When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist-Chapter 577 - 555: Arrival at Shuimi Town
The morning star at dawn adorned the dark blue sky, and behind the mountains and forests, an orange-red ray of light pierced through the spring night, ushering in the dawn.
Gold-red sunlight fell on the Nao'an River, revealing a mist like burning gold.
"Splash—"
The sturdy barges broke through the rolling fog on the river.
Dense black and red flags fluttered like a moving forest on the river, pulling dozens of barges into a long row, sailing in the broad river.
Along the riverbank, sparse fishermen on fishing boats shivered, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, looking at the groups of soldiers standing behind the ship's railings like obsidian sculptures.
"Short, short hair?"
As soon as the young fisherman spoke, his grandfather slapped him on the back of the head.
"These are the gentlemen of the Salvation Army. They'll be docking in the town soon, watch your mouth."
Rubbing the back of his head, the young fisherman couldn't help but be curious: "These short, ahem, Salvation Army gentlemen, I heard from the priests, are humanoid monsters made by the devil capable of shooting lightning?"
"Want to say it louder, do you want the whole family hanged?" The white-bearded fisherman cursed through gritted teeth.
He'd heard that these Salvation Army folks loved to hang and behead. They even carried gallows on their expeditions.
If they got caught talking like this on a ship and were hanged, it would be a great loss.
But with the Nao'an River over two hundred meters wide, their conversation couldn't be heard by the Salvation Army on the boats.
Loren stood at the bow, looking at the map in hand by the daylight: "Can we reach Shuimi Town before noon?"
"Yes." The local guide from Hotam County replied with a smile, "Not to mention noon, we'll arrive in Shuimi Town before the sun is completely up, and we'll notify them in advance so all the Salvation Army gentlemen can have breakfast right when they land."
"Don't call us Salvation Army gentlemen, just call us fellow believers," Loren said, finding the term 'gentleman' nauseating, making him uncomfortable all over.
The guide naturally complied smoothly: "As you command, fellow believer gentleman."
Loren was momentarily speechless and waved the guide off to find a cool place to be.
Gazing at the river's reflection of springtime, Loren held the boat's railing; the chilly spring breeze on his face dissipated much of his anxiety.
At this moment, Loren felt both at ease and apprehensive.
He had set off from Damp Dock three days ago, docking only once along the way to resupply; the rest was spent either on a boat or changing transports.
Now that the destination, Shuimi Town, was almost in sight, saying he wasn't nervous would be a lie.
Behind him were fifty-two barges, carrying 4 units of the Black Crown Battle Group with more than 2,300 soldiers, including a hundred-member Mage Corps, over a dozen fireball arbalests, and fifty clock bombs.
The production of clock bombs is difficult and yields are low, even with the Alchemy Workshop of the Ry Court Barracks operating at full capacity, the current stock is only about 170.
On this mission, Loren took nearly a third of them, showing how important this task was.
He would be landing in Shuimi Town ahead of everyone as the vanguard to join forces with the local Saint Sun's Army.
This task seemed simple but carried no small risk.
Shuimi Town was on the outskirts of Feiliu Castle, at the junction of the noble rebellion forces and church-controlled areas.
Less than fifty miles away was the Imperial Decree Camp established outside Feiliu Castle by Prince Kongdai.
From the Imperial Decree Camp it was another twenty miles to Feiliu Castle.
The distance from Shuimi Town to the Imperial Decree Camp was a day's journey for the Salvation Army, but for the knights, it's a half-day or even hours' reach.
The camp housed not only thousands of servants and artisans but also a unit of 300 decree knights, more than 200 temple knights, and over two thousand old friends—mercenaries, guards, and armored soldiers.
On March 1, he led the Black Crown Seventh Army and the Eighth Army to seize Damp Dock and repelled two counterattacks from the Vice Castle Knights.
On March 2, 4 Black Champion Battle Groups arrived to support and completely defeated the main force of the Vice Castle Knights.
At noon on March 3, the first batch of barges and the Miracle Priest arrived. Without even resting, they got on the barges and went downstream.
Today is March 6, while the second batch of 4 legion groups and cavalry will arrive on the afternoon of March 8, and the third batch of 4 legion groups and the Defensive Army on March 9.
This means Loren and the other three legion commanders must hold Shuimi Town for two days, ensuring that the Imperial Decree Camp doesn't invade before they're fully settled.
The over two thousand infantry were naturally nothing to fear; with the Divine Artifact of clock bombs, they might as well rest peacefully in the charge.
The real challenge, however, was the over 500 knights of the Imperial Decree and temple knights combined.
Hotam County, Langsande County, or Kasha County are different here; it's a flat plain with developed agriculture.
This means there are no suitable forests or hills nearby; Shuimi Town has no walls, so they estimate they would fight the Imperial Decree on the broad plains.
They couldn't even build fortifications in the field, as they didn't carry much mortar.
With limited barge space, priority had to be given to transporting people and supplies, leaving no room for mortar.
To save time and prevent the Imperial Decree from reacting quickly and seizing Shuimi Town, the perfect landing point, they had to advance ahead of time.
Once their arrival news spreads today, no matter how slow, they might see traces of the Imperial Decree Camp by tomorrow morning, or even tonight.
For this reason, the four legion commanders and four legion secretaries held a meeting, and the final result was—
If nothing else arises, they must evacuate all residents of Shuimi Town and use it as advantageous terrain.
"Legion Commander, Shuimi Town is here."
Loren instinctively raised his head, only to close his eyes stabbed by the newborn dawn.
However, after adapting, he saw rows of earth-and-wood structures, with smoke rising to the sky through tall chimneys.
The town residents here loved to use quartz sand to decorate walls; at first glance, the walls actually shimmered like water.
What a beautiful little town.
The barges slowly entered the port, reflecting light off the walls.
Beside the port, enthusiastic townsfolk lined up dozens of large pots, and the scent of freshly baked bread lingered at the soldiers' noses.
As Loren disembarked, other legion commanders of the Black Champion Army were already on the pier, chatting and laughing with the local Saint Sun's Army leader, André. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
"Ah, is this Legion Commander Loren? Indeed, a talented young commander!"
Upon seeing Loren approach, André heartily laughed and welcomed him.
But Loren wasn't very enthusiastic in response; how could André know he was 'talented' upon their first meeting?
Chatting briefly, Loren noticed others hadn't mentioned using Shuimi Town as a battlefield.
Sighing inwardly, it seemed he had to be the one to play the villain.
Putting on a stern face, Loren cleared his throat; the other three legion commanders tacitly paused.
"Mr. André, I must say a difficult thing though it's embarrassing, for wartime considerations..."
"Do you want to use Shuimi Town as a battlefield?"
Loren choked on his words but quickly regained composure: "Yes, that's our conclusion after discussions; we're afraid we have to."
Sceptically, the legion commanders echoed reluctantly.
"Actually, there's no need." André interrupted Loren, "We anticipated how to assist you in battle before rendezvousing in Shuimi Town."
"Do you have an alternative solution?" Loren raised his chin slightly, looking at André with a bit of displeasure.
André's mouth couldn't hide a mysterious smile: "There are two leaders of the Saint Sun's Army; aren't you curious where Valent Taylor went?"
