Chapter 1600: Chapter 68: A Sudden Turn
“Marshal, Duke Ernest has sent a request for aid!”
Upon hearing this familiar yet distant name, Hudson furrowed his brow.
As a “businessman,” having a wide social circle is essential. Although the two could not be considered friends, they at least recognized each other’s faces.
Under circumstances within his capabilities, Hudson didn’t mind extending a favor.
The current situation was obviously different; the Demonic Crocodile Clan had entrenched themselves in both Bofeil and Parma Provinces, forming a standoff with the garrison.
Originally, Hudson thought both sides were evenly matched, with even the Black Forest People having the upper hand, but reality delivered him a slap in the face.
As the Governor of Parma Province, if he truly had control of the battlefield, the letter from Duke Ernest should have been about discussing joint operations.
Knowing that the Allied Forces would arrive in just a few days, yet hurriedly sending a plea for help clearly indicated that the situation was on the verge of collapse.
After glancing through the contents above, Hudson conveniently handed the letter to Governor Piers.
Whether Parma Province fell was not so important to them as the guest army.
But the severe consequences resulting from this needed to be borne by them.
According to the initial strategic concept, the Black Forest garrison would hold back the Demonic Crocodile Clan, allowing the Allied Forces to first eliminate the Giant Centipede, before turning back to handle these Demonic Crocodiles.
Such an obvious tactic was apparent to everyone. Not wanting to fall into strategic passivity, the Demonic Crocodile Clan chose to take the initiative.
The garrison of Parma Province couldn’t hold on, and the nearby troops of Bofeil Province were similarly overwhelmed; one could even say the situation was more dire.
The army of the Giant Centipede directly appeared at their rear, ready to join forces with the Demonic Crocodile Clan at any moment to launch a pincer attack.
If the garrison couldn’t hold, the Allied Forces would face the dual-family military Alliance, with total forces exceeding one million.
There is a limit to winning with weaker forces against stronger ones. When the disparity in strength reaches a certain level, it’s not something that can be compensated by merely tactical command.
“Marshal, this battle is tough!
The enemy obviously hid their strength before; our arrival pressured them into revealing their full capability.
If the garrison can’t hold on, just relying on the Allied Forces’ limited strength makes the chances of victory indeed too low.
Ideally, with both provinces requesting reinforcement in succession, we should help them.
But distant water can’t quench present thirst. Even if we accelerate the march, it’s feared we might still not catch up with the battle!”
After hearing Governor Piers’ words, Governor Simon furrowed his brow. Though he didn’t explicitly refuse the rescue, the implication was quite evident.
Only the cavalry can reach there quickly to participate in the fight; indeed, their combat capabilities are strong, but their numbers are too few.
Any slight mistake and they could be entangled by the enemy, possibly leading to the annihilation of the entire army.
Not to mention that both sides are mere allies; even if they were our people, one would have to make choices at times .
“Your Excellency the Count, just as you said.
Once the garrison falls, we will have to face the two major species on our own, and short-term reinforcements will be tough to obtain.
The situation will inevitably worsen further, potentially triggering the Alien Coalition to seize the opportunity!”
Governor Simon strived to convince.
As a guest army, Hudson and Governor Piers could remain indifferent to the garrison’s collapse, but Governor Simon could not.
At this critical moment, if he didn’t do something, he wouldn’t be able to account to those at home afterward.
“Your Excellency the Marquis, if you think those garrison troops can be saved, then take your own forces to reinforce them!”
Governor Piers finished his words in a huff, leaving Governor Simon’s face livid with anger, as if a fire burned in his chest.
Despite a great performance, their eye contact did not escape Hudson’s notice.
One must admit that major nobles are exemplary actors. Seemingly fighting fiercely, they were in fact deliberately putting on a show for outsiders.
Everyone understood that the probability of success in sending troops for aid at this point was negligible, but the refusal couldn’t come from Governor Simon.
After all, he navigated within the Black Forest Kingdom and had to adhere to political correctness.
Governor Piers jumping out to play the villain so quickly and coordinating with Governor Simon’s act was something Hudson didn’t foresee.
Considering the two had a Hundred-Mile Corridor as a neighbor, they probably had some interactions between them. A close relationship would make sense.
“Calm down, both of you!
We’re all considering the warfare situation. Now is the time for open dialogue; there’s no need to hurt harmony over a few differences!”
Hudson smoothly mediated.
Watching such antics gave him a toothache. If he didn’t step in to stop them, the two could keep quarrelling indefinitely.
When the quarrel ends, so does the topic.
Governor Simon acted sensibly, sitting quietly afterward, as if sulking.
The commander’s presence among a crowd of Black Forest Kingdom’s generals left them deeply worried upon seeing this.
The military is the place where hierarchy is most emphasized. Without the Commander’s permission, these individuals had no right to speak.
The command center quieted down. Hudson picked up his teacup and slowly savored it, as if nothing had happened just now.
Beneath his calm appearance, however, was endless sorrow.
The sudden deterioration of the situation left him anxious as well. Nonetheless, his extensive years of military experience had long refined Hudson’s resilience to the apex.
Though the current circumstances were indeed troublesome, they were undeniably better than when he first led troops on an expedition long ago.
At the very least, he held the command of the army in his hands; how to fight was a decision he could make alone, allowing him to control his own destiny.