Chapter 58: Formal attack!

The atmosphere in the council hall felt somewhat heavy in the morning light.

The light of the oil lamp flickered, casting the simple map hanging on the wall into light and shadow.

Roko's fingers tapped rhythmically on the smooth oak tabletop, making a steady *tap-tap* sound.

"Hart, how was the guard situation last night?"

Hart's sturdy body stood straight, his voice steady as a mountain.

"Reporting to Master, everything is normal."

"There were no signs of a night raid by the Kobolds, only sporadic scout activities in the distance, all of which were driven away by our scouts."

Fura stood quietly behind Roko, her heterochromatic eyes vigilantly scanning the direction of the door.

It was as if any slight movement could not escape her perception.

Martina hugged her precious ledger, her snow-white fox ears drooping slightly.

Clearly, last night's battle had made her uneasy, even though she tried to pretend to be calm.

"Roko, our arrow reserves were consumed by nearly 30% after yesterday's battle."

"Stones were also used up quite a bit."

"If the Kobolds use the same tactics today, our long-range firepower can only support us for two more days at most."

Martina's voice carried a trace of imperceptible worry.

Roko nodded slightly; Martina's calculations were always precise.

"What about grain and drinking water?"

"The reserves inside the castle are enough to support all the territory's people for more than half a month."

"But if the battle continues, subsequent supplies will be a big problem."

Martina flipped through the ledger, her brows furrowing even tighter.

Roko's gaze turned to Hart.

"Hart, how do you think that Kobold commander will fight today?"

Hart pondered for a moment.

"Master, that Kobold commander is cunning and cautious; he didn't commit all his forces at the beginning."

"Today, he will inevitably launch a fiercer offensive."

"He might even use the true elites in his hands."

Roko's gaze fell on the map, and the terrain of Vanguard Valley was clear at a glance.

The location of the castle was the commanding height of this area, easy to defend and hard to attack.

But facing an enemy several times his own strength, any sturdy defensive line had the possibility of being torn apart.

"Martina, notify everyone that all reservist members will participate in the coordinated defense on the city wall today."

"Tell them that if they hold the castle, each person will be rewarded with ten silver coins, and those who perform excellently can obtain the opportunity to be promoted to Knight Attendant."

Martina's eyes lit up; heavy rewards make brave men—she understood this principle.

"I understand, Roko!"

"Fura."

Roko's voice softened a bit.

The Cat-kin immediately stepped forward, looking at him with focus.

"Today, you will command on the city wall with me."

"Your strength is the key to deterring the enemy."

Fura nodded forcefully, indicating she understood.

Ten miles outside Vanguard Valley Castle, in the Kobold camp.

Kaersasi sat in a simple tent with a gloomy face.

The tent was filled with a strong smell of blood and the sour stench of inferior ale.

Bones that had been gnawed on were scattered on the ground.

Several Kobold tribal chiefs were arguing noisily.

"Commander Kaersasi, we lost so many clansmen yesterday; today we must take that castle down!"

Geluomu had a fanatical expression, spitting as he spoke.

"That's right! Those humans are too hateful! Their arrows are like they have eyes!"

Sika touched the wound on his arm that had been cut by an arrow, still lingering in fear.

"Shut up!"

Kaersasi slapped the table fiercely, and the tent instantly became quiet.

His cunning eyes swept over every Kobold chief present, his eyes cold.

"A bunch of trash!"

"Yesterday was just a probe, and you died so many clansmen!"

"If I hadn't ordered a retreat in time, were you planning to fill them all in?"

Geluomu, Sika, and the other Kobolds shrank their necks, not daring to say anything more.

Kaersasi took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart.

Expecting these simple-minded guys to come up with strategies was simply unrealistic.

"The defense of that castle is stronger than we imagined."

"Human weapons are also sharper than ours."

"A hard attack will only cause us heavy losses."

A relatively calm Kobold chief, named Luokesa, said in a low voice.

"Commander Kaersasi, what should we do then?"

"Are we just giving up like this? The order from the Orc Kingdom..."

A cold light flashed in Kaersasi's eyes.

"Give up? Of course not!"

"I, Kaersasi, never do business at a loss."

He stood up and walked to the tent door, looking in the direction of Vanguard Valley Castle.

"Yesterday, I just used those cannon fodder to consume the humans' arrows and stamina."

"Today is the real battle."

He turned back and looked at the uneasy chiefs in the tent.

"Pass my order!"

"All tribes, send out your most elite warriors!"

"Especially my direct guard, those one thousand true warriors!"

"Tell them that if they take that castle, the wealth, food, and women inside will all be theirs!"

Kaersasi's direct guard was the strongest and fiercest Kobolds he had selected from various tribes.

They were equipped with relatively fine leather armor and weapons, and each had experienced countless bloody slaughters.

Their combat power was far beyond those ordinary Kobold cannon fodder.

These one thousand elite Kobolds were Kaersasi's true trump card.

He hadn't intended to use them so early.

But Vanguard Valley's tenacity exceeded his expectations.

He had to take this castle as soon as possible; otherwise, dragging it out would be extremely unfavorable for him.

"Commander is wise!"

Geluomu, Sika, and the others immediately showed flattering smiles.

Once Commander Kaersasi used his elite guard, that human castle would definitely be breached today.

Kaersasi didn't pay attention to their flattery.

He already had a new plan in his heart.

"Luokesa."

He looked at the relatively calm Kobold chief.

"You take three thousand clansmen to feign an attack from the front to attract the humans' attention."

"Remember, the momentum must be grand, but don't really fight hard."

"Yes, Commander."

Luokesa nodded.

"Geluomu, Sika."

"You two, take the remaining clansmen to the west and east sides of the castle to find weak points and attempt to climb."

"Once there is an opportunity, rush in immediately!"

"Understood!"

Geluomu and Sika responded excitedly.

Kaersasi finally cast his gaze outside the tent, at his silent and elite direct guard.

"And I will personally lead my fiercest warriors to give them a fatal blow from a place they never expected!"

A cruel arc curled at the corner of his mouth.

He had already observed that on the north side of the castle, a section of the city wall was relatively low, and the defense seemed to be relatively weak.

That would be his main attack direction today. ===== CHAPTER 59 =====