Volume 2 Chapter 22 (1/2)
Chapter 2 Episode 22
(Defensive War 3)
Day 169 after being summoned to another world: (Defensive War 3)
”Listen up! Don't let your guard down! The enemy is five times our numbers; you die if you lose focus even for a moment!”
Under Lione’s order, the Knights began to pull the arrow on their bows.
”Wait on my mark!”
Just like an avalanche, the enemy surged in from the south side where Lione is guarding.
Loud battle cries echoed throughout the battlefield. With the effect of adrenaline, the soldiers charged in fearlessly, thirsting for blood.
It was like a starving pack of wolves attacking without self-control.
Though on a closer look, they are not regular soldiers.
They are the farmers from Duke Gerhardt’s territory that was drafted to become soldiers.
Naturally, they have never received any proper military training, not to mention that, they are only equipped with cheap spears and basic leather armor.
They are not wearing any helmet or s.h.i.+eld.
That indicated just how worthless their lives are in the eyes of the n.o.bility.
But right now, they are showing a tremendous battle hunger.
After all, the enemy’s camp is just like a treasure island with a lot of loot up for grab.
The conscript system in this world is quite an unrewarding one.
Not only they have to put their lives on the line for their lords,
There is little to receive in return.
The reason for that can be attributed to the various kinds of tax that exist.
However, despite all of that, there is still some incentive to serve the lord.
In the form of plundering, there is a rule that allow them to claim any battle loot from their enemies to themselves.
They can get some cash from the enemies they have killed, by selling their spears and armor.
To put it simply, It's 'you find it, you keep it' rule.
That kind behavior leads to a more aggressive war.
Rape the women, burn the homes, and steal their wealth.
Captured men are sold as labor slave, and captured women as s.e.x slave.
By wagering their life, there is an opportunity for them to gain significant profits.
That is why, even though the farmers in this world hate the n.o.bles, they were still willing to go to wars.
All for the sake of crus.h.i.+ng weaker people to make their own hard life a little easier.
A Knight's equipment is expensive.
They need a full set of armor, a weapon, and a horse.
It can be said that a knight’s pride lies in his weapon.
Of course, it is hard for a farmer to kill a knight.
While there is no fixed way to judge a knight’s fighting capability, generally f a knight who is capable of using magic art is three times stronger than a farmer turned soldier.
Knights are just like a monster in the shape of a man.
However, there are more factors involved in war than just individual ability.
While they might lose a one-on-one fight, that might change when there are more people on one side.
Just like how a flock of ants can eat a giant elephant.
”Listen up! Whatever you get your hands on, it's all yours! We will guarantee that in the name of Duke Gerhardt! Now, Advance!”
”””Uoooooh!”””
In response to the order, the front liners immediately rushed forward.
Right now, in their eyes, Ryouma and the others are a pile of treasure.
They are very confident thanks to the overwhelming difference in number.
They surged forward without hesitation.
Because knowing the fact that they have a much larger army than their enemy made them forget about their fear..
As the farmer-soldiers approached the 5 meter mark from the fence;
”Now! First team, let loose your arrows!”
On Lione’s signal, the defensive Knights released a barrage of arrows toward the enemies.
*HyuHyuHyuHyu*
Following the sounds of the wind, several arrows pierced through the farmer-soldiers’ heads.
””Gyaaaaaaa!!””
”d.a.m.n it! Watch out for the arrows!”
The voices of a farmer-soldier warning about arrows echoed throughout the battlefield.
The moment an arrow pierced their comrades around them, they began to remember the fear they had forgotten.
This ended up slowing down their a.s.sault.
”What are you doing?! Press forward! The enemies are small in numbers! Destroy them in a single pus.h.!.+ Don't you want to take all of their treasure?! Their gold!”
The enemy's commander shouted from behind.
Perhaps he has felt that his soldiers’ advancing pace has slowed down.
Once again, a simple human desire known as greed entered the soldiers' minds.
Logically speaking, the n.o.bles should have provided their farmer-soldiers with s.h.i.+elds to protect them from the arrows, but they chose not to.
For the n.o.bles in this world, the farmers are their s.h.i.+eld.
To put it bluntly, they don't even care how many farmers die.
Farmers are the stepping stones for the n.o.bles to place the victory flag on the enemy’s base.
”Second team! Release!”
Again, under the direction of Lione, the second wave of arrows rained down on the farmers.
”Khu! What are you frightened of?! Their numbers are only a few! They do not have infinite arrows! We still have the advantage over numbers! Advance! Those who managed to reach the fence first will get a bonus bounty! Proceed!”
The enemy commander's aim was clear.
He planned to finish the war by making use of their numerical advantages.
For him, even it takes five farmers to kill one knight, he is still going to win. <tln: also=”” known=”” as=”” “human=”” wave=”” tactic”.=”” this=”” is=”” how=”” the=”” soviet=”” union=”” won=”” against=”” german=”” n.a.z.i.=””>
On one hand, for Ryouma, he has the upper hand as long as the two sides clash from long distance.
On the other hand, the n.o.ble’s side is seeking a close combat, since they have a large numerical advantage.
Having said that, it was quite a difficult task to avoid a close combat completely.
Although the farmer-soldier army was constantly getting shot by barrages of arrows, they slowly began to close the distance.
They stepped over the dead bodies of their own comrades.
Some even used the body of a fallen as a s.h.i.+eld.
Gradually but surely, they kept on moving forward one step at a time while withstanding the rain of arrows that came at them.
”I made it! I'm the first!”
A soldier finally shouted that he has reached the fence.
It was rare for the n.o.bles to provide such bonus.
But for the farmer, such money would help them ease their life from high taxes.
That's why he tried to make it known by shouting first.
To make sure that the n.o.bles know that he's the first one.
However, the price for that was far too great.
It has costed him his life.
”Third team, come forward!”
Hearing Lione's instruction, the bow users stepped back, and the spear knights began to step forward.
”Push them back!”
On Lione's command, the spears pierced through the gaps of the lower fence.
The spears were aimed at head level.
The man who shouted that he was the first to arrive on the fence got himself pierced by a spear through his right eye.
”Gyaaaaaa!”
The man screamed painfully.
”Retract!”
The spears that were stricken out of the fence were pulled back all at once.
”Puus.h.!.+”
Numerous spears were protruding out once again between the gap, reaping the foolish farmers' lives.
”Noo! Brother! Lloyd!... d.a.m.n it! You b.a.s.t.a.r.d!” <tln to=”” editors:=”” insignificant=”” character=”” have=”” a=”” name,=”” while=”” the=”” commanding=”” officer=”” does=”” not!=”” confuse=”” the=”” h.e.l.l=”” out=”” of=”” me.=””>