บท 245: Surprises

A single merciless volley staggered a thousand men. If not for their veteran experience, then they likely would have fallen there and then, after regarding the hideous crater left in their leather chest plates and the charred flesh and darkened blood that poured out from the wound.

Already Shingen's suspicions were determined to be well-founded and he gave the immediate order for them to retreat. They turned on their heels as fast as they were able, struggling to move despite their wounds. Rifles were truly to be feared.

And then, the hammer was pulled back once more and the barrel revolved, setting a fresh bullet in place and the fleeing soldiers were chased with yet another volley of this horrific shot. It hit them in the back and many of them fell into the dirt, coughing up a mouthful of blood, faces covered in splattered mud and breathing laboured.