Release That Witch

Rebellious nobles were no match for the First Army's offensive. The few head-on clashes were decided after a single volley, without even needing to reload the magazine. The enemy forces crumbled completely, abandoning over a dozen bodies as they fled in disarray. More often than not, it was simply a matter of the First Army pursuing and rounding them up.

Tie Axe, clearing one territory each day, successively captured the Elk, Running Wolf, and Wild Rose families' strongholds. However, as the troops advanced towards Maple territory, their momentum slowed down.

They encountered an unexpected problem.

"Damn it, this is practically a fortress," Brian spat, frustrated, as he gazed at the towering Count's manor. "They even have a moat!"

"Were there any casualties during the previous attack?" Tie Axe asked, his face grim.

"Two unlucky bastards got hurt. One took an arrow to the arm, and the other got shot in the back while retreating. Luckily, nothing too serious," Brian frowned. "It's too disadvantageous for the soldiers to shoot upwards at the rooftop. Even if the enemy only has crossbows and short bows, we won't gain any advantage."

Tie Axe knew he was right. No one had anticipated that the Maple Count would construct his residence in the style of a tower, and one built against a rocky cliff face. A stream flowing from the Endless Mountains was diverted into a five-meter-wide ditch, forming a "small moat" around the manor. Because it was flowing water, although covered with floating ice and snow, it hadn't completely frozen over. The entire tower had only one entrance, and to attack the gate, one had to cross an arched bridge, which was also the enemy's focal point of defense.

There was no cover around the Count's manor, only flat snow-covered ground. The elevated firing position compensated for the short range of the crossbows, and after two probing attacks, the First Army had only managed to kill three or four enemies, while several of their own were injured.

"If the artillery battalion were here, that would be great," Brian said resentfully, "A few shots at the gate, and I don't believe he wouldn't surrender."

"Unfortunately, they can't get here. It's too far from the fortress, and the snow is too deep." Tie Axe looked up at the sky. "Let's stop here for today and have the soldiers set up camp."

The Maple family's fiefdom was located northwest of Longsong Stronghold, bordering the Endless Mountains, and also on the edge of the Western Region. Just walking there would take almost a day, and with the snow on the road uncleaned, the twelve-pound field gun simply couldn't move an inch.

According to the intelligence they had gathered, the Maple family had contributed very little to this rebellion, and even the Count himself hadn't shown his face. This meant that the opponent's strength was almost intact. If they all holed up in this fortress-like tower, it would be really difficult to deal with without siege weapons.

After nightfall, campfires were lit in the tents.

"What do we do tomorrow?" Brian added a piece of firewood to the fire pit. "Order the soldiers to charge up against the arrows? As long as we can blow open that damned iron gate, their death is certain."

But the First Army would also suffer a dozen casualties. Tie Axe shook his head and didn't answer. If it were in Iron Sand City before, let alone ten men, even a hundred-man guard team would be given to him, and as long as he could complete the task assigned by the clan leader, he wouldn't hesitate to throw them all in. But after arriving in the Western Region, he had witnessed with his own eyes how these soldiers had grown to this day. When he thought of the effort that Roland had put into them, he couldn't bear to lose them.

After a long silence, he exhaled a puff of white air. "Let's ask the witches for help."

Brian was stunned. "Look for them?"

Tie Axe didn't want to do this either. He remembered that Prince Roland had once said that a qualified army should be able to complete its tasks independently at any time. But now was not the time to compete. In order to achieve the goal of unifying the Western Region within a week and minimize casualties as much as possible, he would not stubbornly push forward out of a sense of pride.

Because His Highness had also said that a general who is responsible for the lives of his soldiers is a good general.

"Send out a messenger and say that we have encountered a problem and need Miss Macy's help," he ordered.

Early the next morning, Macy and Lightning arrived at the camp. "What happened?"

"Coo?"

Tie Axe coughed twice and briefly described the current thorny problem. "The enemies are mainly concentrated on the top of the tower. Rifles have limited damage to them, and with the iron gate blocking the entrance, the First Army has difficulty getting close to place explosives. We can only ask you to open the entrance."

"Leave it to us," the little girl patted her chest.

Throwing explosives was not unfamiliar to them. They had also trained with the First Army in the town. Tie Axe nodded and immediately began to arrange soldiers to prepare for the final general attack. Regardless of whether the explosive package could achieve the desired effect, it could at least deter the enemy. Taking advantage of this opportunity, they should have enough time to destroy the iron gate.

"Are you going into battle personally?" Brian looked at Tie Axe carrying a long spear on his back in surprise and inserted a loaded magazine into his belt.

"Rather than telling me to charge, it's better to say charge with me," Tie Axe smiled. "These are words that His Highness often says."

…

When the two led the soldiers into the charging position, Macy's figure appeared in the sky.

She transformed into a giant beast and swooped down towards the tower, clinging to the rocky cliff face. In her claws, she was holding a package of new explosives. Everyone saw this amazing scene. The difference was that the First Army burst into loud cheers, while the top of the tower fell into chaos. The Maple family's mercenaries and guards turned their crossbows and shot at the giant beast, but unfortunately, with little effect.

Macy had already completed the accumulation of speed. She spread her huge wings and flapped them hard, pulling her body up sharply, and at the same time released her claws. The explosive package was like a cannonball being fired, whistling straight towards the top of the building—

Tie Axe felt that the surroundings were instantly silent. Then he saw a dazzling fireball rise from the top of the tower. In an instant, the ground shook and the mountains trembled! The whole world seemed to tremble because of this. A huge column of smoke carrying snow mist rose into the air, and a heat wave hit him in the face. He even couldn't help but take two steps back, and his ears were buzzing with pain.

This is… the power of the gods!

Tie Axe couldn't help but recall the scene when he first witnessed Prince Roland testing black powder. This time, the explosion was far more powerful than the first. Even from a distance of nearly a hundred meters, he could still feel the scorching temperature contained in the fireball. As for those enemies who came into close contact with divine punishment on the top of the building, the end can be imagined.

After silently praying to the Three Gods, he raised his long spear high and shouted, "For Prince Roland, First Army, full army charge!"

"For His Highness!" The soldiers shouted slogans and swarmed towards the Count's mansion.

This time… no one dared to stop them anymore.

When Tie Axe returned to Longsong Stronghold in triumph, it was just early evening on the sixth day.

The entire Western Region was finally under Roland's control.