Chapter 873 (1/2)
Chapter 873: Nobles and Prisoners
Translator: TransN Editor: TransN
As Iron Axe entered the once proud city of Valencia, he was surprised by the devastation that the new weapon had wrought, but he did not let this emotion show on his face.
Even though he had participated in many drills with the mortar, witnessing these weapons in a live battle was a completely different experience.
It was unfathomable how this mobile device that can be easily carried by a group of five people could cause such havoc even with just a limited number of rounds.
He knew that the mortar’s rate of fire was much faster than the previous field artillery, and he knew that they can cause large-scale destruction if dozens of them were to fire at once. But it seemed that he had much underestimated this new weapon now that he witnessed it in action.
Even though a single shot of the mortar cannot compare to that of a Longsong Cannon in sheer firepower, the mortar was easier to control, more mobile, and could be transported without the witches’ help. Furthermore, its shooting trajectory allows it to attack enemies who are hiding behind walls. With sufficient ammunition, the weapon could give the enemy a barrage so devastating that even the highly disciplined First Army might not be able to withstand if they were the ones on the receiving end instead.
“No… it is only normal to flee under this circumstance. Who wouldn’t piss themselves if a rain of fire were to descend upon them?”
Iron Axe finally understood the confidence His Majesty had shown when he threw all those seemingly sophisticated field artillery back into the Furnace Area. To be honest, those weapons that shot out solid rounds at the enemy seemed useless compared to the mortar.
Well, in the end, probably only King Roland could afford such a firearm in the entire Graycastle.
It was said that each shell cost around three to four gold royals, so what the First Army used earlier by bombarding the city with hundreds of shells was as good as throwing away solid gold. Moreover, the shrapnel used by the Longsong Cannons were far more expensive. By the time they confronted demons, will the gold royals in the Neverwinter’s coffer be enough to sustain the First Army until the end of the Battle of Divine Will?
Fortunately, he did not need to worry about this problem.
That hard nut was for Barov to crack, as for the army, their only obligation was to obtain victory for His Majesty.
Iron Axe and his men passed through the long street that was filled with the smoke of gunpowder.
They soon arrived at the center of the city square, where the First Army had rounded up all the surrendered nobles.
Iron Axe’s eyes moved over the captives whose appearances were in complete shambles. Before he could say anything, a nobleman stood out and said, “I’m Shipbay Lord, Earl Kasyn. May I ask where King Roland is?”
Valencia was built on a piece of land that was surrounded by water, and many nobles had named their lands with bays and beaches. Iron Axe dimly remembered that Shipbay was a large piece of land sandwiched by Valencia and Seawindshire. A family that held such a superior place should have been admired and awed by his subjects. However, at this moment, the nobleman’s raised chin and pretentious manner looked ridiculous to Iron Axe. “His Majesty is too busy to handle the business in the East Region. He entrusted me with full responsibility over this front.” he answered.
“You?” Earl Kasyn frowned.
“Is he joking? He is obviously not a person from Graycastle.”
“Roland Wimbledon would let a man from the Sand Nation manage his army?”
“How could he not personally lead his army on an expedition as large as this? Was he not afraid that his men would scatter and flee?”
Shipbay Lord was not the only one in doubt. The other nobles were also questioning the new king’s decision.
“His Excellency Iron Axe is without a doubt the commander-in-chief of the Eastern Front Army. We can all testify,” Lieutenant Bearpaw could not help but cry out.
“Eastern Front Army? What’s that?” Kasyn asked.