dognovel Chapter 43 Return to Hong Kong
Chapter 43 Return to Hong Kong
At Hilla Harbor, the ship's horns roared as the fleet, laden with honors, sailed north back to the port of departure. Alicia descended the gangway and was greeted on the dock by several high-ranking officers.
Where is Alice?
Alicia waved her hand, signaling the saluting officer to lower his hand. She looked at the port area, where the Hilla Naval Shipyard on one side was as bustling as ever, and the legendary giant ship was gradually taking shape.
The officers exchanged glances, seemingly troubled by something they couldn't say. After a long pause, they finally spoke:
"Her Highness is currently leading the army in a fierce battle against Lord Grant. She has proposed a daring tactical operation, so there is still no news. However, our army has just broken through Grant's defenses and is now joining forces with Her Highness's troops."
"What? What tactical operation?"
After a moment of silence, the officers spoke up: "Cross the Trembling Mountains and launch a lightly armed raid on the town of Great Mill."
"what?"
Alicia was incredulous. Grant had established his position as a war lord precisely because of this natural barrier. The Trembling Mountains, as an insurmountable barrier, were undoubtedly a natural wall protecting Grant's warhorses and food supplies, almost impossible to breach. And now, Alice had actually led her troops to cross that mountain range.
Did she succeed?
“Your Majesty, we are unaware that yesterday’s battle report indicated that the 2nd Infantry Division was advancing toward the town of Great Mill, but Grant’s army was blocking their advance at multiple levels, and their progress was not very fast.”
Alicia cursed under her breath, knowing she would never forgive Grant if Alice were hurt or anything!
"General!"
"Yes! Your Majesty!"
"I now order your naval infantry to prepare for rest and be deployed to the battlefield from the Rhine tomorrow!"
"Colonel!"
Alice recognized the rank of the officer on one side. Alice's setup was indeed very convenient, at least in terms of identifying the rank of the officer.
"Yes!"
"There are two guests on the combat ship. Please take them to my residence and let Ange take care of them."
"Yes!"
Alicia didn't hesitate. She spread her bat wings and flew eastward. Vampires don't need any help; they can fly on their own. Alicia rode the wind and headed towards the Great Mill District to find Alice.
"Are you ready?!"
Alice slashed down a mercenary, then raised her revolver and fired—Grant had been clearly shocked by the defeat of the Third Mercenary Corps over the past two days, with two corps under his command constantly attacking them—the troops retreated two kilometers in a row, finally gaining a foothold behind the White Sand River in front of the town of Great Mill.
As it is a tributary, the White Sand River is more of a shallow stream than a river, with its deepest point just reaching the waist of an adult demon.
After crossing the river, Alice organized her troops to dig earthen dikes and trenches. Ammunition was consumed quite quickly, and even now, Alice has had to organize bayonet charges many times—the troops only fire four rounds of shots before charging directly.
Due to repeated bayonet charges, the First Infantry Regiment suffered casualties—light infantry was still at a disadvantage against armored infantry. Alice witnessed a burly centurion kill five privates with his body and longsword, but was immediately knocked down by a Minié bullet.
As the commander of this unit, Alice led her troops in counter-attacks many times, just like now—her clothes were already soaked in blood, and her fair face was covered in blood and dust.
"Drive them off! First Division! Charge forward!"
“Keep going!”
The motto of the First Infantry Division, born in the midst of battle, was to sustain the spirit of all its soldiers. Alice roared almost hoarsely, and the soldiers were infected by it. With bandages wrapped around their bodies and uniforms covered in blood and ash, the soldiers raised their blood-stained bayonets and charged toward the shore once again.
The two newly arrived mercenary groups were no match for the third mercenary group. As the bayonets of death rushed toward them, the mercenaries jumped into the water without looking back, struggling to get back to the other side.
"Maintain formation! Assemble in ranks here!"
Alice turned around and raised her sword high. The dirty military flag fluttered in the wind, the war drums beat out their rhythms, and the soldiers also raised their swords—since they wanted to escape, then they would face another volley of fire!
"Load!"
"aim!"
"Free fire!"
Rifle fire stained the river red with blood, and soldiers on the opposite bank fell one after another. Some retreated, one taking two with him, two taking ten, and ten followed by a hundred. The last attack before sunset failed, and Alice simply sat on a rock on the bank, breathing heavily.
"Sir..."
"Clean up... the battlefield... huff... let the lads rest, serve... serve the meal! Sentry, keep watch around!"
Alice braced herself with her hands behind her back, leaning her upper body backward. The soldiers looked at Alice. Over the past few days, the princess's actions had earned everyone's respect, and the old rumors had been dispelled—the princess was not a caged canary; she was their commander!
The actual military commander, some soldiers wore her image around their necks—some believed it brought them good luck.
A campfire was lit for nighttime defensive lighting. Alice was not yet able to get the weak chemical industry to produce flares or searchlights, so a bright fire was the best form of nighttime defense.
Inside the star-shaped earthen wall, tents were pitched. Alice sat in the largest tent—where maps and plans were laid out. She placed her command sword on the table and leaned back in a wooden chair. Most people were too tired to care about such things, not even Alice herself.
Where are our allies?
"Sir, the second reconnaissance team reports that they have made contact with the second infantry division and it is expected to take three hours."
"Walking at night?"
"Yes."
"Okay, tell them to slow down—"
boom!
Alice was about to say "slow down" when almost immediately a gunshot interrupted her. Alice grabbed her command sword and rushed out of the tent.
"Enemy attack! Assemble immediately!"
The sentry on the earthen embankment shouted, "Enemy attack! The enemy is planning a night attack!"
"Blow the bugle! Assemble!"
The bugler immediately sounded the bugle, for the bugle was the command. This was not the first time the enemy had launched a night attack. Alice quickly walked up the earthen embankment, where a platoon of soldiers was fighting back.
"The enemy didn't light torches until after they crossed the river..."
"Have the patrol sentries on the riverbank returned?"
"Sir, one has returned, but one was killed in the attack!"
Within two minutes, the embankment was filled with soldiers. Alice ordered free fire. She didn't know how many enemies were in the darkness. She couldn't smell a strong stench of blood, so the enemy numbers couldn't be many. Besides, it was low visibility, and she didn't want to waste bullets.
"The enemy is retreating!"
Seeing that a counterattack was immediately organized on the earthen embankment, the night raid had failed, and the enemy simply stopped crossing the riverbank. Alice felt the smell of blood getting further and further away.
She grabbed a Minié rifle, stood up, and aimed at an enemy soldier in the distance. Ordinary demons couldn't see him. She pulled the trigger—the hammer struck the percussion cap, igniting the ammunition. She felt the target's blood stench intensify—meaning he was bleeding.
"Stop shooting!"
Alice raised her hand, and the order was relayed by the sergeant. Silence returned to the battlefield once more.