As July arrived, even in the inland Thousand River Valley, under the monsoon of the Xilan Sea, it began to get hotter.

After half a month of fierce sunshine in June, the rain for the first three days of July brought a good cooldown to the people.

However, just after the rain stopped, the blazing sun returned, baking the roads like a steamer.

On this steaming road, spears rose like a forest, iron helmets like a sea, reflecting dazzling light.

Short-necked, thick-legged Kush horses trotted with their four hooves, pulling carts covered with oilcloths, filled with flour, sausages, and lead.

The farmers on both sides of the road occasionally looked up, but they often watched for a long time, seeing neither the beginning nor the end.

After all, this was a marching formation of tens of thousands, not seeing the end was normal.

"Going to war again." The old farmer pressed down the brim of his straw hat, "When will this end?"

"Compared to the Empire, I feel the Holy Alliance is better, at least they don't harass recklessly..."

While speaking, a Holy Alliance Ranger suddenly burst into the village, causing two farmers to hurriedly run back.

On the village square, the Ranger sat mounted arrogantly: "… Report truthfully, neither high nor low, state the price of bread."

A few farmers, respected among the group, whispered among themselves for a while before speaking up: "Master Knight, one gallon of rye bread or rice cake is one Dinar."

Knowing that prices rise during wartime, this figure was still acceptable, the Ranger nodded: "How much do you have?"

"Gathering it together, there are always five hundred gallons."

"Here is the deposit of 2 gold pounds, deliver the bread over there, and then we will pay the remaining 2 gold pounds and 20 Dinars.

If you have other food, like eggs, send them over, and we will decide whether to buy."

Throwing two bags of Dinars to the village chief, the Ranger hurriedly left with the warning "Don't be crafty."

Biting on the Thorn Garden Dinar with a dog head imprint, and counting the silver coins, the village chief and several Armed Farmers were all smiles.

"There's still some bread at home, quickly, bring them to earn money."

"Get the village cart out, feed that draft horse more beans."

Before the stipulated time, dozens of large baskets of bread were delivered to the roadside, along with salted fish, apples, and herbs.

The bread was naturally moved away quickly, and the remaining 260 Dinar was paid in full.

Next, the quartermaster came up, bargaining vigorously with the villagers.

The villagers, neither afraid of being robbed, timidly yet bravely argued with the quartermasters.

In this aspect, the reputation of the Holy Alliance was much better than the Leia people.

If it were the Empire's flag seen, the village would be deserted by the time any Ranger entered.

After delivering the last tub of sour apples, the quartermaster placed the money bag on the table but was held by the village chief: "Which Battle Group from the Holy Alliance are you? My grandson Goloha is serving in the Black Crown Battle Group."

The quartermaster replied politely: "We are the Chongxin Battle Group, with the Imperial Guard and Shadow Crow Army behind us. Your grandson is at Haji Castle."

At this moment, both sides played frank as they were not afraid of the old village leader leaking information.

"Are you heading to rescue Haji Castle?"

"Yes, and ending this war along the way, no matter whether we win or lose, you will have peace." The quartermaster brushed away leaves from the old village chief's shoulder.

Just as the quartermaster stepped forward a few steps, he was chased by the old village chief.

Returning the apple money bag to the quartermaster, the old village chief tightly held his hand: "You must win!" 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

The quartermaster pounded his chest with a complex expression, saluting the village chief.

The village chief responded clumsily in kind.

"We will bring back victory and bring back your grandson as well!"

On July 5th, the Imperial Guard with the Shadow Crow Army launched an attack on the Leia northern corps line, and the enemy crumbled at the first contact.

Leaving the Fire Lizard Army to guard Adan Castle, the Imperial Guard, Shadow Crow Army, and Chongxin Army began heading towards Haji Castle.

On July 7th, witnessing the arrival of fifteen thousand troops from the Imperial Guard, the Third Corps formed by the Noble Alliance Army decided to retreat.

Yet they didn't retreat far but received notice from King Jiji, withdrawing instead to set camp at the critical crossroads.

On July 8th, the three armies including the Imperial Guard reached a hill about 10 kilometers north of Haji Castle.

By now, both sides were within reconnaissance range, and after establishing contact with Haji Castle, Horn chose not to advance further, instead camping under the hill known as Grey Robe Hill.

"Your Majesty!"

Pushing aside the tent flap, Jeska walked in after calling out.

Horn set down the map, handing over a piece of honeydew, "Eat up, it's quite sweet."

Sitting on a small stool, Jeska unabashedly devoured the chilled honeydew.

As Jeska munched the melon, Horn took stock of him.

This seasoned veteran just turned forty, with an eye patch slanting across his square face, deep-set eye sockets, and protruding cheekbones.

He wore white bandages, emanating a pungent mix of blood and herbal scent.

"You've endured much holding up the front line lately."

Setting aside the rind, Jeska abandoned his usual arrogance shown among Little Hart, cautiously replying: "In front of Your Majesty, how dare I talk of hardships?"

"Do we need this pretense between us?" Horn pushed away the melon, spreading the map on the table, "Do you know how to fight this battle? What's Leia's movement?"

"Two corps from Kenke Town have mobilized, expected to arrive in three days, but how to fight still needs your guidance."

Finding no suitable markings around, Jeska simply placed melon seeds between Kenke Town and Haji Castle.

"What about Xia Lvcheng's garrison?"

"The Defenders burned Xia Lvcheng's dock, likely delaying by a day or two, combined with travel, estimated to arrive within a week."

Horn turned, smiling at Petier engrossed in map drawing, "Your estimate matches closely."

Brushing ink spots off his nose, Petier called Bether to further detail the map, then pulled over a small stool to sit.

"Do you have any insights on this Third Corps?" Petier pulled out pen and paper.

"Leia's newly formed Third Corps in Thousand River Valley, claiming Noble Alliance Army but actually it's primarily the Eagle's Claw Bay troops mixed with some temple knights and soldiers.

I estimate the total numbers over nine thousand, but under ten thousand. If not to lure King Jiji, I'd have devoured them already."

"Current position?"

Jeska spat a seed, pinching it west of Haji Castle: "About 12 kilometers from Haji Castle, roughly 15 kilometers from Grey Robe Hill."

"State of the two corps inside Haji Castle?"

"The Wild Wolf Army might need some rest, but the Black Champion Army is in good shape…"

Listening as the highest-ranking officers discussed, Horn shared melon slices with Jeanne, they both observed Jeska and Petier eating melons together.

Finishing two melon slices, Jeanne barely managed to wipe her hands before leaning over the map to ask: "Perhaps we can swiftly launch an assault from the flank of the marching troops?"

"A bit difficult." Horn patted Jeanne's hip, urging her to move aside as he placed three melon seeds below Grey Robe Hill under her shy and annoyed gaze.

"Apart from Shadow Crow Army being in good shape, the Imperial Guard and Chongxin Army need rest and reorganization."

In earlier battles, both Chongxin and Imperial Guard experienced varying degrees of casualties.

Chongxin Army drew reinforcements from the Fire Lizard Army, while the Imperial Guard replenished during the march, but needed to mesh.

Especially without heavy artillery like the dial cannon yet delivered, facing Blood Knights or the Imperial Legion head-on would be uncomfortable.

In terms of tactical mobility, infantry does indeed lag behind cavalry.

"This time the enemy initiates an offensive against us, despite our smaller force and defensive stance, the initiative lies with us." Horn extended a finger, "Why?"

"Because we can continue to hold out and conserve, while Leia cannot afford to." Jeska instantly provided the answer.

"Exactly, given that, we choose the battlefield."

"Where shall we choose?" Jeanne leaned in on Horn's shoulder, tilting her head at the map.

Horn spat a seed onto a spot on the map, smiling, "Here, what do you think?"