Chapter 398: Show the Difference in Technology (2)

When directly capturing a castle is difficult, the typical strategy is to besiege it and starve out the defenders.

But even that wasn't an option here. In this situation, the Rodrick forces would starve to death before their enemies. The supplies meant for their army were all inside the castle.

The surrounding vassal territories had been reduced to ruins. There was nothing left to loot. The castle had to be retaken at all costs to ensure the flow of supplies.

"Find a way! Anything!"

"We… we'll need siege weapons. If we can attack the forces on the walls and their catapults, we might widen the breaches and take advantage of our numbers."

"And how are you going to get them?"

"If we scour the nearby territories, there might still be something left. We'll requisition what we can and use local resources to build more if necessary."

"Ugh… do you really think that'll work against that castle?"

"We have no other options. We must try something."

Reluctantly, Count Glasgow nodded. Whether it worked or not, they had to try everything they could.

"Send some troops to the surrounding territories. Gather siege weapons and provisions. Promise them that the Marquis will compensate them handsomely later."

Following his orders, a portion of the troops dispersed to nearby territories.

Several days later, they returned with just three catapults and a single battering ram.

Count Glasgow seethed and demanded, "That's all? What about the provisions?"

"Most were destroyed by the Fenris forces and raiders… The usable ones had already been requisitioned by us. Even the other territories are starving."

"Urgh…"

Count Glasgow ground his teeth, unable to respond. It was true that the Marquis had already requisitioned a massive amount of resources along with his army.

It wasn't surprising that the Fenris forces had pillaged the western territories during their campaigns. But the raiders, whom they had failed to eradicate, were still causing problems.

"Fine… try attacking with what we have."

The battering ram wasn't even worth considering. It would undoubtedly be destroyed during transport.

The Rodrick forces used the catapults they had managed to acquire to launch an attack.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The stones didn't even reach the castle, falling short. The good equipment had all been taken by the 1st Corps, leaving only old, subpar weapons.

"Move them closer and try lighter stones."

In desperation, they adjusted their approach. By narrowing the range and using smaller stones, they finally managed to hit the walls.

But simply hitting the walls wasn't enough.

Crash!

The stones headed for the castle were shattered mid-air by spears hurled from the walls.

The light, small stones were easily intercepted by Fenris knights.

With only three catapults firing, their attack posed no threat.

"Ugh…"

While Count Glasgow was paralyzed, unsure of what to do next, Ghislain chuckled and said, "Show them the difference in technology."

Screeech…

The Fenris Mobile Army loaded light stones onto their catapults and began firing.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The stones arched through the air and rained down on the Rodrick encampment.

Crash! Crash! Crash!

"Arghhh!"

"They're firing catapults at us!"

"Pull the troops back further!"

The sudden bombardment caused chaos in the camp, with soldiers being killed left and right.

Count Glasgow clenched his teeth. He couldn't retaliate, yet the enemy could attack at will. It was driving him mad.

"Retreat further! Pull back even more!"

The Rodrick forces, still reeling, scrambled backward in panic. The three catapults they had brought were destroyed in the process.

It was then that Count Glasgow finally realized—war isn't fought with Masters and knights alone.

The disparity in technology alone had created such a decisive result.

Count Glasgow nervously chewed his nails.

"What do we do? What can we do?"

When they first set out, he hadn't imagined this situation. Leading such a massive army had filled him with pride and confidence.

He hadn't even considered Fenris as a threat. His mind was solely focused on the glory he would earn in the fight against the Duchy.

Now, after losing 10,000 men to the Fenris forces, he couldn't even see a path to victory.

But retreat was not an option. If they couldn't reclaim this castle, their main forces would be doomed.

"No, no. Fenris is said to have plenty of provisions. The main force will take it easily."

That thought gave him some relief. But if that happened, he alone would be remembered as the fool who lost thousands of men to a so-called "insignificant" Fenris force. He risked not just his honor but also his life.

He had to retake this place, no matter the cost.

Resolving himself, Count Glasgow ordered with a grim expression, "Have the cavalry and shield-bearers lead the charge. Equip the cavalry with shields as well."

"That's too dangerous!"

"If we can just break through the range of their catapults, we can win. The cavalry and shield-bearers will block the arrows, allowing the rest to push forward."

"The casualties will be enormous!"

"Do we have a choice? Send the entire army! Even if we lose another 10,000, as long as 20,000 get inside, we can win!"

The strategist gulped nervously. Even with 20,000, victory wasn't guaranteed—Count Fenris alone could take on thousands of soldiers.

But there was no other way.

"The soldiers won't panic like last time. This time, they'll go all out. With this many troops charging, not even 100 catapults can stop us. Understood?"

"Yes, understood."

Toot!

The war horn blared, and the Rodrick forces reformed their lines.

The soldiers trembled with fear. Charging into that castle meant facing a barrage of terrifying attacks, knowing they were likely to die.

If they wanted to survive, they had to reach the castle as quickly as possible. That was their only chance.

As Count Glasgow's forces prepared for another charge, Ghislain clicked his tongue.

"Tsk, tsk… wasting their soldiers like this."

In his eyes, it was the worst possible strategy. They should have retreated and sought another solution.

But he understood their desperation. With time, their supply problems would only worsen, forcing their hand.

"Well, if that's the case, we should give them a proper welcome. Open the gates."

Creeeak…

At Ghislain's command, the massive gates of Linderstein opened.

The heavy gates were wide enough for hundreds to pass through at once.

Seeing the gates open, Count Glasgow was stunned.

"What's this? Why are they opening the gates? Are they coming out to fight?"

That would be even better. If they engaged directly, his side had the advantage. Even with a Master on the enemy side, their sheer numbers made victory seem possible.

But the Fenris forces atop the walls didn't move. Instead, Ghislain loosed a single arrow, which landed in the Rodrick camp.

Count Glasgow blinked, confused by the gesture.

"What's that? What's going on?"

"There's a note tied to the arrow."

"Bring it here."

Hoping it might be a negotiation offer, he eagerly unfolded the note.

[We'll leave the gates open. Come in if you dare.]

"You… you insolent bastard!"

It was a taunt, dripping with supreme confidence. Count Glasgow's face turned crimson with rage.

"How dare they! Those northern peasants!"

In truth, Count Glasgow was no match for Count Fenris in reputation or skill. But having long dismissed the North, he couldn't tolerate such mockery.

"Charge immediately! We can do this! Shield-bearers, block their arrows with everything you've got!"

"Hurrah!"

The soldiers shouted, trying to dispel their fear, and charged forward with all their might.

Thud, thud, thud, thud!

The cavalry charged first, followed by the shield-bearers. Their job was to hold their ground and block the arrows.

Boom! Crash! Boom!

The catapults from the castle resumed their bombardment, tearing through the advancing soldiers.

However, unlike before, the soldiers didn't hesitate. Many managed to survive and push forward.

Moreover, the entire army was gritting their teeth and running. The catapults alone couldn't stop nearly 30,000 soldiers.

As the soldiers swarmed like ants toward the castle, the archers began their attack again.

Whoosh!

"Arghhh!"

Many soldiers fell, pierced by nearly 10,000 arrows.

The cavalry and shield-bearers who finally reached the castle formed ranks and raised their shields.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The horses they rode on were killed, but those holding the shields survived. The infantry following behind paired up in twos and threes, advancing under their protection.

Count Glasgow, his bloodshot eyes widening, laughed.

"See? It's possible! They can get in like this!"

With the arrows scattered across a wider area, more soldiers survived. But the expressions on the advisors' faces remained grim.

"Thousands are already dead."

"Even if they get inside, can we win?"

"Count Fenris hasn't even made a move yet."

If the enemy didn't have a Master, they might stand a chance. But this was Count Fenris, who had defeated an army of 20,000 with just a few thousand mercenaries.

Throwing soldiers into the fray wouldn't guarantee victory.

As if to validate the advisors' ominous predictions, movement atop the castle wall indicated something different this time.

Ghislain spun his spear a few times and spoke.

"Knights, follow me. Leave the archers to focus on the rear."

Victory was already certain even if they stayed put. But Ghislain's body itched to take action instead of simply watching.

With a powerful leap, he jumped down from the castle wall.

Boom!

"Arghhh!"

As Ghislain drove his spear into the ground and unleashed a burst of mana, the Rodrick soldiers gathered below were blown away, their bodies torn apart.

Flash!

Every time his spear moved, a crimson streak of light followed.

The soldiers, who had only been defending against arrows and attempting to reach the gates, had no chance against this sudden onslaught.

Crash! Boom!

Ghislain swiftly cut down the enemies surrounding him. His unexpected attack left the Rodrick forces in disarray.

"Arghhh!"

"The enemy is here!"

"Fight! Fight back!"

Meanwhile, the catapult and arrow attacks shifted to the rear lines of the Rodrick army.

Desperate to fight back, the soldiers threw aside their shields and charged at Ghislain, but they were no match for him.

As Ghislain rampaged through the enemy ranks, reinforcements arrived.

"There's only one enemy! Everyone, attack together!"

Rodrick's knights shouted as they charged at Ghislain. They skillfully dodged the catapult strikes and deflected arrows as they approached.

But even they couldn't withstand Ghislain's attacks and fell one by one.

Meanwhile, 200 Fenris knights descended quickly from the castle walls, using ropes.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

"Ugh! That hurt!"

"We came down too fast!"

"Damn it, I think my arm's broken!"

The wall was too high for the knights to leap gracefully like Ghislain. Most had to roll upon landing, using breakfalls to absorb the impact.

The height was extreme, leaving many groaning in pain.

The Rodrick soldiers, seeing the knights sprawled on the ground, yelled in triumph as they rushed toward them.

"They're all down!"

"Kill them while they're defenseless!"

"This is our chance!"

From the perspective of the Rodrick forces, desperate to reduce the enemy's numbers, it seemed like an excellent opportunity.

Only madmen would jump from such a high wall. The impact would leave them vulnerable enough to be killed.

Slash! Slash!

But things didn't go as planned. Suddenly, Kaor sprang to his feet and began rampaging like a rabid dog.

"Get up, you fools! Are you going to die lying down?"

Each swing of Kaor's sword felled approaching soldiers. His skill, honed through countless battles, grew sharper with each encounter.

Seizing the moment, the other knights rose and charged at the Rodrick soldiers.

"Arghhh! They're fine after all!"

The Rodrick forces screamed as the Fenris knights attacked.

They had endured the catapult and arrow barrages just to reach this point. The soldiers were already exhausted.

Meanwhile, reinforcements from the rear were still falling victim to the relentless long-range attacks. Their numbers weren't building up quickly enough.

And now, with 200 Fenris knights tearing through them, the Rodrick forces had no way to hold their ground.

Crash! Boom! Crash!

"Arghhh!"

The Rodrick soldiers' screams echoed everywhere. They had already suffered heavily during their advance, and now, upon arrival, they were dying all over again.

The situation was unbearable for the advisors, who shouted at Count Glasgow.

"We must retreat! Count Fenris is blocking the way! We can't break through!"

"Urgh… but we've made it this far! We're right there! If we can just take him down, we can get everyone inside!"

"No, it's impossible! Not with this strategy! One by one, our forces will just keep dying to Count Fenris!"

"Arghhh! Count Fenris!"

Count Glasgow wept tears of blood. Even at a glance, over 10,000 soldiers had been lost in an instant. And the numbers continued to dwindle rapidly.

Without multiple siege towers, conquering this castle was an impossible task.

"Retreat! Sound the retreat!"

He screamed the retreat order like a desperate plea.

Toot!

The sound of the retreat horn brought relief to the soldiers, who turned and fled.

Although they still had to run through catapult strikes and arrow volleys to escape, it was better than continuing the charge.

As the fleeing soldiers were pursued by Fenris knights, Ghislain shouted.

"Stop!"

At his single command, the knights halted. The catapult and arrow attacks from the walls also ceased.

Covered in blood, Ghislain took a deep breath and shouted.

"Fenris!"

He extended his spear forward. In the distance, the Rodrick forces could be seen fleeing in disarray.

"Everyone, charge!"

His voice rang louder than ever across the battlefield. At the same time, the Fenris soldiers atop the walls disappeared.

Moments later…

Thud, thud, thud, thud!

Fenris cavalry burst through the open gates and breached walls, galloping into the field.

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