When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist-Chapter 720 - 678: Strength Supremacism Black Snake Bay

The once bustling hall within the damp, musty Solaburg is now quieter than a library.

Morning light streams through the narrow windows, illuminating every dust particle in the air amongst the smell of wood smoke.

The leaders and captains of the Secret Faction, both big and small, sit in silence around the central mahogany table.

On this long table used for meetings, a tattered battle flag bearing the Ursion family crest is laid flat, while the intense gazes of those around seem to almost ignite it.

"This isn't something you printed yourselves, is it?" Amidst the silence, an Old Wizard finally couldn't suppress his doubt.

His skepticism quickly received sparse agreement from others, knowing that since March 22 when Horn settled in Green Blood Town, until yesterday, March 29, they took only 7 days to conquer the sturdy Avis Temple.

In terms of siege alone, it only took 5 days.

Avis Temple, along with surrounding villages, had full 4000 defenders and a large number of Extraordinary Knights.

Meanwhile, the coalition forces had just about 8000 men, including over two thousand new recruits in the Divine Punishment Army.

Novia glared at the Old Wizard menacingly: "Are you questioning my integrity?"

"No, no," the Old Wizard quickly gestured. "I was merely asking."

Raising two middle fingers at the Old Wizard, Novia remarked with a smile, "I've been flying too long, just flexing my fingers. You don't mind, right?"

"... No."

At this moment, Danio proudly retorted, "Looks like as you said, the Saint's Grandson's power is greater than Miseria's, isn't it? Old Jia Wa, didn't expect you to be such a devout believer."

Although their own was being ridiculed, the surrounding Secret Faction Wizards burst into a fit of laughter at the comedic spectacle.

Previously sarcastic to Danio, Old Jia Wa now found himself the target of Danio's sarcasm, his expression less than pleased.

He couldn't refute, so he pretended not to hear, engrossed in studying the patterned floor tiles.

Picking up the flag, his hand brushed over its smooth texture, Selomis's words bore no emotion: "Avis Temple was really breached within ten days... Novia, you were there, can you tell us how it was done?"

"I can tell, but I don't want to. I've flown all night, and I need to eat and sleep." Novia pointed at Danio beside her, "He read the battle report and knows Salvation Army's tactics. I'm going to eat now."

Producing the battle report Novia brought, Danio calmly explained, "We used new Spring Cannons, think of them as large spring guns."

Being a Salvation Army officer, though not present at the scene, Danio's ability to articulate and understand field conditions surpassed Novia's.

"First, His Majesty used five Spring Cannons to continuously bombard the city walls, blowing open the walls and revealing the inner earthen barricades. As it teetered on collapse, City Guard Count Ursion attempted to flee but was captured by Imperial Guards laying in wait around the docks.

The next day, His Majesty brought Count Ursion before the city, where Count Ursion commanded the soldiers inside to surrender and promised no harm upon surrender, thus leading to a massive drop in morale among the soldiers, who surrendered en masse, and thus Avis Temple was breached."

"No wonder you defeated the Shepherd Head Imperial Guard."

"Actually, Divine Punishment Army's contribution in this operation was equally significant," Danio corrected. "Most village communes and military outposts were attributed to the Divine Punishment Army's efforts, as they weren't equipped with Spring Cannons."

Though he still couldn't envision, the fact of Avis Temple's fall was undeniable, making Selomis somewhat question his own capabilities.

Could it be that Black Snake Bay couldn't repel the Empire purely because they were insufficiently united?

Shaking his head, Selomis, for the first time, eyed Danio directly: "Mr. Horn, in his message, did he mention anything we need to do?"

"No, His Majesty said that keeping yourselves protected is the greatest help."

Previously, hearing such mockery-like words would definitely have sparked myriad anger among the Secret Faction, but now it merely elicited faint whispers of complaint.

In Black Snake Bay, where strength is the supreme principle, a powerful fist speaks the truth.

......

"Pathetic, captured and humiliated by being led to shout at the gates. Why doesn't he just die, save himself the trouble."

The muscles on Duke of Bodosa's face clustered together, white powder flaking and his spittle raining on the battle report's blank page.

Under the black tent, the gathered Knights and Counts all bowed their heads, stealing glances at the wrathful Duke of Bodosa.

Only Count Kazi stepped straight to the table, began unfolding a few maps, piecing them together, scanning them back and forth with a furrowed brow.

This was not due to other nobles' laziness but their relationship was too distant from Duke of Bodosa.

If it were them, they'd likely be caught in a tirade by the six-relative-estranged Duke Bodosa upon taking a step.

"These trash, you're all trash, can't capture a single city in two months. I treat trash like this." Grabbing the battle report with his thick fingers, Duke Bodosa snarled, tearing it into shreds and hurling it to the ground.

"What are you looking at?" Duke Bodosa sneered at the Knights and nobles, "I maintain you all just for you to stand around and watch?"

A Knight coughed, "Sir, since they have arrived, should we use the opportunity to catch them off guard and strike their reinforcements?"

"I'll besiege your horse, what if Solaburg acts in conspiracy inside and out?"

"Or perhaps we take to boats and proactively intercept?"

"We are nearly twenty thousand strong now, how many can the boats carry at once? If you're dumb just stay home and spare us the embarrassment."

Three or four nobles consecutively proposed ideas, all dismissed by Duke Bodosa, leaving the Knights and nobles aware.

They're all seasoned veterans, who haven't fought against rebel armies and bandit horsemen in the South and frontier lands?

Duke Bodosa's behavior clearly revealed fear upon hearing about defeats at the hands of Prince Kongdai's Salvation Army, longing only for easy victories.

Count Ursion's loss of Avis Temple crushed the Duke's morale; otherwise, what explains his irritable stance?

"Duke is correct, let's not fight in front of Solaburg; this area is difficult to battle." Relying on memory, Count Kazi recalled battle report details, "The opposition seems to possess magically driven catapults, which are potent but heavy.

They can't promptly clear the sunken ships within Mo'en River, thus forced to take the land route, likely slowing transport.

Though we lack catapults, we have Knights, all clad in heavy armor and enduring in battle, and snake-man servants for burden carrying, offering an advantage even in swamp territory.

So let's set out now, travel day and night, they won't foresee our quick arrival.

Once we've trapped them in the marshlands, Duke you should have gathered ordinary infantry, then lead them aboard ships to join forces, what do you think?"

Though Kazi's words were unfinished, Duke Bodosa grasped their deeper intent.

The crucial point being those two words, boarding ships.

If the Knights achieve their goal, Duke Bodosa can naturally sail to support and claim merit.

If the Knights fail, with the main forces defeated, the Duke avoids battle by preserving ships and returning safely to Falan, which is justifiable.

In other words, waiting for the Thousand River Valley Army to attack is uncontrollable, but taking initiative is controllable.

As long as one's alive, the battlefield's specifics are dictated by Duke Bodosa, the ultimate commander.

Even if defeated, the scapegoat for this battle is in place, hasn't he already found Count Ursion who abandoned the city, captured and forced to open the gates?

"Look at him, if you all had such foresight, why would I work tirelessly as this commander?" Patting Count Kazi's shoulder, Duke Bodosa's face lit with satisfaction, "Once I return, I'll draft a commendation for you!"