Chapter 1478: Chapter 38: Siege (Part 8)
[West Bank of River Shijian]
After the loss of the ferry on the Magit Island side, the ferry on this side of River Shijian’s west bank was completely exposed to enemy artillery fire.
Thus, the White Mountain County Troops abandoned the riverbank ferry, retreated a distance, and reestablished a stronghold behind the river dike, confronting the United Provincials’ batteries from afar.
“…The situation is just as you see, the United Provincials have burned down the ferry, cutting off our reinforcement and supply routes to the island. Our people, those still alive, have all retreated into Bishop’s Castle…”
Woods lay on the reverse slope of the river dike, explaining the situation to his senior.
Upon hearing the term “United Provincials,” Mason felt a bit awkward.
However, Woods Frank was completely unaware of this, his mind entirely occupied with “how to rescue the trapped troops on the island,” eager to explain everything to the other party in one breath.
He stared unblinkingly at the commotion across the river, speaking in a low voice as if afraid the enemy on the island could hear:
“…The United Provincials have not taken advantage of the victory to attack Bishop’s Castle, I can’t determine if they intend to lay siege… there’s not much food in Bishop’s Castle, the United Provincials have deliberately kept food reserves under a day’s worth… According to headcount, the emergency rations we sent barely last three days…”
Mason slightly furrowed his brow.
“Besides Bishop’s Castle, the United Provincials have completely controlled Magit Island. They’ve set up lookout posts at Domoncos Monastery, and there are fixed and mobile posts along the riverbank,” Woods stretched his arm towards the shrubs across the river, trying his best to point them out to his senior, “See over there, their hidden posts.”
In fact, Mason didn’t see anything, but he pretended to look very clearly, slowly nodding, because he thought it might make Woods feel a little better.
“To send supplies to the island, we can only wait until it’s dark, only at night do we have a chance,” Woods bit his fingernails, “I’ve prepared a raft, planning to try it tonight… Of course, only with your permission…”
Mason carefully observed the situation on Magit Island.
The most striking thing was obviously the field fortifications constructed by the ‘Southern Front Army’ landing troops.
The White Mountain County soldiers said that the fort was built “in the blink of an eye,” because before dawn there was nothing there, but after sunrise, a fort stood up from the ground.
That unsightly, pitted bulwark stood on the riverbank, approximately two hundred and fifty meters away from both Bishop’s Castle and the river dike on the New Army’s side.
Two hundred and fifty meters, the range of firearms is inadequate, but for cannons it’s just right.
They need not worry about ammunition, at this distance, filling the cannon with gravel can clear any foolhardy intruder attempting a forcible crossing.
And the temporary ferry built by White Mountain County Infantry was leveled.
Anything not destroyed by the ‘fire of magic’ was dragged away by the United Provinces Soldiers on the island to reinforce their field fortifications.
Mason understood well why Woods Frank was so anxious, because the United Province Infantry on the island continued to fortify their defenses.
At this moment the fort was already entirely different from the one in the morning.
According to Woods’ description, at sunrise, that artillery position still appeared to be just a few boards piled together randomly as a makeshift shelter.
But when Mason arrived at the river dike, the artillery position of the United Province Infantry was already a vexing stronghold.
The gun emplacement itself was widened and raised, capable of crossfire, with its surroundings filled with sharp stakes to hinder climbing, and a ring of chevaux-de-frise arranged below.
Even as the two were speaking, the United Provincials’ battery continued to “grow” at a pace visible to the naked eye. Behind the chevaux-de-frise, shadows flitted, constantly stirring up wet sand, presumably someone was digging trenches.
Mason sighed silently—this self-proclaimed “Allied Army,” regardless of any tarnish, at least had not lost its capabilities.
He recalled a phrase spoken by an Empire general, but well-known in the Mountain Front Territory, considered the highest praise by United Provinces Soldiers:
“If you let the ‘Rebels’ remain on a position too long, you’ll never be able to drive them out again.”
“Senior?” Woods’ voice snapped Mason out of his daze, the former looking at the latter with pleading eyes, “Please allow me to lead tonight’s supply operation.”
“How do I have the authority to ‘allow,’ isn’t General Gessa still in camp?” Mason was at a loss, afraid to speak lightly, lest he let something slip, “After the ferry was lost, are you sure there’s no movement from the Southern Front Army on Magit Island towards Bishop’s Castle?”
“As observed from the west bank, no,” Woods replied prudently, “But I’m not clear about whether the United Provincials have taken action on the eastern side of Magit Island. You see the island’s terrain for yourself—the center is high and the east-west sides are low, from our side, activities on the eastern side of Riverheart Island are not visible.”
“Then I do not advise rashly sending people to the island, exploratory landing is also inadvisable,” Mason spoke bluntly, “The enemy clearly intends to besiege and strike at reinforcements, the remnants in Bishop’s Castle are bait to lure us. Knowing it’s a trap and still poking at it is not a sensible choice.”
“The supplies can’t go up, the soldiers on the island will starve to death,” Woods bit his lip.
“That’s not … ” Mason didn’t know what to say.
“I understand your meaning,” Woods said despondently, “But if the United Provincials intend to use Bishop’s Castle as bait, there’s a high chance they won’t accept Bishop’s Castle’s surrender.”