Warhammer Divine Throne-Chapter 691 - 308, The Night Before_2
Jules and Dalheid met, shook hands, and the group moved to the large tent to discuss battle plans.
Inside the knights' tent, the candle flames were lit, and Dalheid and the great nobles of Leonais gathered together, while Jules and other Holy Grail Knights stood on the other side, surrounding the large table in the tent and looking at the map spread on it.
"Tomorrow, we will battle the Barbarians on the Nanzi Plain." Dalheid pointed his finger at the small area of the Nanzi Plain: "Our plan is for a large force of knights to charge fiercely at the Barbarian army's formation, break their ranks, then have Sir Eisen lead part of the knights in a flank maneuver on the left, while Lord Jules counters the Barbarian's counter-attack on the right, and I will lead the central army to push forward and crush the main Barbarian force, driving these Skalings Tribe Chaos scums into the sea to feed the fish!"
"Leading with a large number of knights right away? Directly charging the Barbarian army formation?" Kaled questioned: "My duke, wouldn't that be too reckless?"
"Ha, Lord Kaled, clearly you have also seen the terrain of the Nanzi Plain." Dalheid scoffed: "Do you think I can't see it? The Barbarians want to engage us here, banking on the knights being unable to utilize their full potential, hoping to lure my knights to charge their carefully prepared formation in batches and eliminate them gradually. I will not foolishly fall into such a trap. Tomorrow, Count Rein will lead the knight army in a direct frontal charge, determined to shatter the Barbarian army!"
Kaled remained silent, perhaps thinking there was some merit to Dalheid's plan.
Jules nodded: "Indeed, Your Grace, your knights will directly charge the Barbarian army, and I will lead the kingdom's knight army to respond from the side. We will prioritize breaking the Barbarians' central army because it consists of the most elite warriors from the Skalings Tribe. As long as we can force King Egil of the Skalings back, those dependent tribes will no longer follow the Skalings Tribe's command!"
"We need to reserve a contingent." Jules also had some reservations about Dalheid's bold plan and spoke to the Duke of Leonais: "We shouldn't press all our forces forward without a reserve."
"My son, Aldred will lead two hundred knights and eight hundred knight's squires, totaling one thousand cavalry as the reserve contingent." Dalheid nodded.
"No infantry reserved?"
"Infantry won't be effective in this war, Jules. This isn't my first war against the Northern Barbarians." Dalheid shook his head seriously: "Only knights can defeat the Barbarians."
"..." Jules pondered for a moment and firmly nodded.
Indeed, the Northern Barbarians worship Chaos, and in terms of their combat power compared to Brittania's infantry, not to mention one-on-five, one-on-ten wouldn't even be a problem. Infantry can easily be routed by the fierce Barbarian soldiers; only knights who have undergone rigorous military training can unify under the banner of the Lady and withstand the terrifying Barbarians.
Thus, the plan for the decisive battle on the following day was finalized, and everyone took the time to rest.
Jules and Dalheid walked out of the tent, with Dalheid adjusting his armor and cloak. He spoke to Jules: "Lord Jules, thank you for leading your forces to aid us this time. Leonais will forever be grateful to you."
"This is the Lady's command; it is my duty. You don't need to thank me." Jules shook his head. On the contrary, his face was filled with determination: "I am only worried that the Barbarians might be stronger than we anticipated. The Lady sent me a dream, stating that this invasion is unprecedentedly powerful."
"...But do we have any other choice? We must fight till the end." Dalheid frowned as he followed Jules' gaze into the distance.
In the distance, everything was pitch black. Tomorrow, the army would battle the Barbarians not far ahead, and the Barbarians had already been waiting for them for some time.
The night felt like a black cloth, blocking all sunlight. Jules and Dalheid looked at the sky, silent.
White flakes started falling from the sky, landing on the knights' hair and armor.
It was snow; it was beginning to snow!
"Get a good rest, Jules." Dalheid patted Jules' shoulder, knowing that tomorrow would surely be a brutal battle: "I'm off to rest."
"Hm." The Holy Grail Knight Commander quietly nodded, standing alone in front of the tent, silent.
The snow began to slowly grow heavier, and snow in April seemed unusual no matter how one looked at it. However, such is the influence of the Wind of Chaos; when it sweeps across the land, anything bizarre could happen in the mortal world.
"Kaled? Come out, I know you're there." Jules removed his cross helmet adorned with a golden unicorn statue, revealing his resolute face.
On the top of the helmet, a few candles were burning.
Clad in a red and blue robe, with a sword hanging at his waist, Count Galament of Bastogne, Kaled, came up from behind with some concern on his face: "Jules, I am still a bit worried. Lord Dalheid's plan is indeed detailed, but committing too many knights at the start is indeed a gamble."
"What war is without risk? There has never been a battle with a tenfold guarantee of success." Jules' expression remained unchanged, as since he became a Holy Grail Knight, his emotions seemed to be hidden away. Most of the time, the Holy Grail Knight Commander wore his helmet, only revealing his face to those close to him like Anara: "By committing a large number of knights to charge at the start, we force the barbarians to engage us with full strength in a direct confrontation. This is exactly what we want, Kaled. The kingdom cannot afford delays, and neither can Leonais! Do you know how much food our army of twenty-eight thousand consumes in a day? Do you know how many refugees and villages throughout the Leonais Duchy are waiting for our aid? The defenses of Kulona are hollow. The longer we campaign outside, the more unpredictable the situation becomes."
"Indeed." Kaled had nothing more to say.
Both Jules and Dalheid understood that after the peasant rebellions and a series of events, and now facing the Chaos Invasion, Brittania desperately needed time to recuperate. Therefore, Dalheid's urgency to secure a decisive victory was not surprising. Only by completely defeating the main force of the barbarians in battle could he preserve some vitality for his duchy and begin the long process of restoration and reconstruction.
Kaled harbored great admiration and respect for Jules, who was both mentor and friend, brother and father, and strictly speaking, his brother-in-law, the Holy Grail Knight Commander. They had fought side by side on many occasions, and it was precisely because of this that he dared to question Jules directly. Otherwise, in Brittania, a Holy Grail Knight's words were absolute truth, beyond question or blasphemy.
"This is heavy snow." Jules turned his gaze to the black night sky: "Get some rest early, Kaled. Tomorrow, we will charge into the field in the name of the Lady. There is no room for luck in this war."
"Yes!" Kaled bowed deeply and left for another place.
Jules stroked his brown beard, standing in place, and watched the vast snowfall.
"Lady, grant us strength and courage to continue fighting. Your loyal follower, Jules, swears here that we will fight in your name until the very end, until the final hour arrives." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
......
The next day, the knight army finally marched to the Nanzi Plain. By this time, the world was covered in white snow, and the Barbarian Army had been waiting for them for some time.
The gathered barbarian warriors and beasts, numbering in the tens of thousands, densely packed one side of the Nanzi Plain. They stretched like a black cloud with no visible edge. The plain reeked with a stench that filled the heavens, while the horn blasts and clamor from the Skalings Tribe echoed kilometers away, long and continuous. The black Chaos Octagonal Banner and Khorne's Eight Pillar Emblem battle flags symbolized the Skalings Tribe's sailing flag and the numerous small tribes' battle flags standing tall. The shrines of the Evil God were scattered everywhere, adorned with skulls, desecrating the Goddess's land.
Brittania's knight army slowly entered the battlefield, the tips of their cavalry lances and the edges of sharp swords shimmering under the reflection of the snowy landscape. Their splendid armor and orderly ranks presented an exquisite giant landscape painting.
Jules felt immense pride for Brittania's knights, as guided by the Goddess, they would not retreat no matter the formidable adversary.
"Toot~" The resonant and majestic sound of the horn sounded among the knight army, with the knights rallying under the banner of the first Duke of Leonais, Sirulf, as the horn continuously blared.
The Barbarian Army also sounded their horn, followed by countless jeers and the sounds of axes striking shields.
"So, it begins." Jules' eyes were filled with determination and willpower, with five Holy Grail Knights following behind him.
"Prepare for battle! Knights, fight for the Goddess's land! For the Lady! For Brittania!!!" Dalheid pulled on the reins of his warhorse, raising his cavalry lance high, shouting fervently. His voice resonated across the battlefield.
"May the Lady grant us victory!"
"Advance!!!"
