Knight and Wand

Chapter 126: Battle of Longka (Disparity)
Climbing to the top floor of the arrow tower in Longka Camp with everyone else, Leon looked up at the boundless blue sky.

The weather was clear and there was naturally no sign of rain, so it seemed that a miracle would not happen.

A circular magic light curtain was formed by the blond boy's fingers.

Sir Redo's eyelids twitched and he felt a little suspicious.

Warlock? This kid is a warlock?
Lord Leon has a warlock advisor?

However, Lei Duo's gaze then shifted to the opponent's spell screen, without saying much.

Although it is unknown where Leon recruited this young spellcaster from.

But now it is obviously beneficial to have a wizard whose origin is unknown and who dares to ignore the king's decrees and participate in internal disputes.

Leon withdrew his gaze from the sky and looked at the light curtain in front of him, observing the magnified scene in the distance.

As Corvis's farsighted magic screen moved horizontally, everyone quickly estimated the approximate number of invading enemies.

Far away from the wooden outer wall of the Longka Field, the militiamen who were rearranging themselves into a horizontal formation were divided into four teams, with about two hundred people.

However, although the number of people in this front line alone was close to that of Longka's troops, their equipment was poorly equipped and far inferior to that of ordinary armed civilians. Not only did most of them have no armor, but there were also few decent shields in the team.

If there were only these small fry, Longka's soldiers could easily defeat them.

However, behind these obvious cannon fodder troops, there are about two hundred fully armed infantrymen with spears, shields, helmets, armor, and clear flags.

The main forces of the Lang family were divided into four phalanxes, serving as the central army.

On the left wing on the north side of the army, there were about fifty archers equipped with longbows.

But compared with these soldiers, the most threatening were the more than fifty heavy cavalrymen in distinctive armor on the right wing on the south side of the army.

But the 500 soldiers who were being organized in the west of Longka were not all.

Wait until Corvis moved the spell screen to the northwest bank of the river.

It can be seen that a slower marching column is still coming, with no less than two hundred people.

After this observation, the enemy's strength on both sides of the river is at least over 700.

Seeing that the number of enemies outside Longka was less than a thousand, Leon felt that something was better than nothing and relieved some of the pressure.

Perhaps it was the scouts' panicked report that caused the error, as they misjudged the baggage train.

But it is not ruled out that the enemy has more soldiers beyond their sight.

Of course, even if the enemy's force is not four times as large as ours, it is close to three times as large as ours, and Longka's visible disadvantage has not been substantially alleviated.

Leon considered and clenched his gauntlets. He knew that Longka's defense plan theoretically could not withstand so many enemies.

After all, this is a short-term wooden pass, not a carefully built earth and stone barrier.

The wooden camp could only delay the enemy and hinder the battle.

The originally expected number of attacking enemies would be more than twice our own, but now it is nearly one-third more than the limit in the plan. This is not the straw that breaks the camel's back, but a boulder.

I only prepared one table of food, but two or three tables of guests came. Can this meal still be eaten?

In reality, you can’t use the mouse to drag troops from a bird’s eye view and show off your skills in battle.

In fact, once the two armies meet, they cannot be separated until the winner is determined or one side is defeated. The impact of military disadvantage in reality is more obvious than in the game.

If there are twice as many, the enemy can easily surround us from the side. If there are nearly three times as many, it means that we are likely to face encirclement and annihilation from the enemy from all directions.

His army is not composed of brave warriors, but only armed civilians. Once the encirclement is formed, it will be the beginning of the collapse of their morale.

But if you choose to retreat
Leon frowned, holding on to the battlement of the arrow tower and looking around the camp below.

Giving Longka to the enemy is also an unwise choice.

The enemy may not know, but our own people understand our own business. The Thorn Flower Territory currently has no soldiers.

If we allow an enemy of this size to gain a foothold and then retake this place, we will certainly not be able to do it before the Baron returns to help.

Attacking and defending, retaking strongholds, the costs of the two are incomparable.

If Lonca was lost, even if they could withdraw safely and join forces with the 100 Faroris red-robed infantrymen in the baggage camp, they might be able to resist the enemy's harassment in Selva.

But if the enemy uses this as a stronghold, all other villages and towns around Longka will inevitably suffer.

Especially Pleaton.

It looks like Longka's farmland can no longer be preserved after being trampled by the enemy.

If Plettenberg was also burned down, and the surrounding villages and towns were also damaged
Even if Baron Elliver's plan is successful in the future, there will still be a serious food shortage in this area.

"Sir, we are not without a chance of winning."

Old Brian stroked his thick beard, calmly assessed the enemy's strength, turned to Leon and said, "Look at the mess in the enemy's front row. Those rabble were basically temporarily pulled in to make up the numbers. I'm afraid they haven't even experienced formation training. The enemy's combat strength is not as strong as it looks."

Sir Redo on the side also nodded and agreed, "Your centurion is right, Lord Leon. From what I have seen, your soldiers are well trained and better than the enemy's vanguard. As long as we rely on the terrain and battlefield fortifications to delay for half a day until the reinforcements from Wachter and Selva arrive, the outcome is uncertain.

In the Battle of Lower Beso more than a decade ago, General Barron of the previous king defeated the 3,000-man Garsom army with 500 soldiers and took advantage of the terrain. As long as the conditions are right, numbers cannot determine everything. Moreover, the army of the Gunnar family is far from being that strong. "

Knight Leido paused, then said, "Of course, I respect your choice. If you want to withdraw, I will lead my troops to the rear to prevent the retreat from turning into a rout."

After listening to the advice from the two veterans who had experienced the battlefield, Leon became more confident. Time was running out, so he did not hesitate and immediately made a decision and issued a military order.

“If we allow the Wolf family’s army to wreak havoc, thousands of people in the barony will inevitably be displaced. We cannot retreat without a fight.

Brian, deploy the archers to the arrow towers on the high slope. You lead the three infantrymen and form a battle array in the chevaux-de-frise area south of the high slope using the tactics of Plan No. 1.

Azerien, Lohak, you lead your respective cavalry and obey the command of Lord Ledo.

Sir Ledo, the troops you brought are Longka's trump card. Please let the phalanx soldiers lead the halberd soldiers out of the camp from the east gate and hide east of Longka in advance as a reserve force, waiting for orders after the battle breaks out to support the front at any time.

"Yes, sir." After receiving the order, the men pounded their chestplates in salute as warriors, then each of them turned around with their helmets slung over their shoulders and left the arrow tower stairs one by one.

Looking at her old father who had accepted the order, Olivia held him, with inevitable worry in her eyes.

She did not regret her decision to stay in Selva. She was glad that her martial arts skills could be put to good use as she was able to stay and defend her fellow villagers against the evil enemies.

But it is also true that he gave up moving, and his father now has to go to the battlefield because of this decision.
The girl moved her lips slightly, her voice low, unable to hide her self-blame as she lowered her head: "Father, please be careful."

Seeing his daughter feeling as guilty as she did when she got into trouble as a child, Brian smiled easily.

Seeing that Sir Redo and the others had gone far away, he turned back and comforted Olivia, "Don't worry about it, silly child. Your father has experienced battlefields a hundred times larger than this. What does this small scene mean?
There are no terrifying flying dragons, no armored giants, no overwhelming wolf knights of the Duke of the East, and no rain of fire from the sky. The bones of an old man like me are not enough to be knocked down by a few peasant soldiers of the Gunnar family. "

"Dragon? Giant? Dire wolf?"

Olivia opened her bright eyes wide as she heard these words that sounded like monsters from a legend.

"You haven't heard of it, have you? I didn't dare to tell you before, but it doesn't matter now. Don't worry. I'll tell you about my father's bravery when he was young when I come back." He raised his big hand and rubbed his daughter's hair, which was now bound by marriage. He put on his iron helmet with a relieved smile, and walked down the arrow tower with a slight limp, but still walked steadily.
Quietly watching the father and daughter say their brief farewell, Leon couldn't help but sigh to his lover.

“I’m sorry, Olivia, but I can’t ignore your father’s abilities.

Knight Redo was unable to effectively command the local troops with whom he was unfamiliar.

And I have to lead the troops myself, I don't have the experience or energy to issue orders in a chaotic army."

Olivia shook her head, interrupting her lover's apology. "It was a unanimous decision of my father and I to stay and help everyone. Besides, everyone is facing no less danger than us. The current situation where my father has to be in danger is caused by the enemies who invaded us, not you. Don't blame yourself."

As she spoke, she walked closer to Leon and said with a smile: “Or, you apologize to me like this, do you think I am an unreasonable person?”

"Do not."

Leon looked at the open-minded girl in front of him and smiled bitterly, feeling somewhat ashamed of himself: "I am the one who is selfish and unreasonable.

I actually secretly thought about whether I could find a suitable reason, even if it means lying to you, to get you away from Longka."

Olivia blinked in surprise when she heard that.

She could feel her lover's concern for her safety, although she would never agree to abandon him and avoid danger alone.

Not only for Leon, but also for all the partners, friends and innocent and weak villagers facing war.

"You didn't do that after all. Besides, I'm not stupid. You can't fool me." The girl raised her eyebrows and smiled.

"Well, whether I can deceive you or not, I don't want to insult you with such a selfish attitude."

Leon stared straight ahead at the handsome figure in armor, looking as heroic as a knight.

Admiring and appreciating the beautiful treasure that belonged to him alone, he raised his hand with pride and stroked the other's smooth golden hair.

"You are destined to be the lion of Selva, not the kitten in my arms. With reliable comrades by your side, I believe you will be safe." Leon's hand fell on the girl's thick shoulder armor and looked at her trustingly: "Go and bring us victory."

Encouraged by her loved one, Olivia nodded firmly.

The girl picked up her helmet and turned to join the cavalry, but when she reached the stairs, she suddenly turned her head and glanced at her lover.

"But, actually, there's nothing wrong with being your cat."

Olivia muttered with a blushing face, quickly put on her helmet to cover her cheeks, and ran down the stairs as if escaping.

Leon couldn't help but smile.

"My Lord! Look at that."

Corvis observed a few cavalrymen running out from the distant army and turned back to remind them.

Leon looked in the direction he was looking.

I saw several knights running out of the army formation from the gentle slope of the enemy's left wing.

Holding high the wolf flag of the Gunnar family, they approached the outer wall of the trench in the distance, and then, led by the leading knight, reined in their horses and wandered around.

It was obvious from their behavior that although the enemy had not sent any messengers over the low wall, they seemed to have something to say.

"Do you want to send someone to take a look?" Corvis asked his master beside him.

Leon looked up and observed the position of the sun, then shook his head: "No, I will meet them in person to see what kind of trash talk these guys want to say.

It's just right, I can delay it for a while."

He put on his winged helmet and walked down the arrow tower with Corvis.

Coming to the guards, he led the mount over, then stepped on the stirrup and jumped onto the black warhorse.

The mount, which had long since rested and was fat and strong, was now covered in heavy armor.

The knight's robe with black embroidered edges and emblems covers its tall and majestic body. The flexible neck armor is layered and nested, and the thick and solid horse armor breastplate and warhorse mask make this precious war mount look like a biological chariot.

Coupled with the heavily armored knight with the saddle covered with impermeable plate armor, this is the real living tank of this era.

Reaching out to take the lance from Zabron, who was wearing a robe and heavy armor beside him, Leon urged his mount and led the guards out of the Longka camp together with Corvis, who was holding up the emblem flag.

One in front and one behind, with six heavily armored guards, they walked slowly and silently past the advancing infantry formations.

The soldiers carrying spears on their shoulders unconsciously looked at the embroidered sword-winged battle flag fluttering in the wind.

The soldiers were excited when they felt that their lord had stepped onto the front line of the battlefield with them.

On the high slope in the distance, two teams of archers climbed onto the heightened and widened support arrow tower.

Below the high slope, the crisscrossing trenches and chevaux-de-frise spikes turned the land behind the outer low wall into a bumpy and undulating wasteland.

Old Brian held up the Pendragon emblem and rode his horse through the army formation lined with spears, shouting and giving orders to the enemy formation.

The soldiers lined up in several horizontal rows as in training and temporarily placed the simple javelins they carried on the ground.

Leon passed through the battlefield filled with military formations and obstacles, slowly came to the outer wooden wall, and stopped his horse.

Zabron and his guards walked quickly forward and looked through the observation hole in the wooden wall to check the situation outside.

The enemy's troops were still lining up for battle in the distance, and the few nearby knights were still wandering outside the trench.

After confirming the enemy situation outside the wall, the guards received Leon's order and opened the wooden wall door for their lord from both sides.

With a rough creaking sound, I saw the gate of the pass open.

Canis immediately shouted, led his attendants and the accompanying family knights, rode their horses to a position ten meters in front of the wooden wall trench, and stopped.

"listen!"

The young master of the Wolf family glared and raised his voice, shouting at the silver-armored knight wearing a winged helmet: "Faloris, the coward who practices witchcraft! I am Canis of Wolfenhall.

If you don't want to be torn to pieces by the wolves, you have one moment to get out of this ridiculous wooden shed and surrender, and I promise to leave you with a thumbs up!"

(End of this chapter)