Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 16: Complete Victory

Chapter 16: Complete Victory

TL: Etude

Paul's heart tightened as the sounds of battle approached from the front.

This time, the soldiers' performance had improved compared to the last battle. There was no reckless charging, thanks to a company kept in reserve near Paul. Senior officers like Bryce had also charged into the fray. Although Paul was opposed to senior officers leading the charge, it undeniably boosted the soldiers' morale.

However, the situation gradually turned dire, with Paul's side showing signs of weakness as the battle slowly shifted towards the center of Lakeheart Town.

Paul became anxious. "Let the reserve company take over," he suggested.

Schroeder shook his head. "It's not time yet."

Just then, a report came in: suspicious figures resembling another group of pirates were spotted near the town's other bridge.

"Send the reserve company there," Schroeder decided.

Paul sighed in relief. "Good thing we kept the reserve. It would have been bad if another group of pirates broke into the town."

The reserve company, now acting, began to rapidly move towards the other side of the town.

Their movement was pivotal; the soldiers engaged in battle thought their lord was abandoning them to retreat, and many started fleeing towards Paul's position.

"No retreat signal has been sounded, get back to the fight!!!" Bryce and other officers, while fending off enemies, shouted furiously. Some soldiers returned to the battle, but many did not.

Their disadvantage became even more apparent...

That's when the old knight Schroeder made his move.

He charged on his horse, quickly closing in on a fleeing soldier, drawing his sword in a swift motion.

In a split second, before anyone could comprehend his actions, the deserter's head was no longer on his shoulders, rolling on the ground and ending up under Paul's horse.

The body, now headless, collapsed with a thud, blood spurting from the neck, staining the ground red.

The sight of this fierce action stunned both the fleeing soldiers and those with Paul.

The old knight's eyes were blazing with anger, his neck flushed red and veins bulging, emitting an almost palpable aura of fury.

"This is the fate of a deserter!!!" His voice thundered across the battlefield, striking fear into every heart.

"Provost guards, on my command, deal with any retreaters in the same way, no mercy!!!"

The provost guards were stunned, exchanging looks of disbelief, unsure of how to respond.

"Didn't you hear my command?" The knight turned to face them. His squire Joyce immediately drew his sword, pointing it at the still dazed provost guards.

The mere glance from the old knight was enough to petrify the provost guards, who quickly remembered their duty upon receiving a superior's order. "Yes!!!" they shouted in unison, raising their spears towards the retreating deserters.

Disobedience meant they could be the next to be decapitated.

"Fight the pirates to the end!" someone shouted, leading the deserters back to the front line. Better to die fighting the enemy than be executed for desertion. If they were unlucky enough to die in battle, at least their families would receive a substantial pension, as Count Grayman was a man of his word.