Chapter 258 258-The Siege

Chapter 258 258-The Siege

In this conflict, limited to the baron and knight levels, Knight Blima, being a knight himself, would not partake in the heavy cavalry.

However, in higher-tiered wars, knights would merge into the heavy cavalry, becoming the elite force within.

After much contemplation, Howard finally said to Anna, "Anna, it seems that whether we forcefully assault the castle or lure the enemy into open battle, this fight will be challenging. I've decided to follow your suggestion. We'll win over the gatekeeper captain, feign an attack, and at the critical moment, have him open the gates for us."

Anna gracefully acknowledged with a bow.

As time progressed, a day later, Howard's forces surrounded the Castle Fernsouth, commencing the siege.

This encirclement aimed to cut off the castle's supply of water and food, thereby weakening the enemy's combat strength.

Occasionally, individuals from inside the castle attempted to stealthily deliver food and water but were captured by Howard's troops.

Howard's tactic was as follows: The initial encirclement was merely a feint, a ploy to lower the enemy's guard.

The crucial part was a coordinated inside-outside strategy to enter the castle directly.

A siege was a lengthy endeavor, not determined by the patience of the troops outside the castle, but by the besieged castle's supply of food and water.

Once the castle's defenders showed signs of fatigue, the besieging army would launch a full assault.

Half a month later, Howard's army initiated the siege.

The peasant soldiers, poorly equipped, suffered heavy casualties under the enemy archers' onslaught.

At this point, Anna deployed her troops to the front lines.

Her soldiers, donned in leather armor, offered slightly better defense.

Knight Kaido also arrived on the battlefield to join the siege.

Howard greeted him, "Well done, brother-in-law."

Knight Kaido chuckled, "I haven't married your sister yet, so hold off on that title."

Howard replied, "With your bravery, I'm sure my sister will be pleased."

Knight Kaido just smiled faintly and led his troops into the siege.

The task of scaling the ladders was brutally bloody, a point of intense struggle between the defenders and attackers.

Once the attacking force breached the walls and secured a stable position, the morale of the defending troops could easily falter, sometimes leading to their flight.

Knight Kaido's men, clad in leather armor, with two of his trusted knights in thick hide mail, were recognized by Howard.

One of them was Kaido's Knight Squire.

Knight Blima, a timid man, dared not ascend the walls, hiding in his room, too frightened to emerge.

Patch, on the other hand, was a violent man.

Despite his boldness, he lacked any strategy.

He stationed all his defenders on the parapets, aiming to kill any enemy that climbed the wall.

Objectively, this tactic was not wrong in itself, but Patch failed to utilize the advantageous terrain of Castle Fernsouth effectively.

Howard and his three heavily armed companions advanced towards the castle walls.

Anyone who blocked their path was swiftly eliminated, their screams alerting the soldiers on the walls.

Realizing they were surrounded, one soldier dropped his weapon and fled.

This act set a precedent, and fear spread rapidly among the others, who also began to scatter.

Before long, the defending troops dwindled, running off in different directions, leaving only a few behind.

Knight Blima's eyes widened in disbelief, still struggling to accept the unfolding events even at this moment.

Patch appeared angry, but his gaze towards Howard was tinged with fear.

Two men clad in superior armor advanced towards Howard and his companions, brandishing their swords.

Anna deflected the long sword of one assailant while Margaret swiftly maneuvered behind him, delivering a swift, lethal stab and ending his life.

These adversaries were categorized as heavy cavalry, warriors whose armor was superior to that of the regular troops but still fell short of noble quality, unable to afford the finest armor.

As another enemy's blade came slashing, Resarite bellowed, his sword clashing against the foe's, creating a resonant metallic clang.

Seizing the moment, Howard wielded his two-handed sword with deadly precision, slaying the attacker.

He then ascended the steps, his two-handed sword pointing directly at Knight Blima, declaring, "Knight Blima, just as I said, you have already lost. Cease this futile resistance. Let us both retain some dignity."

Knight Blima trembled all over, his corpulent body, encased in massive armor, appeared exceptionally cumbersome.

Yet, unable to swallow his pride, he swung his long-handled greatsword towards Howard.

The greatsword, with its longer reach compared to ordinary swords, was cumbersome to wield, particularly in the crowded space at the front battlements.

Howard, with a swift move of his two-handed sword from left to right, parried the greatsword's force.

He closed the distance with Knight Blima, striking the knight's helmet with his elbow.

Following up with a powerful slash, he struck Knight Blima's armor, sending the knight reeling back and tumbling to the ground.

Howard looked at Knight Blima mockingly and said, "We are both nobles, clad in armor that swords cannot penetrate. Do we really want to end up like children playing in the mud, leaving everyone unhappy?"

Exhausted and unable to stand, Knight Blima gasped, "Happy? You've stripped me of my title. How can I be happy?"

Howard, with a stern look, addressed Knight Blima, "Food is meant to satiate hunger, not to be consumed and regurgitated in a cycle. By using an emetic at the banquet, you committed the sin of gluttony. I am here to punish you for that."

Hearing this, Knight Blima slumped against the wall, deflated like a punctured balloon, unwilling to move.

Resarite pressed his sword against Patch's throat.

As Patch contemplated escape, Anna sharply warned, "Don't move!"

Margaret's sword also pressed against Patch's neck, the threat clear and unmistakable.

Fearful, Patch slowly raised his hands.

Howard, tilting his head, observed Patch and said, "Patch, didn't I send you to persuade Zoron to surrender? Yet, how did it turn out that Zoron declared war on me?"

With a sheepish smile, Patch replied, "My lord, I did indeed try to persuade Zoron for you, but he was stubborn and wouldn't listen."

A playful smile appeared on Howard's face as he responded to Patch, "Oh, is that so? Well then, I'll choose to believe you this time."