As Jeska began the official retreat of the Sumr Green City garrison and civilians, the news of defeat finally reached the Leia Army camp in the west suburbs.
Upon hearing the news, the veteran general Julianus imdiately halted the attack and called a eting with the commanders.
Compared to the Bear Castle People or the Immortal Stone Field People, Dawn Island, as the core heartland of the Kingdom, not only has a large population, but the quality of its army and nobility far surpasses the forr two.
In the church hall of Comita Town, the workers used wooden boards to seal the large hole previously made by the Spring Cannon.
On one side of this hole, dozens of nobles, knights, and rcenary captains lined up in two rows according to their status.
Sitting at the head of the table was the sturdy old man, over eighty but still spirited, the forr Titled Knight Julianus.
He should now be addressed as Palace Count Julianus, a close minister under His Majesty the King, and the commander-in-chief of Dawn Island's feudal army.
Unlike the noisy commotions of Shuimi Town or the excessive drinking of the Norn people, the commanders here were all neatly dressed and orderly.
Sitting on both sides of the long table were the main decision-makers of the West Suburb Army.
"The Norn Barbarians' central camp was breached, flags and holy emblems seized, and the remaining camps fled without a fight..."
"Belengar Knight was captured, Duke Gottfried is missing, and Count Heinzman fell ill after falling into the water and has not yet awakened..."
"According to the routed soldiers, the enemy numbers range from ten thousand to thirty thousand, including many elite Norn rcenaries..."
After the reporting knight finished, Julianus, as the chief commander, directly asked, "The Mad Pope's reinforcents have arrived. Do we fight or defend?"
This is a question of whether to fight or defend.
The deploynt of the Mad Pope's troops was expected, but defeating the two stationed forces in Shuimi Town and Kino Town in one go was unexpected.
At the very least, it proves one thing: they are not second or third-rate militia, but fully-fledged regular troops from the Thousand River Valley.
It's baffling how a group of rebels managed to develop a standing army that rivals regular troops.
Therefore, the most critical factor in deciding to fight or defend is determining the number of these reinforcents.
Although the West Suburb currently remains a core force, it only numbers around sixteen thousand, and the routed soldiers are temporarily unorganized.
Moreover, after many days of siege, morale and combat effectiveness are declining.
"Is there no more detailed information on the exact number of reinforcents?" The noble commanders had different opinions, but most questions centered around this.
"The Immortal Stone Field deserters report two formations of 90 by 90, but I think they might have included the Holy Gunn on both flanks in their count.
If they are using the improved version of the large formation from the Shattered Stone Plain battle, that would be 70 deep with an additional 400 Holy Gunn, totaling around ten thousand for two formations.
If they used the Mad Pope's horizontal formation, there would be at least four to six thousand n."
Listening to the other commanders' analyses, Julianus slowly expressed his view, "I am more inclined to believe in the number being over ten thousand."
"Your Excellency Julianus, what are your insights?"
"To be precise, I suspect that the army attacking Shuimi Town and the one attacking Kino Town are not the sa."
Standing up, Julianus walked to the map hanging on the wall and pointed with his cane at a location on the map, "The timing is off; Shuimi Town was conquered the morning before last, Kino Town last evening.
We all know that for a forced march of thirty-five kiloters, a rest of at least half a day is needed before continuing.
Yet these troops managed to fight a battle, then conduct a forced march and fight again imdiately, which is clearly illogical.
The Ham River, because of the winter low water, does not allow large barges to navigate, and the Norns dismantled the port, so they couldn't have traveled by boat.
The only explanation is they split their forces into two.
One contingent attacked Shuimi Town, while the other simultaneously set out to attack Kino Town and those castles.
This also aligns with recent observations that at least two corps have been gathered in Lower Reif County."
The nurous nobles nodded frequently at the chief commander's analysis, for it indeed was sothing they hadn't considered.
One priest asked, "Then what's the point of such a maneuver? If the Shuimi Town battle was lost, wouldn't the other troop be surrounded?"
"First, I think the Thousand River Valley People were overly arrogant after defeating Prince Kongdai; secondly... heh." Julianus let out a cold laugh, "It's probably to lure us into attacking."
By advancing two troops in parallel to give the impression that reinforcents were fewer than anticipated, they are luring the Dawn Island army out of its position.
Because they are still laying siege, if they attack the supporting army, they cannot commit all troops.
They must leave at least three to five thousand n in the field outside the city to prevent the enemy from breaking the siege or seizing the opportunity to delay the siege.
If they attacked according to the assud standard of four to five thousand to ten thousand n, the Thousand River Valley People, with their deceitful stratagems, might actually win.
The veteran general even believes the enemy might have over three corps, equating to more than fifteen thousand troops.
Without absolute confidence and allowances for error in crisis managent, how dare they employ parallel marching tactics?
From a strategic perspective, the Oslar Clan's support hasn't arrived yet, and Raffel is leading the main force in attacking Adan Castle.
As much as Julianus dislikes admitting it, they have beco the weakest link on the front line.
At this ti, if reinforcents advance to Sumr Green City, defeat them, and sever one of His Majesty the King's fingers first, it would be quite normal.
That's likely their objective.
"Is there any possibility of them bluffing?"
"Makes sense, which is why we'll prepare two plans." After pacing a couple of tis in front of the long table, the old general Julianus sat back down, leaning on his cane.
"First, dispatch scout cavalry to thoroughly ascertain the enemy's exact numbers. Second, reduce the intensity of the siege and consolidate the forces.
If they attack proactively, we will use our positions to confront them; if they continue to lure us, we will refrain from moving until the Oslar Clan's reinforcents arrive.
Regardless of whether they are bluffing or genuinely attacking, we will maintain an advantageous position."
The noble commanders, pondering for a mont, unanimously agreed with the old general's proposal.
So of the more radical nobles felt it was a pity, but the rest of the nobles were indifferent.
This battle on Dawn Island can be considered a redemption fight to show loyalty.
When given a choice between a risky major victory and a risk-free minor victory, they would rather choose the latter.
After all, even if the battle in Thousand River Valley is won, the rewards will likely go to the noble factions of River Island.
Once the eting concluded with a decision, the entire West Suburb Army camp began to move.
Organizing and gathering routed soldiers, expanding the outer sentries, reducing siege intensity, and repairing the camp.
Simultaneously, the ssengers each carried Julianus' letters to Adan Castle in the north and the Oslar Army at the rear.
......
"Do you feel that the Leia people's attacks seem weaker than before?"
As the white snow gradually lted, revealing the yellowish ground, a Captain Ten elbowed Old Laver in the waist.
Old Laver's cheeks were slightly red, perhaps from just drinking so gin.
He glanced at Captain Ten, took another sip of his drink, and said, "I guess the reinforcents have finally arrived. Haven't we seen a lot of routed soldiers lately?"
"So, is the siege over?"
"Wishful thinking. If they don't stop attacking, we can't even think about leaving."
"When will the siege end then?"
Old Laver touched the iron ring on his chest but dared not answer rashly.
He suddenly thought of Kaler. That kid has made it big, seed to have gained recognition from so notable person, and has not returned to the front.
In the future, his own boy might have to rely on this little uncle for support.
Fighting in so many battles, he had long treated this little brother as a real sibling. Not seeing him for a few days, he started to miss him.
Looking up at the red sun on the horizon, Old Laver shook his head and squinted his eyes.
Was today's drink so intoxicating? Why did it look like the sun had split into three?
"Old Laver, Captain Laver, what's happening?"
"Your forehead is burning hot."
"dic! dic!"
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