Sonia quickly weighed the pros and cons of different options.
It was less than a day before a flash flood swept away the Verona Legion brigade and Professor Witzleben was killed. Although Beyelan's family must have received the news, the regular legions and extraordinary beings coming from the center are no more than two or three kittens like Griffith. Verona's approval is required to enter.
Larmour and Count Chalon are even less likely. They were the direct counts of King Aurelius Antony. If they appeared at the bridgehead of Old Town, the Verona nobles might not be able to suppress the rebels and would directly send troops to defend them.
With a professor dead and so many aristocratic heirs trapped, everyone in Beyeland would definitely be clamoring to send their own legion to rescue them. But, does the Archduke of Verona dare to let them enter?
A vague thought suddenly flashed through Sonia's mind - Will her father and Count Charles break in with regular troops? With their daughter in such a dangerous situation, Beyelan and Verona must be having a heated argument.
No, no, no, don’t think about this first, I have to do my own thing first. Sonia patted her face and continued thinking.
It is now the evening of March 19th. Even according to the most optimistic estimates, everyone will have to wait for at least three to four days to wait for the extraordinary ones. As for the regular army that can fight head-on to defeat the rebels, it will take even longer.
She herself was unfit for a breakout mission. This time, the queen of the Whispering Forest must not only be brave, but also be able to break out of the encirclement completely.
Although Sonia is in relatively good condition, she is physically weak, has no armor and cannot wear it, and the strength and sustainability of the magic shield are average. It would be pointless if she ran out of shields during the breakout and was sniped by rebel marksmen.
Neither could Berthier or Dedeus. The two of them had consumed a lot of mental energy during the day's battle, and were still in an extremely weak state, feeling dizzy and sleepy at any time. If they were to break through, one of them would die, and two of them would die.
Isius is undoubtedly the most suitable person to be a messenger. He is the only member of the large family in the entire group who has received the title of viscount. Although his physique is not high, he is very capable and knowledgeable. If Old Town is slow to organize reinforcements, he can seek the qualification of commander and mobilize his social connections to supervise.
But Isius's mental state was not stable. According to everyone, he locked himself in a room, drew magic circles all over the floor, and was going crazy.
There are only five members from famous families in the entire group. The other students either have mediocre qualifications or have not yet grown up. Although they are all extraordinary, not all extraordinary are born for fighting. In a one-on-one battle, most students are not even as powerful as an archer.
Then, the final plan is ready to come out - escort Fiona to break out.
The inheritance of the Xia Long family is not only good at defense and healing, but also has many abilities and equipment to resist movement restrictions and mind spells. On the large shoals and swamps left behind by the floods, Fiona was most confident of breaking out of the encirclement.
Moreover, the gentlemen of the Xialong family have the tradition of marrying Xiu Toral for generations, an ancient inheritance that makes everyone laugh. Fiona's mother didn't care whether she had talent or not, and never relaxed her training since she was a child.
Therefore, Fiona was also the only one among the nobles present who carried a breastplate, shield and magic sword.
Sonia made up her mind, discussed it with Berthier, a member of the former enemy committee, and the others, returned to her best friend who was still crying, and touched her head.
"Fiona, stop crying."
Sonia regretted it as soon as she said these words. My brother said that saying this to a girl would only make her cry harder.
Sure enough, Fiona tried her best to stop for a while and cried even harder.
"Fiona," Sonia could only put on a serious face, "Lana is not dead yet, but if you keep crying like this, who will protect Lana? You must take action."
"I, what can I do?" Fiona tried her best to stop crying and wiped the tears that fell.
Sonia sighed happily and handed her a signed certificate and authorization letter:
"The former enemy committee has decided that it is up to you to break out and go to the nearest town of Yambol to summon nearby reinforcements. We will prepare one or two small boats and cover you to break through the blockade."
…
The flood that broke the dam on the night of March 19 did not stop roaring until the dawn of March 20. Griffith, who was almost washed away, could only see the scene of the land ravaged by the flood clearly at this time.
The Vero River has been widened more than ten times. The original rocky beaches and meadows along the river have been submerged, and the outer areas have become swamps that can be used by boats. The low-lying areas on both sides of the river form more than a dozen tributaries, large and small.
From his perspective, the highlands occupied by the rebels on the west coast have become islands. The rebels' bivouac plan showed that they had been prepared from the start to flood the area.
Fortunately, the horse captured by Griffith was not washed away by the flood. Although it was frightened, it could still help Griffith quickly rush to the nearby town along the land that had not yet been flooded.
What a grand gesture!
Although it was the enemy's plan, Griffith still praised it in his heart. The rebel army composed of bandits, mountain people and veterans cannot be effectively organized in a short period of time. Although there are many of them, there is a question of how long they can resist when faced with the attack of the Beyelan regular army and the local noble coalition.
However, after being washed away by flash floods, the original plain battlefield no longer existed, and the large group of regular troops who came to conquer must have suffered heavy losses. The rebels now have more time to mow down the local nobles' castles and estates.
When the water recedes and new reinforcements gather... Well, this is estimated to take a week. The rebels can complete preliminary preparations with the captured materials and wealth, and can coerce more civilians. The chance of winning against the regular army will be much higher.
What should Sonia and the others do...
Griffith became more and more anxious as he thought about it. The aristocratic scions of Bjelan would have made perfect hostages, and their ambush was clearly part of the plot. Witzleben's reckless decision helped the rebels even more.
If Sonia and Fiona are captured and humiliated, the reputations of the two Earls Larmore and Chalon will be discredited, and even Beyeland's political arena will be shaken. Griffith can also commit suicide.
Griffith shook his head vigorously to drive away the bad thoughts from his head.
From Griffith's position, he could not see the fierce battle taking place in Bate Manor at this time, and he did not intend to rush over to support alone.
Although as Shutoral he should join Sonia as soon as possible, but this time the enemy is not a few monsters or a small group of cultists.
There were thousands of rebels, and there were even angry legion veterans and powerful Beyonders in the ranks.
Griffith must take the right countermeasures.
Not far to the east, there is a small town called Yambol, owned by the local forces of Verona. It is close to the overflowing Vero River and is the only way from the old town to this area.
There will be some local city defense troops and militia in the town. They are definitely very unreliable, but now we can only rely on them for reinforcements.
Regardless of whether Sonia and the others are in a good or bad situation, Griffith must immediately summon forces to contain the rebels' actions.
But how can Griffith mobilize them? Before he completes his studies or is promoted to a knight and becomes a noble, his military rank will be stuck at the level of non-commissioned officer, and his command power will be pitiful.
Would it be helpful if Galadia came? No, no, let's not say that she can't come here. Even if she can come, we can't let her take the risk.
He was thinking as he hurried on, and the town of Yambol had appeared at the end of the road ahead.
You still have to rely on yourself. Griffith gritted his teeth and decided on several strategies to take over the command of the local army.
Once again it was time to fight to the death.
…
After arriving in Yambol Town, Griffith did not rush to the military camp immediately. Instead, he went to pawnshops and shops first, pawned all his Sequence 9 Extraordinary characteristics, and got 8,000 silver francs.
A total of 8,000 shining silver coins, which is a lot of money. If he had a property of 100,000 silver francs and an annuity of 5,000, he could prepare to propose to any noble lady.
Although he was reluctant to part with it, it was time to spend money, so Griffith was ready to spend them all without hesitation.
He asked the Chamber of Commerce to help him prepare a carriage, hired two men, and rushed to the city defense army's camp with a large box full of money.
The situation in the town was very bad, there were riots and fires everywhere. Everyone knows that a powerful rebel army is besieging the lord in the west. If they come east, a squadron of city defense troops and a small number of militiamen in the town will not be able to defend it. Some heroes even feel that it is time to change their fate. .
The squadron leader of the city defense army locked himself in his room, neither reorganizing his troops nor running away, drinking and worrying. His men's military morale has been shaken, and some are even planning to defect to the rebels.
"Bang!"
The wooden door was kicked open, and Griffith burst into the officer's room like a thunderbolt.
"Squadron leader?" Griffith asked.
"Yes, it's me, what?" Looking at the double-armored warrior in front of him, the squadron leader didn't react for a moment.
"I am the second-level captain of Griffith. I want to recruit your squadron. Now hand over your command and take these five hundred silver men to prepare wine and beef and bring them to me."
"Why?" the squadron leader asked in surprise, quickly glancing at a large bag of silver coins.
"First of all, I am going to take your squadron to attack the rebels. Secondly, I can leave you behind to raise supplies in this safe town."
"I'll think about it." The squadron leader immediately began to use his brain.
He vaguely understood the situation. The strong-looking knight in front of him must be a guard of some big family. He was preparing to rush to the west to fight for his life. If he stopped the knight, there might be a conflict. The squadron leader is not an extraordinary person and has no courage to take action.
However, the squadron leader subconsciously wanted to see if there was any advantage he could take advantage of. The city defense troops of Verona were the serfs of the officers. It made no difference whether they were handed over to work or to fight.
This second-level team leader seems very anxious. I can get some more benefits, okay. The squadron leader slowly spoke:
"This is against procedure. We are regular troops, not mercenaries.
"We need to mobilize a city defense force. The procedures are, wow—!!!"
The impatient Griffith grabbed the squadron leader by the neck, picked him up and smashed him against the wall, letting go of the power of the fear spell and going straight into the squadron leader's brain.
The chirping officer suddenly began to urinate and urinate, screaming and convulsing. Under the abuse of black magic that he had never experienced before, he became incontinent for the first time.
"Bang!"
Griffith threw the smelly officer to the ground and shouted arrogantly and indifferently: "Shut up, don't be so nagging, sign for me quickly, and bring me the wine and meat, like a maid asking the knight who just came home. Whether you want to eat first or take a shower first, please do it for me as considerately and meticulously as possible!"
The city defense squadron grabbed their stinking pants and signed the authorization letter handing over the squadron to Griffith's command while crying. After being released, he fled the room and asked two people to buy wine and meat, fearing that the trainee knight from the Central Government would take advantage of him again.
…
126 sergeants and soldiers of the city defense army were summoned, and they watched absentmindedly as the trainee knights appeared out of nowhere and arranged wine, meat and money boxes in front of them.
"Soldiers, come to me." Griffith took out all the money, and a whole box of silver gleamed. On the table next to it were barrels and basins filled with large pieces of cooked beef and fragrant wine.
The city defense soldiers, who had always had a hard time, quietly moved their Adam's apples and swallowed a few mouthfuls of saliva.
The chaotic residents ran past them, and occasionally a few looked at them curiously. A lot of scoundrels secretly gathered at the entrance of the alley not far away, hoping to take the opportunity to grab something.
"Soldiers, come here, these meat and wine are yours."
Griffith waved to everyone gently.
However, there was no response from the city defense forces. They did not yet know what had happened and what would happen next. If you can eat wine and meat for no reason, there must be some conspiracy.
"Come here!" Griffith shouted, and then he grabbed a piece of beef and took a big bite. "Don't wait like a little girl waiting for me to take off your skin."
Tsk, I've been with the Countess for a long time, and I don't even know how to say bad words anymore. I feel like I don't have enough momentum. Griffith sighed inwardly.
But at least the city defense troops moved.
They came to the food, and a few brave ones grabbed a few pieces and took a few bites. Seeing that nothing was wrong, everyone rushed forward.
"Don't worry about eating meat, you losers!" Griffith walked around the crowd, filling their glasses with wine, "Drink, drink openly!"
The wine and meat bought by hundreds of yinlang were indeed good. Soon, these timid city defenders let go. Their faces turned red, and they bit into the beef viciously and drank heavily.
Griffith watched the soldiers of the city defense army drinking and eating meat. He called a servant and asked him to summon the scoundrels and gangsters nearby and share some wine and meat with them.
The scoundrels were a little scared at first when they looked at Griffith's heavy armor and weapons, but soon they became bolder.
When everyone's faces started to heat up, Griffith jumped onto a table. He pointed to a box full of silver coins and asked:
"Soldiers, do you see what this is?"
"It's Ginro, sir knight."
The drunken soldiers and scoundrels were really bolder, and several of them immediately replied in a low voice. In their opinion, they will definitely make a fortune today.
"What is it?" Griffith shouted, startling everyone, "Louder, you can't hear me."
"It's Ginro!"
"Money, just money."
Everyone shouted.
Griffith grabbed a handful of silver coins. The charming little cuties fell from his fingers and jingled into the money box like raindrops. He asked loudly: "That's right, the white silver man, do you want it?!"
"think……"
"Louder, you can't hear me!" Griffith pointed at the person who was speaking and cursed, "You still want Silver Man if you speak so quietly?"
"I want it!" The man who had become emboldened by drinking shouted loudly. Even the city defense troops and scoundrels who had not replied before felt that there was something going on, and their eyes became eager.
"Very good, very energetic!" Griffith's voice has become as thunderous as Lana.
"Soldiers, you have no clothes to wear, no good food to eat, and you live in drafty houses.
"I want to take you to the rebel camp. There is the lord's treasure and food there, but they are placed in an inappropriate place.
"Do you idiots know how much good stuff there is out there?"
The soldiers made a commotion and began to whisper among themselves.
"I heard that a box of silver was robbed from Mr. Ruben's house!"
"I heard that Baron Snow's family set of silver candlesticks and silver dinner plates were snatched away by Mr. Sang?"
"That's nothing. I heard that Viscount Edgar's chicken that only lays golden eggs was snatched away. It lays a round golden egg every morning!"
He is really related to the rebels... Griffith skipped the unimportant information and continued:
"I've seen those rebels, they are all a bunch of eggless noobs.
"I defeated 500 of them by myself this morning. When I saw that there was no money in this box, this is what I snatched from them!"
"Oh——!" The city defense army and the scoundrels widened their eyes together.
"It's really amazing!"
"Honorable Lord Knight, whose lecture are we privileged to listen to?" Some scoundrels who seemed to know a lot about the world asked with expectation.
Griffith continued:
"Keep your dog eyes wide open and take a good look.
"I am Izmir, the 100-man slayer (referring to Goblin), the disciplinary knight who beats the elves (referring to having defeated Galadia twice in Auto Chess), and the chief knight of Earl Larmore's account (not at all like this) Griffith, we will go to the rebel camp later!
“There were treasures that did not belong to them, piles of gold and silver, silver candlesticks and chickens that laid golden eggs moldy in the hayloft.
"I tell you weaklings,
"Those treasures belong to me! To the invincible Griffith of Neopolis!
“But I can’t move alone, so I decided!
"Whoever comes with me can come to me and receive a reward, and can take away all the belongings he can carry!"
The city defense troops and scoundrels who had just drank were in high spirits.
Except for a few timid people, most people shouted greedily: "Master Knight, can we really get a share of the treasure?"
"Get a share? Dream on!" Griffith threw a handful of silver coins at him, "Whatever you can move is yours!"
…
On the Vero River, which had been widened by floods, three wide flat-bottomed boats carried Griffiths, staggering towards the northernmost rebel camp.
These three ships were obviously reinforcements coming from the east, and could carry more than a hundred soldiers and two light shield vehicles found in Yambol Town.
They targeted a rebel high ground with hundreds of people. This highland blocks the intersection of the river and the land in the north, hoarding supplies for the rebels and blocking reinforcements from the north.
Attacking here can eliminate the threat to the north of Beit Manor, and contain the rebels' actions to buy Sonia and the others some time.
Before setting off, Griffith gave everyone a reward of 10 silver coins and brought them some wine.
Along the way, in order to prevent these scoundrels from escaping, he has been repeatedly mobilizing and encouraging:
"I will have no part in your seizures,
"Every soldier who fights with me can immediately receive a reward of 10 silver coins for every battle. After the battle, he will receive another 20 silver coins. This can be doubled as long as he is injured."
…
Griffith stared anxiously at the slowly approaching high ground. The river flat-bottomed boat he was riding in was a means of transportation from Yambol Town. It had no sails and relied entirely on oars to glide. The wide bottom of the boat has a very shallow draft. Although it is not fast, it can travel smoothly in inland rivers with unpredictable depths. Even if it accidentally runs aground, all the people on the boat need to do is work together in the shallow water to easily break free from the shoal.
The wide deck can accommodate forty soldiers and light shield vehicles. These improvised shield vehicles can only protect against bow and arrow fire, and can easily be damaged if attacked by larger rocks or blunt objects.
Fortunately, Griffith did not need to use these equipment and manpower to attack the fortress. As long as the flat-bottomed boat successfully carried them ashore at the gentle slope of the rebel north camp, half of the task was completed.
Griffith was in a hurry, and the morale of the temporarily captured soldiers was extremely unstable. These three ships of soldiers were the upper limit of his current command.
Without sufficient military rank, prestige and resources, not only the regular army soldiers will not obey orders, but the more honest city defense troops and militiamen will also be very unreliable.
His eyes swept across the soldiers on the troop carrier. There were a total of 150 people and two shield vehicles here.
Sad expressions and nervous twitches nearly filled the field of vision. Although they were given a lot of rewards and food and wine before departure, after the drunkenness passed, their military morale was still on the verge of collapse at any time. If they weren't surrounded by turbid river water, half of this group of soldiers might have escaped.
At this time, he could only force himself... He sighed in his heart and looked at the high ground to the north with a determined expression.
