In an instant, hundreds of torches were lit in front of the city walls, as if an entire army was moving in the darkness. Accompanied by the swaying of the torches, the Venetian soldiers' shouts of killing rose and fell like waves, battering the defenders' morale.
In their panic, the defenders fumbled as they loaded their muskets and cannons, strung their crossbows, and searched senselessly for arrows.
The officers of the Confederation could no longer spare a thought for conserving gunpowder, urgently urging the artillerymen to fire as soon as they were loaded.
In that moment, the defenders fired countless bullets and arrows toward the distant torches and shadows, relentlessly repeating the process of loading and firing.
Fear is contagious, and the thunderous presence of the Venetians plunged the defenders into terror; only firing at the enemy gave them a semblance of security.