Black Pine Territory (13)

Just as Santos was talking to Markut, the Night Owls, leading the remnants of Arman's army, encountered the troops led by Viscount Perez.

After Night Owl personally reported the battle situation to Viscount Perez, the Viscount Perez was both angry and afraid. He was angry because Arman had betrayed his trust by abandoning his troops and fleeing at the first opportunity and deceiving him. He was afraid because he did not expect the Two Rivers Territory army to be so terrible. The Black Forest infantry was also an elite force in his eyes. When fighting against the Barbarians, their fighting spirit and results were outstanding. However, in the battle last night, they were directly defeated by the crossbowmen.

Just as Viscount Perez and Raman were agonizing over their next move, the troops suddenly began to riot.

Viscount Perez suddenly remembered something and hurriedly asked the Night Owl who had reported to him, "Where did you take the retreating army?"

The night owl was stunned. "Ah, they're in the army formation. I've arranged for my other companions to keep an eye on them. I'm coming in to report to you myself."

Viscount Perez yelled, "Damn it!"

The Knight of Raman realized what was happening and immediately called his personal guards to run to the front.

Raman soon returned alone, looking disheveled. When he saw the Viscount, he said, "Your Excellency, I have arranged for the defeated soldiers to break through our lines from another direction and return directly to the camp. However, many soldiers in the army saw them. News of last night's defeat has already spread, and the morale of the entire army is somewhat unstable."

Upon hearing this, the owl finally realized what he had done wrong and tried to explain to Viscount Perez with a panicked expression, but the more anxious he became, the less he could speak.

Viscount Perez sighed and offered a word of comfort to Night Owl.

"It's not your fault. In the end, it's that bastard Arman who made me trust him so much. Where did that warrior who led dozens of men in a night raid on Barbarians of thousands go? How did he become like this in twenty years?"

Raman quickly persuaded Viscount Perez: "My lord, please don't be angry. As long as we take up Green Shade Pass the Forest Avenue, we can firmly keep the army of the Two Rivers Territory out. We will definitely succeed, and please keep your faith."

"Thank you, Raman. In the end, we still have to rely on you."

Viscount Perez asked Night Owl, "Where is your leader? Hasn't he returned yet?"

"The leader, along with the remaining few men, is still monitoring the Two Rivers Territory army and has ordered us to return first."

Viscount Perez thought for a moment, then said to the night owl, "The arrangements for the defeated soldiers have been made. You take your companions back to find your leader and have him arrange for others to guard the area. He himself should return to Green Shade Pass as soon as possible; I have an important task for him."

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

Viscount Perez watched the night owl disappear into the distance, his heart heavy. Ever since he began preparing to send troops to fight against the Two Rivers Territory, there had been no good news.

First, his son, who had been under house arrest, escaped from the castle. Then, the vanguard of the night raid suffered a crushing defeat, and his trusted old brother was terrified and even tried to deceive him into escaping punishment.

All of this has left Viscount Perez exhausted. He already had little confidence in the confrontation with the Two Rivers Territory, and his obsession with a loyal duchy has now wavered.

After resting for a few minutes, Viscount Perez instructed Raman to continue to urge the troops to speed up and head towards Green Shade Pass.

Santos's army marched 20 kilometers directly along the forest road and arrived at Green Shade Pass at around 3 p. m.

This pass was a natural barrier discovered when Black Pine Territory opened up the forest road. There are two huge rocks in the middle of the road, and between the rocks is a passage less than five meters wide. The rocks are surrounded by thorny bushes, making it difficult for both humans and animals to pass.

After the Viscount of Black Pine Territory discovered this place, he built a pass on the boulder, turning it into the core barrier of the forest avenue.

If an invading army wants to enter the heart of Black Pine Territory, and the army is large, this is the only way to go, as the southern road is narrow and not suitable for large armies to pass through.

However, navigating through the Black Forest presents various difficulties, especially since the depths of the Black Forest are covered with giant pines and cypresses that are hundreds of meters tall. Here, the Sun is nowhere to be seen, making it even more difficult to discern directions. Those unfamiliar with the terrain will only get lost.

So, in the end, there is only one way to lead troops into Black Pine Territory: to capture Green Shade Pass.

Santos brought his troops here, carefully examined the terrain, and was amazed by the wonders of nature.

After a brief moment of thought, he immediately ordered his troops to prepare for the siege. Due to the limitations of the natural conditions here, it was impossible to deploy the troops. He planned to try using the large number of siege weapons carried by the engineering squadron. On the other hand, this would also distract the defenders and buy time for the Cavalry detachment led by Mars and Markut.

Meanwhile, Arman and his squad of infantry had returned to Black Pine Territory Castle, where he began searching for Markut's men in the surrounding villages.

However, he did not properly carry out the arrest order given to him by Viscount Perez. Arman killed anyone who tried to resist on the spot.

Unexpectedly, some of Markut's men had already become alert. After discovering Arman's actions, they immediately fled and regrouped.

Although Markut has not been able to seize military power in the territory in recent years, he still has supporters in the patrol teams of various villages, as well as in the territory's tax collectors and hunters.

These people quickly exerted their influence and, before Arman could react, assembled a ragtag army of over two hundred men in an attempt to protect themselves.

Arman was caught in a dilemma when he saw so many people opposing him, and the two sides were locked in a stalemate around the castle.

Arman dared not act rashly, after all, his squad only had one hundred men, and the troops that Markut had gathered also dared not make a move, since Arman was leading the territory's regular army, and their equipment was far inferior to that of the regular army.

After the standoff began, Arman immediately sent men to the castle for help. There were still nearly a hundred guards left behind by Viscount Perez in the castle. If they could come and join him, Arman was confident that he could defeat the rebel army in front of him.

However, Markut's men were not professional soldiers, and they lacked sufficient vigilance, failing to notice Arman's subtle actions.

Soon the castle guards assembled a force to support Arman, and with the reinforcements, Arman launched an attack.

With both sides having roughly equal numbers of troops, the makeshift army that Markut had assembled was no match for the regular army led by Arman. It was quickly routed, and the entire force scattered and fled.