Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters
Chapter 1192 - 23 The Great Alliance Moves Forward (8)_4

Chapter 1192: Chapter 23 The Great Alliance Moves Forward (8)_4

As for the New Army, in order to ensure that the cavalry units each have multiple horses, many light cavalry even had to give up their mounts and temporarily fight as infantry; and the packhorses allocated to the infantry had long been recalled, partly taken by Mason, with the remainder redistributed to the cavalry as spare horses.

Currently, the New Army of Iron Peak County has effectively been divided into three parts:

Mason’s detachment, which departed early with the only four cannons and most of the supplies;

Andre’s and Seber’s detachment, where everyone has multiple horses;

And Montaigne’s detachment, which has almost become pure infantry.

On the north shore of the Niuxi River, beneath Yunque Mountain, Winters was making his final mobilization to the entire army. He stood on a large rock, the firelight of the Green Valley casting shadows on his face, making his features flicker between light and darkness.

The soldiers of the four New Army battalions stood before Winters in four square formations, their faces also flickering with the changes of the firelight, but their eyes were bright.

"Warriors," Winters’ voice was clear and stern, telling his soldiers bluntly about the critical situation the allied forces currently faced:

"Due to the arrival of reinforcements from the puppet government, our forces no longer have the advantage in manpower on either the northern or southern fronts. Those you repelled today are only a small part of the enemy. On the other side of Yunque Mountain, the enemy’s main force has already encountered the main force led by Colonel Bod."

"The puppet government’s plan is simple; their large army is like a pincer, advancing on us from the north and south, attempting to crush us like an insect caught between the mountain and the lake."

"However, they made one mistake—they underestimated us. Their pincer movement has given us the advantage of interior lines warfare."

"Now, we have already broken one arm of the enemy’s pincer. We only need to break the other arm, and this seemingly unstoppable pincer will collapse completely."

Saying this, Winters paused for a moment, looking at the soldiers gazing up at him, and in his mind, shredded the draft that Jacob Green had prepared for him.

He no longer spoke of tactics, strategies, or the gambits between the two armies, nor the ornate words his staff had written for him.

He looked into the soldiers’ eyes, his expression both sorrowful and resolute.

"You have just achieved a remarkable victory today," he said. "You deserve to enjoy the glory and joy brought by victory, you have the right to drink, laugh, and sing."

"But not tonight. Tonight, I must once again lead you on the march. Because on the other side of Yunque Mountain, at Snake Swamp, there is another victory that needs you to achieve it."

"If we cannot win that victory, our victory at this moment is merely an illusion; if we cannot win that victory, only inevitable destruction awaits us."

Winters raised his hand, pointing to the still-burning Green Valley:

"For that victory, we have set half of Green Valley to the torch."

"For that victory, we will burn the other half of Green Valley."

"For that victory, we allowed the enemy that could have been caught in one swoop to slip away from our grasp."

"For that victory, we abandoned the chance to capture the capital of the Newly Reclaimed Land."

Winters clenched his fist tightly, his shout piercing the clouds, echoing through the heavens:

"Because that is a victory concerning our survival!"

"Because it is a victory deciding the fate of this land!"

"Because it is a victory that can put an end to all the suffering and war in the Newly Reclaimed Land!"

The ranks of the New Army were silent, only the crackling of burning wood and the sound of the soldiers’ breathing could be heard.

"Follow me!" Winters took one last look at Green Valley, gave the order to march: "Go and seize it!"

...

[The next day]

At some unknown time in the middle of the night, the sound of hoofbeats outside the barn disappeared.

At dawn, Lieutenant Idaar was urged to depart by Major Felter. So, flying a white flag, the lieutenant reluctantly rode off toward Green Valley.

Major Felter, of course, had no intention of surrendering, but he was unwilling to give up the rare opportunity to look into the situation in Green Valley.

The unnamed little farm where Felter’s remnant troops were located could not possibly provide them with supplies. Lieutenant Namet dug everywhere, only to find very little to eat.

The entire two years of turmoil had taught the farmers to act like squirrels, digging burrows and secret cellars everywhere, and no one would be foolish enough to store grain in their homes anymore. Not to mention that it was the lean season, and the farmers didn’t have much surplus in their hands to begin with.

Though hope was slim, Major Felter still wanted to see if he could negotiate a "decent truce."

If not, Major Felter would only have to resort to the backup plan—the good habit of academy-trained officers—to burn the ships and fight to the death.

Thus, while Major Felter anxiously awaited and devoutly prayed for Lieutenant Idaar to return safely, Lieutenant Namet was preparing the final meal for the soldiers with all the food found.

An hour after departure, Lieutenant Idaar returned.

He brought both bad news and good news to the overjoyed Major Felter.

The bad news was that he didn’t meet his senior, Montaigne, and thus couldn’t present the request for a "decent truce";

The good news was—Green Valley Town is now an empty city, the rebels had retreated overnight, leaving no one behind.

"They... the rebels." Lieutenant Idaar looked bewildered: "Even left the prisoners behind."

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