Chapter 474: The Light Cavalries that Plundered in the Dark
The decisive battle had yet to begin.
Both sides were in a stalemate, carefully testing each other’s reactions.
Most importantly, the troops of South County had yet to transport enough supplies to support a battle. After all, with 20,000 cavalries gathered here, their daily consumption was equivalent to over 50,000 infantrymen.
If they did not have the advantage, the troops of the South County would not dare to launch an attack.
After all, the Kant’s army had close to 30,000 soldiers.
Although most of them were infantrymen, if they were to form a tight defensive formation, even if the 20,000-knight corps would suffer great casualties if they tried to break through the infantrymen’s tight formation, especially when the infantrymen were mainly using lance.
The n.o.ble families of the East County had already sent a huge number of resources through the geographical advantage.
Of course, there were also many long lances to defend against the cavalry.
The commander, Firentis, had already ordered the infantrymen to equip themselves with long lances.
In addition, the North County army was equipped with many long lances and spears. Most of the soldiers had formed a phalanx of long lances to defend against the charge of the cavalry. They even formed a wall of spears to slow down the advance and mobility of the enemy cavalry.
Because of this, the n.o.ble knights of the South County did not attack.
They were waiting.
Time was on their side.
As they dragged on, their morale and stamina would increase, and they would have more resources.
On the other hand, the morale of the North County alliance army led by Firentis would decrease and their resources would be depleted. Not to mention fighting, if they ran out of food for two to three days, they would collapse. The knights of the South County alliance army did not even need to do anything!
However, they were currently facing a lot of trouble themselves.
There were 20 knights with 20,000 men, but they all occupied 20 farms.
They were close to the frontlines where both sides were facing off.
However, in these farms, even if there were knight attendants patrolling continuously, they would still notice the enemy light cavalry that occasionally entered. They would not get close and would turn around to run. However, when they chased after them, they would realize that it was a trap.
That was because there were sharp and heavy short javelins were thrown over from the hands of the enemy light cavalry.
They turned around and threw.
Coupled with the speed and inertia of their own horses, they chased madly.
In less than two days, nearly 600 knight attendants were seriously injured or killed!
The casualties were heavy.
However, when they chased out to surround them, they encountered even more light cavalry.
Rolf’s light cavalries had already spread out over the mountains and plains. They didn’t lure the knight attendants into the defensive line of their heavy cavalry and infantrymen. Instead, they directly led them into the depths of the South County and into the plains.
Due to the development of agriculture in the South County, the roads were also flat.
The dirt or paved roads that were easy to transport in the past had now become a pa.s.sage for the troops to advance at high speeds.
Even if the roads were blocked, it did not matter. They could still gallop across the plains of the South County. They would not encounter any obstacles at all.
Even the knight attendants didn’t chase after them too far and retreated, because they were afraid that they would be alone.
They could only wait for the final battle.
Hence, Rolf and the others charged into the South County.
The farms had long since been emptied, and even the warehouses were empty. There was nothing of value left behind to prevent them from being used by the enemy. At the same time, it also meant that there were no troops to defend, allowing them to move about on their own.
They had even almost reached Lionheart City.
It was the largest city in the South County.
It was also one of the only two trading cities in the Dukedom of Leo.
However, Rolf did not give the order to enter Lionheart City. Instead, he led his troops back and spread out in the starry night to kill any enemies that might appear. He also defeated small groups of patrolling troops and caused damage at the rear.
This was also to increase the pressure on the troops of those n.o.ble families in the South County.
There was no other way.
Rolf also knew that time was not on his side.
If he did not want to be dragged to death, he could only rely on the infantry and to wear down the enemy knight corps.
Then, at the most critical moment, he would let his light cavalry hara.s.s them. Then, he would let Firentis’s heavy cavalries finish the battle. Even if they were left with nothing, or if both sides suffered heavy losses, it would be good for them.
This was because this was not the main force of Kant’s troops.
In the distance, at the mouth of the Resniston River.
An army composed of the Rhodoks and Nords was gathering.
As long as the decisive battle here began, then a dagger would appear on this wide river, stabbing straight into the heart. Kant would personally lead this water army to capture Lionheart City by the lower river. Moreover, he would also give the n.o.ble knights of the South County a heavy punch, the best plan was to directly crush the resistance of the South County!
At the very least, the South County would fall into a state of disorder for a short period of time. Then, their troops would gather together and directly rush towards the Lion Fort, the administrative center of the Dukedom of Leo, which was also Kant’s former home!
…
Under the starry night, in the fields outside the South County, Rolf was leading a team of light cavalry as they traveled rapidly.
On the horizon ahead, there was a long dragon carrying a torch. It looked like a carriage and trade caravan. It was a team that transported daily supplies to the knights of the South County.
This was their target.
As light cavalry soldiers, their tactical missions had the function of disrupting the enemy’s supply line.
Rolf was also clear about his position. After thinking for a while, he waved his hand forward.
“Wu –”
The long horn sound was immediately blown.
The desert bandits who were the commanding soldiers put down the horn and pulled out their spears. They and the other team members at the back looked at Rolf and slowly urged their warhorse forward.
“Kill!”
Rolf naturally did not say anything. After waving his hand forward, he also pulled out his scimitar.
Around the transport team, groups of light cavalries appeared in the darkness. Like wolves, they charged out of the darkness and rushed towards the transport team that was already nervous.
There were more than 500 people in their team and more than 100 carriages.
However, Rolf’s light cavalry had 300 people.
They whistled past.
These desert bandits were close to a profession when it came to plundering transport squads.
As they threw pilums one after another, taking advantage of the fact that the defending transport squads did not have time to react, they grabbed their scimitars and charged straight into these transport teams, which were mostly coachmen, and began to slaughter them wantonly.
They naturally did not need any survivors, especially on the plains of the South County. Leaving any survivors was equivalent to exposing themselves.
War was always cruel.
“Lord!” an elite desert bandit came over.
His face was filled with joy. “It’s all food. It should be enough for the knight corps to use for three days.” As he spoke, he took out a flint and a water sack filled with grease. He raised his eyebrows and said, “Do you want to have a barbecue party?”
“Don’t be nosy.” Rolf glanced at him and said calmly, “Leave after you burn it!”
“Yes!”
He did not dare to continue to talk nonsense.
He found some linen to connect the carriage that was gathered together. Then, he poured some kerosene into it and threw it over. The raging flames instantly soared into the sky and lit up the plains. One could see it clearly even if they were more than ten miles away.
It was estimated that even the farms where the knights were stationed could be seen clearly by the watchtower.