I'm not a lord

Chapter 303 Hunting Deer (Part 2)

The envoy, who had been sent to the enemy camp, successfully completed his mission of sowing discord and issuing a challenge, and rode back to his own camp on a fast horse.

Shortly after the messenger returned to the army formation, Victor, standing on tiptoe in the rear of the central army, spotted the enemy's unusual movement and shouted, "Sir, the enemy's left flank is about to move!"

“I see it.” In Lynn’s sight, the golden stag flag, symbolizing the Duke of the Swamp, was already moving on the enemy’s left flank a kilometer away.

Under this banner, many cavalrymen began to mount their horses, seemingly preparing to launch a charge.

Lynn then looked at his own right flank, where he saw half of the infantry under the third brother's command retreating at a leisurely pace. Most of them were heavily armed infantrymen wielding spears, while nearly seven hundred longbowmen were stationed on both sides of the position to provide cover.

Clearly, Laszlo, that little glutton, was lured out by Lynn's right wing's proactive retreat.

This battle concerns the ownership of the entire Swamp Territory, the future development of the White River Territory, and the lives of millions of people in the North.

Lynn was willing to use any means necessary to win this war.

When it comes to war, no means are shameful.

In order to get the enemy, who are maintaining a defensive posture, to take the initiative to attack, Lynn can sow discord, provoke, or pretend to retreat.

All he cares about is whether he can win.

If he wins, he will have the right to write history, and in the future, historians and priests will be eager to debate his doctrines.

“There’s no need to give Yang any instructions; he knows what to do.” With that, Lynn then shifted his gaze to the enemy’s right flank and center.

As the left flank showed signs of movement, the enemy forces on both sides also began to move, with a large number of soldiers who had been sitting on the ground standing up and picking up their weapons.

During a standoff between the two armies, soldiers cannot remain in one place indefinitely to maintain a state of readiness.

For example, the court cavalry under László would use longsword duels to relieve boredom, while the infantry on both sides would mostly sit down to rest.

The distance between the two armies remained at about one kilometer. Even if the cavalry launched a charge, it would take several minutes to cover that kilometer, enough time for the defending side to form ranks.

Lynn was even prepared for a long standoff, and the auxiliary soldiers in the forest behind him were already starting a fire to cook.

If the standoff drags on into the afternoon, the soldiers on the front lines can at least have a hot lunch.

Fortunately, the other party couldn't wait any longer, and perhaps the hot lunch could be turned into a victory celebration.

Seeing that the enemy's three flanks were all poised to attack, Lynn's three flanks also reacted instantly.

The soldiers in the center and left flank lined up in just two minutes, and the infantry on the right flank, who were pretending to retreat, also began to rush back to their positions.

At the same time, László, who had just mounted his horse, also noticed the movements on Lynn's right wing.

Without a second thought, he raised his lance and roared, "Gentlemen, follow me into battle! Today is the day to win glory!"

The enemy's voluntary retreat was the opportunity László wanted to seize.

He knew, of course, that infantry in tight formations were difficult to charge, and that cavalry charging through would most likely be a free kill; his bastard son Maurice had already shown him that in the Crown Territory.

But infantry with loose formations are a different story; they are simply easy prey for cavalry.

László did consider the possibility that Lynn was deliberately setting a trap, but he immediately ruled it out.

Who would use a deliberate retreat to fish?

Are infantry formations so easy to restore?
Moreover, László had noticed that not only were the enemy's infantry retreating on the right flank, but many of the wagons that formed the right flank defense line had also withdrawn, which gave him the perfect opportunity to lead his cavalry into the enemy formation.

With just a slight detour, he could lead a thousand cavalrymen into the enemy's lines.

Before long, László charged out of the position first, followed by five hundred of the most elite court cavalrymen, almost all of whom had been provided with plate armor.

Behind these five hundred cavalrymen were an equal number of cavalrymen, whose equipment and combat strength were slightly weaker.

Following the two cavalry units were a thousand slower infantrymen who had to move the pre-battle palisades and then march a kilometer on foot to reach the enemy lines.

László's strategy was simple: he committed all his forces to the left flank, attempting to completely shatter the enemy's position with two consecutive cavalry charges, then occupy the position with a thousand infantrymen, before leading his cavalry to attack Lynn's center.

The huge golden deer banner fluttered in the wind, and the deep sound of the horn echoed far and wide.

"Madam, the Duke of the Left Wing has launched his attack ahead of schedule!"

Soon, Anna, who was in the rear reserve, received news that her eldest son had launched an attack ahead of schedule, and also heard the familiar bugle call.

"To attack without orders, that damned idiot!"

Even with Anna's good temper, she finally couldn't hold back and completely exploded at this moment.

Previously, she had received Lynn's challenge and learned that her eldest son had suffered unbearable humiliation.

However, she still insisted on the pre-determined defensive counter-attack strategy and sent someone to appease her eldest son, strictly ordering him not to launch an attack without authorization.

Soon after, her eldest son sent another urgent report, claiming that Lynn's right wing appeared to be retreating.

Anna then noticed the opportunity, but she remained cautious, only ordering the entire army to return to combat readiness, without preparing for a full-scale attack.

If Lynn's three flanks begin to retreat, Anna will inevitably order the entire army to immediately launch a pursuit.

The simultaneous withdrawal of three wings indicates that Lynn was unable to maintain the stalemate, most likely due to the pressing situation in Three Rivers City, forcing him to retreat.

With a mere one-kilometer distance between the two armies, Anna's army could launch an endless pursuit of the enemy until they were completely defeated.

Conversely, if Lynn is merely deliberately luring Anna into a trap, then Anna still has room to maneuver; it simply means the soldiers below will have to work a little harder.

But her eldest son, László, thwarted her entire plan.

Once the arrow is released, there's no turning back. At the speed of cavalry, they've already almost reached the enemy's right flank.

"Madam, let's move in too! We can't let His Excellency the Duke charge into the enemy lines alone!"

At this moment, even the court counts who were most opposed to taking the initiative had no choice but to change their minds.

There was no other way; they couldn't just sit idly by and watch László launch an attack alone.

If Anna's central and right wing forces remain inactive, Lynn's central forces can cooperate with the right wing to completely annihilate László's two thousand troops.

To leave the Duke to fight alone in the enemy lines? Then they, his subjects, might as well hang themselves.

As the saying goes, "a single hair can move the whole body," and now we have no choice but to fight, whether we want to or not.

Anna pondered for a moment, sighed softly, and then gave the order: "Let the right flank and the central army attack, while the rear army maintains its formation."

Now she completely regrets letting her eldest son lead the left wing.

Even before she gave the order, a thousand cavalrymen on the right flank had already charged out. With the Duke leading the charge, how could they fall behind?
Moreover, these court cavalrymen were already dissatisfied with Anna's forbearance and concessions. The enemy had already come to their doorstep, and they had the advantage in troop strength. Why should they cower like turtles on the battlefield?
We, the Swamp Territory, do not tolerate cowards!
The clerk, Victor, could see it clearly from the small mound.

The enemy army deployed cavalry of about a thousand men on each of their two flanks.

These cavalrymen were all clad in armor, and even their mounts were fitted with armor to protect them from arrows. The formidable armor reflected a dazzling luster in the sunlight.

The warriors on horseback sang the majestic war songs of the North, brandishing their lances. They started slowly, then gradually lowered their lances to shoulder level.

Their mounts gradually changed from jogging to galloping, and then to racing, advancing forward at an extremely terrifying speed, like an unstoppable avalanche, determined to destroy everything in front of them. The entire withered yellow battlefield was trampled by them until it groaned and trembled.

Seeing this scene, Victor couldn't help but gasp.

Is this the iconic accelerated charge of cavalry?
How could just two thousand cavalrymen have such a terrifying momentum?

If ten thousand cavalry were to launch a collective charge, what a magnificent sight that would be!

"My lord, the enemy cavalry is coming!" Victor could no longer suppress his fear.

Before the war began, he had absolute confidence in the lord and his own soldiers.

But when he arrived at the real battlefield, where everything was in full swing, he finally discovered the fear hidden deep within his heart.

Almost no one is unafraid of the two thousand heavily armored cavalry charging towards you.

In this era, heavily armored cavalry were the absolute kings of the battlefield, with a status equivalent to that of tanks in World War II.

Victor feared that his infantry lines would not be able to withstand the cavalry charge, especially the right flank, which seemed to be frantically trying to regain its formation.

"You just need to trust me and my army. We have already won this battle." Lynn gently patted Victor's shoulder, dispelling the fear in his heart.

Lynn wasn't popping champagne prematurely; rather, his perfect control of the battle gave him boundless confidence.

Long before the war began, he had made a comprehensive plan, and everything he did was to lure the enemy's main force out of Golden Deer Fortress.

To this end, he used every possible means, including but not limited to spreading rumors, retreating to lure the enemy, and sowing discord.
Now, all the arrangements have taken effect, and the enemy has launched an attack on his well-defended battle formation as he had hoped.

He waged the right war in the right place at the right time, a war he had envisioned as the right one.

Why can't he be the winner?
"Pass on my order: the infantry must hold their positions. Also, send an order to Hugh: the cavalry corps must prepare for battle as quickly as possible!"

One order after another was issued by Lynn.

Just three and a half minutes later, László's five hundred cavalrymen had crossed a kilometer and charged to the right flank.

The cavalry drew a graceful arc across the battlefield, heading straight for the gap in the right flank of the wagon formation, a gap that Lynn had deliberately left for him.

Yang was positioned at the rear of the chariot formation, and he could clearly see the dazzling golden stag shield emblem on László's chest.

"shooting!"

With a command from Yang, the seven hundred barbarian archers on the battlefield simultaneously released their bows and unleashed the first volley of arrows.

Due to their position, most of this volley of arrows hit the enemy cavalry's armor, helmets, or horse armor, causing little damage.

Judging by sight, Yang estimated that fewer than ten enemy cavalrymen had fallen from their horses after being hit by arrows.

Without needing him to give further orders, the experienced barbarian archers continued to draw their arrows and fire their bows.

In that instant, László had broken through the wagon formation and stormed into the right flank!

Beneath his helmet, his emerald eyes were filled with rage and murderous intent. The lance he held horizontally shot out like lightning, instantly piercing through a lone infantryman.

The power of the shot, combined with the terrifying impact of the warhorse's acceleration, pierced right through the infantryman wearing plate armor.

Without pausing, László released his lance, drew his longsword from his waist with his right hand, and prepared to slash.

Behind him, five hundred cavalrymen surged into the right flank like a tide, attempting to spread out to both sides in an effort to completely sweep away the position.

Everything happened very quickly, as fast as lightning.

At this moment, the seven hundred barbarian archers on the right flank had turned around, changed their arrows, and fired a second volley of arrows.

As László's cavalry surged into the position, their positions relative to the archers changed.

Previously, the arrows came from the front, which they could withstand with their sturdy plate armor, and their mounts also had armor to protect them from the arrows.

But the second volley of arrows came from their side.

In pursuit of speed, cavalrymen in the North typically do not equip their mounts with full armor. At most, they will only wear armor on their face and neck, while the sides and buttocks will be covered with light robes.

"Shoot the horse!"

The archers from the wilderness shouted in unison. They had all received professional training and knew the principle of shooting the horse before the man.

This deadliest second volley of arrows was all aimed at the horses!
At such a short distance, the arrow was like a spell that came true instantly, piercing through the robes and inflicting devastating damage on the palace cavalry's mount.

In an instant, the neighing of warhorses echoed across the right flank of the battlefield.

László charged ahead, his warhorse bearing the most arrows, with seven or eight arrows already stuck in its rump.

The next second, his beloved horse neighed and knelt down in excruciating pain. Behind him, the wounded warhorses knelt down one after another, and the speed of the entire cavalry came to an abrupt halt. Many of the court cavalry were even directly pulled off their horses by inertia.

László's martial skills were almost unparalleled in the North. The moment his warhorse knelt, he dismounted from the stirrups, leaped into the air, and then landed with a thud.

The moment he looked up, he saw countless enemy infantrymen already surrounding him with sinister smiles.

These infantrymen were all clad in fine plate armor and carried heavy halberds or warhammers specifically designed for 'picking up cans'.

At this point, László finally realized that he had been tricked.

Whether it's the infantry's retreat or the gaps in the wagon formation, they are all tempting bait to lure him in.

Especially since the breach was on the right side of the position, the moment he led the palace cavalry in, the cavalry's weakest side was exposed to arrows.

Once the palace cavalrymen fell from their horses and lost their momentum and mobility, the infantry who had previously 'retreated' turned around and launched a counterattack, clearly intending to devour László and his men whole.

Moreover, the longbowmen who had fired two volleys of arrows also dropped their bows and arrows and drew daggers, warhammers, short swords and other melee weapons from their waists.

This was a perfect trap for Laszlo.

At this moment, he was like a deer that had fallen into a hunter's trap.

(End of this chapter)