Chapter 168: Chapter 147: This Must Be a Trap
Henry set an excellent example for all the soldiers. The fighting on the walls became exceptionally fierce, and the soldiers’ morale soared. They were no longer defending passively but began to take the initiative and attack.
They formed small teams, supporting one another and cutting down the Spirit Lizard Warriors one by one. Some brave soldiers even began climbing down the Cloud Ladders to join the battle outside the city gates.
"For Hobia!"
The soldiers’ slogan echoed across the battlefield, their voices filled with determination and courage.
In that moment, they were not soldiers fighting for Dinars, but men of the empire seeking vengeance for their comrades!
Outside the city gates, Henry relentlessly slaughtered the Lizardmen, his great axe becoming the enemy’s nightmare.
His figure darted across the battlefield, and his every appearance was accompanied by the screams of falling Lizardmen.
The Third Prince watched, stunned, from the watchtower. He knew Henry was brave, but he never expected him to be *this* brave! He had actually led soldiers out of the city to fight!
Moreover, his actions had galvanized the soldiers on the walls, who erupted with combat prowess and killed all the Spirit Lizards leaping about up there.
The Third Prince immediately ordered his Private Army Guard—sixty Elite Armored Cavalry—to protect and assist Henry, preventing him from being ambushed by the Lizardmen’s giant beasts.
If those giant beasts joined the battle, they would pose an immense threat to Henry and his men.
As for why not all of the Lizardmen’s Cold Lizards had entered the fray, the Third Prince found that equally puzzling.
The Third Prince’s order was passed down. Sixty Elite Armored Cavalry assembled swiftly. Clad in heavy armor, wielding Horseman’s Spears, and mounted on Fully Armored Warhorses, they charged out of the city gates and straight onto the battlefield.
Their arrival provided powerful support for Henry and his soldiers.
The Armored Cavalry charged into the Lizardmen army with lightning speed. With Riding Spears swinging and warhorses trampling, they sent the Spirit Lizards scattering in all directions.
Seeing the reinforcements, Henry led his soldiers in an even more ferocious charge. Their assault was like a tempest, completely shattering the Lizardmen’s lines.
Henry stood on the battlefield, his great axe dripping with the blood of Lizardmen. His gaze was locked onto the ones gathered around the Cold Lizards.
They seemed to be discussing some urgent matter. Suddenly, a shrill whistle sounded, and the Lizardmen began to retreat rapidly.
Henry, the other nobles and officers, and the soldiers who had charged out with them all stared at each other in confusion. They had no idea what was behind this sudden retreat.
"Look!" a soldier shouted, pointing in the direction of the Lizardmen’s retreat.
Henry and the others turned to look. They saw the Lizardmen who had been surrounding the Cold Lizards also beginning to withdraw, taking the Cold Lizards with them. Their movements were clearly hurried, as if something more important than battle awaited them.
’What’s going on?’ Henry muttered to himself, his mind filled with questions.
If all those Cold Lizards had joined the battle, their victory would have been incredibly difficult, and might even have come at a terrible cost.
But now, the Lizardmen had chosen to retreat. There had to be a compelling reason behind it.
’Could it be...’
"Baron Henry, should we give chase?" a noble asked.
Henry pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "No, we can’t pursue rashly. The Lizardmen’s retreat was too abrupt. We must be wary of a trap."
His gaze swept across the battlefield again. The bodies of defeated Lizardmen lay scattered on the ground, while the Cold Lizards were gradually disappearing over the distant horizon.
The crisis in Hobia was over, but the threat of the Lizardmen had not been completely eliminated.
Soon, the Third Prince’s orders came down: the soldiers were to clean up the battlefield and tend to the wounded. At the same time, they were to continue strengthening the city’s defenses in case the Lizardmen attacked again.
The soldiers began clearing the battlefield, carrying the wounded back into the city.
At that moment, they also began to feel their bodies aching. They were drained of strength, as if all their energy had been siphoned away.
The nobles returned to the city one after another. Those who needed rest rested; those who needed to rally their Private Armies and tally casualties did so. As for lost supplies, they were on their own—if they could find anything, they were lucky.
Standing atop the watchtower, the Third Prince watched the retreating Lizardmen with a deep frown, his curiosity driving him to uncover their secrets.
Based on their appearance and physique, this Alien Race shouldn’t theoretically be able to survive in a desert region. They seemed better suited for forested, mountainous areas like Battania, where the climate and environment would be more hospitable.
And yet, these Lizardmen had established their own power base in the desert, which he found deeply perplexing.
The Third Prince decided to mobilize all the Cavalry from four Legions, as well as the Cavalry from the nobles’ Private Armies, to follow the Lizardmen from a distance and ensure the Alien Race truly left the empire’s borders.
This action would also provide the Third Prince an opportunity to learn more about these mysterious creatures.
The swarthy Count Jamie Bocanegra, looking a bit green around the gills, wiped his Knight’s sword and said to the Third Prince, "Your Highness, we must be cautious. This retreat by the Lizardmen is very strange."
The Third Prince nodded silently. It was true. For the Lizardmen to retreat when their fighting strength was still formidable—something was definitely off.
"Count Jamie, go and summon the nobles and officers. I’m calling a meeting. Have the Twenty-Third Legion Commander take charge of the city’s defense and battlefield cleanup."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Soon, the summoned nobles had their maids help them wash up before changing into imperial robes. The senior military officers also quickly cleaned the bloodstains from their armor and splashed some water on their faces.
They arrived at the city hall in small groups. Unlike before, their faces now bore clear smiles.
When people saw Henry flanked by Boman on his left and Fass on his right, they would bow their heads to the powerful noble with deep respect.
Soon, the council chamber was full. The Third Prince stood in the center, his gaze sweeping over every noble and officer present. They were all key figures in the defense of Hobia.
Some of the officers were new faces, likely seasoned veterans who had received battlefield promotions. Some nobles didn’t seem to be present; they had most likely died on the battlefield.
The atmosphere in the council chamber was serious, yet tinged with a bit of relief. Everyone was waiting for the Third Prince to speak.
"Gentlemen, we have gathered here today to review the victory we achieved in the defense of Hobia.
In this battle, we not only successfully defended the Desert Free City Hobia, but also demonstrated the bravery and resilience of our imperial soldiers."
He paused, his gaze turning to Henry, and said, "In this battle, one man’s performance was particularly outstanding. Not only was he fearless on the battlefield, but he also single-handedly boosted our soldiers’ morale immeasurably.
And that man is Baron Henry!"
Everyone immediately burst into applause and cheers. In noble circles, being a capable fighter was an extremely important measure of a man.
The Third Prince turned to Henry, his eyes filled with admiration.
"Baron Henry, your performance in the battle was exemplary. You not only repelled multiple charges from the Lizardmen at the city gate with your own strength, but you also led our soldiers in a counterattack that drove the enemy out of Hobia."
Henry stood up and gave a slight bow to the Third Prince and everyone present.
"It was my honor to be able to protect Hobia. The credit does not belong to me alone, but to all the soldiers, all the officers, and all the nobles here. Most importantly, it belongs to Your Highness’s command and coordination, and to the logistical support provided by our great Emperor."
The Third Prince’s eyes lit up. He hadn’t expected Henry to be so articulate. In the past, the only name ever mentioned in the same breath as the Emperor’s was his eldest brother’s.
Suddenly his back didn’t ache, his legs weren’t sore, and he wasn’t even tired after staying up all night!
Boman and Fass exchanged a look. ’Did the academy teach that?’ they wondered.
Beaming, the Third Prince continued, "Baron Henry’s heroic deeds will be recorded in the annals of the empire. His name will be remembered by future generations! The Minstrels accompanying the army will spread your name throughout the entire desert."
Then, the Third Prince turned to the other nobles and officers.
"Of course, just as Baron Henry said, our victory was not won by him alone. Every noble and officer present, every soldier who fought and bled on the battlefield, was key to our success."
He went on to mention the nobles and the battalions and companies within the Legions that had distinguished themselves in battle, praising their contributions.
Their efforts and sacrifices are the foundation upon which our victory was built.
At the end of the meeting, the Third Prince announced a series of rewards and commendations to honor the soldiers and officers who had shown bravery in battle.
The standard death benefits went without saying. Furthermore, if the sons of the fallen wished to join a Legion, they could, after six months of intensive training, directly inherit their father’s rank. They would enjoy better rations and pay, and would not have to start as new recruits. This was an immense boon.
As for the nobles’ rewards, the Third Prince awarded them a large sum of Dinars from his personal funds. Any other rewards would have to be arranged by their Lord, the great Emperor.
For example, Henry himself received a reward of fifty thousand Dinars from the Third Prince. ’War is still the best way to make money...’
At the very end of the meeting, looking at the nobles and officers grinning and laughing, the Third Prince did not forget to re-emphasize the need to continue strengthening the city’s defenses and to remain vigilant against another Lizardman attack.
Everyone nodded. As the Third Prince had said, anyone who wasn’t a fool could see that the Lizardmen’s withdrawal was bizarre, and that there might be some other motive behind it.
After the meeting, the nobles and officers left the council chamber one by one.
The Third Prince returned to his study, rubbing his forehead as he waited for a message from the several thousand Cavalry he had sent to "escort" the Lizardmen away.
’They still had so many giant beasts and Lizardmen Warriors, so why did they retreat? Could it be that the Lizardmen have other enemies further south? Where is their main camp? What lies further south? If they have enemies, who are they?’
Thinking of this, the Third Prince recalled a question that had long perplexed the entire empire.
Who, exactly, were the trade partners of the merchant caravans in the southern desert?
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