Encountering the Enemy

Overcast clouds obscured the sun, making the already cold winter day even more gloomy.

As the biting wind swept through the valley, two armies were positioned in the dark green mountains.

Their iron armor gleamed coldly, spearheads pierced through the lingering morning mist, and dislodged dew formed dark stains on the mountain rocks.

Heavy, rhythmic footsteps startled a few rooks, their dark wings sweeping past Laszlo's Eagle Banner.

He rode his warhorse, looking up at the sky, his mood not very pleasant.

The weather was terrible; it had been fine in the morning, but now it had suddenly turned very gloomy.

If nothing unexpected happened, there might be a heavy rain or snow later.

The rugged mountain path severely restricted the army's movement speed; it took a full two hours for Laszlo's main army to reach Bashtia Village.

Sigismund's Serbian Army was continuing to advance, and Szécsényi was also preparing to march.

Karl's troops were once again left far behind, with a large number of chariots, cannons, and heavy loads becoming a burden, forcing them to move with difficulty along the mountain path.

Laszlo ordered the main army to temporarily encamp in an open area near Bashtia, awaiting the arrival of the follow-up troops, and sent the vanguard ahead to scout the path.

Sigismund led his army forward, ordering his troops to advance slowly and maintain vigilance.

The guide had already gone deep into the mountains with the scouts.

Before long, an elder from a mountain village came with them to meet Sigismund and expressed the villagers' loyalty to the King.

Although most villagers were unsure who the King was, they only knew Hunyadi and detested that high-and-mighty Governor for levying too many taxes.

However, when the guide told them that if they did not show loyalty to the King, they would also be considered rebels, the villagers immediately decided to pledge allegiance to their true liege—King of Hungary Laszlo.

After confirming that the village was fine, Sigismund continued to lead his army forward. Since he was injured and could not endure the jolting of a warhorse, he had someone make a sedan chair for him to be carried in during the march.

The mountain path became increasingly treacherous, and the braying of mules mixed with the clatter of chains.

Lightly armored infantry moved slowly, those with shields held them over their heads to ward off rocks that might roll down at any moment.

In fact, armies usually did not require soldiers to wear full armor during marches, as simply walking could exhaust a soldier's strength.

However, if they suddenly encountered the enemy in the valley, not wearing armor would definitely leave them caught off guard.

Therefore, Laszlo would rather let the troops rest briefly after every segment of the march than allow the soldiers to remove their armor.

And the soldiers of the Serbian Army mostly wore light armor, making their marching speed relatively the fastest, which is why Laszlo sent them as the vanguard.

Following behind, Szécsényi led a large contingent of light cavalry, leading their mounts carefully along the narrow mountain path.

If a real battle were to break out later, he would only be able to fight with his infantry and dismounted cavalry, severely limiting their combat effectiveness.

Moreover, worse things followed: a torrential downpour, which quickly turned the mountain path into a muddy mess.

This made the marching warriors even more miserable.

At the temporary camp outside Bashtia Village, Laszlo listened to the "drip-drip" of rain hitting his armor, and his ominous premonition grew stronger.

"Your Majesty, the village elder is willing to offer you his house for shelter from the rain. As the commander of the army, you must take good care of your health."

Matthias came to Laszlo's side and advised him.

Laszlo looked worriedly at the mountain road ahead; the vanguard army had already disappeared into the winding valley.

After watching for a while, Laszlo finally averted his gaze and followed Matthias, protected by his personal guards, towards the village.

"Matthias, do you think your brother will really set an ambush here?"

Laszlo's sudden question caught Matthias off guard; he froze for a moment, his expression becoming somewhat complex.

After a moment of thought, he cautiously replied, "I think there's a high probability he'll launch an ambush here.

After passing through the valley, our army will enter the wider river valley in the latter half.

Although Deva Castle is strategically located and difficult to attack, it cannot completely block the vital passage, and naturally, it cannot prevent our army's advance.

Therefore, he can only defeat our army here."

Laszlo nodded slightly, cursed the damned weather a few more times, and was about to enter the village when a scout suddenly rode up at high speed.

He rode all the way to the Emperor, dismounted quickly, and reported anxiously, "Your Majesty, the vanguard has found enemy forces in Ohaba Village and is currently engaging them."

"What?"

Laszlo's eyes widened, immediately realizing something was wrong.

Hunyadi actually arrayed his forces directly in the valley to meet them in battle?

It seemed he had underestimated the courage of Janos's son.

However, mere courage could not compensate for the vast difference in strength between the two sides.

"Pass on my order, the entire army is to cease resting and march immediately.

I want to crush Hunyadi's resistance head-on; today we will pass through this damned valley!"

"Wait, Your Majesty!" Matthias quickly interjected, "Your Majesty, there's something strange about this.

Even if my brother is exceptionally courageous, he would never abandon a strategic pass and confront an enemy several times his size in an open battle."

Laszlo's gaze sharpened, and he asked in a deep voice, "You suspect there's a problem here?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Matthias replied calmly, "I suspect this is merely a feint."

"If that's the case..." Laszlo's eyes darted around, and he ordered, "Have the Saxon Army depart immediately to ascertain the situation and support the vanguard, and strictly order Sigismund not to pursue the enemy rashly!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Werner, upon receiving the order, did not wish to fight in such terrible weather and terrain, but the Emperor's command could not be defied.

He immediately reorganized his troops and advanced forward.

Meanwhile, in an open area between two sections of the valley, the rebel army personally commanded by Hunyadi faced off against the Serbian Army across a river.

A small river named Ohaba River flowed rapidly between the two armies' formations, and the heavy rain splashed water all over the surface.

Hunyadi ordered his men to vigorously wave his Raven Banner in the rain, and also ordered them to loudly insult the Emperor.

Unfortunately, few Serbian soldiers understood the Hungarian they spoke, and even Sigismund, the commander, only learned that the other side was cursing his good nephew after his attendants explained it.

Could he tolerate this?

Of course, he couldn't. That was Hunyadi, the leader of the rebels. If he could capture or kill him, Laszlo would surely praise him greatly and look upon him with new respect.

Thinking of this, he immediately ordered his army to charge the enemy.

The Ohaba River was shallow and narrow, easily crossed.

Battle cries tore through the silence, and the Serbian soldiers, disregarding their formations, charged across the river, brandishing their swords and spears.

After all, such a narrow battlefield could not accommodate a full deployment; cavalry were forced to dismount, and the heavy rain rendered firearms and crossbows largely useless.

What followed was a brutal, hand-to-hand struggle to the death.

Hunyadi immediately led his army to meet the charge, and both sides engaged in a fierce struggle on the riverbanks, and even in the river itself.

In the valley, an endless stream of Serbian soldiers poured onto the battlefield, quickly overwhelming Hunyadi's small force.

Amidst the flashing of swords and blades, blood stained the waters of the Ohaba, and shouts of battle echoed through the valley.

Hunyadi swung his longsword, striking down a Serbian knight who was pressing him, and keenly sensed that the enemies around him were growing in number.

"Retreat! Retreat quickly!"

Hunyadi ordered loudly, simultaneously leading his personal guards, holding his large banner high, and retreating towards the third section of the valley behind them.

The rebel soldiers also did not linger in battle, immediately finding opportunities to disengage from the battlefield.

The Serbian Army, caught up in the thrill of the kill, saw the enemy commander retreating and their morale soared even higher.

Before Sigismund could even give the order, some Serbian nobles led their men in pursuit, rushing into the valley.

"All troops, listen to my command! Pursue the enemy! A heavy reward for anyone who slays Hunyadi!"

Sigismund believed he had directly defeated Hunyadi, and immediately, in his excitement, led his army in pursuit into the valley, constantly urging the soldiers carrying his sedan chair to speed up.

Unbeknownst to him, on the sheer, cliff-like walls on both sides, the blue battle banners of the Hunyadi Family had been unfurled at some point.