The Moment for the Counterattack Had Arrived
"Count Excellency?" Karl was taken aback.
"Yes," Konrad nodded. "Although I don't know exactly how they did it, it's clear they traversed the Death Icefield and the Barren Peninsula on foot, launching a surprise attack on the Sauron camp's most unexpected and weakest point in its defenses, to the southwest."
Karl gasped! Crossing the Death Icefield? That was a place where even the most cold-resistant reindeer could hardly survive! Earl Rochefort had actually sent out such precious elite troops, choosing such a perilous route, just to rescue him!
Konrad continued, "The Count's reinforcements' surprise attack, combined with the chaos caused by Friedrich's solo charge, and... the slaves' opportunistic riot within the camp, completely disrupted Harald's plans."
"He was attacked from both sides, his army's morale collapsed, and the situation was about to spiral out of control. In order to avoid total annihilation, he had no choice but to cut his losses and order a full retreat, prioritizing the preservation of his main force."
So that's it! Karl instantly understood all the key points! Earl Rochefort hadn't given up on him!
Far from giving up, and despite facing immense pressure from Sauron army, they still managed to find a way, even at great cost, to send their core forces to provide aid from afar in such a miraculous manner! This kindness is truly immense!
An indescribable surge of excitement and gratitude welled up in Karl's heart, and his fists clenched tightly involuntarily.
But then Karl quickly realized that he couldn't let this sacrifice and help go to waste! He couldn't allow the Count's reinforcements to be left to fight alone amidst the Sauron's retreat!
The Sauron are in retreat, not annihilated! They still possess a formidable military force!
Once Harald regains his footing and organizes an effective counterattack or even a counter-offensive, the reinforcements are likely to be surrounded, with unimaginable consequences! We must strike while the iron is hot! By coordinating with the reinforcements, expanding our gains, and killing as many Sauron as possible, we can ensure the true safety of Carnford!
Thinking this, a sharp glint flashed in Karl's eyes, the fatigue from days of fierce fighting dispelled by a surge of battle intent! He abruptly straightened up, his voice hoarse yet carrying an undeniable resolve, and gave the order to Brendan, who had been waiting by his side:
"Brendan!"
"Yes, sir!" Brendan immediately straightened up.
"Pass on my orders! Immediately assemble all those still capable of fighting! Include the lightly wounded! Issue weapons and remaining ammunition immediately!" Karl spoke rapidly and clearly. "Have Lyon and Thorsten lead all the cavalrymen who can still mount their horses as the vanguard, and immediately set out of the city in pursuit!"
"Keep an eye on the Sauron and prevent them from easily regrouping! At the same time, try to contact Earl Rochefort's reinforcements and attempt to join them!"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the remaining soldiers in the hall—weary yet determined—before raising his voice to echo throughout the hall, "Brothers! Our reinforcements have arrived! Earl Rochefort has not forgotten us! Now, the Sauron Barbarians are afraid! They want to run! But will we let them escape so easily?"
"No!" The surviving defenders, inspired by this sudden good news and their Lord's fighting spirit, roared with suppressed fury! The desire to survive and the flames of revenge burned in their eyes!
"Very well!" Karl slammed his fist into the charred pillar beside him. "Take up your weapons! Follow me! Let us use the blood of the Sauron to mourn our fallen brothers! Let us welcome our reinforcements with victory! For Carnford! For the fallen heroes! Charge!"
"For Carnford! Attack!" A deafening roar echoed through the ruined castle!
The command was executed swiftly.
Soon, the main gate of Carnford, which had just been extinguished and was in dire need of repair, was pushed open a crack.
Karl personally led about two hundred infantrymen who were still able to move, including a large number of lightly wounded, out of the castle like a flood bursting its banks, and launched a counterattack along the blood-stained mountain road towards the chaotic Sauron camp!
Meanwhile, on a relatively intact section of the inner city wall, Brendan, disregarding his injuries, struggled to climb up.
He grabbed the Carnford battle flag, which was already riddled with holes from the war but still stubbornly fluttering, and with all the strength he had left, he waved it frantically, following the signal agreed upon with the cavalry before the battle!
The flag signal had only one meaning—cavalry! Attack!
Meanwhile, in the ruins of the inner city, where a brutal street battle had just taken place and corpses littered the ground, Lyon, Thorsten, and the remaining thirty-odd cavalrymen were sitting exhausted against the rubble, seizing this rare opportunity to catch their breath, tending to their wounds, and checking their meager remaining equipment.
Their warhorses snorted uneasily nearby, and the air was thick with the stench of blood and death.
Just moments before, they were engaged in a desperate house-to-house battle with the Sauron soldier pouring into the inner city, each determined to fight to the death with the castle, prepared to shed their last drop of blood.
However, the Sauron suddenly retreated like a tide without warning, leaving behind only devastation and deathly silence.
This sudden change left the surviving cavalrymen bewildered, their hearts filled with relief at surviving the ordeal and immense confusion, wondering what had happened outside.
Just as they were anxiously watching the movements in the outer city and speculating about the battle situation...
"Look! On the city wall! It's Lord Brendan! Flag signals! It's the signal to attack!" A sharp-eyed cavalryman pointed excitedly towards the inner city wall and shouted.
All the surviving cavalrymen instantly looked up, their eyes fixed on the broken section of the city wall!
When they clearly saw Brendan forcefully waving the long-awaited "All troops attack" signal, everyone was stunned. Then, an indescribable joy and fighting spirit erupted in their chests like a volcano!
"It's the attack signal! Lord Brendan has ordered us to attack!" Lyon jumped to his feet, his voice trembling with excitement. All his fatigue vanished, and his eyes flashed with a sharp light. "Harald has been defeated! We've won! We held on! Now it's time to counterattack!"
"That's right! Harald wants to run? Not so easy!" Thorsten's eyes burned with the flames of victory. He grabbed his lance leaning against the wall and roared, "Brothers! Mount up! Let these bastards taste the might of the Carnford Iron Cavalry!"
"Mount up!"
"For the Lord! For the fallen brothers!"
Military orders are absolute! The desire for battle overwhelmed all fatigue and pain!
Without any hesitation, the surviving cavalrymen leaped onto their equally weary but still loyal warhorses with lightning speed! Swords were drawn, gleaming coldly, and spears were held level, pointing straight ahead!