When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist

Chapter 1178 - 1111: Leia’s Renowned General Puzilio

In the situation of losing several major battles, Puzilio understands when to cut his losses.He quickly withdrew his forces, spreading rumors that Joan was a witch, and wherever she went, everything would be cursed and no grass would grow.

Clearly, these are extremely superstitious and absurd lies mixed with rumors, but unfortunately, the villagers just bought into it.

Since the refugees from Waterwheel County have already left, the remaining people's living standards are quite good, so they are relatively conservative.

Of course, being conservative is relative; for the Holy Alliance, they are conservative, but for the Empire, they are quite progressive.

Compared to the doctrines of the Holy Sect of the Holy Alliance, they are more inclined to the ancient Juanist Faction.

There are similar regions within the Holy Alliance, such as Kasha County.

No matter how you put it, Puzilio managed to maintain the situation through either obvious or hidden, skillful or clumsy means.

Though unable to achieve a major victory, he can win small battles and ensure he does not lose.

This may seem cowardly, but within the Empire, that makes him a first-rate capable general——

Facing Jeanne, he is currently the only one among Leia's generals who can maintain an undefeated record.

Although he cannot win, and has a losing record, he always manages to preserve his strength and retreat safely.

Puzilio was holed up in Sk Wolf Castle, living each day by counting days and heads.

Counting the days, waiting for the first batch of 3,000 reinforcements led by Billet Mabura to arrive.

Counting the heads, to verify the number of troops, as there were so many deserters that he had to count every day to determine the exact number.

"How many people are left today?" Puzilio asked, sitting with his legs apart on a high-backed chair, his head wrapped in a bloody bandage.

Knight Commander Maolun, who came in, removed the hood of his chainmail, bowed with a hand on his chest, "More than seventy auxiliary soldiers have deserted, and more than ten combat soldiers too."

"Didn't you tell them the reinforcements would be here soon?"

"I did tell them, but they don't believe it, and also..."

"What else?"

"They said Dawn Island people don't fight Dawn Island people, and that unless they get paid, they wouldn't fight at all."

"A bunch of unruly people!" Puzilio slammed the chair's armrest but then quickly deflated.

At present, he still relied on these unruly people to control the city defenses. If they really started a disturbance, and Jeanne took advantage of it, it would be over.

Damn it, back then he was actually bluffed by Kennard's death, and truly believed that Wonyu City's army was powerful.

But once the timing was missed, it wouldn't come again, just like Jeanne's current opportunity.

In the eyes of outsiders, Puzilio appeared calm and collected.

He gradually turned the aftermath of Kennard's defeat into a balanced situation, looking somewhat like a rising star general.

But Puzilio knew that despite his calm demeanor, he was actually running out of options.

From the start of this stalemate, failing to achieve a quick victory only incited internal unrest within other countries.

The pre-war plan of setting an example was completely scrapped.

The Holy Alliance was too cunning, now Puzilio knew that Jeanne was Joan, he never thought the Holy Alliance would send her to fight foreign battles!

With her current achievements, wasn't he afraid she would declare independence on Dawn Island?

Wasn't he afraid she would be captured by the Empire and used as leverage?

Could it be that the Saint's Grandson trusted this Saintess that much?

In this situation, the battle was already lost, in his opinion, it was best to cut the losses and gradually retreat.

Yet, his father either had too much faith in his military prowess or was also stuck, insisting on sending reinforcements.

What meaning was there in continuing this fight?

"Sigh." Puzilio let out a long, melancholic sigh, "It's really hard."

Knight Commander Maolun cautiously asked, "Are you worried about the war, Sir?"

"What do you think? What else could it be?" Puzilio glared at him.

"Sir, you need not worry, I know this time the reinforcements are elites from the Border Knight Order, they will surely defeat this group of rebellious rabble!"

In recent times, Regent Omes has gradually restored order in Golden Horn Bay.

But he dared not appoint a new Pope, and could only set up the Bishop of Golden Horn Bay.

And naturally, the Border Knight Order could not defect to their old enemies the Holy Alliance or Norn, they had to lean towards Leia.

This time, they came to present a token of allegiance to the Regent.

Puzilio looked at Maolun speechlessly; this little noble who bought his position seemed to be stuck in the year 1440.

Were they not looking at the latest battle reports? Things aren't the same as before!

The Border Knights have long been defeated by the Holy Alliance, the Battle of Ladan Castle, the Battle of Dusk Bell Mountain almost crushed the entire Border Knight Order.

If not, how could the Regent have a chance to absorb them?

Sending them here would only give a temporary advantage.

Once the Holy Alliance sends new officers, once Dawn Island's forces are trained again, it would be another defeat.

In Puzilio's view, their only chance for victory was either capturing "Saint Joan" Jeanne herself, or the internal conflict among the people of Dawn Island.

There was no alternative path.

But with the morale of the entire Sk Wolf Castle depending on the reinforcements yet to arrive, he could not dampen their spirits.

"Okay, don't gossip about uncertain things." Puzilio stood up from his chair and headed out the door.

First, to inspect the barracks, and secondly, to practice riding skills.

He could preserve his forces several times, relying on his superb riding skills.

Currently, the defeat was not apparent, but Puzilio had a faint feeling that this riding skill would be of great use.

However, at the doorway, he gave another order: "Send a fast horse to check, see where Billet is after all?"

After explaining these things, Puzilio went to the training ground to practice mounted archery.

Against those pesky Spring Gunners, the Empire's knights had once again resorted to bows and arrows.

The price of bows and arrows was skyrocketing throughout the Empire.

Unfortunately, the Holy Alliance responded too quickly, promptly building up a bow and arrow industry, knocking down Leia's fledgling bow workshop.

Now, Imperial Knights wear Holy Alliance's clothes, eat Holy Alliance's spiced sugar, use Holy Alliance's bows to attack Holy Alliance's Spring Gunners.

Thinking about all of it, Puzilio felt it was somewhat surreal.

But even this was not the most surreal part.

In the evening, just returning from the training ground, Puzilio saw Maolun stumbling yet extremely excited entering.

Before entering, Puzilio heard calls approaching from afar.

"Lord Puzilio, great news!"

"Sir, where are you? I have some tremendous, tremendous, super, super good news!"

Without knocking, Maolun barged straight in.

Throwing the wet towel for wiping his face back into the basin, even with Puzilio's good temper, he was slightly annoyed at the moment.

"Who allowed you to yell so freely in the camp? Not even knocking on the door, where is your etiquette?"

But Maolun paid no mind to Puzilio's expression, and said excitedly, "Sir, this news is so important that I couldn't mind etiquette."

Before Puzilio could respond, Maolun hastily spoke: "Knight Billet Mabura, on his way to support, happened to encounter Jeanne who was carrying out guerrilla warfare and has already caught up with her."

"Ah?" Puzilio opened his mouth in slight disbelief.

Maolun continued regardless, "Unlike last time, this time she has only three hundred with her, Lord Billet hopes you will sortie to help encircle and support, to avoid a repeat of the previous battle at Hot Wind Mountain!"

After speaking, Maolun looked at Puzilio with anticipation, waiting for him to issue the order for a full attack.

As long as they captured Jeanne, the Saint Jeanne of the Holy Alliance, victory was half won.

Some might even say, once Jeanne is captured, even if the Dawn Island campaign is lost, it would still be a win!

Strangely, though, Puzilio's face did not show the joy Maolun expected.

Instead, he frowned deeply, both terrified and furious, "Who gave him the order to pursue? Tell him to return immediately! Right now!"

"Ah?" This time it was Maolun's turn to open his mouth wide.