“General, the mission is complete. The Destruction has been established, and there are still 18, 000 people who have already pledged their loyalty.” Jeff Reczek reported inside the big tent.
“From now on, the prisoners from South Land will be handled by this team. If Lord Whiteford can trust untried men and not distrust the tried, there’s no reason I can’t.” Robin declared, hands behind his back.
Indeed. If their Lord Whiteford could trust Aston Jones, he could also trust Aguda, even though Aguda had only just surrendered. After all, Aguda had nowhere else to go. What followed might be a battle that could be long or short. But as long as it was a major battle, there would be prisoners. Not every soldier was willing to fight to the death. Many, in the end, just wanted to survive.
At that time, the Destruction army would come into play. They were left with 18, 000 people who held deep hatred for South Land. When they took the South Land prisoners, they would gradually assimilate them. Ultimately, Robin would have an army made up of South Land people ready to fight.
“General, how did you know that Pierre Calder would give that order?” Jeff Reczek asked from the side.
If it were him, he wouldn’t be so ruthless. He would definitely leave some room for maneuver. After all, these were his brothers too.
“Because Aston Jones is coming. It’s impossible to hide the movements of the 150, 000-strong main force. If the enemy’s top general is coming to the front line, then Pierre Calder will have to tie up all the loose ends,” Robin said with a smile, then continued: “Honestly, Pierre Calder is not yet my match. But if Aston Jones is coming, then it will be fun. I want to meet this undefeated general from South Land and see who is stronger, him or me.”
“General, I will be the first to kill him when the time comes.” Jeff Reczek, standing by, exuded a killing intent.
“You can’t.” Robin shook his head: “He is more difficult to deal with than you think. Don’t underestimate him. Give my orders, the 80, 000 Ghost Wolf Cavalry, to go back into hiding. Without my orders, they are not allowed to approach St. Sunday.”
“Yes,” the soldiers took the order.
After everything was arranged, Robin looked in the direction where Aston Jones was, murmuring: “The show begins, Aston Jones. I wonder if you, the so-called top general, can last till the end.” A cold light flashed in Robin’s eyes.
The next day.
A 150, 000-strong army arrived, led by Aston Jones.
Outside the South Land’s big tent.
“General Jones, it’s great to have you here.” Pierre Calder led his men to meet Aston Jones and his party.
At this moment, it was already late autumn. Aston Jones, dressed in a long robe, appeared scholarly, but with a sharp edge. Unlike his usual lazy demeanor, everyone was taken aback. This time, General Jones was really serious.
“Go back to the border. If there’s any mistake, you’ll be held responsible.” Aston Jones waved his robe and gave the order directly.
“Yes,” Pierre Calder replied.
But secretly, he was shocked. For the first time, General Jones had spoken so much to him, and in such a scolding tone. It was clear how unimaginable the upcoming battle was.
What kind of battle would it be? Who would win or lose? Regardless, it was no longer his concern. He was going back to the border. He promptly took his men and left.
Taking his place was General Jones’s team, suddenly commanding an army of 650, 000.
Once inside the big tent, General Jones sat down, glanced at everyone, and fell silent. His eyes remained sharp, but he said no more.
Then, the atmosphere became tense.
“Benson, say something.” Rawdan Jefferson didn’t know what to say and kept hinting at Benson Laydon.
This was General Jones’s chief strategist.
But Benson Laydon ignored Rawdan Jefferson. He just sat there, upright, and closed his eyes. It was clear he wasn’t sleeping, but simply closing his eyes. Then, others saw Benson Laydon’s action and closed their eyes too. Soon, most of the people had their eyes closed, leaving only a few, including Rawdan Jefferson. He was a rough man, a military man, and not just any military man, but the only tiger general in this army. Being known as a tiger general was unique to Rawdan Jefferson.
So, he didn’t know what was going on and just waited there.
A full hour passed.
“Have your minds calmed down?” Aston Jones finally asked.
“General, they have,” one officer replied before a chorus of voices echoed, “General, they have.”
Only after everyonehad finished speaking did Benson Laydon slowly say, “My mind is calm.”
“I’m not,” Rawdan Jefferson honestly admitted.
“I didn’t ask you to calm your mind.” Aston Jones glanced at Rawdan Jefferson, then turned to the others, “Do you know why I asked you to calm your minds?”
“We do not,” Benson Laydon replied, bowing his head.
“Because the upcoming battle is not the small-scale fight we’ve been having in South Land. This is a real war between two countries, and I won’t tolerate a single oversight. You are all my proteges, but military orders are military orders. If one person neglects their duties, no mercy shall be shown,” Aston Jones stated, his words heavy with authority that left everyone gasping for breath.
“Yes,” everyone responded, half kneeling to show their submission.
At that moment, Aston Jones was both domineering and decisive. He did not want one person’s negligence to lead to a complete failure, like Maclean Lyons. But there would be no second Maclean Lyons. Now, on this battlefield, there was only his voice.
“Benson Laydon, where is the Ghost Wolf Cavalry now?” Aston Jones asked. The Ghost Wolf Cavalry was the only elite force on the battlefield. Once they were eliminated, South Province would belong to South Land.
“General, as of last night, we lost track of the Ghost Wolf Cavalry. They seemed to have disappeared. Also, our scouts are gone, seemingly taken out,” Benson Laydon reported with a somewhat pale face. He was in charge of reconnaissance. But now, his subordinates had lost the main focus of their intelligence gathering.
“Don’t blame yourself. It appears that the Shadow Crew from Eastern Kisia has arrived. This unit, under the command of the War God of Kisia, is known as the world’s top reconnaissance force. Suddenly, it feels like we’re from a small place,” Aston Jones said with a self-deprecating smile, then ordered, “Give my orders, siege St. Sunday.”
With a thunderous roar, the 650, 000-strong army moved towards St. Sunday, preparing to lay siege!
The stage was set for a grand showdown.