"How in the world did the Shiksans land at the fishing town?" Eiblont asked furiously.
Claude's face was pale. "Guys, we've been tricked by the Shiksans. Their attack in the eastern mountains was just to attract our attention so that we could concentrate our forces there. That way, the war theatre's defences will be very weak."
Claude finally understood the source of his unease. The Shiksans' attack in the eastern mountains was so strange that he felt something was off. However, he had checked the defences at the frontline several times and was certain that the Shiksans had no openings to exploit in either the eastern mountains or the northern coastal mountains.
What he didn't expect was that the Shiksans didn't intend to keep fighting the garrison in the mountains.
Instead, he set his sights on the centre of the war theatre, the Anfiston colony. That was where the command centre of the entire war theatre was located. Lanu City, in particular, was the administrative centre of the eight colonies. It had the same status as the royal capital.
If the Shiksans were to take it, the losses and repercussions would be incalculable.
Birkin was puzzled. "Where did the Shiksans get their landing force from?
Aren't his seven standing legions at the Cape Loducus Colony?
The report from Port Vebator said they were all warships and didn't bring many transports. "
Claude sighed. "Guys, don't forget about the two fleets' marine corps."
Every naval fleet had a Marine Corps, which added up to almost a regiment of troops. Their main role was for landing operations or to carry out boarding battles in naval battles.
A few days ago, they received news that Seaking and the Alliance's fleet had entered the war theatre's waters and started shelling Port Vebator for a short period of time.
The garrison reported that the enemies were all warships and didn't bring any transports. So, everyone believed that the two fleets were there to harass and ambush them, forgetting that they had their own marine corps.
Birkin breathed a sigh of relief and consoled Eiblont, "Don't worry. The Shiksans only have two lines of marine corps. Even if they occupy the fishing town, it won't be a big deal.
Monolith's garrison in Lanu is a full line. The other garrison line is also there. The Shiksans won't be able to gain much of an advantage. "
"You're wrong, man."
Claude took out the report from the spies in Cape Loducus. "Take a look at the report on the royal knight reserve corps' movements."
"You suspect that they've already sailed south?"
Birkin was very surprised. He naturally knew why Claude had found that piece of information. "But where did they get the transport ships?"
"Here …" Claude pointed at the other messenger eagle in his hand. It was also sent by a spy from Cape Loducus. It said that the coastal transport ships transporting food and military supplies from the colonies on the west coast were anchored in the bay.
Many shipowners were complaining about how slow the Shiksans were in settling accounts. They had to double check the goods delivered by each ship. Otherwise, they would've returned to the west coast long ago after receiving the payment and shipping fees.
"The Shiksans purposely left the transport ships of the western colonies in the bay and chose suitable ships to form a mercenary fleet. When the light-cavalry corps arrived, they boarded the ships and sailed south overnight. They managed to fool our spies in Bay Loducus.
"On the other hand, Seaking and the Alliance didn't bring any transports with them, so they weren't able to raise our guard. That's why they were able to take over the fishing town by surprise.
"Then, they only had to hold out for a dozen or so days until the light-cavalry fleet arrived and their mission would be complete.
"As for our command centre, the enemy we're facing is a light-cavalry corps. There might even be reinforcements coming …"
Claude's analysis made both Birkin and Eiblont's expressions change. Eiblont slammed his fist on the table. "The fishing town is in shallow waters and covered in reefs. It's impossible for long-distance ships to reach the shore. How did the Shiksans get there?"
"I'm not too sure either, but I think it's similar to Prince Hansbach leading Bluefeather to the shallow waters near Ibnister Plains.
"If the fishing town has Shiksan spies, they can use small fishing boats to build a bridge to the deep sea and allow the Shiksan marines to land. That would solve the problem."
Claude's conjecture wasn't groundless. While the shallow waters near the fishing town were covered in reefs, they were very close to the deep sea. Five to six hundred metres away from the reefs would be the deep sea.
HQ paid a lot of attention to the shallow waters of the colonies and built sentry towers to prevent Shiksans from landing and launching sneak attacks.
However, they had forgotten about the nearest fishing town. As a result, the Shiksans seized the opportunity and took over the fishing town.
"Reporting. Urgent message from HQ."
The first lieutenant staff officer of the communications department sent over another messenger hawk. It had been less than half a day since the last request for help.
This was sent by General Skri, and he gave a more detailed account of the situation of the fishing town being captured.
It was two nights ago. A merchant who owned a repair and shipbuilding workshop in the fishing town was confirmed to be a Shiksan spy.
He used the small fishing boats he built and the transport boats he repaired to build a bridge to allow the Shiksan marines to land and take control of the fishing town.
The next morning, the people in the fishing town found out that they had fallen into Shiksan hands. Riots broke out, but they were brutally suppressed by the Shiksan marines.
When a few people managed to escape, they found that the Shiksan marines were already forcing the townspeople to build defences for them. They dug trenches and fortifications around the town.
It was a day's journey from the fishing town to Lanu. The few who managed to escape were lucky enough to meet a delivery carriage on the way and took it to Lanu to report.
Bolonik was shocked when he received the report and hurriedly sent a light cavalry squad to the fishing town to investigate. It took them a whole day to confirm that the fishing town had been captured by the Shiksans.
General Skri had sent this message because General Bolonik was preparing to retake the fishing port town. Lanu was originally guarded by a local garrison regiment of veterans, and there were also the direct subordinates of the Monolith Corps, which added up to two regiments of troops.
Bolonik wanted to transfer back a garrison line from Robisto and a garrison line from Port Patres. That way, he would have a folk that would be enough to recapture the fishing town.
"No, we can't do that!"
Birkin was shocked. Bolonik didn't know that the Shiksans had another light-cavalry corps that would arrive soon.
If they couldn't recapture the fishing town before the light cavalry corps arrived, the four lines would be in danger of being wiped out.
The land outside the fishing town was wide and was the perfect place for light cavalry to show off their might and gallop.
The four lines were the main garrison of Robisto and Anfiston. If they were wiped out, the two colonies would fall into the hands of the Shiksans and the war theatre would fall without a fight.
"Send a hawk messenger to HQ immediately and inform them that the light cavalry corps is about to land. Stop Bolonik from recapturing the fishing town.
Tell HQ that Thundercrash will immediately return from the frontlines. I hope they can hold out for half a month and ensure that the pontoon bridge over Dorinibla River is unimpeded, "Claude said decisively.
Time. What Thundercrash needed the most was time.
However, the Shiksan light cavalry corps had already left for the south three days ago. Based on the time it took for Wild Bull to transport the ale to Cape Loducus, it would only take them 15 days to reach the fishing town. In other words, in another 10 to 12 days, the Shiksan royal knighthood reserve corps would be able to reach the fishing town.
Thundercrash, on the other hand, was stationed in the mountainous region. It would take them at least 10 days to reach Monknad in Port Vebator.
As the sea routes had been sealed by the two Shiksan fleets, they couldn't transport troops from the coast anymore. They could only return to Monknad on horseback. It would take them at least 15 to 16 days to reach Anfiston if they traveled day and night.
Who knew if Lanu would be able to hold out against the enemy light cavalry until Thundercrash arrived.
Claude was nervously doing some calculations in front of the map. "The six garrison lines we're mobilizing are from Port Vebator's Monknad, Cromwell, Balingana, Anfiston, Mormaly and Arturas.
Currently, there are 12 local garrison regiments made up of veterans in the territories under the theatre of operations. They are the only reliable and decent forces in our theatre of operations apart from the two corps.
Monolith's main field regiment and garrison regiment at Port Vebator, Port Patres, and Port Cobicus could not be mobilized. Cromwell, Balingana, Anfiston, Mormaly, and Arturas were each garrisoned by a garrison regiment. The Dorinibla River defense line also had a garrison regiment stationed there.
The remaining three Garrison Regiments were stationed along the coasts of their respective colonies with battalions as a unit to prevent enemies from landing on land.
"Now that the enemy has already landed at the fishing town, there's no longer any point in stationing them along the coasts.
"Send a letter to theatre HQ to suggest abandoning the garrison at Mormaly and Arturas and to concentrate our forces at Tyrrsim. At the very least, we need to protect Cobicus and prevent it from falling into Shiksan hands.
"Our reserve forces are concentrated in Port Vebator, Cromwell and Balingana. There are also two garrison lines stationed along the coast. Wickhamsburg also has a folk of reserve corps. Even though they're leftovers from regrouping, they're still capable of fighting and have undergone half a year's worth of military training.
"Our current situation is that we're a little top-heavy with the Dorinibla River in the middle.
"If the Shiksans take over Anfiston and Robidos and use Dorinibla River as a boundary to block our way, our theatre will be done for. Our wealth and resources are all concentrated in the five colonies south of the river.
"If the Shiksans succeed, we'll never be able to recover the five colonies south of Dorinibla River.
"Other things aside, the Shiksans have two fleets and they can easily split off a light patrol fleet to strengthen the defences at Dorinibla River.
"By then, we won't even be able to get close to the river, let alone cross it.
"That's why we have to strengthen the defences at Dorinibla River and hold out until we can return and cross the river.
"Actually, we can give up on Lanu and move our people and resources to the mountains.
"I remember we've set up a defensive line at the border between Anfiston and Robidos. I think it's named after me.
"Maj Masonhuis, record what I just said and send it to HQ with a hawk. Tell them to strengthen the Dorinibla River defences, abandon Lanu and retreat to the mountains.
"Tell General Bolonik that I suspect the enemy will send one or two standing corps south. Tell him to be careful and hold out until we return."
"Yes, General." The adjutant, Major Mason Hughes, saluted and went out with his shorthand notebook.
"Why don't we send the reserve corps from Wickhamsburg south as reinforcements first?
A division of troops can also buy us a few days … "General Birkin suggested.
Claude shook his head. "Let the two garrison lines stationed along the coast head south as reinforcements. They're all veterans, so they're stronger than the rest.
The two garrison regiments stationed in Cromwell and Balingana had also moved south. The reserve corps' division was responsible for taking over the four garrison regiments' areas.
"The reserve corps' folk are infantrymen. It'll take longer to march from Wickhamsburg to Dorinibla River than our light cavalry.
Also, we have to make sure the Shiksans don't come back and attack us after we leave the two colonies. With the reserve folk stationed here, I'm sure they'll be able to stop the Shiksans from launching a surprise attack.
"Allen, set off immediately. Thundercrash's 2nd Folk is still stationed in Port Vebator. When you arrive, bring them back to HQ overnight. If Lanu has fallen, hold the Dorinibla River defences and wait for my reinforcements.
I've gathered Thundercrash's 1st Folk and will set off soon. "
"Okay." General Eiblont saluted and strode out.
Claude looked at Birkin. "I'll be taking a garrison line with me to strengthen the defences at Blackstone Firearms Workshop.
If my fears come true and the Shiksans really take over the five colonies south of Dorinibla River, Blackstone Firearms Workshop will be our only supply base. "
Birkin nodded. "It'll be fine. After you leave, I'll still have five garrison lines here. Monolith's folk and a line of troops can be considered a corps.
They'll definitely be able to deal with the Shiksans' attacks in the mountains. Don't worry. Go take care of the Shiksans who ambushed our HQ. I'll wait here for your triumphant return. "
Two days later, Claude gathered the Thundercrash units scattered in the mountains and prepared to return to HQ.
Fortunately, Bolonik decided not to attack the fishing town after receiving his message. Instead, he moved the people and resources of Lanu to the mountains and decided to lead two lines of men to stop the Shiksans in Lanu and engage them in a brutal street battle.
Bolonik's reasoning was simple. If they gave up on Lanu, the Shiksans would be able to reach the Dorinibla River defences in Robbidos unimpeded.
The Dorinibla River defences faced the river and not the interior, so Bolonik had to buy time for the troops stationed there to set up their defences.
However, just as Claude was about to set off, he received another report from a spy in Bay Loducus. This time, the Shiksans didn't bother to hide it or keep it a secret. Two standing corps returned from the frontlines during the day. They didn't rest in the main supply base and instead went straight to the bay. They boarded the transport ships docked there and headed south.