Chapter 103 The enemy is at the gates, time is of the essence...
Time flew by amidst the intense preparations in Hope Town.
That deafening roar, though it startled everyone, also acted like a shot in the arm, instilling unprecedented confidence in each person.
After Li Ge and his companions witnessed firsthand the terrifying destructive power of that unassuming clay pot grenade, their gazes toward Lin Yue subtly shifted from initial trust and reliance to an almost blind worship and awe.
"Mayor...you...you call this...a new type of fertilizer?" Amu stammered, pointing at the large pit that was still emitting blue smoke. He felt as if his worldview, along with that hard rock wall, had been shattered.
"Ahem," Lin Yue dusted off the dust on his body and said in a serious tone, "That's right. Look, these stones have been blasted into such small pieces. Later, we can mix these fragments with wood ash and spread them on the ground. Wouldn't that improve the soil and increase its fertility? Isn't that the function of fertilizer?" His logic was perfect and flawless.
Everyone: "..."
Fine, anyway, no one dares to question it.
No one believed his nonsense, but that didn't stop the so-called secret new fertilizer production line from officially starting 24/7 mass production under Norm's leadership.
Meanwhile, other preparations for the war in Hope Town are also proceeding in an orderly manner.
Although the city wall was not yet fully closed, all the gaps and weak points had been reinforced by the construction team with red bricks and cement, making it as fortress-like as possible. Rows of giant slingshots, meticulously crafted using the super elasticity of rubber, were erected on the battlements. These behemoths, which Lin Yue jokingly called Hope Town's No. 1 catapults, although they looked a bit like large clothes racks, could accurately hurl stones the size of a human head more than a hundred meters away, and their power should not be underestimated.
Under Lorian's grueling training and Gray's practical exercises, the guard team has been completely transformed. They are no longer the reckless youths who charged forward with only youthful bravado, but a jungle guerrilla force with resolute eyes, excellent teamwork, and a knack for utilizing terrain and tactics. Each member has mastered the skills of stealth, camouflage, trap setting, and accurate shooting.
The cellars were piled high with grain, and the warehouses were well-stocked with spearheads and arrowheads. Even the women in the logistics team, led by Aunt Leah, spontaneously organized themselves to learn how to bandage wounds and make stretchers, becoming the most solid battlefield medical team in Hope Town.
The entire Hope Town is like a finely tuned war machine, fully wound up, awaiting its final test.
On a gloomy morning, that day finally arrived.
"Waaaaah—waaaah—!!!"
The shrill and urgent sound of the bugle broke the tranquility of dawn.
Eagle Eye, who was on guard duty on the city wall, turned pale and blew the metal horn that represented the highest level of alarm with all his might.
"They're here! They're here!"
The entire Hope Town was instantly awakened from its slumber.
There was no panic, no chaos.
Almost immediately upon hearing the bugle call, all the residents, who were still asleep, dressed quickly, grabbed their weapons, and rushed to their respective battle posts, as if they had practiced countless times.
Men, women, the elderly... everyone who could still move climbed the city wall without hesitation, a wall that wasn't particularly tall but carried all their hopes.
Lin Yue, Gray, and all the core members immediately climbed the command tower located directly above the city gate.
When they finally saw the view on the distant horizon, even though they were mentally prepared, they still couldn't help but gasp.
A completely dark mass!
Like a black tide surging from hell, it slowly rolled towards Hope Town.
Countless black flags with red scorpions fluttered in the gloomy sky, like venomous scorpions ready to devour their prey.
Three thousand well-equipped and menacing Red Scorpion Army main force soldiers stood in neat square formations, each step seemingly treading on the hearts of everyone present.
The chilling killing intent emanating from the thousands of people nearly froze the air in the entire Hope Town.
"Damn it..." Lin Yue felt his palms sweating. "This force... is more than ten times stronger than the one that good-for-nothing Karl led last time. Ryan is serious this time."
Soon, the Red Scorpion Army stopped a hundred meters outside Hope Town.
The army formation stood like a mountain, utterly silent.
Only the menacing red scorpion flag fluttered in the wind.
A figure clad in silver plate armor and riding a magnificent white warhorse slowly emerged from the army formation.
It was Ryan.
“Mayor Lin Yue,” his voice, amplified by some kind of magic, echoed clearly in everyone’s ears, “a month has passed. My patience has reached its limit.”
"Now, I'm giving you one last chance."
He drew his longsword from his waist, the tip pointing directly at the city gate of Hope Town.
"Open the city gates, hand over the dwarves, surrender all your technology and wealth, and swear allegiance. Otherwise..."
His sword slowly turned towards the direction of the army formation, where rows of siege weapons, gleaming with a cold light, had been pushed to the front. There were simple slings capable of hurling boulders, massive mobile wooden shields that could withstand arrows, and even several gigantic, menacing-looking battering rams.
"The Red Scorpion Army will raze everything here to the ground."
All eyes were focused on Lin Yue.
Lin Yue looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar faces below the city from afar, and at the army behind them.
Finally, he met Ryan's cold gaze.
He shouted each word clearly:
"Hope Town..."
"Never be a slave!"
"Never be a slave!"
"Never be a slave!"
"Never be a slave!"
A series of heartfelt roars rose from the city walls.
Ryan looked at the faces on the city wall, each one filled with determination and anger. He looked at the young man, who was thin but unyielding. A complex emotion seemed to flash deep in his cold eyes.
But that emotion was quickly replaced by overwhelming rage.
"Stubborn fools!" he roared, like a lion that had been completely enraged. "Since you have chosen death, then I will grant your wish."
He raised his longsword high.
"Royal Guard, attack!"
"kill--!!!!"
At his command, his personal guard, led by Renault, charged forward like tigers released from their cages!
The war has officially begun!
"Release the arrows!"
On the city wall, Gray calmly gave orders.
The guards, who were already prepared, immediately drew their elven war bows.
"Whoosh—! Whoosh—! Whoosh—!"
Hundreds of arrows, imbued with the blessing of the wind, drew deadly arcs through the air.
Raynor's personal guard lived up to its reputation as one of Ryan's elite troops. They immediately raised their kite shields, forming an impenetrable shield wall.
"Jingle bells!"
The arrows struck the shields, scattering countless sparks, but most were deflected. Only a few arrows pierced through the gaps in the shields, striking a few unfortunate soldiers.
But the Royal Guard's charge did not falter in the slightest.
Braving a hail of arrows, they quickly rushed to the foot of the city wall and began setting up siege ladders.
"Roll logs, smash stones, smash them!"
With a roar, Li Ge and Amu together pushed the huge logs and stones that they had prepared beforehand down the city wall.
The rolling logs and stones, carrying enormous kinetic energy, slammed heavily onto the ladders and shield walls.
"Boom! Boom!"
Several newly erected siege ladders were smashed to pieces on the spot, and a gap was smashed in the shield wall. Several soldiers screamed as they were smashed and their bones were broken.
However, more soldiers stepped over their comrades' bodies and continued to climb frantically upwards.
A most primitive and brutal battle of attack and defense unfolded beneath the walls of Hope Town.
On the city walls, the residents of Hope Town, men and women alike, threw themselves into the battle to defend their home. The men hurled logs and stones, and used spears to stab the enemies climbing up. The women carried arrows and stones, and dragged the wounded warriors to the rear for treatment.
Beneath the city walls, Renault's personal guard displayed astonishing combat skills. They coordinated seamlessly, with clear divisions of labor: some used shields to block attacks, some provided cover, and others quickly erected new ladders.
The shouts of battle were deafening, swords flashed, and blood and flesh flew everywhere.
Amidst this chaotic battlefield, the two figures, each acting as a commander on their respective sides, appeared remarkably calm.
On the city wall, Gray calmly issued a series of commands. He was always able to find the weak points in the enemy's formation at the first moment and command the defenders to carry out the most effective attack.
Beneath the city walls, Renault remained composed, constantly adjusting the pace and direction of the attack, attempting to find weaknesses in Hope Town's defenses.
Occasionally, their eyes would meet in mid-air.
Gray would casually raise his left hand and tap his brow bone lightly with two fingers—a very subtle signal that the left wing was under too much pressure.
Meanwhile, Renault, who was below the city, would seemingly unintentionally shift his main attack slightly to the right flank in the next wave of attacks.
No one noticed this subtle exchange.
Everyone was immersed in this seemingly brutal and bloody battle.
The battle lasted for nearly an hour.
Ultimately, at the cost of several smashed ladders, dozens of broken shields, and a dozen or so seriously wounded soldiers who were hit by rolling logs and boulders, lost consciousness on the spot, and had to be carried off the battlefield by their comrades, Renault's personal guard finally succumbed to the stubborn resistance of the Hope garrison and retreated in disarray.
Ryan looked at his heavily damaged guard with a look of utter grief on his face.
His longsword once again pointed at the already battered city wall, and in a tone filled with the flames of revenge, he formally issued the order for the general offensive.
"Pass on my orders!"
"Red Scorpion Army, all troops, launch an attack!"
The main force of the Red Scorpion Army began to advance slowly, their massive battering rams creaking heavily under the thrust of dozens of soldiers. Makeshift slings also began to launch stones, their aim poor, but their impact terrifying.
The real battle has begun.
"Fire!" Lin Yue ordered.
The defenders need not conserve their arrows; they can use the range advantage of the elven warbows to launch the first round of firepower against the advancing Red Scorpion army.
At the same time, the druid's natural barrier was also fully activated.
When the vanguard of the Red Scorpion Army stepped onto the seemingly ordinary grassy area outside the city walls, the ground suddenly became as muddy as a swamp.
Countless tough vines sprouted from the ground, binding their feet and immobilizing them. A strange pollen scent filled the surrounding air, causing dizziness and mental confusion.
The Red Scorpion Army's formation instantly descended into chaos.
However, the Red Scorpion Army was indeed Duke Caslan's elite force. Although they suffered a sudden attack, they did not collapse. Under the officers' orders, the heavily armored infantry behind them stepped over their comrades' bodies, carving a bloody path and continuing to advance towards the city walls.
The massive battering ram was already close to the gates of Hope Town.
The defenders on the city wall, facing the heavily armored infantry advancing like iron-clad tortoises, found that ordinary arrows and stones were no longer effective against them.
Hope Town faces its first deadly threat of being breached!
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