Chapter 437: Cornered Suniva
Just as Xion had expected, the forces outside the city walls became silent. Or at least they were for a week.
"They are gathering more dead into their camp," Oswin read the new report sent by his people.
"It won’t be long before they attack." Berry combed his beard with his fingers. His gaze remained fixed on the map spread on the big table.
"This city is placed right between the forest and the biggest river. I can bet my bald head, they are going to attack us through one of those."
The forest ran far too deep, and after the burning of corpses, no one dared to venture deeper.
The outside edge of the forest was connected with the neighboring city, which was still under Oswin’s control.
However, if the dead attacked, could they truly blame the city’s lord for disloyalty? No.
The other edge was surrounded by a deep river. With winter in full swing, the water was frozen, making it easier to march in smaller numbers.
They might have been doing so for months already.
Xion tapped his fingers on the table. His gaze was fixed on the map where Suniva was marked with a big round circle.
Every road, every river bend, every hill around it had already been memorized in his mind, yet he stared as if searching for a crack he might have overlooked.
The deadly battlefield at the front, and now these venerable places...
If any of the sides were breached, the enemy could get easy access to the northern lands.
This was also the reason why Darius had been so keen on sending support to Suniva all these years.
This land was especially fertile, producing vast amounts of grain every year. If they lost Suniva, they would lose much more than just a border province.
One could only imagine how much the powerful clans had hoarded while the common people starved to death.
"Four days," Xion said all of a sudden, forcing the officials to turn their heads in his direction. "We will attack in four days. Get our battalions ready. The more we wait, the more they get the chance to gather more corpses."
Even if the chances of turning every corpse into a Night Walker were low, it was still a huge risk.
They couldn’t afford to lose even the smallest part of Suniva anymore.
The people were quick to follow his instructions.
When the commoners knew about the situation, they rushed to enlist in the military.
"Why are they doing it?" Xion murmured, looking at the crowd gathered outside Berry’s place from his window.
"They want to repay you, Your Grace," Allen replied. He placed the steaming cup of tea on the table. It was something that could help Xion with his mana stability and also his fatigue.
"They will die."
Xion knew just how terrible the wars had been. Throughout history, the common people were the ones to suffer the most.
"They are certainly aware of the lack of training. But they still want to become a meat shield if it means protecting their families and you."
With how dedicated Xion had been when he treated them, it was inevitable for them to be fond of him.
Divine healer, the title now had a face that they looked up to.
After all, this was the person who saved them when even their own lords abandoned them to starve.
Xion stared at the scrawny men standing in lines as the guards listed them one by one.
Meat shield. What a terrible word to describe a human life.
Xion turned his face away. "Close the curtains, Allen."
Allen did as he was told. Drawing the curtain until it blocked the outside sight, he returned.
There was a slight hesitation in his eyes as he watched Xion drink the tea.
Only when the cup was empty did he let out a quiet sigh of relief. At least this would ease Xion’s strained nerves.
"I’ll take my leave, then."
Xion hummed.
But his office didn’t remain silent for a long time.
"Your Grace! They are attacking us with fire!" Oswin yelled.
Xion was quick to act, mounting his horse and rushing toward the city wall.
It seemed that they couldn’t hold back any longer.
They not only fired flaming arrows at the city gates but also set fire to the houses outside the capital.
Where the wall was lower, the arrows reached inside, setting cottages ablaze.
The sky turned red, smoke clawing upward as screams rose from the outskirts. Despite the guards stationed to keep it under control, refugees had started to panic again.
"Ready our soldiers."
Allen didn’t persuade Xion against going himself.
People needed a leader, and if the leader were a coward, they would have no will to fight. Right now, there was only Xion’s face that could give them the strength to hold on.
"Your Grace, there is a bigger battalion near the river." A guard reported.
"Berry, can you hold the front?" Xion asked.
"Yes." The old man was quick to nod.
Even if they were not in their prime condition, they were still battle-hardened soldiers.
Their enemies were ultimately just common folk. It was far easier to smash their skulls than face trained soldiers.
Xion made a quick decision. He was going to the riverside with Allen while Berry and Oswin dealt with the front.
It was impossible to just sit and wait for them to enter the last city of Suniva.
"Divide the troops into three segments. I’ll take four hundred; two hundred will remain to guard the rear, while the rest will follow Berry. A group will guard the forest. Any questions?"
There were none.
Even the generals didn’t dare to say anything, especially not after they saw Xion cut down enemies in a matter of seconds.
With that kind of power, it was no wonder the Archduke would let Xion hit him.
Who would dare to protest?
Anyway, they didn’t. After bowing, they rushed to their stations, ready to march into the battlefield again.