Multiple Maldenberg infantry brigades began their advance on the Luxenberg army's position. Drums could be heard in the distance complimented with the sounds of bugles and shouts from officers. Rhythmically, the coordinated footsteps of the infantry echoed throughout the landscape.
Following the infantry was the Maldenberg cavalry who were cantering to keep pace with the troops they were supporting. Covering their approach was supporting fire from the Maldenberg cannons.
Digging in defensively the Luxenberg army braced themselves for the barrage of cannon balls. Buildings and fences were unable to take the brunt of the impact. Dirt, wood, stone and men were scattered. Not wanting to this bombardment laying down the Luxenberg artillery began to return fire.
The Maldenberg soldiers who were advancing with the sun in their eyes could only briefly see the oncoming cannonballs. By the time they could see the,m it was already too late, ranks of infantrymen were eviscerated instantly. Mangled bodies began to litter the path of the following Maldenberg soldiers.
Wanting to pressure the Luxenberg artillery and make the infantry's approach easier, Duke Luthor Braun who was leading the cavalry, took the initiative and ordered the cavalry to attack all 4 defensive positions. Splitting into 4 brigades, the Maldenberg cavalry surged forward into the hail of musket balls.
Men of the Luxenberg infantry remain composed in the face of the charging cavalry. They aimed their muskets and unleashed devastating volley into the enemy cavalry. If the riders were not killed or unhorsed during the charge they met the well-entrenched infantry of Victor's army who bore their bayonets, ready to impale them.
With the cavalry breaking the Luxneberg lines the Maldenberg infantry began to charge through the gaps. Not wanting the defensive line to be overwhelmed, Marshal Soult ordered all corps except 5th Corps to send forth their cavalry and strike the enemy infantry on their flanks.
Sabres and lances were brandished as the Luxenberg cavalry steamed ahead with a burning passion. Wanting to get stuck into the thick of battle, they stormed into the flanks of the Maldenberg infantry. Unfortunately for the enemy infantry, they were too slow to form a defensive square.
Half of the attacking infantry was swept into the blitzing surge of Luxenberg cavalrymen. Bodies were flung around by the brutish builds of the war horses. Men were trampled on, while others were cut down. They could not withstand the onslaught, especially when they had not been able to form a solid defensive square.
Although the Maldenberg soldiers were well-trained, they had met their match. Not only were they outnumbered but they had to deal with an enemy on a similar skill level as them, who were dug in defensively. Their orange uniforms were quickly painted red with their blood.
6th Corps under General Bülow were ruthless and efficient in the defense of the Brathurst village. Not only had his infantry held firm and swiftly dealt with the enemy cavalry, but his cannons were able to turn the advancing Maldenberg soldiers into mincemeat, thanks to the canister shots.
General Kienmayer and his corps were under the most pressure. Duke Lothar Braun and his cavalry were carving up multiple paths for their supporting infantry to follow through. Half of his artillerymen had to draw their sabres and daggers to defend themselves. Duke Braun especially was menacing as he ferociously cut down any enemy in his vicinity.
Reacting accordingly to the situation, Marshal Soult ordered 2, 10,000 infantryman divisions from 5th Corps to support General Kienmayer and his corps on the right flank. To the sound of bugles and drums the 2 infantry divisions blazed forward to support their struggling comrades.
With reinforcements promptly arriving the situation on the right flank began to sway in the Luxenberg army's favour. But 4th Corps had already sustained noticeable damage. Most notably the death of General Kienmayer.
Fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with the infantrymen after his horse died, General Kienmayer who was an older man fought valiantly with his sabre and pistol. However, he had the misfortune of crossing paths with Duke Lothar Braun. There was no way to escape the grasp of death.
As soon as Duke Braun spotted the dismounted commander, his fate was sealed. Lothar sprinted towards General Kienmayer, cutting down half a dozen Luxenberg infantrymen in the process. Valiantly, Kienmayer tried to withstand the flurry of attacks from Lothar but it was pointless. He was easily overwhelmed and was quick to find the Duke's decorated sabre lodged into his shoulder and chest.
Enraged by their general's death, the men of 4th Corps went into a ballistic rage and began to viciously slaughter their enemies. With the arrival of the 2 infantry divisions, the enemy began to waver at the sight of the emboldened Luxenberg infantrymen. No matter how much Duke Lothar Braun tried, he could not rally his troops and even saw a few begin to flee.
The battle had been going for 3 hours and yet the ferocity of it had not dimmed down. Generals Rapp and Bertrand were able to fend off and counter-attack their enemies, but they did suffer a substantial amount of casualties in the process.
With more troops from the Maldenberg army fleeing, Marshal Soult ordered for the cavalry from 5th Corps to pursue and cut off their retreat. General Hill would be personally leading the charge to secure the battlefield and simultaneously deal with the enemy artillery that had ceased firing.
The remaining infantry division from General Hill's corp were split into 2 5,000-man brigades and were sent to reinforce General Rapp and Bertrand's men. They were winning and with the bolstering of their ranks, they would crush the last resistance from Adrian's army.
Duke Jasper Gundenvarg who was commanding the artillery could only watch in dismay as the Maldenberg soldiers failed in their assault. Adrian who had been quiet all battle was beginning to fly into a rage. Not only had he failed in defeating the Luxenberg army he had suffered major casualties in the process. The battle was not over yet and that tally was rising.
Adrian who was not in a sound state of mind turned to Duke Gundenvarg. With a cruel smile and authoritative tone, he gave an order. "Load all cannons and begin to fire, Duke Gundenvarg."
Jasper froze in disbelief and turned to the young man in command of the army. Uncertain of the seriousness of the orders, Duke Gundenvarg asked, "My Lord, surely you jest our men are still fighting, in fact, the majority of our surviving infantry and cavalry are still in combat. Even Duke Braun is in the fray. We would be killing our own men."
Adrian's face did not change, it was clear that he was serious and was determined to bombard the Luxenberg position, regardless of the self-inflicted casualties. Duke Gundenvarg vehemently protested such an act, friendly fire was a heinous thing to do especially when the majority of his men were still fighting.
With a foul look of annoyance, Adrian spoke, "Are you disobeying my orders, Jasper? I do not think you will like the consequences if you do not order the cannons to be fired." Duke Gundenvarg stuck true to his morals, he would not order his own men to be gunned down by their comrades.
Tensions grew as Adrian shouted for the cannons to be loaded. The artillerymen were hesitant to do so. All the artillerymen from the Gundervarg and Braun Dukedoms refused such an order, whereas the Maldenberg artillerymen were still hesitant to fire.
It was clear to Adrian that such a heinous order would not be followed. Frustrated due to the lack of respect for his orders Adrian could only pout and spectate the battle, but with the Luxenberg cavalry bearing down on their position, Duke Gundenvarg was left to mull over his options.
What Duke Gundenvarg did next shocked the artillerymen.