In the Name of Empress-Chapter 293 - 201: Sacrificial Pawn?
Helentz Castle.
With the fall of Oro Town and other places, this became the frontline for the Three Overseas Provinces to resist the Oden Kingdom Army.
From the Suyige Hills to Hansa City, there are no natural defenses, just a vast plain.
Helentz Castle is not a strong fortress, but it is backed by the Jill Canal, allowing it to receive supplies via water, and serves as the last barrier to Hansa City.
Standing atop Helentz Castle, Jacobs, who had just been promoted to Army Lieutenant Colonel and Golden Knight, watched the enemy army setting up camps outside the city with a heavy heart.
The order he received was to hold the line for a week and then retreat when the opportunity arose.
This order seemed both difficult and challenging, and he dared not show the slightest neglect. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
Just yesterday, the Oden Kingdom’s infantry launched an attack under the cover of a few cannons. What should have been a probing attack turned into a fierce assault as the casualties mounted, stirring the Oden warriors’ fighting spirit, leading them to storm the walls twice.
The defending forces paid a high price to push all enemies back down.
In yesterday’s battle, the defending forces lost more than two hundred soldiers, while the attackers lost seven to eight hundred.
Though the casualties ratio favored the defenders, the outcome of war is never decided by KDA numbers. If the Oden Kingdom’s flag were to fly above Helentz Castle’s city hall, what would the casualty ratio mean?
Jacobs was well aware that Hansa City needed time, and Governor Roland needed time.
Helentz Castle was the wedge to gain that time.
There were no other fortresses on the Northern Plains to block the enemy; he had to hold firm.
Thinking of this order, Jacobs couldn’t help but glance back towards Hansa City.
More than a hundred kilometers of plain—large forces could arrive in three days.
The Governor wanted him to hold for a week; combined with the advancing speed of the Oden Kingdom’s army, they could only gain ten days at most.
Is it really enough?
Jacobs was not optimistic.
He greatly admired Governor Roland; over the past six months, the Governor, through various strategies, secured a foundation for overseas development for the Empress and united the Three Overseas Provinces with astonishing cohesion.
However, the time given to them was still too short.
Given another six months, the new army would gain combat power, and they would not fear even if the entire Oden Kingdom army mobilized.
Jacobs fully understood Roland’s decision to dissolve the old army and form a new one. He admired Roland’s courage to uproot the past and believed his strategy was absolutely correct.
Those old veterans from the Three Provinces should indeed be cleared out.
If nothing unexpected happened, the Governor would surely establish a powerful army within a year.
However, unexpected events had indeed occurred.
Jacobs sighed inwardly. He didn’t understand high-level politics and didn’t want to; he just wanted to complete the task given by the Governor.
Governor Roland needed half a year, which he couldn’t provide, but a week was too short.
He aimed to hold the Oden Kingdom Army back here for at least half a month or even a month!
If the war could be dragged into the rainy season here, the muddy roads would significantly slow down the Oden Kingdom’s advance, eventually forcing their retreat.
That might be the only way to achieve the greatest victory with the smallest cost.
Jacobs lowered his head, looking at the two silver stars on his collar, feeling the hot blood coursing through his veins.
This uniform is really beautiful, much nicer than the knight’s attire.
The two silvered stars represented his Lieutenant Colonel rank.
Thinking of his old father, who retired due to injury after only reaching Major in the Imperial Army, he wore a slight smile.
If his father could see the two silver stars on his collar, he would be overjoyed.
No, it should be three silver stars.
According to Governor Roland’s established rules, military personnel who died in the line of difficult duty would be posthumously awarded one rank higher and receive higher compensation.
Jacobs chuckled to himself.
Sadly, he wouldn’t receive the golden star representing Brigadier General.
He had to remain on the frontline to inspire the warriors’ morale, to make them believe reinforcements would save them.
He could vaguely guess there might be reinforcements, but not many.
Helentz Castle looked like a pawn to be sacrificed.
This was not a mere guess; the Governor had mentioned it in a personal letter to him.
Governor Roland clearly told him, holding Helentz Castle as long as possible was to buy time for Hansa City’s defense setup, with the final showdown planned there.
The Governor instructed him to hold as long as possible under minimizing sacrifice, then break out at the right time.
It was a very idealistic mission.
Minimizing sacrifice and holding longer were two sides of a coin, difficult to achieve both simultaneously.
He knew the Governor’s real intention was for him to hold firm, but without explicitly asking him to perish, revealing just enough of the strategic intent for him to decide.
The Empress’s decision was to accumulate strength and consolidate power in the Three Overseas Provinces.
The Governor’s decision was a final showdown in Hansa City with the Oden Kingdom.
His decision was to fight to the death to buy time.
If no one had told him of this battle’s significance and difficulty, only using vague words to encourage him, he would have retreated on the seventh day.
But the Governor was very forthright and didn’t force him to sacrifice.
He could only repay this sincerity with his life and loyalty.
If he performed admirably, the Governor and the Empress would not only posthumously award him a Colonel rank but also grant him the title of Imperial Knight.
It might be useless to him, but his child could inherit it.
In that case, it wouldn’t be a futile sacrifice.
As Jacobs calmly observed the enemy positions, a relaxed voice came from behind him.
