Chapter 188: Arm Wrestling
Adam Smith was the last to enter the war meeting room after handling the cargo arrangements.
He was seated next to Old John, who gestured for him to stay quiet.
Adam Smith simply nodded in silence, but a feeling of nervousness crept over him.
He took the opportunity to observe the new faces of Elio and Felicia.
Leon, far away in Troll Valley, Captain Sean, who had just cleared a large area of wasteland, and several newly promoted squad leaders were quietly reviewing the information in their hands.
Two hundred elite knights, each with mid-level or higher combat power!
Two thousand elite soldiers, each a professional!
This is the foundation of a family that has been established for hundreds of years.
They possess many methods and resources for training professionals, with the ability to field a combat force of several thousand at any time.
Bay Territory, however, had a completely different development model.
Thanks to Matthew's lavish and relentless financial investment.
Bay Territory's military strength has also grown rapidly.
The military details are as follows:
Commander-in-chief: Angela, Level 5 Knight.
Deputy Commander: Old John Carls, Level 5 Warrior.
Chief Instructor: Arnold, Level 13 Warrior.
Total number: 2,000 people.
Troll Valley: 250 people, Level 5 Warrior Leon, Logging Camp, 50 people.
Frontier Patrol: 200 people, Level 4 Warrior, Captain Sean.
Murloc Camp: 500 people, Level 9 Ranger, Village Chief Field.
Combat Troops: 800 people.
200 Heavy Infantry, led by Beelzebub, Level 11 High-Ranking Warrior.
200 Shield Bearers.
200 Spearmen.
200 Archers and Crossbowmen, led by Hall, Level 7 Rogue.
Inspectorate: 200 people (50 cavalry), Level 8 Swordsman Elio, Level 4 Ranger Felicia (intelligence, investigation, surveillance).
On the surface, Bay Territory appeared to have combat forces comparable to the enemy.
But everyone was well aware that Bay Territory couldn't deploy all of its combat power.
The only forces capable of engaging in direct combat were likely the 800 front-line soldiers and the 200 inspectors.
1,000 vs. 2,200!
The pressure was immense!
The reputation of the Carlisle Family loomed large.
The Carlisle family's private army was renowned even in the entire Eastern Province.
They had once faced orc forces larger in number at Blood Fortress and won a direct battle.
That victory earned them great merit, allowing their army to grow and prosper.
Even though they hadn't participated in the orc wars at Blood Fortress in recent years, news of their "activities" still surfaced from time to time.
In the noble circles of Bloodmoon City, there were many rumors about the Carlisle family, the most widely spread and believed being:
"They have special techniques for training soldiers!"
Everyone felt the pressure upon hearing this.
After all, in the lands of the Netheril Empire, it wasn't the high-ranking Arcanists but the nobles who held most of the power and resources.
Most people, when facing nobles and their armies, would feel a vague sense of panic.
Especially when seeing the enemy's combat power.
Everyone remained silent, waiting for their lord to speak.
Matthew gently tapped the table, drawing everyone's attention.
His expression calm and confident, he pointed to the detailed map on the table and placed his finger on the spot where Bobo had ambushed the transport team earlier today, speaking meaningfully:
"I'm sure everyone now knows that we currently have a murloc unit capable of operating in the Misty Swamp."
"Their individual combat strength is weak, and they're not suitable for fighting regular soldiers."
"But against conscripted farmers or transport teams, they're quite effective."
Hearing the lord's words, they instinctively recalled his recent orders, and their fears and concerns eased slightly.
Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Old John quickly chimed in:
"This is a great advantage. With this murloc unit, it's like we've planted eyes and spikes in the Misty Swamp."
"Not only can we free up some of our own manpower, but we can also threaten their supply lines!"
Angela, having grasped Matthew's tactical intent, added more carefully:
"The Carlisle family's elite forces indeed have the advantage in both combat strength and numbers."
"But they can't carry large amounts of food and supplies with them!"
"Even we in Bay Territory can't handle the massive logistics required to transport large quantities of supplies."
"So, as long as we withstand the first wave of the Carlisle family's attack and keep them bogged down in the Misty Swamp,"
"Their long supply lines and the constant loss of transport teams will eventually wear them down!"
Hearing Angela's plan, everyone's eyes lit up.
That's right!
The Misty Swamp is their territory.
The Carlisle family won't receive any reinforcements here.
No matter how strong or numerous their forces are, they can't conjure food out of thin air!
Then everyone realized that what they had thought of, the Carlisle family likely had as well.
If the Carlisle family dared to send their troops, they must be absolutely confident of a decisive victory!
In a way, it also showed their disdain for Bay Territory.
"You do have the advantage of terrain, but we're still coming!"
"Let's see if you can beat us!"
As everyone was deep in thought, trying to connect the dots, Elio, having sensed something, turned her head to look at their calm lord, then at the Carlisle family's military intelligence, and suddenly exclaimed:
"Cavalry!"
Seeing everyone turn to her, Elio couldn't help but blurt out:
"Yes, cavalry! If we can neutralize the cavalry, which poses the greatest threat to us, we can trap them in the swamp!"
The others thought about Elio's words, then saw the smile on their lord's face and suddenly understood.
Matthew, pleased with their thinking, smiled and said:
"That's right. Angela's plan is the most reliable, and Elio's insight has helped us pinpoint the key!"
"Once we deal with the Carlisle family's 200 elite cavalry."
"No matter how strong the remaining soldiers are, they won't be able to breach the gates of Murloc Castle!"
"Therefore, we'll have to wrestle with the Carlisle family in the Misty Swamp."
"Let's see whether we can break their cavalry's legs or if they can break through our defenses!"
Angela quickly grasped the full meaning of Matthew's strategy and silently committed it to memory.
On the other side, Elio seemed to realize that her analysis and use of information needed further improvement.
Everyone else also had their own realizations, vaguely understanding why the lord had called them together.
Their lord had put great thought into this!
As discussions continued in the Murloc Castle war room.
Two kilometers away, in the Carlisle camp, fully armed soldiers were rapidly assembling.
War was on the verge of breaking out!