Chapter 1381 - 1297: The King of France’s Backbone

Chapter 1381: Chapter 1297: The King of France’s Backbone

Imperial Calendar, April 15, Flower Hill, Lilac County.

The water of the River Yin flowed with a gurgling noise, mingling with the sticky rain threads.

They slanted across the sky, like a transparent veil enveloping the entire Eagle’s Nest Fortress.

The grayish-blue stone walls of the fortress shimmered in the moisture, with the heavy banners of Falan hanging down.

Soldiers patrolled atop the city walls, the raindrops clanging against their iron helmets.

Cloaked knights and soldiers came and went, the horse hooves and shoes trampling the parade ground into a muddy state.

This place, known as Eagle’s Nest Fortress, is the core hub of Falan’s second line of defense, and once the site of the largest nearby market.

At this moment, a stern middle-aged man stood with his hands behind his back by the window in the hall of Eagle’s Nest Fortress.

He wore a purple silk robe, with a gold tassel belt around his waist.

Not many in Falan could wear such a belt, often only those who were dead could.

Among the living, only three had the belt tied on them personally by Charles: Prime Minister Lorenzo, Duke Vika, and Grand Duke Saranto.

Grand Duke Saranto still remembered the scene that day when he was appointed as the commander-in-chief of a coalition army of a hundred thousand.

Charles VIII himself stepped down from the throne and tied his own belt around Saranto’s waist.

He even encouraged him, "Henceforth, when Grand Duke Saranto enters the palace for an audience, there is no need to bow... in these times, I need you to support me as my belt of courage!"

To wear the king of France’s belt, to be his courage, such an honor had only been seen in the previous dynasty.

With this honor came the responsibility.

Now, Grand Duke Saranto was personally manning the most crucial part of the Yin River defense line.

To have Charles’s favor, Saranto naturally had a commendable appearance.

He was tall and imposing, exuding authority that intimidated many commanders just by standing there.

More importantly, he was an old and seasoned general of Falan, the deputy to Duke Vika, the non-material military legacy left by Charles’s father.

In the early battles, almost every time it was Duke Vika who turned the tides and brought stability to situations on the brink of collapse.

It could even be said that without Duke Vika’s presence, the Holy Alliance would have had to come to aid Falan last year.

Unfortunately, before Horn could meet this old and renowned general, he had already passed away in winter.

Fortunately, Duke Vika left behind his non-material military legacy - Grand Duke Saranto.

Saranto was Duke Vika’s deputy, and logically, it seemed reasonable for him to inherit Duke Vika’s position.

Yet a position can be inherited, but talent cannot.

Currently, Grand Duke Saranto had a gallant appearance, but upon closer inspection, one could sense the anxiety that starkly contrasted with his aura.

His fingers unconsciously rubbed the hilt of his sword, his joints turning white from the grip.

As for his tightly furrowed brows, they had never loosened.

If one were to compare, he now more resembled a beast trapped in a cage, exuding an unmistakable unease.

If Jeska or André from the Holy Alliance were here, Jeska would smoke and play cards, André would sleep or carouse.

If the commander cannot remain composed and confident, how can they convince the soldiers beneath them that they will win?

Saranto knew this, yet he couldn’t manage it.

The most notable achievement of his life was following Duke Vika in quelling border rebellions in his early years.

The largest force he commanded only numbered twenty-three thousand, and that battle almost failed due to logistic chaos.

Afterward, he was always involved in strategizing and planning for Duke Vika as a staff officer.

With Duke Vika present before, he only needed to execute orders.

But now, he had to face everything alone, plan by himself, make his own decisions.

Saranto considered declining, but Prime Minister Lorenzo told him he was already the best choice.

Among those with the same lineage and experience capable of fighting, he was the first choice.

If someone of lower status who could fight were appointed, the noble commanders wouldn’t obey.

If someone of high status who couldn’t fight were appointed, it would be even worse.

It had to be him, and only him.

Duke Vika could swiftly seize battle opportunities on chaotic battlefields, stabilize situations on the brink of logistic collapse, and maneuver an army of a hundred thousand as flexibly as a finger.

Saranto thought he could do the same, but reality proved otherwise.

In the half month since taking the command, he had already caused two infantry battalions to fall into a vampire ambush due to misinformation transmission errors, and due to chaotic logistics, three corps ran out of food for three days.

Without relying on the natural defense of the River Yin and the soldiers’ fierce fighting, the second line of defense might have already been breached.

"Damn it..." Saranto muttered a curse under his breath, suddenly turning around and quickly walking out of the hall.

The moss on the stone steps outside the hall was slippery with rain, and he almost slipped, but his adjutant hurriedly reached out to support him, only to be impatiently waved away.

"Where is the Holy Alliance’s reinforcements? What about Jeska’s Western Battle Army? And the Pope’s central army?" He murmured urgently to the air as he walked, "It’s been half a month, and not even a shadow! Are we Falan people expected to bear it all alone?"

The adjutant followed behind him, not daring to make a sound.

Everyone knows that Grand Duke Saranto has been nearly driven insane lately.

The reinforcements from the Holy Alliance were indeed promised, but they need time to arrive.

According to calculations by Count Kazi and other commanders, it would be at least the beginning of May before seeing the Holy Alliance reinforcements.

But Saranto could no longer wait.

Walking into the fortress command room, it was filled with smoke, and several staff officers were quietly discussing around a gigantic map.

Seeing Saranto enter, the staff, led by Thierry, immediately halted their discussion, straightened up, and saluted.

Saranto ignored their salutes and walked straight to the map: "Is there any new directive from the royal family?"

"There is a letter from the capital."

"Quick! Give me the letter!" Saranto instantly reached out his hand.

The staff officer stepped forward quickly and handed the letter to him.

Saranto tore open the envelope and eagerly drew out the letter paper.

One corner of the letter was smudged by rain, making the writing a bit blurry, but he still managed to see the key content:

"The Holy Alliance’s central army has set out from the ry Court Barracks, led personally by Pope Horn, and will soon arrive at Flower Hill. Hope the Grand Duke Saranto maintains his resolve and commands his forces to hold the defense line of the River Yin.

If the vampires launch an offensive, be sure to maintain a defensive stance and rely on the fortress and river to resist fiercely.

If the vampires retreat or hold their position, and it poses no major risk to the overall war situation, you may attempt to organize a small-scale counteroffensive to boost morale and consolidate the defense line."

After reading the letter, Saranto was stunned, standing there for a full half-minute, before pacing more anxiously.

What does the royal family mean, under such circumstances, asking him to launch a small-scale counteroffensive?

What reinforcements arriving soon; if they said arriving in a week or a month, he might believe it somewhat.

Arriving soon, is that possible?

It’s clearly forcing him to attack while using reinforcements as a cover.

It’s hard to defy military orders; who knows what the royal family is thinking, it’s just the way it is.

For some reason, Saranto’s previous anxiety dissipated considerably, and he regained the feeling he had under Duke Vika’s command.

He doesn’t need to think about why to fight or what to fight for, only how to fight and who should fight.

"Counterattack! The royal family has ordered us to counterattack!" Saranto suddenly lifted his head, his eyes bright, with previous fatigue and unease swept away.

He quickly walked into the command room, his gaze roaming across the map, then swiftly pointed to a spot: "The royal family has ordered! We will now organize a counterattack, capture Tulip Castle, and boost morale!"

The staff members gathered around, passing the royal letter among them, their faces filled with both worry and surprise.

The royal family didn’t tell them to attack, just to consider whether to attack or not.

What’s going on with Grand Duke Saranto?

"Grand Duke, Tulip Castle’s location is too dangerous, are we really going to attack? If surrounded..."

"This is an order, attacking is the king’s order!" Saranto interrupted, his tone indisputable, "Just three thousand in the servant army; we’ll send out two elite corps, surely we can capture it in one fell swoop!

Pass my orders: Red Leaf Hill’s Second Corps and Clove Corridor’s First Legion immediately assemble to attack Tulip Castle!"

At this moment, Grand Duke Saranto seemed possessed by Duke Vika, looking firmly at the staff officers: "This is an order, it must be executed!"

The staff officers had no choice but to relay the order.

Five hours later, at Red Leaf Hill’s Second Corps camp.

Grasping the letter paper, Count Kazi’s eyes widened sharply.

He read it three times over, confirming he hadn’t misread before looking up: "Are you sure it’s Grand Duke Saranto’s order? Attack Tulip Castle?"

The messenger was a young officer, with a stern face and a serious tone, he replied: "Yes, Count, this is an order personally issued by the king..."

"Nonsense! This is sheer nonsense!" Count Kazi suddenly slammed the letter paper on the table, "What kind of place is Tulip Castle? If we attack, vampires could arrive within half an hour, and we’d be completely surrounded, escape impossible!"

He’s fought countless battles in his life and never seen such reckless orders.

Saranto’s reputation had long reached Count Kazi’s ears, how could he give such orders?

Count Kazi picked up the letter paper, carefully refolded it, and handed it back to the messenger: "You go back immediately, return this letter to Grand Duke Saranto and have him verify it once more.

Tell him, attacking Tulip Castle is extremely risky, even if we could easily capture it.

If surrounded, not only would the two corps be completely annihilated, but it would also shake the foundation of the entire defensive line, with unimaginable consequences!"