Marba didn't want to bother them too much, so he simply ordered that they could rest after the camp was cleaned up and rebuilt, but that more visible and hidden sentries must be added.
The Holy Crusaders naturally agreed to this request, and Marba, who had returned to the center of the Legion's camp, began to close his eyes and meditate.
He was sensing the location of his remaining Psionic Energy. Last night, while stealing data from the [ Mysterious Goblin ], he left his Psionic Energy mark on all the documents he handled.
Now that the important business is done, he can also sense the location of the mark and try to gather more information.
Thanks to the demon race's generally high talent in Psionic Energy, he quickly sensed the location of the remaining Psionic Energy.
They are currently located not far outside the city, and... they don't seem to have moved.
It seems that there are no beings among the rebels capable of sensing Psionic Energy markers, and even if there are, they are definitely not near Fir City right now.
Thinking of this, Marba's lips curled up slightly, intending to increase the difficulty of the game even further.
These rebels have been brazen for so long; it's time they learned their lesson.
However, it's not the right time yet; his Psionic Energy remnants are still at that outpost, so we need to wait.
Thinking of this, Marba closed his eyes again, leaned back in his chair, and began to rest.
A few hours later, it was afternoon.
The legion commander, who appeared to be taking a nap, suddenly opened his eyes.
His Psionic Energy residual markers have started to move!
It's time.
He tapped on the table, and the guards outside immediately entered to receive his orders.
"Bring Gorn to see me."
"Yes."
A dozen minutes later, Grand Knight Commander Gorn, who was currently in charge of both the Second and Third Order of Knights, arrived before Marba.
Although the two were of equal rank according to the official military ranks of the Tree Worship Church, in reality, Marba, as the legion commander, was completely above all the Grand Knights.
He could immediately disrupt and reorganize the knightly orders allocated to him whenever he wanted, which is why Gorn always felt immense pressure when facing Marba.
"You've arrived?"
Marba beckoned Gorn forward, and on the table in front of him lay a map of Fir City and its surroundings.
Gorn approached Marba and asked:
"Commander, do you have any missions for me?"
"Have."
Marba pointed his charcoal pencil at a spot near the river in the north of Fir City, his confidence undisguised.
"I've learned through personal channels that there's a rebel stronghold here. Immediately return to your camp and muster your troops. After it's completely dark, exit the city through the west gate, circle around to their north, and launch a surprise attack after midnight. Remember, it must be completely dark before you set off, otherwise the rebel spies might find out in advance, understand?"
"... Sir, are you referring to the Third Order of Knights or...?"
"I remember you're currently in charge of another knightly order, right? Take them all with you."
"Yes."
Although Gorn didn't know what "personal channels" meant, he did have some confidence in this legion commander who had come from afar, believing that "foreign monks chant better sutras."
Perhaps the other side sent some spies outside the city before entering?
However, Marba overlooked a small detail: the knightly order that Gorn was in charge of was actually the Second Order of Knights...
Gorn stared at the map for a few seconds, matching the location indicated by the charcoal pencil with his memory.
He looked at Marba and asked:
"Commander, after the successful raid, should we keep the captured rebels or...?"
"Kill them all."
"Yes, sir."
Gorn received his orders and left the central military camp, quickly arriving at the encampment of the Second and Third Order of Knights to begin pre-battle mobilization.
The poor Holy Crusaders of the Second Order of Knights were dragged back to the battlefield before they could even finish rebuilding. If resentment could boost their fighting power, they might be able to bring down a Cardinal if they all attacked together.
Night fell again, and under Gorn's leadership, soldiers from the two legions moved silently through the streets of the western part of the city. All of them wore robes that resembled those of the Holy City, and the surrounding streets and alleys where the troops could be spotted were already filled with Marba's men.
He did not want any rebels to know in advance that Fir City was sending troops.
As an experienced commander, he understood the importance of secrecy and time.
The heavy Fir City closed slowly behind the army. Gorn ordered the Holy Crusaders troops to spread out slightly and begin circling northward according to the map he remembered.
Marba's plan did make some sense. The rebels had already occupied the north of Fir City. If they attacked from the south, it would be easier to drive them away rather than annihilate them. However, if they were willing to spend a few hours to flank them, the kill efficiency would definitely increase exponentially.
On the vast snowfield Fir City, these soldiers dressed in pale white robes began their march.
Because of the similar colors and the fact that it was nighttime, none of the players who were dropped down from above Fir City noticed the situation outside the western side of the city.
A few hours later, Gorn arrived at the designated location.
He rode a muscular, tall, Hoofed Beast, and looked up at the bright moon in the sky:
"It's time. Give the order to prepare for the attack."
"Yes."
The military order was passed down layer by layer, and the soldiers of the Third Order of Knights were all filled with enthusiasm. Before the arrival of Commander Marba, they were harassed by the rebels every two or three days.
Those despicable rebels are like Thorn Rat that have recently proliferated in the city; they can be found in almost every corner, yet there is no good way to counter them.
Now, the commander of the Marba Legion has only been in Fir City for a few days, and he's already leading them out of the city to launch a preemptive attack.
But the mid-level officers were thinking about something else entirely—
To be fair, battles should be left to professionals. While Archbishop Antiya Lisi is reliable, he is indeed lacking in command skills, not as good as Commander Marba.
The Holy Crusaders began their advance through the dense forest, and a dozen minutes later, two small rows of houses came into view of the lead soldiers, and were also spotted by Gorn.
Unexpectedly, the rebels actually had a stronghold here, and judging from its size, it seemed to have been built recently. There were clearly people there now, and the Holy Crusaders could even see some flickering firelight through the withered branches.
He secretly praised Marba's reliable intelligence network. Once the army had partially surrounded the houses, he suddenly waved his hand and shouted:
"Everyone, attack! Now is the time to wipe out the rebels!"