Ironvine Territory (Fifty-Six)

On a meadow halfway up a mountain, two Cavalry units dressed differently were engaged in a chaotic battle. Men and horses clashed, and soldiers from both sides fell from their horses from time to time. Before they could get up, they were trampled by the horses and fell silent after a while.

The meadow wasn't very large, only a dozen acres in size, and the surrounding slopes were very steep. With several hundred men on both sides combined, these Cavalry units couldn't maneuver or charge at all. They could only engage in close-quarters combat, unable to use their bows and arrows or even their lances effectively. They could only rely on their swords and sabers to slash and thrust at each other.

Both sides' Cavalry were lightly Cavalry, and amidst the flashing blades and the flying blood and gore, coupled with the frequent wounds and falls of warriors and horses, the small meadow was quickly covered in blood.

However, the chaotic battle soon ended in victory for the black-clad Cavalry. These black-clad Cavalry were even more ferocious. In the close-quarters combat where both sides were packed together, they repeatedly relied on their superior horsemanship to jump onto the backs of the opposing Cavalry's horses and engage in direct hand-to-hand combat. The yellow-clad Cavalry were unable to cope with this and had no choice but to swallow the bitter pill of defeat.

These black-clad Cavalry were the Cavalry units of the Southern Marching Legion led by James and Ron, while the yellow-clad Cavalry were Cavalry Regiment of the Fourth Legion.

After Bush was forced to retreat to this low hill called Jade Belt Mountain, many of the scattered Fourth Legion Cavalry also gathered at the foot of the mountain.

When their numbers reached two or three hundred, they attempted to break through the defenses of the Southern Marching Legion Cavalry and try to rendezvous with Regimental Commander Bush.

But James had already discovered their intentions and let them into the meadow halfway up the mountain. Then, his Cavalry, which was already prepared, charged directly at the flanks of the remnants, disrupting their formation.

Next, relying on superior skills, they completely crushed the remnants of the Fourth Legion Cavalry Regiment in the chaotic and oppressive battle.

Even after being defeated, these remaining soldiers did not have a chance to escape.

To avoid the attacks of the Southern Marching Legion Cavalry, many Cavalry of the Fourth Legion voluntarily abandoned their horses and climbed up a steeper hillside on their hands and feet, attempting to rendezvous with their allies on the mountain.

When the Cavalry of the Southern Marching Legion saw these ducal Cavalry trying to escape, they immediately drew their horse bows, nocked arrows, and fired. There were sounds of bowstrings snapping, followed by continuous screams of agony.

Even a weak archer could easily kill these lightly armored Light Cavalry, as easily as hunting a hare, or even easier, since these fleeing soldiers were bigger than hares but couldn't run as fast.

Bush, the Cavalry Regiment of the Fourth Legion, was trapped on the hilltop. He watched his men being killed like prey below, and his heart ached. But he was powerless to do anything. He only had seven or eight hundred Cavalry who had lost their armor and weapons. They were barely holding on because of the terrain. If they gave up their advantage and went down the mountain to fight, they would probably be defeated soon.

Thus, Bush and his men watched helplessly as their comrades were slaughtered on the hilltop. While they were furious, many of the duchy's Cavalry were also filled with fear.

"This was deliberately done to show me!" Bush slapped a rock, the sharp stone cutting his palm, but he felt no pain. At this moment, besides anger, he was also a little confused. He didn't know if the Legion Commander could send reinforcements to rescue him in time, and he didn't know if the fierce-looking Northlands Cavalry down the mountain would accept his surrender.

However, Bush was not willing to give up. He felt he could still hold on and could look forward to the Legion Commander's reinforcements.

James, holding binoculars, looked at the Duchy troops on the mountain, and felt a great sense of satisfaction seeing their blustering yet cowardly expressions.

A half-bloodied officer rode up on horseback to report, "Regimental Commander, everything has been dealt with. As you ordered, not a single prisoner was spared."

James gave a thumbs-up and praised, "Well done, as expected of my vice -Regimental Commander, Jackson, you played absolutely brilliantly."

Jackson wasn't smug; instead, he asked with a puzzled look, "Regimental Commander, we actually had a better tactic. We could have easily taken out these remnants with fewer casualties. Why did we have to engage in close combat?"

James understood Jackson's doubts. In fact, they were not short of troops. They had discovered the enemy remnants who had gathered long ago. If they wanted, they could have launched an attack earlier, without having to fight in close combat on the hillside meadows and thus failing to maximize the advantages of the Northlands Cavalry.

"You're right, there are indeed better ways, but don't you think this method is quite effective?"

After saying that, James walked to Jackson's horse, handed him a pair of binoculars, and told him to look at the view from the mountain.

Jackson caught the monocular telescope, raised it with one hand, and looked up at the hilltop.

As expected, the ducal Cavalry on the mountaintop, while still able to maintain their battle readiness, were clearly in poor spirits.

James said smugly, "That's called psychological warfare."