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"Alright, it's a deal!"

The Xilin Mercenary Corps, which had been slowing down, suddenly accelerated, which was unexpected but aligned well with our plans. Not only did "Iron Cross" and "Red Scorpion" advance as if in a chase, but both sides also dispatched their elite vanguard units, swiftly pushing into the Fontainebleau region.

The first to see Fontainebleau were the vanguard troops of the "Red Scorpion" mercenary group, who arrived by boat. These true daredevils used the swift currents of the Red River to overtake "Iron Cross," reaching the vicinity of Fontainebleau. However, when their boats rounded the river bend, they encountered a chilling sight.

Perched high on the rocky riverbank stood a massive bronze fortress, looming like a prehistoric beast. Its three towering walls rose in terraces, reaching nearly a hundred meters above the river, making it seem like a mountain from the perspective of those on the boats. The imposing walls, adorned with layers of arrow towers and watchtowers, emphasized the fortress's menacing nature.

"Is this an illusion? Damn, there really is a castle!"

"What castle? It's clearly a super fortress. We're actually going to attack such a place."

"Captain, what do we do? Our boats are about to pass by, and the current is too strong to stop."

Facing the fortress, the river's cliffs were steep, and the water rushed swiftly until it reached a calm bay beyond the fortress, where boats could anchor. Before the captain could respond, the fortress inhabitants had already taken action.

A colossal pale snake skull emerged from the highest tower, its wagon-sized head mounted on a mechanical contraption made of bones and metal. The snake's head turned, targeting the ten troop-carrying boats on the river. Suddenly, it opened its mouth and spat out a three-meter-wide ice ball studded with spikes, hurtling straight toward the "Red Scorpion" vanguard.

The first ice ball narrowly missed the captain's boat, splashing into the river and sending waves crashing. Before the mercenaries could catch their breath, a second ice ball struck a rear boat, splitting it in two. Then came the third and fourth, unleashing a relentless barrage that shattered the boats one after another, accompanied by the mercenaries' screams. Within just two or three minutes, the three-hundred-strong vanguard vanished forever.

This terrifying weapon, known as the "Nine-Headed Ice Dragon Cannon," was designed to defend the fortress. It combined my Song Dynasty siege weapon blueprint, the "Eight-Bow Mountain-Breaker Crossbow," with the "Magic Cannon" design provided by Catherine's follower, the old mage Wellington. Made from the bones and tendons of a nine-headed hydra and other metal components, it could launch massive ice blocks over a kilometer away, with power rivaling high-level magic. The female mage Hai Ruo, responsible for the "Twelve Star Palace Gates," connected the city's defensive magic array to the cannon, allowing it to fire fifteen shots per minute, surpassing the rate of regular archers. As a precaution against emergencies, the nine cannons were equipped with ordinary magic sources and the ability to launch boulders manually.

Witnessing the "Nine-Headed Ice Dragon Cannon's" first display of power were not only the orcs and half-orcs standing on the city walls but also the "Iron Cross" vanguard advancing along the riverbank. The massive fortress and terrifying magic cannon left the leading knight gasping. He quickly signaled his men to turn their horses around and retreat.

"Master, is this wise? If we reveal our strength too early, won't they be scared off?" Ankara, who had been observing from the city walls, asked as he ran over.

"Absolutely not. Mercenaries are risk-takers, willing to sell their lives for profit. Adventure is their nature, and their employers will push them forward. Even if they fail, returning would mean a fate worse than death. Ten days ago, they might have retreated to join the main army, but now, the main mercenary force has already reached thirty kilometers upstream. Greed will burn away all reason. Asking them to abandon such a prize is impossible." I explained to my disciple.

"So, what should we do next?"

Catherine and I, who were responsible for planning the entire campaign, exchanged a smile and said, "Go out and meet the enemy."

Upon hearing the news from the front, the leaders of "Iron Cross" and "Red Scorpion" looked at each other, speechless. Though they were mercenaries rather than regular troops, they had participated in wars. However, capturing a fortress was a pipe dream, especially given the formidable magic cannon. But their greed was predictable. Seeing such a huge reward, whether they considered themselves saints or rogues, no mercenary would back down. As they hesitated, more news arrived.

"Captain, a large contingent of minotaurs is coming out of the city, heading towards us." Clearly, this scout did not know the difference between orc minotaurs and underground minotaurs, but even if he did, the unique Minos warriors would still confuse him.

"What? Minotaurs? If they ally with the werewolves, it'll be disastrous. How many?"

"About two thousand."

"Hmm... Gentlemen, I believe this is not bad news but a sign of victory. Minotaurs excel in defense, while werewolves excel in offense. Now that the minotaurs are leaving the city, it shows that the opposing orcs are not united, leading to such a foolish decision. Therefore, we should confront them head-on, defeat the minotaurs, and cause a rift among the enemy. Once internal divisions arise, even the strongest fortress becomes vulnerable. I, Tie Bato, am willing to lead the 'Iron Cross' mercenary group as the vanguard to face them."

Although minotaur warriors were immensely powerful, their individual combat abilities were inferior to those of the lion, eagle, and bear tribes, only slightly better than the werewolves. Tie Bato's elite forces, however, were well-equipped and well-trained, giving them a good chance of defeating two thousand minotaurs with the support of other troops. In contrast to Tie Bato's enthusiasm, the female leader of "Red Scorpion," Neomie, wore a cold expression. If Tie Bato succeeded, she would lose her share of the spoils. Yet direct confrontation was not "Red Scorpion's" forte, and despite her reluctance, she had no choice. However, lacking a direct approach did not mean she lacked tactics. Neomie had already devised a plan to seize the castle and destroy "Iron Cross" simultaneously.