The defense line of the northwest fortress group of the empire, starting from the foothills of the Iron Wall Mountains in the southwest and ending in the Hess Forest in the northeast, consists of a total of 452 castles, large and small. The three largest castles are Hofra Castle, Hossilan Castle, and Hojakar Fort.
The three main castles echoed each other from a distance, and the city of Hork at the rear provided support, keeping the Orc Alliance at bay for many years.
Now, Fort Hofra, southwest of the defense line, was being besieged by a main force of 100,000 orcs and was crumbling.
Once Fort Hofra falls and the orcs break into the country, the large area of land in front of the second line of defense composed of Holk City and Iron Wall City will be devastated!
Moreover, this area is a plain terrain. Without the defensive support of the fortress defense line, the imperial soldiers will confront the strong orcs head-on. This must be a tragic battle.
The keen Rogge noticed two details and said to the soldier who came to report: "You said that our reconnaissance team was almost wiped out. Do you have more detailed information?"
The warrior replied: "According to reports from the scouts who escaped by chance, their location seems to be under the control of the orcs, and those who attacked them were the most elite Goblin assassins."
Upon hearing this report, Charles frowned.
The Imperial Reconnaissance Team is usually composed of the most elite and astute soldiers, and the Western Front Reconnaissance Team is a ghost walking among the orcs, continuously providing the Empire with the most precious intelligence.
But now, these ghosts have become undead, and it is unlikely that the orcs themselves can do this.
Something went wrong within the empire and the whereabouts of the scout team were revealed. This was the first thing Rogge thought of when he heard the soldier's report.
Seeing that Charles was thoughtful, Roger said nothing more.
The defense of the empire's western front is of great importance and is not something he can control. Rogge believes that this wise emperor can handle it properly.
Rogge continued to ask: "You just said 'according to the intelligence of the soldiers who broke out', so you are not affiliated with the garrison of Fort Hofla?"
"Sir, I am the captain of the fifth messenger brigade of Holk City."
"You are not a defender, but you came from Holk City, so how come you were so seriously injured?"
This soldier did not break out from the front line, but sent a message from the relatively safe Holk City. Logically speaking, he should not be injured, so Rogge was very confused.
"The situation is urgent. We rode a giant falcon from Hork City. Instead of taking a safe passage, we crossed directly over the twilight forest. We...encountered a magical beast, a group of white-headed giant eagles, and one of them was carrying It seems like he’s carrying someone on his back!”
"My five brothers all died in order to cover my breakthrough." The messenger captain completed the task, and his tense heartstrings relaxed. The sadness of his comrades' death in battle swept over him, and his eyes were red.
"My condolences." After parting between life and death, Rogge could do nothing but offer the palest comfort.
"Cheer up." Charles said, "Have a good rest, and then go to the Odens City Messenger Team to be on standby. Now is not the time to be sad."
"Yes!" The messenger captain saluted and retreated.
Charles used his strength and his majestic voice resounded through the entire royal estate, "Everyone, I received an urgent report from the front line that the orc army has invaded our territory. Today's banquet ends here. Those with titles of earl and above will go to the side hall to discuss matters, and the rest will go back to their respective places. The entire army is on standby!"
Outside the inner hall, the elegant conversations of the nobles became chaotic, rapid footsteps sounded, and people started to move.
"Roger, I understand everything you said. It's a very important matter. I will personally go to the northwest defense line."
"Emperor Charles, is there anything we can do?" Rogge asked.
With the strength of Rogge and others, they should be able to do something now, but Charles does not intend to let them contact the war prematurely.
"We old guys are responsible for the war in the northwest. The college competition will continue as usual. You lead the team and complete the tasks assigned to you by Anderson. Although the orcs' raid this time was unexpected, with thirty With ten thousand people, we still can’t break through the northwest defense line.”
"Understood." Roger replied.
"Okay, you go back first. It's time for me to assign some tasks to these pampered people. Charista, please drop by and see them off for me."
"Yes, Father."
Charles left first, and then everyone walked out of the manor through the side door, led by Charista.
Rogge and others did not return to Charles Academy with Charista, but went to the headquarters of the Dragon Knights outside Odens City.
Matilda and Brandon rushed back to the fiefdom overnight, and Reinhard took advantage of the time when the Dragon Knights were reorganizing their army to say goodbye to Filia.
"Xiaoya, don't worry, I will definitely guard Hofla Fort and prevent the orcs from entering the territory of my empire!"
"Brother, I'm actually more worried about you. The Black Dragon Knights are stronger, but their number is limited, and the average air force cannot keep up with their speed. You will have to fight more with less for a long time."
"I know that I will rely on the castle to defend until my father's reinforcements arrive."
"The Knights of Urgent Fire will return quickly, but after all, they are all light cavalry and their combat power is limited. Since the orcs chose to siege and break through Fort Hofra, there must be heavily armored orcs and siege monsters. I am afraid that the Cyclops will also participate. Urgent Fire The Knights can't handle it," Filia said worriedly.
"Duke Erwin is experienced in the battlefield. Under his control and defense, the situation of Fort Hofra may not be that bad. I believe I can hold on until the Knights of the Sun and Red Flame arrive."
"As long as you are aware of it, I feel that this orc attack is unusual, so be careful."
"I know, Xiaoya..."
Filia took the initiative to give Reinhardt a hug. Reinhardt grinned from the corner of his mouth to his ears and showed a provocative smile to Rogge.
Rogge, who wanted to give Reinhardt a bag of magic core bombs made by Ofina, resisted the urge to give up and threw the bag containing the magic core bomb to him.
"This is the magic core bomb made by Nana. Turn the pointer and then throw it out. It is very powerful and may be useful."
"I do not want……"
"Bang!" Filia punched Reinhardt's armor, "Take it."
"OK."
A messenger came and reported: "Captain Reinhardt, the Dragon Knights have assembled and are ready to go at any time!"
"Understood, set off immediately to support Fort Hofra!"
"yes!"
The messenger rushed back to the military camp, the loud bugle sounded, and the dragon-taming knights flew up from the military camp one by one and headed straight to the northwest.
Reinhard looked up at the army as it set off and said, "Xiaoya, I have to go."
"Yes." Filia agreed softly.
Emily caressed Filia's bright face and said, "Xiaoya, don't worry, I will go with your brother too."
"Sister-in-law, it's not appropriate for you to go, isn't it?"
"What's inappropriate? I have to protect my man, dear, will you let me go?"
Reinhard said helplessly: "You won't listen even if I don't let you."
"It's good to know, let's go! Xiaona, my sister will come to you after going to fight."
"Okay." Elena said obediently.
Emily had often led troops in battles when she was in the Soul-Calling Holy Kingdom. Elena was used to seeing her sister go to war, and her worries were hidden in her heart.
The two of them said their final farewells to everyone, and the two tamed dragons soared into the sky, following the shadowy Dragon Knights in front of them, and disappeared in a few breaths.
Rogge, who had excellent eyesight, vaguely saw a green dragon rising into the sky in the direction of the royal manor and joining the Dragon Knights.
That was Emperor Charles' wind dragon Coatl, the dragon that protects the country as everyone in the empire knew it.
Roger took Filia's hand, who was still looking at the night sky, and said, "Filia, Emperor Charles is also setting off."
When Philiya heard this, her heart was mostly relieved.
The Empire's strongest air force, the Dragon Knights, has both speed and combat power, but with only four thousand people, it cannot resist a hundred thousand orcs for too long.
The Knights of Urgent Fire who set out from Yanyang City were one of the two fastest troops among the empire's ground forces, but marching on the ground was ultimately more difficult than marching by air, and it would take five days to reach Fort Hofla.
The Knights of Urgent Fire are all light cavalry and have outstanding harassment capabilities, but they are somewhat powerless in a head-on confrontation with the orcs and can only play a role in harassment. Moreover, the army also has to consider how to enter the city when surrounded by orcs, and its support capabilities are once again limited.
The Knights of the Flame are heavy armored cavalry and the Knights of the Red Flame are infantry. It took half a month for them to arrive at Fort Hofra.
Therefore, in the first wave of defensive battles that Reinhard went to support, the only support was the defenders mobilized from the Western Front. And the Western Front was fully attacked. How many troops could be mobilized? The situation is not optimistic.
Now that Charles is personally taking action, the probability that Hofra Castle can be defended is greatly increased. Even if it cannot be defended, the defenders can withdraw from the castle under the intimidation of the strongest man in the empire.
By the time Yanyang, the Red Flame Knights, and Matilda's Viper Knights arrived, together with the reinforcements mobilized by Imperial Marshal Edrache from various places, it would be enough to eliminate the orcs outside the defense line of Holk City. .
"The problem shouldn't be big. Three hundred thousand orcs still can't break through the entire northwest. It's just the anomalies in the reconnaissance team and the people who intercepted the messenger team that make people worry." Rogge said.
"Well, I can rest assured that Emperor Charles will personally take action. Let's go. It's useless to watch here. Let's go back."
…………
Under the mobilization of Emperor Charles and Marshal Edlache, the huge war machine of the Nalan Empire was operating rapidly, and armies from all over the empire were gathering on the northwest front.
The orcs have been harassing frequently, and large-scale military mobilizations have long been used by the empire's citizens. However, the scale of this attack was the largest in recent years. So much so that when Rogge and others got up the next day, almost all the students participating in the college competition were Discussing the war.
The procedures for the college competition are all well-established and the preparations are complete. Even if the host, Emperor Charles, goes to the front line, it can still be carried out in an orderly manner under the agency of the second prince, Charlison.
Rogge understood what the problem was with Charlison. He was a slow man, or an extremely cautious person. He had to confirm everything multiple times before proceeding.
The advantages and disadvantages of this kind of person are very obvious. The disadvantage is that he is not efficient and decisive enough, and can even drive several assistants to death. The advantage is that it is very reliable and almost impossible to make mistakes.
So the students waited at the training ground all morning, and the Imperial College Competition finally officially started.
The first event was the academy team battle, which accounted for 40% of the total score.
