Chapter 107. Prelude to the Decisive Battle
The legion commanders all turned to look at William. This legion had been following behind them the entire ti, with no intention of interacting with them at all.
Even so, they had all heard of how formidable this Gold Legion was. Rumor had it that every single soldier in it possessed Gold-Rank Combat Power.
Not only did the legion commanders find that hard to believe, even the ordinary soldiers under their command did not believe it. Would Gold Knights really serve as common infantryn?
The commander of the Third Legion still seed uneasy as he looked at William.
“Your Highness, is the Gold Legion really that powerful? The enemy likely has three or four tis our numbers. Can a single legion truly handle that?”
William smiled but did not answer directly.
“That is enough. There is no need for wild speculation. In a few days, you will know for yourselves.”
Then his tone shifted, growing more serious.
“Now that we understand their intentions, I need to make so preparations. So do all of you.”
“Take stock of all the Healing Potions and reserve supplies in your legions, and distribute as much as possible.”
“Tell the soldiers this will be a hard battle, but we intend to let as many of them as possible live to see victory.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The legion commanders all bowed their heads in acknowledgnt and turned to leave and carry out the order.
At that mont, Marquis Peter suddenly stopped, then spoke with so hesitation.
“Your Highness, what about the noble legions... should they be inford as well?”
William fell silent for a mont before replying, “Mm, tell them as well. After all, they are all n of Kroll. On the battlefield, we must work together with one heart.”
He paused, and a trace of coldness flashed through his eyes.
“As for the spies hidden among them, there is no need to concern ourselves with them.”
“Even if they pass along the news that we have seen through Silver Oakleaf's intentions, it will be useless.”
“I am certain Silver Oakleaf's army has already finished mobilizing. At a ti like this, a few words will not be enough to make them change their deploynt.”
Marquis Peter nodded.
“I was overthinking it, then.”
“Go,” William said, waving his hand.
After the legion commanders left, the Main Tent fell silent once more. William walked over to the map and traced a circle between Bluestone Pass and Galefall Fortress with his fingertip.
Silver Oakleaf might have superior numbers, but after such long forced marches, their troops would inevitably be fatigued. As for those spies, it would actually be better if they sent word now. Let the enemy spend a few days guessing as well.
Before long, the news that the Kroll legions had remained stationary reached Bluestone Pass. Inside the pass, the atmosphere was taut as a drawn bowstring.
Odyssey V stood atop the watchtower, his fingertips brushing over the grooves in the city bricks.
Silver Oakleaf's core strength had already gathered within the pass.
mbers of the royal family and the great nobles were personally overseeing the defense. Twenty-one legendary combatants had assembled there, while another nine main legions were moving toward Iron Skull Fortress. A vast net of encirclent was about to draw tight.
“Report! After halting in Count Kao's territory for three days, the Kroll legions have set out again and are now advancing toward Bluestone Pass.”
The voice from the forward post shattered the silence.
Inside the tower, the nobles exchanged glances.
Not long ago, they had already received word from the noble spies.
William seed to have noticed their intentions. But if he had truly noticed, why was he still marching straight into the net at Bluestone Pass?
Even Odyssey V frowned slightly.
“He knows there is a tiger on the mountain, yet he still insists on climbing it?”
An elderly noble said in a deep voice, “Could it be that the Kroll royal family's reinforcents are already on the way, and he is also waiting for the right mont to coordinate an attack from inside and out?”
“That is unlikely.”
The Minister of Military Affairs shook his head.
“Our scouts have been watching the border the entire ti. There are no signs of large-scale troop movents in Kroll's interior.”
Odyssey V looked toward Iron Skull Fortress on the map. The markers representing the nine legions had already drawn close to the fortress. Only the final step remained before the encirclent was complete—roughly one more week.
“Should we wait a little longer?” soone suggested. “Once the encirclent is fully in place, it will not be too late to lure him into the trap.”
“We cannot wait.”
Odyssey V spoke decisively.
“If William dares to keep advancing, then he must have sothing to rely on. The longer we delay, the more variables there will be.”
A ruthless gleam flashed through his eyes.
“Pass down the order. The nine legions heading for Iron Skull Fortress are to accelerate their advance. At the sa ti, the defenders at Bluestone Pass are to prepare for battle.”
“We will follow the original plan and lure the Kroll legions into the range of the preset magic array on the plain before the pass.”
The orders were swiftly passed down. The soldiers of Bluestone Pass began adjusting their formations, while faint lights flickered at the array's key nodes.
Odyssey V looked out across the plain beyond the pass, still carrying a trace of doubt in his heart.
William was by no ans a reckless man. If he dared to advance under the threat of encirclent, then either he was utterly fearless because he had complete confidence... or he was a fool.
But matters had already reached this point. The arrow was on the string and had to be loosed.
Twenty-five Legends. Nearly forty legions. With such overwhelming power, no matter what trump card the Kroll legions might have, they should still be crushed.
“William Kroll...” he muttered softly. “A few days from now, you will reach your end.”
Over the next few days, William led the main force onward toward Bluestone Pass.
This ti, unlike before, those marching at the very front were the two legions under Marquis Disra, along with the forces commanded by another count, three viscounts, and nine barons.
Every one of those noble commanders looked utterly grim, their hands clutching the reins so tightly their knuckles had turned white.
Naturally, they all understood what it ant to act as the vanguard when they already knew the road ahead might be a trap.
Yet faced with William's calm but unquestionable gaze, not a single one of them dared voice any objection.
Everyone understood clearly that if they disobeyed now, what awaited their families would be a fate even more terrifying than the battlefield.
“Your Highness, is it really appropriate to have these people lead the charge?”
Zoe asked in a low voice, worried that these nobles might harbor resentnt, or even turn traitor at a critical mont.
William looked at the reluctant troops ahead, dragging their feet without daring to stop, and replied indifferently, “Their loyalty should have been proven on the battlefield to begin with.”
After a pause, he added, “Send a squadron of riders from the monster legion to keep watch on them. If they show any unusual movent, there is no need to ask for instructions. Execute them on the spot.”
“Yes.”
The vanguard advanced at an astonishingly slow pace. Hesitation showed in the soldiers' steps, and their formation gradually began to loosen.
But every ti they tried to slow down, the roars of the monster legion's two-headed wyverns behind them lashed across their backs like whips, forcing them to grit their teeth and keep moving forward.
Marquis Disra rode on horseback with a livid expression.
He knew that he and the others had most likely been exposed long ago, yet he did not dare voice the slightest complaint. After all, their families were still in the Kroll Kingdom.
“Advance faster,” he ordered through gritted teeth, his voice hoarse. “The ti has co to show loyalty to the kingdom.”
The troops unwillingly quickened their pace and moved toward the plain before Bluestone Pass.
From the rear, William watched from afar, his expression calm.
These nobles who had been passing information to the enemy had always been a hidden danger.
Good. This was the perfect chance to use Silver Oakleaf's hand to clear them out.
If by so fluke they managed to survive...
No.
They would certainly die on this plain.
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