Light Cavalry Interception

Unag did not launch an attack rashly, but instead habitually sent out an elite reconnaissance squad of about twenty men.

They were ordered to advance and investigate the strength and weaknesses of Carnford's outer defenses, identify potential vulnerabilities, and probe the enemy's perimeter and reaction speed.

However, to his utter surprise, his reconnaissance squad had only advanced less than a mile when a crisp and abrupt gunshot suddenly rang out from the sparse woodland and rolling hills in the distance!

"Bang!!!"

Immediately following were short, intense clashes, the neighing of warhorses, and angry curses in the Sauron language!

"What's going on?" Unag's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately raised the Monocular Telescope he was carrying and looked in the direction of the sound.

Through the lens, he saw a scene that surprised him.

His Sauron scout cavalry was intercepted and entangled by a similarly large and lightly armed Goldfinch Cavalry squad!

The two sides are engaged in a fierce chase and hack-and-slashing battle in a relatively open area.

What surprised him even more was the fighting style displayed by those Goldfinch Cavalry.

Contrary to his expectations, they did not simply evade or defend; instead, they acted unusually proactively and fiercely!

They used the terrain and the mobility of their mounts to constantly outflank and encircle others, and whenever they seized the slightest opportunity, they would not hesitate to raise their firearms and fire.

Although most of the lead bullets missed their mark, whistling past the Sauron Cavalry, their aggressive, confrontational demeanor was utterly unfamiliar and unexpected to Unag.

Is this really the army of the Broomflower? Unag frowned.

In his memory and all that he had heard, the armies of the Goldflower Kingdom, especially the troops in the Northern Territory, upon hearing the name of the Sauron Iron Cavalry, would usually first and foremost defend their fortified cities or flee at the mere sight of them. When had they become so aggressive that they dared to actively intercept and even attempt to surround Sauron's scouts in the open?

Their eyes didn't reveal fear, but rather... a burning desire for battle?

"Damn it!" Seeing his reconnaissance squad being entangled in the enemy's reckless fighting style, and even in danger of being separated, Unag cursed under his breath.

He couldn't just stand by and watch his precious elite reconnaissance troops be wasted like this.

"Second team, third team! Push forward! Bring them back!" He decisively ordered reinforcements.

Two more Sauron Cavalry squads charged out of their main force like arrows, rushing towards the battleground.

Faced with overwhelming numerical superiority, the active Broomflower reconnaissance squad finally let out a whistle, decisively abandoned the engagement, and, using their familiarity with the terrain, quickly retreated, disappearing behind the fortifications surrounding the fortress.

The Sauron Cavalry pursued the enemy to a point not far from the fortifications, where they cautiously stopped, not daring to approach any closer.

This gave Unag and his officers a chance to closely observe the field defense line established by the Goldspur.

Upon seeing this, Unag's initial frustration from the unexpected interception gradually gave way to a sense of seriousness.

The opponent's defenses were extremely sophisticated and comprehensive!

A deep trench, layers of Caltrops and fences, and a breastwork with regularly spaced gaps formed a deep defensive system.

What's even more ingenious is the choice of terrain.

The terrain on both sides of the fortress either relies on solid strongholds or consists of rugged hills that are difficult to traverse, perfectly forcing the attackers to confront this deadly defensive line head-on.

The towering arrow towers behind them, like swords hanging overhead, could cover the entire front line.

Through the gaps in the breastwork and the slats of the fence, Unag could vaguely see the soldiers standing guard behind them, and the gleaming iron armor on their bodies.

A calm and solemn atmosphere permeated the entire position. The soldiers stood in orderly positions with vigilant eyes, showing no signs of panic.

This is absolutely a well-trained, determined army, prepared to fight to the death!

Unag immediately made a judgment in his mind: this was completely different from the Broomflower garrison he had imagined, the kind that would collapse at the first charge and only cower in the castle!

His previous ease, which he had felt as if he could easily crush the stronghold and complete the hunt, vanished completely, replaced by a heavy sense of pressure.

Such a defensive system, such terrain, such enemy morale... it was definitely not something his four hundred elite cavalrymen could forcibly overcome.

Even if we manage to capture it at any cost, we will inevitably suffer extremely heavy casualties.

What he brought was not the ragtag Vanguard Camp like Thorsten's, whose deaths wouldn't be a big loss. These were elite veterans from the Tiger Corps and Bear Corps, each a precious asset, and they absolutely could not be easily lost in such a crucial battle.

"Give the order!" Unag took a deep breath and made the most rational, yet also most helpless, decision. "The entire army retreats to a safe distance and sets up camp! Send out scouts to block all roads leading to Carnford! Without my order, no one is allowed to launch an attack!"

He paused, then added gravely, "Immediately dispatch the fastest messenger back to Frosgard! Report the situation here in detail to Asgeir, Corps Commander Svein, and Chief Harald!"

"Tell them that the Carnford stronghold is well-defended, the defenders are formidable and highly motivated, and our army lacks siege equipment. A cavalry assault would result in heavy losses. Request immediate support from infantry corps and necessary siege equipment!"

After giving the order, Unag looked once more at the fortress in the distance, which resembled a hedgehog with all its spikes erected, his gaze becoming incredibly deep and serious.

There's nothing he can do now but wait.

They await powerful reinforcements from Frosgard to crush this suddenly appearing, yet exceptionally hard, nail.