Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters
Chapter 1170 - 17 Moving Forward with the Great Alliance (2)

Chapter 1170: Chapter 17 Moving Forward with the Great Alliance (2)

[Newly Reclaimed Lands Province]

[The border of Vernge County and Maplestone City]

The sky was deep, and the army temporarily rested on a hill between the provincial avenue and the Big Horn River.

With over ten thousand men marching swiftly, the marching column was inevitably stretched very long. When soldiers at the front of the marching sequence were already setting up camp and feeding their horses, many of the troops at the rear hadn’t yet arrived at the camp.

Colonel Bod casually found a large stone by the roadside to sit down and rest, asking the officers in front of him in a relaxed tone: "Still no movement from Vernge County’s forces?"

"Yes, senior. The garrison of Vernge County has not mobilized." Colonel Skool from Thunder Group County stood before Colonel Bod, answering cautiously:

"The reconnaissance cavalry reported an hour ago—the Vernge County garrison remains stationary, with the main force currently still in Artemis. After discovering our marching column along the route, the towns have chosen to securely close all gates, and we have yet to discover any abnormal situations."

Colonel Bod nodded while pounding his sore knees.

...

On this expedition, the troops from Thunder Group, Bian River, and White Mountain Counties first secretly assembled at Falconflower Fort in White Mountain County, then crossed the Anya River under the cover of night to join forces with the "garrison army" of Winters Montagne in Iron Peak County.

After proceeding from Iron Peak County into Vernge County, the Four Counties Allied Forces didn’t take the shortest route directly to Bazenaur, but instead detoured to the northwest before urgently marching north along the Big Horn River.

The reason is simple; the shortest route is also the most densely populated and heavily guarded. For the Four Counties Allied Forces, time is their strongest weapon and also the resource they can least afford to waste.

...

"Reports also came back from the reconnaissance cavalry behind them," Colonel Skool continued from memory: "Dinghammer Town and Ice Stream Valley sent messengers to Artemis and Maplestone City for aid today—they’ve been intercepted. Lieutenant Luosong apprehended some people spying on our march, and I’ve already ordered them to be brought for interrogation."

"The grand army moves like a herd of horses; no matter how covert the action, it can’t be hidden." Colonel Bod waved his hand nonchalantly: "It doesn’t matter if those people are scouts or not, just keep them locked up and don’t let them escape."

...

When a unit marches over sixteen hours a day, the officer who believes soldiers still have the energy to build a camp meeting defensive standards will sooner or later be sent to the gallows by mutinous soldiers.

Therefore, tonight’s camp for the Four Counties Allied Forces had no trenches or walls, only a circle of obstacles set up around the perimeter, with different sections inside the camp marked off with sticks and ropes.

The night, weary soldiers, lack of defenses in the camp, dense tents and baggage...

If one wants to pick out the most vulnerable moment for this army, it would be in a few hours.

By then, even a hundred-cavalry scale raid could completely destroy its order. And order is the key to a military force’s survival.

Fortunately, this army’s commander knows his army’s weaknesses better than his enemies do.

At this moment, thousands of light cavalry are patrolling and scouting around the main force, like a tightly woven net, closely monitoring the movements within fifty kilometers of the march route and surrounding camp.

This is also one reason the commander chose the provincial avenue on the east bank of the Big Horn River when planning the route—marching along the river can at least reduce the light cavalry’s duties by one-third.

...

"Senior is right." The bald officer standing beside Colonel Skool agreed: "There’s no need to bother with them, let’s just continue our march, it doesn’t matter even if we’re discovered."

The bald officer stood with arms crossed, his right hand stroking the spiderweb-like scar on his left cheek, smiling disdainfully:

"Even with more reconnaissance cavalry, it’s impossible to block all scouts. Even that dullard Sunder will surely realize a troop just marched right past him. In the end, he’s just pretending not to see! Well, we weren’t counting on him anyway. Does he want to sit on the fence? Let him stay on that fence!"

The few junior officers beside the bald officer also laughed along.

Colonel Bod felt some strength return to his calves, so he stood up, supporting himself on his knees.

He put away his easy-going demeanor, his tone turning steady and authoritative: "Strictly order the rear guard cavalry to avoid initiating contact with Sunder’s forces. However, if the Vernge County garrison dares to make a move from Artemis, strike them with the utmost determination. At worst, we’ll take Vernge County first, then slowly deal with Maplestone City."

"Yes!" The surrounding officers stood at attention, saluting in unison: "Commander."

Colonel Bod took the reins, mounted his horse with a stirrup, and waved his hand: "To Montaigne kid’s camp."

...

Within the Four Counties Allied Forces, the "garrison army" of Iron Peak County appeared somewhat unique.

Not only because the organizational manner of the Iron Peak County garrison army differed from the stationed armies of White Mountain, Thunder Group, and Bian River Counties.

But also because the Iron Peak County garrison army never mixed formations with the other three counties’ forces, always proceeding in their own way.

When setting up camp, the Iron Peak County garrison army didn’t camp with the other three counties’ forces but kept a certain distance to set up their own camp.

Even the supplies collected by the vanguard; the Iron Peak County garrison always received a separate portion.

The officers of White Mountain, Thunder Group, and Bian River Counties all understood why, while the soldiers’ doubts were brushed aside with claims like "Iron Peak County forces are reserve troops."

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