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Chapter 289:
Jace looked sternly at the walls of Fort Bidou in the distance, finding the situation even more troublesome than he had anticipated. With their strong defenses, the allied forces tenaciously held the castle. His troops attacked time and again, only to retreat each time.
Apart from the strategic terrain and the solid fortifications, there was another significant reason for the fortress’s resilience—the allied forces’ firearms were finally showing their might.
Jace witnessed a new kind of firearm: the grenade. When his soldiers got close to the castle walls, the defenders threw down these dark objects, which then exploded.
The grenades scattered shrapnel and nails, inflicting widespread injuries on the attacking troops. Though not deadly, the impact on the attackers’ morale and willingness to fight was substantial. No one wishes to provoke a beehive, even if a bee’s sting is not fatal.
However, the greatest losses were inflicted by the four thunder hammers—Jace had learned from his spies that this weapon was officially known as a cannon.
His trebuchets, brought along for this assault, were methodically destroyed by concentrated enemy fire. Where a trebuchet’s stones landed could only be predicted by God, whereas the thunder hammers’ precision was far superior (relatively speaking).
The thunder hammers were terrifying in their effect on infantry. When his soldiers were still far from the castle, the defenders used solid shot, which was deadly upon mere contact and could bounce off the ground, continuing to jump and cause successive damage.
This was a horrifying form of sustained harm. Jace had personally seen a hundred-man platoon approach the castle in a column formation, only to be struck by a cannonball. Even for a battle-hardened leader like him, the sight was chilling. It caused a collapse in morale, forcing Jace to halt the battle for a day to regroup.
When the attackers drew near the castle, the defenders would switch to firing grapeshot, another terrifying method of attack. Accompanied by the roaring of the cannons, countless small pellets flew at imperceptible speeds, creating a metal storm. Each cannon blast would fell a swath of attackers.
After several volleys from the thunder hammers, no one, from officers to soldiers, wanted to attack in dense formations anymore.
What worried Jace even more was the increased firing rate of the thunder hammers compared to the previous Battle of Fort Bidou. He could tell just from the sound. This meant that this formidable weapon was constantly being improved. He dreaded to think what it would be like next time.
He turned and asked the mercenary captain beside him, “Do you have any good ideas?”
The mercenary captain shook his head. Military treatises all say that an assault should only be launched when the attacking force is ten times larger than the defenders. Such battles were fought with lives; there were no easy solutions.
Otherwise, why would attackers often engage in extensive looting or even massacre after breaching a city? Firstly, promises of rewards were made to motivate the soldiers to risk their lives, and secondly, the high casualties demanded an outlet for the soldiers’ frustrations.
Jace, displeased, redirected his gaze towards Fort Bidou. He intended for the mercenary troops to join the attack, but the mercenary captain was reluctant.
The contract they had signed specified that the mercenaries were only responsible for field battles. Jace regretted not including more clauses.
The rumors were right: a bunch of people who cared only about money and lacked any sense of honor.
“Lord, urgent news from Emden!”
A knight galloped over, calling out to Jace.
Jace was startled, “What’s happened?”
Emden was his homeland. The mere thought of the Alda troops lingering in the north of Emden filled him with unease.
As he had feared, the knight whispered in his ear, “The Alda army has launched an attack. They’re bombarding Bayland Castle with thunder hammers, and… they’re also trying to fill in the moat outside the castle. It seems they’re getting serious.”
Jace’s hand relaxed momentarily before he gripped the riding crop tightly again. “Who else knows about this?” he asked.
The knight shook his head and replied, “I have confined the messenger and notified you first.”
Jace’s expression eased a bit. “Good. Send him back to Bayland Castle with my orders: I cannot send reinforcements immediately, but Valentine must hold it at all costs.”
The knight nodded, “Yes, I’ll send him back right away.”
“Make sure he doesn’t contact anyone else,” Jace instructed.
With a promise to comply, the knight spurred his horse and departed.
Jace watched his back for a long while, deeply worried about the movements of the Alda army. Although Bayland Castle was exceptionally sturdy, the enemy they faced this time was also ‘exceptional’.
Jace was unable to send help to Bayland Castle. If he led his troops north, what would happen if the enemy at Fort Bidou attacked again? Would he have to lead his army back again? He refused to be led around by the nose.
Frowning, he summoned his attendants. “Pass the order: the first warrior to scale the castle walls will be made a baron. The next ten, knights. If they already hold a title, they will be promoted. The first 100 to climb the walls, noble or commoner, will each receive 1,000 gold coins!”
The order caused a stir throughout the army.
…
While Bayland Castle and Fort Bidou were engaged in fierce battles, the Alda army, which had landed at Fish Tail Town, began moving south.
It took them five days to cross the territory of the Carter family. Baron Sorro Carter had overestimated his family’s resolve to resist. As the Alda army advanced, his relatives either fled or surrendered, with only sporadic, small-scale resistance. The important towns in the baron’s territory quickly fell into the hands of the Alda army. It was unknown whether the imprisoned baron would be furious enough to spit blood.
On June 10th, the Alda army entered the direct territory of the Northwestern Duke. Their scouts reported a massive army, numbering between 5,000 to 6,000, advancing towards them.
Clearly, the enemy had also noticed the Alda army and slowed their movement, continuously sending cavalry to scout and harass them. Chief of Staff Schroeder immediately ordered the vanguard to station and be on alert, waiting for the rest of the troops to catch up.
The forces that had landed were not just the initial two battalions anymore. The navy’s warships had made several trips, bringing not only a large amount of supplies but also 600 militiamen. These militiamen, armed with melee weapons, played a significant role in maintaining order in newly occupied areas, guarding strategic points, and protecting supply depots. Additionally, the navy had sent 300 personnel to assist the army, bringing along firearms and cannons from the ships.
Another great battle was about to erupt.
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