On March 23, 1444, at 6:00 in the morning, the entire army was awakened. The river, which had been flooding for several days, has mostly receded, leaving behind muddy ground and patches of swamps along the river banks.
After a day of gathering and adjustments on the 22nd, the troops gathered around Fiona were not ready for battle at all.
Despite this, everyone has no more time to hesitate. Many residents of Yambol Town were notified to prepare three meals of bread and soup for the soldiers, and breakfast must be delivered to the ferry on the east bank of the Beit River before 7:30.
"Make sure everyone eats fried onions, that's an order!" Fiona made a serious yet cute request before the whole day of combat began.
The army is not in good condition, and many preparations have not been completed. Before setting off, Griffith was horrified to discover that some militiamen didn't even know about their squadron.
Despite these problems, eating fried onions for breakfast was still implemented. The town officials quickly prepared onions, eager to send the eldest daughter away as soon as possible.
The Fiona battle group, composed of city defense troops and militiamen from different towns, left the camp and headed towards the river crossing point along the pre-set road under the leadership of Shutoral. Mira has already led people to plant small flags in villages and roadsides along the way to mark the route to the shore.
Following Mira's troops, who were in the vanguard, six squadrons of Griffiths, Lasalle, Milhaud, Gérard, Ray, Jehovah, Aaron, and Hayton, as well as the engineering corps, set off one after another. They moved forward along the three roads that had been planned long ago, and their actions were very accurate. They neither got lost nor blocked the road.
7:30 am.
In addition to some of the city defense troops who had gathered at the Boulogne ferry on the west bank, each squadron blocked the ferry on the east bank and began to board boats to cross the river in batches. The remaining people had breakfast on the spot.
The fried onion rings that have just come out of the pan are put into the big pot and distributed directly to everyone's hands by the chef. The snack-like snacks are golden and beautiful, a little hot to the touch, and have a fragrant aroma.
Griffith got two slices of fried onions that were still warm. He took a bite. It was crispy and had a little tender sweetness. It didn't have the taste of onions that he usually eats.
Not bad... Griffith, who hadn't had anything sweet for several days and didn't even have sugar, was in a good mood. He ate the onion ring in two bites and then stared at the piece in Lasalle's hand.
"It's delicious!" The fierce hussar noticed the gaze of his companion, swallowed the onion in one bite, and said with a bulging mouth, "This should be the tradition of the Xia Long family, and maybe it has mystical significance."
Due to the limited number of ships, only two squadrons of troops can be transported at a time.
Griffith's and Lasalle's squadrons were the vanguard of this battle. They were the first to board the flat-bottomed boats and row toward the other side of the river.
As soon as they arrived on the other side, the two trainee knights jumped down to rectify the city defense forces that had arrived. Their squadron followed closely and formed in formation to the west of the Boulogne ferry.
The rebels gathered on the west side of the ferry soon discovered the newly arrived squadron and the large force assembled in the distance. They let out bursts of panicked shouts, and many messengers and soldiers quickly ran towards the camp to the west.
There is nothing left to hide.
Soon the entire main force of the rebels in the vicinity would be concentrated and outflank the ferry from the west and south. Whoever is faster will gain a tactical advantage.
The squadrons of Milhaud, Gérard, Reille, Mira and Warren Haydon crossed the Beit one after another.
At 9:30 a.m. on March 23, Fiona also arrived on the other side of the river. Senamon was still trying hard to get the ballista onto the ship, but everyone decided not to wait for him.
Under the gray sky, the silent floodplain looked like a lurking giant beast. It had just woken up from its sleep and felt very thirsty. It needed to drink blood to quench its thirst.
The rebels in the middle have already moved out. They gathered outside the camp near Bate Manor, a gray and disheveled formation on the receding wasteland.
Led by the 1st Squadron commanded by Lassalle and reinforced by the Punishment Battalion, all 1,200 soldiers from seven squadrons are already in place. Four of them spread out into three rows at the front and rear and deployed on the left and right wings. The Milhaud Squadron and the Warren Haydn Squadron on the far left were guarding the Beit River, where the right wing of the rebels would be, where the main force led by Lance would appear. direction.
The city defense troops and militiamen wore tattered shoes and clothes, and only had long guns, short spears, and wooden shields. Many militiamen were even armed with pointed hoes, or made of stones and leather ropes tied to sticks. A crude hammer.
Fiona came to the front of the army, unfurled the flag of swords and roses under the gaze of all the troops, and waved it forward. This was specially sent to her by her classmates in Old Town.
Under the gorgeous flag, the soldiers headed for the first battle of their lives. They lined up next to each other in a long queue, some with faces full of fear and nervousness, others with excitement and excitement. They stared at the majestic trainee knight in front of the team, dreaming of witnessing the wonders and gaining love, wealth and glory just like in the story. .
Paxiu's hands and feet were stiff, and he moved forward hand in hand like a puppet in the story. He was in a small team escorting Fiona, walking in the middle of the entire battle line. The beautiful blond girl walked in front holding a flag, and the squadrons of Griffith and Lasalle sandwiched them in the middle.
The rebels besieged on the outskirts of Beit Manor appeared in the distance, holding bright red flags high like roses blooming on the gray soil.
On the horizon, both sides could only vaguely see the vague outline of the other. They collectively let out heavy gasps and began to move forward slowly.
The heavy footsteps were as chaotic and dense as hail.
Griffith looked back at the squadron that was following closely behind him, advancing in three columns. The intense worry and tension almost turned into reality, hovering over the squadron like ghosts.
Lassalle's troops were in a similar situation. His city defense troops were tense and mechanical, and the legionnaires were like dead dogs with broken backs, dragging their crippled hind legs and barely keeping up.
At the southernmost end of the battle line, the determined Milhaud held the left flank of the battle line. The troops covering him, if Lance suddenly appeared on the battlefield, he and his squadron would be destroyed in an instant.
However, without even looking at the wasteland on the left where thousands of rebels might be hidden, he raised his halberd and pointed straight ahead, walking forward.
The army is advancing.
Is it me, or is it Lasalle? Griffith started to get emotional.
There was still some time before the battle, but the stiff formation was already beginning to break.
The city defense troops and militiamen who had never participated in a battle walked less than seventy steps, and the team was already broken by tension, mud, water, low hills and rocks.
The soldiers who were originally surrounded by their companions suddenly found that there were no comrades around them, and they involuntarily began to slow down, accelerating the disintegration of the team.
None of the Scitorals served as military officers. They are perfect non-commissioned officers, extraordinary warriors, and can even solve many problems encountered in logistics, intelligence and staff work. However, no one has ever commanded an army, served as a banner and guided the way forward with unparalleled momentum and charisma.
However, someone must now step forward to mobilize and command before the war.
Griffith realized that everyone had neglected this matter. If you are a veteran, it is not necessary, but for the inexperienced city defense army and militia, the importance of morale and courage is irreplaceable.
Lasalle cast his gaze over. He also realized the same problem.
The two of them took a few steps forward almost at the same time and raised their halberds at the same time.
The entire army was attracted to this signal. The Shutorals suppressed the pace of the team one after another, waiting for the signal from the Chinese army.
At this moment, Fiona suddenly rushed out...
She jumped onto a big rock holding a flag. The whole army saw her waist-length golden hair like morning sun, her charming silver breastplate, and her blue petticoat swaying under her skirt.
She waved the flag of swords and roses and danced on the rocks like an elf.
The military flag rolled and rotated with her slender arms, creating a dazzling display of colors, and a hunting gust began to stir on the battlefield. The thick clouds dispersed under the strong wind, and the golden sunshine shone on her long hair and shoulders. The military flag was dyed with a sacred light like pure gold.
The whole army was stunned and stood there holding their breath.
The military flag fluttered in the strong wind. At first there was just the sound of howling wind in the air, but gradually it turned into a long echo like a trumpet. The light that enveloped Fiona was like a blooming rose, spreading a soft halo to the standing army.
Griffith suddenly found that his depression, tension and sorrow had been swept away. He felt inexplicably that he would be lucky, and his body became lighter.
The city defense troops, who looked solemn and nervous, actually grinned one by one. They seemed to receive attention from a distant existence and receive joyful blessings.
The landscape of the wilderness changes. The haze has dissipated, the mud is no longer an obstacle, and the low hills, broken trees, and rocks blocking the road look like a scene from an outing.
The military drum played a cheerful rhythm. The drummers didn't know what they were playing, but the charming lilting melody echoed in their heads.
Fiona jumped off the rock and pointed the radiant military flag forward.
The whole army roared. Everyone subconsciously formed a tight formation and marched to the brisk drum beat.
Griffith heard a beautiful melody, and there was a faint word.
"Lana, your Fiona is here."
Fiona was humming softly. She was quiet at first, but the timbre and melody seemed to echo in everyone's hearts.
She raised the flying battle flag, led the entire army forward, and sang a simple but strange "Chant del'Oignon" (Chant del'Oignon) with a beautiful voice:
“We love onions, fried onions, good onions!
“We love onions, fried onions, good onions!
“We love onions, fried onions, good onions!
“We love onions, fried onions, good onions!
“Comrades move forward, we will be the vanguard. Move forward, move forward, move forward!
“Comrades move forward, we will be the vanguard. Move forward, move forward, move forward!
“Comrades move forward, we will be the vanguard. Move forward, move forward, move forward!
"Comrades, move forward, we will be the vanguard. Move forward, move forward, move forward!"
Griffith and Lasalle were extremely nervous, fearing that Fiona, who was walking in front, would be injured by an ambush and escape and would not be able to explain to Lana.
However, they soon discovered that the originally chaotic march had become orderly.
Those inexperienced soldiers who did not understand the guidance of drums and flags were as confident and orderly as experienced soldiers.
Although the lyrics are weird and even make people want to laugh, it feels different when sung by a beautiful girl.
The soldiers who gazed at the flag and listened to the bright and sweet "Onion Song" were all high-spirited and confident.
They blended into a strange group, as if they were inseparable members of it, with light steps. They are as heroic and unstoppable as the old guards of the staunchest Mark Aurelius Antony standard guard.
Some rebel sentries and skirmishers were hiding in the ruins and woods, watching in horror as the neat team approached their camp with alarming speed and organization. Some people couldn't help but jump out and want to harass the team.
However, the orderly formation is like a battleship passing among the fishing boats. When the battle line came into contact with the incoming rebels, the stragglers melted away in the blink of an eye like the white snow in warm spring.
Two column squadrons and five horizontal squadrons spread out on the plain. They crossed the creek, stepped over the low hills, and followed Fiona's banner on the mud and gravel.
Soon, everyone was singing along with the cheerful songs.
“We love onions, fried onions, good onions!
"A fried onion, a delicious onion, turns us into lions.
“Comrades move forward, we will be the vanguard. Move forward, move forward, move forward!
“Comrades move forward, we will be the vanguard. Move forward, move forward, move forward!
“Comrades move forward, we will be the vanguard. Move forward, move forward, move forward!
"Comrades, move forward, we will be the vanguard. Move forward, move forward, move forward!"
Songs replaced drums, and the squadrons kept a unified pace through the mud and depressions. This poorly trained and unfamiliar army stretched out its arms and legs as if it were a living person, and suddenly appeared in front of the rebels in the middle at an astonishing speed.
The rebels were stunned. They had just come out of the camp and were still forming and deploying in a chaotic manner. The battle line of Fiona's battle group with thousands of people actually crossed the muddy land neatly, overwhelming them like a mountain and an ocean.
There were also experienced warriors among the rebels. They simply could not believe that thousands of city defense troops and militia troops could maintain an orderly battle array and march at such a fast speed. Their first reaction was that Beyelan's legion wearing mixed clothes came to sneak attack them.
The plan to outflank the official army with Reims's southern main force went bankrupt.
The rebel center commanded by Wizard Reed and Daruno were not even ready for the minimum expansion, and the reinforcements commanded by Fiona were already rushing towards their faces. They could only shout and fire arrows, hoping to buy some time to set up their formation.
Under the indomitable and brilliant light, Fiona waved the flag and pointed forward:
"Vivela Byarlant!"
Griffith's and Lasalle's squadrons, which had long been prepared to attack, penetrated into the core of the rebels in column. They carry out the tradition of Bijalan's army -
When faced with uncertainty, the central government makes a breakthrough!
Fiona held the military flag and rushed to the front, while the two Shutorals desperately chased her behind.
The rebel archers saw the rising sun-like military flag and the shining Fiona from a distance, and shot almost all the arrows they could.
Griffith felt that the rain of arrows falling from the sky was like splashing water, and he hurriedly raised his vanguard shield to protect Fiona in front of her.
His streamer shield was shattered in an instant. A dense sound like a summer shower came from the shield. Several nearby city defenders were shot down. He hugged Fiona and pushed her to the ground, fearing that she would be shot into a sieve by arrows.
"We're going to attack!" Fiona hit Griffith with her fist and shouted into his ear, almost breaking his eardrum. "Let everyone see my military flag!"
"What are you talking about? You can't hear me! Louder!" Griffith shouted at her with a louder voice, which shocked Fiona. There was a continuous clanging sound on the buckler, and several arrows even penetrated the greaves, causing a sharp pain in his calf.
"Long live Beyelan!"
Lasalle roared louder. His double armor was filled with arrows, smashing through the ranks of archers like a porcupine.
"Long live!"
The squadron behind them swarmed forward, smashing into the rebel archers head-on and stamping over their faces.
The formation of archers who had just fired less than two rounds of arrows was in chaos. They turned around and ran towards their own team, smashing into pieces the formations of sword and shield soldiers and spearmen who were covering them.
Lasalle swept his halberd across his chest, and dense arrow shafts and arrow feathers fell to the ground like goose feathers and heavy snow. He used his halberd to clear the way, shouting and fighting fiercely among the crowd. The rebels who were struck by him flew backwards like toys.
In the blink of an eye, a gap was created for the rebels. Six squadrons of city defense troops tore through the defense line and appeared on the side and rear of the rebels.
"Fiona, don't charge, put up the military flag here!" Griffith grabbed Fiona who was about to charge to who knows where, and shouted the slogan:
"Griffith Squadron, everyone turn left!"
The squadron soldiers obeyed the order and suddenly transformed into a horizontal formation facing the rebel flank.
Lassalle's squadron also began to rotate after this, spreading out to the right into a horizontal formation.
"Destroy them!"
Amidst thunderous roars, the two main squadrons that had completed the central breakthrough began to tear apart the rebel formations to the left and right.
Milhaud, Raye and their squadrons joined the battle one after another. The rebels were in chaos and were attacked from the front and flanks. They were beaten back and forth.
"Failed! Defeated!"
several of the rebels exclaimed. They suddenly found a dense army of city defense troops appearing behind them, thinking that the entire army had been surrounded.
Terror and panic spread quickly. The large group of rebels dropped their flags and weapons and began to flee wildly.
