"General, the enemy has set up a very wide cordon around their camp. From the coast to the mountains in the east, they have sentry posts on all the commanding heights.
In addition, they had also arranged for more than ten squads of patrolling cavalry to patrol the high ground every fifteen minutes.
We can't find a way to get past the perimeter. We might be able to sneak past them if there are fewer of them, but there's no way we won't be discovered if there are too many of them. "
Claude's head hurt a little when he heard the report. He didn't think he would hear such bad news after spending ten days to get to the northern border.
More than ten squads had been lurking at the northern border for two days and came to the same conclusion.
The squad leader standing before Claude was the only one who could lead his squad into the perimeter without being discovered. He knew the enemy's perimeter better than anyone else.
The squad leader was from Line 1303. He was an old sergeant major who was highly regarded by Colonel Dyavid. Claude knew him too.
If it weren't for the fact that he was illiterate, he would've been a lieutenant by now based on his contributions in the past few colonial wars instead of holding the rank of sergeant major and serving as the captain of the reconnaissance team.
It seemed that the two Shiksan corps hadn't been holed up in their camp. Instead, they had expanded their perimeter to cover the entire northern border.
Claude wanted to sneak a folk through their perimeter to attack the main Shiksan supply base near Cape Loducus, but it didn't seem like it would be easy. Their scouts concluded that they would definitely be discovered by the enemy.
The old sergeant major took out a thin book from his bosom and flipped it open. He started marking the routes of the Shiksan sentry posts and patrols according to the markings on the map.
That was the result of his squad venturing deep into the enemy's perimeter and had to be marked on the map.
Claude was rather surprised. "Mulek, you learned how to read and draw?"
The old sergeant answered honestly, "My superiors urged me to learn. They asked me to learn three words a day, and I've been learning for a year. I can read newspapers now, but my speed is very slow.
Colonel Dyavid said that as long as I pass the literacy test, he'll promote me to second lieutenant … "
However, the old sergeant didn't use that opportunity to chat with Claude. Instead, he pointed at the map. "General, I made use of this dried up river to infiltrate the enemy's perimeter to complete my reconnaissance mission.
However, the enemy had set up a total of three sentry posts on the high ground on both sides of the dried-up river, each guarded by a small team.
When our scouting team passed through the three sentry ports, we had to rely on the cover of the night and crawl forward to avoid the enemy's patrols.
This dry river is about 1.34 meters deep, we need to bend our bodies to avoid being discovered by the enemy … "
The dry river could indeed pass through the Shiksan perimeter, but there were two problems. First, they had to remove the three enemy sentry posts, but that would alert the enemy to Thundercrash's movements.
The enemy shouldn't be taken for fools. A folk passing through would easily leave traces and any enemy with the slightest bit of brain would be able to figure out where Claude and the others were going to attack.
Claude wanted to attack the Shiksan supply base near Cape Loducus first by catching them off guard.
If they were discovered by the enemy, the messenger hawks would be much faster than marching troops. By the time Claude arrived, he would be faced with the enemy's sturdy defences.
The worst-case scenario would be for the Shiksans to use the eastern mountain frontline and the northern border to surround and annihilate Claude's men.
While he wasn't afraid of the enemy's numbers and was confident that he could take over the Shiksan's logistics base by force, his strategy would be a complete waste of effort if that happened.
He might even have to rely on the base's defences to defend against the enemy's attacks. Even if he could break through, he would suffer heavy casualties. That wasn't something Claude wanted to see.
More importantly, he wouldn't be able to take the initiative on the battlefield.
"Get General Eiblont and First Lieutenant Bloweyk of Wolfang from 131," Claude gave a simple order to his adjutant, Anders.
Bloweyk rushed to Claude's side and saluted. "General, please give me your orders!"
It was wartime. Even though Bloweyk was Claude's younger brother, he still had to address Claude according to military rules.
Claude nodded slightly and gestured for him to wait at the side.
Eiblont was at the rear and took around half an hour to arrive.
Claude quickly explained the situation to them. "We have to change our plans. After I lead 1st Folk past the enemy's perimeter, you'll immediately lead the troops to launch an all-out attack on the Shiksans' perimeter. Force the enemy to withdraw their outposts so that they won't have the time to check if any troops have passed through their perimeter.
"If the enemy's main force leaves camp, you can attack them head-on. I'll leave a battalion of Line 1303 equipped with the new rifles and half of the sniper squad with you. I believe the enemy won't be a match for us in a field battle.
"However, you have to be careful not to attack the enemy camp and waste our forces. The enemy has three folk while you only have one. Your mission is to pin them down and harass them.
"Once I burn down the Shiksans' supplies, you can't act rashly no matter how many reinforcements the Shiksans send.
"When I ambush them and attack the enemy camp from the back, the enemy might think they've fallen for a trap and that you're just feigning an attack to divert their attention.
They'll think we're the main attacking force and shift their focus to the rear. That way, they'll let down their guard against you.
Then, you can launch a pincer attack with us and crush the enemy in one fell swoop. "
Eiblont nodded. "I understand. Don't worry, I'll do as you say."
Claude turned to Bloweyk. "First Lieutenant Bloweyk, your mission is to lead Wolfang and take out the three enemy sentry posts near the river.
Also, pretend to be the enemy's sentries and fool the enemy's patrols. Escort our main force through the enemy's perimeter and prevent them from noticing our movements.
Remember, I don't want to hear any gunshots during the mission. "
Bloweyk saluted the two generals. "Yes, I'll definitely complete the mission."
Claude pointed at the old sergeant major who was standing silently at the side. "His name is Mulek. He can be your guide. Go get ready. We'll set off at night.
Also, I don't want to hear gunshots. I don't mean you can't fire. As long as there's a threat to Wolfang, you can fire to eliminate the enemy first.
I hope you understand that the life of any Wolfang soldier is more precious than that of an enemy general. "
Bloweyk and the old sergeant saluted in unison and left without a word.
Eiblont smiled. "You're too harsh on your brother. You're always sending him on such dangerous missions.
In the past, I even misunderstood that you picked the most elite soldiers from the entire army and went through several rounds of elimination to get the Wolf Fang Squadron to protect your younger brother.
Only later did I realize that you weren't doing it to protect your brother, but to forge the sharpest blade in Thundercrash.
The soldiers call Wolfang the King of Soldiers. Only the best can join, but it's a pity that the expenses are a little too high. "
It was indeed high. The best fighters in the corps, including sharpshooters, were among them. They were also the first to be equipped with the new rifles.
Every one of them was given a revolver, a treatment that was even better than a second lieutenant in the corps.
The expenses of raising Wolfang was enough to pay for two and a half brigades, but Claude was determined to make Wolfang the world's first special force. He didn't mind the expense.
"A lifetime's worth of training, a moment's worth," Claude said.
"That's money well spent. If it's not Wolfang, can you think of any other corps that can take on such a mission?
If a normal reconnaissance unit were to attack these three enemy sentry posts, they would most likely open fire at the first moment, which would alarm all the enemies.
We can forget about sneaking past the enemy's defenses and sneaking to their rear.
Go make your preparations. Have the scouts of 2nd Folk get close to the enemy's sentry posts.
If you hear gunshots from Wolfang, fire immediately to confuse the enemy.
Let the enemy think that we launched a large-scale attack on the sentry post, and not just to uproot the three sentry posts next to the dried-up river. "
"Yes, General." General Eiblont saluted and retreated.
Waiting was a rather frustrating thing to do. Claude really wanted to work together with Bloweyk.
But now that he was in a high position, he couldn't go on frontline missions and charge through enemy lines himself.
There were times when Claude really missed the time when he was in 1st Ranger Tribe. As a junior officer, he had to fight at the frontlines.
Back then, he didn't have to worry about so many problems and he didn't have as much pressure on him.
Claude fell into a deep sleep as his thoughts ran wild. By the time he was woken up by Anders, it was already dark.
"What time is it?" He took the towel Anders handed him and wiped his face.
"General, it is now 1: 27 am," Anders' adjutant stood up and reported.
Claude was stunned for a moment before he raged, "I actually slept for more than eight hours! Why didn't you wake me up?!"
"I didn't let Anders wake you up," Eiblont said, "You haven't slept for more than a few hours lately. You've been thinking about how to defeat the Shiksans. Your body won't be able to take it if this goes on.
It's rare for you to sleep so deeply, so I told Anders not to wake you up and let you get some rest.
The plan is progressing smoothly. Wolfang has already taken out three of the Shiksans' sentry posts. They didn't fire a single shot and there were no casualties. All that's left is to see how they deal with the cavalry patrols.
Your 1st Thundercrash Folk, Colonel Berklin's Line 1301, has already set off along the river.
According to your orders, all men are biting a twig in their mouths, so as not to make any noise and alert the enemy. Colonel Moriad's 1302 is ready and will depart at once, followed by Colonel Dyavid's 1303. You will go with them. They are armed with the new rifles and will be safer.
That's why I had Anders wake you up now. Get ready, we'll be setting off soon. "
It took Claude almost two hours to reach the five-kilometer river. It was already four in the morning, when the night was at its darkest.
However, there was a large pine forest beyond the river. The troops in front wouldn't have to worry about being discovered by the enemy once they entered the forest.
As they were about 15 kilometers away from the enemy camp, apart from the Shiksans' veteran logisticians who would occasionally use their carriages to cut down branches for firewood, there weren't many patrols around.
Bloweyk led a few Wolfang soldiers to the last sentry post to welcome Claude's arrival. Claude could smell the thick stench of blood on him.
It seemed that Bloweyk didn't listen to his advice again and personally joined the fray.
Claude had warned him that as the commanding officer of Wolfang, the most elite unit in the entire corps, he was responsible for planning and implementing the plan, assigning personnel and taking remedial measures in the event of unexpected situations. He shouldn't treat himself like a foot soldier.
Bloweyk, on the other hand, always took the lead in every mission because he knew magic.
Although this allowed him to gain an extremely high prestige in the Wolf Fang Squadron, it had a negative impact on his ability to train his commanding skills.
Claude could only wrinkle his nose and pretend he didn't smell anything. "When Line 1304 passes through, you can split up and attack the Shiksans' sentry posts in other areas.
Eiblont will also command 2nd Folk's scouts to coordinate with you in attacking the sentry posts.
You only have half an hour to attack. After that, which is before daybreak, you must retreat in the direction we're heading. I'll leave some men behind for you. "
Bloweyk and the other Wolfang soldiers raised their hands in a silent salute. Only then did Claude notice that they were holding all sorts of crossbows.
He knew very well that those weapons were made by Angelina after Bloweyk's request. It was no wonder he was confident in getting rid of the three enemy squads at the sentry posts without firing a single shot.
Five days later, Claude and 1st Folk arrived near the Shiksan main camp and were delighted to see that the enemy camp was completely unguarded.
Two kilometres away, Cape Loducus to the west was also wide open. Shiksan officers could be seen coming from time to time on horseback or in carriages.
"Looks like the logistics officer we captured two days ago wasn't lying. The enemy really doesn't know we're here.
He confessed that the main camp had received a report from the two standing corps stationed at the border of the northern mountains. They had been harassed by our war zone and had lost nearly a company of troops. They hoped that the main logistics base could send them a batch of iron pumpkins to use for defence.
The main camp's supervisor said that they're running low on supplies and will have to wait a few days before they can move. "
Berklin and the others stood beside Claude and observed the enemy camp through their binoculars.
Two days ago, they happened to run into a Shiksan supply convoy consisting of more than 170 carriages. The convoy was escorted by a Shiksan veteran.
So, Berklin led Line 1301 to successfully ambush the convoy. After killing the Shiksan battalion commander who was leading the stubborn Shiksan veterans, the deputy logistics officer ordered the surviving soldiers to lay down their arms and surrender, sparing his life.
After the battle, Berklin personally interrogated the logistics officer and learned from him that the supplies on the convoy were catapult-style throwers and iron pumpkins destined for the camp at the eastern border.
It was said that these throwers and iron pumpkins were the biggest consumables in the Eastern Mountain Frontline that were currently facing off against the legions of the Union Territories. The frontline commander-in-chief had sent out three messenger hawks a day, requesting the rear camp to send 50 throwers and more iron pumpkins to the frontline as soon as possible …
The logistics officer also confessed that apart from the veteran battalion that was ambushed, there were two other battalions that escorted the convoy to the frontline and didn't return. The rest stayed in the main camp drinking ale and gambling. None of them cared about the garrison and the main gates weren't even closed at night.
The main reason was that the officers above the regimental rank of this garrison division and the officers in charge of the logistics department of the main camp were used to going to the city of Cape Loducus at night to look for women to drink and have fun.
Just like this time, he was unlucky to be assigned the task of accompanying the transport convoy to the frontline. As a result, he ended up becoming a captive.
Claude put down his binoculars and gave an order to the high-ranking officers of 1st Folk. "Let the warriors rest well. We'll attack the enemy's main camp at 11 p.m. sharp!"