When Vladimir led the Fifth Army to Crow Ridge, the rebels had already gathered on the hill and dug trenches and erected fences imitating the regular Army.
In the cold wind, groups of thugs holding simple weapons gathered on the top of the mountain, glaring at the regular Kislev army who came to destroy them.
Many of them didn't even have any decent clothes, let alone armor. Many of them were in ragged clothes, with disheveled hair, and some were shivering in the cold wind, looking emaciated.
"General, are we going to build a catapult?"
"General?"
The cavalry commander asked, but Vladimir had no response. He stared at the opposite side. The so-called thugs made him upset. They were rebels and must be eliminated. But... they were just a group of farmers, a group of
Desperate farmers...
Vladimir knew very well who pushed them into uprising and rioting. Facing them, Vladimir hesitated. He had faced many powerful enemies, such as black orcs, trolls, vampires, etc. In
He was fearless and showed no mercy in the face of powerful mortal enemies. However, he hesitated when facing this "rabble".
"General, do you want to attack or besiege?"
The deputy commander asked again.
Vladimir finally came to his senses and answered calmly——
"First surround them and cut off the water source."
"I'm going to go up and negotiate with them."
"They will not compromise. If they did, they would not rebel."
The cavalry captain whispered.
"No matter what, I must give them a chance to choose, a last chance."
After Vladimir finished speaking, he returned directly to his camp.
Crow Ridge was silent in the cold wind, the stars were setting, the breeze was blowing, and the sporadic firelight on the hills proved that there were living people there.
Vladimir stayed awake all night, and his cavalry killed or captured all the farmers who went to fetch water. Cutting off the water source meant that the rebels could not hold on for long. They would even collapse soon and either rush down the mountain to break out or stay on the spot.
surrender.
Vladimir hoped that the outcome would be the next one. If the rebels broke through, the outcome would be a bloody massacre. Rhodes's northern army had experienced hundreds of battles, and the soldiers would show no mercy to the bloodthirsty orcs.
Not to mention a group of poorly equipped peasant troops.
He must persuade the rebels to surrender. They have no chance of winning...
At dawn, just as Vladimir put on his armor and prepared to go up the mountain to negotiate with the rebel leader, he heard the sound of horns filling the sky. He knew that there was no room for maneuver. The rebels had already made their choice last night.
They are breaking out.
Giving up the terrain advantage of the hills, the breakout turned into a one-sided massacre.
Sporadic gunshots continued to come from the front line. After several years of development, Kislev's army already had a small number of infantrymen wearing muskets. According to Rhodes's vision, in the future, the popularity of firearms will increase in the entire Kislev army.
It needs to reach more than 50%, but that will be in the future, and they will fight against the legendary army of chaos. But now, they are using this deadly weapon to kill civilians!
However, as Minister of Military Affairs and General of Kislev, Vladimir had no choice but to order his troops to continue the encirclement and suppression.
Vladimir did not participate in the battle. After giving the order, he turned around and returned to the big tent.
It is no surprise that good news continued to come from the front line. The regular army dealt with the rebel army, and the legions were well prepared. The rebel army's breakthrough was like a sheep entering a tiger's mouth.
Two hours later, the deputy commander ran back from the front line panting. There were blood stains on his body and a few scratches on his armor, but his body was safe and sound, without any damage. Just looking at this appearance, Vladimir felt that
You can guess what happened on the front line. The Northern Army used wooden fences and infantry defense lines to block the rebel army's breakout. The cavalry circled back and launched a charge. The result is predictable. The peasant army broke up and fled. The cavalry captain wore a heavy knight's armor.
The weapons of those thugs were naturally unable to cause serious damage. Therefore, there were scratches on his armor, but his body was not injured at all.
"The rebels were completely wiped out. A small number of them fled back to the mountains."
The adjutant wiped the blood on his face and reported excitedly. As the commander-in-chief, Vladimir looked indifferent.
"I understand. Arrange the prisoners and send a small group of cavalry to capture the remaining rebels. Others, return to the city."
Vladimir gave a simple order. There was no joy of victory on his face. When he received the order from the queen, he did not want to carry it out. Due to his status, he had to accept the order. And now, this bad job is finally over.
.
…
In the cold city of Kislev, Bandaga Palace. The sound of the old general's hurried footsteps echoed in the wide palace corridor.
When he pushed open the heavy stone door, the supreme ruler of the kingdom, Lord Lord of the North, Rhodes, was already sitting in the center of the hall.
He still looked so simple, with no crown symbolizing royal power, no gorgeous gem scepter, and not even a single precious metal decoration on his body. He just sat there calmly, with the brilliance of wisdom in his deep eyes.
.
However, Vladimir doubted this wisdom. He was once the King of the North and still is. His position was built with the blood and bones of countless people. Today, it still needs the blood of more people.
and the bones to stabilize it.
Vladimir did not take off his armor, but strode forward towards this former comrade and colleague. They were once rivals, then friends and comrades, but now, Vladimir doubts whether he will face him again
He stands on the opposite side.
"The Fifth Corps has won."
Vladimir's cold voice echoed in the hall. The weak sunlight shone in from the floor-to-ceiling windows and enveloped him, making his face look even paler.
"Very good, the mission was successfully completed."
Rhodes responded coldly. He was observing every move of the people in the audience, including his expressions and movements.
"Exile all the prisoners of war to Shichui Town. The quarry there needs manpower."
Rhodes continued.
"High Lord, respected Lord Protector of Kislev, I have a question to ask you."
Vladimir took a step closer, his eyes firm and unshakable.
"Ask. I'll listen."
Rhodes sat on the cold stone chair with a calm expression. In fact, he had already guessed how Vladimir would behave today. The reason why he sent him on the mission was to teach him a lesson.
If there is someone available, you must let him have the same goals as you, otherwise, no matter how powerful you are, it will be useless.
"With all due respect, High Lord, my friend."
Vladimir stared at Rhodes and said——
"We won. However, I am not proud of this victory at all. On the contrary, I am very sad. Those rebels, those so-called thugs. They are just some hungry farmers. Who, what, will
They were forced into such a situation and turned into bandits and bandits. I think you know better than me."
"How did you talk to the great lord?!"
As soon as Vladimir finished speaking, Virgil, the captain of the Imperial Guard next to Rhodes, roared angrily.
But Rhodes just waved and signaled Virgil to leave first. He had something to talk to Vladimir alone.
Although he was worried, Virgil still accepted the order and left the palace with the imperial guards, leaving only Rhodes and Grand Duke Vladimir.