When the Saint comes, she does not collect food

#548 - The idiots of Gravel Plain

Politics is war without bloodshed, while war is politics with bloodshed.

All wars serve political objectives; no war is waged for its own sake.

The reasons for fighting and the endpoint must be determined before the first shot is fired.

These were the words Horn once spoke to Moriarty.

Although Moriarty was by Horn's side as a younger sister or daughter, she learned more than one might imagine.

Astronomy, geography, military affairs, politics, how to classify people, how to build organizations, how to manage internal relationships…

Some of his experiences even made Moriarty suspect that he was born to lead rebellions.

Some of Horn's experiences were so unique that Moriarty couldn't find similar references in books.

Either Horn deduced them himself, or he was simply born with them.

Now, looking back, she can't help but wonder if Horn Papa was truly possessed by an angel.

After all, where could a nameless accounting apprentice have learned these things?

But Moriarty knew that was impossible; the Church would never tolerate another angel escaping their grasp, especially one standing in opposition.

Unlike the spring breeze already felt in Vienne, the high mountains on the border of Upper Swire County blocked the spread of spring.

The weather in Upper Swire County strangely dropped in temperature after the start of spring, almost approaching the winter solstice.

As Moriarty's horse's hooves stepped on the muddy road, the accumulated snow beside the road had not completely melted.

Among the withered yellow branches and scattered patches of snow, an army of nearly ten thousand infantry and cavalry marched beside the frothy Honey River.

This was already Hedge Country, Horn's hometown.

The Red Mill Village they had just passed was where Saint Horn was born.

If the marching speed remained constant, they were likely to camp at High Fort.

A small Red Mill Village not only produced two heroes like Horn and Joan, but also gave rise to first-class military and political talents such as Jeschka, Das, Mencer, and Bussack, and a group of young geniuses like Armand, René, and Duvalon.

If the scope were expanded to Hedge Country, there were currently seven Cardinals before the Throne of Joan, five of whom were from Hedge Country.

Of the two major war groups and sixteen legions, ten legion commanders were from Hedge Country.

Judging from the Salvation Army's military and administrative policies, these people were not just freeloading good-for-nothings.

One wonders whether the Salvation Army's talent cultivation system was excellent, or whether Hedge Country was simply a place of outstanding people.

However, the Salvation Army has so many talents, but is my Moriarty lacking in subordinates?

"How many days has Sentinel Fortress been besieged?" Moriarty asked Lannes beside her on horseback.

Lannes, riding a tall horse and wearing shining plate armor, accompanied the Duchess with his head held high and chest out.

No one would have imagined that Lannes, the son of a stableman two years ago, had become the Knight Commander of the Guard Cavalry.

This position was specifically used by Moriarty to cultivate talent.

Although Lannes was of humble origin, he had been brave in combat since becoming a Mountain Knight, always taking the lead, and quickly emerged in the army.

In the Duchy of Hema Stone's promotion system, the Duchess never hesitated to reward and punish.

So, he was promoted almost like a rocket; the boy who could only sit on a grain cart and drive horses could now talk to the Duchess.

Lannes respectfully lowered his head and said, "This is the third day of our departure, and the fifth day that Sentinel Fortress has been besieged."

Since receiving the news that Sentinel Fortress was besieged, Moriarty immediately led the army and set off towards Deer Antler Township.

After receiving the news from Kasha County, she had been gathering troops, preparing to go south to help Vienne attack Deer Antler Township and join Horn as soon as possible.

However, she had just prepared when she received the news that Sentinel Fortress was besieged.

Due to the early preparations, she didn't need to do any more gathering, and the next day she directly led 4,500 North Munder Foot Knights, 1,000 surrendered knights, and more than 2,000 accompanying serfs.

If people who didn't know the situation saw this lineup, they would probably wonder why Moriarty didn't bring infantry.

But those familiar with the Mountain People knew that the Mountain Knights lacked good horses, and the so-called knights usually rode donkeys or fought as infantry.

But it's not that they can't ride horses, but that the horses have to be kept at home for plowing.

They are not brought out unless necessary, because if they die of illness or in battle, the whole family will starve next year.

So, in their prime, they can smoothly switch between infantry, cavalry, archers, and horse archers at any time.

Moriarty relied on these multi-functional cavalry to slap the faces of several great lords whose strength far exceeded her own in the previous war against Cod Fort in the Kingdom of Norn.

Thus, Moriarty gained the recognition and favor of the Norn Great Lords.

The Norn people are like this.

In this uprising, Moriarty mortgaged her territory and borrowed more than 200,000 gold pounds from the Norn Great Lords, not to mention free aid such as warhorses and armor.

This was to the outside world; internally, there was also extortion.

Without the external loans and internal exploitation, Moriarty would not have the army in front of her.

4,500 infantry knights from North Munder County, two-thirds of whom have warhorses, and the remaining one-third are ordinary nags.

Half of them have three-quarter armor, and the remaining half have chain mail or half-body armor, with a supernatural rate of 100%.

Everyone is equipped with a 120-pound heavy bow, 50 armor-piercing arrows, 100 cone-shaped arrows, two bottles of Khan potions, and a donkey or riding horse.

Moriarty has bet everything, and what she wants is to join forces with the Salvation Army here and wipe out Prince Condé, who is besieging Sentinel Fortress.

This Thousand Valley Rebellion, which has lasted for a year and a half, should end; according to news from the Norn Great Lords, the window of opportunity for Thousand Valley is about to close.

Because the Laya Civil War is coming to an end.

The Duke of Luel and the Duke of Nedderbach, supported by enemy nobles, have advanced the front line to the River Isle area.

In at most half a year, this civil war over the royal succession should end.

In at most a year, the Laya people will be able to quell the internal chaos, and then they will reach out to Thousand Valley again.

Prince Condé can't wait, and Moriarty can't wait even more.

"Speed up the march." After listening to Lannes' report, an unquestionable voice rumbled from under the Duchess's iron mask, "We must reach High Fort City before dark."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Under the orders of the knight officers at all levels, the originally slow-moving team immediately increased its speed.

In the hurried footsteps, everyone gritted their teeth and moved forward quickly.

Along the Honey River, past the Silver Midge River, the army flowing downstream really arrived at High Fort City before dark.

After staying overnight, replenishing supplies, and summoning local knights, the Grand Duchess ordered the army to assemble early in the morning and continue to advance.

However, they did not go far out of the city this time. Around noon, the Grand Duchess received an urgent letter from a cavalryman from North Munder County in the army.

"Say that again?" Lannes pinched the messenger's wrist, "What happened to the army at Crushed Stone Plain?"

"They said that some sheep ran over here, and they want to bring people to find them, but who looks for sheep with an army of more than 10,000…" the messenger said aggrievedly.

"Looking for sheep? Are you sure?"

"What does this mean, a threat? Or containment?"

"They didn't really go south, did they?"

The knights' chaotic voices exploded instantly, and everyone was talking about it.

"Stop guessing." Moriarty's calm voice sounded from behind the iron mask, "It's just that the fools at Crushed Stone Plain want to get involved."

The gathered knight officers all fell silent, and everyone's eyes focused on the Grand Duchess.

"Then we…"

"Ignore it, keep going."

Pulling on the reins, the Grand Duchess was the first to continue moving forward, her voice still calm, but the expression under the iron mask was extremely ugly.