Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters
Chapter 1185 - 21 The Great Alliance Moves Forward (6)_3

Chapter 1185: Chapter 21 The Great Alliance Moves Forward (6)_3

Bart Xialing carefully observed the distant firelight and casually asked, "Have you ever hunted with the Civil Guard Officer?"

"No." Nine Fingers shook his head and regretfully said, "I joined the army after the Civil Guard Officer captured Revodan."

"If you had hunted with the Civil Guard Officer, you would understand. But even if you haven’t, it’s okay, you’ll understand once I explain." Bart Xialing casually broke a twig and sketched on the ground: "Hunting—specifically, encirclement hunting—usually requires dividing into two teams. One team makes noise to scare the animals, driving out deer, rabbits, and the like, while the other team sets a perimeter to block the herd."

Nine Fingers nodded as if he understood, though he didn’t fully get it.

Bart Xialing pointed with the twig at the smoke-covered, blazing battlefield, and smiled, "Don’t be fooled that the First Battalion fired the first shot; they’re just driving the beasts. To really claim the prey, that’s our job."

This time, Nine Fingers understood, and excitedly asked, "You mean—this time we’re the main attack?"

"Exactly. This tactic is called..." Bart Xialing rubbed his forehead, searching his memory for the answer, "it’s called the Anvil Hammer Tactic! But this time, both the anvil and the hammer are infantry. This time, the First Battalion is the anvil..."

Bart Xialing smiled, "We’re the hammer!"

As he spoke, a messenger dressed in green galloped over, reined his horse in front of Bart Xialing, and handed out an iron arrow: "Captain Xialing! The Civil Guard Officer orders you to attack!"

Bart Xialing took the iron arrow, feeling the familiar scratches and dents on its shaft.

"Sound the drums!" Bart Xialing mounted his horse, holding the iron arrow high, and shouted toward the battlefield, "Attack!"

The sound of war drums thundered behind him as musicians exerted their full strength to play the marching tune.

Three infantry battalions of the New Army of Iron Peak County surged from the woods and fields, launching a full-scale assault on the enemies hiding on the west side of the highway.

...

On the south side of the battlefield, Major Felter, who was desperately rallying his scattered forces, was alarmed to discover that the deafening sounds of battle cries and war drums were coming from behind him, even louder than before.

"They’re damn madmen! Madmen!" Major Felter couldn’t help but curse, "Don’t the rebels fear dragging their own troops into the fire zone? Madmen!"

But no matter how fiercely he cursed, it was meaningless; Felter knew very well: though soldiers in square formation could handle attacks from multiple directions, the appearance of enemies at their backs was devastating for morale.

Major Felter struggled to empty his mind, thinking calmly—the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth units at the front of the marching column had lost contact; his own Ninth Battalion still maintained its structure, and behind him were the Tenth Battalion and one from Maplestone City.

Should he support the front line? Or continue to gather the routed troops here?

Or perhaps... make a decisive sacrifice?

Alder Felter made a decision.

"Ninth Battalion, maintain formation and move south! Merge into a combined square with the Tenth Battalion and Maplestone City Battalion!" Inside the Ninth Battalion’s square, Major Felter drew his sword and commanded, pointing toward their path: "Lieutenant Kadar! Order your men to retreat at a ’slow pace’!"

Lieutenant Kadar was taken aback, "Retreat?"

Major Felter replied with difficulty but firmly, "Retreat."

Lieutenant Kadar’s voice was almost inaudible, "What about the troops in the front?"

"Send someone to order them to retreat too. If they collapse, just let them catch up on their own!" Major Felter coldly responded, "If they can catch up, reform them into the square."

What if the troops in front couldn’t catch up? Major Felter didn’t say.

Lieutenant Kadar swallowed hard and replied with difficulty, "Yes."

The drummer picked up the war drum that had fallen to the ground and shakily played a slow beat.

The square of the Ninth Battalion began to move, slowly crawling back in the direction they came from.

Major Felter galloped out of the square, riding around his own formation, loudly shouting, "Find your courage! Remember your training! Advance as you’ve been trained! Fleeing will only lead to a quicker death!"

But just then, thunderous hoofbeats echoed from outside the valley.

Hundreds of light cavalry broke through the dense fog.

The leading light cavalry shouted, "That guy with the scarred face! Don’t let him get away!"