681: Intercepting the Enemy

After thinking it over for a long while, Hamilton finally decided that the troops would continue advancing sixty li to the southwest the next day. He would then send out scout cavalry to observe the demon army's movements and decide on their next plan once they had a clearer picture of the situation.

Most of the lords agreed with this idea. Only two young nobles, who had inherited their titles not long ago and were eager to seize the chance to make a name for themselves, voiced their displeasure.

But the two of them were outnumbered and had little influence. After a few arguments, they fell silent.

The next day, the troops broke camp and headed straight toward Dusk City.

Hamilton had thought it impossible to encounter a demon army near the Agma Hills, but reality differed somewhat from his expectations.

The troops had advanced less than forty li when they ran straight into a small band of rebels and a large force of demons.

According to the scout cavalry's report, there were fewer than two hundred rebels, fleeing north in disarray. They were covered in blood and must have been through a brutal battle.

There were more than ten thousand demons. Over eighty percent were cannon fodder demons, straggling behind the rebels.

If their guess was right, the rebels had fought the demon army, lost, and were now trying to retreat north to Marseille Fort.

Two hundred rebels and nearly ten thousand demons?

The lordly nobles were thrilled when they heard the news. They had nearly thirty thousand troops now—how could they pass up a chance to distinguish themselves?

Before Hamilton could give an order, the young Earl Richard led his men forward and volunteered. "I'll take my troops to deal with the rebels. As for the demons, I'll