"The bad news is... the arrival of Birrig might be faster than we anticipated!" Albert took out a map and pointed to the pass on it. "The Oak Pass might not hold as long as we hoped! According to intelligence from our front-line messengers, a terrible sacrifice has allowed more barbarian raiders to become barbarian warriors and even chaos warriors!"
The terror of chaos warriors had been mentioned before.
The worsening situation caused everyone present to frown deeply.
"So, what's the good news?" Ryan had already accepted the bad news and continued to ask.
"The good news is... a reinforcement army of seven thousand from the Empire is on its way. Our messengers have already contacted them. We just need to hold on for three days, just three days!" Albert said excitedly, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes gradually smoothing out.
This forty-something lord had not fought many wars since his succession. His primary military actions involved eliminating bandits and a few beastmen. Facing a large-scale invasion now made him very anxious.
"So we'll assume Birrig breaks through Oak Pass in just two hours," Albert gestured for Ryan to speak.
Neither the count nor his two knights were adept in military strategy.
Ryan placed his finger on Oak Pass. "If Birrig breaks through Oak Pass, his next move will be to cross the Aufre River and head straight to Miyodenhaven."
"My plan is to deploy troops at the Auhus Bridge on the Aufre River to intercept Birrig's army. If we can't hold the river, we'll retreat back to the city," Ryan suggested—defense in depth.
"So... Ryan, your suggestion is... field battle?" Count Albert and his two knights exchanged glances. Knight Walnut, Nickle, hesitated for a while before stammering, "Isn't that a bit... too risky?"
"Yes... Mr. Ryan, I think... maybe relying on the city walls for defense would be better? We have cannons and various defense mechanisms on the walls, which would also make people feel more secure," Knight Waldermar, the thin knight, also opposed the idea.
"We can't just rely on the city walls for defense!" Ryan said displeased, reiterating to the count and the knights what he had previously told Estelle.
Historically, facing an enemy by solely relying on city walls for defense was the most foolish strategy. In siege defense, the walls should always be the second-to-last line of defense.
The two knights remained silent, clearly unable to refute Ryan's argument, but they could refuse to cooperate.
Ryan was momentarily stunned but quickly realized his presentation had an issue. "Gentlemen, my intention is not to engage in a decisive battle with the barbarians in the wild. I mean we should use Auhus Bridge to delay Birrig's advance. Ultimately, we will retreat behind the city walls to make our final stand."
Ryan first placed his finger on Oak Pass. "Oak Pass is defended by two hundred soldiers. This pass has sturdy walls and defensive equipment. The barbarians, coming from afar, lack enough siege weapons and cavalry. So even if Oak Pass falls to the barbarians, some defenders can still retreat. These soldiers, experienced in fighting barbarians, are a crucial force. We should try to bring them back. Am I right, gentlemen? My lord?"
The three nodded instinctively. The two hundred defenders were regular soldiers. If successfully retrieved, this force would play a crucial role in the city's defense.
"After retrieving the defenders from Oak Pass, we will deploy troops at Auhus Bridge... Listen to me, gentlemen, we certainly can't hold the bridge forever, but we can delay the enemy long enough. We can set up explosives on the bridge, and when we can't hold it anymore, we'll blow the bridge. The barbarians, having abandoned much of their supplies for a forced march, will find crossing the river very difficult. Don't forget, at this time of year, the Aufre River is just beginning to freeze. The river is turbulent, with either large chunks of drifting ice or ice thinner than a sheepskin. Whether the barbarians choose to build a bridge or construct boats, it will cost them a lot of time!"
Albert pondered for a moment and finally nodded. "You're right. What we need now is time."
"I agree! I will personally lead the soldiers to defend Auhus Bridge!" Knight Nickle, the Walnut Knight, spoke up. This thirty-something kingdom knight stepped forward.
"Then I will take charge of the city's defenses. I will lead the troops to cover your retreat when necessary," Knight Waldermar nodded.
"In that case, I will join Nickle in defending Auhus Bridge." Ryan saw that Albert didn't intend to leave the city, so he volunteered for the task.
"I will dispatch five hundred soldiers to you. Two hundred regular troops and three hundred volunteers will all be under your command. As for the city's safety, don't worry," Albert's eyes turned fierce. "I have a personal guard. This time, we must make sure those damned barbarians never return!"
"Understood!"
Everyone dispersed, agreeing to gather at the camp in three hours to allocate troops and supplies.
Ryan then walked towards a small house in the town.
As the season deepened into winter, the weather grew colder. The roadsides were crowded with refugees, many shivering in cold corners. The houses were also packed with people. Ryan could see many figures through the windows.
After discussing with Albert, Ryan received some bad news—the city's garrison and nobles did not include any legendary warriors. The two kingdom knights were both elite-level, and their knightly status was primarily due to their knightly family backgrounds.
One was an elite-level ranger, and the other an elite-level warrior.
But the Crushing Bear was a high-level barbarian chieftain blessed by the Blood God—a chaos warrior!
He arrived at a longhouse and knocked on the door.
"Hello! How can I help you?" A young man opened the door.
It was Ike, and his expression became complicated upon seeing Ryan at the door.
"Son of Gaede, it's time for you to repay your debt. Join me in battle," came the cold response.
Three hours later.
A five hundred-man army left the city under the leadership of Ryan and the others.
This army consisted of two hundred shield-bearing pikemen, one hundred greatsword warriors, and two hundred crossbowmen, along with a dozen cavalrymen.
Albert trusted Ryan immensely, handing over his main force to him and placing Nickle under Ryan's command.
This was the power of reputation. If Ryan's fame was national-level, Nickle's fame was at most local. Ryan was a White Wolf Knight in the White Wolf Knights, while the Walnut Knight had no knightly order.
"Mr. Ryan, I am Lopes!" A halberd-wielding knight emerged from the rear. "I've long heard of your great name. It's an honor to fight alongside you."
"I remember you... Lord Moshen's son? We've met," Ryan said curiously. He recognized this young man as the son of Lord Moshen, Hyde. Hyde had many children, and Lopes was one of the capable ones. But why was he here now?
"Yes, we've met. I am now a wandering knight. It's an honor to meet you." Lopes, a young man with short golden hair, a somewhat childish face, and some freckles, was wearing full plate armor and a visored helmet. He seemed to be trying to look mature by growing some mustache. He appeared about the same age as Ryan.
"A wandering knight? What made you choose to wander?" Ryan asked casually. "Did you sleep with your father's maid and get kicked out?"
Another overcast day. Since his departure, the weather in Nord had been terrible. The mood of the troops matched the weather, with gloomy expressions on everyone's faces.
The soldiers were demoralized, and the officers didn't look much better.
"It was my choice," Lopes forced a smile. "After witnessing an unfair trial, I felt there was no point in staying at home. Since my father's title wouldn't pass to me, I decided to wander."
"… I see," Ryan nodded. There were many reasons for the rise of wandering knights. The continent commonly followed the law of primogeniture, meaning only the eldest legitimate son could inherit the title, and other children might receive a small fief at best.
In such circumstances, many noble children became wandering knights.
After speaking, he glanced at Ike, who was riding behind him with a guilty expression.
Ike Albrecht, the legitimate bastard son of Baron Albrecht of Wallrich, an Imperial territory. His father was Baron Gaede Albrecht, captain of the Fifth Company of the White Wolf Knights.
What is a legitimate bastard?
For nobles, a bastard was a symbol of shame, usually driven out. If a noble dared to bring home a bastard born to a peasant woman, the noblewoman's mistreatment of the bastard was protected by Imperial law.
However, there were two exceptions where bastards wouldn't be seen as a disgrace.
The first was if both parents were nobles or esteemed individuals, such bastards weren't considered lowly. For example, the founding emperor of the New Empire, Ludwig, and the first Speaker of the Garland Council, Archmage Margarita, had a relationship, and their bastard wasn't deemed lowly.
The second was if the bastard was born to a noblewoman's maid or a court lady. Such bastards had no inheritance rights but were socially recognized.
In these cases, bastards' statuses would be "legitimized."
Ike was of the second kind.
This explained why Ike dared to seek Ryan's help, and why Ryan hadn't reprimanded Ike's disrespect during their journey.
The true reason was Ike's
"comradeship" wasn't based on personal experience with Ryan but rather on Ryan's past comradeship with Ike's father, White Wolf Knight Gaede Albrecht, in battles against beastmen along the Aufre River.
Thus, Ryan was giving face to Ike's father. Both understood this, and Ryan hadn't exposed it out of respect for Gaede's reputation, making Ike feel ashamed.
Ike had already done many things out of necessity for survival and reputation.
After finding Ike, Ryan learned that the group of wandering knights, knowing the barbarians were coming, had pooled their money and sailed away overnight, destination unknown. Only Ike stayed because he bore his family's name. If he deserted in front of Ryan, his family would be shamed.
This showed the heavy burden Ike carried as a wandering knight.
Baron Gaede had never mentioned this son to Ryan, clearly not fond of his bastard.
Thinking about this, Ryan scoffed at himself. Who was he to judge others?
Who was he?
A transmigrated man from China?
A gifted orphan?
Foster child of "Bald" Norman?
Favorite disciple of Godfather Ivan?
Or the Emperor's... bastard?
"Mr. Ryan! We have arrived at Moon Lake." The leading officer quietly reminded Ryan, who was lost in thought.
Ryan finally came back to his senses and saw ruins before him.
A serene lake lay ahead, its surface covered in a thin layer of ice, stretching white and endless. The overcast weather created a thick curtain, completely obscuring the sky, while the smooth, jade-like surface of the lake reflected the white light between heaven and earth.
For a moment, Ryan felt as if the sky and ground had reversed.
Surrounding Moon Lake were vast forests and building ruins, all constructed from large white stones with pointed roofs. However, most had collapsed under the ravages of time, with massive trees encroaching on the original buildings.
This place once had a glorious past and history. According to Ryan's knowledge, it was a stronghold and settlement for elves before they withdrew from the continent. It had a history of brilliance and prosperity. During the age of the human Wizard Empire, many wizard apprentices studied magic here with the elves.
After the elves retreated from the Old World, this city was abandoned. The chaotic magic energies and frequent energy tides made it uninhabitable. Over thousands of years, adventurers had scoured the place, leaving little behind. Occasionally, a few spellcasters visited like pilgrims, but it was otherwise a dead place.
"Tonight, we camp here! We'll reach Auhus Bridge tomorrow."
"Yes!"
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