Chapter 479: Show No Mercy (Half Barked Bread)

Lopez Armstrong was leading his musketeer unit advancing toward Blackthorn Castle.

The earlier bombardment from the Eldorian Empire fleet caused some casualties, but those losses were insignificant to him. As long as they can get their hands on Split Rock’s main island, it would become their new unsinkable warship. Compared to that, losing a few warships and men was nothing, but for the greater good.

Many years ago, he had suggested the takeover of Split Rock Island, using it as a base to control the coastal shipping routes of the Eldorian Empire and raid its coastal cities. But his suggestion was blown away, like dust.

At that time, the Dutch were still regarded as honourable guests by their leader. But now everything had changed, and the Dutch betrayal proved he had been right all along.

For him, it was never too late now. Capturing Split Rock Island was still a brilliant plan insight.

Moving through the forests along the coast, when he saw Blackthorn Castle atop the high mountain in the distance, he sent off a pigeon, with letters flying out.

The trained pigeon immediately flew toward Blackthorn Castle, carrying a message tied to its leg.

Inside Blackthorn Castle, Zack was waiting anxiously for news from Lopez Armstrong. When he saw the white pigeon land, he immediately rushed over feeling overjoyed about the news.

"Lopez Armstrong has arrived. Now is the time to show these Dutch and the Eldorian Empire fools our true strength," Zack shouted excitedly.

The soldiers inside cheered loudly, at long last, hope had arrived. "Long live Armstrong! Long live Armstrong!"

Caught up in the excitement, the soldiers quickly assembled outside the castle gate. Over ten thousand musketeers lined up outside, ready for battle.

Outside the bastion, Prince Simon and Grey immediately noticed something unusual about the Red Wolves’ movements. All the pirates inside the castle had gathered outside, forming neatly arranged ranks.

Seeing this, Prince Simon gulped down dry saliva and asked with open eyes, "Don’t tell me you Dutch-trained the Red wolves pirates on how to fight with matchlock guns?"

"I’m sorry, Prince Simon. We did train the Red Wolves pirates to use firearms, but it was for our own good back then." Grey said with regret in his voice.

Prince Simon had the urge to land a blow on Grey knocking him down for such. The Latins were being supported by the Western powers like this even now.

But it was not the time to dwell on that. Prince Simon cleared his throat and said, "The Red wolves have reinforcements coming in, and now some have come out of the bastion. They are preparing to trap us from inside and outside, which I can see."

"Zack is really a cunning fox at that, always waiting for the right moment to strike whenever you lose focus," Grey said. "We can deal with the landing reinforcements, but I doubt if your army can handle the Red Wolves pirates inside the bastion. I really doubt you can defeat these fierce pirates." As he added.

"Earl Grey, are you really looking down on my hard-trained men right now?" Simon asked, as he felt like he was slapped on his handsome face by Grey words. He knew Grey was either deliberately provoking or warning him.

"Sorry, I don’t mean to insult His Royal Highnesses hard trained army. But according to Zack, the Red Wolves pirates often defeat the Eldorian Empire’s troops now and then. So I’m worried. After all, if the battle fails, we will definitely lose Split Rock," Grey said seriously. Now he was starting to regret his earlier gamble because the Red Wolves’ strength was actually formidable.

"Huh..Better worry about yourself," Prince Simon sneered. Losing to anyone was fine, but losing to the Red Wolves Pirates was something totally unacceptable. Then he said, "We leave our rear to you, don’t disappoint me."

With that, Prince Simon immediately ordered Lancelot to arrange the troops.

The Red Wolves pirates gathered outside the bastion, and Prince Simon’s troops, spread out in a siege, also needed to regroup. Both sides were racing against time to prepare.

The battle was about to begin. Liam immediately led the artillery to find high ground to set up, taking their artillery position. Half an hour later, both armies had assembled before the bastion. War was about to break out.

If the war with the Reavers was a fight between hot and cold weapons, now Prince Simon was faced with a battle between hot weapons on both sides. Although the Red Wolves pirates used matchlock guns, they were not to be underestimated in any way.

After all, matchlock guns and flintlock guns only differed in firing mechanisms.

At this time, under Lancelot’s command, the Brambleford army also formed into lines, with units of two hundred soldiers ready to attack.

"My Lord, the Red wolves pirates are moving this way," After the troops assembled, the Red wolves pirates’ ranks began moving toward Prince Simon’s direction. Meanwhile, the sound of cannon fire came from the Red Wolves’ pirate side.

Prince Simon turned to look toward the direction of the cannon fire and saw that the Red Wolves pirates had removed the cannons from the castle to use in their current attack.

At this moment, the distance between the two sides was about 800 meters. The cannonballs had lost much power after flying for some time, rolling along the ground and causing little damage.

As Grey said earlier, these cannons were very old, with limited range and firepower.

"My Lord, shall we return fire and destroy their artillery for good?" Liam asked, as he eyed the artillery.

"The field cannons don’t have much range. At this distance, we don’t have much advantage. Wait until they get closer to open fire. Their cannons are awkward and no match for ours," Prince Simon said, standing with Liam at the artillery position, from which the entire battlefield was clearly visible to him.

Boom, boom...

The drums rolled aloud. Under Lancelot’s command, the Brambleford-trained soldiers advanced toward the Red Wolves’ ranks in tight formation, moving steadily.

As the two sides closed the distance, their cannons began firing at each other.

"Six-pounders fire at the Red wolves infantry. Twelve-pounders fire at their artillery, show no mercy to those half-baked bread," he ordered when the armies were only 300 meters apart.

Immediately, twelve six-pound field cannons fired at the dense Red wolf ranks. Well-cooked cannonballs smashed into the Red Wolves’ ranks, knocking down a whole line before their eyes.

But after the gap appeared, the Red Wolves soldiers immediately filled it up like it was all a lie.

Seeing this, Prince Simon frowned. This showed the Red Wolves soldiers were well-trained, but he wasn’t worried because they had the advantage in weapons.

Compared to the Red Wolves’ old cannons, their field cannons with sights were much more accurate. The Red Wolves’ artillery moving with the ranks was smashed by the twelve-pounders, their gun carriages broken and gunners killed or wounded rendering them useless.

The six-pounders did not stop. Their cannonballs bounced along the ground, hitting more Red wolf soldiers in the ranks. Soldiers in the front row were hit hard, breaking arms and legs, falling groaning in serious pain.

250 meters... 200 meters... 100 meters... 70 meters...

Despite the continuous cannon fire, the Red Wolf soldiers did not retreat. Both armies got closer and closer. At 70 meters, Lancelot ordered the soldiers to stop and shouted aloud, "Fire!"

The soldiers raised their flintlock guns, firing in unison. Flames and white smoke burst forth, and the Red wolves’ ranks in front immediately fell.

"Reload!" Lancelot shouted again, "Fire!"

After enduring the first volley of shouts, the Red wolves continued advancing. At this moment, Zack’s face darkened from his position. The matchlock guns the Dutch had given them could only fire effectively at forty meters. He could only let his soldiers keep moving forward into the firing zone to secure their own position.

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