Chapter 54

Back then.

So, before heading out to clean up the Northern/Western frontlines.

Karolus had one concern.

–How can a small force defeat a larger one?

Specifically, how to suppress potential rebel forces across the kingdom with just a few tens of thousands of Central Army troops.

Even though they managed to seize the capital through a coup and establish a regime, the foundation was still unstable.

In a situation where hostile territories and political enemies were everywhere, the only thing he could rely on was his own military force.

While seeking political allies and expanding his power, Karolus devoted all his efforts to strengthening his military.

He equipped them with top-tier gear, expensive uniforms, and even trained them in new tactics.

The result was the Line Infantry.

A cutting-edge army that brought tactics others wouldn’t develop for decades.

‘This should be enough to crush most enemies.’

‘We should consider spreading this doctrine to the entire army soon.’

The results were somewhat satisfying.

His elite soldiers adapted well to the sudden change in tactics without panicking.

Although it was a bit in the future, they achieved grand victories and demonstrated the expected power.

However, this wasn’t enough.

The Line Infantry was just a concept after all.

‘What’s easily visible will eventually be copied by others…’

The doctrine of abandoning spears and swords to form units solely with musketeers.

While innovative, upon closer inspection, it wasn’t entirely new.

Only the composition of troops changed; the operational methods and know-how were almost the same as traditional Art of War.

What does this mean?

Over time, armies will copy the Line Infantry tactics like copy-ninjas.

Maybe in 4-5 years? Cases will start popping up one by one.

If that happens, the Central Army’s advantage will disappear in an instant.

‘We need a different solution. Something others wouldn’t dare to copy.’

Instead of temporary weapons, how to gain a long-term advantage.

After deep contemplation, Karolus found the answer in technology. He decided to advance weapon tech to stay ahead.

‘In that case, we’re going all-in on firepower meta.’

He even came up with a few good ideas. He implemented them into reality and mass-produced and deployed them.

Unlike with the Line Infantry, there was no opposition from his subordinates. The utility was obvious just by looking.

Due to time constraints, they couldn’t use it in the battle against the Empire, but now that preparations were complete, they could deploy it in this battle.

And the effect?

The noble coalition army’s disgraceful screams of terror were proof enough.

“Kyaaaaaa!!!!”

“Fuck! The fire won’t go out!! Why does it keep burning even when we pour water on it?!!”

“Break formation!! If we stay like this, we’ll all die! Scatter and run!!”

Karolus’s special rockets, named ‘Main’ Military Target Strike ‘System’ [Main System Rockets], had three main ingredients.

Saltpeter (main ingredient of gunpowder), sugar, and oil.

Sugar and saltpeter acted as propellants, while the warhead contained gunpowder or oil.

When oil was used, it was mixed with sawdust and raw rubber to make it extremely sticky.

In other words, it was a pseudo-incendiary shell.

Firing such a thing directly at the enemy? Chaos ensued.

“Kuhaha! Look at them, humans are such trash!”

“…..Lieutenant General Baden? You’ve been saying strange things all day?”

“It’s something Sir told us to say.”

“Well, he does do weird things sometimes.”

Some were babbling nonsense while watching the fireworks in the sky, but anyway.

Boiling oil seeping into the gaps of armor, driving heavy infantry mad.

Horses with burnt legs throwing off their riders.

Spearmen catching fire due to close formation.

Archers whose clothes and skin melted together, unable to even scream.

Dragoons getting hit directly in the helmet and exploding.

All sorts of madness that could happen on the battlefield combined into a chaotic mess.

An attack from the ‘sky,’ a realm they had never even imagined defending against.

The noble coalition army, having never thought to defend from above, was hit even harder by the rocket bombardment.

“Calm down! It looks flashy, but the actual damage isn’t that severe!”

“Don’t panic, return to formation! If we stay calm, we can hold!”

“Light cavalry, flank the enemy! Break west and await new orders!”

Still, due to the sheer size of the army, some quickly regained their composure.

Encouraging soldiers and officers to get up and fight.

In truth, the Main System Rockets were more flash than substance.

At most, a few hundred casualties and a few dozen horses? A small number compared to the entire army.

After all, they were cheap, unguided rocket candies; accuracy wasn’t guaranteed.

They were just mass-produced and fired en masse, so precision beyond aiming in a general direction was hard to expect.

However, the visual impact caused an overwhelmingly strong psychological shock.

In short, it’s dangerous if hit, but that rarely happens—a morale-breaking weapon.

If one calmly assessed its nature, it was manageable. Though, that wasn’t easy.

“Sir Duke! Please give orders! Are you just going to let the soldiers die like this?!”

“Ah, yes. Right. First, have the intact units continue the advance! Crush the enemy’s protruding right wing first!”

Duke Barellmont, who had avoided the rocket barrage by staying in the rear, quickly regained his composure and ordered a counterattack.

He demanded his generals strike back swiftly, to crush those relying on strange weapons.

“The 5th and 7th Regiments will lead. Our 18th Regiment will support their rear.”

“Hand cannon gunners, are you still there? Fire as soon as you get close to the traitors! Respond to their firepower with our own!”

Even in decay, the Duke had capable officers who had served in the Royal Army.

They were either directly scouted or taken in as vassals.

They followed orders, rallying their troops to obey their lord.

They aimed to hold Brigadier General Elan’s unit and crush the remaining Central Army.

Despite the weight of heavy armor, the noble coalition army quickly closed the distance, intending to engage in close combat.

500 paces, 400 paces, 300 paces.

As they approached the effective range of muskets.

“Huh?”

“What’s that?”

The Main System… no, the rocket shower stopped.

Instead, something emerged from the Central Army’s ranks.

“They’ve brought out something like cannons.”

“What? Are they planning to fire cannons head-on?”

Regular artillery would be inefficient.

Using grapeshot would be premature at this distance.

Their confusion was short-lived.

They soon learned the answer firsthand.

–Ratatatatat!!

A high-density barrage of fire swept through the noble coalition army.

* * * * *

There is a weapon called the Volley Gun.

It has multiple barrels that can fire simultaneously, essentially an ancestor of the machine gun.

This was what Karolus’s Central Army used.

It was cumbersome to reload, heavy, and inefficient, but its firepower was devastating.

Against a dense enemy formation, few cards were as useful.

Brigadier General Elan’s unit had 40 Volley Guns.

Each could fire 50 rounds, totaling 2,000 shots at once.

Even if half missed and 20% hit the same person, 800 would still fall in one volley.

More than enough to wipe out the enemy’s front lines.

“Reload as soon as you finish firing. Fire as soon as you’re ready!”

“Yes! Someone bring more ammo!”

And it didn’t stop at one volley. With high-speed reloading tools, a second volley could be fired in minutes.

By 21st-century Earth standards, it was lacking, but in this world, it was insane firepower with no equal.

“Monsters! How did they get so many of these unheard-of things?!”

“This is bad. Retreat! Retreat! If we keep this up, we’ll just die for nothing!!”

“What are you doing?! How dare you flee with the Duke’s enemy right in front of–”

“If you’re going to talk like that, then deal with their barrage first!!”

No answer from afar, and even less up close. With the weapons they had now, victory was impossible.

Realizing this, soldiers began to flee the ranks one by one.

Ignoring officers trying to stop or threaten them.

The hastily assembled army lacked loyalty and morale, and it had finally reached its limit.

“We’ve won.”

“….We’ve lost.”

The spectacle on the battlefield brought mixed emotions.

Central Army officers smiled, while Duke Barellmont gritted his teeth.

The army he had staked everything on had collapsed in vain.

With the tide completely turned, defeat was certain. Despair consumed him.

“Sir! You must retreat now!!”

“I know. Stop nagging me and gather the remaining troops!”

But he didn’t give up. He couldn’t. He wouldn’t be captured and killed.

Clenching his fists, the Duke sought to gather whatever forces remained and retreat.

He thought if he could return to the Ducal Castle and hold out, he might find a chance to rise again.

* * * * *

Unfortunately.

The Duke’s hopes ended in vain.

“Hey, you finally made it?”

Karolus had already taken the castle and was waiting.

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