Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters-Chapter 429 - 58 Formation Array_3

Chapter 429: Chapter 58 Formation Array_3

Shaking their long spears could only block a small portion of the arrows, but this was the only defensive measure for the spear formation lacking shields.

“The Herd Barbarians are scared! Think they can kill us all with arrows? Dream on!” Colonel Robert laughed furiously, “Shoot them down!”

The spear formation never relied on passive defense, but rather on proactive counter-attacks.

Lieutenant Roy yelled, “Musket men! Fire at will!”

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Pinter moved to the frontmost layer of spearmen, a position where he wouldn’t shoot his comrades by mistake and was still within the protection range of the long spears.

Bracing his musket and pressing his cheek tightly against the stock, Pinter aimed at a target and pursed his lips as he pulled the trigger.

...

A flash of red, the sound of gunfire, and the wooden stock left his shoulder aching.

As the smoke cleared, a Herd Cavalryman raised his arm and slid off his horse.

When the Herd Barbarians shot arrows at the Paratu People, they also gave the Paratu People the chance to fire back at them.

Pinter pulled out the iron fork stand, retreated into the formation to load, and another musketeer took Pinter’s place.

Musket men generally didn’t shoot within the formation, as the crowded formation was dangerous for both muskets and their handlers.

However, when the situation was urgent, safety was crossed off the checklist.

The sound of gunfire crackled from within the formation, as, under the cover of long spears, the Paratu musketeers began to shoot in rotation.

Ensign Varga, holding up the holy emblem, fervently rallied his musketeers, “Kill! Wipe out these Heretic Barbarians! We shall all become immortal!”

Herdmen falling from their saddles one after another as they circled the formation with their mounted archery. Most of their arrows struck the plate armor, and most of those bouncing off.

And if a Herdman was hit by a Paratu heavy musket, they were either dead or severely wounded.

Especially between the two formations, any Herd Cavalry passing through there would be shot by crossfire.

The scales of battle began to tip little by little in favor of the Paratu People.

The Herd Cavalry gradually couldn’t bear the casualties, breaking off from combat and retreating.

Positioned at the eastern end of the line, Colonel Robert’s unit faced the most Herd attackers, and the adjacent Mara unit even had the surplus to dispatch a small team of musketeers to support the former.

Finally, like a tide surging in, the Herdmen receded just as swiftly, leaving behind a ground strewn with bodies and the unbowed.

The temporarily victorious Paratu People felt as if all their strength had been drained in an instant, collapsing to the ground all around.

Colonel Robert, equally exhausted, waved to summon the scar-faced sergeant: “Old Scar!”

“Sir? What’s the matter?” The scar-faced sergeant approached, carrying a long halberd.

“Take two squads out, bring back a few alive,” Robert’s command was brief.

But the scar-faced sergeant understood: “Yes.”

Leading a dozen swordsmen and shield bearers out of the formation, the sergeant cut ears from Herd corpses, offered mercy to the dying Herd Barbarians—and “bringing back a few alive” meant killing all the remaining Herd Barbarians.

Robert’s brigade had no time for rest, immediately moving to rendezvous with General Sekler’s formation.

The Herd People didn’t leave, trailing the Paratu troops from a distance. Because of this, Robert’s brigade had to maintain formation throughout the march.

When the six brigades had regrouped, the sky had gradually darkened. Marching at night would be equal to giving an opportunity to the Herdmen, so General Sekler ordered to camp on elevated ground by the shore.

The Paratu People dug trenches and built breastworks, awaiting reinforcements. Their light cavalry were nearby, their heavy cavalry across the river.

Since the Herdmen could not finish them off in one go, it was now time for the Paratu People to devour the Herdmen.

The reinforcements arrived quickly, sooner than anyone expected—including General Sekler.

The reinforcements themselves were unexpected—not Paratu cavalry at all.

Under the watchful eyes of all, a dozen wooden rafts floated down from upstream Confluence River, carrying loaves of bread, barrels of gunpowder, and several pots emitting enticing aromas.

Even the Herdmen’s light cavalry watching the Paratu People were taken aback.

“We’re Jeska’s brigade, ordered to assist. We’ve brought food and drink for everyone.” The brawny officer dressed in Piaoqi cavalry uniform spoke nonchalantly, casually pointing to the rafts: “There’s also a Floating Bridge.”