Blood tax

Chapter 145 The Battle of Boulogne-Placine

Lance stood on a gentle slope, watching his central army fall into irreparable destruction in the distance.Chaos from the north is spreading like a plague.

Two thousand soldiers lined up in a long line, advancing along the road down the gentle slope, rushing to the battlefield.They are almost parallel to the bank of the Beit River hundreds of meters away, and will soon encounter the first wave of routs from the middle.

"Master Lance, have the wizards lost?" Fang Fang Huo Lan and several leaders asked nervously, "We have to rush there at full speed."

"I saw it," Lance said indifferently, "the whole army accelerated, attacked and occupied the Ferry of Boulogne, and burned the ships there."

"Aren't you going to support the middle camp!?" The leaders were shocked, "Many brothers there have been taken away by Lansenis, and they may not be able to resist. In this way, the official army will join the nobles of the castle. "

"Then let them meet up." Lansenis waved his hand in disgust, "I have made a plan to go straight to the Boulogne Ferry. I will intercept the retreat of these officers and troops and leave them all or drive them to the north. Go. Lansenis' forces will capture the nobles for me."

"Various Fang Holland, lame Lupin, you take a force of 500 men to collect the remnants of the wizards, take the road to the west, and then block the officers from the left, and don't let them flee to the west. If they leave Beit Castle fled north, and you took advantage of the trend to occupy it."

"Theseus, lead your legionaries to assault the low hill of Prachen, and be sure to capture it before the noble lackeys occupy it. The flat and open terrain there is the key to my capture of the Boulogne Ferry.

"Our army will gather at Prachen Low Hill and charge towards the ferry."

Lance issued orders one after another, calmly and methodically, like a veteran general in the army.

He has assembled an army of 2200 people, of which more than 400 are veterans of the Verona Legion who have defected to him and are accustomed to fighting. Noble guards can't beat it.

Commanded by a senior centurion named Theseus and several sergeants, these veterans are as tough as steel.

There were more than this number of veterans who defected to this rebel army.A larger and more elite force of veterans, who he had placed under the command of Lanthanis, completely routed Earl Syndra's reinforcements yesterday.

Although there were not enough officers and the mobilization of troops was slow and sluggish, Lance was confident that he would win.

As long as this army is thrown on the nobles' heads, they will immediately disintegrate.The timid city defense army and militia are no match for the regular army.As for the haughty knights, throwing the spear three times will send them back to life.

Therefore, the first and foremost goal is naturally to send the legionnaires to their proper positions.

Although the floodwaters have receded, not everywhere on the floodplain is easy to pass.The village of Platchen and the low hills not far southwest of the Boulogne ferry are the intersection of roads and relatively dry and flat open spaces.

Lance thought about it again, and felt that his judgment was correct.

His army has an absolute superiority in numbers, as well as powerful legionaries.The Bayeran nobles who were hiding in the castle of Beit were terrified. After being rescued by the reinforcements, they would definitely rush to the Boulogne Ferry immediately, and then flee eastward.

The legionaries had to cut off the escape of the nobles to the east bank of the Bethe.If he can catch these nobles, he will have an amazing bargaining chip in the next battle. The two famous counts La Moore and Sharon will pay an amazing price for the safety and reputation of their daughter.

In case, if in case of bad luck, some nobles escaped, that's okay.As long as they press towards the Boulogne Ferry, thousands of city defense troops will not be able to escape.

After destroying the earl's reinforcements and this city defense army, there is no longer any armed force in this area that can counter Lance's army.He can even attack Oldtown.

There, the spokespersons of countless forces are waiting to decide the winner!

……

The center of the rebel army collapsed, some of them dropped their weapons and surrendered, most of them scattered and ran across the front of the formation to the south, and some went to unknown places.

The Fiona battle group stopped, and the city defense squadron did not pursue it.Mira led the militia and began to pursue the rebels and take prisoners, and other squadrons gathered here and there in piles and piles.

Griffith tried hard to recall his city defense force, but after almost half an hour, less than half of them came back, and the rest were either lost or mixed with other squadrons.

There are chaotic crowds everywhere, and everyone can already see the dark army slowly coming from the south.The northern rebels also concentrated near Beit Castle.

Can't wait!
Griffith handed Fiona over to the protection of the best Miyo Squadron, and raised his halberd.

"The whole army, attack the rebels in the north!"

He was the first to rush up, and the other trainee knights also rushed forward with their soldiers.Everyone had no formation or sequence, howling and charging the rebels in the northern camp.

……

After being besieged for several days, Baron Bett's castle finally saw the dawn of relief.

At dawn today, Sonia saw thousands of rebels concentrating towards the castle.At first, she thought the enemy was finally going to attack, but soon, Fiona's indistinct voice came from the Echo Crystal.

The reinforcements coming from the direction of the ferry defeated the rebels besieging the castle in one round, and then, the reinforcements turned around and charged towards the hesitant northern camp of the rebels near the castle.

The rebels encircling the north and west were in disarray.

Sonia saw a familiar figure from a distance.He holds a halberd and wears a fine breastplate and rushes to the front.

It's Griffith!
All the rebels gathered near the castle wavered.They all recognized the terrible knight who had killed Mosmoke in one turn and stripped him of his armor.

"Master Knight is coming!"

The rebels below the castle let out earth-shattering cries.Some started to run, others yelled to stay and fight.

Griffith, LS, and Gerard rushed into the ranks of the rebels one after another.The disorganized squadron surged after them.

"attack!"

Murat and Nona jumped off the wall and joined the fight.

The rebels raised their shields and leaned close together, pointing out densely packed spears and short guns like hedgehogs.

The Shutorals gathered together.All of them were wearing heavy armor, holding halberds or sword shields, and rushed towards the tight rebel phalanx before the city defense army arrived.

"Break the formation!"

The Shutorals threw throwing knives like raindrops, and the terrifying roar echoed intensively.The rebels who were facing them saw the swords, lights and swords coming like falling stars.

"Ah!" Amidst the screams one after another, the rebels fell down like cabbages under a hailstorm.Many were stabbed in the face with daggers, eyeballs and blood spattered on others.

Before they recovered from their fright, the sharp-clothed Xiutolaer had already tore through the wall of people, setting off a storm of blood among the flesh and blood.

Griffith rushed all the way into the core of the rebel army, killed several brave leaders, and the rest of them collapsed completely, screaming and fleeing like the rebels in the middle.

……

The land of the baron, which had been severely washed away by the flood, was in a mess, with fallen trees and festering farmland everywhere.This year must be the end of the harvest.

Fortunately, the castle of the baron's manor did not collapse.Although the rebels attacked the manor after everyone refused to defend the castle, they have been trapped by raids these days and cannot launch a full-scale attack.

All the magic science students and Shutoral survived, and even the wounded Lana and Kulala were able to get out of bed and walk happily, meeting the reinforcements outside the manor happily.

"Lana!"

Griffith missed Fiona carelessly.The girl saw that her Shutoral had survived with all her beard and tail, and threw herself directly into his arms.Fortunately, Sonia reacted quickly and stepped forward to hug her.

"Sonia, it's great to see you safe and sound," Griffith felt relieved after seeing Sonia safe with his own eyes.

"It's great to see you again." Sonia covered her mouth, almost crying with excitement.Similar dangerous things happened twice in a few months, and she almost doubted her life.

"Your performance is very good, Griffith." At this time, a young man wearing a mask came up.He was wearing a Homenwatts college uniform, and his voice and body shape felt like Iseus, but his temperament was completely different.

"Your Excellency the Viscount," Griffith bowed respectfully, "what happened?"

"Infected, not acclimatized, I have to see a doctor when I return to Bayeran," Iseus shook his head, "After such a big change, it's not surprising that he has grown a little~"

You call this growth?I feel that my temperament is getting old and I am almost 30 years old. I have changed my personality.Griffith stared at the viscount strangely and vigilantly, feeling something strange.

It's just that I don't have time to study this right now.Lance's main force will arrive soon, and everyone is still in danger.

……

At 3:23 am on March 11, although the Fiona battle group had rescued the noble children, the situation was still critical.

The mage commanding the middle of the rebel army fled to the main force of the rebel army in Lance with some of his subordinates. After their confluence, their troops had reached the Prachen low hill south of the ferry. The number of them seemed to be very large.

The garrisons were handed over to their local officers to muster and form.All the students of Shutoral and Homewarts gathered together to discuss the next plan.

"Our team is all in chaos, only the squadrons of Mijo and Warren Haydn are in better condition," LS said helplessly. His No. [-] Squadron was in a mess during the charge, and now less than a third of it has been built. One, "Each squadron is mixed with people from other squadrons, and complex orders are difficult to execute. We also have no power to stop the rebels from occupying nearby positions."

Iseus pointed in the direction of Prachin Dwarf Hill: "I saw a lot of rebels concentrated there, and they seem to be well-trained. They will directly attack the ferry, right?"

Anyone with eyes can see clearly. The low hills and villages to the southwest of the ferry are very critical positions.Hold there, and the Boulogne Ferry can safely withdraw everyone back to the east bank.

However, Lance's main force came very quickly, and a tide of figures had already appeared on the river bank.They took advantage of the gap when the Shutorals rescued the castle, and easily took it there, and their soldiers pointed directly at the only exit for escape.

If you are not careful, everyone will fall from a small encirclement into a large encirclement.

Lance's brigade roared and rolled towards this side.Just looking directly at an enemy twice as large as their own, the city defense soldiers felt that there were two wars.

"Shall we fight too?" Sonia said with a guilty conscience.Using another large-scale attack spell to kill an enemy who is also a human being, many people present will probably have a psychological breakdown, not to mention that casting a spell on such a battlefield is very likely to fail and backfire on the caster.

Many students looked at the flat-bottomed boats at the ferry, full of anticipation but kept silent.

As long as you get on the boat, you can leave safely.However, how can I say such a thing as abandoning the army and fleeing.

The air froze for a moment.

"It's not necessary," Griffith said slowly, sweeping his gaze across everyone, "We have completed the main task, everyone is safe except for the professor, we can leave these city defense troops and go back across the river, a flat-bottomed boat is enough Put us down."

"No, how can this work!" Sonia objected seriously, "We can't leave the soldiers who fought for us behind, they have families, and they are living people just like us!"

"They can run northward along the river," Griffith made another nonsense proposal, "If you continue to fight, Lance will cut off the ferry. At that time, everyone will face the risk of nowhere to go."

"A small number of legionnaires and city defense troops can't stop the rebel brigade, and the ferry will definitely be lost." LS also echoed.

"Will we be defeated?" Everyone asked hesitantly.

"We may not be defeated, but we are very likely to lose our retreat, and everyone will be in danger," Griffith replied, "I once again suggest that everyone evacuate immediately. If I have any concerns, I can stay and fight side by side with the city defense army. , persist until everyone leaves."

His tone was very calm, as if he was talking about an unimportant matter.

"No, no!" Sonia was angry, "Griffith, if you have any plans, just say it directly, you can't do this! If you stay, I won't leave."

"Okay, okay, stop playing this game," Iseus laughed, waving his hand to silence everyone, "Shutoral, prepare to fight. We must fight.

"We are from Bayeran, and we will become the leaders of the family and the army in the future. If it is so simple to abandon the army and abscond, when the day we need to go into battle, who else would dare to fight with us?

"So, everyone must participate in today's battle. Those who want to escape by boat can submit it now, but I personally suggest not to do so. Compared with physical death, the social death of reputation destruction is much more terrifying."

This reason convinced almost everyone, or rather, stunned them.

Berthier even thought about it seriously: "Then, should we burn the ship to show our determination to fight side by side with the city defense army? I see that many battles are arranged in this way."

Nona on the side almost scolded him after hearing this.

Iseus smiled slightly, under the mysterious mask there was a glimmer of coldness.He stared at Griffith:

"Griffith, you are such a considerate and good person, you prepared all the reasons for everyone to escape from the beginning.

"However, you are so calm. In my estimation, you have already prepared, right? Do you not want us to restrain you, or do you not want Miss de La Mole to take risks?"

Griffith kept a serious face and said nothing.

"Tsk, what a bad personality," Isius laughed, "Just say what you want."

Griffith paused for a while, and said frankly: "There is no need to burn the boat or the ferry. Whether it is a last stand or relying on Miss Xialong's sealed item, the morale of the city defense army will be difficult to maintain for a long time. After all, they are not with us, not in the same area." , They are the provinces, we are the kings, in front of the veterans of the legion, the city defense army can't last long,

"Also, we need to give Lance a target where he needs to attack the most."

"I understand, I think everyone can accept this arrangement," Sonia thought seriously, "but how can we defeat the rebels?"

"Leave this task to us," Griffith said. "On behalf of all the Sutorals, please stay behind the front line and wait for the news of victory."

"Really?"

"Don't we need to provide large-scale spell strike support? Although I am not sure whether it can be successful on such a battlefield."

Several students asked in a hurry.

"No need," Griffith replied affirmatively, "the rebel army has longbowmen from the Legion, and there is no need for unarmored spellcasters to take risks."

He then took out a battle plan that had already been drawn up and circulated it to everyone:

"Since you have decided to fight, you can refer to my plan.

"According to the plan, the troops of LS, Millau and Warren Haydn and the engineers will stick to the front of the ferry, and Lana and Kulala will support them here.

"All the other storrals and squadrons are on schedule with me."

Griffith's plan was very clear and precise.

After reading the report, Sonia was surprised to find that this battle plan should have been drawn up long ago, and the situation on the scene was completely within Griffith's expectations.The timing of the siege, the arrival of the main force of the Reims rebels, and the loss of Prachene were all part of the plan.

Iseus asked his own Shutoral: "Mura, do you think you can win?"

"Yes, Viscount."

Iseus asked L.S. Er again: "What do you think?"

"Our army will surely win."

Fiona thought for a while: "The number of rebels is much larger than ours, right? Although I am very powerful, you are sure to win, right?"

Lana tore off the bandages on his body, stretched his muscles and bones, and grinned: "My great sword is already hungry and thirsty."

The battle plan was passed without hindrance.

All Sutorals returned to their respective squadrons, ready for battle.

……

"Griffith." Sonia nodded to her trainee knight, telling him to find her in a quiet place.

In fact, there is no quiet corner here, and the two came to whisper under a ruined wall.

Sonia raised her head and asked him cautiously: "Can we really win? The rebel army may have twice or even three times the strength of ours."

"Numbers do not determine victory in battle," Griffith shook his head, "Intelligence and organization do."

This answer left Sonia at a loss as to how to continue: "It was wrong for you to test me like that just now. We have a soul contract, and it is not good to lie."

Well, there are other people present, so I have to worry about what they think.Griffith thought absently, and said simply, "Yes."

Sonia thought for a while: "Promise me, you will not do something that must die, you must survive. If you lose the battle, you will run away, run to the west, and join the noble coalition forces there, don't worry about me!"

"OK, I see."

The rallying call has sounded.The city defense troops have completed their reorganization and are advancing along the south side of the Boulogne Ferry.

Now is the time to say goodbye.

Griffith nodded to Sonia, ready to rush to his squadron.

"Wait, wait, Griffith!" Sonia looked a little panicked.She has never seen such a large-scale battle, and her knights are about to go to unknown and dangerous battlefields to fight against terrifying enemies.This made her flustered and didn't know what to do.

Lance is so powerful that it is unimaginable. He killed the professor, and at the same time fought against the elemental lord and three or four Shutorals and could seriously injure many people.

"Is there anything, is there anything I can do?" Sonia asked blankly and hesitantly.

"No. No, there is!"

Griffith shook his head first.Suddenly, his eyes lit up and he remembered something important.

Almost forgot again!I'm so immature to forget such an important thing!
"what is it!"

As soon as Sonia spoke, she saw Griffith stretch his arms around her.Broad shoulders, a solid breastplate, and powerful arms enveloped her, reminding her of the irresistible heat of that night.

"No, it's not possible."

An irresistible force pressed up, and Sonia collapsed with only a slight cry.She closed her eyes nervously, trying to push Griffith away, but her body was limp as if she was stroking his breastplate.

"Yes, I heard from Fiona, she and Lana can do it, so can we." Griffith said confidently.

Sonia fainted from shock.

Griffith lightly pressed her shoulders, unbuttoned the back, and pulled the cloak embroidered with the coat of arms of the Lamor family.

He used too much force and didn't release all the locks.The powerful pull and the sound of the silk being torn made Sonia terrified, and the unprecedented stimulation made her brain go blank, her silver teeth clenched, and she fell softly on Griffith's breastplate.

Griffith ripped off Sonia's cloak.

He felt decent about himself, and gestured with the bloody halberd beside him with his somewhat torn cloak.

On the pure white cloak, the iris blooms with rich blue-purple petals, like a halberd held high, giving people a sense of vitality.The three petals of the iris symbolize faith, wisdom and courage respectively. This is the coat of arms of the Lamor family, and it is an excellent military flag.

Simply fantastic!

Satisfied, Griffith took half a step back, tied the cloak to the halberd, and beat his chest to Sonia, whose eyes were blurred and her cheeks were flushed:
"Sonia, I will wave the flag of irises to run through the enemy lines, please wait for the news of our army's victory in a safe place.

"Your knights will take the rebel standard and hang it on the Lamour's cloister,

"I have the winning ticket in my hands!"

(End of this chapter)