"The last time Usok and I passed through the Troll Realm, it took a full week and a half, considering that Spirit Bear knew the way, and the two of us traveled lightly, compared to a large army, we were very fast. So, I estimate that it will take at least twenty days for the Norsca tribe's army to pass through the Troll Realm. The Sentinels use the Crows to deliver the message, so there is almost no lag in this intelligence. ”

In front of the colorful battle map, Rhodes calmly analyzed the current situation. This was not an ordinary battle, and the previous battles were like armed arms fights by bandits from the next village. Even in the largest battle, the Battle of the Evil Moon, the number of Beastmen was only a few hundred at most. There are also quite a few mutated beasts, which are not soldiers at all. And this time, the number of the Norsca tribe went south, and the number directly jumped to thousands. An army of thousands of men is a threat to any kingdom. Rhodes had a hundred reasons to believe that once the Norscans from the north captured Blackhammer, they would not retreat in peace, but would continue to march south, plundering more towns and villages. This could have been a request for reinforcements from the kingdom's capital, but Kislev was too far away from Blackhammer Fort, and by the time the Ice Queen learned the news and sent her troops north, Blackhammer had already fallen...... A noble lord who loses his realm will be discredited, and no king will give him any other realm.

Therefore, Rod knew that this time, he could only fight alone.

"Twenty days is too rushed. If what the Sentinel said is true, then this time, we are facing a big problem. Where are we going to get a force of the same strength as theirs in twenty days?"

Virgil sat in his chair and looked worriedly at the map on his desk. The improvised models symbolize the army of the Gnoscans Marauders, and the black hammer symbolizes the forces that Blackhammer can muster. Looking at the map, the disparity in strength between the two sides is already very clear.

"Yes, we don't have enough troops. ”

Rhodes returned.

"My lord, in Norsca, there is an unwritten rule that you should know, and that is the Battle of Champions. You should go out of the city and duel their leader. If it wins, this army is not a problem at all. ”

Celta sat in her seat and spoke.

"I've thought about this too, but the information provided by the sentinels has shown that these northern invaders believe in the god of terror. The sentinels saw their banner with a painting of a burning hellhound. So, even if I kill their leader in a duel, the gang won't retreat. They will not rest on their laurels, but will continue to kill, sacrificing their captives with blood. ”

Rhodes calmly returned-

"You've been away from Norsca for too long, you've been a pirate for years, you've been dealing with the Empire for most of all, and your hometown may not be as traditional as you think. ”

"My lord, is the information of those sentinels true?"

Virgil then asked.

"Nine times out of ten, I believe them, there is no need for them to deceive us. Most of the Norscans in the north worship the gods of chaos, and it is impossible for the Rangers to cooperate with them and deceive us. Otherwise, there would be no need for them to warn us in advance. As for the accuracy of the information, I still choose to believe them, these people were the sentinels of the Great Wall before, and their job is to be responsible for reconnaissance and defense. Just because the Great Wall is deserted doesn't mean their skills are also deserted. It can be said that in the north, there is no unit that can match it in terms of reconnaissance capabilities. ”

Rhodes said. The embarrassed faces of Ironclaw and Lawrence can be seen. Because they were originally scouts of Blackhammer Castle, Ranger......

Of course, Rhodes didn't mean to say this. This is the case with the so-called speaker who does not intend to hear the listener.

"If the intelligence is true, we don't have much time left. I suggested closing the gates and bringing all the grain from outside the city into the city in preparation for the defense of the city. ”

Chief Knight Virgil said.

"But the walls around the city have not yet been built, and there is a side gate in the northeast corner that has not yet been completed, so that the army of the Norsca tribe can fight through the gap once they are under the city. You and I both know that the castle can't accommodate so many civilians. ”

Ranger Lawrence should arrive.

As soon as they said a word, and I said a word, the discussion fell into an awkwardness.

"My opinion, go out and fight with them, Rod, you promised me, in Black Hammer Castle, there are fights every day, now, two months have passed, I have not cut down any opponents worthy of a fight, there is good food and drink in the castle every day, but you know, as a butcher, I am not here to eat, drink and enjoy. Shouldn't you keep your promise to let me go on a killing spree?"

In the dreary environment, suddenly, the dwarven butcher Bogur stood up and roared loudly.

Kill Matt's long orange hair, and his bold personality of cutting if he can't get used to it, which caused people on the field to snicker. But in Celta's view, this is also worthy of recognition. As the son of a Norscan chieftain, he inherited the Norscans' usual bold style and character, and when faced with a strong enemy, he behaved like a butcher, rushing to cut ...... Anyway, he was almost recovered from his foot injury. It's time to get moving.

"Yes, we're going to do a big job. But it's not, as you say, defend the city or rush up and fight them without the brains. I already have an idea. ”

Faced with the scene of endless arguments, Rod slapped the table and motioned for everyone to be quiet. In an instant, everyone's eyes were once again focused on their lord.

"Twenty days, that's enough for us to prepare for this fight. That's right, as Bogur and Celta said, we're going to go out of the city and take the initiative to meet this southbound Norsca force. ”

"Your Excellency, you?"

Virgil's face was full of confusion, but Rod motioned for him not to interject until he was finished.

Rhodes made a gesture before getting up and moving the three pieces symbolizing Blackhammer's strength to the Troll Realm. That's where the Troll Nation and the Dark Forest meet.

"The Norsca Tribe...... They are numerous and aggressive, and their goal is to take aim at Blackhammer Castle. True, their troops are much larger than ours, three or even four times as many as ours, but, because of this, they will be arrogant, and in the event of such an army, the normal practice, the lords will close their gates, collect food, and defend the castle. We think so, and so do the marauders of the North. And we will do the opposite, we will take the initiative and ambush them halfway. ”

Rhodes said, flicking the little figures on the map.

"The large forces of the Horde are now in the Troll Realm, and in half a month, they will leave that dangerous wilderness and arrive in the Dark Forest. And we are here to intercept and kill them. They were so confident that they vowed to take the castle, but they did not expect that someone would ambush them on the way. ”

"Why here?"

Bogur, the butcher, asked.

"The reason for the terrain. Forest terrain is more suitable for ambush warfare. We need to find a good place and arrange people in advance. From Blackhammer Fort, it will take at least three days for us to reach the front line. If the Ring and Heidelberg are still willing to send troops, we will gather the largest forces we can in ten days. In ten days, the Norscans' troops had just left the Troll Nation and were about to enter the forest. ”

"Didn't you just say that it would take them half a month to arrive in the Dark Forest?"

"With a little brain, we have to measure some more time, it's not that right, this is the estimate, what if the opponent advances faster than we think?"

Rhodes said.

"Half a month and ten days, we have to measure at least five more days in between, so that no matter how fast the Norskas are, they will not be able to pass through our defenses in advance. ”

"Perfect plan!"

After Rhodes finished speaking, the dwarf Bogur stood up again and cheered loudly.

"Lawrence, Virgil, you will leave this afternoon for Heidelberg and then to the Ring, Lawrence, you go to Heidelberg, and Virgil, you go to the Ring. It might be more difficult for Varel to deal with it, but on the Ring's side, Aubrey should still agree. If this is not possible, lend the soldiers to them, and I will tell Muros to arrange the payment. ”

Finally, Rhodes stood up and gave his subordinates their respective tasks.