hotmtlnovel Chapter 81
Chapter 81
“They claimed that each fortress houses around 10,000 soldiers, but according to the reports, the total number of troops across the three fortresses barely reaches 25,000. Unless the enemy mobilizes additional forces, we’ll be facing a significantly smaller army than ours.”
Volker was of little help, but the information they provided proved to be quite useful.
“The enemy’s walls are fortified against traditional siege weapons, but they’re entirely unprepared for our cannons. If they remain holed up in their fortresses, we’ll crush them along with their walls. If they attempt to engage us in the field, we’ll counter with the tactics we’ve repeatedly drilled.”
With the reinforced data and mini-maps, and given the strength of the Crimson Dragon Legion, the strategy didn’t require anything elaborate.
Twenty-five cannons and ten thousand muskets would be more than enough to overwhelm an unprepared enemy.
“Our first target should be La Leon. The terrain is flat, and the surrounding geography is favorable for advancing toward Adense and Serona afterward.”
“It’s also the oldest of the three fortresses, so it’ll be a good opportunity to showcase the power of our siege cannons.”
After finalizing the finer details with the officers—
“...Then we’ll set out before dawn tomorrow morning. Tell the soldiers to get plenty of rest tonight.”
“Understood.”
The meeting wrapped up swiftly.
If we wanted to leave Volker in the dust, we had to move as quickly as possible. Our goal was to capture all three fortresses before the Fifth Legion could even attempt to claim any credit.
Fortunately, since the meeting concluded in the morning, there was ample time to prepare.
“...It seems they’re watching us.”
“Hah... Quick on the uptake. At least it shows he’s not entirely sluggish.”
The subtle gazes from the Fifth Legion personnel observing the Crimson Dragon Legion were irritating, but—
“They’re still working on maintaining their fortifications.”
“Trying to gauge our movements, perhaps?”
“Most likely...”
“Hah, figures.”
Since they weren’t openly mobilizing their troops yet, it wasn’t a significant concern.
At least this was preferable to them preparing their forces for immediate deployment. If things stayed as they were, the Fifth Legion would likely advance a day or two after us, and we were ready to exploit that lead.
Capturing all three fortresses might be overly ambitious, but taking down two should be well within our reach.
---
Before dawn, at 4 a.m.
The soldiers of the Crimson Dragon Legion, already awake, illuminated the siege cannons with torches as they conducted final inspections. The cannons, mounted on wagons, gleamed in the flickering light, and meticulously crafted cannonballs were stacked on nearby carts.
"...So we’re really firing these at the walls."
"At least we’re the ones firing them... thank goodness for that."
With little time left before their departure, the soldiers quietly murmured among themselves as they carefully checked the wagons and cannons.
"Should I clean the barrel one more time?"
"You’re insane."
"Shh, someone might hear you."
"...No, you’re seriously insane."
Some soldiers, already growing attached to their firearms, were obsessively polishing their barrels even though they were already spotless.
"What if the walls hold?"
"No chance. Those walls were made to stop rocks, not giant iron balls like these."
Their quiet conversations betrayed a mix of worry—
"Still, wouldn’t it be disappointing if we brought all these muskets and barely got to use them? Honestly, I hope the walls hold."
"...You’re full of crap."
"Then why are you fiddling with your musket? You’re just like me, you idiot."
"..."
"...They’re retreating."
Unlike the noisy, chaotic retreats the imperials were known for, these soldiers withdrew in an eerily organized fashion after lighting the fire. This sudden stillness filled Jose with unease.
"Some kind of siege weapon?"
"Probably, but—"
Before Jose could finish his answer to Juan’s question—
"...!"
Juan saw something black streaking toward him.
-BOOOOOM!-
A deafening explosion echoed across the sky before anyone could react, tearing through everything and everyone in its path.
-SCREEEEEEECH-
"...What?"
As the sharp ringing in their ears began to fade and the dust settled,
"...Aaaargh!"
"Ugh, what is this..."
"Help! Please!"
"My arm! My arm!"
Jose, still standing in shock, took in the sight of soldiers writhing on the ground in pain, the walls around them shattered.
"...Juan?"
Reality hadn’t set in for him yet. He turned blankly, searching for Juan, but the spot where Juan had stood was gone, as if a giant had taken a bite out of the wall itself.
Smoke and white haze obscured the imperial army’s position, and the once-visible metal objects were nowhere to be seen.
"...Ready your weapons! The enemy is—"
"...Fire—"
Jose couldn’t process anything anymore. All he felt was a dampness on his body.
The shouting and screams around him were muffled, distant. His head turned aimlessly.
-THUD!-
"...Hey! Move!"
"...?"
A blow from the side jolted Jose back to reality.
"Can you hear me? Grab your weapon and move!"
The voice belonged to Isaac, who had leaned in close to yell directly into Jose’s ear. With effort, Jose understood enough to grab his bow and shield again, letting Isaac pull him along.
"Are you okay? Hey, Jose!"
"Uh... yeah..."
Isaac, who had recovered faster, dragged Jose toward an intact section of the wall. But Jose, who had been near the impact zone, was far from fine. His body was riddled with fragments of stone, and moving through the panicked soldiers was a struggle.
The imperial army didn’t wait.
Before they could secure their position—
-BOOOOOM!-
A second volley of cannon fire tore through La Leon’s walls, collapsing the ground beneath their feet.
Isaac felt a strange mix of weightlessness, fear, and despair as he closed his eyes, bracing for the inevitable.