Chapter 452 (1/2)

Chapter 452: The Unification

Translator: TransN Editor: TransN

The rebelling nobles were powerless against the First Army, and it only took a round of firing in every confrontation to decide the victor. The First Army didn’t even need to change cartridges before their enemies dispersed and ran away with their tails between their legs. Moreover, the enemies usually didn’t even put up a fight, and the First Army only had to pursue and capture them.

Iron Axe cleared through one territory per day and quickly conquered the regions governed by the Elk, Wolf, and Wild Rose families. However, when the troops reached the Maple Leaf territory, they began slowing down.

They encountered some unexpected issues.

“Damn it. This is no different from Stronghold.” Brian stared at the Earl’s looming castle and spat angrily. “It’s protected by a moat!”

“Was anyone hurt in the past round of attacks?” asked Iron Axe coldly.

“Two unlucky men were wounded, one in the arm and the other in the back while retreating, but it doesn’t seem serious,” said Brian, frowning. “The soldiers were at a great disadvantage because they were shooting upwards from the ground, so even if the enemies only had bows and bolts, they could still contend with us.”

Iron Axe knew that Brian was right. No one had expected the Earl of the Maple Leaf Family to have a castle built like a tower which was supported by mountains and cliffs. The streams from the Impassable Mountain Range were led into a five-meter-wide ditch that formed a small moat surrounding the castle. Since the water was constantly flowing, although there were blocks of floating ice and snow, the moat was not frozen solid. The gate was the only entrance into the tower, so in order to reach it, they had to cross the bridge, where the enemy’s force was most concentrated.

There were no concealments around the Earl’s castle, only plains of snow, so standing on the higher ground made up for the enemies’ disadvantage of using crossbow bolts. After two rounds of probing attacks, the First Army only shot down three or four people and suffered many casualties themselves.

“I wish we’d brought cannons with us,” said Brian bitterly. “If we shot a few cannonballs at their gate, they would surrender in no time.”

“It’s too bad that the troops can’t bring them here because it’s too far from Stronghold, and the snow’s too deep.” Iron Axe glanced at the sky. “Let’s call it a day and arrange for the troops to set up camp.”

The territory of the Maple Leaf Family was northwest of Longsong Stronghold, next to Impassable Mountain Range, and it lay on the border of the Western Region. Simply walking here took almost a day, and the uncleared snow on the paths made it impossible to transport a 12-pound field artillery.

According to reports, the Maple Leaf Family barely contributed to the rebellion, and even the Earl himself didn’t participate. This meant that their resources and power were all intact and stored in this guarded tower, making it very difficult to deal with without siege weapons.

At night, bonfires were lit in the camp’s tents.

“What should we do tomorrow?” Brian asked, tossing wood into the fire pit. “Order the soldiers to rush against the rain of arrows? As long as we can blast through that damn steel door, they’re done for.”

“But the First Army would also lose dozens of soldiers.” Iron Axe shook his head and didn’t answer. If he were still in the Iron Sand City, he would gladly sacrifice hundreds of soldiers to complete his mission without feeling regretful. However, after he came to the Western Region, he felt somewhat protective of the soldiers whom he watched improve and whom His Highness Roland put so much effort into.

After a long pause, he sighed. “Let’s use the witches.”

Brian was shocked. “The witches?”

Iron Axe didn’t want to do this either. He remembered the prince had once told him that a decent army should be able to complete its mission independently at all times. However, this was not important at the moment. In order to reach their goal of uniting the Western Region in a week and to minimize casualties, he was willing to give up his pride.

Also, His Highness also said that a good general accounted for his soldiers’ lives.