Ironvine Territory (Eighty-Five)

Shortly after Victor finished speaking, chaos broke out at the rear of the Duchy Army, and Ernst, who had just broken through the battle lines, was entangled by the Reserve Force prepared by Baron Brown.

Even though Ernst fought desperately, Baron Brown had left behind a considerable Reserve Force. With the deaths of Ernst's soldiers, he had to abandon the assault and lead his remaining troops back to the front lines, attempting to organize his forces to defeat Baron Brown's defenses head-on.

However, when he retreated back to the main force, he learned that his rear had been attacked by a suddenly appearing army, and was now in a state of chaos.

That unit was the Orphan Brigade led by Bask. Victor's previous orders to Bask were to have them lie in wait on the edge of the battlefield and to take immediate action if they found the enemy's offensive to be too fierce and difficult to deal with.

Afterwards, Bask and his Orphan Brigade hid near the battlefield. When Ernst led his troops to attack Baron Brown's defenses from the flank and rear, Bask was still observing. But Ernst was so resolute that he launched a full-scale attack at the first opportunity, which disrupted Baron Brown's forces and allowed Ernst to seize the opportunity to attack Victor's main camp.

That moment terrified the Bask. They were supposed to be a backup plan arranged by the lord, but they failed to intervene in the battle when they were most needed, which was a serious dereliction of duty.

The Bask could no longer tolerate it and immediately led their troops to launch an attack. Ernst's troops, who were originally on the offensive, also became targets after the Orphan Brigade launched their attack.

Under Bask's orders, the Orphan Brigade soldiers positioned their spears and axes at the front of their formation, and all the Armored Troops formed a horizontal line, advancing rapidly and crashing into the rear guard of Ernst's troops.

At first, they were unstoppable. Ernst's rear guard was driven back by the Orphan Brigade. The Bask thought that by cooperating with Baron Brown's troops to encircle the enemy from both sides, they could annihilate them in one fell swoop.

But when Ernst retreated back into the ranks and took over command, the situation immediately changed dramatically.

Ernst went all out this time, launching a fierce attack on the Orphan Brigade regardless of the consequences. He even abandoned his engagement with Baron Brown's troops, using his numerical superiority to disrupt the Orphan Brigade's front line and drag the entire Armored Infantry into the melee.

Bask was both shocked and furious. He, who was usually very lenient with his subordinates, couldn't help but curse at the sight, "How did you fight like this? Are all the squad leaders eating shit?"

A small group of light infantry and Cavalry can easily disrupt your formation. Just organize veterans into combat teams and push back!

Just then, Gutierrez stepped forward. He centered himself on a small formation of soldiers and then charged in the opposite direction to gather the scattered Orphan Brigade soldiers.

Once the army had grown to a certain size, Gutierrez launched a counterattack against the Duchy Army, advancing in a straight line. This time, the Orphan Brigade soldiers, who were well-prepared, did not allow the enemy to disrupt their formation.

Because the Duchy Army had already exhausted a lot of energy in the melee, it was naturally unable to resist the newly reorganized elite Orphan Brigade. Under the blows of spears and axes, the duchy's soldiers and horses were smashed to pieces, and one small battle formation after another was destroyed.

The Bask also witnessed Gutierrez's valiant fight and immediately launched a counterattack with their own troops, coordinating efforts from both inside and outside the enemy lines.

With the combined efforts of both sides, the Orphan Brigade, which already had better physical reserves, turned the tide of the battle, and the scattered soldiers regrouped.

Ernst also noticed the change in the enemy; the enemy, whom they thought they had defeated, seemed to have transformed into a giant wall blocking their way again.

Baron Brown had just defeated the entangled forces left behind by Ernst and observed the changes on the battlefield through his telescope.

"That's more like it, that's more like the Bask commander of Viscount Victor's Guard Battalion."

Seeing that the Bask had already led their troops in a counterattack, Baron Brown was naturally not to be outdone. He immediately urged his troops forward, striving to form a pincer movement against the Duchy Army once again, together with the Orphan Brigade.

At this moment, Baron Brown's nephew, Sura, suddenly approached him. "Your Excellency, shouldn't we stay on the defensive line? After all, protecting the Legion Commander force is the most important thing!"

Although Sura and his troops were subordinate to James's regiment, Victor considered that Baron Brown's forces were too weak, so he sent Sura with his detachment to support Baron Brown.

The two then joined forces and acted together, with Sura serving as Baron Brown's second-in-command this time.

"Sura, you're right, but just now, I received Viscount Victor's order to lead the troops in an attack, without holding back."

"But?"

Sura was speechless for a moment, never expecting such an order.

"I know you're worried about Viscount Victor's safety; after all, anyone with eyes can see the enemy's plan."

The enemy's vanguard launched an attack, initially winning but then losing, clearly to clear the main road and wait for Knight Yellen to launch a counterattack.

The attack from our flank and rear was not intended to assault Viscount Victor's main camp, but rather to tie down our forces.

The enemy's plan was simple: to keep our troops away from Viscount Victor's main camp or to divide our forces!

Then the enemy should have another fresh force, which will launch a surprise attack on Viscount Victor at this time."

Sura was taken aback and quickly said, "Then shouldn't we stay here and protect Viscount Victor?"

Baron Brown sighed, "Viscount Victor probably intends to use himself as bait to lure that fresh force into the fray."

At this moment, the battle between our two armies has reached a stalemate, with both sides on the verge of defeat. Given the chance to finish off the other, neither side will hold back.

I can understand Viscount Victor's plan. We all believe that the person leading that fresh force is most likely Ursus, the Legion Commander of the Fourth Legion, and Viscount Victor wants to lure them out.

"If Viscount Victor can wipe out this fresh force that has been drawn out, and then capture the Ursus Legion Commander, then victory can be achieved directly."

"But that's far too dangerous. If you really think that way, the Ursus Legion Commander will definitely not give up easily and will fight to the death."

"If, on the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes and the lord is injured, that would be the worst-case scenario."

"Needless to say, Viscount Victor has made up his mind, and no amount of persuasion will change it."

"And Sura, it seems you've completely accepted Viscount Victor, even addressing him as 'Lord.'"

Sura was surprised that Baron Brown was still changing the subject at this point, and she became very anxious. "What time is it? You still have the mind to talk about these things?"

If I knew who came up with this idea, putting the lord in such a dangerous situation, I would never let them get away with it after this war!

Baron Brown hadn't expected Sura to suddenly retort, "This is something Victor decides for himself; who can stop him?"

Just as Sura was about to speak, Baron Brown stopped him. "Don't waste your time, Sura."

"Execute the order. If we can eliminate the enemy in front of us faster, we can also return in time to rescue Viscount Victor."

After saying this, Baron Brown rode up and charged with the troops. Upon hearing this, Sura could only grit his teeth and then spur his horse to follow.