Chapter 242: Deploying in Stages

Inside the meeting room, the Lake Witch Morgiana sat in the main seat, her complexion still very weak, supported by Olica and Sulia as she barely walked in. She wore a long blue dress and listened from the side.

Upon seeing Morgiana enter, all the knights and nobles in the room stood up to show respect. Seeing Morgiana's frail appearance, the knights were saddened, and their hatred for the vampires and treants grew boundless.

"You discuss amongst yourselves. I'm just listening in. The rest is up to you," Morgiana slowly nodded and then gave Ryan a meaningful look. Ryan understood and began, "Let's start, my duke."

Francois nodded in agreement.

A large map was spread out on the table. Ryan first updated everyone, "The vampire army has already mobilized. According to scout reports, this vampire army numbers around twenty thousand and is currently stationed by the Gresmore River, led by the Red Duke. Excluding a large number of zombie legions, the army's elite units are led by the Red Duke himself, including two squads of Blood Knights, a squad of Desecrated Black Grail Knights, several Grave Guard squads, hundreds of Bloodfiends, and a swarm of Bloodwolves. Besides, a few hundred Wight Knights are advancing to the front lines."

"Duke Baldur, Bodrick, commands five infantry battalions and about two thousand knights, facing the vampire army across the river from Touris Castle. Without a doubt, the most elite troops are the Sea God Knights. The castle's defenses are solid, and Bodrick has deployed several trebuchets to assist in defense. The vampire army has clashed with Bodrick multiple times, but lacking heavy siege equipment, the Red Duke has yet to breach Touris Castle."

Listening to the situation, Francois commented softly, "The outlook doesn't seem optimistic. Baldur's forces are too few, and battling the undead means their numbers could increase if not quickly defeated."

Everyone looked grave, as the war situation seemed dire.

"I've received information that Duke Baldur attempted to lead the Sea God Knights out of the castle to attack the rear but was repelled by the Blood Knights. Since then, he's been fortifying the castle, waiting for reinforcements," Gerold spoke in a muffled tone. "We must hurry to Touris to support Baldur, or he may not withstand the Red Duke."

Julius's expression wasn't as serious; instead, the kingdom knight was eager for the upcoming battle, "Then let's head straight to Touris to support Duke Baldur!"

"Ryan, what do you think?" Francois turned to Ryan for his opinion.

Ryan's gaze lingered on Touris Castle. On the opposite bank of the river, to the east was Musillon, and to the west, the Spire Palace. Baldur indeed chose his location well. Whether coming from Musillon or the Spire Palace, one must pass through Touris Castle. After pondering, Ryan stated, "We are at a numerical disadvantage. Simply reinforcing like this, we will continue to be at a disadvantage."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"I have a plan," Ryan said softly. "It may require everyone's help and cover..."

---

The next day, Francois led over two thousand reinforcements, taking most of his army and Ryan's two hundred elite troops from his territory. For the first time in centuries, dwarves were seen among the Wintertodt forces, marching on foot. Although slower than knights, dwarves could march continuously, eating and drinking on the move. A dozen dwarves not only kept up but even ran to the front of the group.

Ryan and Gerold were absent from the troop, and Sulia stayed behind in Baron Jean's domain. Instead, Francois took all the ranger knights from Ryan's domain except for Anglaron, including his son Julius.

A black dwarf heavy cannon was mounted on a cart, pulled by three sturdy mules, with dwarf engineer Dugan Ironhand following on a wild boar, a trade with ranger knight Anglaron for crafting a heavy quad-barrel handgun. In exchange, Anglaron captured a robust young wild boar for Dugan, who took great effort to tame it as his mount.

Despite the wild boar's different body structure from horses, Dugan proudly mounted it, becoming a dwarf boar engineer knight.

Francois's gaze often returned to the dwarf heavy cannon, admiring the craftsmanship. The dwarf cannon, shorter and thicker than the Empire's cannons, surpassed them in range and power, and was more portable compared to trebuchets, which required 5-8 wagons for transport and hours of assembly.

Knowing the weapon's power, Francois, as a Grail Knight, was unfazed by it. He could slice incoming cannonballs in two and was unlikely to be injured, but his troops were vulnerable. He attempted to engage in conversation, "I've heard the longbeards have faced many difficulties, and it was Ryan who helped you."

"Even without Lord Ryan, we could have persevered. The children of the mountains never fear trouble," Dugan Ironhand retorted, his face full of pride. "Dwarfs never beg others, I mean it."

Dugan's haughty attitude displeased many knights, with young ranger knights reaching for their gloves, ready to challenge the dwarf to a duel.

However, Francois gestured it was alright, wearing luxurious mithril full plate armor, his demeanor gentle and waiting for the dwarf to continue speaking.

After boasting, Dugan added, "But perhaps as you said, Lord Duke, we've wandered the mountains for too long, our children starving, and we've thirsted for too long. In Lord Ryan's territory, we found a new home, enough malt beer, and work. We're satisfied."

"What about your original homeland?" Francois continued, displaying curiosity and nobility even during the tense march.

"My clan is the Angland clan, once glorious citizens of Karaz-a-Karak, the Eight Peaks, second only to the Everpeak, Karaz-a-Karak, the capital of the High King." Dugan spoke with sorrow, "About a thousand years ago, the Eight Peaks' underground tunnels connected to the Skaven Empire. Above ground, dwarfs built impregnable fortresses, but below, we struggled to defend the tunnels against Skaven. Despite facing greenskin attacks above and Skaven below, we persisted for over a hundred years..."

Dugan didn't finish, but Francois understood, expressing regret.

"This has nothing to do with humans," Dugan coldly replied, continuing to speak to himself, "Our king, Belegar, is still trying to gather our scattered kin... but we just want to settle in our new home."

The army of over two thousand marched towards Baldur, with several bats hanging from the trees along the road.

Two bats whispered, "It's reinforcements, Wintertodt's reinforcements are on the move. We must report to the Red Duke immediately!"

"We've yet to complete the task of finding the Blood Knights. The Lich King doesn't believe Anark could disappear with thirteen Blood Knights in the forest silently! Even if they encountered a group of Grail Knights, they couldn't all fail to escape!"

"But we've searched for over ten days, we can't waste more time. The news of Wintertodt's

 approaching reinforcements must be reported immediately... Ryan Macado doesn't seem to have left with Wintertodt's reinforcements?"

"Yes, he seems to be waiting for other dukes' reinforcements, staying behind in Jean Town."

"Such a fool, no matter, we'll return first."

"Alright."

The bats flew away.

Meanwhile, inside Jean Baron's castle, Ryan stood in the master's room, with a dark elf maid approaching from behind, "Master, Lord Francois has already left the territory with his troops."

"Good!" Ryan nodded, opening the curtain slightly. Outside the castle, a few bats lingered in inconspicuous places.

"Ice Arrow!" A female sorceress, Theresa, wielding a purple staff, obliterated the bats with a burst of frost energy, surveying Ryan's castle.

"That's necromancy, summoning bats as puppets. Skilled necromancers can remotely control these bats, sharing their vision, as an important scouting method," Olica whispered from behind Ryan. "Master, we've already eliminated two waves of puppets. Even powerful necromancers must rest under these circumstances."

In a corner of the room, Morgiana lay weakly on a sofa, covered with a blanket. Her calm voice spoke, "Ryan, you must have a plan, or you would have joined Francois."

"Yes, even if I were at the front, I couldn't change the situation. The vampire army numbers over twenty thousand and is growing. My few troops wouldn't make a difference," Ryan said, returning to Morgiana's side, speaking softly. "I need another way to help Duke Bodrick."

Morgiana turned away, seemingly indifferent, "That's your concern, not mine. Do as you see fit."

However, Morgiana's hand emerged from under the blanket, holding a woolen amulet she had knitted during her free time, "Take this, Ryan. May the Lady grant you victory."

The amulet bore a golden Grail pattern, devoid of divine or magical power, but Ryan felt Morgiana's intention. Touched, he accepted the amulet, "Your Highness, your blessing surpasses all. It ignites the courage in my heart, more useful than any blessing."

"Go," Morgiana's turquoise eyes were complex. She didn't dislike Ryan, but their relationship was awkward. She watched him leave the room, sighing, "Olica? I'm tired, I want to rest."

"Of course, my Highness." The dark elf nodded, helping Morgiana towards the prayer room, now serving as her living quarters.

Lying on a soft down mattress, Morgiana suddenly called out to Olica, "Dark elf."

Olica turned, "Yes, my Highness?"

"You're not an ordinary dark elf. I've investigated your background," Morgiana casually mentioned.

"Now is not the time to discuss this, my Highness," Olica's calm expression changed slightly. "Staying by Ryan's side is permitted by your Lady. He is now my master, my only one."

Morgiana wanted to say more but noticed a transparent glass bottle in Olica's hand, containing a purple swirl. Seeing its contents, Morgiana's expression changed, "If the Lady agrees, I have no objections. I hope you serve well as his maid."

The dark elf sneered, "Considering you're also his... we can coexist peacefully, my Highness."

---

Exiting the master's room, Ryan set aside his emotions for seriousness. He descended to the second floor, where the needed individuals had gathered.

Lady Knight Sulia, Paladin Alfred, Kingdom Knight Sir Gerold, Sorceress Theresa, Witch Veronica, Half-Elf Estelle, Ranger Des, and Maid Amelia all stood ready in the meeting room, "My Baron!"

"Everyone's here, good." Ryan sat at the head of the table, with Sulia beside him, "Ryan, did you gather us to announce something?"

"Yes, I have something to announce," Ryan nodded, signaling everyone to listen, "I have a plan, and I need your help."

"A plan?"

"My plan is..."

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