Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 29: x + y ≠ z, part 4
Alfonso did not know who the person standing on the pillar of land was, but it was unmistakable that it was the uniform of the Imperial Army— and he was wearing a commander's robe!
The strength he had just displayed solidified the notion that he was indeed a real commander; not a sloppiness.
“Hahahaha. Not at all surprising.” Alfonso put his foot forward. “All of you, back off!” his orders were to the nearest soldier. “Return to the lineup formation and make sure to make sure no soldier is in ‘not okay’ state. If there is, immediately make a resting place.”
Although he believed none of his troops were foolish enough to allow themselves to die from the wall's impact, they still needed to be sure. Besides, the situation is different now. They will no longer punish sinners. This time the definition of war could really be used.
Control of the amazing earth magic. He can turn the soil into adamantite. Alfonso remembered Venia Moon who had participated in the Grand Magic Tournament. Although he could not be sure if their magic was similar, but it was fundamentally the same. The man turned the land into admantite; the Venia Moon turned the sand into adamantite. They're powerful.
The maniac side fighting inside Alfonso instantly rose to the maximum level. Unfortunately, he was now a Saint. He must watch and move the soldiers optimally. Otherwise, Alfonso would have definitely darted and attacked without much thought. It was exhausting to learn the art of fighting not to be wasted; it was to be channeled. The art of fighting exists to satisfy his fighting desires.
Alfonso stopped his legs about twenty meters in front of the hole in the middle of the super-long adamantite wall that the leader of the enemy forces had created. He did not want to compete on strategy with the senior Saints, but even he could conclude that the wall was made to buy time. The hole is to limit the rate of the structure. The new Imperial Army troops arrived; they needed time to position the troops.
“Heh, I let you have all the time you want.” Alfonso gave a dismissive snort, turning around to see the troops who had already re-formed the formation quickly. “Report a situation!” his yell.
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Mortana's smile could not be widened any more. Like someone who finds an oasis after being trapped for a week in the arid and hot desert, so happy is Mortana. His kingdom was saved; the god had shown his power. The universe's preserver has moved the Imperial Army to serve the city and its chosen humans.
“Call on all soldiers to cooperate with the Imperial Army. Give their Commander full authority to act according to his deduction. Tell our Commander to choose two hundred best soldiers for him to lead in protecting the palace, the rest of the soldiers to be handed over to help the Imperial Army.”
Seeing Foratta nod obediently, Mortana immediately turned around leaving the balcony above the palace. He had to go back inside to pray and thank the gods. Once there was a little doubt in his heart earlier, Mortana would beg for mercy for it. He would kneel for more than half an hour in front of the altar.
...— — — — — — — — — — —...
Hekiel looked satisfied at his creation.
They will implement a defensive strategy here. The main priority is to buy time, but they will also try to reduce the number of enemies. The placement of the archers was very important, and the troops stationed before the gate had to be the strongest.
The length of the wall will minimize the chance of the enemy to rotate. However, it was also important to place troops on both sides of the city. It was also to warn if the Knights Templar sent additional troops from two different sides. Their focus was only on Carolina; they had no idea if the other two cities were being targeted or not. If so, the two troops sent there would be able to mess up their defenses if not careful.
“You...Sixth Commander Hekiel von Vanguarta?” A senior Ekralina Kingdom soldier approached, several other soldiers followed.
“Quietly,” response Hekiel. “We didn't come with bad intentions. Favilifna Kingdom informs the movement of the Knights Templar. We can't let them act arbitrarily. After all, you are no longer siding with Knight Templar ‒ you are no longer an enemy to be exterminated.”
“Then, we are pleased to welcome you here, Sir Commander. You saved us from a bad situation. Thank you very much, Sir.”
“No need to thank. Ah, but, if it doesn't matter to you guys, can I have you split the teams up and occupy the right and left corners of the city? We will deal with the situation here. I want you to finish off the soldiers who tried to rotate, if there is.”
“Of course, Commander. We will cooperate.” The senior soldier shifted his gaze. “You heard that?! Wait what else? You guys on the left side of the gate, move to the left corner of the city. While you are on the right, go straight to the right corner of the city. Launch your arrows on the despicable Knights Templar!”
The soldiers hurried to follow instructions. They ran over the city walls towards the two different corners.
“Thank you for the cooperation. That would be very helpful.”
“No, no, it is precisely we who should thank you, sir. Then I say goodbye to join the others.”
In less than two minutes, only Hekiel himself was left on the front wall of the city, his eyes already looking straight at the large hole in the middle of the wall.
“If Xavier is here, I will have him fill the trench with black fire,” Hekiel murmured as he once again clenched the palms of both hands ‒ he filled the trench with earth spears facing upwards, he said, then he turned it into adamantite.
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An hour had passed since Alfonso called his soldiers to retreat.
He had sent each of the ten soldiers to the other two cities to relay information to his two comrades. It was not that he needed their help, it was just that Alfonso did not know the total number of enemy troops. More than that, to conquer a city, the siege strategy was the most effective. The inhabitants of the city would starve to death if there was no logistical supply coming in.
“Sir Alfonso! We are ready.”
Alfonso's lips curled at the sight of ten thousand soldiers already standing in four sideways columns. They were led by one of Alfonso's mainstay soldiers. “Very good!” yells. “Come in through the hole as the enemy wants. Look at what they've prepared behind the walls. I will protect you with my [Shield Magic].” A golden brown light instantly wrapped every soldier in the line. “Now go.”
Following the command of their leader, the soldiers stepped forward in unison and then took a right bow. Their long columns move like giant snakes heading for their nests.
Then Alfonso sent twenty-five thousand soldiers each to move to the right and left of the city.