Chapter 174

While Count Ilerias and Count Izza were each plundering the enemy’s headquarters and supply lines, I was ordering troop support to ensure that the heavily damaged central army did not collapse.

“Send the soldiers of the 5th Battalion back to the main camp for reorganization, and send Colonel Olive’s regiment into the gap of the central army’s vanguard for support. Additionally, the left flank of the central army is currently under attack by the knights under Count Architel. To prevent the enemy’s spearmen from being wiped out, dispatch two battalions of infantry to support our pike men!”

“What? Count Laureant is aiming for the rear of our reserve troops with 2,000 knights? Even though we are only 10,000, the Franche fellows cannot recklessly attack our legion armed with firearms unless our allies are in a dire strait. So, by creating the Terzio formation with the combined spearmen and infantry, they will retreat!”

“Our legion’s first line soldiers must be suffering from severe fatigue. Therefore, let us pull them back to my position to rest. Since we cannot provide food, have them drink the salted water we brought. This will significantly reduce the number of soldiers dying or collapsing from exhaustion.”

“We do not need to recover the bodies of the deceased. However, the severely wounded must be transported back to the main camp immediately using wagons or stretchers. No… Order Baron Frost in the rear to take the severely wounded and anyone who cannot fight aboard empty wagons! Let’s do our best to save even one more life.”

Despite the dire circumstances of being heavily attacked by a combined force of 70,000 troops, including the enemy right flank led by Count Iris attacking Count Ilerias of the left flank, our mere 40,000 troops were holding up well, gradually diminishing the enemy’s momentum.

We were in charge of supporting from the back, dispatching reinforcements as needed. Thanks to my precise orders, our side achieved great feats without suffering significant losses.

However, maintaining this push, as well as enduring without facing the enemy army directly, could not last forever due to the difference in the number of soldiers.

In fact, the longer the situation dragged on, the more ferocious the enemy’s spirit would become, further amplifying the losses of our Croilet legion.

If the ambush by Counts Ilerias and Izza succeeded, we should be receiving signals soon.

“Reconnaissance team!”

As soon as I called for the scouts, a soldier on horseback approached me, unarmored.

Dismounting swiftly, he knelt on one knee and replied, “Yes, Your Excellency.”

“Go immediately to where Counts Izza or Ilerias are located and find out their current situation.”

“Yes, understood.”

“However, if you see any signals that seem to be sent by them, return immediately and report. A signal of three smoke puffs indicates success, while four indicates failure.”

“I will follow your orders.”

After saying this, the scout mounted his horse and quickly rode off, leading five of his men with him.

Shortly after, a messenger sent by Duke Orleans came galloping toward me.

The messenger’s clothes were torn, and his face was covered in dust, clearly indicating he was not a soldier from the Duke’s headquarters but from a frontline unit…

Seeing that he came to relay a message through the Duke, it seemed like his frontline was unable to hold out any longer and he was requesting cover for a swap with the second line.

“It is the Duke’s command. He urgently requests cover when the first and second lines swap. If this continues, not only the first line soldiers of the central army but all others will incur severe losses. Please hurry.”

The swap between the first and second lines is no simple exchange.

Because during the swap, the first line exposes its vulnerable rear for a significant time as they turn back, during which the soldiers assigned to the first line suffer devastating losses.

If the first line collapses too severely in the current situation, the repercussions could extend to our forces.

To maximize damage to the enemy, it would be best for me to take direct action to lower their morale.

“Understood. To overcome the current situation, we will need substantial support… I will lead 4,000 infantry myself to cover the retreat of the first line and break the enemy’s momentum. I will relay this to the Duke.”

Upon hearing my intention to take part directly, the messenger kneeling in front of me responded with a voice filled with gratitude.

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

**

The poorly organized formation and makeshift armor patched together from multiple worn-out outfits, along with soldiers lacking helmets or even essential gloves for hand protection, made for a dismal sight.

The soldiers of such an army fighting with one another was indeed a devastating scene.

Some conscripted peasants were so terrified by the spears thrusting towards them that they stood with their eyes closed while being pierced.

Additionally, many soldiers, while fleeing and dropping their pikes, faced execution at the hands of the execution squads assigned to various units.

Despite such circumstances, they did remarkably hold their ground…

Setting aside those thoughts for a moment, I commanded the leaders of the matchlock infantry I brought with me.

“Battalion leaders, divide all the squads under your command into two, and infiltrate the second line of Duke Orleans’ pikemen. Form two groups of six there, with three firing and three loading. The group in front must assume a kneeling position when firing, using a small flag to signal the soldiers behind them! If you do not synchronize your movements, your unit will become a foolish one that shoots its own allies. Is that clear?”

At my threat-laden words, the commanders nodded in agreement and immediately relayed the orders to the soldiers in their battalions.

“Gather in your squads! Squad leaders and deputy squad leaders, step forward!!”

“Assign two fire teams under the squad leader and two fire teams under the deputy squad leader! Each fire team will consist of one group, with three loading and three firing!!”

“The front group must adopt a kneeling position while firing!! Also, before firing, signal the rear group with a flag to shoot at the same time!!”

Before long, my soldiers and I slipped into the formation created by the infantry led by Duke Orleans.

As I entered, a commander in one of the formations looked at me with eyes wide in shock and saluted.

“I am honored to meet Your Excellency SIEL von Croilet, Marquis! I am Rael Minster, commanding this formation…”

There was no time to acknowledge such a greeting, so I ignored him and immediately aimed at the enemy.

Shortly after, the signal and the sound of a trumpet ordering the soldiers of the first line of the central army to retreat rang out.

“Our Brandon unit will now retreat! Before all of you fall back, the soldiers of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th lines must simultaneously thrust their pikes to confuse the enemy and then retreat!!”

“Retreat through the empty space on the left side, beginning with the soldiers on the left!! Everyone can make it back alive!!”

“If you don’t want to die, comply with orders! Otherwise, my sword will not forgive you!”

Hearing those commands, the conscripted peasants began executing the orders, perhaps due to the hope of survival, and started their retreat.

Thanks to the sudden turn to retreat, the enemy could not properly chase them down, although some casualties were incurred.

Once the first line of the infantry under Duke Orleans had completely retreated, my soldiers continued to fire at the enemy’s pike men from the vanguard.

The poorly armored soldiers sometimes fell to a single bullet, with two or three of them dying at once.

Blood drenched the ground, and the enemy soldiers, paralyzed by fear, could hardly utter a word.

“Sa… Save me…”

“Mom!! He….”

However, the second line of conscripted infantry began stabbing even those wretched ones with the long pikes they held…

And as the loaders behind them loaded and handed over the rifles, we fired the freshly loaded guns at them.

The enemy fell as if pierced by holes, like paper.

Seizing that momentum, the central army began to turn the infantry engagement to our advantage when suddenly, three plumes of smoke rose from beyond.

That was a sign of successful operations.

Just as we successfully led the infantry battle on the central front, to hear that our rear had been compromised was truly…

The timing was so unbelievable that I sighed.

“After about five shots, we will retreat for reorganization. Also, order my knights to stab at the retreating enemy infantry’s flanks.”