War Begins to Stir

Over the past few days, the Duchy's Main Force had been carrying out intensive strategic preparations. The cavalry commander was Count Meredith, whose family held primary control over the Duchy's cavalry forces and enjoyed Tananst VIII's deep trust. The Infantry Regiment was led by Count Hugh Pierre. The Pierre Family was an old-established family of the Duchy, and their Black Armor Infantry Regiment was renowned throughout the land, widely feared for its fearless fighting spirit and formidable defenses.

Count Meredith personally issued orders to the Logistics Regiment, requiring them to destroy all the trees in the middle of the mountains before the war began, ensuring an open battlefield and tactical flexibility. He would explain the specific measures and arrangements in greater detail at the coming strategy meeting.

After discussing the matter with Count Hugh Pierre, Meredith decided to divide the Cavalry Regiment into three groups, forming a pocket-style assault formation. The deployment was as follows: one group at the front, with one group on each flank. The frontal group would charge first, creating the initial wave of attack. The cavalry on the left and right would follow closely behind, circling around from both wings to launch flanking attacks and ensure the enemy was caught in a pincer movement.

Meredith explained the tactic in detail. "We must use the cavalry's speed and impact to swiftly disrupt the Demons' formation. The frontal charge will open a breach, while the flanking attacks from both sides will trap the enemy in the center with no way to escape."

Count Hugh Pierre added, "The Infantry Regiment will follow behind the cavalry and launch supplementary attacks. Our Black Armor Infantry Regiment will provide solid support, ensuring that the cavalry can complete their mission smoothly. Every infantryman must remain alert and be ready to deal with any unexpected situation at any time."

With the tactics decided, the various squads began detailed task assignments and drills. Meredith personally led the cavalry through tactical simulations, ensuring every cavalryman understood and could accurately carry out his orders. Under his command, they conducted charge drill after charge drill, repeatedly simulating situations from real combat from different directions and angles to ensure every detail of the plan had been fully considered.

At the same time, Count Hugh Pierre conducted tactical drills within the Infantry Regiment. They simulated how the infantry would swiftly follow up after the cavalry broke through the enemy lines, and how they would use the terrain and their tactical advantages to launch supplementary attacks. Every infantryman had to remember his position and task, ensuring that he could react quickly in battle and coordinate with the cavalry's attacks.

The Logistics Regiment was assigned to scatter a black powder through the woods. Ang felt that it was likely some kind of accelerant. He could also vaguely sense the energy contained within it; with only a spark, it could erupt into fierce flames. His intuition was soon proven right. Wind blew through the forest, heading toward the Demons.

As the wind strengthened, Meredith swiftly gave the order to set the forest ablaze. Members of the Logistics Regiment lit the torches they had prepared and hurled them onto the ground covered in black powder. Flames burst up in an instant, as though guided by some mysterious force, and rapidly spread.

Standing in the distance, Ang felt a fierce wave of heat rush toward him. He watched the black powder burn violently in the flames, giving off searing light and thick black smoke. Driven by the wind, the fire spread rapidly toward the Demons, and the entire forest seemed to turn into a sea of flames.

The Demons on the other side of the woods were forced back step by step by the sudden smoke and heat. The smoke obscured their vision, shrouding the entire forest in ash-gray darkness. The Foul Spirit Scouts hidden in the woods were soon forced to reveal themselves. Some Demons that failed to retreat in time were swallowed by the blazing flames, and screams rose one after another.

The flames spread wildly, racing across the ground covered in black powder and forming an impassable wall of fire. The heat was so intense that even the air warped.

The Cavalry Regiment and Infantry Regiment advanced slowly along the path left by the flames. The burned wreckage on the ground still radiated residual heat, and every step brought the heat of the earth through their boots. Thick smoke filled the air, blocking the Demons' vision, and they had yet to notice the human forces following behind the fire. The trees in the mountains were swiftly burned away, exposing open terrain.

The Demons' camp was shrouded in thick smoke and thrown into chaos, still unable to recover from the sudden fire attack. Meredith immediately seized the opportunity and ordered the Cavalry Regiment to charge. The frontal cavalry group charged first, its tremendous impact instantly scattering the Demons' formation. The cavalry on both sides then closed in, encircling them from the wings and thoroughly disrupting their ranks. After three fierce waves of impact, the Demons were scattered in all directions and routed beyond recognition.

However, when the cavalry turned back and charged again, the Demons, though scattered, gradually began adapting to the cavalry's attacks, and their resistance became more tenacious. The cavalry's second assault was still unstoppable, but it failed to deal a decisive blow to the Demons, merely further dispersing their formation.

After the cavalry swiftly returned behind the infantry line, the Infantry Regiment stood ready. Every infantryman drew the massive black sword at his waist, their armor gleaming with a cold light under the firelight. At Count Hugh Pierre's command, the Infantry Regiment surged toward the Demons like a tidal wave, launching a fierce attack. Black greatswords carved cold flashes through the air, and the infantry's assault fell like a violent storm, crushing the Demons until they had nowhere to flee.

Ang stood atop the Lookout Tower in the camp, staring fixedly at the distant battlefield with his nerves drawn taut. The opening ambush had caught the Demons off guard, and the Infantry Regiment seized the chance, using the power of their black greatswords to swiftly cut down many Demons. Some Demons misjudged the timing of battle and were directly slain by the infantry soldiers. However, as time passed, the Demons gradually began to adapt to the rhythm of the battlefield.

The Demons swiftly adjusted their tactics and began blocking and counterattacking effectively, and the Infantry Regiment's soldiers gradually began to feel the pressure. The sounds of slaughter rose across the battlefield, the warriors' battle cries intertwining with the Demons' roars in a tense and brutal atmosphere. Casualties gradually appeared within the Infantry Regiment. Some soldiers were torn apart by the Demons' sharp claws, their blood splashing across the battlefield.

Seeing the Infantry Regiment begin to suffer losses, Meredith decisively ordered the cavalry to launch harassing attacks along the edges of the battlefield. The cavalrymen swiftly answered the command, moving nimbly around the battlefield's outskirts and constantly launching rapid surprise attacks to disrupt the Demons' formation. The Demons had no choice but to divide their attention between facing the infantry's frontal attack and guarding against the cavalry's raids, placing them in a difficult position.

The cavalry's harassing attacks bought the infantry precious time to catch their breath. Taking the opportunity, the infantry adjusted their formation and reorganized their assault. The Infantry Regiment's soldiers steadied themselves while launching a new offensive, their black greatswords swinging once more as they struck at the Demons with the fury of vengeance. Ang watched from the Lookout Tower, his heart surging. He understood that although this battle was difficult, hope of victory still remained.

As the cavalry continued their harassment and the infantry pressed forward with all their strength, the Demons' resistance gradually loosened. Meredith and Count Hugh Pierre worked in close coordination, directing their respective forces forward in an orderly advance. Watching the human forces gradually gain the upper hand, Ang finally let out a breath of relief. His clenched hands relaxed as well. Ang knew that the first battle was likely secured, and that it would be a tremendous encouragement for the battles to come.

Under their commander's direction, the Demons fought while retreating, attempting to draw the battle into terrain more favorable to them. Meredith noticed this and immediately ordered the troops to advance steadily and not pursue rashly, lest they encounter an unpredictable attack. Upon receiving the order, the Infantry Regiment's soldiers acted as instructed, maintaining a solid formation as they advanced step by step.

The Infantry Regiment's soldiers spontaneously formed small groups and launched organized attacks against the retreating Demons. Since the Demons were falling back, those at the rear received no effective support and were quickly slain by the infantry soldiers. The infantrymen used their black greatswords to eliminate these isolated Demons one by one, and the battle gradually turned in humanity's favor.

Meredith noticed that under their commander's direction, the Demons were retreating in perfect order while maintaining an intact formation. Although the human soldiers had gained a certain advantage in battle, the Demons' orderly withdrawal showed that they still possessed formidable fighting strength. Seeing that further pursuit could no longer deal an effective blow to them, Meredith decisively ordered the Infantry Regiment to begin withdrawing.

The Infantry Regiment's soldiers withdrew in an orderly manner for one gonte, ensuring that the entire formation remained free of chaos during the retreat. Meredith then ordered the Logistics Regiment to follow and assist the Infantry Regiment in building defensive fortifications at the new position. The members of the Logistics Regiment immediately sprang into action, constructing defensive installations according to their commanders' instructions.

Ang and the other members of the Logistics Regiment busily dug trenches, erected wooden barricades, and reinforced the existing defensive structures. The entire process was orderly and highly efficient. Though the task was arduous, everyone understood the importance of the fortifications, and all of them gave it their all.

After a period of intense work, the new defensive position gradually took shape. Meredith made a round of inspection and expressed satisfaction with the Logistics Regiment's performance. He knew that these fortifications would provide an important barrier for the coming battles, allowing the infantry and cavalry to continue fighting in a relatively safe environment. The defensive line would also buffer the Demons' attacks and protect the camp behind them.