Work Prophet
Chapter 695 - 21: The Battle of Duolin City

Chapter 695: Chapter 21: The Battle of Duolin City

Apart from Solomon, others were also busy mobilizing troops during this period.

Gwen of the Figrola family spent nearly a month barely gathering 8,000 people.

The main issue was that there were hardly any warriors left in the western families, and Gwen was unwilling to let Ireya interfere, fearing that she would steal the credit and limelight.

He preferred to borrow troops from farther vassals, and the travel back and forth caused considerable delays.

Meanwhile, Hirodod was of course not idle, it was said he had revived his old tricks by raising a new army in Duolin City.

Moreover, this time it was said that he got considerable support from nobles, but each of them was notoriously infamous.

Among them, Hugo and Ilkand were most notable, the latter now being called the King Slayer by the people of the west.

Besides, there was Blanco from the Arias family. According to the external statements of the Blood Moon Association, Blanco was the legitimate Family Head of the Arias family.

Yet, in that fateful election, his position as Family Head was usurped by Ireya, who colluded with the Double Rest Sect using despicable means.

But now, with the Blood Moon Association and Hirodod backing him, a confidently ambitious Blanco had declared his intention to wrestle back the position of Family Head from his sister.

To bring the people living in Green Field back into the embrace of the Silver Moon Goddess.

However, the nobles who heard this thought the boy must be delusional. Given Ireya’s current prestige, regardless of how she originally became the Family Head, she was clearly unlikely to lose to her younger brother anymore.

Yet seeing so many nobles suddenly supporting the Blood Moon Association, the civilians in the city, especially the new army newly formed by Hirodod, were significantly emboldened.

Gwen could no longer wait and watch Hirodod, this upstart, continue to flaunt his power.

So, although he had not gathered the anticipated army of tens of thousands, and most of them were merely militia, Gwen still decided to lead his large army to the outskirts of Duolin City.

In Gwen’s view, if the Lady could achieve it, there was no reason he couldn’t.

Moreover, compared to the Dwarf Army in the Dragon Ridge Mountain Range, those guys from the Blood Moon Association were just a disorganized rabble.

Hirodod had a knack for manipulating people, but he had never proven any military capability, always choosing to flee in the face of tough battles—this time was likely no exception.

Furthermore, the great reputation of the Figrola family was well-known throughout the west.

As long as they could guard against the despicable tactics of poisoning and assassination by the Blood Moon Association, there was not much suspense in this battle, and even the so-called army in the city, upon hearing they were surrounded by the Figrola family’s large army, might just be frightened enough to surrender on their own.

Gwen’s overwhelming confidence left Quintus somewhat at a loss for words.

He wanted to remind Gwen that both Hirodod and the Blood Moon Association were no longer what they used to be, and considering the previous massacre of twenty thousand, the newly formed army in the city would surely fight to the last moment.

Moreover, Hugo and Blanco, admittedly, belonged to the less effective faction of nobles, but Ilkand was a truly fierce warrior.

If he sincerely allied with the Blood Moon Association, then the upcoming battle might be difficult to fight.

However, Gwen simply wouldn’t listen to Quintus’s advice. As soon as he had arrived at the city, he was already eagerly arranging the first wave of attack.

Duolin City’s walls were high and strong. Gwen planned to launch a full-scale attack early the next morning from all directions, but the main forces were merely a feint; the real decision-makers in the battle were a vanguard of three hundred men.

As long as they could take over one wall, they could continuously send troops up there until they completely captured the city gates.

After Gwen and a dozen nobles finalized the details of the next day’s action, they looked up to see Quintus still standing silently to the side and spoke.

"Quintus the High Priest, hadn’t you mentioned contacting people inside the city? What was the result?"

Quintus perked up a bit at that, "I indeed managed to contact a few priests, they told me that although the Blood Moon Association controls Duolin City, there are still those secretly resisting Hirodod."

"Is that so?" Gwen became interested, "How many are they, and what can they do for us?"

"They’re probably around a hundred or two people. Many had to join Hirodod’s new forces in order to survive," Quintus replied.

"As long as they stand firmly with us in this battle and prove their worth, I can pardon them after the war," Gwen said, "And if they perform exceptionally, further rewards are not out of the question."

"They are indeed willing, only..."

"Only what?"

"Only that Hirodod has always been very good at manipulating people’s hearts; I worry they might have already been turned by Hirodod, which would be one of his schemes," Quintus candidly said.

Gwen was unconvinced, "What can Hirodod offer them? Look at who joins the Blood Moon Association—rebels from the west, and a kid who lost a family feud and has been wandering for years. These are all desperate losers with nowhere else to go. Why would anyone else want to work for Hirodod?"

Quintus had to admit Gwen made some sense. The High Priest of the Silver Moon Church then said, "They are willing to secretly open a gate for us during the battle."

"Oh? Which gate is that?"

"The small one on the south side."

Gwen nodded, "Then tomorrow I’ll arrange for a thousand men to wait at the south gate. If it opens, we can send forces to storm in. If it doesn’t open, no matter; as long as we stick to the plan and capture one wall, Duolin City will be ours."

Quintus was of peasant origin and had no real military experience. Just listening to Gwen’s plan, it seemed there were no issues.

So, early the next morning, Gwen began the attack on Duolin City as planned.

The army surged toward the city like a tide, and the militia, braving the rain of arrows from above, began to set up ladders, climbing toward the ramparts.

Gwen, in his armor and mounted on his warhorse, personally oversaw the frontline. However, the progress of the battle was not going smoothly.

The defenders’ stubbornness was somewhat beyond Gwen’s expectations. Those on the wall were clearly not real warriors, yet they fought desperately. Even as the enemy’s blades were nearly upon their necks, no one retreated.

There were even civilians without any armor, helping by lifting rocks and throwing them down from the city. Gwen also learned from a few captured prisoners that before the battle began, Hirodod had performed a miracle in front of his followers.

He made a rock float on the water.

This was considered an oracle from Pisya, prophesying that the Blood Moon Association would triumph in the upcoming war.