85_85536 Yes, yes, comparatively, the Goths though lost a large area of land in the Carpathian Mountains. At the same time, the eastern part of the Wende Kingdom was also greatly weakened. However, the main body of the Goths, the interior of the kingdom, basically did not feel the invasion of centaurs. Kingdoms like Frisia, Franconia, and Lombardy, deep inland, are completely unaware of the threat of centaurs.

The Slavites, on the other hand, are different. They lost more than half of their territory. Several once-powerful and glorious Slavic kingdoms were completely destroyed. Today, it is likely that the number of Slavites under the Centaur rule of Tartaria exceeds that of the four remaining Slavic states combined.

At the same time, it is different from the Wende people, who have the natural barrier of the Vistula River and are supported by the Gothic Empire. The two countries of Ruthenia and Pyrm, bordered by the Slavites and Centaurs, were open fields, steppes or plains to the south. There is no danger at all. The rivers in these countries usually run north-south and cannot be used as a barrier at all. Because the Tartariya Khanate was to their south. During the summer and autumn when the rivers flooded, these rivers could even be used as transport channels to facilitate the attack of centaurs.

That's it. Unlike the Goths' unhurried scheduling, bargaining with each other, and even asking William to trick them into getting reinforcements. After sensing the centaurs' intention to attack, the four Slavic countries reached an alliance at the first time. Its decisiveness and speed are much faster than those of the four Grand Dukes of Wende and the Gothic Empire.

Although the information received by William was not comprehensive. But from the information he has available, as well as the wars between Tartarya and the Slavites in history, he has concluded that if the four Slavic nations fight with all their might, they will probably be able to pull out between 30,000 and 50,000 troops. Among them were some of the more combat-ready nomadic cavalry, as well as mercenaries from the Novgorod side of the North, as well as the Boye cavalry from Ruthenia.

This army may be inferior in number to the upcoming Gothic Knights' Crusaders and the allied forces of the Kingdom of Wende. But there should not be much difference in combat effectiveness.

"In fact, in a sense, those guys are more trustworthy than the Empire. In the end, William made this assessment of these Slavic forces.

They may be a little backward in terms of weaponry, but the fighting enthusiasm of the Slavits, as well as the strong physique trained in the poor areas, gave them the combat effectiveness that was not inferior to that of the Goths.

“...... Perhaps. I'm not so sure. William's aunt said with a frown. Although she admits in her heart that William's words are most likely right, emotionally, Freya refuses to admit it.

And, in the future, it is very likely that she will participate in the Order's crusade expedition. According to their ideals and intentions, they were to go to the kingdom of the Slavites and plunder land and wealth. In this case, William recognized the combat effectiveness of the Slavians. It made her feel like she had been deceived.

"That's right. William smiled, "But there is one more thing to be aware of. That is, the Slavites bear the brunt of it.

If the centaurs want to attack Wender comfortably, they must defeat the Slavic army before doing so. And considering the fighting enthusiasm of the Slavites, the losses they suffered in the battle with the centaurs are also conceivable.

At that time, the Slavites, weakened by Yan zhòng, probably won't be able to do much damage to the Gothic knights' crusaders. ”

"That's right...... Hearing William say this, Freya was skeptical. But in the end, she chose to believe William's words.

That's it. In recent days, William's life has been very leisurely. In addition to the routine cooking duties, they gather in the lounge and recreation room to accompany Charlumi and Aunt Freya. Or to be accompanied by Charlumi and Aunt Freya to relax. Leisure and entertainment.

And, of course, talk about the current situation.

According to his words, he did everything he needed to do now. He even helped with things he shouldn't have done. And now that it has entered winter, it is customary that the other side will not attack in winter. And an incident like the invasion of a small group of centaurs that occurred the previous winter is not a problem at all given the current level of security in the human world.

Under such circumstances, it is natural for him to recharge his energy so that he can participate in the war that breaks out at the beginning of next spring.

Of course, William is so relaxed, and it is not for no other reason. The cold winter is his best helper.

Although it did not rain heavily during the autumn harvest as it did last year, it was barely smooth. But in winter, bitterly cold at this point. This year's winter is no less than last year's.

Throughout Mystia, and indeed throughout the border regions, the kingdom of the Slavites was in bitter cold. Mountains, fields, forests, rivers, towns...... White snow and ice cover a qiē and become the only dominant color of the season.

"Do you think it's colder this winter than last year?" asked William to Charlumie.

"Hmm...... It seems to be a little. Charlumi replied.

"And what about the interior of the Empire?" said William, turning his head again and asking his aunt Freya.

"It's colder than the interior of the Empire. Freya replied.

"That is, according to common sense, in this weather, the centaurs of Tartaria will not attack. Although the steppe peoples and centaurs, as well as the Slavites, are more hardy than we are. William said as if summing up.

"You said it, it's just common sense. What if they don't follow common sense?" Freya said, somewhat uncertain, "though I haven't dealt with those centaurs. But I've also heard that they are a bunch of savages through and through. I have no moral concept at all, and I don't know chivalry, so I ......"

Hearing Freya say this, William secretly admired. Should I say that she is worthy of being a member of the Hereford family? Aunt Freya's strategic vision is really good. It is much better than those old-fashioned and rigid traditional aristocratic officers.

"Yes, you have a point. William smiled and agreed with Freya's words, then added:

"However, that's just the general 'exception'. ”

"Exceptions in general?" Freya was confused by William's choice of words, "This statement seems a bit contradictory. ”

"Yes. Well...... In other words, we can classify the situation a little more specifically. William said: "Attack in the winter, not in the winter." These are two points. The reason to attack in the winter, the reason not to attack in the winter. Again, these are two points...... Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Freya nodded, indicating that she could understand what William was saying.

"Good. William nodded, then continued: "Under normal circumstances, people would think about the winter attack. Especially the centaurs of Tartaria, who know the winter climate of the Great Frontier region. So the vast majority of people believe that the centaurs will not attack in winter. This is the first consideration. ”

"Yes. Freya then nodded.

"And then there's the second layer. That's what Aunt Freya said, if they turn around and attack in the winter. So what happens. ”

"It will be a surprise. If we are unprepared, we will fall into chaos because of the enemy's surprise attack, and then lose the war. Freya replied.

"But that's just one possibility. William said, "Fifty percent, or less." Because attacking in the winter is in itself contrary to natural science. When the day comes, the location is not on his side. He will spend more time marching and will need to prepare more supplies to protect him from the cold. At the same time, they also have to endure non-combat attrition due to the severe cold. These difficulties, in turn, will cause the morale of his army to drop. ”

"That's right......" Freya nodded.

"So it's a gamble. William concluded: "A military gamble." ”

After saying this, he looked at Freya and asked, "So, aunt, if you were the centaur khan of Tartaria, would you make such a gamble?"

"It should ...... No. Freya thought about it for a moment and gave a negative answer.

"Why?" asked William, smiling.

"Because it's not necessary. After a moment of loss, Freya returned to normalcy and analyzed: "Yes, there is no need. The current Tartariya Khanate has the upper hand. Both the number of troops, resources, and strategic shape shì were in their favor. In this case, there is no need for them to take too many risks and march into the winter...... That's right. I took it for granted. The so-called conspiracy, to put it bluntly, is just the last struggle and resistance of the weak. A really strong person doesn't use that kind of thing. ”

At this point, Freya's expression was a little wrong. Half frustration, half admiration. Frustration is because of himself, admiration is because of William.

Despite serving in the Gothic Knights for more than ten years and covering almost the entire human world, Freya dared to be a mage of the Lord of Radiance, and she had never seen a military strategist as powerful as William.

At the same time, though, Freya felt a greater sense of disobedience.

It was a question of the abilities of her enemy, that is, Sarida Khan of Tartaria. She had a vague feeling that William might be hiding something from her.

Sarida Khan, perhaps, was not as useless as he said at the beginning