398

Episode 398: Show me the difference in technology. (2)

A typical method used when it is difficult to directly capture a castle is to surround it and starve the troops inside.

But that was difficult to do now. If they did, they would end up starving to death. All the supplies to be sent to Rodrik's army were inside.

The surrounding vassal lords became beggars. There was nowhere to plunder. They had to somehow retake that castle to ensure smooth supplies.

"Find a way! A way!"

"Well, first of all, I think we need to get some siege weapons. If we attack the troops and catapults on the walls and make the existing breach wider, we can take advantage of the large army."

"How are you going to save me!"

"If we go around the surrounding territories, there will definitely be some left. We can borrow from there, and if that's not enough, we'll have to gather resources here and make it."

"Eeeeeee… … Would something like that work in that castle?"

"Isn't there a way? I guess we have to do something about it."

The Earl of Glasgow had no choice but to nod. It was a situation where he had to try anything, whether it worked or not.

"First, go around the surrounding territories and get siege weapons and food. Later, tell the Marquis that he will compensate you sufficiently."

At the Earl of Glasgow's command, some of the troops were dispersed to the surrounding lands.

When they returned a few days later, they had only managed to obtain three catapults and one ram.

The Earl of Glasgow asked, exhaling sharply.

"Is this all? What about food?"

"Most of them were destroyed by the Fenris army and bandits… … and the ones that were intact were taken by us. The same goes for food. In fact, other territories were starving as well."

"Ugh… … Ughh ...

The Earl of Glasgow left without saying a word. It was true that the Marquis had actually requisitioned a huge amount of troops and supplies.

I thought it was because Fenris' army had been raiding and plundering the western territories for a while. However, it seems that the bandits that they were unable to completely subdue are still a problem.

"Hey, try attacking with the catapult you brought."

There was no need to use the charger. It was obvious that it would be destroyed under concentrated fire while being dragged.

Rodrik's army attempted to attack with the catapults they had managed to salvage.

Paaaaang!

Kwah! Kwah! Kwah!

The stone fell before it could even reach the castle. The 1st Corps had already taken all the good ones, so all that was left were old and poor-quality ones.

"Go a little closer and try replacing the stone with a lighter one."

I tried again with a regretful heart. Sure enough, I narrowed the distance and used a light stone, and it flew all the way to the wall.

But just reaching the wall was of no use.

Kwaaaaang!

The stone heading towards the castle was hit by a spear flying from somewhere and shattered into pieces.

Even the knights of Fenris could break light and small stones.

What kind of threat is that if they only fly in three at a time?

"Ugh… … ."

While the Earl of Glasgow was at a loss, Giselle said with a sly smile.

"Show me the difference in technology."

Creak… … .

The Fenris Mobile Force soldiers loaded light stones into their catapults and began firing them.

Phew! Phew! Phew!

The stones fell in a high arc toward the camp where Rodrik's army was waiting.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

"Eww!"

"They started a catapult attack!"

"The military must be pulled back further!"

Soldiers began to die again under sudden catapult attacks.

The Earl of Glasgow gnashed his teeth. This side couldn't attack, but the other side did. It was driving me crazy.

"Back off! Back off further!"

Rodrik's army retreated in panic before they could even come to their senses. The three catapults they had brought were already destroyed.

It was then that the Earl of Glasgow realized that war was not just fought by supermen and knights.

Even the technological gap made it possible to achieve such overwhelming results.

The Earl of Glasgow bit his fingernails.

"What should I do? What on earth should I do?"

When I first set out, I never thought that this situation would come to pass. My pride and confidence in leading this great army soared without limit.

Fenris was not even on his mind. His only thought was to make a great contribution in the fight against the Duke and make a name for himself in the kingdom.

However, even after losing 10,000 troops to the Fenris Army, there was no way to win.

They couldn't give up. If they couldn't retake this place, their main force would be finished.

"No, no. I heard that Fenris has a lot of food. The main force will be able to capture it easily."

It was a fortunate thing, but if that happened, he would be the only one who lost his troops to Fenris and would be shamed. If he wasn't careful, he could lose his honor and even his life.

I had to get this place back somehow.

The Earl of Glasgow spoke with a firm, determined expression.

"Run toward the castle with the cavalry and shield bearers ahead. Make sure all the cavalry put on their shields."

"It's dangerous!"

"We just have to somehow get past the catapult's range. The cavalry and shield bearers ahead will block the arrow attacks. In the meantime, other troops can push in."

"Blood, the damage will be enormous."

"Is there any other way? The entire army should charge! Even if we suffer 10,000 casualties, if 20,000 enter, we can win!"

The staff gulped. Even if 20,000 men entered, there was no guarantee of victory. Earl Fenris alone could handle thousands of soldiers.

But it was also true that there was no other way.

"Now that we've been hit once, the soldiers won't panic like before. Don't hesitate like last time, and run with all your might. If all these people run, even 100 catapults won't be able to stop them. Do you understand?"

"Oh, I understand."

Booooooooo!

The battle trumpet sounded and Rodrik's army regrouped.

The soldiers who received the order trembled in fear. They had to run towards the castle, prepared to die, from the terrifying onslaught.

If you want to survive, you have to get into the castle as quickly as possible. That was the only way you could survive.

Seeing Rodrik's army forming up and preparing to charge, Giselle clicked her tongue.

"Tsk tsk… … . They're wasting soldiers unnecessarily."

It was the worst way he could have seen. He should have just backed off and found another way.

I understand your feelings. As time goes by, you will have to be anxious because you will be struggling with supply issues.

"Now that it's come to this, I have to run harder. Open the gate."

Creak… … .

At Giselle's command, the great gates of Linderstein opened.

The sturdy gates were large enough to accommodate hundreds of people at the same time.

The Earl of Glasgow was startled when the gate suddenly opened.

"What? Why are you opening that? Are you going to come out and fight?"

That would be even better. If they fought directly, they could win. Even if the opposing side had a master, they were confident that they could win against this large force.

But the Fenris army on the walls did not move at all. Instead, Giselle shot an arrow and it fell into Rodrik's camp.

The Earl of Glasgow blinked, not knowing what was going on.

"What? What is that?"

"There is a note tied to the arrow."

"Bring it and see."

I opened the note with some anticipation, thinking it might be an offer to negotiate.

[I will open the gate and fight. If you are confident, come in and see.]

"Hey, hey hey! How dare this kid!"

It was a mockery born of great confidence. The Earl of Glasgow's face turned red with fever.

"How dare you! How dare you, you northern country bumpkin!"

In fact, the Earl of Glasgow was no match for the Earl of Fenris in terms of fame and ability. However, the Earl of Glasgow, who had ignored the North for so long, could not stand such ridicule.

"Charge now! This is enough! Shieldbearers, block the arrows with all your might!"

"Wow!"

The soldiers ran out shouting loudly as if trying to throw away their fear.

Doo doo doo doo doo!

The cavalrymen charged first, followed by the shield bearers. They had to somehow find a position to block the arrow attacks.

Kwaaang! Kwaaang! Kwaaang!

The catapult attack began again at the castle. Countless soldiers who were running towards them were blown up.

However, unlike before, they did not hesitate and a considerable number of people survived and were able to move forward.

In addition, the entire army was running with their teeth clenched. Catapults alone were not enough to stop a force of nearly 30,000.

As the soldiers began to swarm the castle like ants, the archery attack began again.

Paaaaah!

"Eww!"

There were more soldiers dying after being hit by nearly 10,000 arrows.

The cavalry and shield bearers who had finally arrived took up formation and raised their shields.

Taang! Tata tang! Taang!

The horses they rode on died, but those who raised their shields survived. Then the infantry that came in after them advanced in pairs and threes under their protection.

The Earl of Glasgow laughed with bloodshot eyes at the sight.

"Look! It's possible! Just go in like that!"

As the arrow attacks were dispersed, there were definitely more surviving soldiers. However, the expressions on the staff's faces were extremely dark.

'Thousands have already died.'

'Even if I go in, will I be able to win?'

'The Earl of Fenris hasn't moved yet.'

If the opposing side had no masters, they might be able to win. But Earl Fenris has fought and defeated an army of 20,000 with only a few thousand mercenaries.

It means that it doesn't end with just pushing in the soldiers.

As if to fulfill the ominous predictions of the staff, movements different from those seen before began to appear on the walls.

Jiselle shook the window back and forth a few times and then said.

"Knights, follow me. Arrow attacks are to be directed only to the rear."

Even if I just sit still, I'm sure I'll win. But my body feels like it's too much to just watch.

Jiselle jumped down from the wall in one breath.

Kwaaaaang!

"Eww!"

As Giselle exploded her mana by thrusting her spear into the ground, all of the gathered Rodrik troops were blown away with their bodies exploding.

Flash!

Every time his spear moved, a red line flashed.

The soldiers who tried to enter the castle gate while only blocking the arrow attacks had no choice but to fall victim to the sudden attack.

Boom! Boom!

Jisel quickly killed the enemies around him. Rodrik's army was caught off guard by his sudden intrusion.

"Eww!"

"The enemy has appeared!"

"Fight! Fight now!"

From some point on, the catapults and arrows were flying towards the rear.

He threw down his shield and rushed in to fight somehow, but he was no match for Giselle.

As Jiselle continued to kill enemies like crazy, new ones approached her.

"There is only one enemy! Everyone, come at me!"

Rodrik's knights shouted loudly and rushed towards Giselle. Like knights, they dodged the catapult attacks and even repelled the arrow attacks as they approached.

But they too were unable to stop Giselle's attacks and died as soon as they charged at her.

Meanwhile, 200 knights from the top of the castle wall held onto the rope and jumped down in a hurry.

Kwah! Kwah! Kwah!

"Ouch, oh, oh, oh!"

"You ran too fast!"

"Damn! I think my arm is broken!"

The walls were so high that the knights could not jump down as gracefully as Giselle. Most of them had no choice but to roll down using falling techniques.

It was definitely too high. It hurt so much I screamed.

The Rodrik soldiers who were approaching to stop Giselle ran towards them shouting.

"Everyone is falling down!"

"Kill those guys first!"

"Now is the chance!"

It was a really good opportunity for Rodrik's army, who had to somehow reduce their number of enemies by at least one.

They must have been crazy to jump off that high wall. The shock would be so great that they could kill themselves.

Scratch! Scratch!

But it wasn't as easy as it seemed. At one point, Kaor suddenly got up and started behaving like a mad dog.

"Get up, you idiots! Are you going to lie down and die?"

Every time Kaor's sword moved, the approaching soldiers died one by one. His skills became sharper as he experienced actual combat.

Taking advantage of the gap, the knights jumped up and rushed at Rodrik's army.

"Eww! These guys are fine!"

Rodrik's army screamed as they were attacked by the Fenris knights.

I barely made it this far after avoiding attacks from catapults and arrows. That alone was enough to tire me out.

The friendly troops running from behind were still dying from long-range attacks, so they couldn't gather enough men quickly.

But there was no way to stop the 200 Fenris Knights who were running wild.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

"Eww!"

Rodrik's screams echoed from all directions. They ran while dying, but when they arrived, they died again.

The aides, unable to stand by, shouted at the Earl of Glasgow.

"Ugh, you must retreat! Earl Fenris is blocking your way! You cannot enter!"

"Eeeeeeeee… … . I made it! I made it all the way! If I can just get through that guy, I can get in!"

"No! This will never work! Unless we surround them with a large army, they will be killed by the Earl of Fenris as soon as they reach us!"

"Eww! Count Fenris!"

The Earl of Glasgow shed tears of blood. At first glance, he had lost more than 10,000 men in an instant. And even now, the number of troops continued to decrease rapidly.

It was impossible to conquer that castle unless you brought several siege towers.

"Retreat! Retreat!"

He shouted the order to retreat like a scream.

Phew oh oh oh!

The retreat bugle sounded and Rodrik's army turned around with a look of life on their faces.

You'll have to run through more catapult attacks and arrow hails, but it's better than charging forward.

As the knights of Fenris tried to chase the fleeing enemies, Giselle shouted.

"Stop!"

At those words, the knights stopped walking. The catapults and arrows fired from the walls also stopped.

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

"Fenris!"

Jiselle extended her spear forward. She saw the Rodrik army fleeing with their ranks in disarray.

"All forces, charge!"

His shout echoed louder than ever throughout the battlefield. At the same time, the soldiers on the walls disappeared.

And after a while.

Doo doo doo doo doo!

Fenris's mounted soldiers rushed through the open gates and breached walls.