The battering rams, or rather, not just battering rams, but three vehicles modified by Kailar, completely blocked the entrance in a triangular formation. They were pulled by huge iron chains, with twenty Gauls, who had surrendered ten years ago, behind each vehicle.
After ten years of cultural immersion, the Gauls could no longer tolerate the bloody smell on the ships, the fishy smell of the island with nothing else, the sour smell of not bathing for years, the dirtiness of poor hygiene... Everything seemed to signify their departure from a savage past and their entry into civilization. Instead, they had, at some point, begun to loathe their own history. They hated their dirty past, and although they were hardworking and resilient, and many kind farmers were willing to marry their daughters to such a secure man after escaping slavery, they knew how savage, how bloody, and how much blood they had on their hands from their past.
They felt a certain hatred for their past and a sense of inferiority. When faced with their former "compatriots" attempting to plunder their current happiness, they finally stood up. It was time to put the past behind them!
They voluntarily joined as the last defending unit: a force of only two thousand tall and strong Gauls, wielding long-handled battle-axes designed by Kailar and clad in full body armor. They were truly the fighters among heavy infantry, a powerful fighting force in themselves, yet they were assigned to guard the city gate. One might say it was a bit wasteful, but the experienced Grand Duke Andrei entrusting the city gate to them was, in itself, a sign of confidence.
Secondly, there were the battering rams. With their crescent blades and immense power, using battering rams to guard the gate was a strange method proposed by Kailar that the Barbarians found quite unsettling. What was even more troublesome was that the bloody path of the meat grinder had not only introduced the term "meat grinder" to Camelot's vocabulary for the first time but also, for the first time, showed the world how vulnerable human flesh was before machinery!
Even the Barbarians were shaken. There was no siege for the entire afternoon... At this time, in the Barbarian command camp, a fierce argument had been going on for almost a full hour.
Bonaparte, Braun, and Inglish had differing opinions. Inglish strongly advocated taking Red Leaf Ridge before anything else. Bonaparte felt that Red Leaf Ridge was too well-fortified and heavily arrowed, and they should bypass it to attack Camelot's mainland, as prosperous Camelot would surely provide a continuous supply of food for 500,000 troops.
Braun, on the other hand, suggested splitting the troops to raid Camelot. Even if Camelot encircled them, a force of nearly 500,000 would not be fundamentally damaged. In fact, if Braun's plan were implemented, Kailar would be very troubled. However, Braun's strength was greatly diminished, and he could only let the other two argue. Nevertheless, even though he and Bonaparte had argued several times, he still supported Bonaparte, and the reason was none other than this:
Too many warriors had fallen at the foot of Red Leaf Ridge's walls. They still didn't understand how long the enemy could hold out. Even if they could capture Red Leaf Ridge, what then?!
How many warriors would die? How much time would be consumed? How much food would be eaten? How great a burden would it create?
It was completely illogical!
And completely unnecessary!
So Braun supported Bonaparte's opinion.
Inglish's opinion was also the same, though diametrically opposed. He placed great importance on Red Leaf Ridge. Who knew how much strength remained within Red Leaf Ridge, which had withstood a siege of 200,000 for ten full days?
What if they cut off their retreat while the Barbarians were too deep?
From beginning to end, none of the Barbarian leaders had considered fighting a field battle with the Camelotians, nor had they given any thought to whether Camelot could truly withstand their offensive.
In their view, 500,000 Barbarians almost equated to victory. That number alone was enough to make everything surrender or collapse. But they forgot one thing: when 200,000 of them sailed over, they had the same mindset when facing Camelot. However, after being battered and bruised at Red Leaf Ridge, they began to consider retreating. But when their numbers swelled to 500,000, their courage began to grow again.
Inglish vaguely perceived this psychological activity of the Barbarians. He couldn't help but smile bitterly; the difference between true warriors and a disorganized rabble was evident here.
What is a true warrior?
Like the Camelotians, steadfastly defending the city, never stepping out. Inglish firmly believed Camelot had some conspiracy, but he couldn't find any clues. In his view, if there were schemes, they should be overwhelmed by 500,000 people. All schemes are paper tigers in the face of absolute strength, but he suddenly realized that the numbers on his own side were actually the paper tiger!
As soon as the numbers dwindle, an endless stream of problems will be exposed: infighting, division, fear of the state, worries about food, long-term anxieties... all of which are conditions that will destabilize the interior.
Not to mention the differences in race, habits, customs, and a series of contradictions brought about by three different races, which will deepen over time. Although there is an external enemy—Camelot and the siege—to divert attention now, Inglish worried that if they simply bypassed Camelot, the allied army would likely collapse before long.
At such a time, bypassing Red Leaf Ridge directly, is that really a good idea? Not to mention the gradually approaching internal conflicts, what if the enemy cut off the port and trapped them like dogs in a cage? The thought sent shivers down Inglish's spine.
But he alone could not defy fate!
So, splitting the troops was destined from the start... "A bunch of fools, go ahead and be arrogant." Inglish, with a grim expression, led his 130,000 men and watched the rest of the Barbarians, led by the Gauls, charge towards the city closest to Red Leaf Ridge. He merely issued the order for a general assault on Red Leaf Ridge. He knew that before long, they would either return empty-handed or starve to death in Camelot. Without horses or food, venturing deep into Camelot was simply suicidal. From the 50-kilometer journey, he had already seen how the entirety of Camelot was: a scorched-earth policy, not allowing them to gain any advantage—this tactic was truly ruthless!
And all he needed to do was breach Red Leaf Ridge, and then he could leisurely sip red wine, waiting for them to flee back, slowly incorporating the Barbarians from the other two tribes.
What a good thing!
Unfortunately, at the same time, Camelot's Knight King, Artoria Pendragon, issued a general assault order against the now-divided main Barbarian force...