Chapter 22

From the foot of the mountain where Gode Fortress stands, a small reconnaissance unit stealthily approached.

Without hesitation, Captain Dambur raised his saber.

"Suppression fire! Don't let the enemy out of the forest! Open fire!"

"Suppression fire!"

"Suppression fire!"

The non-commissioned officers shouted, and the artillerymen ignited the cannons. The shells released were large buckshot, commonly known as "grapeshot." Despite being called buckshot, they were much larger than musket balls and had far greater destructive power.

The professional artillery fire was indeed precise, and the enemy soldiers who had been visible between the trees all retreated. Some might have been taken down.

However, it's rare for a battle to be decided by artillery alone.

After a few rounds of artillery fire, it seemed the enemy had a good sense of the situation and began to approach while using the terrain for cover. Of course, they were spread out. It was difficult to handle a large number of skirmishers with a small number of cannons.

In that case, they would have to use muskets, but it was still a bit too far.

Colonel Altsar was shouting.

"First squad, don't fire yet! They're out of range! Stay hidden until the enemy fires!"

It was a good judgment. He's reliable even though it's his first time.

On the other hand, the musketeers of the Zepher Fortress garrison, who were supposed to be professionals, were not moving well.

"Wait! Don't fire!"

A non-commissioned officer in charge of about thirty infantrymen was shouting. One of the soldiers had fired prematurely.

The timing of firing in a line of infantry is extremely important, so the commander is very troubled when someone fires without permission.

This fortress has never been on the front line, so it's probably due to a lack of combat experience and training. It doesn't look like we can expect much from them.

"Enemy! The enemy is coming!"

"I know that! Just reload quietly!"

A gruff-bearded middle-aged non-commissioned officer had a stern look on his face.

The soldiers of the 6th Special Task Brigade had not fired a single shot yet. They were hiding behind the gun ports, holding their muskets and waiting for the order to fire.

The colonel's selection seemed to be accurate. Everyone was calm for their first battle.

Soon, sporadic gunfire could be heard. The sound of bullets hitting the walls could be heard. Musket balls are heavy and powerful, so the sound when they hit is quite dramatic.

"Ah!?"

"Scary!?"

The girls of the 6th Special Task Brigade were huddled together, but none of them were running away. They were all looking at the colonel and me.

The colonel and I seemed to be calm, so everyone seemed to be reassured.

On the other hand, the garrison soldiers of Zepher Fortress were moving awkwardly. "This is your fortress, defend it properly!"

But it seemed a bit strange to attribute it just to a lack of experience. The reason was unclear.

Then the colonel muttered.

"Lieutenant, the garrison's morale seems to be on the verge of collapse. Is there a problem?"

Could it be...?

When I observed them closely, the soldiers indeed seemed restless. They were spilling gunpowder and forgetting to place their pikes, showing no composure at all.

It was an impossible situation, even though the battle was still in the warm-up stage.

However, "impossible" is a forbidden word, so I reconsidered.

Thinking of possible reasons, I advised my superior.

"The fall of Gode Fortress may have significantly lowered their morale. For this fortress, which is a supporting stronghold, there is no reason to fight after the fall of the main fortress."

"I see. To us outsiders, it's just a fortress, but for them, it was a mental support and a reason to fight."

The colonel nodded and smiled at me.

"Should we have prepared a provost guard for them?"

"Your kindness is appreciated, sir."

Indeed, if a provost guard with guns was watching from behind, the number of soldiers fleeing from the enemy would probably decrease significantly.

How can you make such a joke so casually? It's your first battle, right?

However, Hanna was trembling.

"The conversation between the colonel and the lieutenant is too scary..."

"War is a scary thing. I'm trembling inside too."

The colonel smiled and then said,

"But compared to the soldiers fighting on the front line, we don't have the right to be afraid. You don't either, Hanna."

Indeed. We, as commanders, have the authority to order soldiers to take actions that could lead to their deaths. The soldiers have no other choice but to obey.

"I, I understand!"

Hanna, the non-commissioned officer, saluted hurriedly.

Colonel Altsar is more reliable than expected, so it's probably okay here. Her leadership is much higher than mine.

In that case, the problem is with the garrison of Zepher Fortress.

"Sir, I would like to observe the situation of the soldiers there."

"Understood. Come back as soon as possible. I'm worried being alone."

Well, if you're that composed, you're quite something. You're smiling even though you say you're worried.

I headed towards the garrison infantry, admiring the colonel's boldness a little.

About thirty infantrymen were manning ten gun ports. The loaders and shooters all had frightened faces.

This is bad. If something happens, these guys will run away immediately.

"Everyone, how are you doing?"

When I smiled at them, the garrison soldiers nodded with trembling faces.

"You were drinking tea on the wall earlier..."

"Break time is for resting."

I nodded calmly and casually peeked into a nearby gun port.

"Nice weather. Oh, quite a few are coming."

"Sir, it's dangerous!"

"The distance is too far. They're just weak shots."

If they were about to hit, the "Scythe of Death" would tell me, but there's no warning yet, so I'm relaxed. In this world, if you die, it's no big deal. I've died once before.

The enemy's bullets were tapping the walls weakly. The sound of musket balls at close range is much more intense.

I turned around and smiled at the soldiers who looked like they were about to die.

"Are you afraid of the enemy, everyone?"

The soldiers looked at each other, and a few nodded silently.

I nodded too.

"Being afraid of the enemy is a sign of a good soldier. I'm afraid too!"

"No way, you're not afraid at all..."

"You look like a war fetishist."

Someone whispered, but I pretended not to hear.

"But from our perspective, the enemy is also afraid of us!"

Everyone had a "really?" look on their faces. No, the enemy is also risking their lives.

"Think about it. The enemy has just fought a brutal battle at Gode Fortress and is exhausted. Just when they thought it was over, they have to face the renowned garrison of Zepher Fortress."

"Renowned...?"

No, really?

"Of course. I was in the 5th Division until recently, and they were famous there too."

Lies. I've never even heard the name.

The soldiers' faces showed a little more determination. I could hear them whispering to each other.

"Maybe this place is pretty impressive?"

"Now that you mention it, it does feel that way..."

I seized the opportunity to press on.

"Of course. The 6th Special Task Brigade rushed to reinforce this place. This is a key point connecting the invincible Gode Fortress and the capital. It must be defended at all costs."

I flattered them to give them a reason to fight. They needed a reason to fight.

And here, I needed to add some spice.

"If we borrow a hundred soldiers from another brigade and still fall, we'll be the laughingstock of the entire army. 'Pretentious, useless, cowardly bastards.'"

Swaidel is not my native language, but I learned a lot of slang during my street life. I know exactly which words are effective.

Swaidel men have unnecessarily high pride, so this kind of provocation works well.

As expected, their expressions tightened. Good, good.

"Sir, we're not weaklings!"

"Right! We're a bunch of fearless warriors!"

You say that...

I nodded and smiled.

"Of course. I didn't want to die, so I thought about which fortress to reinforce. I advised the brigade commander that Zepher Fortress would be safe."

It was a complete lie, but the soldiers were impressed.

"That's a good judgment."

"Great strategist!"

I raised my hand in response and then turned to the girls of the 6th Special Task Brigade.

"Aren't the girls in our brigade cute? They became soldiers due to various circumstances. If your skills are as rumored, you won't let them die, right?"

The garrison soldiers' breathing became heavy at my words.

"Sure, leave it to us!"

"We'll wipe out those mountain apes from Bruges!"

Good, good, this should be fine.

I patted the non-commissioned officer's shoulder, who was still stunned, and smiled.

"Wait until the enemy's reconnaissance is fully drawn out before firing. Give them a spectacular first hit to scare them. Follow our firing orders."

"Yes, sir!"

The non-commissioned officer saluted, and I started walking.

Well, now they should be able to fight a bit.