Chapter 137: Situation
Roderic wasted no time at all.
Making his way through the crowded streets, he headed straight towards the northern walls.
By the time he reached them, dozens of soldiers were already gathering along the battlements.
He quickly climbed the stone staircase.
And when he finally reached the top, his eyes widened slightly.
Far beyond the city walls, an enormous mass of soldiers was slowly emerging across the distant fields.
Thousands of men marched beneath fluttering banners, accompanied by mounted knights and long lines of supply wagons.
Even from this distance, the sheer size of the army was unmistakable.
Roderic stepped closer to the battlements.
’So that’s the Deres army...’ he thought bitterly.
His expression gradually hardened.
The battle against two hundred men had already been difficult enough.
Fighting this would be on a whole other level.
’It’s such a shame,’ he thought. ’If it hadn’t been for that mage, we would’ve been charging into their exhausted soldiers right now.’
Roderic’s eyes narrowed slightly.
’Perhaps that’s exactly why Aldric revealed the mage’s presence in the first place.’
Unfortunately for Aldric, that decision might also cost him his greatest weapon.
Alas, if everything went well, that is.
Just then, a familiar voice rang out beside him.
’’Quite the sight, isn’t it?’’
Roderic snapped out of his thoughts and turned his head.
His father stood a few steps away, accompanied by Captain Harris, George, and Henry.
’’Father,’’ Roderic greeted, nodding slightly.
Arthur returned the nod before turning his attention towards the approaching army.
’’Have you finished your preparations?’’ he asked, his voice quiet.
A small smile appeared on Roderic’s face as he turned back to the army as well.
’’Of course,’’ he replied. ’’We’ll make sure the mage is dead after tonight.’’
For a split second, fear and worry flickered across Arthur’s face.
He slowly turned back to Roderic.
’’Roderic... if you don’t want to do this,’’ he started quietly, ’’that’s more than fine.’’
One of the officers, George, nodded instantly.
Despite being a chubby middle-aged man, he had a long gray beard, while a warhammer sat tied to his back.
’’Considering how many they’ve already lost,’’ he said, letting out a quiet chuckle, ’’I’d say you’ve done more than enough.’’
’’Indeed,’’ Captain Harris added. ’’I’d even prefer you leave this city.’’
’’With your talent... you’ll become strong. Strong enough to avenge us alone one day.’’
Before any of them could continue, Roderic raised his hand.
’’I don’t want to hear any of this bullshit,’’ he said. ’’You think I went through all that fucking effort just to leave now? When it’s this crucial?’’
Arthur opened his mouth to respond, but Roderic continued before he could.
’’Besides, what exactly do you expect me to do? Spend the next ten years running away so I can come back and avenge everyone?’’
Roderic shook his head.
He’d seen that future in his archive already. And it was not something he wanted to go through.
’’No, thank you,’’ he said, crossing his arms. ’’I’ll kill all those bastards right here. And once I’m done with them, there’ll be plenty more heads waiting for the chopping block.’’
For a moment, everyone remained silent.
Suddenly, George burst out laughing.
’’Hahaha! Well said, young master!’’
Arthur shot him a sharp look.
The laughter stopped immediately.
’’Ahem! Of course, it’s still a dangerous plan...’’ the man said, scratching his head.
Roderic let out a faint scoff, his attention back on the approaching army.
Arthur bit down on his lip as he stared at him for a moment.
’’You’re just as stubborn as your mother,’’ he mumbled to himself.
Letting out another sigh, he nodded once more.
’’Very well. I won’t try to stop you,’’ he said, his voice loud and clear. ’’However, I expect you to return alive. Is that understood?’’
Roderic didn’t even bother looking at Arthur.
’’Of course,’’ he said casually. ’’My life is very dear to me. I wouldn’t sacrifice it for anything in the world.’’
A faint smile appeared on Arthur’s face.
But there was no time to think about those words.
Roderic squinted his eyes.
’’Something is happening,’’ he said, pointing ahead. ’’They seem to be slowing down.’’
Following his gaze, the others noticed the same thing.
The leading formations had begun slowing considerably.
Several mounted officers were riding back and forth between the columns, while the soldiers behind them gradually came to a halt.
’’It seems to be four miles out,’’ Henry said. ’’Well outside our range.’’
Captain Harris took a step forward, placing his foot on a segment of the wall.
In the distance, the enemy formations began spreading out.
Several supply wagons left the main column, followed by groups of soldiers carrying bundles of equipment.
’’You’re right,’’ he said. ’’It seems like they’re setting up camp first.’’
Arthur nodded once.
’’As expected, they won’t attack us with severely exhausted soldiers.’’
Before long, the first tents were being put into place in the distance.
With that, their intentions became crystal clear.
’Perfect,’ Roderic thought, rubbing his hands together. ’This was the best-case scenario.’
A siege, even with exhausted soldiers, would’ve been dangerous considering their numbers.
But if the enemy intended to rest until morning...
’We’ll have plenty of time to carry out our plans tonight.’
A wide grin began growing on Roderic’s face.
Then, as though remembering something, he turned to Arthur.
’’Right,’’ he said. ’’Can you give me the map with our traps on it back?’’
Arthur nodded without a second thought.
’’Of course,’’ he replied. ’’The scribes should have finished making copies of it by now. I’ll have someone bring you the original.’’
Nodding once, Roderic turned back towards the army.
’’Thank you,’’ he said. ’’I’ll be needing that tonight.’’
Arthur glanced at him curiously but decided against asking any further questions.
After another moment of silence, Roderic finally turned back to the stone staircase.
’’I’ll be heading back to finish my preparations,’’ he said seriously.
Arthur nodded understandingly.
’’I’ll accompany you down,’’ he said. ’’I have some final defensive preparations to make.’’
Before anyone could say anything, he turned towards Captain Harris and the other officers.
’’Keep a close eye on their movements. If anything changes, inform us immediately.’’
’’Understood, my lord!’’ Captain Harris replied.
With that, Arthur and Roderic made their way towards the staircase.
As they began their descent, Roderic glanced back one last time.
From here, he could still see the countless banners fluttering high above the distant fields.
’Within the next few weeks, those banners will be nothing but a memory,’ he thought. ’I’ll make sure of it.’