King
Chapter 968 - 968 116 Blazing Fire_2

968: Chapter 116, Blazing Fire…_2 968: Chapter 116, Blazing Fire…_2 Frankly speaking, such a distance was not safe.

If the enemy marched overnight and launched a surprise attack on the camp under cover of darkness, the Expeditionary Army’s advantage in cavalry would be significantly reduced.

However, that was just wishful thinking.

In recent days, the Ancient Remnant Allied Army had been exhausted.

After a day’s march, to expect them to conduct a nighttime raid was probably expecting too much.

Even before they reached their destination, the troops might collapse from exhaustion.

In the age of cold weapons, infantry capable of marching a hundred miles a day while maintaining combat effectiveness were truly the elite of the elite.

The army started setting up tents, and defensive constructions also began.

This was Hudson’s habit when leading troops, no matter whether there was any danger, defensive works must be built near the camp.

Sentries, both visible and hidden, were definitely indispensable.

In the nearby hidden areas, some simple traps would be laid, usually extending for several miles.

Whether the enemy was too principled or not, these cautious measures had not yet been put to use up until now.

That’s not to say they were entirely useless; there were quite a few wild animals that fell for traps.

The unfortunate wild beasts that stumbled into traps naturally became an extra meal for the soldiers.

As a result, soldiers who had followed Hudson for a long time all showed a tendency to evolve into hunters.

Glancing at the crudely made sand table, Hudson could hardly bear to look at its ugliness, and the error in scale was so significant, it was limitless.

“Mark the position of the enemy’s logistic supply troops on the sand table!” Hudson immediately ordered.

Ever since the beginning of the Ancient Remnant Allied Army’s operations, he had set his sights on the enemy’s logistics.

However, at first, the enemy’s logistic units moved together with the main army, leaving no opportunity for him.

After relentless efforts, to rescue the trapped troops, the enemy finally could not help but split their forces yesterday.

Looking at the position and distance marked on the sand table, Hudson frowned.

The enemy’s logistic supplies were less than forty miles away from their main army.

At such a close distance, enemy reinforcements could arrive in just a few hours.

If they were to take action, it had to be swift, accurate, and ruthless.

Especially the secrecy of the operation, it had to be foolproof.

“Marshal, the distance the enemy has been drawn by our mobilization is not far, their logistic troops have only a day’s march between them and the main force.

If we want to make a move on them, I’m afraid we can only travel overnight and then launch a sudden attack.

According to the intelligence we have gathered, the enemy’s logistic troops number around eight thousand, plus some straggling species, the total force will not exceed fifteen thousand.

The combat strength of these people is not very strong, if we deploy the Magical Beast Legion, it won’t be difficult to defeat them within four hours after the battle begins.

Taking into account the transmission of information and the time needed to gather the army, the only forces that the enemy will be able to bring to the battlefield before the combat ends are small units of elite troops.

Within the Ancient Heritage Alliance, the internal division is serious.

Faced with such uncertain battles, when it comes to reinforcements, there will inevitably be those who want to preserve their strength.

The only uncertainty is that Elf Army.

As for the intelligence on the elf reinforcements, we have collected too little.

If the reinforcements come from one of the Elf Kingdom’s major main warfare armies, a forced march of forty miles in three hours should pose no problem.

If we get entangled by the enemy, I fear…”

Before Jose could finish, Hudson smiled slightly.

Raiding for supplies was the easiest way to achieve victory, but historically, the cases of successful supply raids were very few.

The weaknesses everyone can see are often not the real weaknesses.

In warfare, as long as the Commander in Chief isn’t foolish, he will protect his supply lines well.

Many times what seems like an opportunity is actually a trap set by the enemy in advance.

Of course, this time it would definitely not be a trap.

Hudson did not believe that the ancient tribes, secluded from the mainland’s mainstream for thousands of years, could suddenly produce a military genius.

In terms of waging war, the Elf Race were not much stronger.

As the perennial underachievers in the history of continental warfare, although their military strength was not weak, their actual combat experience was still too scarce.

However, lacking actual combat experience did not prevent them from winning battles.

In warfare, “overwhelming force” is often the best tactic.

If it were possible to prevail through sheer strength, Hudson would not wish to be racking his brains scheming here.

“What’s the point of attacking the enemy’s supplies over such a short distance?

Even if we succeed, the enemy’s current position is less than two hundred miles away from their stronghold.

Relying on the rations they carry, they might have enough to cover the consumption on the road.

Even if we seize the enemy’s supplies, at most we can only take away a small portion, the rest will have to be burned.

Unless we can pin down their main force on the spot, burning supplies has no value.

With the Elf Race’s army present, achieving this is too difficult!”

Listening to Hudson’s explanation, the officers were all perplexed.

If destroying the enemy’s supplies was of no value, then why keep an eye on the enemy’s transport team?

After glancing at the map, Jose seemed to think of something, then incredulously asked, “Marshal, are you planning to bait out the elf army by attacking their provisions and then seize the opportunity to annihilate them?”

No wonder nobody had thought of it, the plan was even more difficult to execute than the earlier ambush on the provision route.

Luring out the elf army might be feasible, but obliterating them in a short period was nearly impossible.

When two elite forces clashed, the battle would certainly not end swiftly.

As long as the fight wasn’t completely one-sided, the Ancient Remnant Allied Army could reinforce them in time.

War is often inhumane; the more impossible a thing seems, the more it can create miracles.

“Rest assured, I don’t harbor the delusion of wiping out the Elf Army in one go.

However, drawing them out and giving them a big surprise is definitely possible.

Our goal isn’t ambitious, destroying a thousand elf troops tonight will mean our task is accomplished.

If it proves unfeasible, we’ll simply withdraw.

Taking out over ten thousand of the enemy’s troops without incurring losses is no small feat,” Hudson said, emanating murderous intent.

…

As night fell, the Allied Army Camp was brightly lit.

Leaders of various species gathered to inspect the camp, having learned their lesson after suffering night attacks twice before.

To avoid the awkward situation of fighting individually after enemy raids, the leaders gathered to form a joint command center.

Command may not be as efficient with so many voices as with just one, but it was still progress.

“My King, esteemed leaders, dire news…

Something terrible has happened!

The troops lagging behind have been ambushed by the enemy.

Please deploy your forces to support…”

Before he could finish speaking, and before anyone could ask questions, the messenger Snow Eagle breathed his last.

Only upon closer inspection did everyone realize that a sharp sword was still embedded in his chest.

Upon receiving the grim news, the expressions of the leaders turned ominously dark.

It wasn’t just the physically weaker species lagging behind the Allied Forces; most of the army’s logistical supplies were there too.

They had hurried on their way with just a few days’ rations, leaving the majority of the strategic materials behind.

Enough troops had been assigned to escort the rear to handle residual resistance, but facing an onslaught by the Expeditionary Army was a whole different scenario.

After exchanging glances, the Shadow King was the first to break the silence, “With the enemy’s overwhelming force, the rear units will not hold out for long.

We don’t have much in the way of supplies, and without logistical support, we won’t last more than a few days.

If the enemy uses their cavalry advantage and harries us relentlessly, it will be difficult for the army to return to base before our resources are depleted.

Send orders to draw elite forces and form a rescue vanguard.

However, that alone isn’t enough to ensure absolute safety; we must also rely on the power of our allies.

Let’s all visit the Respected One together.

There’s no time to waste now!”

In times of crisis, unity’s essence awakens.

The flustered leaders, seeing that the Shadow King had offered a solution, quickly agreed.

Some leaders, dissatisfied with the Shadow King’s overreach, wanted to voice objections but lacked a better solution.

…

“Kill!”

“Ahh!”

The sounds of battle cries and screams intertwined, slicing through the pitch-black night, the roaring flames bearing witness to the ferocity of the battle.

Compared to the previous night raids, this time, the enemy was better prepared.

But ultimately, the outcome of war is decided by its combatants.

Hastily constructed defenses posed some trouble for the Expeditionary Army, but that was the extent of it.

Huge bear’s paws slammed down, flinging archery towers; colossal dragon tails swiped clean horse-blocking stakes and pit traps.

It truly flouted the rules; it was agreed that Sanctuary Powerhouses would not engage in mortal combat, yet the battle was initiated with a sneak attack by two Sanctuary Powerhouses.

Before the enemy could protest, a wave of Magical Beast Knights, led by Hudson, broke through the path he had opened and charged into the camp to begin their slaughter.