The day of departure arrived, and the Tatsuo Battalion, now a seasoned force, prepared to march on Hollowtree Village. Tatsuo, his expression resolute, reviewed the detailed intelligence report provided by 1st Class Major Reeldos.
"Reeldos," Tatsuo began, "give me the key points."
"Your Highness," Reeldos responded, "Hollowtree Village is primarily a logging settlement, as we suspected. Its defenses are minimal, consisting mainly of a wooden palisade and a small garrison. Here's the breakdown:"
* Military Power:
* Village Militia: Approximately 100 men, mostly equipped with axes, spears, and rudimentary armor.
* Blackthorn Garrison: 30 archers and 50 infantry, stationed in a small watchtower.
* Cultivation Levels: The militia members are mostly in the early to middle stages of the Mortal Ground Realm. The garrison soldiers are a mix of late Mortal Ground Realm and early Clashing Light Realm.
* Leadership:
* Village Elder: Theron Oakheart, a respected figure but with no military training.
* Garrison Commander: Captain Valerius, a Clashing Light Realm (Middle Stage) officer.
* Key Locations:
* The Watchtower: Overlooks the village and surrounding forest.
* The Lumberyard: Center of the village's economy.
* The Elder's Hall: Meeting place and administrative center.
* Terrain:
* The village is surrounded by dense forest, providing potential cover for ambushes.
* A narrow river runs along one side of the village.
"The defenses are weak, Your Highness," Reeldos concluded. "A swift and decisive attack should secure the village with minimal resistance."
Tatsuo nodded, his eyes fixed on the map. "Excellent. We will attack with all our power. No quarter given."
He issued his orders:
* "Rota, your Tatsuo Company will lead the assault, breaching the palisade and securing the watchtower. Unleash the hand cannons and overwhelm their defenses."
* "Anya, your Hawkseye Company will provide ranged support, targeting the archers in the watchtower and any defenders on the walls. Prioritize the Garrison Commander."
* "Ragnar, your Stonefist Company will follow Rota's company, crushing any resistance in the village. Secure the lumberyard and the Elder's Hall."
* "Theron, your Stalwart Company will establish a perimeter, preventing any reinforcements from entering the village. Secure the river crossing."
* "Reeldos, your Swiftwing Company will scout the surrounding forest, ensuring no ambushes. Prepare for medical support and establish a command post."
The battalion moved swiftly, their advance concealed by the dense forest. As they approached the village, the hand cannons roared, shattering the wooden palisade. Rota's company charged through the breach, their blades flashing in the morning light. Anya's archers rained down arrows, silencing the defenders on the watchtower.
Ragnar's soldiers, their hammers and axes smashing through doors and defenses, swept through the village, crushing resistance. Theron's company secured the perimeter, their disciplined formation preventing any counterattacks. Reeldos' scouts patrolled the forest, ensuring the battalion's flanks were secure.
The attack was a whirlwind of destruction. The village militia, poorly equipped and untrained, offered little resistance. Captain Valerius, the garrison commander, fought bravely, but he was overwhelmed by the sheer number and skill of Tatsuo's forces. Within an hour, Hollowtree Village was firmly under Tatsuo's control.
Reeldos, his expression composed and efficient, presented the detailed report to Tatsuo. "Your Highness," he began, "here is the comprehensive report on the assault of Hollowtree Village."
Casualties:
* "Our forces sustained no casualties. The attack was swift and decisive, overwhelming the village's defenses before they could mount a significant resistance."
* "Enemy casualties are as follows: approximately 80 village militia members killed, 25 garrison infantry killed, and all 30 garrison archers neutralized. Garrison Commander Valerius was killed during the assault on the watchtower."
* "Civilian casualties were minimal, numbering approximately 10. These were primarily accidental deaths during the initial breach of the palisade and the securing of the watchtower."
Loot and Resources:
* "The village lumberyard contained a substantial quantity of timber, estimated at 5,000 logs of various sizes. This represents a significant resource for construction and fortification."
* "The village also yielded a moderate amount of food supplies, including grains, dried meats, and preserved vegetables. These will supplement our existing provisions."
* "Captured weaponry includes: 80 axes, 100 spears, 50 sets of light armor, and 30 bows with arrows. These can be redistributed to our forces or used to equip new recruits."
* "The village elder's hall contained a small amount of gold and silver coins, totaling approximately 300 gold pieces. This is likely the village's treasury."
Prisoners of War:
* "We have captured approximately 20 village militia members who surrendered. They are currently being held for interrogation and processing."
Village Status:
* "The village is now under our control. The watchtower has been secured and is being used as a command post. The lumberyard and other key locations are being guarded."
* "The remaining villagers are being cooperative, and we are working to restore order and provide them with necessary assistance."
* "The river crossing has been secured by Theron's company, ensuring our supply lines remain open."
Strategic Implications:
* "The capture of Hollowtree Village provides us with a strategic foothold deeper into Blackthorn Duchy territory. The lumber resources are invaluable for our ongoing fortification efforts."
* "The minimal resistance encountered indicates that the Blackthorn defenses in this region are relatively weak. This suggests an opportunity for further incursions."
* "The death of Garrison Commander Valerius weakens the Blackthorn military presence in the area and may demoralize their forces."
"In conclusion, Your Highness," Reeldos stated, "the assault on Hollowtree Village was a resounding success. We have secured a valuable resource and strengthened our position in the region."
"Excellent," Tatsuo said, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "This was a swift and decisive victory."
He turned to 1st Class Major Ragnar. "Ragnar, I want you to establish a permanent garrison here in Hollowtree Village. Your Stonefist Company will remain, and you will absorb the 20 captured militia members into your ranks. Recruit an additional 50 men from the surrounding area. I want them trained, and trained hard. Train them as I trained you. I'm giving you one month to bring them up to standard."
Ragnar nodded, his expression resolute. "It will be done, Commander."
"Reeldos," Tatsuo continued, addressing 1st Class Major Reeldos, "I want you to send a message to the Vanguard General. Inform him that the Tatsuo Battalion has successfully captured Stonebridge Town and Hollowtree Village. Also, begin recruiting efforts in Emberfall Town, Greywall Town, and Stonebridge Town. We need to bolster our numbers."
"Understood, Commander," Reeldos replied, making a note of the orders.
"We will leave a small supply depot here," Tatsuo said, "to support Ragnar's garrison. We will also leave a medical team to tend to the villagers and any wounded."
"We will return to Stonebridge Town in two days," Tatsuo declared. "Prepare for the march."
The soldiers began to organize, securing the village and preparing for the return journey. Tatsuo, satisfied with the progress of his campaign, began to formulate his next move, his mind already calculating the strategic implications of his recent victories.