Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters-Chapter 767 - 60 Intelligence

Chapter 767: Chapter 60 Intelligence Chapter 767: Chapter 60 Intelligence The War-Standard paraded along the river, and wherever it went, the people of Terdon could not help but cheer until their voices broke.

Only the roar of battle from the opposite bank sounded like muffled thunder, one peal after another, first approaching and then receding.

The residents of Niutigu Valley ran out of their homes one after another, eager to find out what was happening, but upon learning what the “thunder” signified, they were so scared they were beside themselves with fear.

Some even cried out in alarm, “It’s the horn! The horn of Judgment Day!” scrambling and tumbling towards the church for sanctuary.

“So this is Armageddon?” Winters smiled atop the church bell tower, asking Caman beside him, “Isn’t the spectacle a bit too small?”

Honestly, seeing the chaos in Niutigu Valley, even Winters felt it was a bit of a sacrilege.

Caman sighed softly, making a sign with his hand, and asked coldly in response, “The world is but what mortals can see. Isn’t this battle for them akin to a battle of doomsday?”

...

“Not if they survive. But if everyone only wants to save their own skin, then no one will survive. Bard’s approach of separating the men from the women and children has been significantly effective. It ensures the safety of the vulnerable and inspires courage in the men to fight.”

“Hmm.”

“I’ll need your help with this.”

Caman snorted lightly, expressing a sort of ‘inevitable’ disdain.

He gazed at the people fleeing in all directions on the town square, and without lifting his head, he answered, “It’s not for you.”

“Alright then.” Winters, leaning on his cane, began to descend the stairs: “By the way, Bard’s side captured a prisoner who claims to be ‘Father Saul.’ When you have time, help me verify that.”

Caman paid no heed to Winters, but the holy emblem in his hand inadvertently slipped and plummeted to the ground.

…

At the church entrance, Xial and Heinrich had prepared their horses and were standing by.

The fully-armed Samukin saluted with his sword hand: “The Volunteer Brigade is ready to sound the bells for battle at any moment.”

“Don’t be hasty.” Winters stepped into the stirrup and mounted his horse, with an easy demeanor: “Even if there’s a battle in the afternoon, the morning is for everyone to rest well, to prepare for the fight. Besides, we won’t be going to war today.”

“Then… where are you going?” Samukin was slightly panicked.

Winters pulled the reins and gently nudged the horse’s flanks: “Choma Khan is showing off over there, I’m going to check out the commotion.”

As the Warhorse trotted off, Samukin followed behind, calling out anxiously, “Are you just taking Xial and Heinrich with you? Take some more guards with you! Wait for me, I’ll come along too!”

Winters laughed heartily and spurred his horse away from Niutigu Valley.

…

The Green Plumed Feathers War-Standard advanced along the west bank, declaring to both friends and foes the arrival of the “Khan” on the battlefield.

Winters rode near the east bank, continuing until the War-Standard on the opposite bank turned around and the roar of battle subsided.

“Look.” Winters pointed with his whip across the river: “Choma Khan is turning back.”

“Shall we also return?” asked Xial.

“Map.”

Heinrich carefully withdrew a large map from his saddlebag and handed it over to the military commissioner for public welfare.

Surveying the land, Winters found some landmarks to identify their location, and he laughed, “Ho, we’re almost at Forging Village.”

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Xial exclaimed in surprise, “Forging Village? Isn’t that some twenty kilometers away?”

“It’s twenty-three kilometers.” Winters made a mark on the map: “One round of war cries marks one camp, that’s why I had you two keeping count.”

“A camp? Choma Khan’s camp actually stretches out for twenty kilometers?!” Xial was even more astonished.

“The Herders have plenty of livestock, if they don’t spread out, there would be no room for the horses to graze.” Winters rolled up the map, followed by knocking on his left shin several times with his boot:

“Even though the west bank is scorched ground, without the upcoming battle, the middle-level leaders of the Terdon Tribe still dare not change their marching route. But now Choma Khan has arrived, and this pack of starving wolves from the Terdon Tribe are getting restless.”

Perhaps it was because the river water was too cold, since the day he made a surprise crossing to attack the Taltai Division, Winters’ old leg injury had flared up again, and he had no choice but to walk with a cane.

“Should we return now?”

“No hurry, let’s go a bit further, past this hill is Forging Village. Come on, let’s go and see.”

Winters leapt onto his horse and galloped away. Xial and Heinrich swiftly followed. The three men crested the hill and set out towards Forging Village.

…

In the great tent of the Terdon Tribe, all the chiefs, both great and small, had been summoned for a council.

The skylight was covered with cowhide, leaving the inside of the tent dim, lit only by the flickering firelight.

Nayen, Kota, and others sat in a circle around the campfire, indicating that the military council distinguished no rank or status, and everyone could speak their mind.

“We can’t delay any longer!” Tie Chi, the uncle of the pyromancers, bellowed, his voice almost bursting through the tent: “Decide on a forceful attack or a detour, we must take a stand!”

Voices of agreement rose one after another:

“Tie Chi is right!”

“The little hay we brought has been eaten up. Now, the divine beasts are digging up roots to eat, and how can they get full on that?”

“Roots? A bit of fire from the two-legged creatures and even the roots are charred!”

An elder with white at his temples among the Green Plumed Feathers stood up to speak, “Our young messengers have sent word that the defense upstream is very lax. The warriors from Ganchor and Choma Khan have already crossed the river. If the two-legged creatures are blocking us here, we should avoid them and go around upstream or downstream.”

Once again, the tent filled with voices of agreement.

The Herders had no qualms about “fleeing without fighting.” In Herder culture, there wasn’t even a moral judgment against “running away.”

If it was advantageous they would advance, if not, they’d retreat. What was so strange about running if they couldn’t win?

However, reality was often more amusing than rational.

At this moment, the nobles of the Terdon Tribe who were present in the tent were all chiefs who hadn’t been able to cross the river. The reason they hadn’t crossed was because there were defending troops on the other side.