October 10th. Dawn was just breaking, but the resonant, deep, mournful, and shrill blasts of horns were already echoing ceaselessly over the Mana Hill Plains. Wisps of white cooking smoke rose from the ocean of densely packed tents, then, blown by the morning breeze, dissolved into a vast, hazy mist. The military camp began to seethe with noise—shouting, cursing, the clang of steel, the whinnying of horses—all tangled together into a cacophony.
The day of the decisive battle had finally arrived. Grand Duke Comberlyte had risen early; in fact, he had only dozed briefly the night before before sleep eluded him entirely. Today's battle would determine the future fate of the Commercial Alliance; it allowed for no carelessness or neglect. Yet a faint, persistent unease lingered in his heart. The armed forces of the Commercial Alliance held an absolute advantage in both numbers and combat power, so why would that
Considering all the intelligence and reconnaissance reports, the Norton Family forces before them consisted of only three legions, plus a newly dispatched knight order from the Northland numbering over ten thousand. Even adding in miscellaneous units like the guard battalions, their total strength was still under one hundred and fifty thousand. As for the Free Alliance's few City Defense Regiments and the White Lion Legion sent as reinforcement from the Andinaq Kingdom, Grand Duke Comberlyte was not concerned about them. Everyone knew well what their combat power was like; they were not worth worrying about.
The Norton Family forces were the Commercial Alliance's true, formidable enemy. Although they had remained in their camp for over a month, the Commercial Alliance's high command, if not intimately familiar with the Norton forces, at least had a very clear grasp of their characteristics and capabilities. In long-range weaponry, the Norton forces held the advantage. They excelled at using steel crossbows and stone-throwing catapults to crush enemy battle formations, then employing cavalry charges to execute a lethal flanking assault, coordinating with their ranged weapons to shatter the enemy lines and achieve victory. It was precisely this way that the Norton Family's Flying Tiger Legion had once defeated a hundred-thousand-strong Commercial Alliance relief force in the field with only forty thousand men in the Canpona Province campaign.
Thinking of the Norton Family's steel crossbows and stone-throwing catapults, Grand Duke Comberlyte really wanted to curse the new chairman of the Vesia Trade Association. Why had the six great guilds been willing to re-establish and support a new Vesia Trade Association? It was precisely because Vesia still held many formulas and some top-secret steel refining and forging techniques. The Double Dragon Guild hadn't wanted to take in all the surviving remnants under its banner, but the other five great guilds wouldn't let it have its way. The final compromise was to re-form the new Vesia Trade Association, with everyone holding a ten percent share in it—just like the old Invincible Armada.
Yet this newly formed Vesia Trade Association had disappointed them all. Steel crossbows and stone-throwers were such simple designs; they even had the actual prototypes, yet they couldn't replicate the same spring steel. The money spent on trial production had already exceeded five hundred thousand gold Fordes, and the results were all failures. Even the steel crossbow limbs that were marginally similar in performance fell far short in range, power, and elasticity, inferior even to the wooden siege crossbows used for city defense.
However, despite the might of the Norton Family's steel crossbows, they could still be countered by the great wooden shield carts. The only real difficulty was the stone-throwing catapults. The Norton forces were adept at using the high-low combination of catapults and crossbows, attacking simultaneously from different angles to inflict devastating casualties. The Commercial Alliance's forces had certainly brainstormed many countermeasures for this, but only two were somewhat reliable: the spring-loaded shield cart and the long-arm catapult.
First, the spring-loaded shield cart. This was the brainwave of a craftsman who made the great wooden shield carts. The wooden shield carts were designed to stop steel crossbows and therefore needed to be solid and sturdy. But they had no way to deal with boulders hurled from the air; the more solid the cart, the faster it would shatter upon impact. Later, this craftsman drew inspiration from the elasticity of bamboo, replacing the fixed support pillars for the wooden shields with bamboo woven into a circular frame. This not only increased the defensive strength of the shield cart but also allowed it to withstand stones weighing fifty to sixty jin thrown by a catapult, though it would still break under stones weighing over a hundred jin.
With the spring-loaded shield carts, the Commercial Alliance forces could use them for cover to advance close to the Norton Family's battle lines and launch an assault, employing their high-end combat power to destroy or eliminate the enemy officers and cause their formations to collapse. After that, a general pursuit would bring victory within reach. The problem was that pushing the shield carts forward while taking constant bombardment from catapults would obviously result in significant casualties. Therefore, the Commercial Alliance forces had also prepared long-arm catapults.
These were the catapults whose performance was most similar to those equipped by the Norton Family forces so far — they could hurl fifty or sixty jin of stone up to four hundred meters as well, though the firing speed was slower and they couldn't be moved once assembled and fixed in position, falling far short of the Norton Family's mobile catapults. But at least their range was comparable. Grand Duke Cambrete harbored no illusions that these long-arm catapults could inflict serious damage on the Norton Family forces, but at least they could be used to draw fire from the Norton Family's catapults, making it easier for the Commercial Alliance forces to close in for melee combat and assault.
Those were the good old days. Opposing sides would close the distance of a thousand meters, exchange longbow fire at around three hundred meters, then crash into each other with shields and spears. After a savage bout, there was either victory or defeat — clean and simple. But this Norton Family force they faced now was an aberration. Without proper protection against long-range attacks, you couldn't even get close to them. They would simply hammer any attacking enemy flat with steel crossbows and catapults. If they attacked on their own initiative, it was the same story — catapults and steel crossbows raining down a devastating barrage, then infantry moving in to mop up the aftermath...
"Your Highness, please have your meal." An attendant served Grand Duke Cambrete a lavish breakfast.
But the Grand Duke had little appetite. He took only a few bites before setting the food aside. "Sollerson, is there any movement from the enemy?"
Sollerson had been Grand Duke Cambrete's personal attendant for nearly twenty years, loyal and diligent, and the Grand Duke trusted him deeply.
"Nothing, Your Highness. Apart from that earthen ramp they built two days ago, everything is normal. The scout squad leader on watch says the enemy has also started preparing breakfast on their side." Sollerson replied deferentially.
Two days ago, the Norton Family forces outside Bruvia City had dispatched a contingent and, following the line of the city, built an earthen ramp stretching over ten li in length. After that, there had been no further activity. The Commercial Alliance's high command had initially assumed the enemy was constructing defensive fortifications, but it didn't really look like one. They couldn't fathom what use this earthen embankment, barely two or three meters high, could serve — in battle, a charge of a few quick steps would carry you right over it. It could hardly play any role in defense. The most plausible guess was that the ramp was meant as a platform for deploying catapults, steel crossbows, and the like. After all, a bit of extra height for long-range attacks was always better...
"Take this breakfast away and distribute it among yourselves." Grand Duke Cambrete said generously. "Oh, and Sollerson — what time is it?"
"A quarter to seven, Your Highness." Sollerson stepped forward to clear the leftover breakfast.
"Make me a pot of tea. At seven o'clock, order the bugler to sound the assembly horn. Today is the day of the decisive battle — we raise camp early and make our preparations. The army must be mustered and drawn up in formation before nine."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Oh, and Sollerson — has Master Magrut gotten up yet? What's the situation over there?" Grand Duke Cambrete asked.
The Storm Sword Saint had only arrived at the camp three days ago with around a dozen of his disciples. After meeting Grand Duke Cambrete and the other leaders of the Commercial Alliance just once, he had pleaded fatigue from the journey and requested a quiet place to rest and conserve his energy for the duel against Grand Duke Norton. But where could one find peace in such a massive military camp? In the end, Grand Duke Cambrete could only clear out a section of the camp's corner, set up a dozen or so tents as the Storm Sword Saint's quarters, and even dispatch one of his own guard units to stand watch so that the soldiers in the main camp would not disturb their rest.
"Your Highness, Master Magrut's disciples are all up and clamoring for us to bring them food and drink. But we haven't seen Master Magrut himself, so we're not sure if he's risen yet." Sollerson answered as he brewed a cup of tea and placed it before Grand Duke Cambrete.
Grand Duke Cambrete nodded. "If his disciples are up, then Master Magrut surely is as well. Instruct the servants to be diligent and respectful — whatever they ask for, send it over. Today, Master Magrut is the key to our Alliance's victory. He absolutely must not be neglected or slighted. If anyone makes Master Magrut unhappy, I will not let them off..."
"Yes, Your Highness. I will make sure the servants attend to them with the utmost care..." Sollerson lowered his head in acknowledgment.
Not until around half past eight did the anxious Grand Duke Cambrete and the equally impatient Commercial Alliance leaders in the main tent finally receive a visitor — Master Magrut's senior disciple, Count Borad. As the Storm Sword Saint's eldest disciple, Count Borad had always carried himself with an arrogant air, looking down on the merchants of the Commercial Alliance who had self-proclaimed their way into nobility. Of course, his own title of Count had been bestowed by the now-defunct Kelia Kingdom, and all he had left was an empty title.
"Your Highness the Grand Duke, I've come to collect the transit pass and travel permits." Count Borad ignored everyone else and addressed only Grand Duke Cambrete.
"Oh? What for?" Grand Duke Cambrete asked with genuine concern.
"My teacher has sent me to arrange the location of the duel with Grand Duke Norton. I need your official documents to leave the camp and pass through the checkpoints."
"Hmm? Isn't Master Magrut going to face Grand Duke Norton on the battlefield? He needs to arrange a separate location?" Grand Duke Chikede asked in surprise from the side.
Count Borad glanced at Grand Duke Chikede with undisguised contempt. "You're treating our teacher like those muscle-bound brutes under your command, aren't you? Always thinking about one-on-one duels on the battlefield to show off their bravery and win the adoration of the crowds? Please understand — the duel between our teacher and Grand Duke Norton is a showdown between Sword Saints. If you even want to watch, you should first consider whether you have the qualifications! Did you really think a duel between two Sword Saints was just two guys swinging swords at each other? If you don't understand, keep your mouth shut. Our teacher issued the challenge and set the date, so naturally the venue will be decided by Grand Duke Norton. I'm here to obtain a camp transit pass so I can go across to Grand Duke Norton's camp and find out where the duel will be held..."
"But — but today is also the day we agreed upon with the Norton Family forces for a field battle to decide things..." Grand Duke Chikede said, growing flustered and irritated.
"Since the Norton Family forces agreed with you that today is the day for the decisive battle, then by all means go fight your battle. The Norton Family is a noble house with two or three centuries of history — they will naturally honor their agreement and take the field. That has nothing to do with Grand Duke Norton accepting our teacher's challenge. You go fight your battle, and our teacher's duel with Grand Duke Norton will proceed as planned without affecting your fight." Count Borad was similarly annoyed in his heart — did these merchants want to watch the Sword Saint duel first, just to make sure his teacher hadn't been slacking off?
"Ha ha, Count Borad jests. We naturally know that today is the day our Commercial Alliance forces face the Norton Family forces in battle. The reason we haven't deployed is that we didn't want to overshadow the main event — the duel between the Storm Sword Saint and Grand Duke Norton is the matter that captures the attention of the entire Galentea Continent. Compared to that, our little engagement is trivial. Grand Duke Chikede and the rest of us waited here because we were worried about disturbing Master Magrut. Since there's no issue, that's fine. Soleson, take my token and accompany Count Borad on his trip." Grand Duke Cambrete stood up to smooth things over for Grand Duke Chikede.
"Thank you, Your Highness the Grand Duke." Count Borad said stiffly, then turned and left. Soleson hurried after him.
"All right, everyone, it seems we don't need to worry about the Storm Sword Saint's duel with Grand Duke Norton anymore. Now return to your merchant forces and prepare to march out and form battle lines. We've already thoroughly discussed our battle strategy, so everyone, hold your positions, follow orders, and fight bravely. By Sigwa, victory is ours!" Grand Duke Cambrete made the decision to deploy and delivered his final rallying speech.
"By Sigwa, victory! Victory!" Everyone inside the great tent roared in response.
The wailing of war horns rolled across the Mana Hill Plains like thunder as the Commercial Alliance forces formally marched out of camp and formed their lines. Across the way, the Norton Family forces were not about to be outdone — soon the rumbling of drums echoed from their camp, the gates swung wide open, and banners unfurled as ranks upon ranks of fully armored soldiers in identical colored plate poured out, forming battle lines along the walls of Bruvia City to await the enemy.
Count Borad, who had just left the camp, was startled by the sudden blare of horns behind him and cursed loudly, though no one could quite make out what he was saying. The two armies were roughly five or six li apart. When Borad and Soleson had ridden to within about a thousand meters of the Norton Family battle lines, a group of light cavalry intercepted them. After confirming their purpose and giving them a quick inspection, the soldiers confiscated their weapons and brought them before
Count Borad obediently dismounted and bowed, performing the traditional noble audience protocol as he stated his purpose.
Lorist studied the map, picking out several locations but finding none of them entirely satisfactory. After all, this was a Sword Saint duel — not some trivial brawl where just anyone could stand around and watch. The Storm Sword Saint was quite right about that. In the end, Lorist decided on Little Solitary Mountain.
Little Solitary Mountain was the closest peak to Bruvia City, roughly a dozen li away. As the name suggested, it was a solitary mountain standing alone. Its terrain was neither imposing nor treacherous — though it rose a hundred meters high, it lacked water on its summit, making it useless for any practical purpose. The Commercial Alliance had established a watchtower on it several years ago to monitor the movements of the Andinak Kingdom's noble coalition forces, but had likewise abandoned the post due to the water shortage.
Having confirmed the dueling location, Count Borad took Soleson back to report. Before long, the Commercial Alliance armed camp erupted with the blare of drums and horns. The Storm Sword Saint, accompanied by over a dozen of his disciples and bid farewell by the senior figures of the Commercial Alliance, mounted his horse and galloped toward Little Solitary Mountain. On the Norton Family side, Lorist likewise took only
Grand Duke Combalet, who had personally watched Lorist depart the Norton Family battle formation, finally breathed a sigh of relief. Surveying the imposing ranks of the Norton Family forces arrayed in the distance, the Grand Duke waved his hand and said in a low voice: "Sound the horns. As planned — we begin the assault!"
...