On the road leading to the east from Duchy Manda, a large number of soldiers formed a long queue, winding like a giant snake.
The 3rd Infantry Battalion of the Arda Army headed lightly to a strategic location called Silver Moon Castle under Schroeder's order.
Schroeder will lead the main force and baggage at a slower pace and will arrive later.
According to intelligence, a large number of defeated troops from the Kingdom have gathered in Silver Moon Castle, which may be used by the Arda army.
Battal Commander Joyce was riding a horse and thinking about defensive strategies, but the stop of the front troops interrupted his thoughts.
"Why did you stop advancing? What happened ahead?"
A soldier came to report, "Battal Commander, there is only one bridge on the river ahead, but it is already crowded with refugees and we cannot pass."< br>
Joyce frowned tightly, how could he encounter such a thing.
So he raised his whip, slapped the horse's butt, and rode towards the river.
Before arriving, he passed by large numbers of refugees.
The refugees from the east carried the old and the young carefully, carrying their few belongings with them carefully, and entered the northwest bay area in panic all day long.
Some people have been devastated by the war. Some of their sufferings come from the orc army, and some come from the rebels of the kingdom.
Others plan ahead and start setting off before the war approaches.
Judging from their tired faces, they all had a not-so-splendid journey.
Joyce rode to the river. There was still a dark crowd of people on the other side, all waiting - perhaps fighting would be more appropriate - to cross the only wooden bridge.
The entrance to the bridge becomes more chaotic, with quarreling, pushing, fighting, and crying, making the already unpleasant traffic even more inefficient.
Joyce was anxious. If this was allowed to continue, his army would have to wait until tomorrow to cross the river.
Looking at the map, there is only one bridge here.
Anxiously, he noticed that there was a group of knights on this side of the bridge maintaining order, and they were commanded by a man dressed as an aristocrat.
Joyce rode over and took off his hat.
"Good afternoon sir, Alda Army Lieutenant Colonel Joyce salutes you."
"This damn river!"
The noble man cursed fiercely with his throat that was hoarse. , but he quickly reacted and turned to look at Joyce.
"You are...the lieutenant colonel of the Arda army? Sorry, I was scolding the river just now."
There was a bit of caution in his tone.
"Joyce...Lieutenant Colonel, I am the local lord, Viscount Jefferson Rossi. It is an honor to meet you."
Viscount Rossi is about forty years old and has a thin body. He has a delicate mustache on his face and looks elegant.
He spread his hands with a look of helplessness, "Your subordinates have just said that the army must pass through this river immediately, but you have also seen the current situation."
" Viscount, I have to remind you." Joyce said seriously, "The longer we stay here, the closer the orc army will be to your territory, and we must stop them before tragedy occurs."
< br>Viscount Rossi's expression was very broken, "Lieutenant Colonel, of course I know this. All my knights have been transferred here to maintain order, just to let you pass quickly."
"No, this is not enough!"
Joyce suggested: "Let those people on the other side who are squeezing towards the bridge stop immediately. The so-called people who have not yet crossed the bridge wait on the spot until we have passed them. Go ahead."
"But..." Viscount Rossi glanced at the crowd, "They are very irrational now, and no amount of persuasion will help."
Hearing this. As he spoke, Joyce frowned and stared at the other side for a while.
"Lord Viscount." Joyce pointed to a row of things not far away, "Did you see that? Do you know what that is?" Although it was covered with cloth, Viscount Rossi still Recognized.
He swallowed, "That seems to be... what Alda calls "artillery"? "
"Yes, Lord Viscount. "Joyce said, "The order I received was to arrive at the predetermined location within the predetermined time, and I would remove any obstacles in order to complete the task. "
There was a hint of coldness in his tone, "If the bridge is still filled with refugees in another hour, then I will use artillery to clear a path. "
"You...you can't do this! Viscount Rossi was frightened by Joyce's words, "They are all subjects of the kingdom." ”
"I did this to prevent a bigger tragedy!"
Joyce's eyes were blazing, which made Viscount Rossi feel like this stupid young man would do this.
"Please wait a moment!"
He immediately turned around and ran to his knights. "There is no need to continue to divert the bridge. Ask them to let the bridge out immediately. Huey and Du En, ask a few more guys to swim to the other side and tell people that the army is going to cross the river. Those who have not yet boarded the bridge should stay where they are. Don't move."
"But..." The leading knight was a little embarrassed, "Will they be so obedient?"
"Then defeat them!"
Viscount Rossi suddenly shouted loudly.
"It's better to get a beating than to be blown into pieces."
"Yes!"
The knight hurriedly went to find someone.
Joyce and other officers waited anxiously by the river for the results.
Those who had already reached the bridge continued to pass, but there was a sudden commotion among the crowd on the opposite side, and it was obvious that the lord's order had been passed on.
The originally dense crowd began to loosen up, and the entrance to the bridge suddenly became empty.
"Corpser, blow the trumpet and assemble, let's cross the river now!"
There was finally no obstacle on the bridge. The 3rd Infantry Battalion quickly passed the wooden bridge and reached the other side of the river. and continue to the east.
On the second day, they finally arrived at the destination of their trip, Silver Moon Castle.
It was then discovered that the so-called Silver Moon Fort had been abandoned, leaving only a ruined wall.
It is obviously impossible to rely on this abandoned fortress to defend against the orcs.
Retreat?
No, there are lush and ferocious forests on both sides of Silver Moon Castle. Only by passing here can we continue to the northwest bay. We must defend this place and cannot give it to the enemy.
Joyce was once Schroeder's squire. He vowed not to let his knight's reputation be tarnished, and he must help him win this battle.
At this time, the scout came to report.
"A large number of troops appeared in front! I don't know whether it is a broken army or an army of orc servants. They will hit us in another hour."
"What? So fast?"< br>
The officers and soldiers of the entire third battalion were in chaos.
"Don't be afraid!" Joyce asked sternly, "Everyone can just perform according to their daily training."
Under his strict supervision, everyone quickly stabilized and quickly got into position - front, back, center Three queues.
Just wait quietly for the enemy to come.