Heroes of Might and Magic: Grand Consul

Chapter 87 Difficult Situation

When Su Mu met Eugen in the council hall, he found that the other party was somewhat angry.

He thought the other party was angry because he had delayed sending troops, but the baron complained: "You built such a big and luxurious tavern in town without telling me. Are you trying to hog it all to yourself? I won't be including you when I get any benefits in the future."

Su Mu hurriedly explained, "The tavern has just been built, and the second floor hasn't been topped yet. We wanted to wait until it was completely finished before inviting the Baron over, and then we'd bring you some fine wine."

After much persuasion and even offering several VIP experience cards, they finally managed to appease Old Deng.

After receiving the benefits, Eugen got down to business: "The boundary stone we applied for from the Kingdom has been approved by Parliament and will be delivered in a few days. I will personally transport it for you then."

Before arriving at the council hall, Eugen toured Kuraki Town and, seeing several unusual barracks and taverns, instinctively felt that these buildings were not ordinary.

Given Su Mu's demand for boundary stones, which he saw as an attempt to establish his own fiefdom, Eugen did him a favor by keeping a close watch on the boundary stones and expediting their delivery.

As for what Su Mu wanted to do and what kind of territory he wanted to build, Eugen didn't want to ask and wouldn't tell anyone else.

Su Mu patted the Baron on the shoulder. As expected of his first boss, he understood him.

"More and more garrison troops are roaming around Qiangnu Town in the south, and Qiangnu Town is struggling to hold on. We need the nobles to send troops to help us."

Of course, there's a reward for helping; if anyone can repel Isildur's enemies, Richie is even willing to offer a resource point or an archer tower.

Speaking of this, Eugen's expression turned serious, indicating that the situation in Strongbow Town had reached a critical point.

Su Mu took out the map and looked at Qiangnu Town. In addition to this town, there was also an archer's tower near the south side of the mountain and a waterwheel building along the river.

For a fiefdom at the town level, it is already considered a fairly wealthy area.

Su Mu, however, bluntly pointed out: "If I'm not mistaken, the archer's tower and waterwheel have already been occupied by Isildur's soldiers, right? Otherwise, why would the Richie family be so generous?"

Eugen sighed, "Yes, a large group of centaurs has occupied this grassland. Unlike the previous invading forces, according to Richie, this is a group of centaur leaders who have been baptized by the air element. They are extremely powerful and swift as the wind, and are very difficult to deal with."

As the war dragged on, the enemy gradually deployed elite troops.

Judging from Ivo's current strategy, he doesn't want to shift his focus to the Xilin Plains; otherwise, he would have sent far more than just this small force. However, there are always exceptions. If the battle at Xiliu County doesn't go well, the enemy might flee en masse and be driven to the Xilin Plains.

"Have you reported this to the kingdom? Relying solely on the Xilin Plain for resistance may not be enough."

"It has been reported, but now Isildur is attacking on all sides. Our main legion is holding the hilly area, which can only defend against their frontal attacks and cannot stop the enemy's infiltration offensive."

"Couldn't we have allowed the Kingdom Legion to withdraw some of its troops? The current situation in Langlitburg is actually related to the lack of manpower due to supporting the front lines."

Eugen fell silent for a long time before replying, "Isildur has already sent additional troops to support Lloyd, and the Silver Pegasus Legion has already arrived and is waiting for the other Treant tribe. Once they join forces, they are very likely to launch a second offensive."

Upon hearing this news, the two fell silent.

Isildur's resources are far greater; it can not only support the main battlefield but also continuously supply small units. Even after a defeat in the hilly terrain, the enemy regrouped and launched another attack, showing no signs of weakness.

If Elton had lost on the main battlefield, the defense of the capital would probably be underway by now.

"Didn't you think of any other solutions? Are the surrounding countries just going to stand by and watch Isildur invade?"

"What you're thinking, the kingdom has already considered. The orc kingdoms to the south are our mortal enemies; if it weren't for the ongoing civil war in recent years, they would have pounced on us long ago. To the north, the arcane empire hopes that Eldon will fall apart, as this aligns with their strategy. The western kingdoms do have the idea of ​​helping, but unfortunately, the distance is too great, and they can't organize themselves in the short term."

The kingdom dispatched a fleet from its ice-free port in the north to the archipelago seeking assistance. However, due to the previous occupation of the Fal Forest and the ongoing conflict in the ice-free port, it was impossible to send a second ship.

In his current predicament, Elton's only hope is to persevere and fight his way out. His only hope is to wait and see.

Eugen looked sincerely at Sumu: "Due to the situation in Longlitburg, I didn't bring anything this time. But Miss Maggie still wants to ask you to send troops to help guard the southern region."

Su Mu's expression was solemn, and he did not answer for a moment.

Eugen paced around a few times with his hands behind his back and said, "In my personal opinion, I also hope that you can send troops to keep the enemy outside the Marquisate. I know you need time, but Isildur will not give us time."

Once Qiangnu Town falls, the Marquisate will be wide open, and nowhere will be safe.

Since the baron had made such a plea, Su Mu no longer refused: "I was already preparing to muster my troops for the expedition, but the conditions that Qiangnu Town agreed to cannot be reduced. If I help them take back the tower, I will take over immediately."

Eugen did not hesitate: "That's only right. The Richie family is incapable of defending their territory, so it should be taken by someone capable. Otherwise, everyone will suffer. Longletburg will handle this matter and provide them with some benefits from elsewhere."

The Richie family were, after all, vassals, standing on the front lines of the war. Without the approval of the Marquisate, Su Mu worried that there would be trouble later.

Eugen's statement must have been authorized by Maggie. Since Longlitburg was so supportive, Su Mu felt reassured.

Pointing to the map, he suddenly asked, "Is the Baron's territory located a little north of Strongbow Town? Rock City, is that the small town?"

Eugen stroked his beard and smiled: "That's right, I started out here, following Lord Raven on his southern campaigns. I was quite famous in my youth, defeating the orcs so badly they dared not show their faces. But now I'm old, very old."

Old Deng loved to talk about his past heroic deeds, and Su Mu didn't find him annoying, listening quietly.

"Don't worry, although Rock City doesn't have many soldiers, it's absolutely impossible for the enemy to pass through here!"

Strongbow Town is nestled against a mountain ridge, with rivers flowing around it. To the north lies a large grassland, and further on are Eugen's Rock City and Zoran's Light City territory, though not directly adjacent, they are quite close. To the northeast of Light City is Kuraki Town.

Both morally and logically, we must provide support in this battle; otherwise, if the Isidore vanguard breaks in, it will be bad for everyone.

Eugen helped him a lot in Longlitburg, and now it's Sumu's turn to help him, so that everyone's alliance can be more solid.

After discussing the matter, Eugen hurriedly returned to his stronghold to prepare for battle.

Su Mu brought 400 shield soldiers, 300 Earthbowmen, and 100 Wild Griffins, deploying his elite forces.

Either don't fight, or if you do, give Isildur a heavy blow. If he dares to extend his claws into the Hillin Plain, he'll personally chop them off!
……

Upper Agate River, Hirel was leading his men to invade a village, binding all the humans with branches and hanging them from the eaves. Enraged, the centaurs set the houses ablaze, burning all the captives alive.

The screams were incessant, flesh and bones turned to charcoal, a scene of hell on earth. If it weren't for Hirel transforming into an animal form, an uninformed person might have thought he was a general of the forces of hell.

As the humans intensified their encirclement and suppression efforts during the Battle of the Valley, Ivo assigned him to raid the resource area of ​​another county town, but he was surrounded and intercepted by the enemy's griffin army and almost died on the battlefield.

Afterwards, he was severely reprimanded by Levin Anderson and punished with several blows of the Nature Whip to teach him a lesson.

Hirel dared not vent his anger on the two heroes, so he could only take it out on the humans, since they were of the same race.

"Wail and weep! Who told your lord not to surrender and to fight to the death to stop you? This is the fate of those who resist!"

As Sirel was enjoying the screams of the humans, a mixed force of spearmen and archers arrived, led by Locke Kyle, who had surrendered.

Seeing that the village had been massacred, he looked somewhat displeased: "The lord of this city has been killed, and his minor nobles have surrendered. Lord Ivo has asked me to recruit more men. You must leave some survivors, right?"

Sirel didn't even glance at him. He used his spear to lift a charred head and threw it at Locke's feet: "Here, this is for you. If you have the ability to resurrect them, you can take it."

Locke clenched his fists, but dared not utter a word of disrespect. The druid before him was a veteran of many battles, and although he had gradually been corrupted by war, his strength had increased considerably.

【希雷尔（德鲁伊）攻击5（8），防御3（6），咒力3（5），知识3（5）。

Element: Air

Characteristics: Tyrannical, suspicious.

Intermediate Druid Trait: Transform into a powerful animal symbol, granting the Legion special abilities (War Bear: All units' minimum and maximum damage +2; Cheetah: Unit speed +3; Elk: Unit health +5).

Intermediate air magic.

Advanced War Logistics: Increases the hero's land movement ability by 30%, and grants additional movement points after defeating a unit (footwork formed by magical power, determined by the number of enemies killed).

Ivo led him to conquer the county town, slaughtering countless heroes and nobles, and bestowed treasures upon Sirel, whose troops were rapidly strengthened.

【Storm Centaur Hunter (Barrier Tier 1, Tier 2 Unit, Air Elemental Baptism): Attack 9 (17), Defense 4 (10), Damage 3-4, Health 15, Speed ​​9, Medium Size.

Element: Gas.

Raging Storm: The first charge of the massive centaur herd generates a powerful storm that disrupts the movement of flying units in the air (enemy flying units with a speed below 8 cannot fly).
Swift Assault: The first impact deals an additional 1 point of Air elemental damage (affected by speed; for every 2 points of speed the hunter has, the damage increases by 1 point).

Although spearmen are very effective against the storm centaurs' charge, they can charge directly at archers, who have little health and cannot withstand the centaurs' swift acceleration.

Ivo had previously ordered him to raid the human archer forces, but Hillel, confident in his superior logistics and swift acceleration, intended to wipe out the griffon army after killing the archers. However, the lord of this city was a tough nut to crack, holding Hillel's forces firmly, refusing to give up even to the last man.

The centaur army suffered heavy losses, with hundreds dying, after failing to trigger the war and being held back. This prompted Levin to reprimand them.

The main reason for the defeat was that Hillel was arrogant and didn't take the enemy seriously.

Of course, Locke is now a surrendered general and cannot possibly criticize a native general of Isildur.

But he learned some news from the town, so he made a special trip here.

"I heard that Lord Druid suffered a defeat in the Shilin Plains? The town where that person is located is a bit north of Qiangnu Town."

If you can conquer the strong crossbows and advance north, crossing one or two cities, you will reach Kuraki and avenge the arrow wound you suffered back then!

Hirel took the map and drew it upstream along the river, marking Strongbow Town, Light City, and Kuraki Town with a curve.

Recalling the crushing defeat in Kuraki Town and the near-death experience from an arrow, Hillel was furious.

"Su Mu! I won't let him get away with this!"

"Once I conquer Kuraki, I'll burn the entire town to the ground, tie everyone to giant trees, and use them as targets for the Great Spirits to train to their hearts' content!"

On this matter, Locke and Sirelle were in complete agreement. If it weren't for Su Mu and Argyle's obstruction, he could have taken away more resources and treasures, and his surrender would have been much more effective, preventing him from ending up in this predicament.

The two had formed a rare alliance against the enemy, but Locke reminded him, "The generals under Su Mu are very powerful, and their troops are all elemental baptisms. I suspect there are mountain fortresses around Cangmu Town, otherwise where would he get so many baptism troops?"

Actually, by now, the mountain fortress is no secret. Anyone with a discerning eye who has seen the troop structure of Kuraki Town can immediately guess the reason.

Elemental buffs aren't important; the key is synergy with heroes. Shieldbearers and Earthbowmen both receive extremely strong buffs, making them very difficult to defeat.

This time, Hillel was quite cautious: "The centaur squad has already sent out several waves to probe near Strongbow Town. So far, it seems that only the Richie family is resisting alone. Their main force consists of sharpshooters, who dare not fight us in the wild."

The vanguard has captured the archer tower and waterwheel; you can take some men to the archer tower for training.

"The scouts have intercepted several letters requesting reinforcements, and it is estimated that the reinforcements from Longletburg are already on their way."

Kyle was well aware of the situation at Longlett Fort: "Longlett Fort is weak and exhausted. If the soldiers at the front cannot be withdrawn, they will be powerless to provide support. Coming here would only be suicide."

The thieves provided information that Maggie had recently quelled Griffinson's rebellion within the castle, which was likely another internal conflict.

She can only let the nobles in the south organize their own defense; they are nothing to fear. When I gather my army, I will march north with the druids and guarantee the capture of Qiangnu Town.”

Hirel glanced at Kael's troops, a motley crew of soldiers: spearmen, archers, dwarves, and even orcs from the south. As a surrendered general, Kael was only fit to lead this ragtag army.

Overall, however, Kyle is quite adept at persuading people to surrender.

Using humans to fight humans was Ivo's strategy. Although Sirell looked down on these grunts, it wouldn't hurt to let them wear him down.

Hillel looked north and gave a dangerous smile: "Don't worry, reinforcements will arrive soon. Our target is not just a strong crossbow town."

He patted Kyle on the shoulder: "Following in the footsteps of the empire, becoming a marquis or duke in the future is not a dream."

Kyle gave a forced smile and loudly agreed, but who knows what he was thinking.

(End of this chapter)