Chapter 102: Ancient Relic: The Dwarven Supreme Treasure (Part 3)
Hilude took a slight breath and comforted him, "Look at it this way, they are all Holy Beasts of the forest, followers under the wild domination of Tal. Even if you didn't ride them here, they'd still be killing wildly and feeding in the forest. This can only be considered as the Giant Shepherd Deer returning to Tal's Divine Kingdom."
Hearing Hilude's consolation, Vandar's grave and heavy heart finally eased a little.
As long as they're not corrupted by demons, this wilderness hunting still falls under the divine authority ecosystem of Tal and ultimately all returns to the wilds.
In this regard, the Tal Church and the Reya Church have their differences. While these two churches are an allied force that usually stand on the same line, tension exists where Tal believers are prone to dominate the Reya Church rather than treating them equally.
For example, on a spiritual level, any consumption of domestic animals by wild beasts could lead to conflict between the two churches. However, since both churches are inclined to sympathize with each other, such conflicts most of the time only remain at the level of harmless jokes.
After all, Tal, the God of the Wilderness, is male, so he is innately more violent and wild, and predation in the wilderness is allowed and encouraged by him.
Once he eased his mind, he immediately followed Hilude, Dorglin, and others quickly out of the Dragon's Nest, starting their journey to the territory under the starlit sky.
Dorglin and Ashfield crafted a simple Combat Ram War Chariot from wild timber, no sturdier than the green-skinned Jieya Evil Bandit War Chariot, equally prone to falling apart, but it could at least carry Vandar and six full bags of wealth back to the territory as fast as possible!
As they returned to the Hesse Territory, Su Li was here dealing with the dwarves' incessant complaints.
An envoy from the Dwarf Redbeard Castle had arrived at the Hesse Territory, and the chief of the Redbeard Clan demanded that the Dwarven Legion Commander deploy troops at once to deal with the Demon Army in the Gray Mountain Range.
The Lord of Redbeard Castle believed that after this ten-day rest and replenishment, the Dwarven Legion should be ready and that it was time to set out, as men were in good condition and horses were well-fed.
The urgency was due to the Demon Army advancing towards this crucial crossing point at Redbeard Castle!
Su Li had to repeatedly educate Mudalin about the principle that "a commander in the field may disregard the king's orders."
The powerful Dwarf Ranger hadn't returned yet, the Giant Dragon's wealth hadn't been brought back, and the alliance was still integrating its forces and honing formations and tactical coordination, obviously not fully prepared.
Being forced to heed the rear king's order at this time and launching a hasty attack would repeat the fateful mistake of Geshuhan and Sun Chuanting at the Battle of Tongguan Pass, wouldn't it?
As a follower of the Sun Goddess, Su Li took turns with the two Knight Order Leaders, the Military Commander, and the church's priests to preach doctrine and explain tactics to the Dwarven Legion Commander, vigorously introducing the core tenet of this God of Tactics—how to win the war with overwhelming victory using the best strategies.
Su Li, Oerstein, Constantine, and Rong'en Priest all coincidentally confirmed the same tactic: wait for the Demon Army to reach beneath Redbeard Castle and launch an assault on this grand and sturdy city. Then, as the Demon Army concentrates on attacking the fortress and suffers heavy losses, the coalition would launch a fierce attack from behind the Demon Army, inside and outside coordinating to crush this Demon Army.
The saying goes that morning energy is sharp, afternoon energy is sluggish, and evening energy returns. So excellent generals should avoid engaging when the enemy's spirit is at its strongest and defeat the enemy when their morale has waned.
Throughout history, countless great armies have been utterly defeated because a sudden enemy force appeared behind them during a siege, leading to the loss of numerous elite troops.
The Gaoliang River Car God earned his notorious title due to such circumstances under Youzhou city.
It can be said that this tactic almost guarantees the Human-Dwarf Alliance Army the highest victory rate and the lowest casualties, ensuring a decisive defeat of the Demon Army.
Moreover, Su Li had a bit of personal interest at stake, as he had no particular relationship with the dwarves inside Redbeard Castle.
Using them as an iron wall to face the Demon Army's sharpest blade didn't trouble Su Li at all.
But the dwarves in the Hesse Territory were intricately connected with him, so he had to ensure the highest survival rate for over a thousand dwarves in the alliance army. The more who survive, the more could potentially come to the territory to help him against the Red Dragon in the future.
His plans were very well laid out.
But!
But!
Mudalin, the Dwarf Legion Commander, had a stubbornness akin to a rock in a latrine, both smelly and hard.
As the most orthodox and typical dwarf, the Dwarf Legion Commander was obstinately conservative, placing a high value on loyalty to his clan and king.
While this trait ensures they aren't easily manipulated or falling into internal strife, it also means they rarely heed others' guidance.
Despite the endless attempts by champion-level and even Divine Chosen level knights from the Sun Goddess Church to persuade him, it was impossible to dissuade him from his obstinate decisions.
Today was the last deadline for the dwarves to deploy; he stormed into the Bauhinia Flower Manor, thumping the table with his deep, resonant voice saying to Su Li, "Lord of Bauhinia Flower, are you dispatching the troops or not? If you don't, I'll lead the army alone to confront the Demon Legion! No one can stop the stubborn dwarves!"
Su Li clearly sensed his determination, realizing that without a perfect reason, no one could stop this obstinate iron block from his reckless path.
Whoever stood in his way would be knocked aside by his rock-hard, strong frame. Trying forceful restraint was likely to provoke this intensely stubborn and volatile dwarf, drawing his ire.
As for continuing to painstakingly explain tactics to him, it would only elicit his table-thumping, berating outbursts, fed up with the territory's nagging. The words spewing from this dwarf were too filthy, his mouth seemed coated in venom, and one could only wonder how he concocted such poisonous phrases.
Fortunately, before Su Li had a chance to respond, Philis, temporarily acting as the high-tier Guard Chief of the territory, entered the meeting hall briskly. Her gaze was somewhat timid yet disdainful, skirting around the stubborn, volatile dwarf, before addressing Su Li, "Lord, good news, Hilude has returned with the adventure squad successfully from the Dragon's Nest!"
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