Translator: Cinder Translations
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In the military dictionary of this world, the term "urban warfare" had never before existed. Generally, when the city falls, the battle is considered won once the attacking forces breach the city walls. The scenario of taking over each street within the city is extremely rare. In most cases, the defenders either surrender or escape amid the chaos.
When Jaius led the cavalry into the town, he naturally assumed victory was assured and that the next step was to intercept the fleeing Paul Grayman.
However, the invention of firearms was bound to bring revolutionary changes to warfare, including the advent of urban combat. The Alden army had constructed street barricades within Saint Mir Town, used rapid-fire artillery to block traffic hubs, and dug shooting holes into the buildings along the streets. Soldiers armed with muskets lay in ambush, with groups of four to five soldiers each, where only one person fired while the others reloaded to ensure sustained firepower.
As the Duke's cavalry burst onto the streets of Saint Mir Town, they were met with overwhelming firepower from the front and both sides.
The narrow streets restricted the attacking force's effectiveness, limiting the number of troops that could engage at the forefront, making a breakthrough impossible.
Particularly terrifying were the artillery pieces deployed behind the barricades. In this environment, scatterguns proved incredibly powerful, each shot reaping a wide swath of life.
The Duke's cavalry experienced the same fate as the Ottoman troops in Vienna in 1683.
TL Note: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vienna
Unfortunately for Jaius, his forward position left him exposed, and he was tragically shot to pieces along with his horse.
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After Jaius led the cavalry into the town, Emmerson and his officers, including two mercenary captains, were quickly advancing toward Saint Mir Town with their infantry.
Each soldier planned how they would profit once inside the town, running desperately to avoid falling behind and losing out on the spoils.
Just as they set foot in the town, disaster struck. Suddenly, from deep within the streets came the roar of crossbows and thunder hammers.
Before long, the previously confident cavalry appeared before the infantry, but now they were retreating in panic, their armor in tatters, some missing limbs, entirely lacking the earlier bravado.
Even a fool could understand what had happened: "Defeated! Defeated!" someone cried out in fear, and the panic quickly spread through the ranks.
The fleeing cavalry paid no attention to the lower-ranked infantry, trampling over them as they desperately fled for their lives.
Without Jaius, the highest commander, the army, hastily assembled from various lords and mercenaries, quickly fragmented and could not mount an effective counterattack. Emmerson, too, was powerless to change the situation, furiously spurring his horse to flee.
The Alden army began a thorough pursuit, facing little to no effective resistance. While the enemy cavalry could quickly retreat from the battlefield, the infantry was less fortunate.
Under Paul's orders, the Alden army committed nearly all its forces to hunting down the enemy. Post-battle statistics showed that the number of enemy casualties and prisoners from the Battle of Saint Mir amounted to as high as four thousand.
After an inventory was taken, Schroeder suggested to Paul, "My lord, I suspect that Maltz and Jaius must have diverted troops from other fronts, as it's inexplicable why so many soldiers suddenly appeared before us. Should we notify the allies to tentatively initiate an attack?"
Paul pondered for a moment and shook his head. "Not for now. We are still some distance from Sente. We may encounter something on the way. It's better to let our allies be cautious. I don't want anyone beating us to Sente."
At this moment, a group of soldiers carried a body on a stretcher and placed it before Paul and Schroeder. The lead officer said, "My lords, after careful examination, this should be the son of the pretender Maltz Kent, Jaius Kent."
"Oh?" "What?" Both Paul and Schroeder exclaimed in surprise, not expecting to catch such a big fish.
Maltz had been responsible for military actions through his son, and the loss of Jaius would be a severe blow to him.
Paul gently uncovered the white cloth covering the stretcher and glanced at the horrific condition inside.
He sighed, "If only you two hadn't been so overbearing back then, we wouldn't have ended up like this."
He then instructed the officer, "Send Jaius's body to Sente. As for the other bodies… Given the hot weather, they're prone to disease. Burn them on-site and bury the ashes. Be sure to record any identities if possible."
"Yes!" The officer, admiring Paul, saluted and departed.
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Days later, in the Duke's residence in Sente City, Maltz Kent stared blankly at Jaius.
However, the child he had once placed so much hope in had now become a cold corpse.
He reached out and touched his son's face, disregarding the thick layer of lime covering it.
"My child… my child…"
The Duke repeatedly murmured, his gaze seemingly recalling past moments spent with Jaius.
A loyal servant, unable to bear seeing the Duke in such sorrow, approached to offer comfort: "My lord, please accept my condolences."
"Why haven't you come yet?"
The servant seemed to hear the Duke mumbling.
"My lord, do you have any instructions?"
The servant did not hear clearly and continued to approach Maltz.
"I said… why haven't you come yet?"
The Duke's voice was like a beast's roar, causing the servant to shudder.
Who? Not yet arrived?
Just as the servant was puzzled, the Duke turned around to reveal a horrifying sight.
At this moment, the Duke's face had twisted into a non-human shape, with eyes glowing an eerie red, and his mouth exposing sharp, pointed fangs.
The servant was petrified, realizing that the person before him was no longer the authoritative Duke but a creature ready to devour.
Indeed, the monster swiftly extended its right hand, and with a sound like a slicing knife, its long claws pierced through the servant's abdomen, emerging from his back.
"I want you to pay the price!"
The monster grasped the servant's head with its left hand, yanking it off, and blood gushed forth.
It immediately brought its mouth to the servant's neck, drinking greedily as if savoring fine wine.
"I will avenge myself!"
With a roar, two bat-like wings burst from the monster's back.
"I—Maltz Kent—will walk the world as a bloodbound being until the hatred in my heart is fully quenched!"
(End of the Chapter)
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