Chapter 106: Unprecedented Destruction

Joltz's defenders were shaken from the previous day's battle. The screeching spears that exploded above the walls not only destroyed 30 cannons but eviscerated scores of soldiers. Gerhard was stunned at the vicious nature of Victor's new weapons.

"Captain, is there anything we can do to neutralise those weird exploding javelins? Our men are terrified. If they use that weapon beyond the walls, on the citizens and the buildings, the city will be left in ruins. What are our options?" Gerhard asked worriedly.

The Garrison Captain furrowed his brow and replied, "Young lord, I will be frank, we can not reach their weapons. They are out of our cannon's reach and we can not charge towards them without being massacred. I apologise for the coarse language but we are fucked."

This news pained Gerhard, Joltz was his home, and he knew many of the men who were fighting under him. "What do you expect us to do then, captain? Our men will fight to the last, as will I. Surrender is not an option." Gerhard said sternly.

The Garrison Captain was left speechless, all he could think about was surrendering or death. His silence was noted, and Gerhard was frustrated that no ideas would come from his trusted aide. Wanting to be proactive, Gerhard began preparing for the next Luxenberg assault.

With a fiery conviction, he marshalled his forces and prepared the remaining cannons. He and his men would not concede the city without a fight. Gerhard would rather die than surrender his home to the invaders. Many of the defending soldiers shared their young lord's sentiment, they would rather die fighting than let an enemy army waltz into the city uncontested.

Atop the city walls, they waited for the impending attack, nervous to face the Luxenberg artillery again. They watched as King Victor stood at the ready alongside 20 of his Congreve rockets. It was glaringly clear what was about to come but they did not buckle under their fear, they were the only ones who stood between the Luxenberg army and they wished to conquer.

By midday, the defender's restlessness grew in anticipation, when would the first rocket be fired? Their wondering would cease an hour later as the screams of the rockets signalled the beginning of the battle.

The metal flying spears reached above the walls and exploded. The shockwave alone had many men off balance and stumbling. The explosions engulfed multiple soldiers and cannons, they could not escape it burning inferno.

In spite of the screeching rockets flying above their head, the Joltz defenders tried their best to return fire. Although they had attempted to try and hit the rocket frames, all their cannonballs fell short of the mark. Victor's Congreve Rockets were using their range advantage to the fullest.

With the defenders falling like flies after rounds and rounds of rocket fire, Victor was planning to secure a surrender from the city. He knew their stoic loyalty would have them fight to the last man, so there was only one way to show true force.

Victor looked at the officer in charge of the rocket artillery and commanded, "Adjust your range for further into the city, let their people realise that standing against our kingdom is a horrible decision. As a king, I must show mercy, but also show that my wrath is ferocious."

The nearby advisors were concerned that this move was reckless and not needed. A few were supportive of this approach, Victor needed to show strength so that his future enemies knew that going against him and his kingdom would result in facing the iron fist of the Luxenberg army.

The artillery officer did not question Victor's orders and began to adjust their aim. They could fire an extra 300 meters into the city. There were mostly residential buildings near the eastern wall, plus the occasional stable and tavern. Their residents were cowering in their homes, praying for the garrison to succeed and repel the Luxenberg invaders.

Gerhard who had a front row seat to the carnage, was wracking his brain to try and formulate a solution to their woes. As he was witnessing his men's valiant efforts, his face drained with colour as he watched the rockets fly past him into the city.

Wooden roofs broke apart and women wailed as the ear-piercing rockets ravaged the homes of the Joltz citizens. Fires began to break out amongst the densely packed buildings of the city. Volunteer firemen rushed to fight these fires. Pails of water were thrown to douse the flames. Some of these attempts were successful, while others proved useless.

Gerhard could only watch as his city began to catch fire. A deep pool of sorrow and defeat began to swirl in Gerhard. His people, and his city, were being destroyed by the Luxenberg war machine.

"Captain, we must surrender. The bastards are firing into the city, onto our people. Those exploding spears are unleashing chaos upon our peaceful city. If we continue to stand here and do nothing our city will continue to face the flames of war," Gerhard said in a distraught fashion.

The Garrison Captain looked at Gerhard with warm eyes, "Young lord, we have fought valiantly, and we will continue to do so. You on the other hand will be escorted to Osterbon. You must inform them of our fall. We can not afford to have you captured and used as a hostage. I will hold command in your absence, although I do not know how long we will last."

Gerhard was adamantly against fleeing. "You are surely joking Captain. I will not abandon my people. If needed I will die alongside the men on this wall. Me fleeing from the city would sink our morale, why would I leave when I am needed here."

"You need to leave, you are the future of this dukedom. Your father would murder me if I let you get captured or die. To ensure the Hirschmann line, you must ride to your father's side and see to it that avenges us," The Garrison Captain replied passionately.

Gerhard tried to stand his ground but a few soldiers managed to pull him away from the wall and get him to a horse. A small group of riders departed from the northern wall gate and rode towards the Fontaine capital of Osterbon.

The Garrison Captain who was stood atop the eastern wall watched Gerhard depart along with his retinue. "Go fast, young lord. May you avenge us," he muttered, now shifting his attention to the enemy.

"Men! If we are to die today, let us take a few of these bastards with us!"