NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 67: Identical Strategy, Part Two
Chapter 67: Identical Strategy, Part Two
Orders were rapidly issued. Thirty official knights, over a hundred apprentice knights, and several hundred reserve knights were dispatched by Thor, spreading out in all directions. On the high platform of the mine, magical crystal cannons were loaded with magic cores and fully charged, ready to fire.
Meanwhile, Baron Valmy and Baron Graton, filled with high spirits, led their large forces toward the mine. They were already imagining the tremendous gains they would achieve after capturing the mine—a large iron mine, which would bring unimaginable benefits to whoever controlled it.
As their forces drew closer to the mine, everything around them remained eerily quiet. Previously, when they sent a probing group of knights, they had encountered resistance led by a grand knight. But now, even as they came within three miles of the mine, there was no sign of any defenders.
"Hahaha, it looks like they've all fled!" Baron Valmy laughed, excitement evident on his face.
"Such a pity for the progeny of the Dresrosa family," Baron Graton agreed, laughing. He sniffed the air and frowned slightly. "Doesn't something smell different here?"
"It must be the scent from the ore processing at the mine," Baron Valmy dismissed the concern with a wave. "The place was previously occupied by goblins, those filthy creatures."
"You're probably right," Baron Graton agreed, not paying further attention.
However, as they excitedly advanced, they failed to notice the diminishing sounds around them or the fact that the strange smell wasn't just filth. This oversight cost them their final chance.
When the mine finally came into view, one knight noticed something odd and murmured, "What's that?" His voice went unnoticed, but moments later, blue magical arrays lit up the slopes, their brilliant light piercing the dusk.
Even those who had been inattentive now noticed the change. Baron Graton and Baron Valmy froze in shock, their eyes widening. "This is bad!"
A massive explosion followed their exclamation. Thunderous booms echoed through the sky as a terrifying sea of lightning engulfed the surrounding hundred-meter area, unleashing blistering heat. The strategically placed flammable oil ignited instantly within the lightning firestorm.
Thor had prepared ample flammable oil for this occasion, having acquired a large quantity previously. The flammable oil ignited under the lightning's fury, creating an inferno. The scene plunged into chaos as terrified horses neighed, slaves panicked, and knights were stunned.
Baron Valmy and Baron Graton were thrown aside by the blast, though their combat experience allowed them to raise their life force shields in time. However, the sheer power of the firestorm was overwhelming. Their organs quaked within them as they watched their knights turn to charred remains. As grand knights, they survived without mortal wounds, but the same could not be said for the official knights, who struggled against the onslaught. Apprentice knights were incinerated almost instantly.
Their accumulated forces, built over more than a decade, were rapidly annihilated before their eyes, a reality they could hardly accept. "Damn it!" Baron Valmy roared, his life force surging. But just as he moved, another lightning blast erupted nearby, knocking him back and causing him to vomit blood as he crashed down.
Amidst the pandemonium, screams for help and cries of despair filled the burning landscape. Thousands of troops were thrown into utter disarray. Taking advantage of the chaos, Steve and Mark led their forces from the flanks, surrounding the enemy. The slaves, motivated by the promise of merit points that could earn them freedom and knighthood, joined the assault with fervor.
Thor's forces numbered over five thousand, including two grand knights, more than a dozen official knights, and over five hundred knights in total. The initial volley from the magical crystal cannons had already decimated the enemy, killing five official knights and severely wounding two grand knights, with over a third of the knights perishing in the firestorm. The remaining forces were easily overwhelmed by Steve and Mark's troops.
Surrounded and outnumbered, not a single enemy escaped. Unlike the previous battle, this time Thor's side suffered minimal losses, with only a few dozen slaves lost, securing a decisive victory. Thor was further elated to find that, just like before, Barons Valmy and Graton were captured alive. Though their territories might not be as wealthy as Lawrence's, capturing two barons still promised substantial rewards.
A new thought dawned on Thor, and he began to ponder its implications.
Meanwhile, on the other front, Orper Lawrence's forces, aiming for Eagle's Ridge, were directly routed by Ryan's knights and slave army. Despite hiring a grand knight and ten official knights, Orper brought only a few official knights to the battle, who were no match for Ryan's knights and were swiftly defeated. Orper fled in haste, leaving behind hundreds of slaves and several apprentice knights.
Thor received news of this two days later, his face lighting up with a smile. The successful defense without needing Neil Morton's intervention was the best outcome. Delighted, Thor sent a message to Ryan, instructing him to return to Loren City.