"And then?" Kelly asked.

"And then…" Chen Heng smiled, "It's naturally time to prepare to fight."

​​

Lanlod definitely would not give up just because of this order. No matter if it was his circumstances or his ambition, they would not allow him to.

As such, Chen Heng's response was destined to be useless.

However, now that things had come to this, Chen Heng did not actually hope for Lanlod to leave.

It had not been easy to gather the enemy force's here, and if he did not find an opportunity to get rid of them, it would be quite a pity.

This was an extremely good chance.

If it was any other situation, even if Chen Heng could defeat his enemy, wanting to completely destroy their forces would not be so easy. It would take much time and effort.

Now, the enemy had sent most of their forces right to him.

Thinking to here, Chen Heng could not help but laugh.

However, it was not yet time.

Despite having a good grasp on victory, if they could whittle down the enemy's strength before fighting, it would increase their chances of victory.

As such, Chen Heng began to give orders.

"Give the order for the city gates to be closed. From now on, no one is to be allowed in or out. Also, make preparations to defend the city."

Chen Heng looked at Kelly as he said calmly, "From now onwards, we will be focusing our efforts on defending against a siege."

Hearing this command, Kelly smiled and felt much admiration towards Chen Heng.

As one of Chen Heng's confidantes, he clearly knew the strength that Chen Heng wielded.

He commanded an army of nearly 20,000 people, and most of them were elites who regularly fought with Outlanders. They were not soldiers the rebel army could rival.

Moreover, Chen Heng was the royal family's Guardian Knight.

If they really fought, even though the rebel army had the numerical advantage, they most likely still would not be a match for Chen Heng.

Despite having the advantage, Chen Heng did not become arrogant, and he instead became incredibly wary, wanting to whittle down the enemy's strength before fighting the decisive battle.

Just this calmness and cautiousness despite having the advantage was not something that ordinary people could have.

As expected from the Kutu Principality's number one Knight, Count Nardo.

"In the following period, we will most likely experience a bitter period of defending," Chen Heng said with an amused look.

"That's right."

Hearing Chen Heng's words, Kelly also gave an amused smile.

Time gradually passed.

Lanlod was not surprised at all that he was rejected by Chen Heng.

In actuality, given the circumstances, if Chen Heng accepted his terms, he would be incredibly shocked.

After being refused by Chen Heng, he began to organize his army to prepare to siege the city.

The two sides entered into a period of sieging and defending.

What surprised Lanlod was that in response to his attack, Chen Heng did not show much military power.

There were many times that the soldiers on the city walls almost fell, and it looked like the rebel army would be able to take the walls.

There were even many times that Lanlod's Knights had rushed up the city walls, but in the end, they were repelled by the Knights led by Krudo.

It seemed that the Kutu Royal City's defence was not as powerful as he had thought.

In response, Lanlod felt a bit suspicious, but he also somewhat delighted.

He guessed that perhaps Count Nardo had left the north too hurriedly and did not have enough time to bring too many soldiers.

After all, in order to quickly reach the Kutu Royal City, Count Nardo would have had to travel lightly and advance as quickly as possible.

Maybe this was why the Kutu Royal City's defences were not very strong.

Of course, it was possible that Count Nardo did not have that much military strength to begin with.

With this age's communication technology, Lanlod, who was situated in the south, had no idea just how many soldiers Chen Heng had.

Moreover, the northern side was the first line of defense against the Outlanders, and recently, the Outlanders had once again appeared, harassing the northern side and tying up their forces.

All kinds of possibilities appeared in Lanlod and the other rulers' minds.

Without a doubt, this gave them great motivation and encouraged them to siege even harder, hoping to break through the city and take Olivia and Count Nardo captive.

At that moment, many of the nobles who had originally be in contact with Lanlod sent messengers that Count Nardo had only brought 2,000 people with him. However, he had taken important members of the various families as hostages to force the various families to help him defend the Kutu Royal City.

The Kutu Royal City did not have much strength left and Count Nardo was at his wits end.

Hearing this, Lanlod and the others felt delighted.

The information that they had received confirmed what they had guessed from what they had seen during the sieges.

It was possible that the Kutu Royal City really was quite empty, and if they put in some more effort, they would be able to break it open.

When that time came, the Kutu Principality's number one Knight would only be able to weep in front of their army.

This information made Lanlod, who had been hesitating, completely resolved to conquer the city.

At that moment, another piece of information came, making him feel even more determined to quickly take the Kutu Royal City.

One of the nobles had sent a messenger, telling them some information about Count Nardo.

The noble claimed that Count Nardo was sending for reinforcements from the north. After three months, another 7,000 soldiers would arrive at the Kutu Royal City.

If they did not hurry now and take down the Kutu Royal City, they would not have an opportunity in the future.

........

Lanlod was a bit suspicious of this information, but he still began to act faster.

...

By now, the city walls were dyed red with blood.

It was currently noon and the golden sun hung high in the sky. Outside the city walls, the sounds of killing and fighting continuously sounded out.

"The battle is quite intense…"

Chen Heng walked on the city walls as he smiled, "Looks like they've taken the bait."

Next to him, Kelly laughed.

"First showing our weakness to make the enemy think that we are inferior before sending information to the enemy and enticing them to continue to attack. Sir, you are without a doubt the Kutu Principality's number one commander," he said with much respect.

Over the past month or so, he had seen everything that Chen Heng had been doing.

Facing the rebel army, even though he had the advantage, he did not recklessly choose to go out and fight, and he instead chose to defend using the city walls, reducing the other side's strength.

Over the past month, not only had they greatly weakened the enemy's forces, but they had also been able to train their newly-formed divisions.

This strategy had achieved many effects.