Chapter 283: War of Attrition vs. Reinforcement Tactics
Over 800 barbarian soldiers fell, leaving the remaining old and weak hesitating, fearfully staring ahead.
The blood-stained bridge was littered with the bodies of barbarian soldiers.
Moving forward meant certain death!
However, reality didn't allow them to stop.
Seeing their failure, Halair ordered the second tribe to advance:
"Kill everyone in your way!"
Reluctant as they were, Halair's command left them no choice but to obey.
So, the barbarian soldiers at the back raised their blades, driving the people in front to move forward.
Dozens fell, and the terror of death descended.
Faced with the threat of death, those in front had no choice but to advance.
Watching this coldly, Beelzebub smirked slightly, clenched his fist, and calmly ordered:
"Fire!"
A barrage of arrows, even denser than before, rained down on the barbarian soldiers brandishing their blades.
The previously despairing barbarian women and children saw this and quickly rushed forward.
Just then, rows of soldiers blocked their path, and the imposing figure of Beelzebub strode forward.
He glanced at them coldly and spoke in a detached tone:
"If you want to live, drop all your weapons. If anyone attacks us, everyone dies!"
Hearing Beelzebub speak in familiar barbarian tongue, the despairing elderly and weak felt a glimmer of hope.
They threw down their weapons as fast as they could and ran over, albeit hesitantly.
The soldiers, neatly lined up, did not attack them, allowing them to breathe a sigh of relief.
Over 100 cavalry arrived, escorting the more than 1,000 surrendering women and children to the rear.
Beelzebub, now relaxed, charged forward with his axe, unleashing a bloodbath among the barbarian soldiers.
The battle lasted for 30 minutes.
Covered in blood, Beelzebub ordered the soldiers to retreat.
Following behind them were another batch of equally despairing barbarian women and children.
The soldiers replacing them in defending the fort were led by Leon and Elio.
Beelzebub didn't leave but quietly rested in the rear.
Now charging the bridge was the third small tribe.
However, this time, Halair chose an extremely cruel tactic.
"All adult males attack first. If you fail to take the fort, the remaining women and children will be divided among the other tribes!"
An indescribable sense of suffocation weighed down on the tribe.
The barbarian soldiers roared in attack, crashing headlong into the disciplined Leon.
To maximize his soldiers' safety, Leon did not let a group of barbarian soldiers approach like Beelzebub did.
The first wave was a fierce barrage of arrows.
Then, neatly arranged soldiers advanced, blocking the bridgehead.
Shield bearers held the line, spearmen blocked the enemy, and crossbowmen fired continuously.
The entire formation was divided into three squads, each fighting for 10 minutes in rotation, ensuring everyone could "engage" with the enemy.
Facing the steady Leon, the third tribe's soldiers felt utter despair.
Not one soldier broke through; they all fell on the bridge in frustration.
The third tribe's attack ended in complete failure.
Amid cries and wails, the third tribe's women and children were divided among the remaining tribes.
The other tribe leaders were initially excited but soon filled with worry.
These three tribes were neither strong nor weak, yet they couldn't take a small bridgehead fort, proving how formidable the enemy was.
The morning passed.
The imagined bloody battles didn't occur.
There was only a one-sided "slaughter"!
Brown and Lin Qi, who were watching, remained silent as they observed the corpse-laden battlefield, understanding one thing:
"Never launch a frontal assault on a well-defended fort or stronghold without siege engines or methods to break defenses."
Meanwhile, they also witnessed the extravagance of the Bay Territory's battle consumption.
As soon as a battle ended, wounded soldiers drank a Vitality Potion.
For battles lasting over 30 minutes, soldiers drank a Nutrient Potion to replenish their stamina.
Even slightly damaged weapons and armor, though still usable, were replaced whenever possible.
Arrows costing 10 silver coins each were consumed over 8,000 times in one morning!
Under these circumstances, they dared not oppose Matthew!
In the afternoon, the battle continued.
One small and medium-sized tribe after another launched attacks under Halair's orders.
If the tribe's soldiers failed, their wealth and people were divided.
This series of relentless assaults confused the Bay Territory defenders.
"Are they trying to wear us down?"
"Yes, but we're not afraid of attrition at all!"
"Six squads rotate defenses every hour, each only fighting twice a day."
"Not only is it not dangerous, but we're also reaping great rewards; it's almost too comfortable!"
"The barbarians across are so odd; are they helping us train?"
"Feels like they're sending their soldiers to die…"
"…"
Though puzzled, as defenders, they could only passively respond.
They seized the opportunity to train, honing coordination, melee skills, countercharges, and other tactics.
With Halair's "cooperative" tactics, they achieved significant results.
Over 4,000 barbarian soldiers fell during the attacks.
By evening.
Halair finally ceased the seemingly foolish reinforcement tactic, retreating with the sounding of deep horns.
The blood-soaked bridgehead fort finally quieted.
The soldiers quickly cleared the bodies, needing to finish before the Scarlet Moon shone down.
Thankfully, the recently arrived engineering golems proved incredibly efficient.
They piled the bodies into a large pit and set them ablaze.
Fierce flames gradually consumed the twisted corpses, turning them to ashes bit by bit.
Under the setting sun, both sides of the conflict once again found a moment of calm.
"Daddy, what are those barbarians doing? Are they just deliberately coming here to die?"
Yaya couldn't understand their actions; the barbarians' self-destructive behavior left her deeply shaken.
Knowing they were charging towards death, yet continuing to attack!
It was very strange!
Feeling the decisive and ruthless tactics of the commander across the river, Matthew patted her little head, pointing to the women and children being transported back to the territory:
"This is what it means to be trapped by circumstances!"
"They are not unified. To strengthen control, some deliberately weaken others."
"But they're on the same side?"
"The most dangerous enemy is the one closest to you!"
Who wouldn't stab you in the back?