The next day, 1st Class Major Reeldos, his expression as sharp and focused as ever, presented Tatsuo with the intelligence reports on Oakhaven Town and Riverbend. The war room, now a familiar space for strategic planning, was filled with an air of anticipation.
"Your Highness," Reeldos began, "here are the detailed reports on our target locations."
He first detailed the information on Oakhaven Town:
Oakhaven Town:
* Strategic Importance: A key trading hub and a vital supply route for Blackrose City. Capturing it would disrupt Blackrose's logistics and weaken its defenses.
* Power Structure:
* Mayor:
* Name: Elara Woodwhisper
* Role: Oversees town administration, trade, and local affairs.
* Cultivation: Mortal Ground Realm (Late Stage).
* Notes: A capable administrator, but not militarily inclined.
* Lord:
* Name: Baron Thorne Blackwood (a distant cousin of Earl Bane Blackrose)
* Role: Responsible for the town's defense and maintaining order.
* Cultivation: Clashing Light Realm (Middle Stage).
* Notes: Relies on a larger garrison and the town's walls for defense.
* Military Strength:
* Town Militia: Approximately 300 men, equipped with spears, axes, and light armor.
* Blackthorn Garrison: 100 archers, 150 infantry, and 50 mounted patrol, stationed in a fortified section of the town.
* Cultivation Levels: Militia members are mostly in the Mortal Ground Realm, with some Clashing Light Realm soldiers in the garrison. The mounted patrol are in the Clashing Light Realm.
* Fortifications: A stone wall surrounds the town, with guard towers and reinforced gates. The garrison is stationed in a stone fort within the town.
Reeldos then provided the report on Riverbend:
Riverbend:
* Strategic Importance: Located along a major river, providing access to resources and a potential route for flanking Blackrose City.
* Power Structure:
* Mayor:
* Name: Faelar Stonehand
* Role: Oversees trade, river traffic, and town administration.
* Cultivation: Mortal Ground Realm (Middle Stage).
* Notes: Focuses on maintaining peaceful relations with neighboring settlements.
* Military Commander:
* Name: Captain Rhys Darkwater
* Role: Commander of the town's defenses.
* Cultivation: Clashing Light Realm (Early Stage).
* Notes: Relies on the town's defenses and river patrols for security.
* Military Strength:
* Town Guard: Approximately 200 men, equipped with spears, nets, and light armor.
* River Patrol: 50 men on boats, equipped with crossbows and grappling hooks, patrolling the river.
* Fortifications: A wooden palisade surrounds the town, with a series of watchtowers along the river.
* Defense: The river itself provides a natural barrier on one side of the town.
Reeldos concluded, "Your Highness, both towns are fortified, but Oakhaven has stronger defenses and a larger garrison. Riverbend, on the other hand, relies more on its river patrols and the river itself for protection."
Tatsuo studied the reports, absorbing the information. He considered the strengths and weaknesses of each town, evaluating the potential challenges and opportunities they presented. He began to strategize, formulating his plans for the upcoming assault.
The day of departure dawned, and the Tatsuo Brigade, a formidable force, began their march. Tatsuo, astride his warhorse, felt a sense of awe and pride. It was only a short time ago that he had left the capital with a mere 20 guards. Now, he commanded nearly 2,000 soldiers, a testament to his ambition and leadership.
Two days later, as Tatsuo's forces approached Oakhaven Town, a messenger arrived, breathless and covered in dust. He approached Tatsuo and saluted.
"Commander," the guard reported, his voice hoarse, "a message from Commanders Edald and Rudy. They have arrived at Riverbend Town. The town has surrendered!"
Tatsuo raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise on his face. "Surrendered?"
"Yes, Commander," the messenger confirmed. "The Military Commander and the mayor, upon seeing the size of the force, recognized they were outmatched. They surrendered without a fight."
Tatsuo pondered this. It was a swift and decisive victory, but also somewhat anticlimactic. He had prepared for a battle, and now, one of the target towns had fallen without a single clash of steel.
"Inform the commanders to secure Riverbend and maintain order," Tatsuo instructed. "Ensure the townspeople are treated fairly. We will discuss the next steps after we secure Oakhaven."
He dismissed the messenger and turned his attention to Oakhaven Town, which lay before them. He still had a battle to fight, and he was determined to secure a victory.
Tatsuo, observing the layout of Oakhaven Town, gave the signal for the attack to commence. The Tatsuo Battalion, now a well-oiled machine, moved forward with precision. Anya's archers unleashed a volley of arrows, targeting the defenders on the walls, while Rota's elite company prepared to breach the gates.
However, as the attack unfolded, Tatsuo's initial confidence began to waver. The town's defenses were far more robust than Reeldos's report had suggested. The stone walls were thick and well-maintained, the guard towers heavily manned, and the garrison fought with a ferocity that surprised even the seasoned veterans of the Tatsuo Battalion.
"Their defenses are stronger than expected," Tatsuo muttered, his eyes scanning the battlefield. "They are well-funded."
Then, it dawned on him. The Blackwood family, being a branch of the powerful Blackrose family, would naturally receive substantial financial support. This explained the town's unexpectedly strong fortifications and the well-equipped garrison.
The initial assault faltered. The gates proved resistant to the hand cannons, and the defenders, under the command of Captain Jorin, rained down arrows on the advancing troops. The mounted patrol, led by Sergeant Kaelen, made swift sorties, harassing the flanks of the Tatsuo Battalion.
Tatsuo, realizing that a frontal assault would result in heavy casualties, made a swift decision. "Retreat!" he commanded, his voice ringing out across the battlefield. "Fall back and regroup!"
The soldiers, disciplined and obedient, disengaged from the attack, retreating to a safe distance. Tatsuo, his brow furrowed in thought, surveyed the town's defenses. He needed a new strategy, a way to overcome the formidable defenses of Oakhaven Town.
"They are well prepared," Tatsuo thought, "but every fortress has its weaknesses. We just need to find them."
He began to consider his options. A siege would be costly and time-consuming. A direct assault would result in heavy losses. He needed to find a way to exploit their weaknesses, to turn their strength against them. He began to think of the terrain, the town's water source, and the moral of the defenders.