Chapter 342 - 340: A War of Attrition

Chapter 342: Chapter 340: A War of Attrition

Since Starlight Town was established, it had only been frequently attacked by unruly Demon Beasts in its first few months.

After Kaelon led teams to sweep the surrounding area, such incidents rarely happened anymore.

So, Duane summoned Kaelon, along with the two Advanced Warriors Moen and Hardy, took twenty soldiers, and rushed directly from Silver Jade Territory to the Silent Shore.

At the same time, Duane had Owington write letters to Black Forest Island, mainly to address two matters:

First, Ralph was to inform Sea Cliff Castle that Duane was aware of the situation and was on his way to the Silent Shore.

Second, the Human Tier Warriors Simone and Ross were each ordered to lead five Guard Squads, accompanied by logistics personnel, and set out from Black Forest Island for the Silent Shore, bringing supplies like grain, Siege Crossbows, and Magic Energy Arrows.

Duane didn’t mobilize more troops. After all, the Kennedy Clan was leading this war, and they weren’t short on rank-and-file soldiers.

Compared to the soldiers from Black Forest Island, Duane’s personal presence was what truly mattered.

In reality, limited by the number of ships, dispatching this many people with supplies and equipment was already pushing his transport capacity to its limit.

The war had come too suddenly.

He had originally planned to develop his forces for another two years, expanding his regular army to a thousand men. By then, he would have been able to train Celestial and Earth Tier Warriors under his command.

But that’s just the way of the world. Not everything waits for you to be ready.

Four or five hours later, the large ship moored at Jade Crossing set sail again, heading toward everyone’s first battlefield.

The warriors sat on the deck in twos and threes. Some bragged about the Demon Beasts they had recently slain, some showed off their well-made Beast Hide coats, and others fantasized about killing enemies on the battlefield to win glory.

It was clear their excitement for the war was far greater than Duane’s.

Perhaps they hoped to earn better treatment through their deeds in battle, or perhaps they believed that with a powerful expert like their Lord at the helm, the fighting would be easy, and so they were fearless.

"My lord, you seem worried?" Kaelon came to the stern of the ship, standing behind Duane.

He looked at the young figure before him. The boy he had once personally taught Swordsmanship had now become a figure he had to look up to.

Duane grunted in acknowledgment before saying, "I wouldn’t say I’m worried. It’s just that I had originally planned to have Lune lead a team to be stationed at Selena’s location. I’m not sure if this war will disrupt my plans."

Given the current situation in the Pruck Kingdom, acquiring more territory is rather difficult.

But developing Mountain Village and Sharp Stone Territory was a strategic move that would benefit him.

But if the war at the Silent Shore dragged on for too long and the Kennedy Clan suffered excessive losses, he would get dragged down with them.

"I heard the Count’s army has already reached Red Earth City. Once they get past the city, Fire Source Castle is just ahead."

Kaelon had learned of the war’s status from Owington some time ago, which is why he had spent the last few days focusing on strengthening everyone’s battlefield coordination instead of entering the mountain forests.

He said, "With you joining us, taking a Baron’s Castle will clearly not be a problem. The war shouldn’t last too long, right?"

Duane shook his head.

As the saying goes, once a war begins, it isn’t something one side can end just because they want to.

Besides, would the King really allow a Kingdom Count to conquer a Kingdom Viscount?

If it were Duane, he would likely halt the offensive after capturing Silver Scale Port and securing the Green Shade Manor area. He would then ask the King to step in and mediate negotiations to end the war, with the price being the ceding of this captured region.

However, the Calvin Clan had obtained their Territory by swearing fealty to the King; ultimate ownership of the land belonged to the Crown.

Considering the growing strength of the Silent Shore, King Eric would most likely demand that Count Kais withdraw from Green Shade Manor and Silver Scale Port.

At that point, the Count could demand that the Calvin Clan pay reparations of equivalent value, or even cede their interests in the Fire Source Secret Realm.

In doing so, he would both appease the anger of the nobility of Sea Cliff Castle and the Silent Shore, build his prestige, and obtain tangible benefits.

Continuing the attack on Fire Source Castle would only lead to greater attrition, and ultimately, the costs would outweigh the benefits.

Duane snapped back to the present, no longer dwelling on how the war might be resolved. Instead, he asked, "What do you think about sending Lune to Mountain Village?"

Kaelon mulled it over for a moment. He had spent very little time with Lune; not long after Lune joined, Kaelon had been permanently stationed in Silver Jade Territory.

However, his current position was that of a commander, and he had asked Raymond about the defenses on Black Forest Island, so he had some understanding of the situation.

"I hear that Lune’s skill and attitude are both excellent. He completes every task assigned to him and has even trained two squads of skilled archers for the Territory."

He stroked his bushy beard. "If he were one of us, sending him wouldn’t be a problem. But he has the Holmes Clan behind him, after all. Isn’t there a risk that he could leak secrets or act against your interests?"

Duane turned to look at Kaelon in surprise and smiled. "So it’s not just Owington who’s grown up. You’ve also become much more insightful. How about I send you to Mountain Village instead?"

Kaelon gave a good-natured smile. "I am always ready to follow your arrangements."

Duane turned to look at the distant coastline. "Never mind. I’ll talk to Lune about it."

If he only relied on men like Kaelon and Raymond, he wouldn’t have enough people.

Besides, since Lune had chosen to follow him, Duane felt he needed to show a certain degree of trust.

...

Red Earth City lay on the main road to Fire Source Castle. It was the territory of Baron Theodore Collins.

As one of the earliest followers of the Calvin Clan, the Collins Clan was extremely wealthy in the Fire Source Territory, and as a result, their domain’s defenses were quite respectable.

Under normal circumstances, however, the Baron’s city could still be easily breached by the Kennedy Clan’s Siege Crossbows.

However, when the army from the Silent Shore arrived, Red Earth City had also deployed a number of Heavy Crossbows to counterattack. At the same time, several Celestial and Earth Tier Warriors were assisting in the city’s defense.

This led to the Silent Shore’s army suffering significant losses outside Red Earth City, slowing their advance.

Inside a command tent in the military camp a few miles outside the city, Baron Jick was reporting the latest intelligence.

"My lord, we’ve received intelligence from the Royal Capital. A dozen or so large ships docked briefly at Michaelson Port, then sailed down the great river, heading for Fire Source Port."

The Count’s expression was grave. "Ugo’s sons-in-law have arrived, I presume?"

"You’ve guessed correctly!"

Jick confirmed. "They might disembark at Fire Source Port and enter Fire Source Castle, but it’s also possible they’ll continue south to launch a sneak attack on Silver Scale Port and circle around behind us."

Marles sat to one side, his left hand wrapped in bandages. He had been slightly injured during Red Earth City’s counterattack two days ago.

"They have the guts to circle behind us?"

"We have several thousand soldiers guarding Silver Scale Port, equipped with Heavy Crossbows and Fire Arrows. We’re not afraid of a sneak attack."

"They probably wouldn’t dare if it were just them, but I heard one of the ships is flying the ’Frost Giant Axe’ flag."

The Count sneered. "What, does Count Kudro want a piece of the action too?"

"You and he are old enemies; he certainly wouldn’t pass up this opportunity," Jick said. "I just didn’t expect His Majesty would allow the ship to sail south."

Kais fell silent. He had a good idea what the King’s attitude was.

The expressions of the others changed. The addition of a Silver Moon Warrior to the battlefield introduced too many variables.

If the enemy circled around via Silver Scale Port, they could perhaps use their Wind-Held Crossbows and Knight Allen’s Magic Energy Archery Squad to attack the ships from extreme range, preventing them from making landfall.

But if the enemy landed at Fire Source Port and charged out from Red Earth City, the pressure on their front line would be immense.

"What about Duane?"

Marles looked at the Count. "Still no word?"

Count Kais glanced at the letter in his hand. "I just received a message. By my calculations, Duane should be able to reach the Silent Shore by the morning of the day after tomorrow."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief at the news. At a time like this, the importance of top-tier combatants could not be overstated.

"Viscount Ugo’s reinforcements will take about two days to travel south from Michaelson Port."

Baron Jick analyzed, "Duane might even arrive a step ahead of them."

The Count’s brow was furrowed in thought. After a long moment of contemplation, he slowly revealed his plan. "I’m preparing to withdraw our forces to Green Shade Manor."

Marles asked in surprise, "We’re not fighting? My lord, if Duane comes, we can surely break through their front line. Isn’t it unwise to stop fighting now?"

The others fell silent.

The Count didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he asked, "How many losses did your unit suffer in the attack on Red Earth City?"

Marles fell silent for a moment before replying, "Three Earth Tier Warriors killed, fifteen Human Tier, and dozens of Advanced Warriors..."

Although he hoped to break through the gates of Fire Source Castle, his tone grew heavy when speaking of the casualties.

Only then did Count Kais speak. "Even with Duane’s help, we could take Red Earth City and even threaten Fire Source Castle, but we would inevitably pay an even greater price."

"The King will certainly not allow us to occupy this land; in the end, we’ll only be able to get money and supplies as compensation. So, it’s better to halt the attack now, request the King’s intervention, and make the Calvin Clan pay for the assassination."

After hearing the Count’s analysis, Marles also realized this and stopped clamoring for an attack.

Using war to force a negotiation and secure the greatest benefits—that was the standard practice in wars between nobility.

To continue fighting to the death would likely lead to an outnumbered war of attrition.

"You’re right!"

Marles said, "But even if we negotiate, we must demand the Calvin Clan hand over Liam, the assassin, to avenge our fallen warriors!"

"Of course!" Count Kais said in a low voice.

With the decision made, the army of the Silent Shore began to organize its retreat.

Meanwhile, atop the high walls of Red Earth City, Baron Theodore, who had witnessed this scene, gave a cold laugh.

"Destroy my walls and kill my soldiers, and then just think you can leave? Heh, it’s not that simple!"

He looked at the warriors beside him. In addition to Liam, there were several Mercenary Corps Leaders who had come to support the Fire Source Territory.

He didn’t know their specific identities or origins, but it was only with their help that he had managed to defend Red Earth City.

"Gentlemen, it’s time for us to charge!"

Liam licked his lips. He had been fighting with great enthusiasm; anything less would not be enough to atone for his failed assassination.

"What are we waiting for? Let’s kill them!"