Free Web NovelChapter 64: Chapter 55: The First Battle of Tianyinbro
As the Cavalry’s disposable Riding Spears collided with the Gnolls, an explosive CRACK was followed by a cascade of splintering sounds.
The charge of the Elite Armored Cavalry threw the Half-Beastmen into chaos, and their defensive line was violently breached. The Armored Cavalry raised their steel blades, and the terrified Kobolds began to scatter.
The Kobolds were nothing more than the serfs of the Half-Beastman army.
The Elite Armored Cavalry moved as if unopposed, their steel blades reaping a constant harvest of Kobold lives. It was laughably easy—the weapons of the Kobolds and Gnolls couldn’t even scratch the Cavalry or their mounts.
From the rear, where he was urging on the Heavy Armor Soldiers and his Private Army on the flanks—and forcing the conscripted serfs into a desperate charge—Henry watched the scene unfold, his heart aching with envy.
’If only I had a few hundred of those Elite Armored Cavalry. I’d have the guts to raid all of Odoche’s seventeen villages and his hundreds of serf manors, orchards, and pastures.’
At that moment, the Half-Beastmens’ Tiger-man commander tried to organize a counterattack, but the Elite Armored Cavalry were too fast. The Kobolds on the front line were unable to mount any effective resistance. freewebnσvel.cøm
The charge of the Elite Armored Cavalry drove the Half-Beastmens’ first line into desperation. They fell one after another, their blood staining the white snow crimson.
The devastating charge of the Elite Armored Cavalry and Heavy Cavalry greatly boosted the morale of the Private Army following close behind them.
The numbers of the Elite Armored Cavalry and Heavy Cavalry were not large; spread out in a single line, they were perfect for breaking the enemy formation. Any more, and some of the elite Warriors might have been tripped up by the corpses, unhorsed, and killed.
The Tiger-man commander had clearly not expected the human elite forces to be wealthy enough to deploy Heavy Cavalry on such a small battlefield. Their defensive line was easily shattered.
The Armored Cavalry cut through the Half-Beastman line as if on a leisurely ride. The Armored Tiger People and lightly armored Centaurs didn’t dare intercept; their goal now was to quickly slaughter the massive number of human serfs!
They already understood the human tactics: if they didn’t quickly rout the massive force of serfs, the elite human Warriors mixed within their ranks would use spearhead attacks to create a total collapse of their line!
Driven forward by the infantry, the advancing serfs charged a hundred meters to fill the gap. Wielding crude weapons, they engaged the Half-Beastmen in close combat.
The fighting was exceptionally fierce. Though the serfs were at a disadvantage in both strength and equipment, their morale was "high."
The Half-Beastmen swung huge axes and cleavers, attacking the serfs viciously. The serfs defended themselves with plank shields, occasionally finding an opportunity to strike back with sickles and hoes.
Humans and Half-Beastmen clashed in close combat. Blood splattered everywhere as battle cries and the clang of metal filled the air.
The Heavy Armor Soldiers now charged from both flanks, crashing into the Half-Beastman ranks with immense strength and sturdy armor.
The axes of the Heavy Axe Soldiers seemed to summon death itself, frantically slaughtering the Kobolds and Gnolls.
Whenever a Half-Beastman tried to fight back, the Heavy Axe Soldiers, with their thick, large round shields, would show them the meaning of an impenetrable defense!
Their armor was just as thick; even if a careless moment allowed a Kobold or Gnoll to land a blow, their triple-layered heavy armor could easily withstand the ferocious attack.
Meanwhile, the Array-Breaking Warriors formed a tight phalanx and advanced steadily, each step a heavy thud.
With every step forward, their huge two-handed axes claimed the lives of dozens of "puny" Kobolds. The men of the Northern Lands were naturally tall and fierce, and clad in battle armor, they were even more savage!
The Armored Tiger People, who had been slaughtering the serfs, now fixed their gaze on the Heavy Armor Soldiers. ’We can’t let them continue their rampage!’
The Armored Tiger People, the core strength of the Half-Beastman army, now displayed their characteristic agility and ferocity.
Roaring, they charged the Heavy Armor Soldiers with astonishing speed, attempting to break their line.
Had their targets still been the serfs, the roars of the Armored Tiger People might have been enough to make their enemies piss their pants in fear.
But these Heavy Axe Soldiers and Array-Breaking Warriors from the Northern Lands were tough characters, men who had hunted great black bears.
They stood shoulder-to-shoulder, their large round shields forming a solid defensive line. The Armored Tiger People leaped about, striking the shields with sharp cleavers and double-bladed axes, probing for a weakness.
The battle between the two sides was exceptionally fierce. The shields of the Heavy Armor Soldiers were torn apart by the immense strength of the Tiger People, while the Tiger People’s armor was pierced by the soldiers’ weapons.
Both sides paid a heavy price, but the Heavy Armor Soldiers, with their superior numbers and excellent Martial Arts, quickly gained the upper hand.
Across the battlefield, war cries thundered. The imperial army was gradually gaining the advantage, and the Half-Beastmen began to retreat.
On the main battlefront, Henry led the charge, clad in triple-layered heavy armor and wielding a Sharp-beaked Iron Warhammer and shield. His Personal Guard of Senior Infantry followed him closely.
Their shields interlocked to form a thick wall, withstanding the fierce attacks of the elite Gnolls.
Since both Henry’s noble banner and the empire’s royal standard were here, the Gnolls with the best armor and weapons all targeted his position. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
The elite Gnolls surged forward like a tide, letting out bloodcurdling roars, but Henry was completely unfazed.
He swung his warhammer, each blow shattering a Gnoll’s skull and splattering the ground with red and white.
Even his shield became a deadly weapon in his hands; a single bash could send a Gnoll flying.
The Senior Infantry locked in a life-or-death struggle with the elite Gnolls, their battle cries deafening.
Fass and Mace each formed battle groups with their Personal Guards and Attendants, rushing to reinforce collapsing sections of the line. Meanwhile, Bain led the rest of the armored New Recruit Team to stabilize the line of serfs.
Philip, having gotten his wish, commanded the Heavy Cavalry and Grassland Warriors from Henry’s and Fass’s Private Armies, wheeling and clashing with the Centaurs.
The stench of blood hung heavy over the battlefield as both sides locked in a brutal slaughter.
The battle reached a fever pitch as Henry and his Personal Guard fought desperately. Suddenly, several sharp arrows flew toward Henry, but he spotted them in time and deflected them with his shield.
Other soldiers immediately closed ranks to protect him. Henry turned and saw the attacker: it was the Tiger-man commander.
"ROOOOAR!"
Wielding a long-handled battle axe, it charged menacingly at Henry. Its tiger eyes glinted with ferocious light, and a low growl rumbled from its throat, as if it intended to tear Henry to shreds.
Henry was fearless. He gripped his iron hammer tightly as man and beast traded blows, each attack carrying a lethal threat.
The Half-Beastman leader swung its battle axe, the blade flashing with a cold light, each strike brimming with power. Henry, however, nimbly dodged its attacks while countering with his hammer, every blow landing with tremendous impact.
CRACK!
Henry’s shield shattered under the Tiger-man’s relentless assault. Seizing the opportunity, Henry ducked low and brought his hammer down, shattering the Tiger-man’s knee. Henry was gaining the upper hand!
AAGH!
The Tiger-man roared in agony, swinging its battle axe at Henry with all its might.
