Knight and Wand

Chapter 265 Proof and the Allied Forces Crisis

A war that determines the fate of countless people certainly requires a commander who can lead the overall situation and serve as the brains of the entire army.

Especially at this critical juncture when the situation is critical and the enemy is strong and we are weak, if the army is like a pile of loose sand, the hope of victory will be out of reach.

However, as a visiting army, Leon was surprised by Count Runaf's attitude.

The other party asked this question not to request the 4,000 Orland reinforcements to accept the command of Baldim County.

This seemingly younger lord now intends to give up the position of commander-in-chief to the outsider Thorn Flower Army.

According to what Leon learned from Iven's letter, the new Earl should be the leader of the Eastern Noble Military Alliance of Kantadar. If so, why would he hand over his life and property to an outsider?

"My leadership position is now in name only."

Faced with the doubts of Leon and others, Runaf explained bitterly.

"To be honest, the previous series of failures have completely consumed the prestige that I had accumulated with the help of my family and my father. Many lords who have lost their territories have become extremely dissatisfied with me.

Previously, I had given up many undefensible lands under the rule of my allies in order to concentrate my forces to attack the Undead. But now, with the loss of important pass fortresses, there is no hope of realizing the counterattack that I promised to those lords. If it weren't for the '10,000' reinforcements led by you to stabilize people's hearts, I'm afraid this alliance would have collapsed before you arrived."

"Ten thousand reinforcements?" Leon raised his eyebrows when he heard this.

Runaf nodded and said helplessly: "This is a lie that I have to tell. Please don't tell others about it."

Leon and the others were not stupid, and they immediately understood that this was the other party's words to reassure people.

"But Lord Runaf, we are Orlanders after all, and we were enemies not long ago. How can we convince the people if you entrust us with the command of Kantadar's army?" Balf asked in confusion, touching the scar on his face.

"There's no other way. Even if I'm just the nominal commander, I can't sit in this position now, but other lords can't sit in it either. Everyone, even if you can't actually mobilize other lords, it's better than letting this coalition army disband." Count Runaf shook his head.

"Lord Balf, Lord Runaf wants to use our 'ten thousand' sharp-edged army to give other lords the confidence to back them up, and let other nobles believe that we, the Orlanders, will help them withstand the current dangerous situation." Azerien said.

He could see Runaf's real purpose. He gave up the command power to the Thorn Flower Family in order to find someone who could take the blame for him and continue to maintain the alliance.

This land, after all, is the other party's last territory. In this situation, Runaf still wants to retain other Kantadar lords to continue to help the Baldim family fight. Obviously, Runaf himself has no chance of winning to convince others.

"How many troops do you have in your coalition that can fight now?"

Although Leon was asking Runaf, his eyes were looking at Ivan beside him and Uncle Ron standing behind him, seeking confirmation from them.

Count Runefe paused for a moment and replied, "My army, including the newly recruited soldiers, still has a total of 4,000 people."

Ron remained silent and nodded slightly to Leon.

"My 'Griffin Mercenary Group' still has 1,800 soldiers." Ivan continued.

Griffin Mercenaries?
Leon couldn't help but be stunned by the name of the other side's armed forces.

Ivan did not stop talking, and continued to speak frankly: "In the coalition army, there are still 2,500 people under the command of the two lords from Longstone County.

As for the armies of the other eleven small lords, they total about three thousand people."

That is, 11,300 people.

Leon thought about it and decided that it would not conflict with his own goal if his side took on the main responsibility. If the alliance led by Sobornitz collapsed, the 4,000 men he brought with him would not be able to support the cause.

The only question is who will be the commander of these 15,000 soldiers.

Leon looked at Baron Balfe and Captain Irem beside him.

Here, it seems that only these two weathered-looking commanders are capable of leading a large army.

wrong!

Lola!

Leon blinked and almost forgot that there was an ancient leader of all the tribes on the continent living in his body.

"Lola, do you have experience in commanding an army of more than 10,000 people?" Leon asked hurriedly in his mind.

".Of course, don't worry, I will help you, but you can do it yourself."

Laura's voice echoed leisurely in his heart.

Leon didn't care about the second half of his teacher's encouragement, he just felt his confidence increased instantly.

After all, an old person in the family is like a treasure.

The ancient emperor who was thousands of years old, the Holy Sun Prophet, personally helped him command the troops. It seemed that he could only serve as a small trumpet for Laura?

This is serious "Jesus Christ giving military advice."

As if he could sense the +20 military buff floating above his head, Leon took a serious look and took the initiative to recommend himself to everyone:
"Everyone, can you let me take charge of the army?"

Obviously, only he himself could serve as the commander of the entire army and directly convey Laura's military orders.

"I agree." Balfe stroked his chin and did not object.

Although he had been on the battlefield for a long time, he had no experience in commanding an army of tens of thousands, not to mention that he was unfamiliar with the place. Considering that Leon had an old acquaintance with the enemy's general, he was indeed more suitable than himself to unite the two sides' troops.

Especially the elite troops under Leon's command who were invited from the Holy Kingdom had nothing to do with him. Balfe didn't think that these mysterious Holy Lake Knights would be able to obey his command.

What's more, this Griffin Baron of his own has created countless miracles. Although he is young, he has many extraordinary military exploits. Balfe has no reason to be dissatisfied with this young man.

Leon thanked Scarface Baron for his trust, and then looked at Captain Irem.

"As long as you can ensure that the precious lives of every one of my comrades are cherished and unnecessary sacrifices are avoided, then the Knights of Ilaril will be very happy to fight for the liberation of the Holy City under your leadership." Irem nodded.

He had a favorable impression of this secular lord of the Holy Land, not only because of his good reputation among the people, but also because of some indescribable feeling of affinity.

More than one knight has reported to him that after staying with Baron Leon for a long time, the magic in their bodies has become more active and warmer than before, and it is as comfortable as drinking the water of the holy lake.

Presumably, this is the favor and blessing that Ilaril bestows on those who rule the holy land.

"I swear to make your battle worthy of your glory."

Leon looked at the inexplicably easy-going leader of the Laura fan club and saluted him with gratitude.

The knights-errant also had no objection. Although the lone rangers were highly skilled in martial arts, they had no experience in commanding an army and were happy to follow the orders of a professional leader.

When Count Runaf saw that the support army had reached a consensus, he felt relieved, as if an unbearable burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

Next, it depends on whether the other Kantadar lords persist in their opposition.

The next day, more than 30 leading nobles from all sides gathered in the meeting hall of the Baldim family in the fortress. The long table with simple decorations stretched across the center, like an invisible boundary, cleverly separating the two sides on the left and right. They sat upright and the atmosphere was solemn.

When Count Runaf proposed to temporarily grant military command to Baron Leon from Orland, this statement was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, arousing opposition from many Kantadar lords, and the meeting place unexpectedly fell into debate.

If it weren't for the recent series of disastrous defeats and immeasurable losses that had eroded the minds of these nobles with fear and despair, I'm afraid they would have found it difficult to accept even the reinforcements from Orland, let alone allowing a lord from the Northern Kingdom to become the "marshal" who led them in battle.

“This Lord Leon Pendragon once helped His Majesty Casso in Usato Territory, defeating the elite troops under the rebel Duke of Aberle, and even severely injured Count Arsen who joined the rebels.

If you still have objections, please suggest a more outstanding general to lead us out of this predicament."

Runaf didn't care whether the other party's battle record was true or not. He urgently needed the Lord of Orland to take the blame for him, so he kept bragging.

Baron Ivan stood up at the right time and echoed loudly: "Lord Leon once selflessly helped the city of Shatai and repelled the invading undead army.

He saved my life, and it was with his warning and help that I was able to lead my people to escape the clutches of the dead. I swear to the gods that I can guarantee the character and bravery of Lord Leon."

The Kantadar nobles were talking about it.

"Can virtue and bravery defeat countless undead?" a young lord sneered.

His armor and robe looked more gorgeous, and he obviously had a higher status among the eastern nobles.

Leon looked at the other person and remembered that before the meeting began, this person was introduced as the new Lord of "Langston County" in the southeastern region of the Eastern Territory.

However, now the entire Longstone County has been occupied.

".In my opinion, there is no need to defend Baldim. It is only a matter of time before those undead souls cross the river. We should retreat to Mamor County like Sir Aska and his men did, and let Earl Mamor lead us."

A gloomy-faced lord made sarcastic remarks. His territory had long been reduced to a dead zone, and he was extremely disappointed with the current coalition forces.

"Yes, my army hasn't received enough rations for three days! How can the soldiers fight if they are half-hungry for every meal? Lord Runaf, how much food do the coalition forces have left?!" A lord couldn't help but took the opportunity to question with dissatisfaction.

Disputes continued one after another. Looking around the long table, Leon realized that there were really few older, steady and capable faces on Kantadar's side.

Although I am also young
Listening to the meaningless argument that seemed to go on forever, Leon frowned, tired of this verbal dispute that had no real meaning.

—Bang! The gauntlet slammed on the table, interrupting the argument with a resounding sound.

The Kantadar lords looked over.

"You are right. Empty words cannot bring victory."

Leon stood up, holding the hilt of his sword.

"In that case, let me prove myself first.

I will not need your troops. Within five days, I will launch a counterattack, retake a fallen town on the south coast, and destroy an army of the Undead.

At that time, please judge whether I am qualified to lead the armies."

No longer paying attention to the young nobles who had lost all their fighting spirit, he turned and left.

Avalon, the Knights of the Holy Lake, the Knights-Errant, and the retainers of the Thornflower, all dressed in neat robes and armor, set out and followed him, leaving behind the noisy Kantadar nobles and walking out of the conference hall.

Runaf looked at the backs of the Orland soldiers as they left, stunned for a moment, then he stood up and chased after them with Ivan.

"Sir Leon."

Runaf and others followed each other in the courtyard.

Leon turned around and saw the other party's doubts, so he had to shake his head: "Sorry, I don't want to waste time convincing them one by one."

He had not expected the Kantadar army, which had suffered countless defeats, to be of immediate help, but now it seemed that this coalition was even more fragile than he had expected.

Those young leaders couldn't even control their emotions of failure, with irritability and frustration written all over their faces, not to mention that the troops under their command had some morale. Even if they were really dragged to the battlefield, they would collapse at the first touch and would not even be cannon fodder.

Leon believed that the only way to restore their fighting spirit was to bring them a real victory.

But before that, he had a more pressing problem.

"Sir, what was the matter with the lord's question just now?" Leon stared at the other party with sharp eyes.

"What question?"

"Lord Runaf, don't treat me as a fool. Since you have entrusted me to be the commander-in-chief of the coalition forces, tell me the truth. How much food do you have left in your territory for everyone to survive?" Leon asked expressionlessly.

Runaf's eyes wavered slightly.

Seeing that the atmosphere was a little tense, Ivan quickly clarified: "Master Leon, please don't worry. The army of the previous lord must have encountered some problems in the transportation of military rations. Master Runaf has sufficient food and grass."

"Really? How many are there exactly?" Leon turned to look at him and repeated the question.

Ivan choked. The coalition's food and fodder had always been managed by Count Runaf's confidants. He didn't know the exact amount in stock, but he saw that the fortress's granary was still full.

Without making things difficult for the upright Knight Shatai, Leon sighed and looked towards Runaf, waiting for his answer.

After a long while, even Ivan began to feel something was wrong when he saw Count Runaf remaining silent.

Staring at those black eyes that seemed to penetrate people's hearts, Runaf sighed.

"Sir Leon, please come and talk to me in private."

Letting the others return to the camp first, Leon took only Azerien, Olivia, Captain Irem, and Baron Balf to Runaf's study for a secret talk.

Food for the allied forces.
It can only last for eight days.

This is the truth that Count Bardim told Leon and others.

Ivan stood up in shock.

"How is that possible! The coalition forces clearly had enough food before this."

"We lost too quickly." Runaf narrowed his eyes in regret. This was the real reason why he couldn't wait and threw away the hot seat in the hope that the Orlando army could help him launch a counterattack as soon as possible.

"I never expected that Kilmerton Fortress would fall so quickly. On the plains on the south bank, the grain in many granaries had not yet been transferred to the north bank, and those areas had already lost control."

Ivan sat down again without saying a word. He was always full of fighting spirit, but now he was also shaken.

You have to know that there are more than 10,000 soldiers on the North Bank, and there are hundreds of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of civilians. There is not enough food even for the army. Once a famine breaks out in this land, the army will collapse without the undead invading.

Hungry disaster victims might even become another group of enemies. Ivan had experienced this once in Shatai City.

(End of this chapter)