Night Raid Fails, Battle Begins

A little over a kilometer north of the Seventh Legion camp, which was shrouded in fire and smoke, Ricardo rode on horseback, gazing at the two enemy camps.

He sighed when he saw the Fifth Legion's Cavalry bypass the Seventh Legion's camp from another direction.

"It didn't work? The Cavalry commander of the Fifth Legion is more cautious than I thought."

"Never mind, I was just trying it out anyway."

He turned to an officer behind him and asked, "Have our arson troops withdrawn?"

The officer nodded. "Most of them have been evacuated, but a few may have gotten lost in the thick smoke and haven't returned to their units yet."

Ricardo shook his head. "Consider them unlucky. Just treat them as dead in action!"

Originally, they wanted to take advantage of the open space between the two camps, where it was difficult to deploy their troops, to launch a surprise attack, but the enemy handled the situation so calmly that they did not fall for it.

"In that case, there's no need to waste time; let's withdraw our troops immediately."

"Yes!"

Soon Ricardo led a large Cavalry force toward White Earth City.

Meanwhile, Rasul had already entered the Seventh Legion's camp and met with Legion Commander Rabia.

"Please give my regards to Commander Kimberly and thank him for your timely support."

"I never expected the enemy to be so despicable, taking advantage of the blind spots in our two camps' patrols to set fire."

After saying that, Labia slammed his fist on the table in front of him.

"Legion Commander Rabia, what are the losses of the Seventh Legion?"

Rasul quickly asked.

Labia patted his big belly and said.

"The fire is under control. We didn't have many casualties, but it's probably because the timber used for building the camp was dried out over the winter and burned very quickly."

The entire western wall and part of the tents were burned down, and my military food depot also suffered losses.

"I'll have to trouble you to speak with Count Kimberly and ask him to provide me with a batch of military rations."

Labia said to Rasul, feeling quite embarrassed.

"Don't worry, Commander Rabia, I will report to Commander Kimberly as soon as I get back."

Rasul immediately bid farewell to the Legion Commander Rabia and left the Seventh Legion camp with his men.

At this moment, an officer behind Rabia approached and said, "Sir, I have already moved that batch of military rations away, but will Commander Kimberly's Corps lend us the rations willingly?"

Labia said nonchalantly, "How could it not be? It was because of his guarantee that I didn't set up patrols between the two camps. Otherwise, how could the enemy have run in and set fires? I have a reason to report this to the Grand Duke."

You need to keep a close eye on this batch of military rations. Once the accompanying military convoy arrives, just let them handle it; they're very professional.

Grain is expensive now; this batch of grain can sell for at least 2,000 gold coins. That's all I earn in a year of receiving a salary without working. You won't be shortchanged on benefits afterwards."

After finishing his sentence, Rabik began to hum a smug tune.

Meanwhile, Rasul led his troops back to the camp.

At this time, Corporal Kimberly was still in the camp directing his troops to stand guard. When he learned that Rasul had returned, he immediately went to find Rasul, who then reported to Kimberly what had happened in the Seventh Corps camp.

After listening, Kimberley stroked his chin with a serious expression. "That Labia guy has really given me a problem. We don't have much food either. The food in Sextus City is all reserved for the Grand Duke's army. We can't use it easily."

Rasul whispered, "Legion Commander, it's not easy for us to refuse him. After all, when we set up the camp, we were the ones who suggested that he not arrange patrols between our two camps."

"If Legion Commander Rabia really complains to the General, our Fifth Legion will be implicated."

Kimberley's expression darkened. "He wouldn't dare!"

Seeing that the Kimberly Legion Commander was angry, Rasul had a headache. Considering that the two legions would be working together for some time, it was not advisable to let things get so tense at this time.

"My lord, we still have three months' worth of rations. Why don't we share some of our military rations with the Seventh Legion? We don't need too much, just enough for one month. That way, we can wait until the Grand Duke arrives with his army."

"Then we'll report the truth to the Grand Duke, saying that both families are working together to overcome the difficulties. The Grand Duke certainly won't be angry, and my father will put in a good word for us!"

Kimberley remained silent for a while, then finally nodded. "I'll go find the quartermaster and have him make the arrangements. Rasul, you've had a hard day. Take your troops back and rest. We might have to start fighting in the next few days."

"Yes!"

Ricardo didn't lead his troops back to White Earth City until after 5 a. m.

They went there full of bravado, but returned somewhat disheveled. Ricardo was a little frustrated. It was rare for Viscount Hawke to go all in to support him, yet he had failed to achieve a victory worthy of praise, and he felt very sorry.

But when he returned to the city lord's mansion, Viscount Hawke came out to greet him.

"Your Excellency, why aren't you resting?"

Hawk, his face flushed and smelling slightly of alcohol, said, "Ricardo, you've had a tough time leading the troops into battle. Don't worry about me; I've been drinking with those nobles, and they're all basically drunk."

See, I'm perfectly fine, and I even changed my clothes.

After he finished speaking, Hawk bounced around a couple of times to show that he wasn't drunk. However, after standing up straight, he swayed a couple of times, and the guards behind him quickly stepped forward to support him.

Ricardo looked at Hawk, his eyes slightly blurry. He knew Hawk was worried about him, which was why he hadn't rested after finishing his drink.

Ricardo urged Hawk to go back to his room and rest, but Hawk initially refused.

But Ricardo used the excuse that the enemy might launch an attack soon and the Legion Commander needed to be full of energy to face it, and forcibly pinned Hawk to the bed.

As soon as Hawk lay down on the bed, he fell asleep.

Ricardo returned to his study exhausted, handled military affairs on Hawk's behalf, and quickly wrote a letter requesting reinforcements.

The enemy is more cautious than expected and very difficult to deal with. Although the reinforced fortress of White Earth City can hold out for a while, if reinforcements do not arrive in time, the Fifth Legion of the Allied Army will definitely suffer heavy losses.

Even if the Northern Coalition of Nobles ultimately wins, it would be a dereliction of duty on his part if the core fighting force of the Fifth Legion, the Pumpkin Territory Allied Army Private Army, suffered significant losses.

Ricardo would not allow such a thing to happen; it would violate his promise to the former Viscount.

As Ricardo had predicted, things happened shortly after he sent out his plea for help.

The Fifth Legion and Seventh Legion began to exert their strength. Although their Cavalry was not as elite Allied Army the Fifth Legion' Cavalry, their numbers were at least twice that of their own.

This group of Duchy Cavalry directly tied down the entire Fifth Legion Allied Army's Cavalry, preventing Hawk from using Cavalry to interfere with the Duchy Army's attack on White Earth City.

The siege was immediately deadlocked, with the two Duchy Legion taking turns attacking White Earth City.

If White Earth City hadn't been fortified, it might have fallen on the first day of the enemy's attack.

That night, Hawk and Ricardo were exhausted after a day of fighting, but the other nobles did not let them go.

Several people, in particular, knew that Ricardo had launched a surprise attack on the Seventh Legion the previous night and believed that Ricardo had angered the enemy and that they had to demand an explanation from Viscount Hawke.

"Legion Commander, our army suffered heavy losses today, which could have been completely avoided. If it weren't for your subordinate Ricardo's unauthorized actions, this situation would never have occurred."

"Yes, that's right!"

Ricardo was furious after hearing what the nobles said, but he said nothing, since he did not have any noble status.

Viscount Hawke remained silent, simply watching the nobles' antics.