Lion Knight Order came with Malbert this time with a lot of people, about 800 people, including more than a hundred Lion Knight, and the others were Lion Retainers.
This is more than the total strength of White Deer Fortress plus Wheat Fragrance Territory.
Moreover, the Lion Knights were fully armed with one person and two horses, and they seemed to be carrying out combat missions that required long distances.
Obviously, this is to prevent Li Ang from jumping over the wall and leading troops to rebel.
King Ulrich obviously takes this matter very seriously.
But Malbert himself is not Lion Knight, and he doesn't have much communication with these Lion Knight. He is probably the team leader only because of his father's relationship.
This second-generation high-ranking official didn't even wear a knight's armor. He was wearing a gorgeous set of noble half-sleeved leather armor - this was a summer outfit, not for going to the battlefield, but for hunting. It was short-sleeved and cooler.
Even the horses are all black, unarmored, thoroughbred hunting horses. These are very expensive racehorses and are generally not used on battlefields, let alone for long distances.
Whether it was his appearance or his appearance, it didn't look like he was leading people to capture traitors, but more like he was on a sightseeing trip or hunting.
This made the lord feel very strange - Malbert's outfit did not support him going to Lion City at all. He didn't even bring any belongings with him.
It's unlikely that a young man from a duke's family would share a tent with Lion Knights at night, right?
Unless he has any special hobbies...
But even so, you will always bring some followers, right?
Malbert didn't bring a follower...
So what is his intention?
Did he want to deal with himself before dark?
Lord Malbert took Lion Knight Order and escorted - or escorted Li Ang to the vicinity of Trublen.
This is the temporary residence of Owl Knight Order.
After the last battle, Li Ang gave this place to the night owls. Anyway, no lord will come to claim this empty village for a while - this is the property of Madam Bella, and Madam Bella is now in the prison of Lion City, and will probably never be released in this life.
Malbert suddenly came to Li Ang at this time and whispered, "You should know that owl, right? They may be able to take you to escape..."
The lord's heart suddenly became cold.
Malbert knows Owl Knight Order is here!
He also knew that he knew the group leader Ols...
He also hinted that he could use Owl Knight Order's ability to escape?
But Malbert is this out of good intentions?
No... out of good intentions, I would not have read the letter in the first place, but would have returned it to its original owner.
This must be a lie to myself...
Owl Knight Order may indeed be able to take him away, but if he does run away, he will be absconding in fear of crime, and he will basically be charged with treason!
With the way Ols guy thinks, he will definitely not protect himself.
Moreover, in order to protect the survival of Owl Knight Order, if Ols is sure that he will be considered a traitor, he will probably report himself...
Malbert... Do you want to kill yourself here?
But why?
Duke Brennus has no grudge against me, that's not the case!
Just as I was thinking about it, several owl calls of "hoooohoooo" were heard.
No, Li Ang realized that Malbert didn't want to kill him.
This is the whistle of Owl Knight Order. With the ability of night owls, they should have discovered Lion Knight Order's team long ago. Malbert must also know this.
He didn't want to kill anyone, but he had other intentions.
But what is he going to do?
Li Ang glanced at Malbert and felt that this guy Malbert was obviously an actor - he actually had a worried look on his face, as if he was really worried about Li Ang.
"Lord Malbert, what are you talking about? What is capable of escaping?"
The lord decided to play dumb.
"Oh, it's nothing. I seem to have seen a night owl flying past. It's better to have wings. It can escape the pursuit of most enemies..."
Malbert also started to show off his acting skills, pretending to be stupider than the lord.
"But it's daytime now... Okay, Lord Malbert is probably too tired to be dizzy. How about we go to that village to rest for a while?"
Li Ang was a little unsure of Malbert's intentions, so he simply went into the village and gave it a try.
"Yeah, okay, okay, I'm really a little tired."
Malbert smiled shyly and rode towards the village.
Li Ang frowned behind him.
What does this guy want to do?
But no matter what, if there is Owl Knight Order in the village, he will definitely not kill anyone.
And since Owl Knight Order knows Ryman, he will naturally know some people in Lion Knight, and there should be no conflict between the two knights.
"Your Excellency Lord Li Ang, Malbert! I saw you guys coming from a distance. Where are you going? Are you on official business?"
As soon as he entered the village, Ols greeted him. He had indeed known that this team was coming.
"Ols Your Excellency, you actually know me..."
Malbert also looked a little surprised.
"There is no other way. Only by getting to know more people can you save your life... Do you and Lord Li Ang want to take a break? Why not go sit in the house..."
Ols is obviously a smart guy, and he noticed at a glance that something was not normal - Li Ang never goes out alone.
So he politely led Malbert and Li Ang into a stone house, then turned to greet Lion Knight and ran very fast.
Probably because I'm afraid that if I stay a second longer, I'll find out something I shouldn't know...
Li Ang looked back, but Lion Knight didn't follow up.
Lord Malbert smiled at Li Ang, "Baron Li Ang, I didn't expect you to leave White Deer Fortress alone."
"I don't want to leave either. Isn't this your request?"
Li Ang also smiled at Malbert.
"King Ulrich sent this team of Lion Knight to let them capture you Lion City. I just helped them lead the way. I will go back to Long River Town in a moment - I did not ask you to go directly with them alone. I actually hope that you will bring more people to Lion City..."
Malbert curled his lips.
"Why? Is there any problem with more people and fewer people?"
The lord felt that there was something in this statement.
"If you were alone, if something happened to you, you wouldn't even be able to get the news out..."
Malbert smiled a little weirdly.
"Oh, it's hard to talk like this. I don't think anyone is eavesdropping. Why don't we all be more direct?"
The lord looked back, sighed and decided to ask for more information.
"Okay, let me tell you straight. I did pick up a carriage, that is, the letter and the box of money. I also know that it was probably Bacchus Empire's plan to divorce. But the responsibility is that I must report to Lion City, Lord Li Ang, you should understand, right?"
Malbert is quite enjoyable.
Li Ang nodded. This is indeed the duty of Long River Town administrative officer. There is nothing wrong with what Malbert did.
"Just three days after I reported Lion City, this team of Lion Knight came and brought the king's order - the order I got was to take Lion Knight to arrest you. I couldn't disobey the king's order, so I led a way, and did not let your subordinates at Wheat Fragrance Territory know about it, so as not to conflict with you or Lord Godric. Then I gave you enough time at White Deer Fortress to arrange, I thought you would run away, or at least bring more people..."
Malbert curled his lips.
"I'm not treasonous, why should I run away..."
Li Ang also pouted.
"Yes, you didn't run, and you came out alone... But since you didn't run, I had to run. I don't want to follow this team of Lion Knight to Lion City - I don't know what King Ulrich's real intention is to capture you! You should also know that usually Ryman is the one who leads them to perform tasks... But, Ryman is not here! Do you understand what I mean?"
Malbert shook his head and sighed.
"Ryman... He wants to garrison Seven Forks Fortress. Is it normal that he can't come?"
Li Ang actually has some understanding. Ryman probably doesn't want to do this job, and Malbert probably doesn't want to do it either.
"Oh, Lord Li Ang, let me put it this way... The only job the king has given to Ryman and these Lion Knights has always been to kill the rebels. I have never seen anyone of these Lion Knights go out to arrest and return home alive - Ryman has been to this village before. You should know the outcome..."
So that's it...
Li Ang remembered the way Ryman had hesitated to speak to him several times.
Due to the nature of Ryman's work, it is true that he cannot say a lot to others. Only the king and Lion Knight Order Grand Commander will know his actual mission...
However, Li Ang knows that there should still be someone who can go home alive - Three Prophets. Of course, they may not be considered human beings.
Malbert pointed outside the stone house. "I don't care if you are treasonous, I just want to go back to Long River Town and enjoy life. But you don't have anyone with you. If something happens, no one can prove that I am innocent... Report It was me who believed you, and I was the one who led the team to arrest you - if you die in Lion City, then your friends will definitely think that I harmed you! I know your relationship with Lord Godric, and I don't want to take the blame..."
"But if I run away... then I will really become a traitor who absconds in fear of crime..."
Li Ang let out a long sigh.
Malbert nodded. "You are right, but if you don't run, you will probably die... Anyway, while Owl Knight Order is here, they can prove that I didn't harm you. I will be 'sick' in a while, and then return to Long River Town. After all, the order given to me is just to lead a team to arrest you, I don't want to escort you to Lion City... It's up to you later, I don't want to get involved in this matter anymore."
"Thank you for your candor, Mr. Malbert, how do you plan to get sick?"
Li Ang nodded and expressed his gratitude.
"Hey! Hiss... oh... Sir Ols! Help! I have a stomachache!"
Lord Malbert re-entered actor mode within a second, clutching his stomach with a sad look on his face. Even Li Ang felt like he was really about to shit his pants.
Lord Malbert was able to say this to himself, and it was indeed out of goodwill - although this goodwill was just because he did not want to be retaliated by Godric and Amy, after all, he still wanted to work at Long River Town.
But what should I do now?
Is it really like Lord Malbert said, running away?
Fletcher Village.
As a place directly facing Gatu Grasslands and Noldo Forest, Fletcher can be regarded as a place of dire straits...
But over the past six months, this place has been surprisingly peaceful.
Since the last time we dealt with Three Prophets together, the contact between Godric, Ralph and Charles has become closer.
Godric is actually a very responsible person. He was initially unwilling to join Long River Town because of his temperament. Since he no longer served as the leader of Royal Guard, he has not been too keen on power.
But now that he has become the military chief of the eastern region, he will still be very responsible.
It's just that his strategy is different from Count Oden's back then.
Count Oden is good at using cavalry and mounted infantry. Gatu people's strategy is also based on frontal confrontation, with more emphasis on the use of cavalry or mounted infantry.
Therefore, the defensive tactics Oden used to deploy were often based on offense instead of defense, or chain defense, with defense and attack eventually forming an outflank and siege. In fact, this was Horn Summon Ranger Corps's usual method.
Therefore, at that time, most of the funds and energy of the entire eastern army were focused on horses and mounted archery, and there were very few defensive bunkers and the like on the border.
Godric is good at organizing defense with a large number of archers. He prefers to build fortifications and use infantry to cooperate with archers for regional defense.
Although this will put you in a passive position due to the disadvantage of mobility, infantry is cheaper to build and faster to train, which can make the overall defense loopholes smaller.
It's just that this relatively passive defense method is difficult to achieve particularly great results.
There is no difference between these two strategies, it's just that the leaders have different personalities - the former is aggressive and the latter is cautious and defensive.
An aggressive approach makes it easier to eliminate the enemy's effective forces, while a cautious defense makes it easier to protect the civilians under your rule. Each has its own advantages.
Of course, this also has something to do with the current actual situation.
Count Oden has accumulated thirty years of military exploits on Gatu people... When he was alive, Gatu people did not dare to invade Long River Town from the direction of Brave Shield Fortress.
But now that he has passed away, Gatu people no longer has any scruples and will probably become more arrogant.
Therefore, it is indeed necessary to shift from offense to defense and build more defensive fortifications.
During the recent period, Godric has been working hard with Fletcher Village and Brave Shield Fortress to build various defense facilities.
Such as arrow towers, defensive horses, trenches and low walls.
As a new member of Long River Town Sentinels, Charles is of course happy to cooperate with Lord Godric's strategy - this is the most suitable defense method for Long River Town Sentinels to use their specialties.
Therefore, the current Fletcher Village has many more watchtowers and arrow rests, and there are trenches everywhere.
Ralph has also been engaged in real estate recently. He has built the camp by the river into a wooden fortress and is currently building another small fortress a few miles across the river.
This can form three garrison points together with Fletcher Village. This horn shape can make this area easier to defend.
However, Fletcher Village is different from Brave Shield Fortress - there is no high city wall here, which may become a breakthrough for Gatu people.
In order to enhance Fletcher Village's defense capabilities and prevent this village from becoming a passage for Gatu people to enter the country in the future, Godric decided to provide some support here.
Of course, this is partly due to the responsibilities of the Commander-in-Chief of Military Affairs of the Eastern Region, in order to ensure the defense of the border.
On the other hand... Fletcher's place is Li Ang's territory after all, and Godric will still take special care of it.
He allocated a batch of equipment to Fletcher Village, mainly some inlaid armor and swords and shields, which were actually infantry equipment.
--Actually, this can be regarded as a self-serving act. Originally, this was the inventory of the inner castle of Long River Town, which belonged to the property of the late Duke Elfwan. Now it should be regarded as the property of King Ulrich.
Of course, as the Chief of Military Affairs, he does have the authority to dispatch these military supplies.
Ralph and Charles found a batch of extended walking bows from Horn Summon Ranger Corps's inventory.
This kind of longbow is a single-piece bow with low cost, short production cycle, and is not afraid of moisture. The back of the bow is a complete yew wood, and the entire bow is more than 1.8 meters long. It was once the weapon of Long River Town Sentinels people.
The reason why I say "once" is because Long River Town Sentinelss now use compound bows.
In Long River Town, which has no shortage of bow strings and yew wood, this single-piece longbow is very cheap.
But it is no longer the main weapon of the Long River Town Sentinelss.
The longer the body of a single bow, the greater the power it can bring, but the lengthened bow body will cause the pulling force to be too large and difficult to control.
Moreover, the longer the bow body, the greater the vibration when shooting. In actual combat, it is not as stable as a compact compound bow, and the requirements for archers are very high.
Moreover, since this kind of longbow is longer than a person's height, it is not very convenient in actual combat and marching, and cannot be used for mounted shooting, so they have become a stockpile...
But as a weapon for training new recruits, this ultra-long single bow is very suitable, as it can practice both strength and control.
This kind of long bow just fits Godric's idea of training infantry.
Therefore, Godric personally led the team to train the peasant soldiers recruited by Charles into a complex of infantry and archers - mainly to make up for their courage to face the enemy directly and how to organize defense without city walls.
Charles recruited almost a hundred soldiers in Fletcher. This recruitment ratio is quite large. The entire village actually only has 700 people.
However, these conscripts were not professional soldiers. They were soldiers in their spare time, farming and fighting, and they were regarded as militiamen who defended the countryside.
In order to inspire the courage of these recruits, their inlaid armor was all painted red - red can make people more courageous and also allow the recruits to adapt to the color of blood.
During the slack period in late May, they also organized an archery competition to encourage new recruits to train better.
Godric and Charles originally planned to ask Li Ang to come and participate together, but at that time Li Ang and Amy went to the territory of Bax and could not find anyone.
But what I didn't expect was that the final champion of that archery competition was taken away by a traveler from Raven Territory...
This really stimulated this group of new recruits, so they immersed themselves in training for two months like a regular army. Now this special archer unit already looks like it.
Because they were covered in red armor and held long bows, this unit was called 'Red Arrow Longbowmen' by Godric.
In order to give this unit some practical experience, Godric and Charles took this unit to the grassland hills northwest of Fletcher Village.
That's where Ralph led the rangers to raise horses. Small groups of Gatu people often appear in that area.
Also traveling with them was Ralph's son, Raphael - the young man who exchanged Eagle Strike Bow for a visor helmet with Li Ang.
Raphael brought a small group of rangers along with him to embolden these newly minted longbowmen.
Godric and Charles did encounter enemies near the hills, but the problem was that they were not Gatu people...
But a large group of thieves.
There are over a thousand people.