Night Raid Plan
Several days later, the once solemn and imposing Sauron camp had been transformed into a bustling and busy construction site.
The air was no longer filled only with the smoke and stench of gunpowder, but also with the fresh scent of freshly felled timber, the clanging of hammers, and the clamor of countless people working.
On the side of the camp closest to Carnford Mountain, two enormous structures, already taking shape and built from massive logs, are rising from the ground.
Their height already exceeds that of ordinary tents by several times, and they are still being built up and reinforced layer by layer through the efforts of craftsmen and slaves.
These are the giant arrow towers that Harald ordered to be built. Their bases are exceptionally wide to ensure stability, and the towers themselves are constructed with a sturdy cross-braced structure. Inside, there are simple, spiraling staircases.
It is foreseeable that when these two towers are finally completed, their top platforms will be able to overlook or even surpass the summit of Carnford, providing Sauron archers with an unprecedented, commanding firing position.
What drives all this efficient operation, besides Sauron's cold whip and reprimands, is a special group of people: the artisans of the Goldflower Kingdom captured by Sauron army during their southward raid.
These carpenters, blacksmiths, and stonemasons, who originally served the Lord throughout the kingdom, are now forced to serve the Sauron under the threat of swords and the allure of reality.
Harald knew the value of these skilled workers, and instead of exploiting them cruelly as he did ordinary slaves, he offered them relatively generous terms.
As long as they do their best to complete the project, not only will their personal safety be guaranteed, but they will also be given far more pay and food rations than they would have received under the Lord the Broomflower.
For these artisans struggling to survive in chaotic times, this was undoubtedly an irresistible condition.
Driven by the instinct for survival and the desire for better material conditions, these craftsmen displayed astonishing professionalism and efficiency.
They directed the Sauron slaves to cut down, process, and assemble timber, striving for precision and sturdiness in every mortise and tenon joint and every reinforcement point.
As for so-called patriotism and national righteousness... they seem so pale and powerless in the face of the cruel reality of survival.
The soldiers guarding the city walls were indeed their compatriots, but at this moment, their lives and livelihoods were in the hands of the Sauron.
They might feel a pang of guilt in the quiet of the night, but when daylight comes, their hands will wield their tools without the slightest hesitation.
For them, living, and living better than before, is the most important thing.
Karl stood behind the crenellations of the inner city wall, his telescope fixed on the two increasingly tall and clearly defined giant arrow towers in front of the Sauron camp.
Harald's intentions were clear: to completely negate the geographical advantage that the Carnford defenders relied on for survival by building arrow towers that exceeded the height of the mountain.
Once the arrow towers are completed, Sauron archers will have a superior firing angle and can hurl heavy arrows. At that time, the breastworks, Suspended Shelters, and Grass Bunkers painstakingly built on the mountainside on both sides of the passage will be greatly reduced in defensive effectiveness, or even rendered useless, in the face of the heavy arrows falling from the sky.
He couldn't Musketeers against the Sauron archers; the garrison was severely understaffed. Even if one Musketeers could be exchanged for ten Sauron archers, it would still result in a significant loss of manpower, let alone make it impossible.
Therefore, the defenders will be forced to abandon these key flanking positions, allowing the Sauron to pass through the tunnels and directly attack the inner city walls without hindrance.
"We can't just stand by and watch them build the tower," Karl said to Brendan beside him, putting down his binoculars. "Once the arrow tower is complete, the tunnel's defenses will be crippled. We must take the initiative and destroy it as much as possible before they finish!"
Brendan followed Karl's gaze, his face also filled with worry. He pointed to the passage below, which was heavily blocked by the Sauron with layers of Caltrops, trenches, and a large number of soldiers, and said helplessly, "My lord, I understand, but you see, the Sauron are very cunning. Now they have blocked the passage themselves, which means we can't go down the mountain either. The Sauron have suffered enough; their defenses are watertight. To attack the passage head-on would be suicide."
Brendan's words made a lot of sense. Just a few days ago, this narrow and steep passageway was the Carnford garrison's greatest asset for survival, allowing them to take on ten men against one due to its natural defenses.
However, the battle situation changed rapidly, and the roles of offense and defense shifted. Now, this same passageway, like a cold iron gate, ruthlessly blocked their last chance to descend the mountain and launch an attack or seek a turning point.
Karl turned around, his gaze not on the passageway, but towards the steep cliff behind the castle, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Who said we had to take the passageway?"
"Not taking the tunnel?" Brendan was taken aback. "The back mountain is a sheer cliff, even monkeys couldn't climb it. How are we going to get down?"
"Remember that Flint Mine they discovered in the back hills last year?" Karl prompted. "Didn't Hans and Vali build a mining platform on the southwest-facing cliff and install a sturdy pulley lifting system to transport the ore and personnel?"
Brendan's eyes lit up instantly; he understood Karl's plan in a flash. "Sir, you mean... to use the mine's pulleys to quietly lower our soldiers down the cliff at night?!"
"That's right! The Sauron's attention is entirely focused on the front; they would never expect us to launch an attack from the 'impossible' direction of the cliff. We've selected five to ten of our most elite soldiers, the ones best at night fighting and ambushes, and are carrying Fire oil and explosives."
"After nightfall, use pulleys to lower yourself down the cliff from the mine platform, bypass the Sauron's frontal defenses, and infiltrate the rear of their camp. Our target is those two unfinished arrow towers! Set them on fire, detonate the explosives, and make sure they are completely destroyed!"
He paused, then continued to refine the plan, "After succeeding, don't return the same way. Create chaos, then take advantage of the confusion to launch a surprise attack towards the tunnel. Once we see the signal on the city wall, we'll immediately send troops out of the tunnel to provide support. With this coordinated attack from both inside and outside, we'll crush the defenders at the tunnel entrance and bring the night raid team back to the city!"
Brendan carefully considered every aspect of this audacious plan, finding it increasingly feasible. Excitement gleamed on his face. "This plan, though risky, is highly effective due to its element of surprise! The Sauron will be caught completely off guard! I'll immediately select elite troops—absolutely reliable! Weapons, Fire oil, and dynamite will also be prepared immediately!"
"Hurry!" Karl urged. "The arrow towers are getting taller every day, and we don't have much time left. Remember, the operation must be stealthy, swift, and ruthless! Strike once and retreat immediately; do not linger!"
"Understood! Rest assured, sir!" Brendan saluted and accepted the order, his eyes burning with fighting spirit, before turning and striding off to make the arrangements.