The Final Decision
The sound of horses' hooves coming from behind grew clearer and clearer, like approaching thunder, striking the hearts of everyone.
Everyone turned around in horror and saw a huge cloud of dust rolling in along the horizon, a deathly sandstorm kicked up by a large group of cavalry as they galloped.
Charlotte placed the still-smoking musket back into the saddle and gripped the reins tightly.
The warhorse seemed to sense its master's anxiety and the dangerous atmosphere in the air, snorting uneasily.
The enemy was probably less than three kilometers away; a full-speed sprint would only take a few minutes. She had to make a decision quickly!
She had completed her mission of sounding the alarm for the army, and now, a very real choice lay before her.
Run!
Now, immediately lead her squad to turn away from this bloated and slow-moving main force and retreat at full speed towards Carnford.
Given the Sauron Cavalry's objectives and habits, they would inevitably prioritize attacking the main force with a large number of livestock, and would likely have no time to attend to this small group of about twenty women.
From a purely military survival perspective, this is the optimal solution.
But what happens after they escape?
The thought that Earl Rochefort's daughter had deserted her post felt like a slap in the face.
War is never just a military contest; it is also an extension of politics.
The infamy of deserting her post will be branded onto her name and will also tarnish her father's reputation.
She could imagine how this would spread in the salons and courts of the Royal Capital.
The Count's daughter, cowardly and afraid of death, abandoned her allies...
The troops about to be slaughtered were the elite forces under the command of the Governor of the Northern Territory, her father.
If she escapes alone, how will her father cope?
More importantly, it's Carnford.
Karl entrusted her with command of the entire campaign. If their allied forces were wiped out, but she returned safely with her squad, how would Karl face his people and the kingdom?
People won't remember Lyon's folly; they'll only remember that Carnford's team "luckily" escaped.
Suspicion and malicious rumors will instantly devour Karl and everything he has painstakingly built.
She couldn't let Karl's trust and hard work be tarnished by the stigma of being a traitor or a coward because of her escape.
He trusts me, and I must live up to that trust.
In a flash, Charlotte made her decision.
She abruptly waved her hand and shouted sharply, "Follow the main force! Quickly!"
Charlotte led her squad forward at a rapid pace, catching up with the main force, which had fallen into panic and chaos.
The cattle and sheep were startled and ran wildly in all directions. The soldiers were pale and tried to control their mounts and livestock. The scene was chaotic.
Charlotte rushed straight up to Lyon.
At this moment, although Lyon's face had also lost its color, he at least showed the courage that a military nobleman should have.
He did not break down; instead, his eyes revealed a ruthlessness and determination born of a nobleman forced into a desperate situation.
"Your Lord Lyon, the Sauron Cavalry are right behind us, at least three hundred light cavalry, less than three kilometers away. If they charge at full speed, it will probably only take them five minutes," Charlotte reported quickly, her voice firm and resolute.
Lyon took a deep breath and surprisingly gave Charlotte a bitter and regretful smile, "Charlotte Knight... it's my fault. I was blinded by greed and didn't heed your wise advice, leading everyone into this deadly situation... You... you should take your people and leave! I will bear all the consequences!"
Charlotte looked at the resolute and apologetic look in his eyes, and the resentment she had felt dissipated somewhat.
She shook her head, her tone calm yet undeniable. "This is not the time to discuss this. I do not wish to bear the shame of desertion, nor do Carnford's men. Your Excellency Lord Lyon, give the order."
Upon hearing this, Lyon nodded heavily and said no more.
He suddenly drew his sword, spurred his horse forward, and galloped ahead of the panicked ranks. His voice was hoarse, yet carried a desperate madness that drowned out the surrounding noise.
"Brothers! Look behind us! The Sauron Barbarians are already closing in! We can't escape with these burdens! Since we can't escape, let's turn around like true Goldfinch soldier and show them with our swords and spears!"
He pointed his sword at the billowing dust, his voice suddenly rising to almost a roar, "The Northern Territory! This is not a place where they can run rampant! If they want to take our lives, they'll have to pay with their blood!"
"Today, we either die here together, or we fight our way out! If you want to live, fight with me!!"
In their desperate situation, this bloodthirsty shout acted like a shot of adrenaline, temporarily dispelling the panic on the soldiers' faces and replacing it with a fierce and desperate fighting spirit driven to the brink of despair.
Especially those soldiers from the Northern Territory, whose families had mostly perished at the hands of the Sauron, now had flames of revenge burning in their eyes.
Charlotte's early discovery of Sauron's pursuers was a great help, giving Lyon time to make final tactical arrangements.
Lyon quickly regained his composure and began issuing a series of clear and decisive orders:
"First team! Immediately drive all the cattle and sheep in the direction the Sauron came from! Scatter them, disrupt their formation, and hold them off for as long as you can!"
"All cavalry, heed my command and form ranks! Immediately!"
The soldiers seemed to have found their leader and quickly carried out the plan.
The cattle and sheep were driven in a panic towards the direction of the Sauron Cavalry, forming a chaotic and enormous moving obstacle.
Meanwhile, the remaining hundred or so cavalrymen quickly regrouped.
Lyon divided them into three waves.
At the forefront were over thirty elite soldiers, best equipped, wielding long lances and clad in heavy breastplates; they were the spearhead of the charge, responsible for directly confronting the enemy's sharp edge.
The two rows behind them were more than seventy Light Cavalry armed with sabers and mixed equipment. They would follow closely behind, taking advantage of the situation to cut down enemies and expand their gains.
Lyon's tactical intentions were both simple and ruthless.
Using cattle and sheep to slow down the enemy's charge, they then engaged in a frontal assault with dense lancer formations, attempting to stop the enemy with a desperate charge, followed by melee combat from the rear.
But he did not forget the most troublesome tactics of the Sauron Light Cavalry.
"Charlotte Knight!" He looked at Charlotte. "Your musketeers are in my hands! You are responsible for circling around the perimeter of the formation and keeping a close watch on their horse archers! We must not let their arrows rain down and disrupt our charge! Engage them and keep them occupied!"
"Understood!" Charlotte nodded emphatically and immediately led twenty musketeer cavalrymen to the flank of the battle formation, like hunting dogs, ready to pounce on any enemy attempting to harass from a distance.
The entire Goldfinch Cavalry formation was filled with a tragic and somber atmosphere.
Those cuirassiers, gripping their lances and about to launch the first charge, mostly had resolute faces, and many had deep-seated hatred in their eyes.
They were all descendants of the Northern Territory, the Sauron with the blood of their kin stained on their hands.
Even if I die in battle today, I vow to take someone down with me.