Prioritising defending his realm rather than bringing the fight to Fontaine's, Arthur Maldenberg called for his adjutant, Duke Vasselle. He was Arthur's most trusted ally and advisor. Rudolph Vasselle was the ruler of the Vasselle Dukedom. His city of Inglefeller was located near the most northern point of the continent and shared its border with Osterbon.
He had long and fancy-styled blue hair with eyes as dark as night. He was a similar age to the recently deceased Duke Braun. He was an average height and had a well-sculpted body. Rudolph was similar to Duke Braun and Grand Duke Maldenberg in terms of military acumen.
"You summoned me Grand Duke Maldenberg," Rudolph said in a respectful and curious tone. Arthur with a grim face nodded and began to speak, "You are right Rudolph, I need you to alert the officers that the army will be breaking camp tomorrow. We will retake Archenshien and deal with the troublesome Luxenberg forces."
With a salute and nod, Duke Vasselle exited the tent and began to deliver the orders to the high-ranking officers of the army. By the morrow, the Maldenberg army would depart their main camp near Inglefeller and head for a month-long trip to Archenshien.
However, it was not just the Maldenberg army issuing troop movements, on the same day as they departed, 2 corps from the Luxenberg army were sent out on assignments. General Rapp's 1st Corps was sent on a 2-week journey west of Archenshien to the city of Gamburg. General Hill's 5th Corps was sent on a 2-week north to the city of Bourbon.
The remaining 3 corps under Bertrand, Tauentzien and Bülow, their combined troops totalled 90,000 infantrymen, 12,000 cavalrymen and 270 guns. They were to be held on standby to react to any news of the Maldenberg army.
Within 3 weeks multiple letters had arrived at the Maldenberg Palace. The first 2 letters were from Generals Rapp and Hill. They had succeeded in capturing their targets, all the while sustaining no casualties. Bourbon and Gamburg were alike to Hausen and had no real garrison defending them. The corps of Luxenberg were able to march into the Maldenberg cities unmolested.
The final letter was from Victor's spy in the Maldenberg army, Duke Maldenberg and his forces were intent on besieging and recapturing Archenshien. This news was not surprising but nevertheless had the room tense. In a week the army of Maldenberg will be camped outside the city's walls and preparing for a siege.
With a week to prepare the city for a siege, the Luxenberg army diligently began its work. Luxenberg artillery was positioned along the towering walls while soldiers were planning where to station themselves during the siege. Marshal Bessières and the elite guard turned the Maldenberg palace into a solid position to make a final stand.
Preparations for the impending siege were going well and by the time the Maldenberg army arrived the city was fully prepared for the siege. When Arthur and his army arrived at his capital city they were welcomed to the sight of enemy banners and soldiers. 101,000 infantrymen, 13,000 cavalrymen and 275 guns now stood before the city they once called home.
The towering walls that once offered them protection were now the staunch defenders of their enemy. Cannons were lined along the walls all prepared to rain down a hellish maelstrom of fire. Infantrymen stood at the ready brandishing their muskets and awaited orders from the officers.
Standing at the head of his army, Arthur Maldenberg remarked, "It seems the rats have infested my city. Oh well, I shall exterminate these plagued rats from my glorious city." The officers nearby smirked and giggled at such words. They thought themselves superior to Luxenberg men.
Once the Maldenberg army had fully arrived they made quick work of setting up a camp just outside of the Luxenberg artillery's range. They set their camp up facing the main gate of the city and fortified the camp with sudes and trenches. Their camp was well defended in the case of enemy forces approaching from the sides.
3 days after the Maldenberg army arrived they began to deploy their cannons and soldiers. They would attack the southern wall which had the gate and the eastern wall. When the sun reached its highest point the Maldenberg cannons were pushed forward. Shortly afterwards Grand Duke Maldenberg stood in front of his infantrymen gathered near the southern wall. He turned to his men and began to deliver a speech.
"My soldiers! Our beloved capital has been infested by southern rodents. Their mere presence is an insult to us, they think of themselves as our equals. They have used our justified war with the Fontaines to take over our lands like a wretched plague. Let us expunge these rats from our lands and conquer them!"
The men's morale was boosted, they took pride in being soldiers in the Maldenberg army. With cheers and applause, the cannon fire began. Thunderous cries erupted from the cannons whose ammunition bashed against the thick high walls of Archenshien.
The battlements lightly shook beneath the feet of the stationed soldiers on the wall. They were confident in the wall's sturdiness and prepared to return fire. In response to the enemy's cannon fire, the Luxenberg artillerymen unleashed the wrath of their cannons.
An awestriking exchange of cannon fire ensued, stone was chipped away from the walls and Maldenberg cannons and their crews were blasted away. From miles away you could hear the boisterous song of cannon fire.
Victor who was on the battlements at his own risk, could only look upon his enemy and smile half-heartedly. 'To think you would bombard your own city, how ridiculous.' He thought, struggling to understand why the Grand Duke of Maldenberg would go through the trouble of a siege.
It was a valid thought, Victor already controlled all of the Maldenberg territory's cities as well as 1 of its dukedom allies. All that Arthur had left was Duke Vasselle's city of Inglefeller and Duke Braun's city of Konitz. Instead of opting to defend the territory he had left, Arthur dragged the remainder of his forces to siege a well-defended city. He had left the 2 remaining cities almost undefended in the face of a fresh and large Fontaine army.
Victor sighed and muttered, "This shall be your final battle Arthur Maldenberg, you and your bloodline will extinguished soon enough."