Chapter 112: A Renowned Steed (1) (2/2)
‘For things to be this dire despite such thorough preparation…’
Marquis Bologna bit his lip as he watched the troops weathering the storm
He was already aware that the Kobrook Republic’s crossboere particularly special
Every co method for the part, and these were masterfully assee of which doubled that of a regular crossbow Of course, the firing power of the Kobrook crossboas also greater for equivalent distances
The Kobrook Republic’s pristinely crafted crossboere a highly desired good for other nations Several tied to procure the ite the quality of the original was i was a well-kept national secret, so valued that it was not even shared with the other Republics
As such, when this itehly appraised that it would fetch a price ten tiular crossbow The only nation that could arm their soldiers to the teeth with these crossboas the Kobrook Republic itself
‘If there’s any solace, it’s that their rate of fire is fairly lower’
Marquis Bologna commanded the soldiers to raise their shi+elds and brace through the onslaught until it ended, for his present role was to hold the two strongholds they had ed to capture
Just four days
If they held for just four days, this situation could be flipped right back around in an instant
And so for now, they had to endure even if they were to incur some losses
But it was then…
“Let’s show the Republican bastards e’re made of!”
“URAAAH!!”
The doors of Fort Merano opened, and one detach out
Marquis Bologna was beyond shocked
“Who is it!? Who decided to run out without consent!?”
“Viscount Betrick is hts Up to 1000 of our cavalry has followed behind hi outside orders!?”
Marquis Bologna thundered
Viscount Betrick was a naster who had only just had his coe
At best he was courageous, but at worst he was airheaded In addition to his exceedingly belligerent behavior, he was a young officer as always antsy over how he could garner some more achievements under his belt
It see attacked so one-sidedly and stormed out the fort with his own forces
“That idiot! Did I not hammer into hina glared at Viscount Betrick and his horsemen from atop the ramparts
“Good, we can catch them”
On the forefront, Viscount Betrick clenched his teeth as he led his band of cavalry
He was a youthful noble bri with confidence who had reached the Expert level at a relatively young age
However, there was a ti unable to discern this could lead to poor results
Rather than re the eneht it would be better to attack the enemy with his own cavalry The ene power, but they had a low rate of fire and the intervals between their shots were long Viscount Betrick was convinced that if he were to lead sonificant contribution and he would receive all the glory
In reality, this was ical conclusion He had rationalized his hopes of what could be and persuaded hi that this was a real opportunity
They say that individuals only concerned with their own success should never be allowed to devise strategies in times of war Viscount Betrick was a typical instance of such a man
Whatever the case may be, he was blinded by his own ae to act outside his superior’s orders cae delusion that if he were to make a substantial contribution to the war effort, it would all be forgiven – or even rewarded
But there was so he did not know
The cavalry of the Kobrook Republic was not said to specialize in skir-distance crossbows
“Lieutenant-General Bison! A detach at us”
Bison ser’s report
“Hoh, is a rookie fresh on the battlefield acting out of line?”
Anyone who knehat the Kobrook Republic’s mounted crossboere capable of would not undertake such a reckless charge If they were being charged, itthe cavalry was a new face unaccustomed to this field
“Like raciously accept! Do not let a single one of theo!”
“Yes, sir!”
At Bison’s command, the mounted crossbowmen moved to position in perfect order
“Viscount Betrick! The enemy has redirected their aih it!”
Viscount Betrick co his sturdy kite shi+eld to cover hih one volley’
He knew that the enee of fire – but he also knew of the downside that their rate of fire was slower than regular crossbows Thus, he had assessed that they could weather the first volley and thunder forward to close the distance with the enemy’s tail
‘As soon as we close the distance, horses’
The arrows of the crossbow
“shi+elds up!”
“Pay close heed- argh-”
Thunk thunk! Thunk thunk thunk!
“AAARGH!”
“Ne-e-eigh!”
As the arrows found their mark, Viscount Betrick’s unit of horsee
If the crossbows had a long range of fire, it et shortened, the destructive power of their arrows conversely increased
The crossbow bolts punched through the knights’ arh to penetrate shi+elds
Viscount Betrick’s cavalry detachment had been struck with a volley at a distance where the enereatest With just one attack, as e Betrick clenched his teeth
“Do not be afraid! Follow alloped forward There was no retreat at this point anyway He had to close the distance with the re half of the unit at least
However…
“Viscount Betrick, the eneing intheir horses away froap
“Ugh… catch theive them respite!”
Viscount Betrick shouted at his men as he rushed at the forefront Several arrows had already found its mark in his steed, but it acceded to itshooves
Yet…
“H-… how could this…”
The longer he spurred forward, the further away the enemy became
This hy the Kobrook Republic’s mounted crossboere so optimized for skirmish warfare The steeds which they rode were a breed known as the Silfids, one of the three renowned breeds of coursers on the continent
Silfids, Paladins and Stroms – these were the three breeds of horses that were of most renown in this continent Even out of those, Silfids were bred to have the greatest speed on flat terrain While they were lighter than other horses, their legs were also longer Although on first inspection their physique seemed to be lackluster, a closer look revealed that they had no unnecessary fat and their aits As such, the Silfids were known to be the fastest out of the three renowned continental breeds of horses
And every last one of the Kobrook Republic’sa Silfid
Their equiped war exclusively through unilateral long-distance attacks where they carefully avoided melees as they weaved in and out This was the style of the Kobrook Republic’s strongest skirmish unit, the h distance created between them, the crossbowmen steadied themselves and let loose another volley that covered the sky
“shi+T!”
It was only now that Viscount Betrick realized how foolhardy his decision had been
And in war, lapses in judgment were accoh… AH!”
“Pl-please… spare- KUH!”
As he bore witness to his coed until the very last
However, he too was ultimately unable to withstand the concentrated fire of the crossbows andoff his horse lifelessly