Chapter 1435 - 1344

Chapter 1435: Chapter 1344

The clouds amassed like mountains, covering the endless hills of the Winter Embrace Valley tightly.

On the gray-green river meadow, three thousand Holy Alliance cavalry were drinking water by the stream.

The warhorses flicked their ears, dipping their long snouts into the stream, sipping mouthfuls of water.

Bether was stroking the mane of a warhorse with one hand and reading a battle report with the other.

It was now December 12th, and according to earlier reports and his current reconnaissance, the vampires were still fleeing crazily.

This time, they not only abandoned a significant amount of spoils but also discarded some precious blood magic materials, even killing horses used to carry the loot and drinking their blood.

From the few straggling vampires caught, it was gathered that Serafe was fleeing in almost a mad state.

It must be said that parallel pursuit was the right approach.

Unfortunately, Bether didn’t have this opportunity; he was the Battle Commander of Victor’s eastern army cavalry corps and couldn’t stray too far from the infantry main force.

The valley was unlike other places and didn’t offer space for large-scale cavalry maneuvers.

If they ran too far, he could be encircled by enemy forces, and the infantry main force wouldn’t have time to rescue.

So these three thousand cavalry under Bether were merely picking up leftovers that Her Highness Jeanne didn’t want.

After folding the battle report, Bether took out an oatmeal bar from his pocket and chewed it vigorously.

Due to the vast spread of the battlefield, logistics became a bit deficient, unable to match the canned abundance of the early Thorn Garden battle.

But syrup oatmeal bars, tobacco, and sausages, these old-type military rations, were ample.

If there was a reliable Senior Pastor and Quartermaster, they could also occasionally rely on selling loot and local procurement for a special meal.

The oatmeal bar had a coarse texture, but Bether didn’t care, instead gazing at the valley stretching before him.

Stream woods, ponds, sporadic clusters of cabins, and wheat fields, but apart from the main valley, there were few people.

After the vampires passed through, the area was sparsely populated.

However, compared to the massacre at the valley entrance, the bloodthirst here was much less.

The local villagers were not fools; upon early news, they had taken their families and hid within the valley.

This undoubtedly increased the difficulty for vampires in obtaining blood meals and supplies, while only when the Holy Alliance army arrived did the believers emerge to offer resources or seek revenge.

This world’s customs were inherently revenge-driven, and the teaching of tolerance in the Mithraism Faction aimed to suppress this revenge culture.

Yet after the Thousand River Valley war, the emergence of the Holy Sect and the wartime propaganda needs against the vampire invasion lifted the restraint of forgiveness, ushering in an era of great vengeance.

Having these villagers go to the battlefield to kill enemies was unlikely, but if they acted as militia to transport, bandage casualties, build fortifications, etc., that was quite suitable.

More often, relying on militia as local guides and scouts helped trace the progress of royal court soldiers.

Sometimes, facing small groups of solo vampire soldiers, the militia could achieve good results through ambush.

Just like now.

"How many people approximately?"

After hearing from the militia that there were about a thousand scattered soldiers, Bether cast a determined gaze toward a nearby junior officer.

The junior officer swallowed nervously but still gritted his teeth and said, "I’ve confirmed, a thousand might be few, definitely less than two thousand, they’re a solitary rear guard."

"What flag are they under, do you know?"

"They’re flying several flags, likely several groups of scattered vampire soldiers integrated together."

"Distance? Position?"

Beside him, the adjutant unfolded a map, and the confirmed junior officer stepped forward to point out the position.

Several Corps Commanders came forward, glanced at it, and began discussing.

"Not far, just enter a tributary valley, less than fifty miles."

"The valley path is somewhat narrow."

"Has there been reconnaissance nearby, any trace of large enemy forces?"

"Apparently not, and even if there were, Her Highness Jeanne’s frontline troops should have swept through, otherwise these scattered soldiers wouldn’t be waiting for us."

With just a few words, coordinated with the staff adjutant, a small tactical decision was completed.

With the situation and intelligence in hand, it was Bether’s turn to finalize the decision. He glanced around and smiled, "Thousand River Valley once had a folk delicacy, mixing leftovers from aristocratic banquets into a stew known as rustic banquet stew; I haven’t had it in ages, didn’t expect to have it again today."

Upon hearing this, the others immediately understood his decision and promptly mounted up.

Bether then spoke to the clerk, "Note that this order came from me, Bether."

In a campaign meeting, every speech and action must be recorded for post-war review, rewards, and accountability.

This was a longstanding habit of the Holy Alliance and the essence of their countless victories.

It established an effective screening mechanism, swiftly eliminating outdated tactics, ensuring the Holy Alliance might trip in the same pit once or twice but never a third time.

......

"We’ve arrived, we’ve arrived, see the vampires there."

In a Z-shaped canyon no wider than three hundred meters but several miles deep, the thunderous sound of hooves made the vampires stand quickly.

At noon, under the cool cliffs, rows of black tents stretched endlessly.

Outside the curtains of the single tents, boots often protruded.

Bether moved from the rear to the front, nodded slightly at the sight of masked vampires rushing to wake soldiers from tents.

The numbers were quite significant, occupying nearly half the open space, and based on his experience, there were at least twelve to thirteen hundred.

In such a canyon, with the same number of cavalry and infantry, if cannons were available, infantry would dominate.

But if it’s twice the number of cavalry, especially Holy Alliance cavalry, that’s another story.

Under artillery imperialism, the Holy Alliance even equipped cavalry with small cannons, hence purchasing large numbers of ox-beasts from the southern deserts of the royal court.

A creature resembling a camel, running at a pace similar to a nag, yet capable of carrying swiveling cannons.

Given the narrow terrain, cavalry charges were difficult, so Bether immediately ordered part of the Dragon Cavalry to dismount and engage in combat, while ox-beast artillery lined up in front, tasked with bombarding the enemy.

Cuirassiers were ordered to flank from both sides and harass the enemy, while the elite Cuirassier Cavalry positioned themselves at the rear, ready to charge at any moment.

The vampire array wasn’t devoid of talent either.

Softer soil was laid with many cheval-de-frise and stakes to prepare against the Holy Alliance cavalry.

The dismounted Dragon Cavalry were tasked with killing enemies while dismantling these defenses and causing chaos.

Only when chaos ensued among the enemies would there be a chance for the cuirassier charge.

Shortly, as the swivel cannons roared, sand flew, and a blood mist rose from the vampire’s array.