The Alda army was marching on a dirt road across the plains. The weather was sunny and bright today. Although there was a slight chill in the air in the northwest bay area during March and April, the soldiers were still sweating profusely after a long march.
Despite it being past noon, the troops hadn’t eaten yet. Since they were close to Fort Bidou, the commanding officer, Bryce, decided to reach the destination first and then allow the entire army to have their meal after setting up camp.
“Platoon leader, when are we going to eat?”
Josh, rubbing his stomach, heard it growl in protest.
“We’re almost at Fort Bidou! Once we get there, we’ll have a lovely lunch! Really, can’t you handle a bit of hunger?”
Makarov took out a paper-wrapped package from his marching backpack and tossed it to Josh. “One piece each, this will tide us over for now.”
“Platoon leader, what is this?”
“Biscuits from the Flying Dragon Pavilion, you guys are lucky. They’re a steal.”
“The Flying Dragon Pavilion? Is that the new restaurant at the entrance of the town?”
“I’ve been there. Their cuisine is said to come from some place in the south. It’s delicious.”
“These biscuits are also a southern style…”
After munching on the biscuits, singing could be heard from the front. It wasn’t clear who started it, but Josh and his peers listened closely and recognized it as the recently popular “Ode to Count Grayman” in the camp.
“Paul Grayman~ Count, my lord!”
“Deploying soldiers from all over the territory~”
“Twelve elite squadrons~ Sixty bullets per person~”
“He said~ Brave men, I look forward to fighting alongside you~”
“The enemy covets our farms and mines~ And thousands in our treasury~”
“Don’t you act like a bear~ Let the enemy know we’re not easy to mess with~”
Despite sounding a bit silly, the slightly humorous lyrics combined with the tune were indeed suitable for marching.
Josh’s squad joined in the chorus, their steps unwittingly becoming lighter.
“May God protect us like thunder and lightning~ Who doesn’t know Lord Grayman and his soldiers~”
“Goodbye~ dear Louise~ Don’t cry~”
“Not every arrow hits its mark~ If every arrow did~ Who would the lord need for soldiers~”
“We have cannons and muskets, one shot makes a hole~”
“We receive our military pay on time every month~ Who else gets paid as punctually as we do~”
“Lord Grayman~ My lord~ A hero crowned in shimmering laurel~ Your soldiers are always the most loyal~”
“As long as you keep letting us sweep the enemies~ We’ll overturn the world for you~”
Just as they were about to start the second round, a shout of alarm was heard:
“Looks like someone is running over here!”
Josh and the others looked up to see a cloud of dust rising on the road ahead, indicating a large group of people or cavalry charging in their direction.
A lieutenant on horseback rode up to Colonel Bryce’s side and stopped, appearing to be a scout who had been leading the way for the troops. Bryce, also on horseback, was not far from Makarov’s squad.
The two conversed in low tones, their discussion unclear.
Makarov turned back to his squad and said, “Everyone, be ready. There might be enemies ahead.”
Josh took off the flintlock rifle strapped to his back and gripped it nervously, his palms sweating. His first experience in battle was perhaps about to begin.
Then Colonel Bryce became tense and serious. Two messengers ran to the ends of the marching column, shouting as they went:
“Enemy cavalry spotted! Form square! Form square!”
A tense and solemn atmosphere immediately enveloped the entire army.
Thanks to rigorous training, the regiment at the front quickly formed three lines of troops, with the following regiments swiftly joining.
In just over ten minutes, the first and second battalions, each responsible for one side, formed a hollow square formation about 30 meters in length on each side.
In the open space within the square, the transportation company’s supplies were placed, and the soldiers from the transportation company also joined the formation.
Besides the supplies, the artillery company was also positioned in the middle of the open space. The artillery members unloaded the cannons and ammunition, preparing to fire. Due to the sudden situation and the enemy cavalry’s rapid approach, they couldn’t set up the cannons outside the square and had to make ready within the formation, waiting for the right moment.
After a period of frantic activity, the Alda army quietly awaited the enemy’s arrival.
Standing on a hastily constructed platform made of ammunition boxes, Bryce, Joyce, and two deputy battalion commanders observed the situation ahead through binoculars.
“Judging by the flags, the cavalry rushing towards us is from the Heller family, and those two groups chasing them must be from the Kent family—our enemies!”
“Have our allies already been defeated, leaving only these few survivors?”
“Don’t jump to conclusions. Let’s deal with the cavalry in front of us and then decide about the Heller’s people!”
Derrick Heller led his knights in a frantic charge northward. Due to the flat terrain ahead, he saw the Alda army from a distance.
At first, he thought they were enemy troops set to intercept him. Their quick transition from marching formation to a strange square formation indicated an extremely elite force; something his conscripted militia could never achieve.
As he prepared for a desperate fight, he gradually made out the flag of the approaching troops—a bright red flag emblazoned with a golden dragon.
It was the army of their ally, Alda. Derrick felt a sense of relief, although he had been complaining about their delay just that morning.
He raised his lance high, letting the Heller family flag flutter in the wind. Latest content published on NoveI★Fire.net
Fortunately, the other side recognized him. A figure who appeared to be a commander in the square gestured to the right repeatedly.
Derrick understood the signal, telling him to pass by the right side of the square—his left. He knew the importance of not disturbing the formation during a dangerous encounter with the enemy. So, he gestured to his knights, and they veered left. The Heller family’s troops quickly passed by the square formation, exhausted and ready to find a place to rest behind the lines.
As they passed by the square, Derrick estimated the Alda army’s strength at over a thousand men.
He worried whether this number could withstand the charge of several hundred Kent family cavalry. Moreover, the defensive square they formed wasn’t solid, with only three thin layers of soldiers on the perimeter.
Even more puzzling was the ‘guns’ in the soldiers’ hands—too short and oddly shaped.
He prayed to the heavens for their protection.
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