Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Preparing for Battle
Determined to defend their homeland and fight the Green Dragon to the end, it was not just a hot-headed impulsive decision by Su Li.
Su Li had thought it through carefully; if he lacked the courage to face challenges head-on and always ran away whenever there was a crisis, even with the support of the Daily Intelligence system, there would inevitably be a crisis he could not escape from, leaving him without options and doomed to die.
However, if he could muster all his strength, rely on his skills and luck, face difficulties head-on, and overcome hardships, then the crisis would turn into an opportunity for him. It would allow his future paths to be longer and smoother.
Even if things went worse for him, and the gap in strength was too large with no hope of victory, there was still time to escape before the Green Dragon awoke!
Thus, Su Li took a deep breath to calm himself, and seriously asked Hilude: "If there is a vicious Green Dragon sleeping around our territory, which will destroy our land upon awakening, what would you do?"
Su Li asked Hilude because she had exceptionally great talent. Someone who is a genius in cultivation is usually not lacking in other areas. With her qualifications, she is practically the perfect follower of the Sun Goddess, excelling in leadership, politics, strategy, and martial arts.
Therefore, Su Li also wanted to hear her advice.
Hilude knew that Su Li would not be aimless, and after listening to his inquiry, she seriously thought for a moment and said: "If there is a Green Dragon secretly watching us covetously, I believe we should tackle this crisis by taking two main approaches in our territory."
"Firstly, undoubtedly, we must fully enhance the strength of our own territory. Only a more prosperous land and a larger army can support us in the vast war against the Green Dragon."
"Then there’s the military tactics aspect. Since the Green Dragon will inevitably destroy our territory upon awakening, we should not passively defend and wait for her to wake up and leisurely gather massive armies. We must take the initiative to attack and weaken the Green Dragon’s forces. The more of its minions we kill before it wakes, the higher the odds of victory in the final battle upon awakening."
Hearing this, Su Li nodded slightly: "Your suggestion is very reasonable. It has firm and reliable fundamental methods, along with flexible and proactive tactical arrangements. Let’s deploy it like this."
The art of war speaks of using conventional strategies to meet, and unconventional tactics to win, which is the situation here.
Having made up his mind, Su Li pondered whether to send Hilude to the military academy for some further training or to undergo advanced studies within the Flame Sun Knight Order as he watched her help him with washing and dressing.
Her talent is remarkably outstanding, and if coupled with systematic education, she might grow into a legendary master strategist in the future.
But as he had not found a way yet, he said to Hilude: "From tomorrow, you don’t have to look after my daily needs. Follow Knight Oerstein to learn command and combat strategy. Let Avril take care of me; she has used the Water Elemental Heart and has already awakened as an Apprentice Knight."
Having slain the Three-headed River Giant, the two Water Elemental Hearts obtained, one was rewarded by Su Li to the elite Female Knight Amorri and another to Avril, who has been undergoing knight training with Su Li every night.
Upon hearing this, Hilude immediately became a bit panicked and asked, "Why, my Lord, have I done something wrong? Please don’t send me away."
Su Li patted her soft hair and smiled, saying, "I’m not sending you away, but hoping that you will have more time to learn and cultivate."
"But following by your side is also my cultivation," Hilude said anxiously, her beautiful eyes full of unease, "I can arrange my time, my Lord, I want to stay by your side."
"Alright then," Su Li, seeing her so nervous, did not insist, saying, "During the day, take Avril with you to train in the barracks, and come back to cultivate in the evening. Now, notify Knight Oerstein to gather the troops immediately and prepare to officially start campaigning against the surrounding forces."
Upon hearing this, Hilude’s spirits finally lifted, and she and Avril immediately donned their armor and proceeded to the training ground with Su Li.
The knight training ground was just to the east of the castle, connected by wooden stakes to the castle’s low walls.
By the time Su Li arrived, Knight Oerstein had already been leading the team in training for quite some time.
From Su Li’s perspective, this troop was already very elite, with every move exhibiting training discipline. The knights’ armor was bright, the attendants’ formations were neat, and at a command from Knight Oerstein the entire army would immediately assemble neatly, steps in unison, armor clanging, infantry phalanx awe-inspiring, spears aligned like reeds, shields formidable like a wall.
In terms of phalanx and formation alignment, they had already achieved flawlessness, and as for their more specific combat ability, it could only be tested on the battlefield.
After completing the formation, Knight Oerstein turned to Su Li, pounding his fist on his chest in an Empire military salute, his voice resonant: "My Lord, the Hesse Territory army has assembled completely, the direction pointed by your sword is the direction we shall fight."
Su Li nodded in satisfaction, stepped forward before the entire army, and shouted loudly to everyone: "Training soldiers for a thousand days, using them in a moment! Today is the day you step onto the battlefield and seek glory! For the Sun Goddess’s favor, for the honor of the knights, everyone set out with me!"
At this moment, the knights’ ever-high morale suddenly erupted, with all knights and armed attendants, driven by the dream of seeking glory, shouting in unison: "For glory, for the territory, victory!"
"For my Lord, for the Goddess, victory!"
The eyes of all the soldiers were filled with bright light, aspiring for the future and each believing that following Su Li, they would definitely gain opportunities, glory, status, and wealth.
Their morale was like a rainbow, requiring only a few simple words of encouragement to instantly explode with incomparable fervor.
With his decision made, Su Li acted promptly and instructed Knight Oerstein: "My Commander-in-Chief, lead the Walking Knights and Armed Attendants to the northern Green Leaf Land for clearing. There are dense forests and deep valleys—I suspect hidden forces there. This time, conduct a detailed exploration from east to west. If you encounter monster nests or farms, do not rush to attack. Mark the location and wait for my return for support."
"All other Charging Knights follow me downstream to explore westward."
Knight Oerstein and Frederick immediately accepted the orders: "We honor your will, my Lord."
Under their command, the two troop formations immediately set out with high morale, their banners waving, moving toward the western and northern directions of the territory.
Although Knight Oerstein’s focus lately was on training the troops, he did not neglect security patrols. Every day, knights led teams to patrol around the territory, taking two or three days to return if the patrol range was 50 to 100 miles, which ensured to the greatest extent that there were no threats surrounding the territory.
Thus presently, with the two troop formations setting out separately, it was virtually all the main forces dispatched, leaving only one official knight with 10 attendants to guard the castle and protect the granaries.