Chapter 107 War (Part )

Earl Matthew Nott of the Principality of Nott asked loudly, "What arrangements will you make for the order of the army's attack?"

When these words were spoken, everyone held their breath and concentrated. This was also what the noble lords, big and small, in the tent wanted to ask the most.

After all, under the customary feudal system in the North, the army in their hands is the foundation of their survival. No one is selfless enough to consume their own strength to win. Many nobles even participated in this war under semi-coercion. Of course, the Rackman family also gave up irresistible benefits.

Robert lowered his white-gloved hands slightly and said calmly:

"Everyone, please be patient. I will not let your troops die in vain."

"This time, the Duke has recruited 10,000 civilians to form the 'Legion of Honor'. These brave men will be dispatched as the vanguard. They will test the strength of these minions for us."

The nobles finally felt relieved, and no one raised any more questions - it turned out that there were cannon fodder paving the way.

However, Andrei frowned and asked again: "How can we let some civilians be cannon fodder? This is not in line with the heroic and compassionate chivalry spirit."

"Hahahahaha!"

Everyone burst into laughter again, and the atmosphere became quite relaxed.

These fledgling "little lions" are so naive. They are northern nobles, and who would take these so-called "gray beasts" seriously?
However, seeing Andre's serious expression, Robert still suppressed his smile and explained:

"Well, they are all warriors who volunteered to go to the battle. If they die heroically in the battle, the Principality will compensate their families with a generous amount of compensation."

"It's just that it's hard to say whether they have families and whether the relief money can be distributed to them," he added secretly in his mind.

Before the war, the "Legion of Honor" might still be farmers working in the fields and had not undergone any systematic military training.

Apart from inferior weapons, they have almost no armor equipment, or in other words, their main job is not to fight, but to feed the horses, transport supplies, and serve as cannon fodder before the elite troops are dispatched.

They were often tenants and serfs under the gentry and landlords, poor people without personal freedom. They were not even qualified to own spoils of war. The military exploits and spoils they obtained were often recorded in the name of their masters.

That's the kind of guys we are.

He was treated like a piece of trash by the nobles in the north.

Andre felt the mocking gazes around him and lowered his head in silence.

Robert pointed at the map and continued to make tactical arrangements.

The Rackman family's direct army, with more than 8,000 "Eagle Claws" stationed in the center, launched a frontal attack after the civilians had found out the situation.

The 3,000-man "Lionheart Legion" sent by the Bosk family and the 5,000 reinforcements of the Nott family were divided into the left and right wings, guarding the flanks of the coalition forces after entering the Storm Peak.

The private armies of the noble lords, totaling more than 4,000 people, were mixed in with the coalition forces and followed the command of the general, but Robert did not expect him to be able to command them. The reason for separating them was mainly because he was afraid that they would start fighting before the war started.

The 300 North Wind Eagle Guards were hovering in the air, looking down to observe the situation and waiting for an opportunity to strike the enemy from the air at key points. However, for some reason, the 6th North Wind Eagle Guards sent out to scout the situation had not returned yet. It seemed that they had encountered some troubles, which gave Robert a headache.

A baron from the Rackman Principality asked in a low voice: "Sir, then, what should we do with the dragon?"

"I heard it's a terrifying existence."

His fiefdom was not far from Storm Peak, and rumors of the terrifying "Flying Flame Dragon" often came from the north.

In those poems, the red dragon is described as the favorite of Tiamat, the incarnation of the Infernal Flame, the master of endless fire, the destined destroyer of the Northern Kingdom, and a being that can burn everything.

Robert sneered.

"Oh, the so-called 'Flying Flame Dragon'?" "Don't be fooled by those bards' stupid poems. Both the intelligence from the North Wind Eagle Guard and my prophecy spell can confirm that it is just a young red dragon with a slightly different breath. It may even be smaller than its youth stage."

The wizard "Grey Eagle" was actually also in the tent, he said hoarsely.

"This is Lord Schlaude, the chief wizard of the principality. I believe that no one here can match his magical attainments."

Robert continued, "Yes, those so-called poems are probably just propaganda by this vain and conceited red dragon."

"Everyone, please come with me."

As if his words were not convincing enough, Robert strode out of the tent, followed by the nobles.

They came to an open space where the baggage was piled.

Everyone's attention was immediately attracted by a huge object. The shape of the object could not be seen because it was covered with thick cloth. It was more than two people tall. It took twelve horses and hundreds of laborers to transport this one object alone, and there were three of them on display here.

They had noticed it a long time ago and were extremely curious about it.

"Everyone, please look——"

Robert gave a wink, and the guards on both sides walked forward and removed the thick cloth covering it.

This is a huge, bulky mechanical weapon, made of rough black wood and dark gray metal. The boring machine is tall and thick, with an extremely solid iron frame at the bottom, and several metal wheels installed to help it move slowly.

The top is a conical crossbow arrow tube covered with iron sheets covered with rivets, and curved slender crossbow arms are fixed on both sides.

A giant arrow, as thick as an arm and more than two meters long, lay quietly on the boring machine. The sharp iron arrowhead flashed with cold light, and there seemed to be mottled bloodstains on it.

This is a giant crossbow with incredible power!

"Oh——"

Everyone exclaimed in surprise, marveling at this terrifying battlefield weapon.

Duke Robert seemed very satisfied with the expressions of the crowd, and explained in a proud tone: “This is a dragon-killing crossbow, its arrows are stained with dragon blood, and can easily penetrate the scales of a giant dragon.

"One hundred and forty years ago, General Turner Rackman used it to kill the old white dragon Glacier Wing that was wreaking havoc in the North."

He stretched out a finger and shook it deliberately.

"With just one arrow, he pierced the dragon's heart."

"And at that time, the great General Turner only had a dragon-killing crossbow."

"And now, our Rackman Principality spent tens of thousands of gold coins to find these three dragon-killing crossbows, and it took hundreds of horses and thousands of manpower to transport them here. I believe you can understand how much effort we have put in and how much confidence I have."

"As long as the giant dragon dares to show up, these three dragon-killing crossbows will shoot it down."

Robert's tone sounded determined.

"Flying Flame Dragon?"

"Hehe, I want to make it a fallen dragon."

(End of this chapter)