the Mountain Pa.s.s.
He had even sent Rolf, who was also a n.o.ble, to lead thousands of light and heavy cavalry in support.
However, that was enough.
Even though Fatis knew about the actions of the alliance of the n.o.ble families, he did not feel the slightest ripple in his heart.
This battle would eventually appear. Since they had launched an attack before they were strong and only started to act after everything was ready, they would have to bear the corresponding consequences!
Kant had once talked to Fatis about the situation in the northern county!
Especially now.
The situation in the Dukedom of Leo was surging.
Not only was the northern county territory heavily infiltrated by Kant’s forces, even the eastern county territory had been infiltrated by more than half.
If they defeated the Lord of the Northern County, Viscount Wayne, and the southern county territory tacitly agreed to gather the mercenary corps, then Kant’s forces would completely occupy the northern county territory, and even the n.o.ble families of the eastern county would choose to submit.
As long as they were close to the Dukedom of Leo’s direct territory, the wealthy southern county, the dukedom would be under their control!
All of this was about to happen.
Naturally.
Kant did not even have to make a choice. His enemies had already made a choice for him.
But now, Kant was still in the eastern county’s Nord fortress, Sargos. At the Stone Pa.s.s in the northern county’s territory, he had to completely rely on Fatis himself, as well as Rolf, who was wandering outside as support for the mobile forces.
“Inform them.”
Fatis pondered for a long time in the main seat and slowly raised his head.
The guard on standby at the side immediately took two steps forward and quietly lowered his head, listening to his orders. “Warn the city defense forces to secretly enter a state of Emergency Alert. Gradually clean up the spies in the city and disperse the low-level immigrants.”
“Yes!” The guard nodded and quickly left.
“Also!”
Fatis continued to speak.
However, he spoke to another guard beside him. “Immediately send people to inform Ma Nide and Jocelyn, who are guarding the Oasis Lookout, to get them ready to support.”His tone paused for a moment, he still said, “If the results of the battle at the Stone Pa.s.s are not smooth, I will voluntarily give up this place and lure the enemy into the Nahrin Desert. I will take the opportunity to wipe them out!”
“Yes!” The guard nodded and left as well.
The arrangements were completed.
These guards would use their warhorse to head to their mission destination in the shortest amount of time.
They were all elite desert bandit, the most elite light cavalry. Their position in the pa.s.s was more like a messenger than a guard. As long as there was a situation, it was time for them to appear.
For example, these elite desert bandit left on their horses, turning into black dots and disappearing into the vast desert and plains.
The dark tide had already begun to surge.
The shadow of war had already enveloped the Stone Pa.s.s.
In fact, those merchants had a sharper sense of smell than the commoners or the poor.
After all, most of these merchants were the local n.o.bles of the Dukedom of Leo. They were trained and served as employees. Although they managed the trade caravan and were rich, they were actually the spokespersons pushed to the front desk by the n.o.ble.
Sometimes, when the frontline was fighting to the death, having their brains would be blown, the people in the back would still be trading with a smile.
This was very normal for the merchants.
Money was everything.
Those people who fought b.l.o.o.d.y battles for victory were just a bunch of stupid boors.
This was even more vividly reflected in the most senior n.o.ble families. Sometimes, the two sides were still fighting intensely, to the point of a blood feud. However, in reality, once there were benefits for both sides, the flames of war would immediately cease, both sides shook hands and made peace.
This was how the n.o.ble families were. The rules that belonged to them were also the dignity of the n.o.ble families. Some senior n.o.ble families even had marriages with each other. There were people in each of their bloodlines, and the split on the surface was just for outsiders to see.
Even the royal family that was in charge of the dukedom was the same. They had long been tied to the n.o.ble families.
They were originally part of the n.o.ble system!
… ..
Half a month had pa.s.sed.
The Dukedom of Leo had already fallen into a strange atmosphere.
Especially in the northern county, the dense trade caravan that used to travel on the rugged dirt road on the plains were now spa.r.s.e. There were only two or three big and small cats. The number of carriages was also seriously insufficient. It was obvious that they were not a large trade caravan.
However, there were even more people on the dirt road, as well as the terrified poor people, who carried their simple and crude luggage and left.
They had all received the news.
It was said that war was about to break out at the Stone Pa.s.s.
This was something that the knights unintentionally said when they were drunk. However, in a short period of time, everyone in the pa.s.s of Stone Mountain knew about it. Therefore, these poor people, who were originally here to take advantage of opportunities and seek wealth, fled very quickly.
Even the commoners and country gentry who originally lived in the Stone Pa.s.s had taken the initiative to flee.
This included some timid knights.
That’s right.
During this half a month, in just a short period of 15 days, some of the troops in the Stone Pa.s.s had already fled.
Most of them were knights who originally belonged to Baron Dylan. After Kant’s arrival, they had submitted to Kant’s feet. Now, facing the army gathered by the northern county, how could they not be afraid?
However, Fatis did not organize their escape.
In comparison.
Those who did not escape were the ones who should be paid the most attention to.
During this period of time, some people with ulterior motives had already captured more than a dozen of them.
In their homes, they had even found secret letters brought by spies. They were all from the conditions that the northern county’s n.o.ble families had promised. For example, they would give the village as a fief and become a fief knight, not the current honorary knight.
Some even suggested that as long as they helped the other party break into the Stone Pa.s.s, they would obtain the t.i.tle of hereditary knight.
The n.o.ble families of the northern county had spent a lot of money!
However.
In the end, Fatis solved a lot of spy cases.
Those knights who surrendered were also tied up in the dungeon. As for those knights who resisted stubbornly, they were directly shot to death. At this moment, Fatis did not have any mercy.
Moreover, the word ‘mercy’did not apply to traitors!
During this period of time.
The impregnable Stone Pa.s.s had also been set up.
2,000 Swadian footman had already arrived here.
In addition, there were 1,000 Veruga archers and 500 Swadian crossbowmen.
Of course, this was only the scale of the city defense force. There were also 500 Swadian knights and 1,000 Swadian heavy cavalry that could charge out as a mobile force.
Furthermore, in the plains outside, Rolf’s light cavalry troops and 1,000 desert bandits were roaming about.
They were ready.
Outside the city.
The 30,000 n.o.ble Alliance army had finally arrived.