Section 25 Military Deliberations

This offensive and defensive battle that took place under the city of Drake can almost be said to be the key and turning point of the entire war. However, there is a lack of detailed explanations about the specific process of the defeat of the Paro army. This happened most likely because both sides of the battle were exhausted. The casualties on both sides were extremely heavy, and at the end of the day, even the miscellaneous soldiers, the generals' guards, and the like were all on the battlefield. The recorders responsible for documenting the course of the war on both sides are dead (or at least missing), leaving incomplete records.

According to the limited number of accounts, it appears that the commanders of the two armies once engaged in a one-on-one duel. This is a rare thing, because it is now viewed that the duty of a general is to think, lead, and command, and that it is only necessary to lead the guard in the most urgent circumstances, and a general who wants to be a soldier will not do his army any good. And as we all know, Thomas was over eighty years old at this time. The emergence of an aged Thomas duel and victory over the young Rudolph was an incredible thing in itself. However, this may explain the real reason why Rudolph died suddenly on the battlefield and why Paro's army had to retreat.

In the beginning, everyone thought that Thomas's hold of Drake City was due to a "card time game" strategy. Stuck in the supply lines of the Paro Frontier Fortress.

But it turns out that everyone underestimated Thomas's ambitions. This veteran has more enthusiasm than one might think......

—Excerpt from "History of the Styghian Wars"

The prophetess heard the door open. She didn't need to look back, she knew that the person who had come in was Ashrufat. The strange man, who survived the battle like yesterday, examined his body and found that it was all minor injuries. And just one night's rest was rejuvenated.

If someone else disturbed her at this time when she was deeply tired, she might be angry. But the arrival of Ashruphat never made her feel any discomfort. There is so much mystery in this man. He was a warrior, but where did he learn the art of magic? He had such a great power, but he had been wandering before? Is there any place where he would refuse such a man? And why did he never mention the past? And such a man, before he appeared in St. Jean, was obscure for something?

She suddenly remembered the two sisters, but then pushed the thought out of her mind. There is nothing to grieve, they return to the bosom of the god of nature and receive eternal peace.

"What's ......," Ashruphat began. "What's new?"

Phil knew what Ashrufat was referring to. Yesterday, at the most critical moment of the situation, Thomas personally put on his armor despite his injuries and illness, and commanded all the remaining troops and lightly wounded to rush into battle and recapture the city walls again. Otherwise, even Rudolph's death would not have prevented the Paros from winning the last victory.

The old man persevered to the bottom with unimaginable willpower. He led his troops to drive the Paros back, and personally rescued the exhausted Ashrufat. After doing everything, he also organized a successful counterattack and drove the Paros all the way back to the camp.

Of course, for Thomas now, it is really more than the load to fight in person. Not only did he have all the old wounds that were broken, but he was also hit by multiple bullets from the Paro people, and it was a great luck that he did not die on the spot. As soon as the battle was over, while everyone was cheering for victory, he fell to the ground and is still unconscious.

"......No," Fei'er sighed softly. "But the tendency of the wound to become inflamed ...... It can't be contained. If it weren't for myrrh, I don't think Thomas would have lasted long. ”

She noticed that Ashrufat was holding something in his hand, and it was a letter. And since they came here, they have been cut off from the rear for a long time.

"An envoy came with a letter. Ashrufat also noticed that Phil was looking at what he was holding. "Not good news. Our king, His Majesty Rangier, is seriously ill. But it doesn't matter to us at all. ”

He came to Thomas's bedside and stared at the old man's pale face. Thomas was still unconscious, but he would never forget the feeling he felt when Thomas rushed to him in person. Thomas stood in front of him, shielding him with several bullets from the Paro.

"Son, it's all right, I'm late!" Thomas said so simply.

"Count, isn't the military council about to begin?" said Fei'er suddenly.

"I know. Ashrufat replied. The siege is finally over. After nearly fifty days of fierce fighting, seeing countless comrades-in-arms and enemies fall, this tragic battle finally came to an end. Today, they are meeting to decide on their next steps.

"Without 'myrrh', is there no way?" he asked Fei'er suddenly.

"I'm sorry, Count, there seems to be no other way. And now the more the better, the sooner the better! I can't guarantee that Mr. Thomas...... How long can it last. ”

Ashrufat turned to leave, the man's heavy steps seemed to indicate some kind of determination.

By the time Ashrufat walked into the large conference room, all the surviving mid-level officers were already in place. He looked around at the empty conference room and suddenly felt a pang of sadness. When they had just captured Drake City and held a meeting, it was quite crowded.

At that time, the commander of the expeditionary force, Thomas, led four lieutenants, and below the lieutenants were nearly 100 mid-level officers—and this is the number after the militia captains are removed. But now, Thomas was seriously injured and bedridden, there were only two adjutant generals left, and the middle-level officers plus the militia captain, who could only sit in and could not speak, and there were only about 40 people together.

Behind this figure are the outrageous casualties of the expeditionary force. An army of nearly 8,000 men was now able to fight only 2,200 men. The wounded were minimal, for most of them healed quickly and went into battle again – and then died in battle, thanks to the healing magic of the Prophetess.

Of the three prophetesses, now only Fei'er is left. The Knights of the Holy Grail also died on the battlefield. It can be said that only a very small part of the combat strength of the expeditionary force remains. If the battle were a field battle with the goal of defeating the enemy, such casualties would be enough to turn any declaration of victory black.

Leo stood aside, his head wrapped in a white bandage, and he had been stabbed in the face, making his handsome face now hideous and terrifying. In addition, he received a war hammer on him. On the surface, he can finally move freely, but in fact, he will definitely not be able to enter the battle for a short time.

"Don't worry. Miss Phil said that there was a half chance that the injury would not leave a scar. Leo noticed that Ashruphat was looking at his face and whispered.

The topic of the meeting was simple, what to do with the expeditionary force after the withdrawal of the large army of Paro?

The original plan was to stay at the castle until spring, then wait for an opportunity to break through and join the reinforcements, and finally fight the Paro people. But now this plan is no longer necessary. for the Paros have fled. In the camp outside the city, all the supplies that could not be taken were burned, and the Paros were truly evacuated.

The knights were talking. In fact, there was no need to ask, Ashrufat could read their thoughts through everyone's eyes. After such a tragic war, no one wants to continue fighting. And so many people have died in the previous fierce battles...... In this case...... It's better to stay at the castle. Anyway, the goal of the strategy has been accomplished, hasn't it?

Ashrufat came to the middle of the room, and Thomas was seriously wounded, and now he was the rightful commander.

One by one, he called out the names of the officers, mentioning their coats of arms, their ancestors, and their family honors. He enumerates the great deeds of their ancestors and then reminds them that today's negative thoughts are simply a blasphemy against the greatness/honor of their ancestors. When honor and victory were within reach, they hesitated here!Then he mentioned the other knights who had fallen in battle, and the warriors who had volunteered to fight to the death, one by one, and tried to arouse everyone's enthusiasm and courage.

“...... What do I see? So many people have given their lives for victory, and now the rest of us don't even have the courage to extend the victory? If we have this attitude, how can we face the dead robe? When we die of old age in our beds one day and our souls ascend to heaven, will we be able to straighten our chests and face our comrades who have been waiting for us since then?"

"What other enemies are there? The Paros are now just a pack of lost dogs! The bravest of them have died under the walls, and their knights, their generals, their warriors, not one of them has died at our hands. Now all that remains is a defeated army without courage!And if we let this opportunity to gather the Paros again, then we are worthy of the honor of the knights, and worthy of the comrades who died in battle around you?!"

Ashrufat slammed his fist on the table and said loudly that he needed to make everyone forget about the man in front of them, and instead let them hear the voice of a man in a position of power with the reins of power firmly in his hands. If the reins weren't in his hand, he holds them now!

"What about the captives?" asked a realistic question.

"All the Paros are executed!" replied Ashrufat in a categorical manner, and everyone gasped when they heard this. Not because of what he said, but because of the unhesitating coldness with which he spoke. "Mercenaries follow the army and let them join the baggage ranks. Promise them a salary, and tell them that if they dare to flee without permission, they will be hanged immediately, and there will be no chance of forgiveness!"

"Ditch Drake Castle and take everything you can with you. Burn on the spot what you can't take away! The whole army is dispatched to pursue the retreating Paro people!"

When the meeting was over, Leo came to Ashrufat's side.

"It's risky. He whispered. "There are at least 30,000 people left in the Paro. They just lost the commander...... Remember what Thomas taught us not to pursue extra gains...... Greed is a taboo in war command, and it carries immeasurable risks. ”

"There's no time left. Ashrufat replied in the same gloomy tone. "Without 'myrrh', Thomas would soon die!And the nearest place I know of that has 'myrrh' in the road is the army of the Paro people!Leo, do you want to watch Thomas die?"

"Then why do you want to execute the captives? Although there are only a hundred Paro people...... It's better to let them ......."

"I don't have any other choice. We don't have the power to take care of the captives!" replied Ashrufat. "And I can't let the Paros know in advance about our pursuit. Leo, think about William Daley......"

He said half a word and left, leaving Leo alone in the conference room.