Chapter 147: Chapter 67: Slaying Generals and Seizing the Banner! A Lone Rider Against a Thousand!

The enemy’s central army has collapsed.

Following Duncan’s charge, the Huns’ vassal army began to fall apart on a large scale. The real main battle infantry was gradually slaughtered, and the remaining prairie slave army and prairie vassal army were just there to make up the numbers, collapsing easily.

However, unlike Duncan’s past defeats of other enemies, the collapse of the vassal army did not affect the main forces of the Hun cavalry.

The Huns have always used vassal armies as cannon fodder.

This battle has only entered the second stage now, as Charagan looks at the panting, weary British Legion, and starts to command the Hunnic cavalry on both wings to attack. Rangers ford the small river to encircle from behind, cutting off the retreat route, while the grassland iron cavalry assembles, led by him to lead a few hundred elite troops to seize the opportunity to break through enemy lines. The enemy’s right wing is nearly broken, and although the British Imperial Guard fights to the death, they couldn’t stop the cavalry from piercing their defensive line.

A strong battle will cannot change the huge gap in strength!

Now it’s the Huns’ turn.

Their vassal army was used to exhaust the enemy, and although this wave was forcibly shattered by Duncan and collapsed quickly, their purpose of draining the enemy’s stamina had been achieved.

Using fresh troops to slaughter the fatigued army.

Many of the Huns’ tactics were cunning: when outnumbered they harass with mounted archery, retreat if it doesn’t work, not engaging directly; when numerous, they use vassal armies to wear down the foe until exhausted, then focus the cavalry to seize opportunities for a swift knockout.

If that doesn’t suffice, they’ll employ feigned retreat tactics, enticing pursuit with the potential for a sudden counterattack.

As Duncan himself said, he could win, but completely annihilating the enemy is extremely difficult.

"Follow me!"

Duncan once again rallied the cavalry units behind him, handing the command of the general’s guard to Clegane, and solemnly said, "Lead the general’s guard in a charge against the enemy’s left wing, defeat all the vassal armies."

As the chaotic battle on the right wing concluded, the central army and left wing pressed forward, preparing to rout the enemy infantry in one swoop.

Duncan himself led the light cavalry, utilizing high mobility, in charging at the enemy’s grassland horse archers, whom the heavy cavalry couldn’t keep up with on the open terrain.

At this time, Duncan had already executed a flawless threefold ingress and egress on the battlefield!

—General’s Guard (One Star) (Panting Breath) (Moment of Victory) (High Morale) (Strategic Charge Hard at an Advantage).

Duncan’s warhorse was exhausted, panting heavily.

He directly snatched a prairie warhorse, riding onward with the still energetic light cavalry, stabilizing the precarious right-wing defense line. The Nord Bow unleashed a volley, shooting down five or six marked elite Hunnic horse archers.

As the battle progressed, the inadequacy of Duncan’s cavalry unit became evident.

The enemy still had substantial fresh troops, continuously harassing with mounted archery. Elite Hunnic riders seized opportunities to charge with impunity after breaching ranks, uncontested in pursuit, rendering the situation exceedingly passive.

Dimension Space, under the aerial view.

Duncan had already routed three thousand enemies head-on, yet the troublesome adversaries now were the Hunnic cavalry, even chasing after Hunnic nomads presented substantial logistical challenges, necessitating cornering them adeptly.

The battle had essentially reached a minor victory.

The Hunnic cavalry had no solution against them, and the British Imperial Guard stood firm against cavalry charges, while other units couldn’t easily be routed.

The enemy’s central army was soundly defeated, leading the British Legion to believe victory was certain.

Almost all units displayed the "victory within sight" mark.

Yet evidently, Charagan was not content with defeat and aimed to expand gains or even reverse the situation, as his true backbone, the elite Hunnic cavalry, remained unengaged.

He was still adhering to Hunnic traditional tactical thinking; as cavalry forces, they could advance or retreat at will, seeking to reclaim lost footing even if infantry faltered, looking for equilibrium or feigning defeat to lure the enemy for an immediate counterattack.

Duncan’s martial prowess was indeed astonishing!

Yet Charagan was also a legendary Hunnic heroic eagle shooter; if that man dared to rush forward, his personal guard riders, and surrounding eagle shooters were formidable too, capable of timely withdrawal even if unexpectedly overwhelmed; his mounted steed possessed extraordinary endurance.

—Charagan the Genocide (Hunnic Heroic Eagle Shooter) (Sanctuary of Ten Thousand Spirits) (Tribal Chieftain) (Centurion) (Slaughter Sanctuary) (Three Stars, Silver Gray)!

—Hunnic Eagle Shooter (Two Stars, Silver Gray)!

—Hunnic Chieftain’s Personal Guard (Two Stars) (Fight to the Death)! [Note: Upon the chieftain’s death in battle, his personal guards follow him in burial.]

—Hunnic Iron Cavalry (One Star).

—Elite Hunnic Mounted Archer (One Star).

Duncan routed the right flank of Hunnic nomads in a wave, but hesitated to rashly assault Charagan’s main forces, seeing from afar enemies marked with stars, vastly surpassing Saxon elites; Hun elite veterans carried an overwhelming record against the Eastern Empire before shifting focus to the Western Empire.

The battle status aligned with his initial judgment: capable of severely damaging Hunnic units, yet unable to annihilate their main cavalry forces.

"Molov!"

"Have you not made a decisive move yet?" Duncan’s eyes revealed a hint of killing intent.

The Frankish Holy Knights did not charge forward.

Duncan couldn’t completely annihilate the enemy, resulting in merely a minor victory, allowing enemy main forces to retreat calmly, despite a major defeat of the Hunnic vassal army.

At that moment, on the battlefield’s fringes, Frankish cavalry forces had arrived.

Molov was a burly Frankish barbarian, having recently converted to Arian Sect beliefs; he peered at the battlefield’s situation with an expression of awe, murmuring, "This man will likely be our formidable adversary in times to come!"

A subordinate queried, confused: "They’re developing on Great Britain; do you suppose they plan to attack the mainland?"

Molov remained silent.

Such a formidable leader, Great Britain likely couldn’t confine him; he would undoubtedly direct his gaze towards the European continent.

Alongside the leader stood a barbarian envoy, presently watching with fervor, urging in a low voice, "Let’s attack! Otherwise, the Hunnic main forces will flee!"

If the Franks didn’t charge forward, they couldn’t achieve a decisive victory.

Molov glanced at the Frankish knights restlessly eager, understanding that not charging wasn’t an option. His prestige was already limited, inheriting his father’s legacy; recent incursions by Hunnic forces had ravaged Gaul, causing severe losses for the Franks, inciting many to seek vengeance!

The preceding battles had reached such a stage, failing to charge would render the brave Franks mocked by the Britons in the future.

"Charge!"

Molov roared, and nearly a thousand Frankish cavalry began to enter the battlefield. Sharp warning cries came from the direction of the Huns. As the sound of galloping hooves gradually rose, the Frankish Holy Knights took the lead. The heavy cavalry seemed like a raging steel torrent, breaking through the enemy cavalry in one wave and startling the surrounding Hun nomads to flee in panic.

"Not good! It’s the Frankish heavy cavalry!" Charagan’s face changed dramatically.

On the battlefield.

Molov raised his lance high, roaring, "Change formation!"

No wonder they are one of the top cavalry units on the European continent today. The Frankish cavalry split into two; the elite Frankish Holy Knights and the Chieftain’s Guard followed Molov to assault the main force of the Huns. The two wings of Frankish assault cavalry regrouped; they were light cavalry units, directly pursuing and annihilating those Hun nomads.

This truly is a fresh troop!

Duncan looked at the Hun horse archers whose morale had collapsed and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, "When fighting nomadic tribes, it’s really impossible without a cavalry unit."

This battle must expose the foundation of the cavalry units.

Molov charged at Charagan’s main cavalry force, while Duncan gathered the General’s Guard, preparing to execute a beheading tactic. Charging head-on would be suicidal, but now was a perfect opportunity to fish in troubled waters, as Charagan’s attention was fully focused on Molov and his elite heavy cavalry.

On the battlefield.

In an instant collision, people were thrown and horses tumbled everywhere.

By the time the real skirmish began, Molov realized he had been careless.

He was struck by an arrow before even getting close to the enemy, but luckily his armor was thick, and there was no major damage. Knights beside him were knocked off their horses one after another. The enemy mounted archers not only shot quickly but also accurately, with some even equipped with armor-piercing heavy arrows.

When they finally engaged in close combat, those Hun elite riders would throw their bows aside, draw their weapons, and engage in melee combat. They were also heavy cavalry, incredibly fierce, and not at all intimidated by close-quarters combat.

This charge resulted in more casualties than Molov had anticipated!

The real tough bones are here.

Around Charagan, 70 to 80 units with star markers, and 20 to 30 with two-star markers.

——Continuous Arrow!

At this moment, Duncan finally began to unleash his power. With the Frankish heavy cavalry attracting the first wave of fire, he could quickly advance, drawing his bow continuously. The five arrows flew like pearls strung together, instantly killing the ’Hun Eagle Shooter’ on the spot.

Five arrows killed three people, all heavily armored units.

To increase the damage, Duncan closed the distance, following closely behind the Frankish Holy Knights.

"Kill him!"

Charagan swiftly drew the bow, a wave of arrows rained down, hitting Duncan in the chest with one arrow, on the right shoulder with another, and killing his warhorse underneath a flurry of arrows.

Too accurate!

The top archers among the grassland tribes were incredibly fierce, their archery skills honed to perfection.

Duncan fell from his horse with a grunt, but it wasn’t a big problem. His armor was thick, only a segment of his health depleted, mainly bruises. He began shooting on foot, continuously slaying enemies and looking for an opportunity to take down the Hun chieftain in one strike.

"Retreat!"

At this time, Charagan realized reversing the situation was hopeless. He led the personal guard to break out, without the time to gather the remnants. Frankish assault cavalry excelled in speed, making them well-suited to pursuing Hun nomads.

The Huns had been constantly victorious in their westward expedition, but for the first time, they suffered such a defeat in Gaul.

"Thinking of leaving? Not that easy!"

Duncan snatched a warhorse, using God’s view to lock onto the enemy’s position, firing continuously again. First, he shot two Hun personal guards, and then an arrow pierced through the air, hitting Charagan’s back.

Thud!

A mouthful of blood sprayed out, and Charagan slumped over his horse.

The Nord Bow’s power was greater, even piercing through heavy armor.

"Protect the chieftain!"

The Hun personal guards fought desperately to resist, Molov saw an opportunity and led the Chieftain’s Guard in a fierce charge.

Duncan pursued the enemy single-handedly.

Having exhausted his arrows, Duncan was now covered in blood, with five or six arrows sticking out of him, resembling a ghost god emerged from hell. He threw a Frankish axe to explode one enemy’s head, wielded the Sword of Oath and Victory, and charged fiercely, forcibly breaking through the enemy’s guard. The holy sword swept a cold arc, clang! severing Charagan’s long blade, and struck hard on his left shoulder.

The Sword of Oath and Victory sunk into the bone about ten centimeters deep, Duncan roared, gripping the sword with both hands and slashed.

——Combat Form: Beheading!

With blood gushing, Charagan’s head was directly severed amidst the chaotic army.

Across the entire battlefield.

For a moment, silence fell, apart from the Hun personal guards still fighting desperately, and those Hun nomads who didn’t have time to break out began to surrender.

A small number of Hun personal guards slashed their cheeks with weapons, blood streaming down, shouting in fury and charging directly at Molov’s Frankish heavy cavalry, seemingly intending to fight to the death here.

"The enemy general is dead, why don’t you surrender?!"

Duncan’s shout reverberated throughout the battlefield, lifting Charagan’s ferocious head with his lance.

With just a little opportunity, he could decapitate the general and capture the banner.

The Frankish heavy cavalry shielded him from several waves of arrow rain, allowing Duncan to safely charge in front of the enemy.

However, he had also been hit by five or six arrows, fortunately, he still had Avalon’s scabbard, so it wasn’t a big problem.

The Huns were indeed incredibly brave, no wonder the Eastern Empire lost so miserably.

After the chieftain’s death, hundreds of Hun riders nearby slashed their cheeks with daggers, apparently as part of some ritual.

In the end, they threw down their weapons and surrendered.

.........

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com