Warhammer Divine Throne

"The bad news is... perhaps Bireg's arrival is faster than we imagined!" Count Albert pulled out a map and pointed to the pass on the map: "Oak Pass can defend for a shorter time than we imagined! According to the intelligence from the frontline messengers, in a terrible sacrifice, more Barbarian Raiders have been elevated to Barbarian Warriors, and even Chaos Warriors!"

The terror of Chaos Warriors has been discussed before.

The deterioration of the situation caused everyone present to furrow their brows tightly.

"Then what is the good news?" Mr. Laine had already accepted the bad news in his heart, so he continued to ask.

"The good news is... the empire's seven thousand reinforcements are already on the way. Our messenger has contacted them. We just need to hold on for three days, only three days!" Count Albert said excitedly, his wrinkles at the corners of his eyes slowly unfolding.

This lord in his forties had not waged many wars since he took office, with the main military actions being eliminating bandits and small numbers of beastmen. Faced with the sudden appearance of a massive army at his borders, he was actually quite nervous inside.

"Then let's assume Bireg only took two hours to break through Oak Pass." Albert gestured for Mr. Laine to speak.

This count and his two knights were not skilled in the art of war.

Mr. Laine placed his finger on Oak Pass: "If Bireg breaks through Oak Pass, his next move is to cross the Ovrel River and head straight for Mijordenhaven City."

"So my plan is to send troops to respond on the Aarhus Bridge over the Ovrel River, and first snipe at Bireg's forces. If holding the bridge by the river is unsuccessful, we will retreat back to the city," Mr. Laine proposed—a deep defense strategy.

"So... Mr. Laine, your proposal is... a field battle?" Count Albert and his two knights looked at each other, and Walnut Knight Nikolai hesitated for a moment, still speaking haltingly: "I say, isn't this a bit... too risky?"

"Indeed... Mr. Laine, I think... perhaps relying on the city walls to hold fast would be better, right? There are artillery on the battlements, various defensive equipment, and it would also make people feel more secure." Bamboo Knight Waldemar also opposed the idea.

"We cannot just rely on the city and hold fast!" Mr. Laine said discontentedly, sharing the theory he had previously discussed with Estelle with the count and the two knights.

Historically, facing enemy forces, the idea of solely relying on city walls to hold fast is the most foolish; in siege defense, the wall is always the second-to-last line of defense.

The two knights still remained silent, showing they were unable to refute Mr. Laine's decision, but they could choose not to cooperate.

Mr. Laine first hesitated, but he quickly realized the problem with his way of expressing himself: "Gentlemen, my intention is not for us to fight the Barbarians to the death in the open field. My intention is to rely on Aarhus Bridge to delay Bireg's advancement as much as possible. Ultimately, we must retreat behind the city walls to defend to the death."

Mr. Laine first placed his finger on Oak Pass: "Oak Pass has two hundred troops stationed, this pass has sturdy walls and defensive equipment, the Barbarians have come from afar, lacking sufficient siege weapons and adequate cavalry numbers. So even if Oak Pass is forcefully breached by the Barbarians, the defenders still have a chance to retreat a portion of their forces. These soldiers are seasoned veterans who have fought Barbarians; they are an essential force we should strive to support them in retreating. Am I right, gentlemen? Count?"

The three instinctively nodded; these two hundred troops are regular soldiers. If successfully supported in retreat, this force will play a pivotal role in the city defense.

"After supporting the Oak Pass defenders, we will send troops to fortify Aarhus Bridge... Listen to me, gentlemen, we absolutely cannot hold this bridge, but we can delay sufficiently and then... we can plant explosives on the bridge, and when we can't hold it, we will blow up this bridge." Mr. Laine continued: "The Barbarians abandoned a great deal of supplies to force their march here; crossing the river is extremely troublesome for them. Don't forget, at this time, the Ovrel River is just beginning to freeze; with the river rapid, the surface is either covered with floating chunks of ice or the ice is thinner than a sheet of sheepskin! Whether the Barbarians choose to build a bridge or construct boats, it will cost them a considerable amount of time!"

Albert calculated for a moment, finally nodding: "You are right. What we need to do now is win ourselves some time."

"I agree! I will personally lead the soldiers to fortify Aarhus Bridge!" Walnut Knight Nikolai spoke up, this thirty-something Kingdom Knight stepped forward.

"Then I will be responsible for fortifying the city; when you retreat, I will be the first to lead the troops to support." Bamboo Knight Waldemar nodded.

"Then I will go with Mr. Nikolai to fortify Aarhus Bridge." Mr. Laine saw Count Albert did not intend to leave the city and took on this task voluntarily.

"I will dispatch five hundred soldiers to you, with two hundred standing army and three hundred militia all under your command, as for the city's safety, do not worry." Albert's eyes also turned fierce: "I have a guard unit, this time we will ensure these damned Barbarians have no way in and no way out!"

"Understood!"

Everyone went their separate ways, agreeing to meet at the camp in three hours, as organizing troops and supplies required time.