NOVEL WEB
Chapter 254: Marching Forward
Paul Grayman recently received an unexpected joy. His ally, Malron Ganard, recommended a general to him — Baron Andrew Byron.
Last year, during the quelling of the rebellion in Baylding, Paul had heard of this baron. People like Angelo were afraid of this loyal and brave vassal, which is why they sent him away under the guise of serving the king.
Since his youth, the baron had enjoyed leading troops into battle. As a child, he went to the eastern highlands to guard the kingdom’s borders, where he encountered numerous conflicts and battles with barbarian tribes. It was there he earned his knighthood.
After joining Alda’s army, he became second only to the old knight Schroeder, the Chief of Staff, in military prowess.
Baron Andrew Byron brought back over four hundred soldiers from the south. With some additional recruits, they could form a full battalion, saving the staff department a great deal of effort. These soldiers had served for a significant time and had seen bloodshed on southern battlefields, making them far more experienced than raw recruits.
According to the plan issued by the staff department, some officers were to be assigned to this newly formed “Byron Battalion.” They would be reorganized according to Alda’s rules and undergo three months of new recruit training.
Initially, Andrew was not pleased. His men had fought real battles against rebels in the south, their combat experience far surpassing that of those who had only fought pirates. He believed his “elite” troops should be immediately sent to the battlefield to confront the Kent family’s army.
However, after watching the second infantry battalion’s parade and musket shooting drill on Schroeder’s invitation, Andrew’s arrogance vanished.
The quality and spirit of Alda’s soldiers were far superior to his own, and the weapon known as the “musket” significantly enhanced their combat effectiveness.
Thus, Andrew humbly accepted the reorganization and training plan, even personally disciplining a few troublemakers.
This is how the “Fourth Infantry Battalion” was born. Paul, drawing on his “military knowledge” from Earth, had once suggested dispersing the Baylding troops among other units. However, Schroeder and others dissuaded him. They argued it might create resentment in Malron and Andrew’s hearts. Besides, the size of a battalion was small enough to manage by inserting officers trained at the “Grayman Military Academy.”
…
After a week of rest on the border, the first and third infantry battalions received their long-awaited orders — to march towards Emden.
Two entire battalions, along with their supporting artillery companies, invaded the Kent family’s territory.
“How dare you! Don’t you know this is Kent family land? I warn you, the great Duke Marltz Kent will punish you,” shouted a Kent family steward blocking their path in a fit of rage.
Bryce, sitting atop a tall horse, politely said, “Sir, please step aside. Aren’t you aware that the Kent and Grayman families are at war?”
The steward, still refusing to move and with a grim face, shouted again, “I warn you, the great Duke Marltz Kent…”
But before he could finish, Bryce’s guards pushed him into a nearby stinking ditch.
The steward’s pathetic state drew laughter from the onlookers, but as he struggled to climb out, everyone suddenly fell silent.
Bryce pointed at him with his riding crop, causing the steward to shiver in fear.
“Go back and tell your master that Alda’s army has come to avenge last year’s humiliation by the Kent family.”
Encountering a tough situation, the steward, unsure whether he was fortunate or unfortunate for not being harmed, shrank his neck and meekly said, “Yes, yes, I will relay the message accurately.” Then he turned and ran away.
Watching the panicked figure fleeing, Bryce proudly cracked his whip and commanded, “Continue forward!”
The Kent family had many vassals, and Alda’s army’s route passed through several of these families’ territories. However, being nobles, they were well-informed. Aware of the outcome of the battle at Fort Bidou, most deemed themselves incapable of confronting Alda’s army. Hearing of Alda’s army moving south, they had already fled early with their families and wealth to Center City.
Nevertheless, there were still some who resisted. These minor lords gathered knights and militias from their lands, foolishly hoping to withstand Alda’s army with their castles.
However, their rural castles were no match for the artillery companies’ cannons.
The artillery company had large-caliber mortars specifically designed for attacking sturdy fortresses and walls, initially intended for large fortresses like Fort Bidou. Surprisingly, Fort Bidou’s lord surrendered before they were used. Now, these were being tested against the smaller castles of these rural lords.
Alda’s previously manufactured cannons could be classified as cannons with high initial velocity and flat trajectories. They were somewhat inefficient against enemies hidden behind sturdy walls, as they had to use solid shot to gradually chip away the bricks and stones of the walls until they collapsed, a painfully slow process.
The short and thick mortars were different. With a large shooting angle, low initial speed, and high-arc trajectory, they were designed to use the projectile’s free-fall motion to attack targets hiding behind obstacles. They could also be used to bombard walls from above.
During the firing preparations, the barrel was raised to a vertical angle. One person would pour a calculated amount of gunpowder into the chamber, followed by loading the shell. Alda’s army’s mortar shells weighed over 40 kilograms, requiring two to three people to load. They used support wood to ensure the shell was centered in the barrel, with shovels and hammers for adjustments. Once the shell was in place, the mortar was accurately set at a 45-degree angle.
The firing squad leader or deputy then took charge of aiming. The angle adjustment and gunpowder load directly affected the accuracy of the fire. The elevation could be managed with levers directly facing the base’s handles.
Finally, it was time to fire. After the roaring of mortar fire, iron balls rained down from the sky, smashing the castles’ structures to pieces. Some unfortunate souls were directly crushed.
Usually, after one round of bombardment, the people inside the castles would crumble in terror. After the battle at Fort Bidou, the fearsome reputation of the “Fire Crossbow” and “Thunder Hammer” had already deeply intimidated the northwestern lords. Now, even hiding in sturdy castles was futile; they had no choice but to raise the white flag and surrender.
Thus, Alda’s army suffered no casualties as they marched along an S-shaped route, expelling the Kent family’s ruling power in the area and appointing those willing to serve Alda as administrators.
Finally, they arrived near Bayland Castle, with nearly half of Emden now under their control.
Bayland Castle was a residence of the Kent family members, but at this time, the Kent father and son were not there. Marltz Kent, who had inherited the dukedom, and his son were in Center City.
And the news of Alda’s army’s southward march was laid out on his desk.