"Barracks, granary, bombs."
There is no need for complicated elaboration, the simple command is enough for the witchers to understand.
Everyone dispersed in the firelight and shadow with a crash.
A few minutes later, an officer who had woken up at night inadvertently discovered the body lying next to the toilet. However, before he could issue a warning, the granary exploded with a loud bang, spewing out violent flames and thick smoke.
The firelight soaring into the sky reflected the officer's shocked face.
However, the soldiers in the barracks remained motionless.
If someone was standing outside the barracks at this time, they would be able to see Devil's Puffball Bomb's unique poisonous smoke floating out of the barracks window.
A ray of silver light lit up from behind the officer. The officer's headless body fell down, and his head rolled into the shadows where the torch could not reach.
When the sky in the east had just turned white and scouts sent from other places rushed to this stronghold, the entire stronghold was burning in fire.
Almost on the same day, Nilfgaard's several important supply bases in Nazair fell simultaneously.
A large number of supplies, including food, medicine, and shoes, were destroyed in the burning stronghold.
Although there are still a small amount of supplies in the frontline army camp and other supply points still under the control of the Nilfgaard Army.
But these supplies alone are obviously not enough to support the entire Western Army Group, a total of 80,000 troops.
If the empire cannot transport new supplies from the rear in time, it will be impossible for the Sun Flag to fly high on the top of Marnadal Valley Fortress.
The Imperial Army position outside Marnadal Valley Fortress.
Menno Coohoun's knuckles clenched on the edge of the sand table, causing the small flag representing the supply line to tremble.
The whites of the commander-in-chief's eyes were covered with cobweb-like bloodshot eyes, and his cheekbones were sunken into two deep pits due to continuous insomnia.
Western Army Group stopped the attack a week ago due to lack of supplies.
Menno mobilized more soldiers from the frontline army to protect the transportation teams and supply points in the rear.
However, the supply routes were still attacked from time to time.
And once there is an attack, the transportation team or supply base will be completely destroyed.
Since there were no survivors, Nilfgaard people still don't know the true identity of the attackers.
The scouts who rushed to the scene afterwards determined that there were signs of an explosion.
It's very similar to the alchemy bomb used by the witcher.
Therefore, Menno has a bold idea, that is, those demon hunters who claim to be neutral finally begin to abandon their principles and fight for the north.
Nilfgaardian Empire Unlike those countries in the north, they have always had a clear understanding of the combat power of demon hunters.
But the usurper emperor went too far.
At that time, School of the Viper and School of the Cat, who were still operating in the south, were unwilling to serve the empire. In order to avoid long nights and nightmares, the usurper emperor actually sent a large army to destroy their base camp.
As a result, those survivors who escaped the disaster have escaped from the empire's sight, and now it seems that they have fled to the north and have become the empire's most threatening enemies.
But now that things have come to this, what's the use of thinking about the past?
After Fringilla·Vigo defected to the north, Imperial Academy of Magic's training of magic soldiers became extremely slow, otherwise Menno could organize a warlock army to compete with it.
Thinking of this, Menno asked the soldiers guarding the door to call the quartermaster over.
"How much rations are left?"
As soon as the quartermaster arrived, Menno asked straight to the point.
The quartermaster frowned. "It can last for another week at most."
"Change the previous two meals into one and reduce everyone's portion."
"My lord, you have forgotten that you have already issued this order. I have reduced their share several times. Except for those on guard duty and on patrol, the other soldiers do not even have enough to eat."
The quartermaster paused and then said, "Many soldiers are dissatisfied now. If this situation continues to worsen, sooner or later a rebellion will break out in the army."
Menno did not answer the quartermaster, but put his hands on the sand table and stared at the sand table.
After a long while, he seemed to have made a major decision.
Slowly let out the turbid air in your chest.
Province of Nazair, Karel Village.
When most people in the village were still immersed in sleep, thick morning mist filled the wilderness with the smell of killing, the sound of horse hooves sounded, and dozens of black-armored cavalry broke into the village, breaking the tranquility of the village.
Not long after, cries, curses, and beatings began. The villagers, wearing only single clothes, were forcibly taken to the open space in the village, surrounded by Nilfgaard soldiers with the sun wheel emblem embroidered on their chests.
The village chief glanced at the trembling villagers, and said with fear, "Sir, please show mercy! We are the most obedient and good citizens of the empire, and we have never done anything to disgrace the empire!"
The cavalry captain leading this group of soldiers did not even look at the village chief. He put his hand on his sword and said coldly.
"According to the order of Master Menno Mr. Kuhorn, and the Empire's "Wartime Requisition Act", the Imperial Army has the right to temporarily requisition food from any Imperial citizen. At the same time, Imperial citizens are also responsible for cooperating with all requests of the Imperial Army."
"Therefore, I declare that all the food in the village now belongs to Western Army Group. This is an IOU. When the war is over, someone will send you the money."
The cavalry captain finished speaking with an indifferent expression, and then nodded to his men, signaling them to start taking action.
Carriages drove into the village, and the soldiers loaded all the food found in the barns onto the carriages.
The village chief and villagers dared to be angry but dared not speak out.
However, after the soldiers emptied all the food in the barn, they did not leave as the villagers wished, but broke into the villagers' homes.
"Wait, please don't do that."
"What are you bandits doing? I..."
Some villagers suddenly couldn't sit still and tried to stop him.
As a result, they only took a few steps forward when the soldiers guarding them knocked them to the ground with spear poles.
The village chief begged for mercy, but he was also punched, with blood pouring from his face.
"Stop."
After hearing the order from the cavalry captain, the soldiers who were beating people stopped.
"The first warning, the next time, we will not be so polite. Fortunately, if it were another imperial army, they would only respond with the gallows and guillotine to the mob that refused to cooperate."
The cavalry captain stepped on a villager who was moaning in pain.
Then he kicked the villager back into the crowd.
Under the instruction of the cavalry captain, the soldiers also pointed their spears directly at the crowd.
In front of the spears that reflected the cold light like a forest, the villagers were too frightened to move.
I could only watch helplessly as the soldiers, like robbers, looted and took away all the valuable things in their homes.
When dusk fell, the cavalry team of Nilfgaard dragged the carriage filled with supplies and left. The cavalry captain walking at the back said "Thank you for your contribution to the empire" and then followed the team and disappeared from the sight of the villagers.
The next night.
Several people, all covered in cloaks, drove a carriage into the village.
All the cars were loaded with food.
Although this food was not enough to make up for the amount that was robbed from the villagers, it was at least enough for them to eat for a while.
With the help of the villagers, all the food on the carriage was moved into a cellar hidden behind the village.
These members of Syndicate were invited by the village chief to rest at his home.
They couldn't help but sigh when they smelled the smell of blood coming from the house next door.
"This is really too much."
"Who says it isn't?" The village chief brought a few cups of boiled water, "I'm very sorry, but I can only treat you to this because we have nothing left."
"It's okay, I happen to be a little thirsty." Everyone took the cup without any concern and took a sip.
The village chief sighed again.
"This world is really going to drive people to a dead end. They've taken everything away, damn Nilfgaard people!"
A member of Syndicate asked in confusion.
"Village Chief, haven't we told you before that if Nilfgaard people come to steal food, don't we ask the villagers not to resist?"
As early as Drake handed over to Lynn the location of the Nilfgaard Army's transport team route and supply base that Syndicate had collected.
Drake has already predicted that when the imperial army is about to run out of military rations, it will definitely do something like compulsory rationing.
After all, the Nilfgaard people only claim that they are civilized and advanced.
And they have never been advertised as teachers of benevolence and righteousness.
What's more, even if everyone is a free person in the empire, the Nilfgaard people of City of Golden Towers are still freer than the people of the province.
Therefore, Drake also asked Syndicate to deliver this message to the head of each village:
If the Nilfgaard people really come, let the villagers not resist.
They will find ways to make up for the food that the Nilfgaardians have stolen, and they will never let a single villager starve to death.
Drake dared to make such a guarantee. Of course, he reported it to Lynn and obtained Lynn's approval.
This may seem like a loss-making business, but if it can win the hearts and minds of Nazair people and reduce the number of provinces that rule Nazair, then this business is actually profitable.
However, what these Syndicate members did not expect was that some villagers were still injured.
"This... hey..."
Of course the village chief had given instructions in advance.
Of course, he didn't go into detail.
However, I also told everyone that I heard that Nilfgaard Army has some problems with its logistics supply, and they may come to collect food.
If they do come, don't resist.
Anyway, they have weapons but they don't, so there's no point in resisting.
But having said that, the villagers agreed well, but when they saw that Nilfgaard Army was trying to break into their houses and steal their things, some villagers still couldn't hold it back.
A Syndicate stronghold somewhere within the territory of Nazair.
The oil lamp cast a swaying halo in the room, reflecting the thoughtful expression on Lynn's face.
Drake came in from outside.
"Sir, the vast majority of the villages are willing to support our actions. Only a few villages are afraid to provide help to us due to the power of the Nilfgaard people, but they also promise not to inform the Nilfgaard people."
Lynn nodded and said, "That's enough. The plan now moves to the next stage: issuing weapons to Nazair people, integrating them into our army, and, from today on, suspending attacks on Nilfgaard transport teams and supply bases."
"You mean..." Drake lowered his head, "I understand."
In the long period that followed, Nilfgaard's supply routes were never attacked again, and all the food shipped from the rear arrived at the front line safely.
Supplies have been restored, and the morale of the Nilfgaard Army on the front line is rising again.
However, Menno still left 30,000 troops in Nazair territory to protect the supply routes.
This situation changed again when reinforcements from United Kingdom of Lyria and Rivia arrived at Marnadal Valley Fortress.
Northern Coalition's total military strength suddenly exceeded 40,000.
This also made Marshal Cintra and Duke Visekid, the commander-in-chief of the coalition forces, bolder.
In the past, the northern army huddled in the Marnadal Valley Fortress and defended passively, but now they dared to take the initiative and compete with the Nilfgaard Army outside the fortress.
Of course, Northern Coalition is composed of multiple countries after all, and the cooperation and coordination between them is still a bit poor. In addition, they are still at a disadvantage in terms of numbers. Therefore, Vissegerd has no idea of a decisive battle and only initiates small-scale conflicts.
It's best to win, but it's not serious to lose troops and generals if you lose.
Vissegerd's approach greatly restricted Nilfgaard Western Army Group's heavy troops, forcing Menno Coohorn to shift more of his attention to the front line.
At this time, Lynn's Army, which had been dormant, finally took action again.
Originally, Lynn had only 500 demon hunters under his command, and the 5,000 standing army that later landed at Nazair.
However, the Nilfgaard people's forced food expropriation aroused the Nazair people's anger, and the Nazair people who had endured oppression for many years finally broke out.
Countless young men and women enthusiastically joined the Volunteer Army, and the number of Volunteer Army quickly expanded to 20,000.
Of course, Lynn knows that although the 20,000 volunteers are large in number, once they confront Nilfgaard Army head-on, they will only end up in collapse.
Therefore, Lynn broke up and dismantled the 20,000 people, and then divided them into his standing army, with one veteran leading four new recruits.
Each team also arranged a number of demon hunters to supplement their combat strength.
The previous suspension of attacks on the Nilfgaard supply route was partly to paralyze the Nilfgaard people, and partly to train new recruits.
Now, Northern Coalition is putting pressure on the Nilfgaard people on the front line, forcing the Nilfgaard people to turn their attention back to the front line, so Lynn also started taking action.
Although Menno had previously left 30,000 troops in Nazair's territory, these 30,000 troops not only had to protect the supply routes, but were also scattered among various towns, which gave Lynn the opportunity to defeat them one by one.
By the way, when the Nilfgaard people were robbing people outside the city of food, they naturally would not let go of the people in the city.
The Nazair people in the city also have a bad impression of the Nilfgaard people.
Therefore, when Syndicate contacted Nazair people in various towns, the other parties were also willing to cooperate with the Lynn's Army outside the city, and they cooperated inside and outside.
In this way, Lynn's Army took just one month to capture most of the towns in Nazair. The only areas actually controlled by the Nilfgaard Army were the two big cities of Les Lane and Essengray.
When the news that most of Nazair had been captured reached the front line, Menno could hardly believe his ears.
He clearly left 30,000 people behind. How did the Nazair people defeat them?
Also, why doesn't he know any news?
Even if there are 30,000 pigs, at least they will neigh when they are slaughtered.
After getting angry, Menno suddenly felt his hair standing on end.
If the news that the retreat route was cut off were known to the soldiers in the army, the morale of the army would collapse in an instant.
So Menno without thinking, drew his sword and hacked to death the soldier who came to report the news, and asked the guards outside the door to drag the soldier's body out and burn it.
Then, Menno quickly mobilized fifteen thousand troops to try to break through Les Lane and Eissengray, who were still under the control of Nilfgaard.
But outside the city of Les Lane, they encountered an ambush from the Lynn's Army, who was already preparing for a siege and reinforcements.
Lynn's Army is waiting for work, and his military strength is more than double that of the Nilfgaard Army.
Therefore, there is no suspense. The Nilfgaard Army, which shouldered the heavy responsibility, was completely wiped out, and not even a single person escaped alive.
Menno has been unable to wait for any news, supplies from the rear cannot be delivered, and the food stored in the front line is gradually exhausted.
Because there had been an experience of almost running out of food before, the same situation occurred again this time, so that the morale of the army dropped again.
At the same time, various rumors gradually began to spread in the army.
Faced with such rumors, Menno's approach was very traditional and classical, that is, kill.
All soldiers who spread rumors will be executed.
After killing dozens of soldiers in a row, the rumors seemed to have been temporarily contained.
Then...
Something more serious happened.
Deserters began to appear in the army.
Even though Menno deployed additional patrols to keep watch, the phenomenon of desertion still persisted.
What makes Menno even more stressed is that the officers are not on his side either. They generally believe that they should retreat.
There is no possibility of winning if the fight continues.
In fact, Menno didn't know it, but Emperor Emhyr entrusted him with the important task of commander-in-chief of Western Army Group. He originally hoped that he would break through Marnadal Valley and occupy Cintra in the form of a blitzkrieg.
As a result, he even lost Nazair.
If he withdraws his troops like this, what will the emperor do to him?
As long as the emperor is not stupid, he will not destroy the Great Wall and execute all the officers.
But there has to be someone who takes the blame for the unfavorable outcome of the war, and that person can only be himself.
Anyway, if you go back, you will die, so you might as well stay, maybe there will be a turn for the better.
Under the combined pressure of the difficulties faced by the army and the possible punishment they would receive after returning to Nilfgaard, even the former famous general Menno Kuhorn finally ruined his last chance to preserve his strength out of selfish motives.
On the eve of Western Army Group's food shortage, Northern Coalition left Marnadal Valley Fortress and launched a massive attack on the Nilfgaard Army's position.