Chapter 1: The Battle Begins

  "What do you all think?"

  A piece of intelligence was passed from person to person, and each one who read it couldn't help but furrow their brow.

  According to intelligence reports, after Depero's mercenaries arrived in Auston City, they immediately arrested the town mayor, Dirick, on the grounds of private communication with the enemy.

  This is clearly not good news. Putting aside the private relationships between Auston and Haidington, a large city like Haidington relies heavily on Auston for food supplies. Now that Auston has fallen into enemy hands, even if they don't attack but just blockade it for a few months, it will be enough to make everyone suffer.

  "It's all thanks to Mayor Derick's selfless help that Haidington hasn't had a famine, and now he's implicated because of us. Mayor Charlotte asks me to request from you all, please find a way to save him." Shawn said anxiously.

  "This isn't a big problem, as long as we can defeat the enemy, Auston City will naturally be fine." Rickett comforted him.

  Rubens hummed: "The idea is good, but unfortunately this is exactly what we are worried about. How can we drive those guys back?"

  "Are there any other movements from the other side?"

  "Here's the latest news, it seems that the enemy has left all their baggage at Austerlitz and left a garrison of about 500 men to hold down the whole town, while the rest are preparing to march on this place."

  "I thought you people had no intelligence capabilities at all, but it seems you can still gather some information after all." Rubens couldn't help but praise.

  "Osen is the only guy I've found so far who's worth cultivating, so even if it was just on a whim that I sent him to Auston, if he can't even manage something like that, then he might as well never come back."

  Rubens was still getting used to Freddy's sarcasm, and judging by his expression, the big man clearly couldn't tell whether Freddy was praising him or simply mocking him.

  Sean exclaimed: "So, the enemy army that came to attack has only 1,500 people? Great, we have about 900 people on our side. If we rely on the camp defense, maybe we can really defeat them."

  Rubens merely sighed: "I very much doubt it."

  "What's wrong?"

  Rubens said: "Don't forget that even if we split our forces, our numbers are only two-thirds of theirs. Moreover, they are professional mercenaries, and cannot be compared to the bandits you fought before."

  "If we really count, it's just my 600 mercenaries against their 1,500 men." Rubens said with a hint of sarcasm: "So, your optimism is really amusing to me."

  At this point, even the dazed and confused Haruhi noticed the disdain in Rubens' words: "What, you mean we're completely useless?"

  Rubens shrugged: "I didn't want to be too blunt, but if you insist on saying it that way..."

  "Ah ha, I knew it." Harlot excitedly pointed at Rubens and shouted repeatedly: "You didn't really help us at all."

  He said, turning his head to Raymond: "Boss, you finally understand, it's time to let these guys know who's the boss... Ah!"

  Before he could finish speaking, a blood-curdling scream burst from Harlot's throat as Rubens stretched out his large hand and pinched his index finger.

  "I'm very curious, where did you find this treasure, but he's right." Rubens said slowly, and at the same time, a chilling "heh heh" sound came from his massive palm.

  "Ow, ow, ow... easy does it... my fingers..." Harlot's face contorted in pain as he begged for mercy.

  "In short, rather than having to take care of a bunch of rookies, I think it's better for our 'Green Wolf Mercenaries' to fight alone. You can be the reserve team and go in after we're all dead, although I highly doubt there will be any point by then." Rubens said, watching Raymond's reaction closely.

  He repeatedly belittled remarks, making Xiao Yun unable to bear with anger: "Captain, if you really..."

  Raymond waved his hand to signal Sean to calm down and nodded slightly, saying: "I agree with you. Besides, I don't think the other side is dividing their troops, which is a good thing for us."

  "Really?" Rubens raised an eyebrow in some surprise. Apparently, he was quite astonished that Raymond could remain so calm after saying such a thing.

  "Just then, Raymond said: 'They occupy Auston, which is equivalent to having a place to advance and retreat. Even if we can defeat the main force by luck, the opponent can still retreat back to Auston to rest and regroup with the remaining people to launch a second attack. At that time, we will inevitably suffer heavy losses and may not be able to cope again.'"

  "Hmm, I didn't think of that." Rubens stroked his chin.

  "And even if we manage to get through this time, if the Ravi Federation takes advantage of it and brings Oston under his control, it's like having a hungry wolf lurking beside us that can attack at any moment. From then on, Haidington will never have peace." Raymond continued: "Not to mention, our food supply will also be controlled by others."

  After listening to his analysis, everyone finally understood how serious the occupation of Auston was. Rickett stuttered: "I thought it would be enough to repel the enemy's attack, but I didn't expect the situation to be much more troublesome than expected."

  Raymond nodded: "That's right, so whether it's for the victory or defeat of this battle, or for the future of Haidington, we can't let Auston fall into enemy hands."

  "Haha, good kid, I'm starting to like you." Rubens laughed and patted Raymond on the back, saying with a swagger: "I'm just a mercenary captain, not too great at this brain-twisting stuff, but when it comes to fighting, leave it to me."

  "Go on, what's your solution?"

  Under everyone's gaze, Raymond stood up and walked to the map, pointing at the location of Auston City: "The only way is to do the same as the opponent, divide our troops to counterattack."

  "What!?" As soon as this was said, a burst of exclamations erupted from inside the house.

  "Are you crazy, kid?" Rubens' eyes widened in surprise: "Our strength is already inferior to others, and instead of concentrating our forces to meet the enemy, we're dispersing our troops. This isn't the way of military strategy!"

  "Shawn also said: 'Lord Raymond, please reconsider this, or we will have no chance of winning at all.'"

  "Then how many layers of victory do you think we have now?"

  "Th...this..." Shawn stuttered.

  At this time, Rudes, who had been silent all along, suddenly said: "Young Master, are you planning to launch a surprise attack on Auston?"

  An Do was the only one in the room who had been a military commander, and Rud's vision was indeed much higher. Raymond nodded: "Right, just defeating the enemy is not considered a victory, for the long-term consideration, we must take back Auston."

  Seeing him speaking with a look of being taken for granted, Rubens couldn't help but hum: "Easy to say, so what do you plan to do?"

  "Wait until the enemy's main force leaves Austerlitz, then you mercenaries will follow the original plan and ambush them at that camp. You must not let them attack Haiding City. As for me, I'll lead the remaining people to take a sea route, launch a surprise attack on Austerlitz at night, and cut off the enemy's retreat."

  "After defeating the enemies of Austerlitz, we will immediately reinforce and launch a surprise attack on the enemy's main force from behind. At that time, we will attack them from both front and back, thoroughly defeating them."

  Rubens finally showed some emotion, furrowing his brow in thought: "Sounds good, but with your current military strength, can you handle the garrison of Auston?"

  "Perhaps, if we catch them off guard, there's a chance of winning," Raymond mused. "Besides, the people of Auston are extremely dissatisfied with Derick's capture; maybe we can find a way to get their help."

  "I'll instruct Orsen to get in touch with the garrison at Auston." At this, Freddy chimed in opportunely: "Though the chances are slim, it's worth a try."

  "Alright, it's settled then." Rubens clapped his hands and said: "I'll take care of the enemy's main force. You find a way to capture Auston, and then give those bastards a good kick in the ass, hahaha..."

  "After all, it's about the safety of his hometown, Xiao En couldn't help but worry and say: 'Is this too risky? Isn't there a more stable strategy?'"

  "Alas, there's no other way. If possible, I'd also like to adopt a more orthodox approach to battle, as taking risks means either winning or losing, with no room for maneuvering. Unfortunately, the disparity in strength doesn't give us that opportunity, so we have no choice but to resort to unorthodox tactics and make a desperate gamble!"

  It has come to this, Sean hesitated for a moment and then gritted his teeth: "Understood, I'll do as you say."

  Rubens stood up and walked towards the door: "Alright, I'll lead the team out tomorrow and wait for those bastards to come to us first."

  "Agreed," said Raymond. "The enemy is expected to arrive the day after tomorrow, so you can use this time to make thorough preparations."

  "After you guys have fought, we will head to Auston that night. If everything goes smoothly, one night should be enough to take care of each other, so you guys need to at least hold on until noon the next day."

  Rubens waved his hand without looking back: "Before that, worry about yourselves first, rookies."

  At this time, it seems that Harlot still remembered the humiliation he had just suffered and added a sentence with a very bad mouth: "But if you hang up first, don't blame us for being late."

  Upon hearing this, Rubens, who had walked to the door, stopped and turned back.

  "Kid, are you cursing me?"

  He was glared at by his fierce giant eyes, and Harlot immediately softened and said, "No... of course not, just reminding you."

  "Oh?" Rubens looked him up and down with interest, then suddenly laughed: "Since you're so kind, why don't you put your words into action?"

  Feeling something was off from the other person's smile, Haruhi involuntarily took a step back: "W-what do you mean?"

  Rubens strode up and clutched Harriet with his iron-like arm: "You're quite a woman."

  "You're overpraising..."

  "Hey, I like this kid." Rubens suddenly said to Raymond: "How about lending him to me?"

  "What!?" Harlotte exclaimed in shock.

  Raimon didn't show any surprise at all. He nodded indifferently: "Alright, I have no objection, just take it and use it as you like."

  "Huh? Wait a minute, I have something to say. Boss, what's with 'take it and use it as you like'? How can you be so..."

  "Heh heh, don't worry." Before Harlot could finish speaking, Rubens sneered and grabbed his collar, dragging him out: "I'll take good care of him."

  "Waaah, boss, don't throw me to this guy, I want to live and die with you..."

  Poor Harriet struggled with all her might, but what was she against the giant Rubens? The cries of distress grew fainter and fainter outside the house until they were no longer audible.

  "Master, don't you think Haru is pitiful?" Bastet couldn't help but say.

  "Frankly, this guy is a coward and useless, but he has some influence among his peers. I'm really headache about him. Taking this opportunity to hand him over to Rubens for training might not be bad, maybe it can make him useful."

  "It turned out that Master was doing it for his own good." Bast felt suddenly enlightened, and immediately threw away her sympathy for Harlot.

  "We'd better get ready too, this battle is crucial and we can't afford to lose!" Raymond said finally.

  The next day, Rubens led the "Green Wolf Mercenaries" to leave Haidington and enter the camp outside the city that had been repaired.

  Harold, who was extremely reluctant, was directly tied up like a rice dumpling by him and taken away on the ox cart that transported weapon supplies. His resentful appearance was deeply imprinted in the hearts of many residents of Haidington.

  Another day passed, and the enemy's main force arrived as expected. They were immediately blocked by the Qinglang mercenary group, who had been preparing early, outside the camp. After a brief standoff, an intense battle broke out between the two sides.

  Learning that the battle outside the city had already begun, Ramon also accelerated his progress. On the same day at dusk, Ramon gathered his subordinates and the 300-strong Haidington garrison, boarded Dreya's "Cangyun", and set off by sea towards Auston.

  More than 100 warhorses boarded the ship with them, including not only Haidington's own horses but also those of the reconnaissance unit of the Qinglang mercenary group. Since this was a purely defensive mission, Rubens handed over his few cavalrymen to Raymond.

  After defeating the enemy defending Ostend, Raymond had to rely on this cavalry corps to rush back to Rubens as quickly as possible.

  Thus began the Second Battle of Haidinton.

  It's night.

  Taking advantage of the night's cover, the Qingyun ship raised all its sails and headed towards Ouston at the fastest speed. Understanding the importance of this mission, all the soldiers on board stayed quietly in their cabins, even the former bandits who were normally unruly were unusually quiet.

  On deck, Raymond, Rutz, Bastert and others stood at the bow of the ship, waiting for the moment they would reach their destination.

  The pitch-black sea surface was almost invisible, with only the sound of the Qingyun speeding through and breaking waves, constantly entering my ears. The ship's body was undulating in the waves, just like the mood of every person on the ship at this moment, anxious and uneasy.

  "Dreyer, how much longer until we arrive?" Raymond asked, turning his head back.

  Dreyer, who was examining the navigation chart by the light of a lantern, replied, "We're in luck, it's a tailwind tonight. At this speed, we'll be there in half an hour."

  Raymond nodded, now more than ever grateful that he had hired Dreya. To think if they had only relied on Haidington's rickety fishing boats, it would have taken who knows how many months to transport these 300 people plus over a hundred horses to Auston.

  The power and maneuverability brought by this ship will definitely play a greater role in the future. From a long-term perspective, that money was well spent.

  Dreya did not disappoint Raymond, and half an hour later, the light turn of the Azure Cloud, with its sails lowered one after another, slowed down the huge merchant ship, which quietly slid into the waters outside Auston City under the cover of night.

  Like Haiding, Aostan has no ability to build its own fleet, so there are almost no decent port facilities outside the city, and only a simple pier on the beach for small boats to berth.

  The enemy apparently did not expect that someone would dare to launch a surprise attack from the sea, and there was no guard here, which provided an excellent convenience for Raymond and his party.

  Under Dreyar's skilled control, the Soaring Cloud sailed into shallow waters, and several small boats were lowered to begin ferrying people ashore.

  It has to be said that Rud's training over this period of time has been quite fruitful. In this secret landing mission, the former thieves in the vanguard performed with remarkable discipline and orderliness, a stark contrast to their disorganized state when they first arrived at Haidington.

  Everyone quickly disembarked. Then, for the safety of the Soaring Cloud, Dreyer sailed the ship back to deep waters, which also meant that Raymond and his party had no way to retreat. If tonight's action failed, they would not even have a chance to escape back to the ship.

  Although Raymond did not know that there was a saying called "backwater battle", doing so unintentionally strengthened the determination of everyone.

  "Rudolph, you keep everyone here on standby, I'll go with Beatrix to contact Olsen."

  Rudolph nodded, and led all the soldiers to hide in the beach's hiding place. Raymond and Catwoman sneaked towards Auston City. Before attacking the enemy, they had to contact the scouts sent by Freddy to understand the current situation inside the city.