Chapter 1351: Chapter 254: Fire Attack on the Camps
The minor interlude concluded, and the boating expedition ca to a halt ten miles away from the enemy camp.
The line between daring bravery and reckless suicide is often razor-thin, and Hudson had no intention of venturing into the range of the Magic Crystal Cannons just for a thrill.
The ship was carrying the Kingdom’s high-ranking military officials; if a few cannon strikes managed to take out so of them, Hudson wouldn’t be able to shoulder the consequences.
Gazing at the densely packed tents along the shore, Hudson felt that it would be a sha not to set them ablaze, considering the Orcs were cooperating so well.
Yet judging by the reactions of the military leaders onboard, it seed no one noticed any issues, as camping like this appeared to be the norm.
From a utilitarian perspective, setting camp this way did offer several advantages. Snow Moon Lake wouldn’t flood, making it easy to settle right next to the lake and access water conveniently.
If surrounded, the Orcs could even stage a desperate “last stand at the water’s edge.”
The only drawback was the slightly excessive density of the camp, but with such a massive Orc Army, avoiding overcrowding was impossible.
The Orc Empire’s strict hierarchy was evident here. The stronger a species’ power, the better the camping positions they occupied.
However, these pri spots, in Hudson’s eyes, were perfect locations for a fire attack.
Tent after tent was packed tightly with barely any gaps between them. If a fire broke out, there’d be no room to escape.
Though camping close to the lake might make it easier to access water for firefighting, there’s also the matter of navies in this world. Should soone disrupt their firefighting efforts, it wouldn’t be as simple anymore.
Although the Extraordinary World offered more ans to extinguish fires, success would still require neutralizing the Orcs’ elite warriors.
Fortunately, the Orcs had few magicians, and even fewer adept in the Water System. So long as the tents were ignited on a pitch-black and windy night, achieving a remarkable victory wouldn’t be a concern.
“Marshal, the enemy’s defenses are quite stringent—they must have anticipated that we might launch an attack from the lake.
Look over there, their Orc Soldiers are still digging pits, hoping to lure us into a trap!”
Count Forbes’s voice pulled Hudson out of his “Beast Extermination Plan.”
Following Forbes’s pointing finger, Hudson saw a group of Orc Soldiers busily working on what seed to be pit-digging or similar facilities.
Hudson looked down on such aningless labor.
Digging pits by the lakeside—were they counting on the lake water not seeping through?
Perhaps today it was pits; tomorrow, it might beco wells.
Then again, it couldn’t be ruled out entirely; the enemy might, in fact, be digging wells.
After all, with the army and the livestock’s massive numbers, even if the Orcs had strong digestive systems resistant to diseases, drinking lake water for longer durations could still pose problems.
If not for Snow Moon Lake’s vast size being unsuitable for poison, Hudson would have considered spreading an epidemic via the water sources.
Of course, such thoughts could only remain hypothetical. Plagues are a double-edged sword, and unless under absolutely desperate circumstances, Hudson would never resort to such insidious tactics.
Suddenly, Hudson realized sothing was off. The ticulously planned strategy to use the city walls to wear down the enemy—why was his mind suddenly dwelling only on offensive maneuvers?
“Let them keep digging!
We’ve successfully implented a scorched earth policy; the Orcs now have nowhere to pillage. With so many troops gathered here, the daily consumption is no petty amount.
We’ll wait them out. Once their logistics start crumbling, they’ll inevitably make foolish moves!”
Hudson spoke expressionlessly.
His true thoughts remained unspoken. Politics is murky territory, and no one could guarantee that these figures wouldn’t commit treason for personal gain.
Especially regarding the Five Great Dukes of the North—right from the start, Hudson had regarded them as unstable elents.
Of course, outright collusion with the Orcs was a line these individuals dared not cross.
The Nobles of the North harbored deep-seated hatred against the Orcs. Should they conspire with them, the first consequence would be their own subordinates rebelling.
In recent years, their appeal to talented individuals had significantly declined. Most knights who once pledged allegiance to them would gladly switch allegiances if not for concerns about their personal reputations.
A betrayal of the Human Race would rely provide these knights with the perfect excuse to sever ties with the sinking ship that was the Northland.
…
The appearance of the boat quickly caught the Orcs’ attention. A squad of Hawkman Soldiers rose into the sky to investigate, only to end up plunging into the lake monts later.
The Orc Leaders onshore gritted their teeth in frustration. Strongn were always the minority, and many tribes on the grasslands lacked Eighth-order flyers.
Faced with such incidents, these land-bound “ducks” could do nothing but gaze at the lake with resentnt and report the matter up the chain.
The ship didn’t remain stationary; circling the lake, it took in the sight of endless Orc encampnts.
The tranquil serenity of Snow Moon Lake was destined to be disrupted. To regain its forr crystal-clear waters and skies—who knew how long it would take?
Briefly lancholic, Hudson completed his objectives of intimidation and reconnaissance and decisively ordered a return journey.
However, the entourage aboard could not remain calm internally. Every one of them was seasoned in military matters; from the camp’s density and breadth alone, they could deduce the approximate strength of the Orc forces stationed at the lakeside.
Combined with reconnaissance reports from various battlefronts, everyone clearly understood the gravity of the situation.
The current endeavor of the Orc Empire was no longer the typical military invasion—it was an all-out mobilization.
For the Orcs to go all-in like this, it was clearly not just about draining population to survive the present famine.
If the enemy was preparing to fight to the death, it spelled bad news for everyone present. So of the older Governors had already awakened buried fears of the Orcs deep within themselves.
If not for Hudson being here, instilling a sense of confidence in them, most of those present might have been sleepless tonight.
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