CHAPTER 567: CHAPTER 545: THE FOOLS OF SHATTERED STONE PLAIN

Politics is war without bloodshed; war is politics with bloodshed.

All wars serve political goals and are not fought for the sake of war itself.

Why to fight, and until when, these questions must be considered before launching a war.

These were words that Horn once said to Moliat.

Although Moliat was beside Horn in the form of a sister or daughter at the time, she learned far more than she imagined.

Astronomy, geography, military, politics, how to divide people, how to establish organizations, how to clarify internal relationships...

Some of his experiences even made Moliat wonder if he was born to rise up.

It’s worth noting that she couldn’t find any books that offered similar references to Horn’s experiences.

Either Horn deduced them himself, or he was born with them.

Now, when she thinks back, she can’t help but wonder if Horn Papa was really possessed by some Angel?

After all, how could he learn these things as an unknown accounting apprentice?

But Moliat knew that was impossible; the Church would never tolerate another Angel escaping from their grasp, especially one standing on the opposite side.

Unlike the spring breeze felt on Vine’s side, High Tower Mountains at the border of Shangruifo County blocked the spread of spring.

The weather in Shangruifo County strangely dropped in temperature after spring began, almost reaching the level of approaching winter.

When Moliat’s horse hooves stepped on the muddy road, the snow by the roadside hadn’t completely melted.

Amidst the dry branches and scattered snow patches, nearly ten thousand foot and mounted troops marched beside the foaming Honey River.

This place is already Tree Hedge Village, Horn’s hometown.

The Red Mill Village they just passed was the birthplace of Saint’s Grandson Horn.

If the marching speed remains unchanged, they are very likely to camp at High Castle ahead.

A small Red Mill Village not only produced two heroic figures, Horn and Jeanne.

But also exceptional talents like Jeska, Dass, Mengse, and Busak, and a host of young geniuses like Armand, René, and Duvalon.

If the scope expands to Tree Hedge Village, now among the Joan of Arc Castle’s court, there are seven positions, five of which are held by people from Tree Hedge Village.

Two battle groups, sixteen legions, ten of which have Legion Commanders from Tree Hedge Village.

Judging by the Salvation Army’s military and governance, these people are far from idle figures.

It’s hard to say if it’s the Salvation Army’s excellent talent cultivation system, or the exceptional nature of Tree Hedge Village.

However, even though the Salvation Army has so many talents, Moliat asks, does she lack them?

"How many days has Sentry Fort been surrounded?" Moliat suddenly asked Lannes beside her, while riding.

Lannes, riding a tall horse in shining plate armor, proudly accompanied the Duchess.

Who would have thought that over two years ago, Lannes, a coachman’s son, would become a Knight Commander of the guard cavalry?

This position was specifically designed by Moliat to cultivate talent.

Despite his humble origin, once Lannes became a Mountain Knight, he fought bravely, always leading the charge, quickly standing out in the army.

In the promotion system of the Duchy of Hemashi, the Duchess has never been stingy with rewards or punishments.

Thus he was promoted like a rocket, once only able to sit on a grain cart driving horses, now able to speak with the Duke.

Lannes respectfully lowered his head: "We are on our third day since departure; it’s been five days since Sentry Fort was surrounded."

Since receiving news of Sentry Fort’s siege, Moliat immediately set out with her troops, heading for Deer Horn Town.

Initially, after receiving news from Kasha County, she had been assembling troops to march south to assist Vine in attacking Deer Horn Town, to join forces with Horn as soon as possible.

However, just as preparations were complete, news of Sentry Fort’s siege arrived.

Thanks to the initial preparations, she didn’t need to assemble any further and set out the next day with 4,500 North Mangde Walking Knights, 1,000 defector knights, and over 2,000 accompanying serfs.

Those unaware might wonder why Moliat didn’t bring infantry with such an array.

But those familiar with mountain people know that Mountain Knights lack good horses, and so-called knights mostly ride donkeys or deploy as infantry.

It’s not that they can’t ride horses, but that horses are reserved for plowing at home.

Unless necessary, they are not taken out because if they die from disease or battle, the entire family would starve the following year.

Thus when in peak condition, they can seamlessly switch between infantry, cavalry, archers, and bow cavalry.

Moliat relied on these multifunctional cavalry to embarrass several Great Monarchs far stronger than herself in the previous war against Codfish Castle in the Norn Kingdom.

Moliat thus gained recognition and favor from the Great Monarchs of Norn.

Such are the Norn people.

In this uprising, Moliat used her territory as collateral to borrow over 200,000 pounds from various Norn Great Monarchs, not to mention the horses and armor given as aid.

This was for external help; internally, there were maneuvers and exploitation.

Without external loans and internal pressure, Moliat wouldn’t have this present army.

4,500 soldiers from North Mangde County, two-thirds of whom have warhorses, the remaining third have ordinary pack horses.

Half have three-quarters armor, the other half have chainmail or half armor, with an extraordinary rate of one hundred percent.

Each equipped with a 120-pound heavy bow, 50 armor-piercing arrows, 100 cone arrows, two bottles of Khan Potion, a donkey or riding horse.

Moliat has gambled everything, and what she wants is to join forces with the Salvation Army here, to annihilate Prince Kongdai besieging Sentry Fort in one move.

This year-and-a-half-long turmoil in the Thousand River Valley needs to end; according to messages from Norn Great Monarchs, the window period in the Thousand River Valley is soon closing.

Because the internal conflict in Leia is nearing its end.

The opposing noble side supporting Lu’el and Duke Nedbach brothers have pushed the battlefront to River Island region.

At most half a year, the royal succession civil war should end.

At most a year, the Leia people can quell internal chaos, then they will reach into the Thousand River Valley again.

Prince Kongdai can’t wait, and Moliat certainly can’t afford to wait.

"Accelerate the march." After hearing Lannes’ report, the Duchess’ unquestionable voice buzzed out from beneath the iron mask, "We must reach High Castle City by nightfall."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Under orders from knight officers at all levels, the previously slow-moving troop quickly picked up speed.

With determined strides, everyone clenched their teeth and marched swiftly forward.

Alongside the Honey River, crossing the Silver Mantis River, the downstream troops indeed reached High Castle City before nightfall.

After camping overnight, resupplying, and assembling local knights, the Female Grand Duke ordered the troops to gather and march again early the next morning.

But this time, as they hadn’t walked far from the city, around noon, the Female Grand Duke received an urgent dispatch rider from North Mangde County.

"Say it again?" Lannes clutched the messenger’s wrist, "What happened to the army at Shattered Stone Plain?"

"They say sheep have wandered over to us, and they want to bring people to search for them, but who looks for sheep with over ten thousand troops..." the dispatch rider said mournfully.

"Looking for sheep? Are you sure?"

"What does this mean, is it a threat? Or a diversion?"

"Could they really be moving south?"

The knights’ chaotic voices exploded instantly, and everyone discussed fervently.

"Stop speculating." Moliat’s calm voice emerged from behind the iron mask, "It’s just the idiots at Shattered Stone Plain getting involved."

Knight officers gathered around fell silent, with all eyes focused on the Female Grand Duke.

"Then we..."

"Ignore it, keep moving."

She tugged on the reins and was the first to continue forward, her voice remained calm, but her face beneath the iron mask was already extremely grim.