Black Powder Mercenary Leader - Chapter 583

53-5. Battle of Mikladorf

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bang! Quagwang!

“launch!”

Cheer up! Pow!

Ahead of a full-scale clash, the artillery of both armies was roaring and hitting the other side in the distance.

The Grunwald army had a total of 20 artillery pieces.

In comparison, the Elancia Army had a total of 16 artillery pieces.

Although the types and performance of the artillery possessed by both sides were slightly different, there was no difference that allowed one side to overwhelm the other in terms of quality or power.

Although the Elancia side had a slightly smaller number, considering that they occupied the hill, it could be said that they were friendly to each other.

However, the deployment of the two sides was slightly different, in that the Grunwald army distributed its artillery, 10 guns each, on the left and right, while the Elancia army concentrated most of its artillery on the center of the hill.

Twelve guns were concentrated in the center, and the remaining four guns were deployed on the right defense line of the entire army.

The reason may be that it was judged to be the most dangerous point in the battlefield where Mikladorp village and hills could be exposed to the enemy.

However, the Grunwald army has not yet shown any intention of making a diversionary attack.

Unlike the Elancia army, which consisted only of infantry and no cavalry, the Grunwald army had some cavalry.

However, instead of using it as a mobile unit in the first battle, it appears that they are planning to use it as a reserve in the rear.

In other words, looking at the current situation, the two sides are just about to clash head-on.

Sigh! Papak!

The Grunwald Army’s artillery shells cut through the air and scratched the Mikla Hill, scattering coarse-grained gray soil in all directions.

Currently, most of the Elancia army is hiding behind the hills.

The only ones that appeared over the hill were the artillery unit, some commanders, and observers who took full advantage of the exquisite terrain of the ridge.

Therefore, most shells end up in vain on deserted hills or travel backwards, leaving behind traces.

But that doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous at all.

Among the observers who looked at the battlefield, flinching every time a shell landed nearby, was Jan Gauthier, who had recently transferred to Mikladorp.

He lowered his body as much as possible and was examining the enemy lines through a folding telescope.

The infantry ranks of the Grunwald army filled the plain and were slowly approaching.

“Hmm…”

The telescope he is holding now was captured from the corpse of a Grunwald military officer defeated on the battlefield during the Battle of Polms.

In the midst of a series of melees, I ran out of gunpowder and when I took the enemy soldier’s gunpowder bag, it was there.

Perhaps because it broke due to impact when it fell, about one-third of the image on the lens appears hazy and blurry.

However, this means that the remaining two-thirds are clearly visible.

First of all, Jan decided to use this telescope even though the corner was broken because it could see much further and clearly than the telescope he had used before.

“Is there anything unusual, Platoon Commander Jan?”

“Hmm… I don’t know yet.”

The person next to me, cautiously asking, was Arjen Groban, who was commonly called ‘Monk’ even though he had long since abandoned his identity.

Although they were all part of the Trancabel detachment, they were a ‘detachment of the detachment’ selected for the purpose of conveying the fighting style of the leading gunners to the allies.

If you think about it, even during the Battle of Polms, they fought on the Schböcken front in the north, not at Arunhavik, which was guarded by Condottiere and his colleagues.

It seems that he was destined to be called here and there throughout this war.

“Is the enemy just trying to push through force?”

“Probably not?”

Some people may think that a low-ranking commander with no authority or knowledge, a rifle platoon leader, and a deputy platoon leader are having a useless conversation.

However, these two crossed paths several times, and made quite a few achievements along the way.

Personally, he could not even remember the number of enemies he defeated using guns, and depending on the battle, he clearly played a role beyond that of an officer.

Since he was recognized for his abilities and experience, he was dispatched from the south of the battlefield to the north, even in the midst of his hectic schedule, to the King’s direct army.

In fact, they are now in a situation where they are considering where to position themselves on the battlefield as the starting gunners, who are half a guerrilla force.

Of course, it is difficult to act contrary to military discipline, but these were guerrilla units with autonomy in their actions.

The intention was to respond in case the enemy tried to play a prank with light infantry, but the Grunwald army did not seem to have any intention of attempting such a thing.

The enemy was approaching quite honestly, in a linear formation with moderate depth.

In the end, this battle will be fought between large dense formations and dense formations.

“Let’s go back first. Let’s report to the company commanders and wait for the next instructions.”

“All right.”

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The infantry line of the Grunwald Army attacking Mikla Hill consisted of two main lines.

The power assigned to the front line, which is the main front line, is 7, and the power assigned to the back line is 3.

It could be said that it was a close match with the Elancia Army, which was guarded only by the vanguard. However, since the opponent was placed on a hill, it could be said that it was somewhat insufficient to take it down.

In other words, it was a standard arrangement with the intention of engaging in the front line, weakening the enemy, and then breaking through to the rear line.

There are also about 800 cavalry units here, so it can be said that the initiative in deploying troops is completely on this side.

If you fight well, the Elankia army will definitely be defeated someday, so there will be something at stake.

They must have decided that responding to that was sufficient.

Søren Maykeller, commander of the Wandsberg mercenary group, tried to understand the current situation and the command’s intentions as objectively as possible.

And I tried to understand and acknowledge it.

Because it was his regiment that was separated from the vanguard.

At this time, following the command’s attack signal, I led my troops and approached the bottom of the hill.

Disaster befell his regiment, which was located in the center.

This is because the enemy, who was exchanging anti-artillery fire against our artillery, turned their target to the Wandsberg Regiment located in the center.

Papak, wow!

“No!”

“Ugh!”

Another cannonball swept through the ranks. The tightly packed formation of sturdy regimental soldiers is split, and two soldiers are thrown away by an invisible force.

“Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck! “My arm!”

In one case, half of the internal organs were missing, and the inside of the chest armor was empty as if it had been torn open.

The other person may have been lucky, as the other colleagues in front of him seemed to have lessened his shock.

···However, it was difficult to say that he was lucky when he saw that his left arm was covered in blood and his breastplate was dented to the point where he had no idea what the situation was.

The military doctor rushed over, but it seemed like there was nothing he could do right now.

Søren tried not to look at the poor victim.

He is the regimental commander in charge of the entire mercenary group. If the sad victim was afraid right now, the entire regiment, not just individual soldiers, could become afraid.

“Geugeukgeuk… Ugh, please save me…”

A mournful cry, unable to overcome the pain, is heard. Since he was also a human being, it was difficult to just ignore him.

‘You got it! You knew this would happen and you became a mercenary! If I was afraid of dying, I should have continued to be a farmer! ‘Did you think it would be easy to receive gold from others?’

Half of the story I was thinking about was to the regiment commander himself. Because his shoulders were shaking with fear without even realizing it.

Since he started as an infantryman without any skills and rose to the rank of regimental commander, he knew the horrors of the battlefield better than anyone else.

When you stand in the lead on the battlefield, especially when you reach the effective range of both gunpowder weapons, your head boils as if it will explode.

Why am I doing this crazy thing again?

I want to throw away my weapon right now and turn around and run away.

But if that happens, the career I have built so far by crossing the line of fire will be shattered.

In the first place, the rear is densely packed with our soldiers, so even if you want to run away, you can’t.

Once this battle is over, the mercenaries will be defeated!

I thought the same thing every time, but thanks to not hitting him, I rose to the position of regimental leader.

But even now it couldn’t be said to be safe. Even where the regimental command center is located, it is ultimately the rear of the regiment.

It was even more dangerous to be in an awkward position, as it might be if you were in the rear.

If there is a veteran among the opposing artillerymen who is confident about hitting the target, it would be a great target for shooting practice.

pop! Pubbung! Phew!

The unit was advancing step by step even as shells continued to fall and tear apart the ranks. The corpses and injured people left behind looked like footprints.

“Hold on just a little longer!”

“If you get close, the enemy won’t be able to survive without crawling out!”

The words that the front-line officers were shouting over and over again were exactly Søren’s thoughts.

It was better to get to the enemy camp quickly and stick to it than to suffer from shellfire like this. It was also a compact formation that was created with great effort.

It was like the fate of the infantry to silently use firepower until entering that stage.

Today, the situation may be a little better because the enemy infantry has taken refuge over the hill, and our artillery can focus solely on supporting artillery fire to pressure the enemy artillery.

Maybe one out of every five shots wouldn’t have slowed down the rate of fire.

Reloading while under enemy fire would be difficult even for Elankia artillerymen.

Suddenly I turn my head and look behind me.

In the distance, a few hundred meters away, the rear infantry was following.

These are the two Groienfeld regiments.

When they exhaust themselves by clenching their teeth and grabbing the enemy’s shells and bullets, Groienfeld delivers the final blow.

It wasn’t a very pleasant task for those who had to dodge bullets in front of them, but I couldn’t help but say that it was a reasonable tactic from the point of view of the dodgers as well.

The most intense third day of battle at Polms.

Since it was the Wandsberg Regiment that had fought there alongside the Groienfeld Regiment, their strength could not help but be acknowledged.

If Groienfeld had not protected the flanks when the Elankian knights crossed the battlefield and suddenly appeared on the other side…

Perhaps the Wandsberg Regiment and Søren could not be here today.

As many as 6,000 Elancia heavy cavalry, that too, were the enemy that made a surprise attack from the rear.

The Wandsberg Regiment alone would not have been able to endure it. It’s frustrating, but this is a clear fact.

It’s the decision of the higher-ups anyway, and they are just mercenaries who take money and fight the war on their behalf. In that case, you should do as you are told.

They are the intermediate stage of the battle, acting as a stepping stone.

Let’s faithfully drain the enemy’s firepower and stamina. On the one hand, I feel like the burden has eased.

If that’s the way to win this battle, I’ll gladly serve as a stepping stone.

Through this process, the Wandsberg Regiment will grow even further.

“The Elankian infantry has appeared!”

“Enemy on the hill!”

A sudden report brought Søren back to reality.

It was as reported. While the enemy artillery on the hill stopped firing for a moment, the Elanquian infantry that had been waiting at the rear of the hill appeared.

They must have already formed a formation at the rear, with their long spears pointing straight toward the sky forming a neatly visible line.

Now the first stage of the one-sided battle is over.

The next step was to take on the enemy.

“Get your ranks in order! “The enemy is right under your nose!”

Looking around, it seemed that my fellow regiments, who were advancing side by side towards the hill, would similarly encounter the enemy.

Now, in five minutes at most, the infantry on both sides will engage in combat.