บท 286: Battle Start
Translator: Cinder Translations
...
"Boom!"
Massive stones the size of millstones fell from the sky. Fortunately, they didn't hit anyone directly, but the enormous noise created upon impact with the walls was terrifying.
If such a large stone had struck someone, they would have been instantly reduced to a bloody pulp.
The defenders of Biddeburg were intimidated and cowered behind the battlements, afraid to show themselves.
Outside the walls, Jaius was extremely pleased with the trial firing of the trebuchets and laughed heartily.
TL Note: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trebuchet
He turned slightly and praised, "Captain Doug, the technology you brought is indeed excellent! I've always struggled against the rebels' trebuchets, but now we have such a powerful weapon, it's comparable to theirs."
The mercenary captain, dressed in a cloak, smiled slightly: "You flatter me, my lord. But I'd like to see what kind of treasure these 'Thunder Hammers' you speak of really are. I look forward to them firing a few shots."
Jaius pointed towards Biddeburg: "Look! Those black things on the walls are them. But… hmm, it seems that without Grayman, the remaining fools can't handle such good weapons. What a waste."
Before the attack, he had sent scouts to thoroughly survey Biddeburg. There were no banners of the Grayman or Ganard families on the walls, but all the other coalition families' flags were present. It appeared that those two had indeed been bogged down by local matters, proving Father's strategy effective.
Captain Doug, looking in the direction Jaius indicated, could only vaguely make out the details from this distance, even with his keen eyesight.
He requested, "My lord, after the battle, these 'Thunder Hammers'…"
Jaius smiled, "Don't worry, as long as you fight well, you'll certainly get half of them."
"Thank you, my lord! Hehe, we mercenaries enjoy collecting and researching new weapons. The more we understand, the better."
"Hmph, after we capture this fortress, not only will you get the 'Thunder Hammers', but I also plan to give you more."
...
While Jaius and Captain Doug discussed, the coalition's lords were fuming inside the most fortified tower.
"Useless! Idiots! Already being suppressed so quickly!"
"Didn't you learn anything from the instructor? Did he leave and you forgot everything?"
The instructor sent by Paul had briefly mentioned that the gunpowder should not get wet, which was common knowledge in the Alden army. However, the newly appointed cannon crews of the coalition, engrossed in the impressive power of the cannons, had ignored this piece of advice.
Before Kent's army arrived, the artillery instructors had retreated with the supply transport units. Paul didn't want his precious artillery men to be in such a dangerous place where his own army couldn't provide support.
The newly trained coalition cannon crews had carelessly piled the gunpowder they would use for firing at the base of the walls, thinking it would be more convenient in case of an attack.
Unfortunately, just before Kent's army arrived, a moderate rain fell over Biddeburg.
As Kent's army set up their trebuchets, the coalition lords confidently ordered their artillerymen to fire first and destroy the trebuchets before they were ready.
However, the four cannons, which were supposed to be exceptionally effective, fell silent in front of everyone's eyes!
It dawned on them that gunpowder couldn't get wet!
Without the assistance of the cannons, the coalition could only watch helplessly as Kent's trebuchets were set up and massive stones were hurled at them repeatedly.
"Ah! Ah! What are you doing?"
Viscount Johnston drew his sword and waved it wildly in the air, visibly enraged and ready to strike someone! Several officers managing the artillery trembled and knelt.
However, the Viscount restrained himself. These officers, who had learned how to handle the cannons, were extremely valuable and trusted members of various families.
Count Parker, with a grim expression, shouted angrily, "Hurry up and dry the gunpowder while the sun is out."
Count Melken also shook his fist menacingly, "If there's another mistake, watch your heads."
Several artillery officers immediately fled, covering their heads.
The lords looked at each other in silence. Derek sighed, "We can only hold out for a while. Fortunately, we still have over a dozen boxes of grenades."
...
As the battle at Biddeburg reignited, Alden's Operation Overlord also commenced.
On the river north of Fishtail Town, four sail warships were lined up, their dark cannon mouths glaring menacingly at the town.
Though called a town, its scale was more akin to a small city. The northern wall was built along the river and featured water gates, connecting external rivers with the town's artificial canals.
Schroeder stood on the deck of the flagship, calmly using his telescope to survey the town. Beside him were Yarman and Tirpitz.
The two fleet commanders seemed a bit anxious, with Tirpitz muttering "Why haven't they returned yet?" and Yarman frequently checking his pocket watch.
While they waited impatiently, the water gate on the wall opened, and a small boat emerged, heading directly towards the flagship.
Once the boat reached the flagship, an officer climbed aboard and approached Schroeder.
"I regret to inform you that Viscount Soro Carter has not accepted our surrender offer. Here is his written reply."
Schroeder took the letter, read it carefully, and then handed it to Tirpitz and Yarman.
Tirpitz was furious after reading it. Though the letter's language was polite, it sharply criticized Paul Grayman for joining the "unjust" side and "betraying" the new Duke.
"Lord Schroeder, commence the attack. Barons Claude and Andrew have already landed at the west gate and are waiting for your orders."
Schroeder checked his pocket watch and nodded.
"Begin the operation!"
With his command, the four warships erupted into chaos.
In less than a minute, massive explosions echoed from the southern sides of the ships.
In an instant, Fishtail Town was bombarded by dozens of cannonballs.
Some cannonballs struck the walls, causing bricks and stones to scatter, hitting defenders on the battlements.
Others flew over the walls, hitting buildings within the town, and the red-hot cannonballs ignited fires on flammable materials.
"It's the Thunder Hammers! The legendary Thunder Hammers!"
"Quick! Fire the crossbows in retaliation!"
The defenders on the walls either shrank back behind the battlements in fear or scurried around in panic.
The soldiers operating the crossbows bravely stayed by their machines, straining their muscles to turn the winding winches to shoot farther.
The commanding officer shouted, "Fire!"
The torsion springs drove the crossbow arms, propelling four large bolts towards Alden's fleet...
(End of the Chapter)
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