Chapter 83
Jordi tried to utilize narrow terrain or attempt ambushes using forests, but,
"No one returned?"
"That's correct."
"...Damn it."
As all the scouts sent to observe enemy movements failed to return, he had no choice but to abandon such attempts.
After a long meeting, he and the kingdom's officers chose the wide open field in front of Adense fortress as the battlefield.
The intention was to make the most of their cavalry forces, which were undoubtedly superior.
"Heavy infantry with shields should be able to withstand the enemy's offensive and advance. Then, if our cavalry flanks and attacks the enemy's sides, what could they do?"
"...If those siege cannons, which were previously fired at walls, are fired at our troops..."
"Didn't they say they barely pulled them along on carts? We chose this battlefield to allow our cavalry to move as freely as possible."
He spoke, downplaying their power as much as possible to help the kingdom's soldiers respond to the unknown enemy of 10,000 gun-armed troops.
He couldn't do the same for the siege cannons as there were soldiers who had actually witnessed their power, but,
"Our brave soldiers should be able to break through their fire and crush them. After all, guns take a long time to reload."
Guns were still weapons known to few.
"...That's right!"
"Even crossbows were once hailed as new weapons, but weren't they equally blocked by armor in history?"
"..."
Adense's officers were encouraged by Jordi's confident statements.
The officers from La Leon hadn't completely shaken off their fear, but it was difficult for them to refute Jordi, who held their command authority.
In the end, the kingdom's army's response was decided to be an interception, and,
"Prepare for departure!"
Jordi hid his anxiety and fear behind a resolute declaration.
---
As the kingdom's army defending La Leon fortress hadn't anticipated the walls collapsing, most of the soldiers stationed on the walls died or were severely injured.
The survivors grouped together and headed for Adense, with only a small number of troops remaining in La Leon to surrender.
The Red Dragon Corps detached some of their forces and empty carts created from consuming supplies to transport them to Mannzheim, while the main force marched directly towards Adense fortress.
"...It was really amazing."
"Can't we train like this too? Just fire about 20 at once..."
"That's a bit excessive. I thought there was an earthquake."
"No joke, it would completely destroy all the surrounding buildings."
They were able to advance quickly, aided by their light bodies without armor and the overwhelming victory experienced at La Leon.
"Put on your armor!"
"Oh, finally the guns..."
"You just hold your shield properly."
"...Damn."
The soldiers maintained a light atmosphere even as they prepared for battle according to Viktor's orders upon confirming the kingdom army's movements.
Now that the siege cannons had demonstrated tremendous power in actual combat, they naturally believed that the guns would also exert such power.
While the Red Dragon Corps was preparing for battle in advance,
"The enemy is approaching from the La Leon direction!"
"...The expected has come. Prepare for battle!"
The kingdom's army that had left the fortress also prepared for battle.
The Red Dragon Corps advanced very slowly, combining rest for the soldiers, and.
A few hours later, they faced each other with a gap of about 2km.
The kingdom army's reaction was divided into two.
"What a snail-like movement speed! They must fear us too."
"With our cavalry's swift movements, we can easily outmaneuver them."
"Of course, Sir Antonio. I trust you."
Adense's officers encouraged their soldiers, displaying confidence regardless of their inner thoughts.
On the other hand,
"...Are those cannons that frightening?"
"Ugh, uh..."
"..."
The survivors of the La Leon siege were barely able to stand in formation.
Those who had been close to the bombardment points were in even worse condition, with some trembling or their gazes shaking wildly just from standing still, and,
-Clang!
"Oh my..."
"Aaargh!"
"...Why are you so startled?"
Some even threw themselves to the ground and trembled at any loud noise.
"...Those will be difficult to rely on."
"Don't be too harsh on those demoralized by defeat. If we fight bravely and win, they'll regain their strength too."
However, the kingdom's officers, unaware of why the soldiers were behaving this way, treated them merely as cowards, showing no response beyond placing them in the rear.
"We shouldn't end up like that."
"Only weaklings behave like that."
"...They're not pretending out of fear, are they?"
Especially the elite troops assigned to the kingdom army's front line looked down on such soldiers, using them as negative examples.
Saying they wouldn't show such unsightly behavior themselves.
The kingdom's army positioned 8,000 infantry led by elite troops with wooden shields and heavy armor in the center, and divided the cavalry into groups of 2,000 on each wing.
The Red Dragon Corps' formation facing them was remarkably simple,
"...A linear formation?"
They stretched out in a thin depth of about 4 ranks and advanced at a very slow pace.
"The carts carrying the siege cannons are following behind them."
"I thought they'd form a square around the cannons..."
"Isn't this good? The enemy has given up mobility, and their flank defense is inadequate. Our cavalry should be able to ravage the enemy's flanks and rear."
"Hmm..."
The linear formation is strong against frontal enemies but can be easily neutralized when the flanks are attacked by enemies with superior mobility.
To the kingdom's army, whose main strategy was to strike the flanks and rear using mobility, the Red Dragon Corps' formation looked like a tasty prey.
"...This Viktor, who commands the enemy corps, is a person who has been promoted to commander of the emperor's direct corps for his recognized strategy and tactics. We shouldn't let our guard down yet."
"They haven't even deployed pikemen against our main force of heavy cavalry! Don't they understand our strength?"
"Although they say the siege cannons are dangerous weapons, we're not stationary walls. The iron balls they fire won't even graze us as we maneuver!"
Jordi remained cautious towards Viktor based on the information provided by Francisco, but Adense's officers, who had been anxious about the completely defeated appearance of the La Leon soldiers, raised their spirits, considering this a mistake or weakness.
"...Is that so."
"Yes! The Esperian kingdom's cavalry has long been active against enemies primarily composed of firing troops!"
"Right. We can't just retreat. Have the left wing cavalry and the 3rd cavalry on the right wing disrupt the enemy infantry's flanks and rear. The 4th cavalry should use the chaos they create to strike the siege cannons in the rear."
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
"We'll accomplish it with our lives!"
The situation was already unavoidable for battle.
Jordi, concerned about breaking the officers' morale, focused on devising detailed tactics instead of further mentioning the dangers of Viktor and the Red Dragon Corps.
"The enemy isn't stupid, so their cavalry will surely try to protect the infantry and cannons. When you confirm that the enemy's main cavalry force is moving to protect the siege cannons, have the 2nd cavalry support the attack on the siege cannons as well."
"Understood!"
"If necessary, the 3rd cavalry should also join the support. The most important thing is to prevent those siege cannons from firing."
"Yes!"
"The role of the central infantry is also important. They need to properly draw the attention of the enemy infantry so that our cavalry can move freely."
"Don't worry! We've never failed to break through those expecting a shooting battle!"
"...I'll trust you."
He reinforced the tactics by exchanging opinions with the officers, trying to alleviate fear as much as possible.
"The disaster at La Leon must have occurred because they didn't anticipate the walls collapsing. Preventing the cannons from firing would be best, but even if they do fire, if we disperse our troops beforehand, we can minimize the damage."
"I'll make sure the rear troops are aware of this."
As he established tactics to respond to the Red Dragon Corps one by one, he could gain a little comfort and hope in his heart, and,
"...Right. We'll cut off the enemy's spearhead with this battle. Begin the attack."
"Yes, General!"
Finally, he issued the order that would determine the fate of the Esperian kingdom's army.
-Clank, clank, clank.
In sync with the cavalry's movement, the kingdom's infantry with shields advanced towards the Red Dragon Corps, which had stopped in the middle of the open field.
"Raise your shields, prepare for gunfire!"
"..."
When they were about 300m away from the Red Dragon Corps, they raised their shields to cover their bodies and advanced in a tight formation, protecting each other's bodies.
This distance came from experience gained from battles with archers and crossbowmen until now.
"...What's going on?"
"It's quiet."
However, the Red Dragon Corps didn't fire even when they reached 250m.
Their front line was hiding behind shields set up in front, pointing guns out, while the rest merely widened the intervals in their formation so that all gunners could see the enemy without obstruction.
200m, 180m, 160m...
As the distance gradually closed, the Red Dragon Corps just waited with their guns at the ready.
"Archers, fire!"
At this, the small number of kingdom archers following behind the infantry began firing at the Red Dragon Corps first.
Of course, it had little effect.
Each individual in the Red Dragon Corps was clad in heavy armor, and on top of that, the soldiers in the front line used shields.
They suffered only minimal losses, with a very small number being injured and retreating.
Meanwhile, the infantry continued to advance, and soon reached a distance of 150m where archers could aim for casualties, but,
"...Are they scared?"
"They said it was a long-range weapon..."
The Red Dragon Corps still didn't move.
The kingdom's infantry, who had been tense due to the reactions of the defeated soldiers, advanced with a bit more ease.
"Don't let your guard down! We don't know when the enemy will fire!"
Some even lowered their shields slightly, causing officers to go around urging the soldiers.
Some officers were suspicious of this behavior from the Red Dragon Corps, but their suspicions didn't go beyond a vague level.
The distance continued to close, and,
"Prepare for the charge."
"Isn't it still far?"
"We were instructed to begin the charge as soon as possible since we don't know when the enemy's fire will start."
"...Understood."
When they reached a distance of about 100m, the kingdom's soldiers prepared for a somewhat early charge.
Normally, they would approach to about 50m before starting the charge due to the heavy armor and heavy wooden shields, but they couldn't refuse orders from above.
It was also common sense to start the charge quickly against an enemy with a high proportion of firing troops, so,
"Charge! For the victory of the Esperian Kingdom!"
The officers' signal fell, and,
"Waaaaaaah!"
The kingdom's infantry rushed towards the Red Dragon Corps.
At that moment.
-Boom boom boom boom boom!
As if they had been waiting for this moment, the Red Dragon Corps' muskets all spewed fire at once.
"..."
Jordi, commanding the troops from the rear tent, could only hear the explosive-like sound.
He needed to leave the tent to assess the situation, but his legs were stiff and wouldn't move.
He waited for the messengers' reports, his hands slightly trembling with cold sweat.