The Final Battle, Part Four
Just as Alex and his men had successfully routed the Ducal Guard Legion Cavalry and were preparing to lead their troops back to the main battlefield, he suddenly realized that the situation on the battlefield had undergone an unexpected and dramatic change.
The Northern Alliance Army, which had initially held the upper hand and enjoyed high morale, was instantly thrown into chaos. Many of the Northlands Army formations that had previously exerted pressure on the Duchy Army collapsed without warning!
These once-mighty warriors now seemed to have lost their command, scattering in all directions and completely unable to organize an effective resistance.
Meanwhile, the Duchy Army seized this golden opportunity and, without hesitation, turned its attention to launch a fierce pursuit.
After all, they had been on the verge of defeat, and if they didn't seize this opportunity to launch a counterattack, wouldn't they be wasting such a golden chance?
Thus, the Duchy Army charged toward the direction of the retreating Northern Alliance Army like hungry tigers pouncing on their prey, determined to annihilate the enemy.
What on earth happened? Alex stared in astonishment at the chaotic battlefield before him, his mind filled with doubt and confusion.
He had just led his elite Cavalry back at breakneck speed, but what he saw before him left him speechless and bewildered.
Just as Alex was at a loss, Hawk led several ragged, armored Northlands officers rushing over.
They looked panicked, their faces filled with terror. But when one of them caught sight of Alex, he suddenly knelt down and burst into tears.
Alex looked closely and immediately recognized the kneeling, weeping man as Ian from Iron Birch Territory —a fierce general and Regimental Commander in the Iron Birch Territory army.
Moreover, he had met Victor once before.
At that moment, seeing Ian in such a state, Alex's heart clenched, and a sense of foreboding washed over him.
His eyes widened, and he asked in astonishment, "Are you really Ian? What happened? I was only gone for a short while, how did the situation deteriorate to this extent?"
Ian slowly raised his head, wiping away tears from the corners of his eyes with trembling hands, and said to Alex in a choked voice, "Count lord... Count main force has been suddenly attacked by the enemy!"
The entire guard unit responsible for protecting the area has been wiped out, and now even Count Colt and many other high-ranking officers of the Northern Alliance Army are missing and their fates unknown!
At this point, Ian couldn't help but sob again, but he quickly mustered his strength and continued, "As soon as we discovered that the Count's banner had fallen, the soldiers' morale plummeted and panic ensued."
Meanwhile, the armies of those duchies seized the opportunity to launch a fierce counterattack, causing many troops to collapse and retreat.
Young Master Alex, please escape this place immediately! I will go and gather the remaining troops to hold off the pursuers and buy you more time to escape safely.
As long as you are alive, the Northern Alliance Army still has a glimmer of hope. We absolutely cannot admit defeat!
Upon hearing Ian's words, Alex was struck dumb, as if by a bolt from the blue. He was so stunned that he couldn't move and could only stand there blankly, his mind a complete blank.
Ian frantically called Alex's name repeatedly, but Alex remained unresponsive, like a statue.
Just then, Hawk, seeing this, hurriedly stepped forward, shook Alex vigorously, and shouted, "Young Master Alex, please stay calm! The Count's life or death is still unclear. At this critical moment, you should be even more vigilant!"
You must understand, we still have so many brave and fearless soldiers fighting valiantly on the battlefield. If we let those despicable Duchy Army slaughter them at will, the consequences would be unimaginable! Hawk hoped to awaken the fighting spirit and courage deep within their hearts.
As expected, Hawk's words struck Alex like a heavy hammer, jolting him awake from his grief.
Alex clenched his fists and said through gritted teeth, "That's right! I can't give up like this! My father and the other comrades might still have a chance. If we can find them, we can regain our morale and still have a chance to win!"
Alex took a deep breath, trying to pull himself out of his despondency. He knew he couldn't afford to ignore the chaotic battle situation at this moment, but at the same time, he was worried about his father, who was in danger.
He turned his head sharply, his gaze fixed on Hawk beside him, and said in a serious tone, "Hawk, now that things have come to this, I have no choice but to place my hopes on you. So please don't interrupt me, let me finish."
After a brief pause, Alex continued, "The situation is critical, and time is of the essence. I need you to lead the Cavalry swiftly to find and ensure my father's safety."
I, along with my guards and Ian and the others, will return to the battlefield and do our utmost to rebuild our strength. We must not allow those Duchy Army to slaughter our brave and fearless soldiers at will!
Upon hearing this, Hawk's heart tightened, and he instinctively wanted to retort.
After all, logically speaking, it would be more appropriate for him to stay here and take charge of organizing the remaining troops; as for the matter of rescuing the Count, it would be more suitable for Alex to handle it personally.
However, when his gaze met Alex's unwavering determination, his throat felt as if something was blocking it, and he couldn't utter a single syllable for a long time.
After a few seconds of silence, Hawk finally came to his senses and gritted his teeth, saying resolutely, "Fine! In that case, I will obey your orders."
Even if I ultimately fail to find the Count's whereabouts, I will return. Young Master Alex, I urge you to persevere to the end!
Hawk quickly led his Cavalry away, and after watching them go, Alex took Ian to the battlefield!
"Raise my banner, let them see that the Iron Birch Family's battle flag is still on the battlefield!"
A Cavalry force as swift as a whirlwind suddenly appeared beneath the walls of Sextus County.
Facing the heavily guarded city before them, the Cavalry force disregarded it, spurring their horses without hesitation to quickly bypass the city walls and gallop straight towards the battlefield where fierce fighting was taking place in the distance.
Just minutes before, a tense exchange was taking place within this imposing Cavalry legion:
What? The Northern Alliance Army's battle flag has fallen? The Allied Army has actually been defeated? Victor sat upright on his horse, urging it on while listening intently to the latest intelligence that Little Paru was relaying to him.
"Yes, my lord, Gale who told me this news! With the situation so critical, should we still proceed as planned?" Little Paru asked with a worried expression.
Upon hearing this, Victor frowned slightly, but quickly regained his composure. After a moment's thought, he made a decisive decision:
Set off immediately! Such a dramatic reversal in the battle cannot happen without reason; there must be a cause. Perhaps this is the perfect opportunity to turn the tide!
If we choose to retreat now and allow the enemy to defeat the Northern Alliance Army in one fell swoop, then not only will Blackwater City and Wright County be at risk!
Even if the Northern Alliance Army is ultimately defeated, I will fight with all my might to deliver a heavy blow to the Duchy Army and never let them succeed so easily!
Having made up his mind to join the war, Victor did not hesitate to order all troops to immediately halt their advance and quickly enter a state of combat readiness.
Victor ordered, "Pass down the order, all soldiers must immediately rest on the spot and replenish their food and water."
Remember, we only have five minutes, and then we must march again to the battlefield to fight!
Then, Victor turned his gaze to Ron and James beside him and said in an impassioned tone, "Victor Ron, James, I demand that your Heavy Cavalry take fifteen minutes to allow the soldiers a good meal, and at the same time make sure that everyone is properly armored."
In addition, you can feed your warhorses some Boiling Blood Grass to enhance their combat power. I want you to go all out in the upcoming battle!
Upon hearing Victor's words, James and Ron exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming with barely suppressed excitement. They replied in unison, "Yes, sir! Rest assured, we will do our utmost and will not let you down!"
For Ron and James, this moment was filled with anticipation and challenge.
Since the start of the Civil War, the Golden Sunflower Family's Heavy Cavalry has been unable to fully demonstrate its formidable power due to various limiting factors.
However, now facing such an important and crucial battle, they firmly believe that their Heavy Cavalry force will surely display its might on the battlefield!