Chapter 445: Forces with Ulterior Motives
Facing the attack of the pirates, Baheshtur raised his scimitar and swung it forward.
More than 300 desert bandits, who were wandering around the periphery and waiting for orders, immediately spread out and formed a three-man team. They quickly rode their horses and rushed out like a scattered wolf pack, entering their hunting mode.
Although there weren’t many of them, after they spread out, they were like floating catkins in the sky, galloping wantonly on the vast plains.
Even though these desert bandits wouldn’t charge at them easily.
But the deterrent effect they had on the water bandits.
Was without a doubt absolute!
These scattered light cavalry focused on the rear half of the Reisneston River water bandits. This made the water bandits, who were also behind the light infantry, even more cautious. They didn’t dare to rashly increase their pace.
They were arrogant, but they were also cautious. The experience of plundering on the Reisneston River was also suitable for land battles.
Once they were separated from the front and the back, it would be troublesome.
Even if they hoped that some of their “Companions” would die in battle so that they could get more great silver coins.
However, before they won the battle, a large number of their companions would be killed by the cavalry, causing the battle to fail. That wasn’t what they wanted to see. A bunch of people would die, and they wouldn’t even be able to get a single small silver coin. They wouldn’t do a loss-making business!
However, it was definitely impossible to leave just like that.
Very soon.
The water bandits who had short spears or long spears were deployed to the outside.
They were also equipped with water bandits archers who held short bows. They were arranged in rows, and from time to time, they would draw their bows and shoot arrows, which in turn would deter the desert bandits and prevent them from charging forward.
The equipment of the water bandits were mostly short-handled axes or longsword machetes, but they also had short spears and long spears and handaxes.
The common short bows were also available.
After all, it was a water battle.
Before the jump gang battle, the short spears and long spears could form a line to prevent the enemy from ambus.h.i.+ng.
The short bows could also provide long-range damage.
Although they did not have stronger bows and strong crossbows, these pirates, with their bravery and ferocity, could already pose a threat to the guards of the merchant s.h.i.+ps. This was also what they relied on to traverse the river.
Apart from a few elite patrol s.h.i.+ps, they weren’t afraid of anyone!
Water battles were different from land battles.
This was something that they were proud of.
However, their arrogance had turned into a joke in the face of absolute strength.
Before Mamluke had even moved out, 800 sarrandian horseman riders had already charged out from the two wings. As they galloped, they quickly arrived at the two sides of the pirates.
There were 400 sarrandian horseman riders on the left and right. They lined up neatly and raised their long spears.
They could charge at any time!
The pirates became even more cautious.
Those pirate leaders had their elites lined up on the two sides.
At the very front, they had the 1,000 elite long lance soldiers that the knight commander of the silver platter kingdom had brought to guard. They slowly advanced, forming a dense phalanx of long spears to prevent the mamlukes from charging.
This was a helpless move. During the attack, the huge number of pirate troops showed their bloat.
In the history of war, it was never better to have more.
Bloating was a disadvantage.
If there were no outstanding generals and high-quality middle-level commanders, the bloating advantage could only turn into a disadvantage of improper operation, failure of command, allowing the enemy to attack, and only pa.s.sive defense!
Now, it seemed like the Reisneston River Pirates and the forces of Zenarburg of the silver platter kingdom had joined forces.
There were only two forces.
But in reality.
The Reisneston River Pirates had gathered five forces.
Each of them had a face and heart that didn’t agree. They were pulled together for the sake of absolute benefits.
This was also the case for the knight commanders of Zenarburg of the silver platter kingdom.
The six forces were connected by interests. If they could command smoothly like an arm, it would be too much of a test for the qualities of the generals and commanders.
Of course, it was obviously impossible.
Everyone had different intentions.
They all wanted others to go up first to die while they kept the most people in the hope of obtaining more treasures.
Their greed was spreading. Unknowingly, they even stopped advancing. Instead, they started to defend their positions. They did not trust each other and formed six formations according to their own camps.
Just like the plum petals, although they seemed to be close, they were actually very distinct.
They were not one!
Facing Kant’s cavalry, they could not be united.
Everyone hoped that after the other people were attacked and fought to the death with the enemy’s troops, they could go and pick up the rewards. At the same time, they would accidentally injure many of their fallen ‘allies’.
Of course, it would be even better if only their own people were left behind.
“A bunch of idiots.”
Mockery appeared in Baheshtur’s eyes.
Before the battle, these guys were still plotting and scheming. It was a joke to him, especially when they were facing so much cavalry. If they still dared to have such thoughts, they would be courting death!
If everyone was united, there might really be a chance to retreat back to the Reston River alive.
But now?
They were only seeking their own death!
The raised machete swayed. This was Baheshtur’s order.
In the distance, the desert bandits and sarrandian horseman, who had already made arrangements, began to run around the water bandits even more intensely. Each and every one of them acted as if they were going to charge at any moment, scaring the water bandits into gathering even more closely.
Meanwhile, Baheshtur reported to Kant, “Lord, are we going to start?”
“Yes.”
Kant’s expression was calm.
He lightly knocked his horse’s abdomen and galloped forward. “Let’s attack.”
“Yes.” Baheshtur revealed a sinister smile.
He turned his head and shouted, commanding the Mamlukes, “Under the orders of Lord Kant, all cavalry follow me. Prepare to charge! Kill!”
“Kill!” The Mamlukes shouted in unison.
A thousand meters away.
The group of Reisneston River Pirates became even more vigilant.
At the front, the Knight Commander of Nazaire Fort had an extremely depressed expression, and there was a hint of pain between his brows. He could not help but mutter, “This time… it seems to be… bad…”
But looking at the troops under Kant’s command, his heart grew colder and colder.
They were not on the same level at all!
He turned his head.
Behind him, the knight whose nose tip had been cut off was still cursing in a low voice.
Obviously, his anger had already overshadowed his heart. The others also had some light in their eyes. Their greedy expressions were obvious, almost to the point of impatience.
The other knights and knight attendants did not think that they did not have the strength to fight.
They were all newcomers.
Those new knights who had not experienced the war ten years ago.
Otherwise, they would not have been fooled. They would have followed him to the territory of the Dukedom of Leo and attacked the n.o.ble of the Dukedom of Leo. If they were discovered, even the silver platter kingdom would not admit it, not to mention the Baron of Zenel Castle who had tricked them into coming over, baron Taylor had already thrown him out. How could he bear the responsibility.
In the battle ten years ago, the cavalry of the Dukedom of Leo had shone brilliantly. Although the infantrymen had been easily defeated by the silver platter kingdom, the silver platter kingdom had also admitted that the cavalry was no match for the Dukedom of Leo.
Therefore, the troops of the silver platter kingdom that were close to the border of the kingdom were mostly equipped with elite lance soldiers.
They were there to defend against the cavalry that came and went like the wind and charged at them.
But now…
The commander of the knights thought that it would be difficult for his 1,000 elite lance soldiers to return alive.
If he really placed all his reliance on the pirates behind him and the 30 or so priests of the dark red cult who were like stray dogs, it would be too dangerous!