Chapter 222 Chapter 219 Insecurity
After George delivered both good and bad news.
As per usual, he smoothed out a map, on which several arrows were drawn with a red pen, each arrow marked with a series of four-digit numbers representing Gima’s estimated quantity of the beastmen army.
The arrows were hand-drawn by George, and the size of the arrows was proportional to the army’s numbers. In contrast, the white arrow representing the human army was as small as a little fish, desperately trying to escape among a cluster of red arrows, akin to being chased by a group of sharks.
“In the past few days, I’ve drawn this map based on Gima’s reconnaissance results.”
The knights present leaned in to look at the map, their expressions grave.
As George’s assistant, Knight Tonder estimated the distance from the white arrow to Quinas Fortress.
“How long until we reach Quinas Fortress?”
“About a day and a half.”
“So,” Knight Tonder feigned ease, “we only need to survive one last battle to return to the fortified castle.”
No one echoed him since he was not the leader.
Gima felt that Knight Tonder was hiding his intention to escape, being one of the few among the more than six hundred who possessed a winged horse.
Knight Tonder only needed to mount his winged horse and fly toward Quinas Castle, no longer worrying about possibly becoming dinner for the beastmen one day, nor fretting about the “dragon-slaying points.”
The knights discussed for over ten minutes, continuously inquiring about the military situation from George, who answered them one by one.
“How about we concentrate all our mobile troops and directly break through to Quinas Fortress with Lady Gima’s reconnaissance assistance?”
The implication was to abandon the foot soldiers.
“No,” George rejected, “we can’t leave our comrades behind.”
The knights exchanged glances; they weren’t foolish enough to say directly that it didn’t matter if the farmers died. Comrades? Who would consider farmers as comrades?
“But the army itself is hard to protect. We can’t afford to lose our last bit of elite troops in the field,” Knight Tonder said. “Although there are fewer than five hundred knights, they are our last hope to turn the situation around.”
“I, George, am not someone who can casually abandon comrades who fight alongside me,” George said. “It is neither honorable nor kind. Perhaps this is one reason the blessing of the goddess has not faded from me.”
The knights felt a bit uncomfortable, and Knight Tonder awkwardly smiled.
Some knights said, “We haven’t forgotten how to fight bravely. As long as you have a resolute decision, we are willing to follow your glory.”
George nodded and said, “That’s good. I’m glad we reached a preliminary consensus. The next step is to discuss tactical issues…”
The knights nodded in agreement, no one spoke; everyone knew George could discern lies.
Gima couldn’t bear to watch, secretly poked George’s calf with the tip of her tail, tapping three times.
George changed his words:
“In my opinion, although the infantry regiment may not be very capable, they can still play an important role in the upcoming combat plan. Gima has already brought them a set of chain mail; the bloody battles have forged their fighting spirit and skills. They are now qualified soldiers.”
“Only by enforcing strict military discipline can we unite everyone into a solid iron block, allowing us to survive until we reach Quinas Fortress. Otherwise…”
George pointed to an arrow on the map, where a line of text read ‘Magical War Hounds about a thousand.’
“No horse can run faster than that pack of dogs.”
The knights felt relieved, showing expressions of relaxation.
Knight Tonder smiled:
“We shall fight for the glory of the goddess and wash away the shame of that day.”
Several knights who had been smiling immediately darkened their faces upon hearing the phrase “the shame of that day,” their smiles vanishing. That day was a tremendous shame for the proud knights; the noble knights had turned into the beasts’ food like livestock.
Some older knights expressed concern, pointing to an arrow marked with a large number followed by the words ‘Inferior Horned Beasts’:
“If we engage in a head-on battle, what if the enemy uses a large number of inferior horned beasts to bog us down?”
Inferior horned beasts, although weak, had better stamina than humans; they were strategically mobile and could easily block the army’s path.
George countered, “What would you have done in the past?”
“Holy Grail Maiden,” said the old knight. “Against a large group of stamina-wasting cannon fodder, a thunderous lightning strike is the best option.”
George looked at Gima: “Have you contacted Jenna?”
“I can reach her.”
“Allow me to introduce my fiancée, the Holy Maiden Jenna. She is not only skilled in healing but also a priestess well-versed in battlefield spells,” George said. “Gima can bring her here temporarily.”
The knights looked at Gima with changing expressions, probably surprised that she was so capable.
Gima reminded, “But my magical power is insufficient, so if I call her, there will be no logistical supplies for the next two days; we can only have one meal tomorrow, and if we fail…”
George stated: “If you don’t sharpen the needle tip, you can’t pierce the pocket.”
Gima did not agree; if she were to command, the first thing would be to abandon all those who couldn’t move, take the infantry along, and escape if things went wrong.
She said, “I do not oppose it.”
George nodded, looking at everyone: “What do you all think?”
The knights unanimously agreed.
Another knight added, “May I ask, Lord George, if we reach Quinas City and the defending troops fear the beastmen army outside the city and don’t open the city gate, what then?”
George replied, “I have already considered that. A handwritten letter from me will be delivered by Gima to Quinas City tonight.”
Everyone marveled at George’s meticulous thinking.
“Great, order the entire army to carry all provisions, move lightly, leave behind all supplies, and march straight toward Quinas Fortress!”
As George issued the order.
The army, consisting of just over six hundred, became busy; the bugle sounded, and the infantry stuffed the few provisions into their packs, donning the shiny short-sleeved chain mail.
Gima and George walked out of the tent together.
George suddenly said, “Gima, you just lied; you oppose it.”
“Hmm, so what?”
“If it were you, what would you do?”
“Apart from the knights, leave behind those who can’t move, take the infantry regiment as bait.”
“Is that the tactic with the highest success rate?”
“Only the gods know. The battlefield is ever-changing, like fickle fate—who knows what will happen next?” Gima looked at George’s handsome profile, inadvertently recalling seeing him for the first time in the egg.
Indeed, fate was fickle. Back then, she had clenched her teeth tightly, secretly plotting how to exact a severe revenge on George.
“Then why would you abandon the injured?”
“Because I excel at commanding an army that doesn’t slow me down, that’s all.”
“You’re comforting me.”
“Tsk, that doesn’t seem like the well-known George.”
“Because many lives are entrusted to me this time.”
George spoke candidly, at that moment, an old farmer archer busy packing dry bread saw him and immediately stood up, smiling awkwardly while giving a military salute. George returned the salute.
The old farmer archer laughed, “My lord, can we return to the city tomorrow?”
George couldn’t lie, saying, “Maybe.”
The old farmer archer, however, laughed joyfully, revealing two rows of yellowed teeth in his dark face, turned to everyone and said, “We can reach the city walls tomorrow!”
“Lord George said so.”
“We’ll be safe, we’ll be safe.”
“Goddess bless, brought George here.”
The morale visibly rose. They believed in George, in this young man who was more than a decade younger than them, to lead them to safety behind the city walls without worrying about the ever-present beastmen in the forest.
George said, “I can’t abandon them, but I feel like I’m morally binding those knights, forcing them to fight for my justice.”
“Indeed, a bit,” Gima said. “Although you paid for the chain mail on the infantry regiment, it consumed quite a few supply slots. If used on the knights, they would have more to eat and be stronger.”
“I stand by that decision.”
“However, you don’t need to feel guilty; most knights would willingly die for you.” After comforting him, Gima couldn’t help but ask, “Then why weren’t you worried about Frostleaf and Jenna before? Those three dared to infiltrate the Demon King’s lair.”
“Their goal is the same as mine; we are fellow travelers.”
“Oh, in that case, just do your best tomorrow and don’t worry about me,” Gima said. “If anything goes wrong, I will withdraw immediately.”
“Are you mocking me?”
“No,” Gima said. “Though I won’t act like you, as long as you’re happy, what does it matter? After all, it’s others who will die.”
George didn’t know how to evaluate this statement. Should he be happy that she cared for him and understood him? Or should he verbally criticize her value of not considering others’ lives as lives?
But since Gima understood and comforted him, he didn’t need to lecture anymore.
“You’re quite optimistic about tomorrow’s battle.”
“Of course, the Mother of All Beasts is still far from here,” Gima said. “Her massive size likely greatly limits her speed, leaving her behind. Otherwise, with such a powerful adversary blocking our way, this small army would have perished long ago.”
This army’s ability to escape from the jaws of beasts was primarily due to their extraordinary advantages.
The two had already reached the front of George’s tent, and the heavenly warhorse was already equipped, yawning and waiting for George.
“Alright, let’s end it here.”
“Hmm, I’ll try my best to find Jenna.”
George mounted his horse, looking at the entire army; the infantry had already donned their new chain mail, and although their faces were flushed, they had all been well-fed these past few days.
But George couldn’t help but worry if these fragile mortals could don their armor and make it to Quinas City. If they went without armor, a weak arrow could take their lives.
What should he do to make it better?
He didn’t know; George hated this feeling, and he instinctively looked at Gima.
Gima noticed George’s gaze. She turned her head, her eyes landing on George’s face.
Gima suddenly realized how young George was, so young he seemed like a child, without any facial hair at the corner of his mouth.
She smiled slightly, raised her right hand into a fist, and said, “You can do it.”
George read her lips, turned his head, and lowered his visor, the narrow observational window revealing only a pair of blue eyes. He tightened the reins and drew the knight’s sword of Duke Casson, raising it high as it glowed.
The knights instinctively lined up in formation, following behind him.
