Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters
Chapter 1176 - 18 Great Alliance Moves Forward (3)_4

Chapter 1176: Chapter 18 Great Alliance Moves Forward (3)_4

Colonel Bod issued a progressive order to Winters:

First, the Iron Peak County garrison must clear the enemy forces along the "Qingyin Pass—Green Valley Town" line, ensuring the main army’s retreat is not threatened;

Upon completing the previous task, the Iron Peak County garrison needs to closely monitor every move of the Vernge County garrison.

Colonel Skul has always harbored deep suspicions about Vernge County’s intentions.

Both Skul and Bod fear that Vernge County is merely feigning neutrality, actually waiting for an opportunity to either strike Maplestone City or cross over Qingyin Pass, launching a rear assault on the allied forces.

If Colonel Skul’s concerns prove correct, then the Iron Peak County forces must hold Green Valley Town until reinforcements arrive, preventing even a single Vernge County soldier from crossing Qingyin Pass.

Besides the above two duties, Colonel Bod had a third part to Winters’ orders:

Should the defenders of Maplestone City learn that Sanel’s retreat has been cut, there is a chance they might actively support Sanel.

If the defenders of Maplestone City take the initiative, then the Iron Peak County garrison must "seize any opportunity to annihilate them" and should "seek every possibility to recapture Maplestone City."

...

At this moment, Winters was carrying out the first part of this order—clearing the enemy from the line between Qingyin Pass and Green Valley Town.

Andre had no rebuttal to Winters’ words, reaching for the wine bottle only to find it had been tossed to Tulin, so he sullenly withdrew a dagger, scratching at the wooden tiles...seemingly inscribing curses.

Winters teased, "I thought you’d say ’Fight! Let them fight! The more blood they shed, the better!’"

Andre, provoked, propped himself up, somewhat displeased, and asked, "What do you take me for? When have I ever betrayed comrades or sold out allies?"

"I apologize."

Andre snorted, pouted, but then contentedly lay back down, continuing to inscribe on the tiles.

Winters took out the Nulan Clock, squinting his eyes: "Time’s up."

...

On the south bank of the Niuxi River, Second Battalion Commander Bart Xialing unsheathed his sword: "The Civil Guard Officer thinks we’re inferior to the First Battalion, assigning us a feint attack! Today, we must prove that—Blood Wolf isn’t always right!"

"Beat the drums!" Bart Xialing shouted, "Advance!"

Small drums sounded in unison, the rapid drumming resonating through the valley, like rolling thunder.

Second Battalion soldiers bore crude siege ladders and supports, surmounting the dike, shouting as they charged towards the high walls of Green Valley Town.

...

On the north bank of the Niuxi River, a nervous Monkey clutched his sword’s hilt behind a field ridge, repeating neurotically, "It’s almost our turn! It’s almost our turn!"

Lu Xirong went along inspecting helmets and armor of the soldiers under his command, but when he reached Monkey’s side, he initially intended to reprimand but held back, raising a hand towards Monkey. Monkey instinctively shrank his neck in avoidance.

Yet Lu Xirong merely tapped Monkey’s plank breastplate, "You’re a squad leader now, set an example for your tent-mates, they’re all counting on you."

Monkey turned to see his comrades eagerly watching him, especially Pako, who despite his burly frame, had eyes full of terror, past battle memories evidently still haunting him.

Monkey gritted his teeth, nodded.

"Boom!"

A cannon shot rang out.

A small figure leaped from behind the ridge: "That...that..."

The short interim company commander struggled for a long moment, finally bellowing like a beast, "Follow me!"

With those words, he was the first to dash towards the northern gate of Green Valley Town.

Behind him, soldiers surged over the ridge like a tide, pouring toward the central valley’s green-walled, red-tiled town.

Likewise pent-up, the loud cannons finally roared with satisfaction, ripping apart Green Valley Town’s towers.

...

The battle for Green Valley Town ended before nightfall.

When Peter Buniel led his men to blow open the north gate, entering the southern part of town, they were surprised to find that friendly forces had already cleared the guards atop the high walls, busily rounding up prisoners in uproar.

The "honorary officer" left in Green Valley Town was immediately escorted to Winters’ command center.

After a brief interrogation, Winters and Mason exchanged glances, finding the situation both amusing and exasperating.

As it turned out, Green Valley Town was guarded by only two squads of soldiers, and long before the troops moved out, Sanel and Chloe had decided on a supply transport plan using the river, greatly reducing the importance of the land supply line.

The "honorary officer" defending Green Valley Town knew he commanded insufficient forces and that his defensive position was particularly perilous.

Resourceful, he quickly made over a dozen flags, feigning to have the strength of two large units garrisoning the town, hoping to deter any attackers.

Then, in came Winters Montagne.

"Spare me! My lord! Mercy!" The "honorary officer" knelt in disgrace, tears streaming as he begged, "I don’t want to die! I don’t want to die! Have pity, sir!"

Andre, growing angrier the more he looked at the captured officer, kicked him, "Crying, crying! Do you even deserve to be called a soldier?"

The captured officer wept even more fiercely, "I just bought an officer’s title, never expected to fight a real war! Waaah!"

Andre shouted in anger and stormed off—to relieve Colonel Seber.

Mason felt equally helpless, lifting the captured officer and dusting off his clothes, "Alas, if only you’d not resorted to these tricks, I could have saved some cannonballs."

Winters sighed but objectively praised the captive, "Even if just wasting our time, you performed your duty to the best of your ability. Well done, stop crying."

The captured officer wiped his tears, revealing a still youthful face, sniffling as he asked, "Sir, who exactly are you?"

Mason, clearing his throat, preempted Winters with a smile, "This is Winters Montagne—Blood of the Wolf."

With those words, the captured "honorary officer" burst into tears again.

Senior Mason couldn’t hold back his laughter.

Winters motioned for Heinrich to watch the captive, summoned Xial and scribe Jacob Green, dictating orders concerning reception of supplies and city defense, instructing Xial to personally deliver them to Tamas and Bart Xialing.

Throughout Winters’ dictation, Jacob kept sneaking glances at the wailing officer.

Waiting until the cries softened, he returned to the captive’s side.

Having reached his limit, Winters calmly patted the captive’s shoulder, saying, "Since you know who I am, I’ll spare words. I ask, you answer. Lie, you die; tell the truth, you live."

The captured officer nodded vigorously.

"Name."

"Daniel."

"Surname."

"Meser."

"Origin."

"Maplestone City."

Distant hoofbeats approached, drawing nearer. Winters glanced in their direction and nonchalantly asked the captive, "Tell me something I don’t know."

The captive officer hesitated.

Seeing Pierre approaching, Winters relaxed, turning back with a look at the officer.

The captive officer Meser Daniel shivered, hurriedly responding, "I have a sister! A beauty!"

Nearby guards couldn’t help but laugh.

Winters resisted the urge to slap the young man, coldly demanded, "Military intelligence!"

Meser Daniel thought hard for a moment, suddenly shouting, "Reinforcements have arrived!"

As Meser Daniel racked his brains, Pierre arrived at the command center.

Dismounting smoothly, he sprinted over to Winters, whispering, "Centurion, reinforcements have arrived!"

"Reinforcements from where?" Winters furrowed his brow.

Pierre answered calmly, "Maplestone City."

"Kingsfort!" Meser Daniel exclaimed hurriedly.