After several days of waiting, the Imperial reinforcements finally arrived.
The Fireworks Academy mercenary group brought with them over twenty heavy cannons from the Empire, four Hellstorm Rocket Batteries, and one Hellblaster Volley Gun.
This mercenary force was comprised of three musket regiments, three infantry regiments, and a unit of dwarf butchers. Additionally, there was a unit of pistol cavalry and a few Imperial knights.
The commander of this army was General Dietrich, a seasoned veteran in his fifties who served in Nuln. Since Emmanuelle returned to Nuln, Dietrich had pledged his loyalty to her and her son, Frederick.
His deputy was Boris von Zhukov, a man in his thirties, known for his flamboyant attire that made him stand out. His armor was decorated with extravagant ornaments that could blind an observer. Unlike the long-haired Bretonnians, Boris kept his hair short and sported a small goatee, holding himself with an air of arrogance.
These soldiers from Nuln were exceptionally well-equipped. Even the lowest-ranking spearmen possessed a full set of finely crafted standard equipment. Each soldier carried a high-quality sword produced by the Nuln armory, and the entire army was clad in black uniforms and armor.
Hiring this Imperial army had cost the Bretonnians dearly. Besides a significant amount of gold, they placed numerous orders with the Nuln armory, which was reportedly the idea of the new Duchess of Nuln, Emmanuelle. She believed that large production orders were more effective than simple gold and silver, as they not only brought profit but also kept the armory's production in full swing, addressing various social issues.
The haughty attitude of the Imperial reinforcements greatly displeased the Bretonnians. The knights viewed them with contempt, while the Imperials found it amusing that the Bretonnians brought a horde of ragged peasants and bumpkins to the battlefield.
However, those who had participated in the Grail Quest, like Ryan, Hagen, and Karad, understood the situation.
This stemmed from the history of Nuln.
Nuln was home to the Imperial Gunnery School, where most of the Empire's cannons, mortars, and muskets were produced. It was also the site of many ancient Imperial schools, making it the Empire's academic and industrial center, and a major southern stronghold.
In terms of technology and academics, even the Imperial capital Altdorf could not compare to Nuln. It was also the hometown of the Savior Ludwig, considered the greatest Emperor since Charlemagne, bringing great honor to the city. Nuln was a trade hub and transportation center, with goods flowing in from dwarf fortresses in the mountains and wealthy southern states, including Tilea.
Thus, Nuln was wealthy and its citizens highly cultured. The Nuln army was professional and often served as mercenaries for other Imperial provinces. Nuln's citizens had the highest literacy rate in the Empire.
"Altdorf is our capital, Nuln is the heart of the Empire, Middenheim... well, it's a great city. Everywhere else? Just the countryside."
—An unnamed Reiksguard, engineer master Wagner, speaking after a few drinks
In the Empire's hierarchy of cities, Altdorf and Nuln were at the top. As such, Emperor Karl Franz would not allow anyone he did not trust to control Nuln. Emmanuelle's return to Nuln was something the Emperor desired, needing to maintain control over the city.
Despite their arrogance, this mercenary group's professionalism was exemplary. General Dietrich surveyed the Bretonnian camp with disdain before speaking. "Lord Ryan Leoncourt?"
"Greetings, our Imperial brothers, fellow humans from across the mountains," Ryan said, stepping forward to shake hands with Dietrich and Boris von Zhukov. "Welcome!"
"We come with the friendship of Duchess Emmanuelle of Nuln, much beloved," General Dietrich said. "We offer our swords and cannons; just tell us how to deal with our enemies."
"Excellent!"
It was near March, and Mousilon was still cold. After some pleasantries, Ryan said with a smile, "I heard that Duchess Emmanuelle returned to Nuln after much hardship. This is a blessing for the Empire and humanity!"
"Indeed," General Dietrich sighed, somewhat discontentedly. "If your chosen champion, Ryan Machado, hadn't gotten our respected Duchess pregnant, we'd be even happier."
The atmosphere in the tent became awkward. Emmanuelle, holding titles of Duchess of Nuln, Elector Countess of Wissenland, and Duchess of Wesson, being impregnated by the Lady's champion, Ryan Machado, was no secret.
Nuln's nobles privately complained a lot about this. They didn't consider the child illegitimate due to Ryan's great deeds and high prestige, but they were upset that Ryan had not married Emmanuelle, making the child a bastard. Even though Emperor Karl recognized the child as Emmanuelle's heir, it was still unseemly. Many Nuln nobles suggested Emmanuelle find a new husband or that Ryan divorce Sulia and marry Emmanuelle.
Emmanuelle ignored these suggestions, showing great administrative ability, solidifying her authority while balancing public welfare and nobility power.
Karad, friendly with Ryan, couldn't help but chuckle.
Ryan's expression was complicated. He knew his relationship with Ryan was intricate—they were friends and rivals, colleagues and contenders for the throne, sharing reformist goals but representing different interests.
Avoiding further awkwardness, Ryan moved on to the main topic.
"Good news!" Ryan said excitedly, introducing the situation. "According to scouts, the undead army coming to support Richard Castle is a remnant force, disorganized and lacking cavalry."
"This suggests the main undead force is likely still besieging Spire Palace, and only a part of it has been sent to relieve Richard Castle," Ryan explained his plan. "We should first eliminate the reinforcements. By besieging Richard Castle, we force the undead to seek a field battle outside the castle."
"We'll oblige them! When the undead reinforcements arrive, we'll confront them on the plains outside the castle," Ryan announced.
"A field battle with the undead? But we have seventeen thousand refugees in our army!" Karad questioned. "These refugees will collapse at the sight of the undead, causing a complete breakdown of our lines!"
"I know," Ryan nodded calmly.
"Then why engage the undead in battle?" Karad pressed.
"Yes, the undead are a disadvantage for us. In battle, if the refugees collapse, it could trigger a chain reaction," Ryan pointed to the map. "But under the right conditions, disadvantages can be turned into advantages!"
"This battle will showcase our disadvantage clearly, but our advantage lies in our numerous knights. To turn this advantage into a victory, we need a plan," Ryan said confidently. "Sometimes, refugees are not a burden but the key to winning the war..."
...I'm the divider of victory...
Two days later, Matthew Bard's undead army arrived at Richard Castle. On a narrow plain outside the castle, the two armies faced off.
The Serpent of Mousilon, along with his lieutenants Mad Duke Merovin and Vampire Lords Belitus and Hal Harris, strategized.
"Our only concern is Ryan Leoncourt's three thousand knights," Matthew Bard said calmly. "And the five thousand Imperial reinforcements. But why have the Bretonnians brought nearly twenty thousand refugees?"
"Reportedly, the situation in Lyonnais is dire. Ryan had no choice but to bring the refugees," Belitus answered loudly. "Moreover, placing these twenty thousand refugees at the front of the line? Unbelievable! Doesn't he know they will collapse at the first sight of the undead, causing a complete breakdown?"
"Knight tactics haven't changed for centuries—send the serfs in first, then charge at the opportune moment," Merovin sneered. "We should first rout the serfs, then force the Imperial army into danger, compelling Ryan and his chivalric brothers to support them. Once they lose their charge opportunity, Ryan will have to retreat!"
"Excellent! Let's proceed with that plan!" Matthew Bard agreed with Merovin's strategy.
The battle began. Matthew Bard's strategy involved using three Bloodthirster Batwolves and numerous Bloodthirsty Ghosts, Crypt Horrors, and Crypt Ghouls to launch a frontal assault on the Bretonnian lines. These beasts roared and raged, and as they approached, the refugees at the front lost their will to fight, their formation wavering.
Unexpectedly, the refugees didn't immediately collapse. Instead, under the commands of a few loud voices among them, they orderly retreated to the sides under the guidance of a few rangers and sergeants. Despite the chaos, they managed a relatively orderly withdrawal to two corners. "What?! How is this possible?"
Standing at the center of the Bretonnian army, Ryan smiled.
This was the result of days of training with the knights, teaching the refugees how to retreat.
With the refugees retreating relatively orderly, the undead beasts, drawn to the fresh meat, lost control. They roared and charged at the retreating refugees, consuming those who didn't escape in time. The undead beasts, engrossed in devouring the fresh meat, forgot Matthew Bard's order to strike directly at the Bretonnian center, fighting among themselves for the spoils.
At this moment, the well-equipped Fireworks Academy mercenary group from Nuln was ready.
"Fire!!" Deputy Boris von Zhukov commanded. Three musket regiments, over twenty cannons, and the Hellstorm Rocket Batteries unleashed their barrage. A dense rain of musket fire and a sky filled with rockets engulfed the undead beasts!
The mercenaries from Nuln
had calculated the optimal range with precision. Their cannons, almost like they had eyes, accurately targeted the undead beasts, taking them down one after another. Bloodthirster Batwolves and Crypt Horrors fell, and Bloodthirsty Ghosts dared not approach the ground under the relentless barrage.
The undead beasts quickly neared collapse. Matthew Bard ordered the zombie, skeleton warrior, and tomb guard regiments to advance.
"Activate the Hellblaster Volley Gun!" General Dietrich commanded as the undead infantry approached.
"Activate the Hellblaster Volley Gun!!" The elite Nuln soldiers deployed a powerful war machine, spewing a massive firestorm that consumed everything in its path. Each barrel held at least a dozen or more small shells, all unleashed in a continuous hail.
The Hellblaster Volley Gun's nine barrels, divided into three groups, fired in rotation, controlled by a central crank. The unfortunate targets faced relentless, terrifying fire, swallowed by a storm of lead shot.
In an instant, the entire undead vanguard was torn apart, hundreds of undead shredded in a single volley.
The undead advance was hindered by the powerful war machine, but they still pressed forward, nearing the allied lines. With orders from Ryan and Dietrich, the Bretonnian serf infantry and the Imperial halberdiers joined the fray.
Strategy gave way to brutal melee, the battlefield becoming a slaughterhouse of flesh and steel. Imperial troops and Bretonnian soldiers stood side by side, resisting the undead assault.
The battle raged from morning to afternoon. The allied forces grew weary, with the Imperial halberdiers and Bretonnian serf infantry slowly retreating under the undead onslaught.
Sensing something amiss, Matthew Bard instinctively ordered a retreat. The undead forces withdrew orderly under his command.
When Ryan led his knights to flank and crush the Black Knights attempting to encircle the undead, they were greeted by cheering soldiers celebrating victory on the plains near Richard Castle. The undead had escaped the Bretonnian encirclement.
"This battle! We have won!" Despite the regret of not completely encircling and defeating the Mousilon undead army, the northern knights took pride in their victory.
Cheers echoed across the plains, celebrating Ryan's victory.
This triumph was a testament to Ryan Leoncourt's exceptional military talent and command skills.
With this victory, Ryan proved he was fully capable and worthy of competing with the Lady's chosen champion, Ryan Machado, for the throne of the knightly realm.
Ten kilometers away, as the undead retreated, Matthew Bard also smiled.
"I'll let you have this small victory, Ryan."
"But it's not over. I know how to defeat you."
The Serpent of Mousilon produced a letter sealed with the crest of Duke Theodoric of Brionne.
"Send a living person to deliver this letter to the Bretonnian camp."
"The way to defeat the Bretonnians is in this letter."
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