Chereads / Time Travel? Rebirth? I Win This Time! / Chapter 89 - Broken Battles (Part II)

Chapter 89 - Broken Battles (Part II)

As both sides closed the distance, the footsteps of the conscripts from each side slowed further.

Keenly aware of the growing tension, Gene, standing on the far edge of the second row as the captain of the ten-man team, nervously glanced at Mike Bai beside him, who appeared completely unfazed. Gene wiped his sweaty palms discreetly.

Noticing Gene's subtle movements, Mike Bai, still looking straight ahead, calmly said, "Gene, you wanted to become a knight, right? Pay close attention—this is the reality of a knight's battle."

Upon hearing Mike Bai's words, Gene's gaze firmed. His dream of becoming a knight reignited, a sense of strength returning to his body.

At that moment, both sides of knights simultaneously halted, but the conscripts under the commands of their attendants continued to march forward.

As Mike Bai had anticipated, there would be no ranged weaponry in this small battle. After all, each arrow was worth three copper pennies, and each thrown spear was worth three silver dinars. Poor peasants wouldn't be equipped for such expenses, and even knights couldn't afford it.

Despite the slowing pace, the two disorganized formations were on the verge of collision.

The front line on Mike Bai's side consisted of shield-bearing spearmen. Their shields varied widely, some were simple wooden planks covered in bark, but they provided a modicum of protection for themselves and those behind them. The soldiers behind extended their long spears and pitchforks through the gaps in the front row, nervously aiming them toward the enemy.

Fortunately, the other side seemed similarly equipped. Young men, barely in their teens, appeared visibly tense, while older soldiers in their forties panted heavily. The enemy's gear might have been more uniform, but both sides shared a similar mental state.

A trembling iron spear gradually moved toward a quivering pitchfork. The two weapons met, then recoiled like frightened mice at the sight of a cat.

The two spearmen, both under 20, were conscripts facing their first battle. One's eyes darted nervously, his whole body shaking, while the other stood motionless, frozen in terror.

On the other hand, an older pair displayed more controlled movements. One lightly thrust his spear; the other calmly deflected it. The motions were fluid, a testament to the pair's experience. These were farmers in their forties, their hair graying but their battlefield knowledge unparalleled.

For a while, the two sides exchanged weapon strikes, the clash of steel ringing in the air, and shields were struck with resounding thuds.

But after ten minutes, no one had fallen.

Gene, watching the chaotic scene, struggled to make sense of it. He swallowed nervously, trying to calm himself. Slowly, he relaxed his grip on his spear, hoping it wouldn't shake as much.

Noticing Gene's anxiety, Mike Bai shook his head, realizing he would need to fortify Gene's mental resolve.

In the midst of the combat, however, not everyone was simply going with the flow. There would always be a few disruptive elements to stir things up.

An iron spear targeted Gene, and with a heavy strike, it knocked Gene's spear to the ground, its sharp tip now aimed directly at his chest.

As the spear moved closer, Gene could see it growing larger in his eyes.

Smack!

Another shadow descended from above, knocking the iron spear aside. The spear's tip barely missed Gene, striking the ground with a heavy thud.

Relieved, Gene took a deep breath, only for Mike Bai's calm voice to pierce the moment.

"Don't freeze up! This is real!"

With that, Mike Bai shot a cold, disapproving glance at the spearman who had nearly killed Gene.

The spearman, a middle-aged man from the second row, looked confused. He had targeted the inexperienced Gene rather than the more formidable Fat Farmer, and now his attack had failed.

Quickly regaining his composure, the spearman withdrew his spear and assumed a new stance.

Mike Bai, recognizing the man's experience, decided to match his movements. He adjusted his spear and aimed it alongside Gene's, directing them both toward the spearman.

At the sight of the two spears raised against him, the enemy spearman hesitated. Wanting to catch them off-guard, he stepped forward cautiously, but Mike Bai had already noticed.

Before the enemy could strike, Mike Bai slammed his spear against the opposing one, creating an opening. The spearman, now vulnerable, found himself defenseless.

However, Mike Bai didn't immediately strike. Fearing a potential ambush from the enemy commander, he feinted a few thrusts before bringing his spear back in line with the spearman.

The enemy, now disheartened, could no longer summon the resolve to fight.

The spearman glanced to his left, where his trembling companion stood, cursing under his breath.

But the spearman still had backup. A "fierce warrior," a thin soldier with a small round helmet, stepped forward, cautiously raising his shield while shifting his focus toward the Fat Farmer.

The spearman, hiding behind the shield, lifted his own spear, preparing to strike.

The Fat Farmer, undeterred, shouted and charged forward with his shield raised. His enormous frame barreled through, stomping like an enraged wild boar, his immense momentum forcing the thin soldier to stagger back.

The Fat Farmer, seeing his success, raised his short spear, ready to strike. But suddenly, a glint of cold steel flashed from above.

The spearman behind the thin soldier took his chance, thrusting his spear deep into the Fat Farmer's shoulder, piercing through his poor-quality armor with brutal force.

However, the distraction gave Mike Bai and Gene the opening they needed.

With the enemy commander now fully committed to his attack, Mike Bai charged forward. He launched his spear with the full force of his body, using his leg to propel himself. The spear shot forward like a burst of light, striking the commander square in the throat.

Blood sprayed as the commander collapsed, his lifeless eyes staring ahead.

Meanwhile, Gene, seizing the moment, struck the exposed thin soldier, driving his spear into the man's side. The soldier twitched and fell, dead before hitting the ground.

Gene, his first kill under his belt, felt no joy. Instead, he gasped for breath as though he had just run a sprint. The horror of what he had just done weighed heavily on him.

Mike Bai, sensing his discomfort, patted him gently on the back.

Gene turned to look at him, seeing a warm smile on Mike Bai's face. "Congratulations. You've taken your first step as a knight."

While the two shared a moment of camaraderie, the enemy side immediately realized the loss of their two commanders.

"Captain's dead!" a young soldier screamed.

The formation wavered, and the side facing Mike Bai faltered, especially the wing closest to him. Seeing their commanders fall, many of the conscripts who had no will to fight began to retreat, instinctively creating distance.

On Mike Bai's side, morale surged. With the prospect of victory, the actors dropped their charades and began to advance steadily.

Just as everything seemed to be going in their favor, a flag in the distance began to move.