Fate: The Forged Arthur Pendragon

On the third day after the breakthrough plan was implemented, at midnight, 0:00.

Southeastern Bern territory, in the hilly area.

This was the exact landing spot where Suya had first arrived. Beyond these hills lay the coast of Cornwall, and beyond the coastal gorge, one could reach the Buttercup Plains behind St. Michael's Mount. In the current situation, if Suya's group could reach the Buttercup Plains, it would be equivalent to successfully breaking through the Conqueror King's encirclement, allowing them an unimpeded path to the capital's final bastion, the Golden Curtain.

The prerequisite was, of course, that he could actually break through—

At this moment, Dagonet tightly gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist. It was the ceremonial sword Suya had bestowed upon him, and also a symbol of Suya entrusting his life to him.

Ordinarily, for Britannia's twenty-two thousand light infantry soldiers, engaging in a head-on clash in this terrain against Macedonia's twelve composite battalions, totaling 3,072 phalanx soldiers, plus three one-thousand-man infantry regiments, and 4,500 Companion Cavalry protecting the flanks, even with a numerical advantage, would lead only to certain death.

However, the King he had sworn allegiance to, Suya, had summoned him privately after dinner. He had asked Dagonet if he could lead the twenty-two thousand men to break through the remaining 6,000-plus defenders if he drew away the Companion Cavalry. Dagonet wasn't entirely confident. Although he had extensive command experience, he had never led so many soldiers, such a massive army, let alone an army of routed troops, against the world's strongest Macedonian army.

But, Dagonet could only tell himself now:

You can.

"Hoo..." Dagonet let out a long breath, stood up from the hilltop, and looked down at Seleucus's army, poised on the coast, a grim smile of fear on his face.

"Everyone, listen up—"

Dagonet drew the slightly bent ceremonial sword, raising it high into the air. He roared:

"The Anvil Phalanx will advance in a 'tortoise formation' to the enemy's front for a feint attack, awaiting the second command from His Majesty—"

"Once the order is given, immediately change formation to 20 columns deep, and charge left into the coconut grove, outflanking the infantry regiment on the phalanx's flank!"

"Any who retreat will be immediately executed by the supervisory squad!"

The eighteen knights standing behind Dagonet heard the order, immediately mounted their horses, and dispersed to the various warbands to deliver the command.

Soon, the eight Britannian light infantry warbands, consisting of over twenty-two thousand men, moved out! The eight warbands charged onto the narrow coastline, forming a long, single-file formation. The very front of the formation, composed of hundreds of spearmen holding shields aloft in a 'tortoise formation,' slowly began to advance cautiously.

This was Suya's signal for the true attack! It was also a smokescreen, thrown with lives, for the cavalry regiment's tri-directional charge!

On the third day after the breakthrough plan was implemented, at midnight, 1:00 AM.

At the Seleucus Legion's central command banner.

Seleucus, a tall man like a humanoid beast, stood with his arms crossed, watching the Britannian army continuously pour down from the hills on the other side of the coastline, never retreating despite repeated setbacks. A hint of surprise flickered in his eyes.

"Compared to yesterday, this army has improved so much... The general leading this army is quite a character."

"Heh~"

Beside Seleucus, Hector, currently serving as Seleucus's guard, scoffed disdainfully. "Just charging forward like an idiot, trying to break through our formation with numerical superiority."

"With such a rabble, I fail to understand how you came to that conclusion, General."

Seleucus shook his head, calmly pointing out: "Hector, do not underestimate the enemy."

Hearing such condescending words, Hector clenched his fist slightly, took a deep breath, and asked: "Then General, what do you intend to do?"

"Should we deploy the Companion Cavalry?"

"No," Seleucus shook his head, slowly turned his head, and looked meaningfully at Hector. "I will entrust the Companion Cavalry to you. You decide how the Companion Cavalry should be used."

"Me?" Hector was stunned, a mix of disbelief and pleasant surprise flashing across his face as he asked, "General, the King has already removed me from my position as Third Regiment Commander. Now you want me to... command cavalry again?"

Just then, a scout on horseback galloped out of the coconut grove. He arrived before the central command, dismounted, and reported to Seleucus: "General Seleucus, an urgent report from General Philotas—"

"Three thousand Britannian knights, displaying the royal banner, have been spotted charging towards the Togus Legion! General Philotas requests that you dispatch part of the Companion Cavalry as support."

"According to General Philotas's analysis, Suya Pendragon ordered a feint attack here to abandon the slow-moving infantry and attract our attention, while secretly leading his cavalry regiment to break through from General Ptolemy's direction."

The scout's report ended.

Seleucus calmly nodded, as if he hadn't heard Philotas's plea for aid, and continued to answer Hector's question, "That was General Parmenion's intention, never the King's."

"With me, you have always been the commander of the Companion Cavalry."

"Well, Hector, facing this situation, what will you do?"

Hector frowned slightly, looking at the Britannian regiment being steadily pushed back by the phalanx legion in the distance. In this terrain, even without the Companion Cavalry to split their formation, the enemy absolutely could not break through here.

So, he said matter-of-factly:

"Naturally, capturing Suya Pendragon is paramount."

"I request to lead the Companion Cavalry to encircle and capture that brat who deceived us."

At this moment, the scout who had just delivered the message suddenly stood up, took out a letter, and presented it with both hands, interrupting Hector:

"Commander Hector, there is also a letter for you from General Parmenion."

Hector was taken aback. "My father's letter?" He took the letter, opened it, and found only one line:

'Hold your ground.'

Looking at the letter, Hector was a bit bewildered.

And just then, from outside the coconut grove, a sudden rustling sound arose. A Companion Cavalryman rode his warhorse out of the grove, looking directly at Hector, and said gravely:

"Commander Hector, General Philotas orders you to immediately bring your men back to reinforce the main army."

Hector frowned and asked, "The main army has forty thousand men, why do they need reinforcements?"

The knight shook his head and said in a deep voice:

"Suya Pendragon's main cavalry has suddenly appeared in front of the Buttercup Plains, which the main army is guarding!"

"And the main army's cavalry has already been dispatched by General Philotas to support General Ptolemy."

"Beyond the main army, on the Buttercup Plains, lies the royal encampment itself, Hector. To allow these villains to break through the encirclement of fifty thousand men and charge the royal encampment—"

The knight looked coldly at Hector, sternly demanding:

"Do you understand what a grave responsibility that is?!"

"Wait..." Hector's mind struggled to catch up. He looked at the knight before him, asking in bewilderment:

"How can Suya Pendragon suddenly appear in two places at once?"

"Didn't he go to charge Ptolemy's Lion-Man Cavalry?"

The knight shook his head and said stiffly:

"I don't know. I am only here to deliver orders."

"This is General Philotas's command, Knight Hector: you are ordered to immediately lead all of the Companion Cavalry to the main army!"