Chapter 339: Two Can Play

These 70,000 troops were led personally by Clinton, while Fern remained at Preston to oversee the broader campaign.

Facing Randy’s army, Clinton scoffed.

’Flat plains like these are perfect for cavalry. Fighting here with infantry? They’re asking to die.’

A dry gust of wind swept over the Order’s massive formation, carrying dust across the open battlefield outside Preston.

Though it was still the hot month of September, the air on this wide yellow plain was colder than winter.

Here, the Order, the most elite unit in the Eldorian Empire’s imperial army, and the Sunderland Cavalry, one of the strongest reaver forces, were about to clash.

At this moment, Randy stared at the enemy cavalry 300 meters away. His grip on his sword was so tight his knuckles had turned white.

’Brothers go to war together. Fathers and sons fight side by side.’

Since childhood, Randy had followed his father, Lancet, into countless battles. After more than 20 years, he could understand his father’s thoughts with just a glance.

"Put the nation above self, sacrifice your life for honour." That was the family creed passed down from the Quake ancestors.

Randy’s gaze firmed as he looked over his soldiers. For the sake of the Eldorian Empire, the Order would not retreat, and neither would he.

"Woooo..."

The reaver horns sounded, announcing their advance. Just as always on the steppe, mounted archers were the first to attack.

They urged their horses forward, galloping toward the Order. At a distance of 50 meters, the reaver cavalry suddenly launched a volley of arrows.

"Shields up!"

Officers across the formation gave orders.

Immediately, the sword-and-shield troops raised their iron-clad wooden shields, each about one meter long. They held them above the archers and spearmen, covering them from the arrows.

Just in time...

"Ting! Ting! Ting!"

The dense rain of arrows struck, scraping metal, thudding into wood. Some shields were pierced, and cries of pain rang out; soldiers who weren’t fully covered still got hit.

"Crossbows, fire!"

As soon as the reaver archers finished their first volley, the Eldorian Empire’s crossbowmen raised their weapons and shot back.

"Whoosh!"

A storm of bolts cut through the air, hitting the charging cavalry. Horses collapsed, men were flung off, chaos.

But the reaver horse archers didn’t stop.

Instead, they began to circle the Imperial Guards, using hit-and-run tactics, loosing arrows as they moved.

Randy kept a close eye on the situation. This was typical reaver strategy...

Harass and scatter the infantry before sending in the main force.

Mounted archers weren’t the main strength of the reaver army; they were used to disrupt tight infantry formations, which were otherwise hard to break.

Sure enough, the swarming cavalry flowed around the Imperial Guards like water around stone.

"Hold the line!"

"Maintain formation!"

"Hold steady!"

Drums pounded. Flag signals rose. Officers barked orders as the formation took casualties. Randy gritted his teeth.

They had to endure this.

His father had taken most of the cavalry to Cobblestone; he couldn’t waste the remaining 10,000.

On the other side, Clinton watched the battle closely.

"The Imperial Guard lives up to its reputation. Even under this pressure, they don’t break ranks." He muttered.

Meryln spoke up. "They’re the personal forces of Lancet. Among the imperial troops, he’s the only general who can really fight."

"Then we must make sure the Order never leaves Preston," Clinton said coldly.

"Brambleford’s army is trapped in Cobblestone. Their supply line is cut. Before we left, Prince Fern ordered us to cut the food line first, then surround the imperial army. Go now, take 20,000 light cavalry, circle behind them, and burn their supply wagons before they reach the camp."

Meryln nodded, mounted up, and led his troops around to the rear.

Clinton watched him leave, then turned back to the battle.

His goal wasn’t to defeat the Imperial Guards head-on, only to stall them.

He wouldn’t send in the heavy cavalry yet. He’d just let the mounted archers wear down the enemy.

If the Imperial Guard broke formation, that would be the time to strike.

But just as he was thinking this, a scout rushed over.

"Commander! We’ve spotted a large force of the Eldorian Empire cavalry heading toward Cobblestone!"

Clinton narrowed his eyes.

So...

These imperial soldiers were here to stall him.

Cobblestone was the real battlefield.

---

Back in Cardiff city, a wagon from Brambleford slowly entered the city.

Inside sat Ethan, who looked curiously around the modest city. After receiving Prince Simon’s orders, they had rushed here with their hot air balloons.

"Ethan!"

A commanding voice called out. Ethan turned to see Prince Simon walking toward him.

"Your Highness." Ethan quickly dismounted and bowed.

Simon looked anxious and skipped formalities:

"Have you mastered basic control of the balloons?"

"Yes, Your Highness. The ones flying around Brambleford recently were all piloted by our students from the Physics Academy."

They had known this trip might bring them into a real war.

Simon looked over at the arrived balloons and sighed in relief.

This time, he was using everything he had, whether it was ready or not. If they lost, all his efforts these past two years would be wasted. But if they won, they might gain control of Preston.

"Good. I have an important mission for you. Benjamin is surrounded in Cobblestone, and we’ve lost contact. I want you to fly over Preston, scout the enemy’s position, and deliver a message to Benjamin."

Ethan looked at his two companions and said:

"Your Highness, this is Jayden and Martin. They’ve been the main pilots. If anyone can do it, it’s them; they’ve been hoping for a chance to earn merit."

Simon smiled.

"Good. If you complete this mission, I promise you both titles of nobility after the war."

Jayden and Martin were overjoyed. Every man in the territory dreamed of becoming one of the first nobles. They replied loudly:

"Your Highness, just give the order, we’ll get it done!"

Simon felt reassured.

He hoped that these hot air balloons, this secret weapon, might be enough to at least strike fear into the reavers.