397

Episode 397: Show me the difference in technology. (1)

"Please save me!"

"We are without sin!"

"I swear allegiance to Fenris!"

The vassals of Marquis Rodrik knelt in thought as the troops advanced.

They never dreamed that their castle would be taken. They were confident that they would win this war as well, based on their overwhelming military superiority.

But in an instant, the castle was taken over and the invading army came rushing in. There was no time to even escape.

Jiselle looked around at them and spoke in a nonchalant tone.

"Clean it up."

All the vassals who were in charge of the Marquis' affairs were dragged away by that one word.

"Aaaah! The Marquis will never forgive you!"

The gods uttered curses, but Jiselle felt no emotion.

Because Marquis Rodrik was moving to kill himself anyway.

The occupation of Linderstein naturally paralyzed the administration of the entire Margrave. This meant that the supply to Rodrik's army, which was currently on campaign, was also blocked.

Jiselle muttered while looking at the map.

"Hungry people can't fight properly."

The surrounding territories were plundered by Giselle and bandits. Even the territories that still had some resources had most of their food taken away.

Now the only food left for Rodrik's army was what they had taken with them when they first set out.

As a large army, they must have set out with a considerable amount of supplies, but since their supplies have been cut off, it will become harder to hold out as time passes.

After dealing with the Marquis' heirs and vassals, a knight soon approached and said:

"The enemies have arrived."

"Okay, now I have to shock and scare them too."

Jiselle smiled and climbed up the castle wall. Indeed, a large army of 40,000 men was lined up in front of the castle.

"Wow, there really are a lot of people."

They were more numerous than the Desmonds we had fought before.

Of course, Fenris had become much stronger since then, but it was still dangerous to confront that number head-on. And there was no need to do so.

"Everyone, get ready."

At Giselle's command, knights and soldiers gathered in unison around 100 medium-sized catapults.

And seeing Linderstein occupied by the Fenris Army, all of Rodrik's troops had bewildered expressions on their faces.

"Our castle was taken over? And so quickly?"

"I knew for sure that this was an army without siege weapons!"

I heard that all of Fenris's troops were mounted. Naturally, I expected them to be fast.

But it was unimaginable that cavalry could move at that speed while pulling siege engines.

The Earl of Glasgow, commander of the second corps of Rodrik's army, shouted with a mixture of anger, annoyance, and bewilderment.

"What on earth did you do to lose your castle already! You idiots!"

It was inevitable that the army would be slow since it was a large army of 40,000 men, but I was not worried. After all, there was no way they could capture that castle with just cavalry.

But before they could get there, the castle had fallen to Fenris. This made absolutely no sense.

Although he swore at them loudly, his staff were unable to say anything.

It was natural since we all thought the same thing.

The Earl of Glasgow, finally calming down, looked around the castle.

"Those things erected on the wall… Are they catapults?"

There were a hundred or so of something of considerable size erected there.

Linderstein's walls are also very large and wide. Of course, there is room to set up catapults, but who would bother to do that?

The shape was strange, as if only the frame had been connected. It looked similar to a catapult, but I couldn't tell exactly what it was.

"Just looking at the traces, it's clear that siege weapons were used… … ."

The walls were broken in places, and in some places they had collapsed to the point where they were covered in rubble.

If Master Count Fenris had entered the castle with his knights and provoked a melee, it would have been difficult for the defenders to hold out.

I was curious as to how on earth they managed to break through that wall.

"I've never heard of such a siege weapon. Is this a trick to confuse us?"

No matter how I looked at it, it was suspicious, but I couldn't believe that cavalry could move so quickly with siege engines.

They must have been up to something. Those strange things on the walls aren't real catapults, and they're clearly just bluffing to keep them from making any hasty moves.

The staff approached the Earl of Glasgow and asked:

"We don't have any siege weapons. What should we do?"

The siege engines were taken by the 1st Legion which went to capture Fenris.

The original destination of the 2nd Corps was the vicinity of the capital. It was thought that they would receive food and soldiers there to fight against the Duke.

The Earl of Glasgow stroked his beard and said:

"We can find out what the situation is once we recapture the castle. I don't think we'll need siege weapons."

It is a huge army of 40,000 people. It can sweep away any territory in an instant.

It would have been impossible to capture Linderstein without siege weapons, but now aren't there already holes all over the place?

It was just roughly blocked with rubble, so it was high enough for soldiers to climb over.

"We should concentrate our attack on the already fallen areas. The enemy has 10,000 troops. A castle with holes in it is not a proper castle."

If this entire army could just enter the castle, we could retake it in an instant.

Of course, it wasn't easy. Even though some of the walls had collapsed, they hadn't completely disappeared.

"The Fenris guys will also focus on blocking the breached area. That will be the fiercest battlefield, so we will gradually deploy troops and push them back."

Since the troops will be concentrated in a few narrow places, the advantage of a large army cannot be taken advantage of right away. However, if you attack in turns, the enemy with fewer numbers will eventually tire first.

"Do your best to kill the enemy. Dismount all the cavalry and deploy them. We don't have much time. Accept the losses. Securing supplies is the priority."

Because they were a large army, Rodrik's army was consuming food at an incredible rate. They only had a few days' worth of food.

But while that castle was occupied, supplies would inevitably be cut off. Linderstein had to be reclaimed as soon as possible.

The staff member asked cautiously.

"Could it be that those things on the walls are new weapons?"

"I've never heard of such a weapon. They must be trying to buy us time by making us worry about finding out what they are."

"I see. That is quite possible."

There are many examples in the history of warfare of creating strange things to confuse the enemy.

Especially in situations like the current Fenris Army where time must be bought, there were even more of them.

The Earl of Glasgow clicked his tongue as he looked over the wall.

"Tsk, Earl Fenris is using his brain. But he's already taken over the castle. Is he really the Master? I'm getting tired."

I was curious as to how they had stormed the walls, but I didn't have the time to find out. Now I just had to push my soldiers in.

The damage would be great because the situation was different from the original plan, but there was no other way.

"All troops, advance! The enemy is all cavalry! There are no archers, and the walls are breached! We can easily get in! We must retake the castle as quickly as possible!"

"Waaaaaaaaaah!"

As the Earl of Glasgow shouted, a large army of 40,000 men rushed toward the castle.

The morale of Rodrik's army was as great as the loudness of their shouts, because they knew that their numbers were overwhelming.

Jiselle, who was looking at the Rodrik army that was coming in like a tidal wave, lightly waved her hand.

"Shoot."

As soon as those words were out, 100 medium-sized catapults rained down stones.

Paaaaaaaang!

The eyes of the soldiers who were charging toward the castle widened. It wasn't just a catapult-like shape, it was a real catapult.

As they were caught off guard by the unexpected situation, a whopping 100 rocks fell on their heads.

Kwaaaaang! Kwaaaaang! Kwaaaaang!

"Eww!"

"It's a catapult! It was a real catapult!"

"There are 100 of them!"

Hundreds of soldiers running in front were instantly hit by rocks and blown up.

Although this was a very small number compared to the 40,000, the problem was that they were completely unprepared for stone-pelting attacks.

Rodrik's men had never been attacked by so many catapults in their lives. Everyone panicked and their charge slowed down.

And Fenris's army did not miss that opportunity. Their catapults were also very fast in their loading speed.

Paaaaang!

Before Rodrik could come to his senses, another hundred rocks came flying at him.

Kwaaaaang! Kwaaaaang! Kwaaaaang!

"Eww!"

"Don't stop! Run!"

"You can avoid the attack by getting closer!"

The soldiers gritted their teeth and ran as the few knights who had finally come to their senses urged them on. The commanding officers of Rodrik's army were so shocked that they could not even give proper orders.

Kwaaaaang! Kwaaaaang! Kwaaaaang!

Countless stones were flying. The running Rodrik army was caught in the attack of 100 catapults, and thousands of people died in an instant.

However, with a force of 40,000 men moving at the same time, even that many catapults could not completely stop Rodrik's army.

"That's it! Run faster! Just push through the water!"

The soldiers ran with hope at the shouts of the commanders stationed here and there.

And the vanguard had finally reached a range where catapults were no longer possible. The enemy were all cavalry, and to stop them they had to come down to the broken part of the wall.

For Rodrik's army, that was better. If they clashed with swords, the one with more numbers would have the advantage.

But Fenris's army still did not move on the walls. Jiselle raised her hand again and spoke briefly.

"Next attack."

Soldiers wearing full galvanized body armor pulled something out from their waists.

Clank! Clank! Clank!

When it was folded into three sections and unfolded, it became a bow. It was a Galvanium folding bow used by elves and horse archers.

All of the Fenris troops drew their arrows from the barrels placed nearby and fired.

Immediately after that, the order was given to Giselle.

"Shoot."

Paaaaah!

A rain of ten thousand arrows flew towards the approaching Rodrik army.

Puppup ...

"Eww!"

"Archers! Everyone, shoot arrows!"

"What! You said there were no archers!"

The soldiers who were charging fell helplessly, screaming. They barely managed to avoid the catapult attack, but then arrows flew at them.

I believed the rumor that they were all cavalry, but it was all a lie.

Of course, cavalry archers can shoot arrows, but 10,000 fully armed cavalry archers? I've never seen or heard of such a thing.

"Damn it! This is all nonsense! The bow attack is too smooth!"

The knights who were charging were just as confused as the soldiers.

These are not arrows that are just shot carelessly.

That many people were shooting arrows at one location with precise direction and distance.

Distrust of their commanders grew among Rodrik's soldiers.

"You said there weren't any, but there are catapults and bows!"

And distrust of the Fenris Army grew.

"Where are those soldiers!"

It was no wonder they were surprised.

The Fenris Mobile Force is trained rigorously to handle all weapons.

They were cavalry and archers, and could also be infantry, shield bearers, and spearmen when necessary.

Since they are all wearing full galvanium body armor, they can demonstrate fighting prowess similar to that of knights against ordinary soldiers.

With siege weapons in place, they have become the elite of the elite, capable of fighting in any situation and any environment.

"Ship, Count! Order a retreat!"

The staff officer of the Rodrik Army, who had been absent-minded, quickly came to his senses and shouted.

They really charged in without any preparation and started dying as soon as they got close.

If we continue like this, we will all be annihilated after this battle.

The Earl of Glasgow screamed.

"Retreat, retreat! Retreat quickly!"

Phew oh oh oh!

When the retreat bugle sounded, the soldiers retreated in panic, but the retreat was not easy.

Because arrows were flying nonstop from the castle walls.

"Retreat! Retreat quickly!"

Shouts were heard from all directions, and the soldiers were busy retreating in a hurry. Even in the midst of all this, countless soldiers were dying from the continuous pouring of arrows.

It was relatively easy for the soldiers who were following behind to return, but most of the soldiers who were running at the front ended up dying.

The soldiers who had barely made it out of the catapult's firing range collapsed, panting. They didn't even know how they had run.

The Earl of Glasgow asked in a trembling voice at this miserable reality.

"Blood, damage… …?"

The staff moved quickly to assess the situation. After a while, one of the staff members returned and opened his mouth with difficulty.

"There were approximately… 10,000 casualties."

"… … ."

Even with just 10,000 troops, you can become a lord that no one can do anything to. That's how great your force is.

But now, such a huge force has disappeared in a brief charge.

Master Earl Fenris didn't even do anything. The damage was only from those strange catapults and simple arrow attacks.

"Ugh… … ."

The Earl of Glasgow clutched his head. Where in the world would one find such a fool who would simply send his men out in front of enemy siege engines and archers?

Even if you send 100,000, let alone 10,000, they will all be wiped out.

But there was such a guy here. It was me.

But the Earl of Glasgow also had an excuse.

I've heard that Fenris's army is entirely cavalry. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to get here from the north so quickly.

Who would have thought that cavalry could both shoot arrows and carry siege weapons?

"Eww! What the hell are those guys!"

It was a situation that was completely incomprehensible to his common sense.

Even Fenris's army did not block the breached walls. It was as if they were blatantly ignoring Rodrik's army.

"Aaaah! Fenris! Count Fenris!"

The Earl of Glasgow was furious for a while, then asked his staff with his hair disheveled and his eyes bloodshot.

"Hey, what do we do now?"

His voice was shaking quite a bit.

I couldn't figure out how to get in there.