Chapter 101: Ch 99. Dilemma of the duke

Duke Valencio was looking in the distance where faded the last echoes of gunshots.

Since the horse lookouts reported the enemy sortie, Valencio was preparing to put his plan in action.

The overall plan was somewhat simple: the troops in the siege camp will face an enemy sortie with the iron wagon’s fire, and when the enemy leaves the safety of the walls far enough the cavalry will charge.

Right outside the commander’s tent were positioned 600 of heavy cavalry, meticulously gathered from all over the kingdom: the defeated lords’ remaining knights, the mercenaries, the hedge knights, and the levied knights from Valencio’s own domain. An army that costed him half of his funds…

Hearing that the enemy made a move was a blessing in disguise. But when the cavalry was prepared to ride to the field of battle, another lookout rushed in.

“My Lord! My Lord! My Lord! The enemy broke through our defenses and reached the iron wagon!” The smile disappeared from the duke’s face, and was replaced by confusion.

“It has to be a mistake?”

“N-no, My Lord… When I saw it the last time, enemies were climbing on the iron wagon…” The lookout shivered in fear, but to his relief the Lord’s fist landed on a table.

“HOW?!” Valencio had no idea what to do, now that his trump card was defeated, and his only hope of reaching the capital as a victor was to be sent at the enemies who may be prepared to face them.

Heavy cavalry in chainmails and plated armor can smash through enemy lines and stomp over infantry with ease. As long as it does not face a prepared defense.

“Where was the wagon standing the last time you saw it?”

“A-at the hill, My Lord.” The lookout hurried to bow, disappearing from the duke’s immediate sight.

But once again, Valencio’s thoughts were in too much of a disarray to bother with a puny servant.

All his work was about to be nullified.

The army is standing right here, ready to charge and slaughter the enemies.

The army that may perish should a single mistake be made on his side.

The capital was within his reach. The throne is within his reach.

That throne which belongs to him, to him only. His spoil of war, his reward, he could feel it slowly slipping away, right out of his grasp.

But no matter what, he must first face the army and give his command.

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Valencio mounted a horse in ornate armor with silver plates, and rode towards the formation of cavalry.

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He stopped in front of the cavalry, and looked at them. But no words could leave his mouth.

Should he risk it all and pray to the God for a success? Or should he order a retreat?

The guaranteed option is the retreat, where he would lose but time and morale.

But what if… he can pull this off…?

But time is not a commodity he will lack any time soon.

“Play the retreat.” He said to trumpeter.

The horn was about to be blown, when a distant echo reached everybody’s ears.

boom

Whatever it was, it made the trumpeter hesitate. The young squire looked at the venerable leader, and saw the same hesitation written all over his face.

There was a chance those people are still alive, for the better, or for the worse.

Their fame outshines his own and their power rivals his entire army. Those three people are the largest threat he may imagine to his oncoming reign, as well as the most solid support he may receive.

He is already the king, and what remains is to fetch that crown.

He will bide his time and come back soon. With a bigger army, with more lords, with more victories.

But there was still one thing that held him back from turning around and leaving.

[Valencio, remember it well: there are few things that you must never lose, your life and your honor are among them. No matter what hardships you face, as long as you keep those two things you will overcome anything. Make sure you pay back your debts. Make sure you remember those to whom you are indebted. And always treasure those to whom you owe your life and your honor.]

No matter how many times he argued with his father, how many times he felt misery from knowing that man, those words were forever engraved in his mind.

Valencio drew his sword, and raised it above his head.

“CAVALRY, ON ME!” He turned his horse, and rode towards the capital.

It was the time to return a favor he owes for months.