The blazing sun of late autumn was still dazzling, as if trying to make up for its absence during the previous downpour.
Moist vapor rose from the ground, yet mid-air it was distorted by the sunlight.
Such abnormal weather, even the oldest elders of the Thousand River Valley had never seen before.
Standing on the tree on the hillside of the small muddy ditch, Jeska concentrated with his single eye, carefully watching the church army appearing in the small woods and bushes, and breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, the church’s army hadn’t walked past the fence yet; they were late by two candle lengths, surprisingly not too late.
Even though he didn’t know why the opponent hadn’t crossed the small muddy ditch yet, at least for now, he didn’t have to change his name to Snotworm.
"Your Holiness." Jeska jumped down from the tree, "The enemy has already moved past the prearranged ambush position, our original plan might not work."
That ambush position was the narrowest point on the road, but the current battlefield was comparatively broader, making it quite likely that the Black Hat Army couldn’t block effectively.
Besides, our side was late and directly ran into the enemy head-on; how could this possibly be an ambush on a market?
Horn, gripping the Horn Beheading Sword at his waist, wore a look of despairing calmness on his face.
Why did his plans never succeed even once?
Always at this point, always cleaning up the mess, always thinking about minimizing losses rather than regretting.
Could it be that he made a vow that his layouts and plans would always fail?
"Jeska, since you’ve seen big scenes, tell us how to fight."
"I think we should let the Black Hat Army and the 175 ordnance companies of the Imperial Guard form three large formations on the front battlefield, block the gap of the small muddy ditch, and have a large army battle.
The Black Hat Army will launch a strong attack on the left wing, feign an attack in the center, and the Imperial Guard will defend and counterattack on the right wing. After breaking through the Peasant Soldiers, the Black Hat Army’s left wing will side-attack, defeat the enemy’s central forces, and then the Black Hat Army’s left and central forces will jointly attack the Night Guard.
The 35 ordnance companies of the Child Soldiers, as Leaping Soldiers, alongside the Holy Grail Knight Order, will ambush in the bushes on both sides, waiting for the opportunity to launch an attack on the enemy’s Armored Soldiers.
This is our usual old tactic, in Norn language, it’s called Fenris Strategy, which translates to Revolving Door Tactic in Falan language."
"Let’s do it." Horn had a bit of a desperate attitude in his decision.
While Horn was deploying troops over here, Quincy was in chaos over there too.
Quincy was busy galloping back and forth on horseback, looking very occupied, while his few confidants and the Night Guards were also rushing around.
"Ambush!" Riding on a mule, Quincy shouted loudly, "Quickly form a formation."
"What kind of ambush is this?" Boned also riding on a mule, asked confusedly, "Didn’t we just run into those rebels head-on?"
"They appeared suddenly, isn’t that an ambush?" Quincy didn’t have time to explain, "You two hide well, don’t get hurt."
But everyone appeared suddenly, clashing during the march; what kind of ambush is this?
Furthermore, even if it was an ambush, they didn’t come to attack them, just from what Boned saw, the rebels on that side seemed more panicked than they were.
However, Boned didn’t voice his doubts because Qianqian patted his hand, signaling him to stop speaking.
After all, the battlefield is unlike any other place, for the safety of Miss Qianqian, Boned refrained from further criticism.
On the narrow, muddy slope, the Peasant Soldiers and the Night Guards pushed and shoved, while the Black Hat Army and the Imperial Guard cursed each other, their interspersed foot-thumping turning what was originally just muddy ground into a mire.
In the adjacent woods, blue-crowned jays sang melodious tunes, providing them with an accompaniment.
The warm wind, carrying the stench and moisture, blew on the back of the church’s army’s necks, as it did on the faces of the Gulag Papal State’s troops.
Separated by less than half a minute, each side finally finished forming their respective formations.
Occupying the northern high ground of the small muddy ditch battlefield, lined up in front of the fence, was the combined force of two major legions, totaling 175 men, from the Gulag Papal State.
The Black Hat Army was divided into the left wing and the central forces, both forming formations, each consisting of 60 ordnance companies arranged in 6 rows and 10 columns.
Although the ordnance companies wore short robes made of hemp, none were in tattered clothing, all patched up.
Their clothing might be varied, but the dark hoods were almost seamless, and the long spears held collectively by every two ordnance companies showed a chilling glimmer under the sunlight.
As for the 55 ordnance companies of the Imperial Guard on the right wing, they displayed a formation of 5 rows and 10 columns.
Unlike before, where they took the field with wooden gates and lids, thanks to Jeanne’s arc iron-making furnaces, it was practically like replacing birds with cannons.
The first row still consisted of strong-armed men, holding half the height wooden shields and short swords in hand.
The following four rows wielded four-meter forged long spears, with short axes strapped at their waists, being Veteran Throne Spear Guards.
Unlike the relatively clumsy Black Hat Army, the Throne Guards had longer training and better rations, allowing them to single-handedly wield four-meter long spears.
Since both wings were covered by allies and bushes, with allies hiding in the bushes as well, the Imperial Guard did not place any blade-bearers or Leaping Soldiers on the wings.
Instead, five archers were arranged at the back of the formation, all of whom were former Hunters.
The original 40+ ordnance companies of the Imperial Guard expanded to 55, and aside from promotions from Red Mill Village, many Armed Farmers were selected from the first hundred households.
These archers and the first row shield-bearers largely hailed from Armed Farmer backgrounds.
As for the church’s army not far away, they also had a considerable number, totaling 204 people.
They were divided into two groups, with the Night Guard on the left barely forming five rows and ten columns, and the Peasant Soldiers on the right forming a chaotic circular formation.
Eighteen Armored Soldiers didn’t directly participate in the battle but acted as the final reserve, surrounding the Militia Captain Quincy.
"This actually looks decent." Quincy mounted on horseback, gazing at the distant formation of rebels.
Pico chuckled bitterly, "At least it looks somewhat presentable. These fellows of the Secret Faction are all rookies, lacking experience and professionalism, the only commendable thing is their serious attitude."
"Seriousness is good, only seriousness makes it look realistic." Quincy asked in a low voice, "Is everything arranged?"
Pico nodded, "Arrangements are done. They’re all tight-lipped, and hearing about money, a few even asked if they could be paid based on the size of their wounds."
"Get lost, if they don’t do it, there are others who will. This is a buyout." Quincy said in an unpleasant tone, "At most pay their medical fees, it’s free money anyway, not like there’s any danger."
Having reached an agreement with the brothers who were acting, Quincy ordered a watch on Boned and Qianqian, finally easing his heart.
Despite the convoluted process, at least the outcome was about right, at most leaving some small blemishes.
Riding his horse to the forefront, brimming with confidence, Quincy pointed his whip forward and shouted loudly: "Enemy attack! Form defensive formations!"
Gripping the Horn Beheading Sword, Horn felt his palms slightly sweaty, and only after seeing Jeska nod, did he draw out the hand-and-a-half sword:
Amidst the splashing mud and disordered footsteps, this battle known as the largest-scale small muddy ditch conference in the history of the Gulag Papal State, finally began.