406: Chapter 48, The Importance of Luck_2 406: Chapter 48, The Importance of Luck_2 However, how much these secret weapons can contribute is hard to tell.
The Orc Army had been checked once at Bertelli Fortress, they’d certainly be on their guard now.
Trying to plan a second siege would be exponentially more difficult.
“Your Excellency the Count, the fortifications of Dapes City are very well-constructed.
The Duchy has considered the risk of an Orc siege and has made some preparations in advance.
Since the outbreak of the war, the city defense army expanded rapidly.
The total military force is now approximately between 15,000 and 20,000 men.
The Palace Guard assigned to protect the king has grown from its initial 2,000 men to 3,000 men.
The Nobility’s private armies could assemble approximately 10,000 men.
Additionally, the city’s mercenary organization and commercial armed forces combined contribute another 2,000-3,000 men.
The Mage Corps remaining in the capital is about 700-800 people.
All the instructors from the Magic Academy, as well as some of its outstanding students, are members of the Mage Corps.
Their levels of power vary greatly, ranging from junior magicians to great sorcerers.
Detailed information has always been strictly confidential and unknown to the outside world.
Besides, there are three newly formed legions near the capital, currently undergoing military training.
If the King issues a conscription order, it is estimated that two more new legions could be set up.
What remains is to see how much preparation time the Orcs will leave the Duchy.
The longer the delay, the stronger the defenses of Dapes city will become.”
They only analyzed the defense force of the capital, and did not mention how long Dapes City could hold out, showing that Rakel, indeed, had some political acumen.
Hudson could be direct in his commentary as he did not live in the Moxi Duchy.
No matter how harsh his words may sound, no one could do anything to him.
As a local noble, Viscount Rakel couldn’t have spoken carelessly.
If word got out and fell into the hands of his political enemies, it could be used against him.
Viscount William on the other hand, remained silent, merely nodding in agreement.
The stance of both men was astoundingly similar, which was to convey the information they knew to Hudson and let this outsider make the decision.
For a moment, Hudson read the answer he wanted from the worried faces of the two men.
The fighting ability of the city defense army was average in the first place, and after the expansion, it became even more inadequate.
The Palace Guard is certainly elite.
Serving as the power to protect the King, the threshold for joining is publicly known.
At the very least, one has to be a knight to qualify for registration.
Even with the expansion, it is estimated that their fighting power wouldn’t decline too much.
There is a limit in the number of additional personnel; blind recruitment is unlikely.
The nobility’s private armies are mostly elite.
Being the home-guarding forces, they need to be somewhat skilled practitioners in order to deter bold thieves.
The commercial mercenary organizations have an extreme disparity in individual strength; they have both strong and weak.
There’s no point to have high expectations.
The only surprise is the Mage Corps.
It was initially thought that most magicians had gone to the frontline, but it turns out that so many had stayed behind.
However, upon considering the Magic Academy, Hudson began to understand.
It’s likely that most of the Mage Corps are currently stationed at the academy.
After an approximate calculation of the number of magicians in the Moxi Duchy, Hudson found that he had been significantly duped by officially published data.
The Alpha Kingdom certainly has more mages than publicly known.
The exact number is unclear, but there’s no less than Moxi Duchy.
The last new legions indeed have a large number of members, but unfortunately, their fighting power is pathetically low.
Upon gathering all these forces together, Hudson became increasingly pessimistic about Moxi Duchy.
There’s no other reason; the elite forces of the capital are seriously insufficient!
Taking proactive action is out of the question.
There’s such a large disparity in strength between the two sides that no one knows how long Dapes City can hold out.
Glancing at the two men, Hudson said with a somewhat heavy heart: “I understand.
Now, let’s make the most of our time and train the army diligently!
We don’t have much time.
No matter how long the capital can hold out, we must prepare to wage a protracted war.”
Even if the capital falls, the city must be defended.
Even if they want to flee, now is not the time.
Once they leave the protection of the city walls and encounter the main force of the Orc Army in the wild, they would essentially be handing over their lives to the enemy.
Hudson did not believe that the army of 40,000 to 50,000 men cobbled together in the Flying Bear Fort could stand up to the Orc Army.
If a fight truly broke out, only the Layton County Legion led by him would be capable enough.
The rest could only follow and ride the momentum.
They wouldn’t be able to hold out for long against adversity, let alone maintain a stalemate for any longer, which could lead to a collapse.
The situation was so bad, the only consolation is that he had foresight.
He had urged the bureaucrats of the logistic department to send supplies earlier.
If this was delayed till now, even if the bureaucrats were willing to send supplies, it would have been impossible.
Once Dapes City is besieged, everything would have to be abandoned.
…
In Dapes City, the news of the arrival of the Orc Army had already been relayed earlier.
The distance in between is so small, it would only be a matter of days before the Orc Army arrives at the gates of the city.
Despite being prepared, the high-ranking officials of Moxi Duchy were still thrown into a state of panic when the day actually arrived.
“Crown Prince Caesar sent a message, he plans to work in conjunction with Orton Duchy, Ruilin Kingdom, and us.
The four allies will ambush the Bimon Royal court’s army en route, cutting off an arm of the enemy.