In Link's initial strategic plan, the 15,000-strong army was supposed to rely on the sturdy city walls to defend against these invading enemies in a siege battle.
The repaired, heightened, and widened city walls, along with the heavy ballistas on them, together created an impregnable barrier; undoubtedly, the city walls were their greatest advantage to rely on in this battle.
Even if the enemy numbered as many as 20,000, Link was confident that by rationally allocating troops and concentrating elite forces on a few key sections of the city wall for 重點 defense, victory was not impossible.
But fate always seems to play tricks on people.
The sudden beast tide shattered all plans.
These fierce and brutal monsters, like a surging tide, swept in from another direction, forming a pincer attack with the enemy army.
The already strained city defense forces now had to be dispersed to deal with threats from two directions.
As a result, the battle situation instantly became confusing, and the outcome would become unpredictable.
Just as he was frowning and racking his brain for a solution, Agnes's words made his eyes light up.
With Agnes's unfathomable strength, perhaps she could indeed create a miracle in this desperate situation and turn the tide of battle… However, Agnes's expression was somewhat solemn, and she slowly said, "However, Lord Link, you must also be mentally prepared. Humans often fear great power, and once this fear is aroused, it can sometimes make them lose their minds and fall into madness. Once the power I possess is exposed, it may bring you unexpected trouble, which is why I have always deliberately suppressed my strength."
Link nodded silently, knowing that Agnes spoke the truth.
If news spread that one person could destroy an entire 15,000-strong elite army, it would undoubtedly be a shocking event.
At that time, Winterfell City would very likely become the target of the entire Human Kingdom, falling into a desperate situation of isolation.
But at this moment, Winterfell City had reached a critical juncture of life and death, leaving no room for hesitation or retreat.
"We no longer have time to worry about these things. If Winterfell City is destroyed by those monsters, all of us will lose our foundation for survival, and there will be no future to speak of. Asaji, you accompany Agnes in her actions. If any accident occurs, you must immediately bring her back and ensure her safety."
Link looked at Asaji with firm eyes, his tone full of unquestionable resolve.
"Yes, Lord!"
Asaji knelt on one knee, acknowledging the order.
"Kim Mi-jung, Russellie, Hanna, the three of you act immediately, inventory all supplies in the city, and ensure that provisions are sufficient, without any mistakes. The rest of you, quickly concentrate your forces, according to the predetermined plan, and prepare for battle!"
Link slammed his hand on the table, thus finalizing the strategy for this battle.
Everyone left as ordered, leaving only Link's resolute figure in the room. He knew that an unprecedented fierce battle was about to begin… "Dong! Dong! Dong!"
The dull and urgent alarm bells echoed incessantly over Winterfell City, like a death knell or a battle horn, constantly striking at everyone's hearts.
The common people in the city, upon hearing the alarm, spontaneously took action.
Although their hearts were filled with fear, the desire to survive and their love for their homeland made them resolutely throw themselves into the preparations for this life-and-death battle.
Men carried heavy weapons and supplies, helping the Soldiers, trip after trip, their clothes soaked with sweat, yet no one complained of fatigue; women were not to be outdone, either helping to organize arrows or reinforcing the city gates, their slender yet strong hands also contributing their strength to protect this city.
Monsters would not care if you were male or female, noble or slave, rich or poor.
In the face of their greedy and brutal bestiality, everyone was treated equally, all delicious meat in their eyes.
The common people understood this very well; they knew that only by working together, contributing their own strength, and winning this battle, could they and their families survive this catastrophe.
Meanwhile, Link and his party had already ascended the city walls.
On the city walls, the City Guards, who had undergone modern military training, reacted the fastest, quickly taking their positions.
They formed groups of six, swiftly and orderly checking the number of heavy ballistas and arrows.
Watching their skilled and professional movements, Link felt a little relieved.
The training and thorough preparation over this period seemed not to have been in vain; these City Guards already possessed the ability to deal with crises.
Link stood on the city wall, gazing towards the northwest.
At the edge of his vision, a group of dark figures, like a black tide, slowly approached Winterfell City.
Link narrowed his eyes, carefully estimating their number, about seventy to eighty of them.
These monsters were guided by the pre-arranged chevaux de frise and traps outside, gradually concentrating in front of the city wall.
This was valuable experience Link had gained after the previous Ice Plains Wolf incident.
Although these monsters were fierce, their intelligence was not high. Cleverly using traps and obstacles to guide their direction of advance allowed for better concentrated firepower to kill them.
Link observed carefully for a moment and found that the monsters in the pack varied in size and form.
Some looked like wolves, agile in build; others resembled wild cattle or boars, large in stature, exuding a wild aura.
As this group of monsters drew closer, everyone could finally clearly identify their appearance.
Leading the charge was a Horned Pack Ox, a low-level monster.
It had two dark, thick horns on its head, as thick as a normal human arm.
The hair growing on its spine was like a thick cloak, covering its entire body, revealing only a pair of blood-red eyes, conveying endless ferocity and greed.
This monster charged at an extremely fast speed, like a black lightning bolt, without the slightest pause, rushing straight towards the city wall.
"Whoosh!"
The heavy ballista fired its first arrow, accurately piercing the head of this Horned Pack Ox!
With a loud "boom," this Horned Pack Ox, propelled by its charging momentum, slammed straight into the city wall.
Its head was instantly crushed, and black blood splattered all over the wall like a fountain, the pungent smell of blood immediately spreading.
Immediately following, two Swift Wolves had already pounced, stepping on the back of the Horned Pack Ox.
Their bodies were light and agile, cutting sharp arcs in the air.
"Stab!"
Lina's loud and urgent shout came from nearby.
However, the effect of this combined attack was clearly not as good as during training.
Many of these were new recruits who had only recently been trained. Faced with this sudden danger and intense pressure, their movements began to become chaotic.
Long spears were thrust out one after another; some, upon seeing the Swift Wolves leap, had already nervously thrust their spears, only to hit nothing; while others, hearing the command, still hadn't reacted for a long time, standing blankly in place.
The result was that only one leaping Swift Wolf was stabbed to death, while the other, seizing the opportunity, tried to leap out from the gaps in the spear forest, pouncing directly towards the Soldiers on the city wall.
"Maintain formation!"
Seeing this, Lina shouted again, her voice filled with anxiety and anger.
At the same time, the Heavy Armor Shield Soldiers behind these new recruits had already made their move.
They were burly, wielding heavy greatswords, like steel giants.
With a swing of their greatswords, they directly chopped down towards the Swift Wolf that was trying to leap up.
The greatsword, with a whooshing sound, instantly cut down the Swift Wolf, its blood splattering all over them.
"Calm down! Don't panic! Watch your front, don't let those monsters get an opportunity!"
The dedicated Lina was still loudly lecturing them in their ears.
Her voice, like a booming bell, echoed across the chaotic battlefield, trying to calm these new recruits.
This first wave of the beast tide, though only seventy to eighty in number, still put considerable pressure on these new recruits.
However, Link, Lina, and the others knew that this was a good opportunity for these new recruits to gain experience.
New recruits always had to experience battle; only after being baptized by blood and fire could they truly grow into qualified warriors.
Nevertheless, some people were still injured in the battle.
"Ah! My stomach!" A scream came from not far away, the voice filled with pain and fear.
"His intestines are spilling out."
"It was scratched by that Swift Wolf when it pounced!"
"Save me! Ah——"
The injured Soldier writhed in pain on the ground, blood continuously gushing from his wound, staining the surrounding ground red.
"Quick! Medics!" Someone shouted loudly.
The scene suddenly became somewhat chaotic, and the Soldiers' faces showed expressions of fear and worry.
Fortunately, the next few monsters that rushed to the foot of the city wall were all Tusked Boars; their jumping ability was poor. Although they were thick-skinned and tough, at such close range, they were all shot into pincushions by the City Guards' heavy ballistas.
The thick arrows pierced their bodies, nailing many Tusked Boars firmly to the ground.
"Everyone, don't panic!" Lina shouted loudly, her voice carrying unquestionable authority: "Have you all forgotten what to do when someone gets injured during training?"
Lina's words made these new recruits wake up as if from a dream.
The captain among these new recruits quickly said, "You, carry him to the infirmary, quickly!"
After the wounded were carried away, order was finally restored on the city wall.
The Soldiers readjusted their state, their eyes now holding more determination and courage.
This wave of monsters seemed numerous, but only a few could pose a threat to the personnel on top of the city wall.
With the concerted efforts of the City Guards, after the heavy ballistas shot down the remaining monsters one by one, these new recruits finally breathed a sigh of relief.
However, very quickly, the vigilant City Guards once again sounded the alarm.
The urgent and loud alarm bells made everyone's hearts race again.
This time, in the forest to the northwest, a dense, overwhelming tide of monsters finally poured out.
That sight, like dark clouds pressing down, made people feel an involuntary fear.
"New recruits, fall back! Your main task in the coming battle is to assist the veterans!" Lina shouted with a solemn expression. She knew that letting these new recruits stay on the front lines would only increase casualties.
Although these new recruits had just experienced a battle, they still needed more time and experience to grow when facing such a massive beast tide.