Chapter 478: There Was No Other Choice
Rolf’s words were like a heavy hammer, mercilessly hitting the hearts of the generals and commanders of the rebellion army. This was an undisguised critic and mockery, but no one could refute it, because it was the truth.
But it was precisely because they couldn’t refute it that they looked at Rolf with red faces and red ears. Every one of their faces were filled with embarra.s.sment and anger. There were even people who slowly put their hands on the scabbard by their waists. If someone took the lead, they would fight with Rolf here, blood splattering on the spot!
However, Rolf did not show any fear. He continued to look at them. He even took a step forward and said in a low voice, “What? Did my words cut you to the quick? But this is the truth, isn’t it?”
“It’s the truth!” the commander-in-chief of the rebellion army, Korod, nodded. His eyes were also gloomy. “But, Mr. Rolf, isn’t it too dangerous for us to attack the knight corps of the South County?” He looked around at the middle-level commanders, he said in a deep voice, “I reckon that even if we all go up, we might not be able to wipe out those knights!”
“We are here!” Rolf immediately replied, “Our cavalry elites are no less than the knights and knight attendants of the knight corps. On the battlefield, we can provide support and ensure the final victory of the war.”
“You’re just saying big words!”
Someone retorted, “How do we know if you will save us?” The others also retorted, “If you escape, won’t we all be wiped out and become your steppingstones?”
Rolf laughed and said, “But do you have a choice?”
The commanders of the rebellion army in the room immediately became restless, “What do you mean?”
“For example, now.” Rolf spoke very quickly. “There are now five knight corps and 5,000 heavy cavalry soldiers heading here. They are resting in an abandoned farm not far away from us. As long as they wait until tomorrow morning, they will come near this village and launch the most fatal attack on us!”
“What?” the commanders of the rebellion army instantly fell silent.
“Is this true?”
Even Korod gulped, his heart clearly in shock.
They had spread out over half of the South County, conquering the city and conquering the land, so strong that even the main forces of the southern county territory did not dare to fight head-on with them. However, they knew in their hearts, they had only swept through a bunch of villages guarded by the militia and a large number of unarmed villagers. They had not even faced the regular army of the n.o.ble families.
Facing the manors built by the top-tier n.o.ble families, which were like a fortress, they still had the desire to attack in the early stages. They sent their troops over to attack, but after the bitter fight, they did not manage to take down a single manor. They completely gave up on continuing to attack the manors and towns, not to mention the Lion Fort, which was known as the number one castle in the South County. They were probably completely annihilated under the outer walls of the castle, and they might not even be able to break in!
Unless they had the support of the superb siege weapons of the Silver Platter Kingdom, but the current Silver Platter Kingdom could not be contacted at all, and they might facing death in a short period of time, so they did not dare to act rashly!
“You think it’s fake?” Rolf sneered.
“Uh…”
The commanders of the rebellion army looked at each other, looking at each other in dismay.
Rolf did not give them time to think, he said calmly, “You can send the light cavalry to take a look, but I don’t think it’s necessary. They have already hidden very well, and they have also sent the light cavalry to scout. They are completely planning to enter a resting status after a long journey and launch an attack tomorrow when they are full of energy.”
“We… What can we do?” Korod felt his mouth dry, and he subconsciously looked at Rolf. “Although our troop is around 20,000 to 30,000 people, we are all infantrymen, and our combat strength cannot be guaranteed.”
“Hmm? You finally thought it through?” Rolf looked at the commanders who were avoiding his gaze. “That’s easy to handle.”
He held his scimitar and said calmly, “Look at those heavy cavalry troops. They are not hiding anything. They are completely trying to defeat us in the field. They have made a big mistake of underestimating the enemy.”
Korod and the middle-level commanders looked at him, Rolf also continued, “We can ambush them. The distance is only three hours even if we walk. In the dark night, groups of infantrymen rush up and defeat those knights who have gone through a long journey in exhaustion and fear.”
“Is this plan really perfect?” Korod gulped and looked at Rolf to remind him, “If we don’t succeed in our sambush and are counterattacked by them, perhaps we will be the ones to lose in the end.”
“Is there a choice?” Rolf asked.
” … No.”
Korod smiled bitterly. Indeed, there was no choice.
The middle-level commanders beside him also understood that what awaited them now was only victory or defeat. There was no third way to go, because no matter where they went, they would face a terrible fate.
If they could not even surrender, the South County’s n.o.ble families would not accept them as captives again.
They would most likely be hanged after surrendering.
Rolf left the room. Only the commanders of the rebellion army were discussing this plan in whispers. He also knew that this group of people would not have a second choice because from the moment of the rebellion, they were destined to have only two choices: to win and to be hanged in defeat.
There was no way to escape.
The Silver Platter Kingdom would not send troops to save them, because the kingdom itself was in internal strife.
Even if there was no internal strife, they had to break through the Blood County on the south bank of the Resniston River, which was made up of Fort Vaulti and Fort Lobito. It was called Blood County, and it was the front line of the Silver Platter Kingdom to the Dukedom of Leo.
It had once joined forces with Fort Nazaire on the west side to form the defense line of the Resniston River.
Lionheart City and the East County City at the back were the logistical a.s.sembly points.
They had firmly blocked the Silver Platter Kingdom from the borders.
However, because of the country war ten years ago, the Silver Platter Kingdom had ama.s.sed over 100,000 soldiers. They had used the conflict between the South County and East County to brazenly defeat the Dukedom of Leo and forcefully occupy Nazaire Fort on the southern bank of the Resniston River, this was how they managed to tear open a hole in the defense line.
However, even if they managed to tear open a hole, it would still be very difficult for them to start a country war. Most of the heavy cavalry troops of the Dukedom of Leo were gathered in the two castles of the Blood County
As long as these two castles were not lost, it did not matter even if the South County and East County were lost.
As for the Dukedom of Leo that retreated to the North Prefecture, they would attack from both sides.
Especially when the cavalry of the Silver Platter Kingdom could not resist the cavalry of the Dukedom of Leo, the defeat of the entire South County and East County could be salvaged through the victory of the gathering battle on the battlefield.
At the very least, the grain that they had stored for a few years was enough for the two castles of the Blood County to defend each other for three years.
This was also the reason why the rebellion army could not get support.
The gains did not make up for the losses.
Even though the current Dukedom of Leo seemed to be in turmoil, they had not used their true capital.
The Silver Platter Kingdom was also caught in the struggle for the throne and the throne. Even if they saw the internal strife in the Dukedom of Leo, they could not do much about it. They could only wait for the next opportunity.
This also caused the rebellion army to ally with Rolf’s light cavalry to launch an attack.