Chapter 235 The Abandoned Braun



It had been two weeks since General Braun arrived at Napuna, and his initial plan to capture the city had gone awry. With determination in his heart, he had besieged the city, hoping to swiftly capture it.

However, as the days turned into weeks, his forces made little to no progress.

The original plan, carefully crafted by Braun and Admiral Wagner, seemed to have faltered.

According to the original strategy, the combined forces were supposed to launch a surprise attack on Napuna from both land and sea.

The aim was to divide the enemy's defences and create chaos within their ranks. But as time passed, Braun realized that something had gone awry.

Admiral Wagner, who was supposed to lead the naval assault, was nowhere to be seen.

Braun felt a growing sense of unease and frustration.

The absence of Wagner had disrupted the synchronization between the army and navy, leaving Braun's forces isolated and vulnerable.

The general knew that he had to make a crucial decision – whether to persist with the besiegement or to alter his strategy in Wagner's absence.

To make matters worse, he hadn't received any updates from Kurt, his trusted second-in-command that was responsible to handle the siege on the Tetherswest city.

Normally, letters arrived regularly, providing vital information about the progress of their operations. But now, there was only silence.

Sigh-

Braun brooded over the map, contemplating his next move.

A weary soldier entered the tent. His haggard appearance spoke of the hardships endured by the army. "General Braun," the soldier began, "Our food supply is dwindling. The prolonged siege has strained our resources, and the men are growing hungry."

Braun's brow furrowed in concern. He knew that the soldiers' morale would plummet further if their basic needs weren't met.

"We can't continue like this," Braun muttered, more to himself than to the soldier. "Our plan has crumbled, and our provisions are running low. We need a new course of action."

The soldier nodded, understanding the weight of the situation. "What shall we do, sir? We can't sustain this siege for much longer."

Braun looked at the soldier, determination gleaming in his eyes. "We must find a way to break this deadlock. Gather the commanders, and we'll discuss our options. We need to adapt and overcome these challenges."

As the soldier left to relay General Braun's orders, the commanders gathered inside the command tent. Weariness and frustration were etched on each of their faces.

They knew that a drastic measure had to be taken to break the stalemate.

General Braun stood at the head of the table, his gaze fixed on the map before him. "Gentlemen," he began, his voice filled with a resolute tone, "We can no longer afford to wait. Our provisions are dwindling, and the absence of Admiral Wagner has left us vulnerable. Therefore, we must act swiftly and decisively."

The commanders exchanged glances. One of them spoke up, his voice laced with curiosity. "What plan do you have, general?" 

General Braun's gaze shifted from the map to the assembled commanders.

He took a moment to collect his thoughts, weighing the options that lay before them. His voice carried a hint of determination as he responded.

"Our best chance lies in a coordinated assault on multiple fronts," Braun began. "We will divide our forces into three battalions. The first battalion will launch a frontal assault on the city gates, drawing the attention and fire of the enemy."

"And what about the second and third battalions, sir?"

Braun's eyes gleamed with a spark of strategic insight. "The second battalion will execute a flanking manoeuvre, moving swiftly and silently under the cover of darkness. Their mission will be to infiltrate the city through a less fortified section of the walls and sow chaos within the enemy ranks."

The colonel raises his concern. "But sir, won't that expose our troops to heavy casualties?"

Braun met the colonel's gaze, his resolve unwavering. "Yes, the risks are high, but we are not in the situation to be picky. Besides, our third battalion will provide support."

The commanders absorbed the plan, contemplating its intricacies and potential outcomes. After a moment of silence, the colonel spoke again, "It's a daring plan, General, but it just might work. We will rally our troops and ensure they are prepared for their respective roles."

Braun nodded, acknowledging the weight of the impending battle. "Gather the officers and brief them on the plan. Stress the importance of coordination and timing. We must execute this assault flawlessly."

....

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the city.

General Braun took a deep breath, steeling himself for the last attempt to capture the city of Napuna.

With the sound of trumpets and war cries, the first battalion charged at the city gates, engaging the enemy in a fierce and bloody battle. The clash of swords, the thud of arrows, and the cries of wounded soldiers echoed through the air.

Meanwhile, the second battalion executed their move, manoeuvring swiftly and silently through the darkness to the less fortified section of the walls. Scaling ladders were set against the walls, and soldiers climbed with lightning speed. 

However, the defenders had anticipated some form of infiltration, greeting the Blande's army with fierce resistance as soon as they reached the top.

The third battalion provides support by launching a diversionary attack, trying to draw the attention away from the second battalion. 

However, as time passed, the battle took a devastating toll on Braun's army. Waves of enemy archers and spearmen exacted a heavy price, inflicting significant losses and casualties upon the attacking forces.

The plan, while bold, proved to be an arduous undertaking.

Victory seemed to slip further away with every passing minute.

Braun witnessed the staggering losses, having no choice but to order a retreat. 

Exhausted and battered, the remnants of Braun's army returned to their camp. Their hearts were heavy with the weight of their losses. Weary soldiers slumped down, seeking solace and respite from the relentless battle they had endured.

The camp was filled with a sombre atmosphere, punctuated by the groans of the wounded.

Amidst the desolation, a sudden appearance of a few individuals dressed in different military uniforms causes a stir in Blande's camp.

"Who are you, and what brings you to our camp?" Braun inquired while cautiously approaching them. 

The scouts, surrounded by tens of trained soldiers quickly introduce themselves. One of the Barlian scouts, a weathered veteran with a determined gaze, approached General Braun.

"General, we've stumbled upon your camp in the midst of our reconnaissance mission," he said, his voice filled with urgency. "And we've witnessed the dire situation you face."

"And what that has anything to do with you?" asked the general.

The scout glanced around, "Since both of us have the same objective, we believe we can assist you. Barlia can provide your army with food supplies to replenish your dwindling rations. In return, you have to cooperate with us and aid in our own campaigns."

Braun's gaze narrowed as he weighed the proposition. The soldiers around them waited patiently for their general's decision. 

"What guarantee do we have that Barlia can deliver on this promise?" Braun questioned, his voice laced with scepticism.

The scout nodded, understanding the general's concerns. "We have a secure supply line to transport provisions swiftly into the deep inland and we can demonstrate our commitment to this alliance. Together, we can tip the scales in our favour."

Braun looked at his weary soldiers, their gazes fixed upon him with a mix of exhaustion and longing for respite. He made his decision.

"Very well," he said, his voice filled with determination. "We accept your offer."