478: Chapter 74, Full of Confidence_1 478: Chapter 74, Full of Confidence_1 “How’s it going, any contact yet?”
Chancellor Helcheg asked anxiously.
The sudden move by the Orcs did not completely cut off Dapes’ contact with the outside world, but normal communication was affected.
Faced with the blockade of the Hawkman Air Force, the Gryphon Cavalry could only look for opportunities to break through in the narrow gaps.
Communication from the sky was obstructed, and the communication on the ground was even more affected.
To sneak out from under the Orc Army’s watchful eyes, one must rely not only on strength, but also on luck.
There are more advanced methods of communication, such as a Magic Formation.
But setting one up is not only troublesome but also terribly expensive, and it can’t be moved.
Since its inception, it has been a useless product.
Unless alchemy technology advances further, it’s unlikely to be widely used.
To a city besieged in times of war, losing contact with the outside world is indeed a dangerous situation.
The moment things went wrong, the top brass of the duchy quickly dispatched people to leave the city in secret and contact the armies in other places.
“We have made contact, but the situation is a bit grim.
The allied forces of the southern provinces led by Count Fidelis have been attacked by the Bimon Army Corps.
They are currently holding out in Alentejo.
The other armies haven’t run into much trouble, but we received some bad news from the Alpha Kingdom Expeditionary Army.
The Orcs are attacking the Terence Defense Line with all their might.
We don’t know much about the specific situation, but Earl Hudson suggested that we prepare for the worst.
The expeditionary forces have sped up and are expected to arrive the day after tomorrow.
They will coordinate with us from the inside and outside to break the encirclement of Dapes by the Orcs.”
Count Martins said with a slightly fearful expression.
The more one knows, the more worries one has.
While others haven’t yet realized the severity of the situation, he, as the Minister of Defense, is acutely aware of how difficult the situation will be for the duchy in the next turn of events.
The three big northern countries are simultaneously beset with troubles and can’t even find anyone to ask for help.
If any one of them collapses, it would be a serious blow to the other two.
The nearby neighboring countries could support the provision of some supplies, but it would be out of the question for them to send troops.
Even if the countries could send aid troops, Count Martins wouldn’t know how to deploy them.
In case they are accidentally wiped out, a huge debt of gratitude would be owed.
The only hope to turn the tide lies in the arrival of reinforcements from the Human Alliance.
But the precondition is that they can hold out for that long.
“Can the expeditionary forces along with Dapes’s defenders defeat the enemy besieging us?”
Chancellor Helcheg asked somewhat apprehensively.
This was the aftermath of losing battles, a series of major battles had everyone losing confidence in their own troops.
“It shouldn’t be a problem.
Earl Hudson isn’t reckless.
He proposed this plan with some certainty.
Although there are three hundred thousand Orcs besieging the city, they are part of the Orc Empire’s Cannon Fodder Legion and are of average combat strength.
The present total military strength of the expeditionary forces has also exceeded 120,000.
Perhaps they could defeat the Orc Army outside the city without our aid.
However, for safety’s sake, it would be best to send additional troops.
The infantry can’t catch up, but the Cavalry could rush over with no problem.
The only uncertainty is whether the Bimon Army Corps of the Orcs will send reinforcements.
However, we have two cavalry corps, plus the newly formed cavalry corps of the expeditionary army and several Knight Corps.
It should be no problem to hold them off for a while.”
Count Martins analyzed rationally.
Having no confidence in one’s own troops but full confidence in outsiders is indeed an irony.
But reality is reality.
In the previous battles, the performance of the Duchy’s army was indeed subpar.
After overcoming the most difficult initial stage of the war and seeing an improvement in the situation, they still couldn’t achieve any noticeable results under Marshal Hodge’s conservative strategy.
Merely holding the line, or earning a draw in a field battle, such results can hardly reverse the adverse effects caused in the earlier stages.
This deep insecurity directly affects the strategic planning of the Duchy.
If the commanders were full of confidence, the moment the Bimon Cavalry left, they would have taken military action.
Even if they didn’t directly lead the defenders to charge out, they would arrange for troops to sneak out and loot the enemy camp, instead of just sitting and watching the situation change as they do now.
“If no one has any other objections, then let’s do it!
Department of Foreign Affairs, urge the Alliance.
I have a strange feeling about the current situation.
That undying Bimon Emperor has personally come to the front line, tearing two defense lines as soon as he arrived.
The Alpha Kingdom is also on high alert.
The situation in the Warhammer Kingdom is even worse.
Joseph II led the Hundred Thousand Army, but they could not defeat the Orc Expeditionary Army.
Even if their actual number of troops is only half of what they claim, that’s still five hundred thousand.
Having so many troops held there and unable to move is bound to lead to big problems.
Everyone is clear about the situation in the Duchy.
If we don’t break the enemy’s siege of Dapes soon, I’m afraid that…”
Just as he was about to finish his sentence, Chancellor Helcheg swallowed it back.
The morale was already low, any more blows would render it nonexistent.
A mood of pessimism crept among the top brass of the Duchy, partly due to the worsening situation and partly due to changes in the Duchy’s top brass.
Now that they lacked the backbone of a king, Chancellor Helcheg was not a strong minister, everyone discussed and voted on any decisions to be made.