novelraw Chapter 31: Set in Motion
Chapter 31: Set in Motion
Fabio gathered all officers and convened an expanded military council meeting.
They deliberated for an entire day without reaching a conclusion that satisfied Fabio.
That evening, Fabio found Henwil: "Do you have any good ideas?"
Henwil thought for a moment: "Play to our strengths?"
Fabio looked puzzled: "What strengths do we have?"
Henwil smiled: "Like some of the derogatory names people call us - they say we're the Running Away Legion!
We excel at rapid movement. Since they're trying to block us, let's make them chase us and see who can run faster!"
Fabio's eyes lit up: "You mean we should shake them off and run back to our territory?"
Henwil shook his head: "Of course not! There's still a border river to cross! We must cripple them, or at least make them hurt.
Otherwise, if they attack us while we're halfway across the river, it would be disastrous!I think we should maneuver them around this battlefield, making rapid small-scale movements to force them into a running competition with us!"
"But will the enemy take the bait?"
"That's not up to them! Once we start moving, if they don't follow, we'll cut off their retreat path to the fortress.
They have even less supplies than we do! We'll see who can outlast whom! So they'll definitely try to intercept us."
Fabio nodded, thinking this was a good idea.
Then Henwil continued: "Additionally, we should exploit their weaknesses! They consist of two legions.
When combined, they monitor each other - neither dares to slack off and they'll definitely fight us to the death.
So we should divide our forces, splitting the legion into two parts to force them to separate as well. Without mutual supervision, they'll quit while they're ahead!"
After hearing Henwil's analysis, Fabio thought this was an excellent plan.
He immediately convened a second military meeting overnight to flesh out all the details of this plan.
When the detailed battle plan was complete, Fabio asked Henwil to review it for any oversights.
Henwil only suggested minor adjustments to some details, generally approving of the plan.
Even though Henwil had better alternatives, he wasn't the general of this legion - saying too much would be presumptuous.
Moreover, in Henwil's view, the Ironwall Legion wasn't exactly a qualified army anyway, lacking the conditions to implement many ideas.
After combat missions were assigned, Fabio strongly opposed one of Henwil's decisions.
"Are you joking? You want to join the right flank? Why are you causing trouble?
Just stay safely behind me! This time we're not dealing with noble serf soldiers but real warriors.
Your little physique isn't up to it yet! If anything happens to you, I'd suffer huge losses!
Don't worry, you know the right flank commander - you're aware of his capabilities!"
Henwil certainly knew the right flank commander was competent.
That knight named Duwien had become commander partly due to Henwil's behind-the-scenes efforts.
This man had knight-level combat ability but didn't hold a knighthood title.
He was a friend of Fabio's from their time in the Silent Battleaxe Legion. Henwil had met this knight while following Kavizé.
After the Fire Eye Town battle where the Silent Battleaxe was destroyed, he had also escaped back.
Later assigned under Fabio's command, Henwil often sought his advice on combat techniques.
They were already acquainted, and during one battle when this guy got injured, it was Henwil who treated him.
During the Six Bay Mountain blocking action, Duwien was seriously wounded again, and Henwil treated him once more.
During the retreat, Henwil didn't abandon him but instead gave up his own mule to carry the still-recovering Duwien away.
In subsequent operations, the recovered Duwien demonstrated excellent leadership skills.
He became one of the Ironwall Legion's fourteen chiliarchs, among the more outstanding ones.
When considering commanders for the right flank during this division of forces, several candidates were available.
Finally, after Henwil's point-by-point analysis of pros and cons, Fabio chose Duwien to command the right flank.
Now, Henwil was requesting to join the right flank and break through together with Duwien.
Naturally, Fabio was uneasy, believing Henwil would be safer staying behind him under his guard's protection.
But Henwil thought differently - being near Fabio wasn't exactly safe.
That was the main banner position, with countless eyes watching it!
But of course Henwil couldn't say this outright: "Sir, only the two of us truly understand this plan's real intent.
With you leading the left flank, it's naturally foolproof. But if problems occur on the right flank, there won't even be a chance for temporary remedies.
With you leading the left flank, it's naturally foolproof. But if problems occur on the right flank, there won't even be a chance for temporary remedies.
That way, both flanks can execute the plan smoothly. After dealing heavy blows to the enemy, we can reunite at the river!"
Finally, Fabio relented but emphasized to Duwien again that he must protect Henwil.
Finally, Fabio relented but emphasized to Duwien again that he must protect Henwil.
Two days later, everything was ready, and the Ironwall Legion suddenly sprang into motion.
The two Allied Forces legions stood ready, prepared to respond to the Ironwall Legion's assault.
But the Ironwall Legion abruptly stopped about five-six hundred meters from the enemy formation.
Just as the two Allied generals wondered what they were doing, the Ironwall Legion suddenly divided into left and right flanks.
They began moving again in orderly formations, starting with walking then breaking into a run.
"What are they doing? Trying to bypass us?"
"Why does it look like they're trying to flank us? That doesn't make sense! They don't have enough numbers to surround us!"
"Could they be trying to shake us off and cross the river to escape the kingdom? That shouldn't be either! They haven't built boats or pontoon bridges for crossing, how dare they try to go around?"
"...Not good! They're trying to cut off our retreat route!"
The two generals, finally understanding, immediately commanded their legions to charge toward the left and right flank forces respectively.
The border army general, being more cunning, noticed the right flank had fewer troops and no main legion banner, so he immediately prioritized charging toward the right flank.
Seeing the enemy take the bait, Duwien ordered all officers to control their soldiers' pace and not be intimidated by the enemy's charge.
At the closest point, the two armies were only about two hundred meters apart.
But their frequent rapid movements finally produced the intended effect.
The enemy's charging speed gradually decreased, while the Ironwall Legion maintained steady advancement.
And so, the Ironwall Legion led the kingdom's border army on a chase for over two kilometers.