Chapter 567: Crossing the Border
When Lolan Hill returned to Clancia, it was already the end of July, after which the nation mobilized for war.
In early September, as the weather cooled slightly, the army of Frost Rose crossed the border of New Vergha, advancing westward, and Hopeland was under urgent threat.
At the headquarters of Callites, in the council hall,
The pattern of Nightbloom flowers, with black petals and purple stamens, was imprinted at the center of the hall walls, beneath which was a large oval table.
A representative at the head of the table read the report.
“According to the intelligence we have obtained, the vanguard forces of the opposing side consist of about 200,000 troops, including 30,000 cavalry. Furthermore, there are five golem legions, totaling approximately 800 golems, with their combat strength ranging from Sequence 4 to 6.”
“The commanding general is Jenkins, formerly of Rourna. He is 57 years old and graduated from the National Military Academy of Rourna. He has served as a border defense officer and commander of the sweeping army. Now he has been promoted to the rank of Major General.”
“Our new Vergha currently has only around 50,000 regular troops, and adding the private armies of various chambers of commerce and temporary mercenaries, we can muster about 100,000 troops. Thanks to long-term trade needs, our horse reserves are quite sufficient. If we were to conscript temporarily, we could gather up to 50,000 cavalry.”
After hearing this analysis, those below the table began to discuss quietly. Then one representative asked:
“So we have well-trained soldiers, but we only have 150,000 in total, with no more than 50,000 cavalry, correct?”
“Yes, but in terms of equipment, ordinary soldiers on both sides do not show significant differences.”
“Due to earlier trade with Rourna, we obtained armor, swords, and other weapons made of high-quality steel, which gives us an advantage over the other nations of Snowflower Seven Kingdoms.”
“In terms of ordinary soldiers alone, we are not far behind our opponents, and we have the advantage of local combat. With 150,000 and 200,000 troops, they are evenly matched.”
“However, regarding Extraordinary Beings, golems, and airships, the opposing side clearly has an advantage.”
“In conventional battles, they can use golems to resist arrows and other ranged attacks, then push forward, destroying walls and towers. At the same time, mages and airships can cause massive casualties among dense troop formations. Without equivalent countermeasures, our troops will quickly lose morale after engaging in battle.”
After hearing this analysis, someone asked, “Has Clancia and Crescent Moon Council dispatched additional reinforcements now?”
“Clancia has already mobilized, reportedly sending a large army toward the border. As for the Crescent Moon Council, Frost Rose has deployed warships and patrol airships in the Strait of Silent Moon, patrolling and intercepting to prevent them from aiding us.”
“Considering the scale of Frost Rose, the Crescent Moon Council may not fully commit to standing firmly with us to resist. Since they are an archipelagic nation, it is difficult to unify domestic opinions. If they were to stand with us completely before being attacked, it would be very challenging.”
“Previously, a small number of Extraordinary Beings could suffice for aid. But now that Frost Rose is fighting a national war, if they continue to support us, it means becoming mortal enemies with Frost Rose, which is something their nobility does not want to see.”
“Even though the mages of the Crescent Moon Council occupy many seats, the nobles of the former Redberry Principality still retain considerable power. They would not make decisions with extremely high risks and minimal returns.”
“Previous support was easy to achieve because the mages of the Crescent Moon Council were primarily involved, and the scale was not large. Now, however, it won’t be so easy.”
“It seems we will have to hold out alone for some time,” said a representative.
“Yes, at least two weeks before Clancia’s reinforcements arrive. Even if they do arrive, our predicament won’t immediately be resolved because Frost Rose’s subsequent forces will gradually enter the battlefield.”
“Airships and golems remain our major challenges.”
“But for now, that’s all we can do. Fortunately, the Crescent Moon Council has secretly left many mages on our side to help fend off attacks.”
“Hopeland’s city walls aren’t very high. Over the years of expansion, much of the old wall has been dismantled, and the newly built walls are not particularly sturdy. Once golems begin bombing, it wouldn’t take much more than half a day to bring them down.”
“Therefore, we should best engage in battle in the open, using the mobility of our cavalry to disrupt supply lines, delay the enemy’s advance, and seize opportunities for ambushes.”
“For now, that’s what we can do,” the crowd gradually reached a consensus.
“Additionally, I have some questions to add,” a representative raised his hand.
“Within the New Vergha Alliance, many factions or large chambers of commerce lack a firm resolve to resist. They might suddenly surrender during the fight, which we need to be wary of.”
“Now, truly standing with me and having a strong resistance consciousness are the Helis family, Yagdiling family, and Lamia family. The rest are less reliable.”
Someone sighed deeply, saying, “This is both internal and external trouble.”
“Things rarely go as planned, so we can only do our best.”
—
On the border of Frost Rose, in a former town of Vergha,
The usually bustling town was unusually quiet today. On the streets, one could see guards wearing iron-plated armor maintaining order; they were locals who wouldn’t do any evil but were preventing any abnormalities within the town, especially given the critical moment.
Many townspeople stood by the roadside, gazing at the distant army marching across the land.
These soldiers carried long spears, forming an endless line that stretched beyond sight. As they advanced, dust rose from the ground, gradually blurring the view.
On the flanks of these troops, towering golems, each about ten meters high, also marched.
Frost Rose had learned from previous difficulties in transportation and thus created large steel frame transport vehicles to carry the golems. A few golems led the way, pulling the vehicles.
This way, they could alternate, saving a significant amount of magystone fuel while also carrying damaged golems for repair along the way instead of abandoning them.
In the sky, airships floated every few hundred meters, monitoring the situation below and always ready to defend against sudden attacks.
Young mages fresh from their academies were mostly conscripted, some to operate and maintain the golems, and others to stay in the airships, providing immediate support for the battles below.
In the midst of Frost Rose’s vast army, a general clad in sturdy armor and a deep blue cloak rode through.
His pace was not hurried; he occasionally surveyed the various situations encountered during the march and instructed his attendants.
“Why is General Jenkins so worried? Aren’t we overwhelmingly advantageous in this great battle?” a high-ranking mage traveling with him asked.
“One can never be too careful. This isn’t like your mages experimenting; failure can be retried. But a mistake in war means the lives of thousands, even millions.”
“Although we have significant advantages in weaponry and Extraordinary Beings, I have studied several battle reports of Clancia’s founding wars. Their opponent, the West Wind Kingdom, also had several times more Extraordinary Beings than Clancia, yet they still lost.”
“War is not just about numbers and data; sometimes it’s about the determination and will of both sides clashing fiercely.”
(End of Chapter)
