Warhammer Divine Throne

Chapter 1231: Chapter 531: Battle of the Richard Plains (Part 2)

The nobility of Nuer privately complained quite a bit about this matter. The proud and wealthy Imperial Nobility did not think the child was lowborn, after all, Laine’s great deeds and noble reputation were well known. Rather, they complained that Laine had not married Emmanuelle, and thus the child was a bastard! Despite Emperor Carl’s announcement recognizing the child as Emmanuelle’s first in line for inheritance, it was still somewhat unsavory to speak of. At the very least, the nobles of Nuer frequently suggested in council that Emmanuelle find a new husband or ask Laine to abandon his marriage with Surya and marry Emmanuelle instead.

Emmanuelle completely ignored these proposals. This Duchess never left her seat in the Prince-Elector’s Palace but demonstrated exceptional internal governance abilities, simultaneously striking at political enemies and consolidating her authority.

She protected the interests of the common people, combated the power of the nobility, created job opportunities, and curbed the actions of Chaos Corruption, earning her a good reputation in Nuer. The citizen class gave her a new title, ”The Beloved Lady.”

Kaled found this somewhat amusing; he had a good relationship with Laine, and a laugh did no harm.

Lorne’s expression was more nuanced. The Kingdom Regent understood that his relationship with Laine was indeed peculiar; they were friends yet competitors, colleagues yet rivals for the throne, sharing similar reformist aspirations but representing different stances.

Thinking of these things, Lorne didn’t continue the topic, engaging instead in brief pleasantries before everyone began to discuss the main issue.

”There’s good news!” Lorne was quite excited as he spoke of the matter and introduced the battle situation: ”According to the scouts’ intelligence, the Undead Army coming to Richard Castle’s aid is a remnant force. This Undead Army is clearly insufficient in number and lacks cavalry.”

”This implies that the main force of the Undead must have been engaged elsewhere, and it’s highly likely that the Undead are still besieging the Sharp-Top Palace! Upon hearing that Richard Castle was under siege by us, they sent part of their army back to aid it.” Lorne immediately presented his plan: ”We must prioritize eliminating the reinforcements! As we besiege Richard Castle, the Undead will be forced to seek a field battle with us outside the castle!”

”Then we shall accommodate them! When the Undead reinforcements arrive, we will form ranks outside the castle to engage in a decisive battle with the Undead!” Lorne announced his plan.

”A decisive battle with the Undead? But we are carrying an army of over seventeen thousand refugees!” Kaled posed his concern: ”These refugees wouldn’t even be able to fight; they would immediately collapse at the sight of the Undead, leading to the entire front line’s collapse!”

”I know.” Lorne nodded calmly.

”You know and still plan to engage in a decisive battle with the Undead?” Kaled pressed further.

”Yes, our disadvantage is mainly with the Undead. In battle with them, if these refugees collapse, they could easily cause a chain reaction leading to our army’s collapse.” Lorne placed his finger on the map: ”But under the right conditions, a disadvantage can be converted into an advantage!”

”In this battle, our disadvantages are laid bare, but our advantage lies in our large number of knights. To turn our advantage into victory, we need a plan.” Lorne appeared confident: ”Ladies and gentlemen, please listen to me; sometimes, refugees could not only be not a burden but could instead become the key to victory in this war...”

...This is the line dividing victory and defeat...

Two days later, Mathew Bade led the Undead Army to Richard Castle. On a narrow plain outside the castle, the two armies faced each other.

The Viper of Musillon and his subordinates, the Mad Duke Merovin, gathered with Vampire Lord Belites, Har Harris, and others to discuss how to conduct the war.

”We only have to worry about the three thousand cavalry under Lorne-Rio Cornwall.” Mathew Bade maintained a calm demeanor: ”And the five thousand reinforcements from the Empire; besides that, I really don’t understand why the Brittania people would bring nearly twenty thousand refugees into battle?”

”I heard the situation in Leonais is dire, and Lorne’s choice to bring twenty thousand refugees into battle is a reluctant decision,” Belites answered loudly: ”Moreover, he actually placed all twenty thousand of them at the forefront of the battle line? It’s truly unbelievable. Doesn’t he know that once these peasants collapse, they could easily cause the whole front line to crumble?”

”That’s how knights’ tactics have always been—putting peasants in front to bear the brunt, and then seizing the opportunity to charge; it hasn’t changed for thousands of years, so there’s nothing strange about it,” Merovin scoffed: ”What we need to do is first break through these more than ten thousand peasants, thus forcing the Imperial Army into peril, so Lorne and his chivalry-syndrome-infected brothers will have no choice but to support the Imperial Army. After losing their chance to charge, he will have no choice but to retreat!”

”Very well! Let’s do it this way!” Mathew Bade nodded, adopting Merovin’s strategy.

The battle began, with Mathew Bade’s strategy involving the Three-headed Bloodthirsty Bat Wolf, and a mass of Bloodthirsty Celestial Ghosts, Tomb Evil Ghosts, and Tomb Ghoul Legions attacking the Brittania people’s battle formation head-on. These Giant Beasts released their fury and roars, and as they approached, since Lorne had placed over seventeen thousand refugees at the forefront, these refugees lost their fighting spirit at the sight of the dreadful Undead Giant Beasts, causing their formation to waver.