Chapter 123

Chapter 123: Capturing Flowing Water County

On the sixth day of the surprise attack, dawn’s light pierced the gloomy sky like golden tides spreading across the horizon, illuminating the cold earth. The lively Daim River shimmered under its rays, draped in a sparkling veil that painted a poetic scene.

Yet the soldiers of the Black Flame Legion had no time to admire this beauty. They raced against the clock, retreating swiftly before the arrival of the Belmar Duchy’s foremost army—the "Golden Branch" Legion.

When the Black Flame Legion’s flag—a black banner bearing pale flames—finally withdrew from Flowing Water County with their massive forces, suppressed cheers erupted from the distant ambush team.

Adventurers and Golden Branch soldiers alike wore ecstatic expressions. No longer wary strangers, they had become a united front through this battle and victory, all grinning ear to ear.

They’d truly done it—capturing a county guarded by twenty thousand soldiers with just two thousand!

The triumphant shouts echoed skyward, reaching even the retreating Black Flame Legion. The Scarred General stared at the distant flag embroidered with three golden lions, imagining his enemies’ mocking grins. His lips twitched, eyes burning with fury, yet he held back the order to attack.

If this were another trap, losing twenty thousand soldiers here would be unthinkable. The Golden Branch’s main force was barely half a day away.

Thus, the Black Flame Legion maintained a low profile, ignoring their visible foes as they withdrew steadily.

Midi had no plans to stop them. His meager forces couldn’t hinder their retreat. He simply dispatched scouts to track their movements.

"Send skilled adventurers to monitor the Black Flame Legion’s retreat. Cavalry, follow me into the city." Midi’s calm orders held no surprises this time. "The Hamilton banner will fly over this land again."

Yet even these simple words stirred fresh excitement in the ambush team.

The thought of reclaiming the county town thrilled even the disciplined Golden Branch cavalry. An army chasing victory grows united. His troops’ enthusiasm drew a faint smile from Midi, though such success seemed only natural to him.

From the start, Midi had grasped this five-day battle’s core truth—Flowing Water County’s strategic value.

To the Sais family, this county served as an offensive springboard, not a defensive stronghold. Its canals’ immense transport capacity offset logistical weaknesses in Hamilton territory, enabling rapid troop and supply mobilization—a stake driven deep into enemy land.

Without Midi’s interference, what would five days have brought?

Daily troop ships delivering two thousand soldiers—ten thousand in five days.

Alternate-day supply ships carrying monthly provisions—five months’ worth in five days.

When the Golden Branch arrived, they’d have faced thirty thousand well-supplied troops resting in fortified positions.

Though Belmar’s strongest legion might still prevail, the cost would dwarf current losses. They’d been rushing unprepared into battle.

But Midi’s relentless, almost crazy disruptions had neutralized Flowing Water County’s value for four of those five days. Though his raids yielded little visible gain, the delays alone wrecked the Sais family’s strategy.

While the Black Flame Legion floundered, the Hamiltons never stopped gathering forces. Stagnant troop numbers meant defeat in this shifting balance.

Now facing the Golden Branch’s assembled main force, Flowing Water County’s uselessness as logistics hub made defense pointless.

For nobles measuring everything by profit, the choice was obvious.

Understanding the county’s purpose, knowing how to sabotage it, and aware of the Black Flame Legion’s limited countermeasures—this let Midi confidently claim he’d take twenty thousand with two thousand.

No direct clash, nor true two-versus-twenty battle. He’d simply leveraged the Golden Branch’s thirty-thousand-strong approach to force retreat from foes stripped of reinforcements.

Midi merely removed the weights tipping the scales. Every move followed calculated plans.

As the Hamilton flag—three golden lions rippling—rose again above Flowing Water County’s bell tower, the Golden Branch’s thirty-thousand main force drew near.

"Hmph," scoffed a self-satisfied general surveying his pristine ranks, "I wonder what our genius guardian knight achieved with his two thousand cavalry."

"What could he do? I only hoped he wouldn’t let ambition destroy our elite Hamilton forces in pointless battles," another young general sneered. "That cavalry’s worth more than Asreks’ small-family rabble. What’s our dear commander thinking…"

"Enough. We’re soldiers, not gossiping nobles." Clark, leader of the Golden Branch Legion, finally spoke, silencing all arguments.

Clark disliked Midi, but to this soldier’s mind, words couldn’t compare to real results.

Mockery and schemes were noble games. Soldiers proved things through achievements and scars! When they reached Flowing Water County, truth would prevail.

Midi’s "capture the county in two days" claim had spread through the Legion. Some admired, some mocked, some supported, some opposed – but from generals to foot soldiers, none believed he’d succeed.

Two thousand cavalry against twenty thousand defenders behind walls? What could they do in five days?

When Midi – acting family head’s guardian knight, this "genius commander" – became a joke, Fina Hamilton’s dominance would crumble.

Then the Golden Branch Legion would show its worth to nobles and regain respect.

Clark glanced at the Valkyrie-like red-haired girl in full armor. He hoped to see worry, but Fina remained cheerful as ever, as if Midi’s failure meant nothing.

Your guardian knight’s about to shame himself!

All because you enabled him!

Why was Fina so calm? Did she really think an 18-year-old who won minor battles in some count’s territory could succeed here?

Clark concluded they’d use clever words to shift blame – make bold claims without risk.

Madness! This was war, not noble games!

Sighing deeply, Clark resolved to humble Midi upon arrival – if the fool hadn’t already gotten himself and two thousand cavalry killed attacking the county.

Time flew. After half-day’s march, the town appeared on the horizon. Sunlight glittered on Daim River cutting through Belmar Duchy like blue satin.

Enemies ahead. Golden Branch generals turned serious. True soldiers sought only victory now – Midi’s mockery forgotten.

Banners fluttered. Horns sounded. The army shifted from march to attack formation smoothly, showing First Legion’s skill.

Returning scouts approached. Their captain rode to command post and saluted Fina and Clark.

"Situation?" Clark demanded.

The veteran scout’s voice shook. "Flowing Water County… has fallen to Lord Midi."

"What?!" generals roared in unison.