Chương 19: The Siege

The three leaders of Hardship Hamlet remained atop the wall, debating whether to risk a rescue, when Li Qinwu decided to force their hand. He led the goblin army forward.

"The enemy is moving!" A sentry on the watchtower spotted the green tide emerging from the forest and barked a warning. The three leaders ceased their bickering and looked toward the forest edge. They simultaneously sucked in a cold breath. From the trees, the goblins poured out, forming up at the boundary between the forest and the farmland. Though there were only 200 of them, they were organized into disciplined spear phalanxes. More shocking were the 20 large figures clad in strange leather armor—Hobgoblins.

Goblins were naturally chaotic creatures. While they were social monsters, their organization was typically non-existent. To see them forming human-style infantry squares was nothing short of miraculous—and terrifying. Hana stared in shock, but her shock quickly turned to horror.

"Young Master!!" In the center of the goblin formation, a tall pole was hoisted. Atop it sat her beloved Lord Lance. He was still semi-conscious, stripped of his fine clothes, and tied to the top of the pole like a human war-banner. Hana's eyes turned red with fury. She unsheathed her longsword and screamed to the men around her, "Soldiers! Save your Lord! Charge with me!" Her heroic cry was met with dead silence. Every man on the wall looked at her as if she had lost her mind. Lady, do you hear yourself?

There were 200 of them and barely 70 defenders. While most of the enemy were "kindergarten-sized" goblins, the defenders only had seven armored men; the rest were old farmers with hoes. This was effectively a "Retirement Home vs. A Preschool"—nobody was significantly stronger, but the defenders held the high ground. Giving up the walls to fight in the open was pure idiety. Knight Leo cleared his throat.

"Miss Hana, stay calm. Abandoning the walls is not wise. We must wait and see." Hana stomped her foot, pointing at the "Flag-Master" Lance.

"Knight Leo! Has the Magic Forest rotted your chivalry? I have never seen a Knight of the Realm stand idle while his Lord is humiliated!" Faced with her accusation, Leo spoke flatly, "Well, last month my warhorse caught a plague and died because it couldn't adapt to this climate. I am no longer a Knight." Hana felt like she was having a stroke. She opened her mouth to argue, but Steward Monde cut them off. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

"Stop shouting! Look at the goblins!" Li Qinwu had raised the noble youth as a banner, hoping to provoke the defenders into a foolish charge. Instead, they just stood there, watching like they were at a theater. He was now 100% certain: this kid was a nobody. If the garrison wouldn't move for their "leader," the boy was probably just some dandy who bought a fancy coat with his family's last coins. Li Qinwu scratched his head. Fine, plan B. He'd try a feint to test their numbers.

But before the assault, he had to distribute the loot. From the noble and his guards, he had obtained: 1 Masterwork Noble Longsword (Dmg: 58 Cut / 41 Pierce) 2 Arming Swords (Dmg: 51 Cut / 35 Pierce) 1 Masterwork Noble Dagger 1 Masterwork Noble Longbow (Dmg: 80 Pierce, Range: 180m) 2 Chainmail Shirts (Body Def: 31) 2 Kettle Hats (Head Def: 31) 1 Ornate Noble Gambeson (Def: 8) 2 Standard Gambesons (Def: 6) 1 Quiver of 36 Bodkin Arrows Li Qinwu stripped off his crocodile armor on the spot.

He pulled on the Noble Gambeson, layered a Chainmail Shirt over it, and then strapped his Crocodile Soft Armor over the mail. Finally, he donned a kettle hat. He claimed the Masterwork Longsword, Dagger, and Longbow for himself. The total weight exceeded 30kg, but with 12 Vigor, he felt only a slight sense of encumbrance. This triple-layered armor gave him an unparalleled sense of security; he was now a heavy shock infantryman capable of breaking lines.

He looked at the remaining set of heavy gear and called Gob-Bow forward.

"Gob-Bow, kneel!" Gob-Bow knelt, trembling with confusion. Li Qinwu rested an arming sword on the goblin's head.

"Gob-Bow, you are brave and observant. Seeing that bolts failed to kill, you aimed for the face. For the death of an enemy, I grant you a Chainmail Shirt, a Gambeson, a Sword, and a Helmet!" Gob-Bow was so overjoyed he looked ready to kiss Li Qinwu's toes. Li Qinwu waved him off, and Gob-Bow became the tribe's first Heavy Crossbowman —a versatile soldier who could shoot from afar and hold his own in a melee. Next, he called Gob-Spear.

"Gob-Spear, you have been with me the longest. From hunting crocodiles to killing the old Chief, your service is great. I grant you a Sword, a Helmet, and a Gambeson." Gob-Spear took the gear with stars in his eyes. The Boss likes to slap me, but he truly cares! I can never repay this debt! With the equipment distributed, Li Qinwu drew his masterwork sword and pointed it at Hardship Hamlet.

"ATTACK!" The goblins let out a collective howl and charged the walls, several groups lugging crude wooden ladders. The human sentries opened fire, trying to pick them off, but then Hana stepped forward. She began a rhythmic chant. A magic circle formed before her, and a sphere of roiling flame materialized. A moment later, she hurled the Fireball at the approaching climbers. The fireball slammed into the group with a thunderous BOOM!

Goblins at the center were vaporized; those nearby were tossed aside by the shockwave, their skin charred. To goblins who had spent their lives in the forest, this display of fire and noise was terrifying. Hana didn't stop; she conjured a second fireball and sent it screaming into the ranks, causing another violent explosion. The second blast broke them. Their morale shattered. With high-pitched screams of "Mama!", the goblins dropped their ladders, turned tail, and sprinted back toward the trees.