World-Ending Demon Emperor
Chapter 1103: Rules of Honor in Barbaric Skirmish

Chapter 1103: Rules of Honor in Barbaric Skirmish

This is a skirmish!

In the Barbaric Wilderness, there are many unwritten rules when it comes to tribal wars.

For instance, this time, since the Chimera Tribe and the Wild Horse Tribe are contesting the Falling Horse Mountain Range, it was agreed they would fight on open ground and not have the Wild Horse Tribe defending their home while the Chimera Tribe declares war.

If a tribe’s headquarters were attacked, it would immediately transition into a conquest war.

The battlefield is located in a valley near the Falling Horse Mountain Range—relatively open terrain with enough space for combat.

The Wild Horse Tribe has an army of ten thousand while the Chimera Tribe has eight thousand.

In terms of numbers, the Wild Horse Tribe holds the advantage.

Furthermore, the Wild Horse Tribe has already set up camp, giving them an even greater edge.

According to the Human Kingdom’s rules of war and cold weapon tactics, the attacking force typically needs at least double the defenders’ manpower.

However, this is the Barbaric Wilderness. The so-called "encampment" of the Wild Horse Tribe is extremely crude—mere rows of wooden fences and some chevaux-de-frise.

Lanling observes the entire battlefield.

He discovers some intriguing aspects of warfare in the Barbaric Wilderness.

Firstly, whether in terms of weaponry or armor, the Barbarian Tribes are far less refined compared to the Human Kingdom.

Secondly, siege equipment is practically nonexistent—crossbows are rare, not to mention the precision-engineered large ballistae.

As for other siege tools, such as catapults, they are utterly absent.

Everything relies on manpower, alongside warhorses, and maybe a few dozen griffin beasts at best.

Yet Barbarian armies are far from incapable. For instance, the quality of their soldiers is extremely high.

An eight-thousand-strong force marched 150 li in a single day and night, even through rugged mountain paths.

In this alone, they far surpass the Human Kingdom’s forces.

Additionally, the Barbarian armies’ courage and fearlessness in the face of death far exceed that of the Human Kingdom.

Last night, while crossing a perilous mountain trail, dozens of soldiers fell to their deaths, but the marching troops pressed on, unfazed.

Although their obedience doesn’t reach the level of absolute discipline, the overall orderliness of the Barbarian army is still quite commendable.

Not to mention their individual combat skills, which are truly exceptional.

It’s reminiscent of ancient China when the Xiongnu and other nomadic peoples—while primitive and backward in societal productivity—were extraordinarily skilled in battle.

...

After the Chimera Tribe’s eight-thousand-strong force arrived on the battlefield, the Wild Horse Tribe, already prepared and waiting, didn’t immediately engage. They waited for the Chimera Tribe to form up their own formations.

This, too, is one of the unwritten rules of war.

You wait until both sides have fully prepared and arrayed their troops before launching the attack.

It appears civilized, reminiscent of the battles between vassal states during China’s Spring and Autumn period.

But this isn’t civilization—just an unwritten rule.

Today, such rules might protect the enemy; tomorrow, they might protect oneself.

When the battle truly begins, one will realize it has nothing to do with civilization. The bloodiness of wars between Barbarian Tribes far surpasses that of the Human Kingdom.

In the Human Kingdom, once a structured force suffers 30% casualties during a skirmish, the battle typically ends.

But in the Barbarian Tribes, once warfare begins, it truly doesn’t stop until one side completely surrenders or flees.

After Chief Constantine led his forces onto the field, he immediately began studying the enemy’s formation.

The Wild Horse Tribe’s formation appeared simple. Six thousand main forces positioned in the valley’s center, with four thousand cavalry deployed on the slopes of the flanking hills.

Though simple, the formation was highly practical.

The Wild Horse Tribe earned their name due to their abundance of cavalry.

The Chimera Tribe had a mere two thousand cavalry, while the Wild Horse Tribe boasted a full four thousand, stationed high on the flanking slopes.

The cavalry held the high ground, and when the charge began, the sheer speed and power of the warhorses would hit like an unstoppable force, completely overwhelming resistance.

This battle won’t be easy—not even close to easy!

In terms of individual combat ability, the Chimera Tribe’s soldiers were slightly superior.

However, the Wild Horse Tribe outnumbered them by two thousand and commanded a staggering four thousand cavalry.

Should they attempt to attack the Wild Horse Tribe’s main force in the valley, there’s a high risk of being flanked by the enemy’s cavalry from both wings, potentially leading to total annihilation.

If they target the cavalry on the wings instead, they will face downhill cavalry forces, an inherently disadvantageous position.

In summary, regardless of whether they attack the main force or the flanking cavalry, the Chimera Tribe risks falling into dire straits!

Thus, it seems the Chimera Tribe faces a far greater likelihood of defeat.

...

Back in the Human Kingdom, even when commanding battles with hundreds of thousands of troops, Lanling always served as the supreme commander.

Yet in this skirmish involving fewer than twenty thousand fighters, he holds no decision-making power whatsoever.

He is merely a deputy centurion in the Foreign Tribe Army, without even a single soldier under his direct command—his sole role is to obey orders.

Constantine showed no urgency to engage in battle. After surveying the battlefield, he retreated two li and set up camp.

To boost morale, he even held a bonfire gathering that evening.

Every soldier received three taels of wine, eight taels of meat, and some flatbread—a hefty meal to sate their hunger.

Then came endless verbal insults hurled at the Wild Horse Tribe, boosting morale further.

Of course, the Wild Horse Tribe was doing the exact same thing—hosting bonfire feasts filled with drinking, eating, and cursing at their opponents.

As for night raids? It’s too dark!

Fire attacks?

Let’s not kid ourselves. The nearby Falling Horse Mountain Range is filled with boundless forests teeming with beasts of all kinds.

The very purpose of this battle is to contest this hunting ground. Torch it to ashes, and the offending side becomes the sworn enemy of the entire Barbaric Wilderness.

During the bonfire festivities, Chief Constantine’s daughter, Nini’an, became the star of the evening.