What did you do with the dice?

Now... at least the Pearl Tear Territory has one more magic cannon.

This is the essence of "We have no guns and no cannons, but the enemy will make them for us."

After the battle, Rusalka not only captured more than a hundred prisoners, but also countless weapons, dozens of war horses, and 14 crossbow carts (originally 18, but Rusalka chopped down one and the crossbowmen blew up three more).

By the way, a large amount of military rations were also seized - these were the supplies that the Viscount had brought with him because he was considering killing Rusalka and then marching in one go to destroy the Pearl Tear Territory.

He never considered the possibility that his entire army would be wiped out and captured by Rusalka. After all, from his perspective, he had 500 elite soldiers and eight masters, while Rusalka only had him and the mage, plus one or two commanders and 300 soldiers at most. It was unlikely that his side would lose, and even if they lost, they could retreat with dignity.

Rusalka was so happy that he didn't mind even if he had to share some with his neighbors. After all, it was all free. The finances of Zhulei Territory were still in deficit, so he would definitely accept any money-making business that came his way.

My family members, it’s really useful for me to stockpile guns while my neighbors stockpile food!

We captured more than a hundred prisoners. According to estimates, we killed about a hundred people, injured about 100 friendly forces, and nearly 200 people escaped.

After all, most soldiers have relatively rigid mindsets. Even if Rusalka has a good reputation, who would want to entrust their life to the enemy's "reputation" if they could escape?

It's not like they have nowhere to go. After all, they feel that as long as they run to the city of Consenat, even the invincible Lord of Pearl Tears will be helpless against such a fortified city. As for the leader, they are just soldiers, and what does it have to do with them whether the leader lives or dies?

Even if Rusalka really entered the city of Consenat and became the new lord, they would not resist. By then, they could transform themselves into soldiers under Rusalka. At least in terms of identity, it was a thousand times better than "prisoners of war who had made meritorious contributions". After all, even if the latter would not be killed, they would most likely become cannon fodder in the first wave of siege, and it was a small probability event for them to survive.

On Rusalka's side, the 20 veterans she brought with her were all alive, and the one who was slightly injured was just an arrow piercing his leg. In this world, such penetrating wounds are actually minor injuries, which can be treated with healing magic, and then they can go back and eat something to replenish their energy. Tetanus and other related diseases do not exist in this world at all, so the wound does not even need to be disinfected.

This has undoubtedly contributed to the long-term stagnation of the medical environment. After all, without powerful bacteria, viruses and fungi as opponents, the level of medical care will certainly not improve.

The situation on Esdi's side was more miserable. Two of the five team leaders' heavy-armored paladins died, 27 infantrymen died, and 2 ordinary knights died. The wounded were not counted, after all, they were not very important.

The advantage of having a patriarch-level priest accompanying the army is highlighted here - as long as they are not dead, they are healthy, and it is just a matter of how long the recovery period is.

In Sanitieta's opinion, there is no battlefield without deaths. Once the scale of the battlefield involves more than 100 people on both sides and there is real fighting, the possibility of zero casualties is very small - someone can be accidentally trampled to death.

A casualty ratio of nearly 1:7 can be considered a legendary victory. This is of course due to the fact that the troops sent by the Saint to support are indeed well-trained elite troops. If it were replaced by the training level of the soldiers of the Pearl Tears Territory, even with the cooperation of Rusalka and his gods, the casualty ratio could probably only be controlled at around 1:2~1:3 at most.

Although handheld crossbows are completely useless against heavily armored units, and can only interfere with medium armored units, forcing them to focus on defending their vital points, they still have a certain degree of lethality against ordinary lightly armored and unarmored soldiers. At least the current Pearl Tear Territory can only afford lightly armored infantry, and there will still be a large number of casualties in the face of crossbow fire.

----

After a big victory like this, common sense dictates that everyone gather up the spoils, rest and celebrate, then return home and celebrate again.

But Sa Qubing didn't think so. He quickly found Rusalka and said to him, "Brother Xiao, it would be best to order the entire army to immediately follow the remaining troops and march directly to Consenat City. At the same time, send a messenger to ask the infantry in Luopa Town to serve as logistics and transport the siege equipment.

As for the spoils of war, take away anything that can be taken away, such as war horses. Disassemble the magic cannon and its base and place them on the cart for transportation. Anything like food, tents, and large amounts of equipment that is inconvenient to carry or requires time-consuming screening can be left here."

Rusalka made an OK gesture and agreed immediately: "Okay, I'll go tell Sarolt."

Sanitieta was still wondering how to convince Rusalka to leave all those goodies behind temporarily, but he didn't expect Rusalka to agree so readily, saving him a lot of trouble. "I thought you would be reluctant to part with these spoils and ask me why."

Rusalka laughed and said, "How can picking up equipment be as fun as attacking a city? Tonight at 8 o'clock, brothers, come online and attack the desert together!"

Well, Sanitta admitted that his brother did have some understanding of an unexpected success, because in his imagination, those deserters could only go to the city of Consenat. Instead of gathering strength and then attacking a city that was well prepared for defense, it would be better to catch them off guard. Maybe he could use the deserters to lower their morale and determination to defend the city.

Since they were going to set off immediately, the team didn't need to wait until everything was fully prepared before taking action. After all, a lot of the vehicles and horses were damaged during the battle. Although the looted items could be used, someone still had to be left to check them.

According to the custom of the game, Rusalka asked a patriarch to lead half of the people to stay here to take care of the wounded and collect the spoils, while the other half followed him to continue marching and pursuing the deserters.

"Hurry, the uninjured stand on the right, the injured stand on the left, and the pastor stands in the middle.

Those on the right, bring your rations and luggage and get on the bus with me. Pastors in the middle, you, you, you, and you, that's right, just the four of you, get on the bus together. The rest of you, follow the left side and stay behind to clean up the battlefield and the spoils. Then, before we return, hold this area, treat the wounded, and rest and await orders.

Sarolt had good command skills, a high reputation in the army, and strong cohesion. He quickly regrouped the troops that had become loose after the war, and there was no confusion or disobedience when the teams were divided. Thanks to him, the group quickly got on the carriage and set off again.

Chapter 67: The Battle of Consonant (1)

This was Rusalka's third visit to Connaught City.

I still remember the first time, when I went on a ship girl expedition. Oh no, it was when I came here with Sanita to find the guild to issue tasks and recruit people to open up new land. At that time, I was invited by Viscount Consnat to visit his mansion and talk about the relationship between him and the Ropa County. Although everyone was just pretending to be happy, Rusalka was generally quite satisfied with the meal.

The second time, he met Ropa Ryan here, an old fellow who was currently ranked first on the toughest bone list in his mind. Anyone could say the words "ready to die with indifference", but he was indeed the first guy who practiced what he preached.

When he chose to stay alone in the mansion that day, Rusalka actually wanted to give him some respect and asked him "Why are you not afraid of death?"

It's a pity that Phoenix acted too quickly and many plans were disrupted. In the end, until his death, Rusalka still didn't understand what kind of persistence beyond death this person had in his heart who cruelly sent his heir to the most dangerous place and seemed to have little affection for his family.

The third time, he stood in front of the city of Consenat, with the support troops from Esdi behind him. The city no longer welcomed his arrival, and the gate was tightly closed to him.

And he is no longer the young man who always thinks about solving problems with a giant sword.

Instead, he upgraded to a high-level rookie who wanted to solve the problem with a magic cannon.

In front of the city gate not far away, there were many deserters who were locked outside the city gate and begged the defenders to open the gate. Fearing that their shouts were not loud enough, Rusalka ordered the soldiers on her side to shoot a few arrows at that side to threaten them.

It can be seen that the pleading of their own people will shake the hearts of the defenders more than the threats of the enemy. Some soldiers on the top of the city have recognized their companions. They are whispering to each other and asking if they can put something like a hanging basket down. People are made of flesh and blood, and they can't bear to abandon their former comrades like this.

Rushaka rode his horse towards the city gate. Seeing that the defenders only aimed their heavy crossbows at him without shooting arrows, he knew that the commander on the opposite side was not a die-hard loyalist.

In other words, there is something to talk about.

Although Rusalka didn't like chatting, she couldn't resist Sanitieta's emotional appeal. She looked at the content he left in the PL channel and shouted:

"Men defending the city, I have already killed Viscount Consenat on the battlefield. You no longer have any obligation to serve him. I, Rusalka, the Grand Knight appointed by the kingdom, am willing to use my honor and name as a guarantee. If you open the gates and surrender and stop resisting, I will not kill any innocent people. I know that soldiers are merely following orders and are not guilty of any crime."

Rusalka looked at the hesitant defenders on the city wall and continued shouting, "Do you have the heart to put the people and comrades in danger for some noble honor that does not belong to you, and even cruelly abandon those who long to return home under the city?

Ask yourself, even I, the commander of the opposing faction, standing so close to them, didn't draw my sword to execute these pitiful soldiers who would become enemies the moment they returned to the city. And what about you? You, their companions, their hope, their safe haven, yet you cruelly chose to push them towards my blade.

If you choose to abandon your companions today, tomorrow they will abandon you. But if you choose to surrender, I promise that in the future I will open the city gates for you. This is my code as a knight. I will never abandon anyone who is willing to be my companion.

It must be said that Rusalka's half-baked speech was quite effective. Perhaps it was because his education level was just right for these soldiers. After delivering this declaration, accompanied by the deserters' pleas and counter-attacks, the commander of the city garrison seemed to believe Rusalka's words made sense. He shouted at Rusalka, "Lord Pearl Tears, do you dare to swear before the gods that if you go back on your word, your honor will turn to dust, your soul will be condemned to hell, and you will never be reborn."

Rusalka: "Of course it's no problem, I swear to God."

After Rusalka finished shouting, she heard a voice from above: "Okay, I am willing to surrender to you, open the door..."

Just as the door was about to be opened by her own mouth, Rusalka heard a woman's voice screaming from upstairs.

"Don't open the door!"

After her scream, the two groups of soldiers responsible for opening and closing the city gates really stopped what they were doing. The capstan chain rose just a little bit and then stopped. For a moment, Rusalka was a little confused. She turned her horse and rode away, wanting to see what kind of succubus it was that could bring back the friendly troops with just a shout.

Looking closely, there was no succubus, but there was a charming blonde wife. She was holding a swaddled baby and wearing snow-white mourning clothes. She was standing on the top of the city wall facing the wind.

She was also holding something similar to a loudspeaker in her hand, which was enchanted with air magic. She only needed to input magic power to activate the runes, and the sound could be transmitted to a very far distance without being weakened. It was a very useful loudspeaker on the battlefield.

The moment she appeared, Sanita frowned and said to Rusalka, who was already shouting, "I actually have the ambition to be a thief," on the PL channel: (Brother Xiao, does she look a bit like Ropa Ryan?)

Rusalka: (A little bit. Could she be the eldest daughter from that marriage?)

Sanitita: (Haha, if she has the power to command the army, let's just attack the city. You've almost killed all the men in her family.)

Rusalka: (Haha, the Minotaur is ecstatic. Unfortunately, I’m not Mr. Lance. I’m a pure lover. Cats are the only thing in my heart.)

Sanita: (Where's Theresa? She's providing money, troops, and even cosplaying for you.)

Rusalka immediately added: (And the Saint Lady, they each get half.)

Sanita made a sound of derision at him.

The woman slowly said, "Everyone, I am the eldest daughter of the Luopa family and the wife of Consentnat Yanxin. I have no power, nor am I a soldier. I am just a wife who sits at home and prays for her husband, hoping that he will return safely. So I am standing here today not to hold you accountable for your actions, because I can understand your decision to open the city and surrender.

My father was killed by the Lord of Pearl Tears at home; my husband died on the battlefield with the Lord of Pearl Tears in order to avenge him; now the Lord of Pearl Tears stands here, and the army led by my father-in-law has been defeated, which means that my father-in-law is in great danger.

I am standing here today not to express how wronged I am. I am just standing here as a mother, a wife, a daughter, and a daughter-in-law. I want to ask you a question. If the Lord of Pearl Tears is allowed to enter the city so openly, how many people who have experienced the same thing as me will cry silently at night.

He's killed so many people, doesn't he have to pay the price? The gods may not punish him, but I will curse him forever! He's an executioner disguised as a knight. His so-called forgiveness and oaths are just to protect himself. I want to ask you a question: if you open the city gates and he points his blade at your wives and children, what will you do then?

My husband, father, and father-in-law all sacrificed their lives to prove their actions. Those who will never return, like you standing here in armor, are here to protect your families in this city. For decades, the Consenats have brought lasting peace to this city. Now, a group of thugs who started a war want to instigate this. Do you believe him or history?

She handed the swaddling clothes in her hand to the commander defending the city, slowly stood on the battlement, turned around, raised her fist to the confused soldiers, and shouted: "So I stand here today, just wanting to express my belief with practical actions. The city of Consenat will not surrender to a thug who brought war and destroyed countless families. And like my family, I will use my life to prove my belief. I will never surrender to an evil person, never! Everyone, take up arms and protect your home.

Either get out of Consenat City, or let the blood of the Lord of Pearl Tears be spilled on the ground of this city!"

After saying that, she shook off the hands of the soldiers around her and jumped from the top of the city wall, ending her life.

Although such a speech seemed unconvincing and illogical to Sanitta, the act of "sacrifice" itself is a very sacred act no matter which world it is. No matter how untenable her speech was, at least her death made the soldiers defending the city and even the soldiers who fled to the city fall silent, and silently clenched their weapons.

On the other hand, on Rusalka's side, due to Esdi's religious issues, many knights began to doubt the correctness of this war after seeing the woman jumping from the top of the city wall.

This kind of emotional offensive is undoubtedly fatal. Back then, Liu Bang relied on a song of "Chu Song on All Sides" to directly blew away the morale of the Overlord's army. Once the Paladin began to doubt the justice of his actions, he naturally lost the will to fight.

The illogical self-sacrifice made Sanita frown and bite his thumb.

He was confident that he could hold his own in any debate. As long as he was given even a minute's chance, he could refute the woman and leave her speechless.

But she died. With this action, she turned the debate into a one-sided logical output. No one can defeat a person who is determined to die. Those who were willing to die to express their determination in ancient times will mostly leave a positive impression in history.

It can be said that the act of sacrifice is indeed a great decision that can wipe out all negativity. It is a killer move that people can only use once in their lifetime and must be used with the greatest courage in their lives. Any conspiracy or conspiracy will become pale and powerless in the face of this courage.

Just as he was racking his brains to think of a way out, Rusalka said this in the PL channel: (This is really jumping, 666, this is much more powerful than biting a lighter, my friends, start shooting rockets, it's like opening champagne.)

Sanitieta: (Brother Xiao, you should have saved her. Do you know how much of a blow her jump was to us?)

Rusalka: (Why? I'm a 21st century Paradox-class A war criminal, a dignified Paladin. How can I be verbally abused by a frivolous shrew like her?)

After saying this, he turned back on his horse, raised the greatsword in his hand, enchanted it with the power of Holy Light, and then shouted to the soldiers behind him:

"Everyone, I know you're feeling lost right now, questioning whether you're waging an incorrect war. Let me tell you, the answer is: you're completely wrong!

We are undoubtedly the right and righteous side. If you can't tell right from wrong, then let the gods answer you. Look into my eyes, look at the weapon in my hand, and answer me loudly, who has the holy light of God Light chosen!

It's me, Paladin Rusalka!"

Although this was indeed a bit unfair to Custer, the uneasiness in the hearts of the other Esdi soldiers present was immediately dispelled when they saw the shining big sword in Rusalka's hand.

In this land dominated by faith, the power of holy light undoubtedly symbolizes "kindness and justice". Rusalka's release of holy light here is an act of directly skipping the problem-solving steps and showing everyone the answer. Especially for believers, it is very persuasive.

Of course, he knows more than just this.

Who can't play the victim? I've watched countless singing talent shows in the 21st century. I might not be able to tell who sings well, and I can't learn it, but I can tell who plays the victim best by looking at the rankings. Put your knowledge into practice!

Good things cannot be learned, but bad skills can be learned easily. This is how to educate students in the 21st century.

"Everyone, a year ago, my entire family was murdered by Lord Ropa. Upon hearing the tragic news, I returned to this homeland, despite the humiliation of exile, to inherit this family business that was not mine. My goal from the beginning to the end has been only one, and that is revenge for justice.

On countless sleepless nights, I would dream of the ghosts of my family members crying to me. They were scolding me for not coming back earlier. These questions undoubtedly hurt my soul deeply. Everyone, tell me, after awakening the holy light, is it really right for me to just ignore everything and exile myself?

I have made so many contributions to the country of Esdi, but because of a bit of pride and self-esteem, I killed my entire family. Can this be called justice?

In the eyes of the public, I'm a righteous paladin, but in the eyes of my family, I'm just a cold and selfish person. I don't even care about blood ties and care for those who have nothing to do with me. Is this kindness? There is no answer, because I can't take care of both sides at the same time, and I don't have foresight.

So everyone, I have said so much just to tell you one thing: justice comes at a price.

Don't you find it strange? Ropa County openly murdered my family, cut off Pearl Tear County's salt supply, leaving its people in dire poverty. They even used death squads to attack my castle and used rangers to bring the terror of war to Ropa Town. And yet, in that woman's eyes, this is justice? Am I the evil one?

But you can't deny that her act of self-sacrifice is great, which becomes a contradiction: if she is great, how can I be kind?

The answer is simple: although she was great, she was wrong. She could be a kind person, but she was exploited by the evildoers. The evildoers' greatest tactic is to coerce good people into being their scapegoats. Those who are kind-hearted but ignorant are most easily exploited. They become shields in the hands of the evildoers, blocking the blades of justice we must execute, grinning when we hesitate, hiding behind the backs of kind people and shooting arrows at us.

Most evil people will use this method, no, they will definitely use this method! If every evil person can't even use and hurt others to make wedding clothes for themselves, then can he be called evil?

You have to know that the reason why they are afraid of us and will lose to us is not because we are really as powerful as them. Evil people do things without scruples, while those good laws and bewitched good people restrict our righteous actions. In terms of means alone, how can we be their opponents?

They are afraid of us for one reason: justice is not afraid of sacrifice, but they are afraid of death. Because of this, they choose to hide behind those kind people who are not afraid of sacrifice and try to stop our crusade.

Back to the topic just now, I, Rusalka, am a paladin determined for revenge. I have vowed to carry out my own justice. Justice is never empty talk, which is why the Holy Light chose me and not others.

As a Paladin, I never felt that I had to help the weak just because I was strong. If you have this half-hearted mentality, then you don't deserve to be a Paladin. You are just a good person who is stronger than others and can use some Holy Light. It's no big deal.

The essential difference between me and others is that when faced with those ignorant people who choose to stand in front of the evildoers, I will swing my sword and kill them all without hesitation.

Kindness is a virtue, cowardice is a vice, simplicity is a virtue, and ignorance is acceptable, but if one is ignorant and self-righteously chooses to help evil, then he is a complete villain, a lackey, and an accomplice. Even if I have to bear the insult like the one that the woman just said, I will still draw my sword without hesitation.

After killing them, I will build a tombstone for them to commemorate their kindness in life. But I will never apologize to these innocent people! Never! "

Rusalka raised his greatsword and said, "If you are not mentally prepared for this, then it doesn't matter. You just need to swing your swords in the name of the soldiers of the Pearl Tear Lord Rusalka. Until you become a holy warrior who is truly ready to bear the weight of justice, all the sins and infamy will be borne by me!

I swear that I will kill all the evildoers in the world. I swear that I will not hesitate to use the holy light to destroy everything that stands in the way of justice. If the ignorant stand in my way and do not turn back, I will regard them as evil and will never forgive them!

Now, those who wish to give up, turn back and leave. I will forgive you all your past. And those who wish to follow me, raise your weapons! We will capture the city of Consenat and execute those evil men who used women and children as cannon fodder! Tell those fools that we are the army of justice!

"My heart and my actions are as clear as a mirror, and everything I do is just!" Rusalka, paraphrasing the President, brandished her gleaming sword and shouted, "For the Holy Light!"

Anyway, this is how speeches are made. Logic is not important. What matters is that the atmosphere is created just right.

One after another, young people also raised their weapons and shouted, "For the Holy Light!"

At just the right moment, the Sanita Tower also played an inspiring song. The shouts gradually became denser and denser, and finally merged into one. All the soldiers were inspired by Rusalka's declaration. They raised their weapons and shouted: "For the Holy Light!"

"I'm shouting this one last time. I won't kill anyone who leaves the city walls. Anyone still resisting on the walls, I won't spare a single one! Sending the dead to heaven or hell is for the gods. I'm just a mortal, responsible only for sending idiots to see the gods." Rusalka spun around, whip raised, and charged towards the walls of Consenat City: "All warriors, follow me!"

Chapter 68: The Battle of Consonant (2)

Rusalka's speech revealed the horror of his 20-point charm at this moment.

The woman's sacrifice did have a huge impact on the morale of both sides, but Rusalka only needed a few words to reverse the situation. Not only did the morale of the friendly side become greater than before, but many young paladins even became loyal fans of Rusalka after hearing the speech.