Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 160: Chapter 154: Golden Wheat Ears Castle

The army advanced like a great river, winding its way across the eastern plains of the Duchy.

The journey was long and arduous. A full month of marching was enough to change many things.

The lush green of the fields gradually gave way to gold, and the cool air of early autumn had turned increasingly dry and sharp.

The celebratory flush of wine had long since faded from the Knights’ faces, replaced by the grim resolve and wind-bitten look of a long march.

”My Lord, the Nu River is just ahead.”

Ed called out.

Raylo summoned Baofeng and flew high into the sky to look down.

A massive scar, as if torn into the earth by a Giant Dragon, appeared on the horizon.

That was the Nu River, the natural border between the Thunder Dragon Duchy and the Fiery Sun Kingdom.

The water was a murky, earthen yellow, and its current was swift, churning up massive whirlpools. It let out a deafening roar, like a tireless, raging beast.

Even from a distance, they could feel the damp spray and wild energy rushing to meet them.

The army stopped five kilometers from the Nu River and made camp.

Count Luke summoned all the Lords.

”The Duke’s main army is in a standoff with the Fiery Sun Kingdom’s main force, one hundred and twenty kilometers downstream.”

Luke’s index finger slid across the simple sand table.

”Our mission isn’t to fight on the main front. We are a dagger, meant to be plunged into the enemy’s heart.”

Only upon reaching the front lines did Luke announce the army’s true mission.

For Raylo, this was a perfect mission.

’Raiding the enemy rear would yield the greatest results, but only if they could solve two major problems.’

’First, once news of the invasion spread, the nobles’ castles would be heavily fortified. The challenge was how to breach these fortifications quickly and with minimal losses.’

’Speed was of the essence in war; maintaining mobility was the top priority when deep inside enemy territory. Getting bogged down in a protracted siege against a single castle would only lead to them being trapped.’

’Raylo’s Mammoth Knights were the solution to castle defenses.’

’Most castles belonging to a Baron or Viscount, no matter how well-defended, could not withstand the charge of ten Mammoths.’

’The second problem was how to carry away as much loot as possible without compromising their mobility.’

’His newly appointed ”Minister of Logistics,” Coal Ball, offered a promising solution, one that could plunder enough spoils of war to fund the Black Stone Territory’s development for the next decade.’

His gaze swept over everyone present.

”Tonight at midnight, the Mage Corps will build a pontoon bridge upstream at Jingfeng Gorge. We must complete our operation before dawn.”

”After crossing the river, we will split our forces again, becoming three sharp arrows that will pierce the Fiery Sun Kingdom’s heartland from different directions.”

”Remember, our objective is to destroy, to disrupt, to sow chaos in their rear so they can’t safely transport supplies and troops to the front. We are not here to occupy cities, only to plunder and destroy. Create as much chaos as possible before the enemy can react and assemble an army to encircle us.”

The orders were clear, cruel, and brimming with aggression.

Far from being afraid, the Knights present felt their eyes burn with excitement.

For a Knight, glory and riches were always the greatest incentives.

Night fell, and dark clouds obscured the moon.

The Allied Army moved like a silent python, slithering noiselessly upstream toward Jingfeng Gorge.

Jingfeng Gorge was the narrowest section of the Nu River, flanked by steep cliffs, where the current was relatively calm. Under the leadership of Master Barnaby, the Mage Corps used the spells Fossilized into Mud and Mud and Stone Manipulation to quickly secure bridgeheads on both banks.

A dozen massive iron chains were connected between the two bridgeheads.

Then, hundreds of Knights laid pre-prepared thick wooden planks over the iron chains, while the Mages used the Frost Technique to freeze the planks and chains firmly together.

An hour later, at the officers’ command, a pontoon bridge sturdy enough for Mammoths and carriages to cross had been constructed.

The entire process was carried out with swift efficiency in the dark, the silence broken only by the hushed commands of officers and the soft clatter of tools.

Once the pontoon bridge was complete, the army began to cross.

The soldiers gripped their weapons and marched forward in silence.

Before the sky began to pale with dawn, the entire army had successfully crossed the Nu River.

The sappers swiftly dismantled the pontoon bridge and erased all traces of their presence, as if they had never been there.

Compared to the Thunder Dragon Duchy, the land here was drier, the vegetation consisting mainly of drought-resistant shrubs and sparse trees.

Luke gathered the commanders once more.

”As planned.”

He was brief and to the point.

”Count of Giant Stone, your First Army will head northeast. Count Iron Pine, your Third Army will go due east. Count Gao Wen, your Second Army will advance to the southeast.”

”If you encounter an enemy force you cannot defeat, you have permission to retreat at your own discretion.”

”Advance without pause. Destroy their castles, seize all their wealth. Show the Fiery Sun Kingdom the fury of our Thunder Dragon Duchy with a trail of blood and fire.”

With no more words wasted, the three armies quickly diverged, charging into the vast heartland of the Fiery Sun Kingdom.

”Scouts, advance three miles and fan out to search! Report immediately if you discover any villages, towns, or supply caravans!”

Count Gao Wen commanded.

”Yes, my Lord!”

Dozens of Scouts on swift horses accepted the order and rode off, their figures soon disappearing into the rolling hills.

The army maintained its battle formation, advancing southeast at a steady, unhurried pace.

The land seemed somewhat desolate, but the freshly cut stubble in the fields showed that it was not uninhabited.

After about half a day’s march, a Scout returned on a Pegasus.

”My Lord!”

The Scout dismounted and knelt on one knee, his voice thick with suppressed excitement.

”Nine miles ahead, we’ve spotted a castle!”

Gao Wen’s spirits lifted.

”What’s its size? How are its defenses?”

”It’s a Baron’s castle. Judging by the banner, it belongs to the ’Golden Wheat Ears’ family. The castle isn’t large, with walls about sixteen feet high and only a few guards on patrol.”

The army continued its advance. An hour later, a small but sturdy castle stood on the distant plain, surrounded by several golden wheat fields and a small town.

A banner emblazoned with three sheaves of golden wheat fluttered lazily from the castle’s main tower.

Just as the Scout had reported, the guards on the walls were scattered in twos and threes. Some were even leaning against the crenellations, dozing off.

The castle gate stood wide open, with farmers and merchants coming and going. It was a picture of peace and tranquility.

”It seems they haven’t even received word that we’ve crossed the river.”

Gao Wen said with a smile.

He looked at Raylo.

”Baron Raylo, the honor of the first strike is yours!”

Raylo nodded, not declining the honor.

”Mammoth Knights, bring down their walls.”

”Yes, sir!”

Ten Mammoth Knights acknowledged the order, guiding their Mammoths out from the ranks.

Raylo raised his hand, gently stroking the iron-hard feathers on Baofeng’s neck.

”Baofeng, are you ready to hunt?”

Baofeng let out an excited, low cry, its golden eyes locked on the fluttering ”Golden Wheat Ears” banner in the distance.