In the Name of Empress-Chapter 294 - 201: Sacrificial Pawn? (Part 2)

"Commander, the eastern city wall has been reinforced."

No need to turn around to know it’s the youngest captain, Tom.

During the defense of Oro Town, this kid actually found Jes’s light cavalry unit and led the unit in a counterattack, earning great merit for the victory in Oro Town, and was exceptionally promoted to captain.

Promoted to captain before turning seventeen, and praised across the entire army, his future is undoubtedly bright.

Jacobs switched to a smiling face, turning around to see not only Tom but also the young officer Jerry, who is now a Major and the Deputy Commander of the temporary garrison regiment at Helentz Castle.

Jerry didn’t claim credit, just made a "mission accomplished" gesture to Jacobs.

Looking at Tom’s cheerful smile and Jerry’s calm expression tinged with some concern, Jacobs smiled and asked:

"Is there anything you need? If it’s just to report mission completion, there’s no need to come together."

Tom chuckled, softly asking: "Commander, once we win this battle, do you think I can earn a Silver Star?"

"You’re really dreaming. Even if you earn a lot of merit, Lord Governor can’t promote you two ranks in just one month; others would be discontent."

Jacobs smiled teasingly: "What, eager to go home and impress the girl you fancy?"

"No such thing!"

Tom’s face turned red, but he couldn’t help but mutter: "But a Silver Star paired with a high-ranking officer uniform is really too cool."

Jacobs laughed heartily, patting the boy’s shoulder, "Alright then, live well, as long as you’re alive, you can continue to earn merits."

Encouraged by Jacobs, Tom jumped joyfully before darting away like the wind after consulting on a few matters.

Jerry didn’t leave, hesitating, unsure how to start.

Jacobs also dropped the smile and calmly asked: "You don’t have confidence in this mission?"

"Commander, I have a persistent feeling that we’re being used as pawns to buy time." Jerry couldn’t help but voice his complaint after holding back for so long.

"Why do you say that?" Jacobs squinted and asked in a deep voice.

"If the intention was truly to hold our ground, at least we should be equipped with artillery and sufficient ammunition, but these are quite scarce."

Jerry lowered his voice and said: "Helentz Castle isn’t a strong fortress at all, unless..."

"Jerry, keep quiet!"

Jacobs interrupted Jerry, speaking sternly: "It’s not for you to concern yourself with Her Majesty the Empress’ and Lord Governor’s strategic deployment, but I assure you we are not pawns."

"If we were pawns, Colonel Jes’s cavalry wouldn’t have supported Oro Town. If we were pawns, there wouldn’t be three thousand regular troops and five hundred temple warriors here. The defense force is nominally a regiment, but its actual strength is two regiments. The small number of artillery is just to prevent us from being unable to carry them when breaking out."

Jacobs paused momentarily, then slowly said: "Lord Governor’s orders are clear, as long as we hold out for a week, we can find an opportunity to withdraw."

"A week? That’s too difficult." Jerry’s expression showed some disappointment.

"Do you not have the courage and confidence to hold out for a week?"

Jacobs was somewhat surprised, gesturing towards the canal behind the city.

"The Jill Canal is our lifeline; as long as the canal remains, the enemy can’t completely encircle the city, giving us a chance to hold and even resist."

"It’s gone."

Jerry sighed lightly, slowly saying: "Commander, have you noticed that the canal’s flow has been gradually decreasing these days."

"This..."

Jacobs furrowed his brow.

Now being summer, the water flow should be abundant, and the canal’s declining water level is indeed strange, but he didn’t understand much about hydraulics, so he simply stayed silent, waiting for Jerry to explain.

"The enemy is storing water."

Jerry’s expression was slightly bitter, "The Jill Canal is a man-made river, and the flow is gentle. It’s quite easy to build a dam upstream to intercept the flow. Just let it accumulate for a few more days, then unleash the stored water on a rainy day, and Helentz Castle will be flooded, cutting off our reinforcements completely."

"What to do?" Jacobs’s face changed instantly.

"There’s no solution, unless we evacuate early." Jerry said softly.

"Absolutely impossible, the Governor’s order is to hold for seven days!"

Jacobs impatiently interrupted Jerry, and seeing Jerry lower his head in silence, he realized he was somewhat harsh, hence his tone softened considerably.

"Jerry, there’s higher ground in the inner city of Helentz Castle; even if the outer city gets flooded, we can continue to hold. Since you know hydraulics, take two battalions to station outside the city, guarding the canal. If the enemy releases the water, evacuate the troops, don’t sacrifice unnecessarily."

Jerry trembled slightly, gazing at Jacobs in disbelief.

"Commander, the inner city is too small; the enemy’s artillery bombardment is impossible to withstand!"

"Who says? As long as we dig tunnels to hide the soldiers, most artillery fire can be avoided. When the enemy charges, we emerge, thus holding out for a long time."

Indeed, it would be possible to hold out for long, but hope for escape would be entirely lost.

The Commander plans to use life itself to build a wall of flesh and blood to buy time.

Jerry wanted to persuade, but he couldn’t voice anything as the words stuck in his throat, he just quietly asked:

"Is it worth it?"

"Jerry, we are soldiers, it’s not about whether it’s worth it or not. Don’t worry about me; fewer people would actually make a breakout easier."

Jacobs pointed to another side of Helentz’s defense line, speaking solemnly: "When you leave, make sure to take Tom, this is an order."

Jerry’s words got stuck in his throat, ultimately he could only offer a firm salute to Jacobs’s retreating figure.

He knew clearly, just moments ago, the commander had made a decision to complete the task, even at the cost of his life.

After the decision was made, the defenders moved swiftly, dividing into three shifts to dig tunnels day and night, filling the excavated soil at the lower terrain inside the city to reinforce inner city defenses.

Though many weren’t sure why they were doing this, they still dug tirelessly.

Only one unit wasn’t involved in tunnel digging.

The Temple Warrior has tremendous combat power and is the main force for street fighting, hence must conserve energy for the upcoming fierce battle.

The leader of the Temple Warrior was a young sanctuary named Joseph.

He was slender, quiet, liked to observe coldly while holding his twin silver blades, but his strength was formidable.

Jacobs had observed him, concluding that only a combat-type Transcendent could defeat him.

Jacobs did not know that Joseph was not an ordinary sanctuary but a High Tier Sanctuary, equal in level with Christine.

With the relentless efforts of Helentz Castle’s soldiers and citizens, nearly eight kilometers of simple tunnels were dug in only three days.

Joseph always observed coldly, but the speed of tunnel excavation surprised him.

Finding an unnoticed moment, he approached Jacobs, lowering his voice:

"Lieutenant Colonel, how did you mobilize them to desperately dig tunnels?"

Jacobs was stunned for a few seconds, then slowly said: "Citizens offered triple wages. Soldiers don’t need additional pay, as digging tunnels means more survival opportunities, they wouldn’t slack."

"Joseph, when the inner city can no longer hold, you should lead them away."

"Reason?" Joseph raised an eyebrow, softly asked.

"You’re not an Empire soldier; there’s no need for you to bleed the last drop for the Empire."

Joseph remained silent for a moment before slowly saying: "I understand."

After saying this, he turned and left.

Watching Joseph’s slender shoulders, Jacobs shook his head with a smile, saying nothing more.

Though Joseph appeared indifferent, he always stood at the front line during combat in the past few days, repairing any breach in the defense.

Without his bravery, the previous probing attack would have caused more serious consequences.

With the presence of the sanctuary, holding out for a week is not...

Jacobs raised his head abruptly, seeing thick dark clouds overhead.

The rainy day Jerry mentioned indeed arrived.

The toughest moment to hold Helentz Castle was also coming.

At least three more days of holding were needed to fulfill the Governor’s orders, yet the rain came so early, the luck is really too rotten.

He quickly headed towards the town hall.

Darn weather isn’t giving him time, then he’ll earn it back by his abilities!