Chapter 340: Chapter 33: The Enemy at the Gates

The two discussed for a long time, but ultimately it ended with Losa’s concession.

Jeanne always believed that if they were to defend Qingshui County, troops must be stationed on every section of the wall. The fighting power of the Song people was highly questionable, and they would face a situation where the defenses would be porous.

The enemy could easily tear through the weak points in the defense and rush in.

It would be better to go out and engage in battle.

Win and celebrate with models, lose and start over.

This reflected Jeanne’s consistent leadership style, her eagerness for adventure, akin to a player accustomed to showing off their skills. To have her play Garen or Stone Man kind of heroes would be truly difficult for her.

“Alright then.”

Further arguing won’t lead to a result, better to make a decision early and set down some plans.

Jeanne confidently declared, “Since you’ve agreed, I must inform you, Losa, you have been relieved of your military duties, from now on, please refrain from offering any opinions on military affairs.”

…

Jill, with his rugged beard, walked out from the mansion alongside Losa.

He was one of Jeanne’s twelve Guardian Knights — Jil de Lais, a marshal during the Hundred Years’ War, also serving as Losa’s Captain of the Guard during the time of Charles VII.

In the world of Yesterday’s Giant Ship, after Jeanne’s resurrection, he continued to follow her, becoming a Holy Knight opposing Black Wizards and evil dark creatures.

But in Losa’s previous life, there was certainly no resurrection.

After Saintess Jeanne was condemned as a “witch” and burned at the stake.

His faith collapsed, leaving him disheartened, soon resigning from military duties and retreating to his estate, later seduced by a wandering wizard, involved in the study of Black Witchcraft and Alchemy.

Finally, within the castle on his estate, countless remains of children and youths were found; it’s said he attempted to research resurrection witchcraft, trying to trade with demons for Jeanne’s revival.

Thus, he was swiftly judged, convicted, executed.

His image gradually transformed over time into a terrifying shadow hovering over Europe, akin to Bloody Mary, Count Dracula.

Losa patted Jill’s shoulder, “There’s no need to address me as Your Majesty, I’m not really King Charles, but I have to say, seeing you again, I still feel quite happy.”

Jill’s blue eyes were full of reverence, “Your Majesty, no matter what, fighting alongside you again is my honor. Also, can you tell Jeanne to let us come out and breathe sometimes?”

Losa rubbed his brow, slightly troubled, “Jeanne means well, you’ve all slept in the epic long river for quite a while; it’s not that she doesn’t want to let you breathe, but rather not wanting to disturb you easily.”

For Jeanne, the strength of Guardian Knights was average, maintaining their existence consumed a lot of Spiritual Power; unless slacking off, Jeanne preferred to personally go into battle.

Jill couldn’t help but laugh, “Your Majesty, you always like to make excuses for Jeanne, who she is, us old pals could ever be unclear?”

Losa awkwardly replied, “Alright, I understand, I will frequently remind Jeanne, next, fulfill your duties, my most trusted Marshal.”

Jill smiled, saluted, and turned to leave.

He would then go and coordinate everything in the camp; it was all minor affairs but absolutely not to be overlooked.

…

Losa rode on his mount along the rammed earth road of Qingshui County.

He observed the blacksmith at the blacksmith shop, shirtless, swinging a hammer repeatedly striking the red-hot iron bars, as the blacksmith’s apprentice gazed at him with a face full of amazement.

Outside the blacksmith shop, several archers from Qingshui County sat cross-legged, sewing iron armor leaves onto their Zha Armor.

It’s said that in the armory of Tokyo, such iron armor leaves were piled up like mountains, and every year new ones would be added.

Now they were cheap for those Jin people.

The Song Dynasty absorbed lessons from the previous dynasty, once Tokyo fell, the “branches” indeed became pitifully weak.

Losa paused for a moment, noticing his attire and “barbarian” appearance was far too conspicuous, he couldn’t help but smile wryly, lightly spurring his horse to leave.

Walking along the way.

Losa felt both a sense of familiarity and foreignness.

He had only seen such quaint towns in films.

Yet the way people here scrutinized him invariably told him he didn’t belong.

He was Losa of the Habsburg Family, Marquis of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, Military Zone General of the Eastern Empire, a “barbarian” in the eyes of Easterners, and even if the Tatar iron hooves marched south, ravaging everything, Losa couldn’t do anything to save it.

This Great Song is not that Great Song.

Losa admonished himself in his heart; this is merely a historical projection cut from battle records, nothing he can change, winning against Jin Wushu would be the same.

At this moment.

A galloping horse rushed into the city.

It was the scout from the newly formed light cavalry under Losa, the rider on the fast horse had already been shot with several arrows, and upon seeing Losa, he could only shout, “The enemy is coming,” before spitting blood and sliding off the horse.

Losa’s expression turned chilly as he strode toward the wall.

As he walked, he notified his soldiers, ordering them to immediately relay the message to Jeanne.

An army cannot have two brains, he had completely relinquished power, serving merely as a soldier, following all of Jeanne’s commands.

But if proven that Jeanne’s idea of going out to battle was unfeasible, next time, Losa should assume the role of Commander-in-Chief.

He quickly arrived at the wall; at this point, the gates were closed, only the two Divine Arm Crossbows on the wall were already in place.

These modified otherworldly devices, the crossbow machines etched with strange patterns, reportedly engraved by a Daoist priest; the crossbow arrows like Long Spears, could shoot as far as eight hundred paces, hitting both man and horse through.

“County Captain, the enemy is here.”

“General Ha, do you have any strategies?”

The County Captain’s face was gloomy; the scouts entered through his gate, even if the language barrier, surely the wounds on the scout’s body couldn’t have been self-inflicted.

Losa shook his head, “Military affairs are presided over by General Da.”

“Does General Da have a strategy?”

Losa shook his head, “I’m just an ordinary soldier now, how could I know General Da’s strategy, but County Captain, we’re grasshoppers tied on the same string; don’t worry about us not doing our best.”

The County Captain was full of concern; he wasn’t worried at all.

He only worried that Losa and his men might not change the situation even if they tried their best.

Losa no longer paid attention to the County Captain, placing his hands on the crenelations, gazing into the distance where smoke rolled, birds scattered, and the thunderous sound of iron hooves indicated the arrival of a large cavalry.

The entire Qingshui County soon realized the enemy was coming, soldiers at the city head looked like ghosts.

In no time.

He saw a huge black-red military flag on a mound not far outside the city, with a giant golden sun emblazoned at its center.

Dozens of Iron Butcher Cavalry surrounded a Jin Kingdom general, seemingly staring at Losa, or perhaps just gazing at the tower.

Countless cavalry seemed like a sea, with no end in sight.

Even Roll-Over Horses were all clad in Half-Body Armor, wearing Iron Helmets.

A cavalry broke off from the formation, brazenly charging toward the wall.

“Citizens of Qingshui County, open the gates and surrender quickly, or else once the army breaks your city, not even grass will remain!”

Losa looked at the County Captain, who clenched his teeth, picked up a Divine Arm Crossbow nearby, and aimed at the cavalry.

The cavalry’s face suddenly changed, shouting, “Two armies don’t slay envoys! If you dare harm me, my army will flatten your Qingshui County!”

Bang—

The arrow pierced through the cavalry’s body.

The County Captain cursed, “Scoundrel, if we don’t open the gates and surrender, nothing remains, if we slay the envoy, nothing remains, then we might as well kill this villain to vent our anger.”

Losa was slightly stunned, showing a smile.

He carefully analyzed the opposing formation; the Jin Kingdom cavalry’s high armor rate — whether it was plundered from Qidan Liao Dynasty or if the Song Dynasty craftsmen’s skills were high, or if the armory of Tokyo City was abundant, these five thousand enemies were all armored, even the light cavalry’s horses were equipped with a front Half-Body Zha Armor, able to resist incoming projectiles.

The County Captain began rallying the soldiers’ morale.

“You’ve all heard this Jin dog is cruel. Once the city is broken, none of us remain, fighting means death, not fighting also means death, better to have someone to drag down with us before dying.”

“These Jin dogs are human too; General Ha’s subordinates killed quite a number, if they can do it, so can we!”

The County Captain kept patting each soldier’s shoulder, desperately encouraging them.

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