Capítulo 1544: Chapter 70: Siege (40)
The battle drums on the battlefield differ from ordinary drums.
Even if the melody remains the same, the listeners feel a profound difference.
The drumbeats on the battlefield crash against the soldiers’ chests like waves, causing everyone’s heartbeat to quicken and their limbs to feel cold.
But humans are remarkably capable of restraining fear.
The hares, deer, and birds of the forest have long vanished without a trace.
Those creatures with sharp claws and fangs, the so-called fierce beasts, too, flee in panic, away from the battlefield.
Leaving this land for the true top predators of this planet to slaughter each other.
The sound of the drums came closer, increasing the tension, as all the United Provincials on the high ground stared intently at the road to the southeast.
The time was actually short, but the wait felt indefinitely long; no one had the mind to count, only able to hear their own hearts pounding.
Suddenly, someone realized that the dull “thumping” sound wasn’t just coming from their chests—it was the sound of hooves trampling the earth, and wheels racing on the road.
At the same time, the main force of the rebels came into sight of “Resolve.”
The first visible thing was the flags fluttering on the spear tips, followed by the helmets bobbing up and down.
A squad of heavily armored, imposing Heavy Cavalry advanced from the provincial avenue already controlled by the rebels’ Light Infantry.
Amidst the dust kicked up by the iron hooves, a convoy of wagons followed closely behind the cavalry.
All the wagons were single-harnessed, two-wheeled, totaling about twenty.
The officers of “Resolve” exchanged glances, seeing a trace of surprise in each other’s eyes—the rebels’ wagons could actually keep up with the brisk pace of the cavalry, even when unloaded, which was unusual.
But the enemy left them no time for detailed discussion.
The rebels’ convoy quickly halted at the “Ghost Gate,” followed by the rebels’ light cavalry.
Only each light cavalry horse also carried an additional Infantry soldier on its back.
As soon as the Infantry entered the “Ghost Gate,” they dismounted immediately, bustling around the wagons.
The draft horses were unhitched and led away, leaving over twenty wagons chained together on the avenue, forming a temporary barricade, blocking the “Ghost Gate”—echoing the setup of “Resolve” at the “Bend Gate.”
With six wagons, Major Caspar Lobres also erected a small barricade at the “Bend Gate.”
However, the scale of Lobres’ barricade could not compare to that of the rebels.
During the rebels’ Mounted Infantry construction process, some rebel musketeers and sword and shield bearers also arrived at the battlefield at a run.
So by the time the rebels’ barricade was completed, the garrison troops had already taken their positions.
The Paratu military flag with a white cross on a blue field, along with the blue and gold Winged Lion Flag, rose high within the barricade, fluttering in the wind.
The small barricade at the foot of the hill faced off fearlessly against the big square formation on the hillside.
During the rebels’ quick barricade assembly, the Twelfth Legion failed to respond effectively.
The high ground they occupied was too far from the “Ghost Gate,” making it difficult for the rifles to hit accurately, let alone the smoothbore guns, so the musket bearers on the hilltops could only stand by idly;
Cannons could reach the enemy, but they hadn’t been transported here yet;
Deploying the sword and shield bearers might capture the barricade, but the rebel cavalry prowled below the hill with watchful eyes;
To be cautious, deploying at least a complete great square formation—requires the commander’s order.
But the rebels acted swiftly, encircling the barricade in the blink of an eye.
This was quite troublesome now.
“Ha, winged cats?” On the high ground, Major Jean Horn of the Fifth Battalion rode up beside Colonel Aldame, pointing at the barricade at the foot of the hill, “Commander, it’s that Vineta kid’s flag.”
Aldame kept his eyes on the barricade, nodding slightly, “It’s him, the rebel of the rebels.”
“I’ve heard that kid’s subordinates are considered formidable among the rebels.”
“Hmph,” Aldame seemed to chuckle coldly, “After all, Jansen Cornelius was almost driven to suicide.”
Horn was taken aback; he had never heard of this before.
But he wasn’t here to listen to the commander’s anecdotes about another veteran; with Major Lobres absent from the main camp, as the de facto second-in-command on the scene, he had to assume the deputy commander’s responsibilities.
Jean Horn considered for a moment and said to the commander, “Those cavalry are just the sideline; that barricade is the central focus—judging by this setup, it seems the rebels were well-prepared. The main force, not the rear guard, is likely what’s coming.”
Aldame remained noncommittal, but his subordinates knew that his silence signified agreement.
“So what do we do?” Major Horn tentatively asked, “Shall I go face that barricade? Before their main force arrives.”
“No,” Aldame responded calmly, “Wait for the cannon to be brought up.”
“I’ll send someone to hurry them along,” Horn lightly tugged the reins, about to leave.
“Inform John Ribek,” Colonel Aldame thought of something, calling out from behind Jean Horn, his brows furrowing in thought for a moment before issuing, “Tell him not to rush over; the Tenth Battalion’s primary task is changed to protecting the artillery convoy. Have him escort the artillery convoy here.”
“Yes, sir!” Horn saluted.
Aldame still seemed uneasy, contemplating for a moment, and then added, “Go yourself and personally deliver my orders, tell him—if he loses a cannon, I will hold him accountable!”