Chapter 55: Always ‘Caring’ About Allies
Judging from the current situation, Turt's proposal was highly likely to succeed, since the Heavy Hammer troops had been wiped out.
Although the Northern army was formidable, when facing equal numbers, there was no force left that could stand against the Holy Emblem Knights or the Wolf Cavalry Legion—at least not openly. Whether there were hidden forces remained unknown.
In the previous battle, the Holy Emblem Knights had suffered casualties, but after crushing the Heavy Hammer troops, their forces still numbered around 500,000.
As for Su Xiao's Wolf Cavalry Legion, their numbers were similar. If he were to clash head-on with Turt, using that trump card, he could annihilate the Holy Emblem Knights at the cost of 150,000 to 200,000 troops. The Holy Emblem Knights all had a final killing move—fully detonating the runes on their armor.
Fighting the Holy Emblem Knights head-on was unwise. Su Xiao also planned to attack Duoyin's Royal Capital, but without sufficient troops, he couldn't break in. The city guards of Duoyin's Royal Capital were no less elite than the Holy Emblem Knights.
Su Xiao was well aware that while he was pondering how to deal with the Holy Emblem Knights, Turt across from him was also scheming how to handle his Wolf Cavalry Legion.
"Attack the Northern main city?"
Su Xiao thought about what traps Turt might set. It was certain that before capturing Frost Winter City, there would be no conflict between the two sides. But after taking it, things would be different.
Su Xiao had three goals in the North: first, to reap benefits; second, to reduce Duoyin's military strength; and third, to see if the Void Tree fruit was in Frost Winter City—that is, in the hands of the Extreme Ice Lord.
Currently, the Northern and Duoyin armies were fully engaged on the frontlines, with reinforcements from both sides heading to the main battlefield.
Thus, the goal of tying down Duoyin's main forces was achieved. As for reducing their numbers, it wasn't necessary. When Su Xiao attacked Duoyin's Royal Capital, whether the soldiers on the main battlefield lived or died didn't matter. They couldn't return to reinforce the capital anytime soon.
Eliminating the Holy Emblem Knights was the top priority. Once this highly mobile cavalry force was wiped out, Su Xiao could advance on Duoyin's Royal Capital.
With this in mind, Su Xiao decided to join the Holy Emblem Knights in attacking Frost Winter City. This was the most effective and fastest way to execute his plan.
"Exactly. If we capture Frost Winter City together, the enemy will fall into chaos. Then the rear forces can launch a full assault on the North. After defeating the North, we can..."
"Then turn around and beat up the Chaos Legion?"
Baha suddenly interjected, leaving Turt speechless.
"Of course not. We are allies."
When Turt said the word "allies," his expression was serious. Betraying allies would bring a strong sense of guilt. But if you've just been stabbed in the back by an ally, betraying them carries no psychological burden—it's almost enjoyable.
"Yes, we are allies."
Baha's tone was extremely sincere. If not for the "Backstabbing Blade" still stuck in Turt's back, he might have actually believed it.
The Wolf Cavalry Legion plus the Holy Emblem Knights totaled nearly a million troops. These were elite forces, with individual combat power far surpassing ordinary soldiers.
Before clashing with the Heavy Hammer troops, Turt had tried to break through the Ice Wind Belt to launch a surprise attack on Frost Winter City in the rear.
Unfortunately, he couldn't get through. There were too many defensive lines along the way. If held up for even a moment, surrounding garrison forces would swarm in. Plus, the Heavy Hammer troops were still in the Ice Wind Belt at the time, so the Holy Emblem Knights dared not fully charge into the Northern rear—they'd get stabbed in the back by the Heavy Hammer troops.
Now, with the Wolf Cavalry Legion's support, it was a different story. Two elite forces charging together, and with the Heavy Hammer troops gone from the Ice Wind Belt, there was no need to worry about attacks from behind.
As long as they charged fast enough, it wasn't impossible to fight all the way to Frost Winter City. Upon arrival, one side would besiege the city while the other held the rear, blocking pursuing enemies and buying time for the siege force.
One side sieges, the other blocks. Who should do the sieging was a big question, because the siege force not only had to attack Frost Winter City—if the "allies" in the rear backstabbed them, the siege force would be caught in a pincer and annihilated in no time.
"Bai Ye, from the previous battle, it's clear the Wolf Cavalry Legion can definitely break Frost Winter City."
"Alright, my side will handle the siege."
Su Xiao tossed a Soul Crystal Fragment into his mouth and chewed slowly.
Hearing Su Xiao agree so readily, Turt's heart skipped a beat. He began to think about what he might have missed.
"Let's move out."
"Wait."
Turt smelled a conspiracy. He wouldn't fall into the same trap twice. When they ambushed the Heavy Hammer troops earlier, the other party had agreed just as readily. Therefore, there must be a trick.
"How about my side handles the siege, and you block the enemy?"
"That works too."
Su Xiao's reply was still straightforward. He already had a rough plan. If his side sieged and successfully broke Frost Winter City, he'd give Turt a big "gift."
If his side blocked the enemy, after Turt broke the city ahead, he'd surround the Holy Emblem Knights from behind.
Yes, Su Xiao's plan was that simple. Turt was good at schemes and strategy, but he wasn't an old schemer. Dealing with someone like him, the simplest method worked best—let him overthink and mislead himself.
"This..."
Turt stroked his chin, glanced at Su Xiao, and decided to go with the siege. After all, the blocking force in the rear could also be caught in a pincer. The formation would basically be:
Frost Winter City → Holy Emblem Knights → Wolf Cavalry Legion → Enemy Reinforcements.
Either way, both the Holy Emblem Knights and the Wolf Cavalry Legion would be sandwiched in the middle.
"Are you sure?"
"Sure."
Turt mounted his horse. When they charged out of the Ice Wind Belt, both forces would advance side by side, breaking through enemy lines until they reached the walls of Frost Winter City.
Turt's strategy was simple: when it came to sieges, no force on the continent was better than them.
The runes on the enemy walls were Duoyin's technology. Turt could destroy them in a short time. Once the runes were gone, the Holy Emblem Knights had many ways to breach the walls.
After breaking through, Turt would immediately lead his troops into the city, then seal the breach tightly, trapping the Wolf Cavalry Legion outside. With enemies on both sides, he could annihilate them in one fell swoop.
Su Xiao leaped onto the back of the Demon Flame Dragon Barbatos. As Barbatos took flight, the Wolf Cavalry Legion below began moving at high speed. Beside them was the Holy Emblem Knights. The two forces charged toward the rear of the Ice Wind Belt.
The army hadn't gone far when Su Xiao ordered a halt.
"What's wrong, Bai Ye?"
Turt's expression remained calm, but inside he was anxious. He had everything prepared. If the enemy didn't go and just blocked the supply convoy here, the joke would be on him. Blocking the supply convoy was just an excuse.
The North had three secret supply convoys that Duoyin had never found—those were the main transport routes. Cutting off the North's supplies wasn't that easy.
"We've completely wiped out the Heavy Hammer troops. 15 million Imperial Gold Coins, 15,000 Holy Silver Coins."
"Huh?"
Turt looked confused, not understanding what Su Xiao meant. After the bruised and swollen Chief Physician Off whispered a few words to him, he understood.
"Bai Ye, the reward will be given after the war..."
"Then goodbye."
Su Xiao on the dragon's back gave the order, and the entire army began to retreat.
"?"
Under Turt's stunned gaze, the Wolf Cavalry Legion really did start withdrawing, heading back toward the main battlefield.
Turt was dumbfounded. He exchanged glances with Off, while nearby officers urgently contacted the Duoyin forces in the rear, eventually reaching Diplomat Difton.
After an emergency communication via runes, Diplomat Difton in the rear quickly sent 15 million Imperial Gold Coins and 15,000 Holy Silver Coins to the Wolf Cavalry's camp, where 100,000 Wolf Cavalry were stationed.
On the dragon's back, Su Xiao waited for a notification from Reincarnation Paradise. As long as the Wolf Cavalry in the rear received the payment, he'd get a prompt, similar to seizing loot.
[Notification: You have obtained ownership of 15,000 Holy Silver Coins (Not yet claimed).]
With the payment in hand, Su Xiao ordered the army to turn back. Soon, he saw Turt in the wind and snow.
"What are you standing around for? Let's go attack Frost Winter City."
Baha's attitude had warmed considerably—after all, they'd just been paid. Duoyin was incredibly wealthy.
The two armies set off again, ignoring any reconnaissance or logistics units they encountered, rushing at full speed toward the far rear of the North.
...
Within Duoyin's territory, the Royal Capital, nighttime palace.
In the palace's fourth underground level, a floor known only to the King of Duoyin and no one else.
In a thousand-square-meter empty room, accessible only by a single elevator, the walls were covered in runic patterns. At the center of the room was a stone platform.
At the very center of the platform was a one-meter-high rock protrusion, on which sat a wooden box, emitting a unique fluctuation.
Braziers lined the edges of the room, their flames burning year-round.
Gears turned with a faint clicking sound as the elevator in the corner descended. A figure in a top hat stepped out.
The figure took a ring from his pocket and put it on his index finger before striding forward. He soon reached the stone platform and looked at the wooden box.
"What is this? Something the King of Duoyin cares about so much?"
Grey Gentleman examined the box from all angles. He could sense that touching it recklessly would bring great danger.
"This is an object from the outer world."
An aged voice came from behind. At some point, the King of Duoyin, seated on a wooden wheelchair, had appeared in this underground room.
"An object from the outer world?"
Grey Gentleman wasn't nervous. The current situation was easy to resolve—just fight his way out.
"Yes, just like you, from the outer world."
The King of Duoyin said this with a smile on his aged face.
"Old man, you know too much. To avoid giving Reincarnation Paradise a reason to execute me, I'll have to get rid of you."
Grey Gentleman took off his top hat, a faint smile on his face.
"If you can, then come."
The King of Duoyin stood up from his wheelchair, and flames began to flicker across his body.