Chapter 42: Revolutionary Period - Western Front (2)

Chapter 42: Revolutionary Period - Western Front (2)

Translated by Mara Sov

Revolutionary Period Western Front (2)

Fire!

The artilleryman sparked the fuse with a linstock and jumped back, clamping his ears, as the cannon kicked back with a thunderous blast.

I squinted through my telescope, tracking the cannonball as it slammed into the fortress walls.

Ughhh

Shoved back by the force, the cannon was muscled into place again by the crew, wiping the sweat from their brows as they cooled the smoking barrel with a rod.

They hustled to reload, dumping in more gunpowder and wadding, then, with a collective heave, pushed the next cannonball down the barrel.

Fire!

The crew lit the fuse again and stepped back. The cannon jolted with a loud boom, sending another ball flying.

This arduous cycle, a grueling and infernally taxing labor, visibly took its toll on the men, a sight clear even from this distance.

I raised the telescope again, watching the cannonball bash against the wall, knocking loose bits from the damaged rampart.

Most places within the Lionel County gave up pretty quickly, but the Count was hunkering down in his capital fortress.

For six days weve laid siege to this fortress, and theyre still holding outguess that says something about the Counts standing as their lord.

The memory of his departure during our last meeting still brings me a pang of regret.

While I was lost in thought, the cannon fired off another round, and a chunk of the wall gave way, stirring up a cloud of dust.

With a sigh, I handed the telescope to my aide and spurred my horse forward.

Prepare for the assault.

Understood, General Men! Prepare for the assault!!

Soldiers in the uniform of the Revolutionary Army shouldered muskets as they marched, with a ragtag bunch of conscripts from out west trailing behind.

Their march thumped across the plains encircling the walls, mingling with the piercing tones of flutes and the rhythm of drums.

As they drew near the shattered walls.

Archers!

Arrows zipped from the still-standing walls on both sides, let loose by archers in sync.

Kuhuk!

Aack!

I whipped out my sword to knock down the incoming arrows, but some of the musketeers up front werent so luckythey dropped, hollering as arrows found their mark.

Aim!

However, these soldiers that we had trained, even if it was for a short time, werent so easily shaken.

Even as their comrades fell around them, they methodically hoisted their muskets, filled out the powder, and rammed bullets down the barrels.

Fire!

Then, gunfire cracked one after the other, and soon enough, we were staring through a cloud of black powder smoke.

This time, it was the enemy on the wall yelping, with a few unlucky ones tumbling over the edge, their cries trailing.

It was almost like a back-and-forth, enemies releasing their arrows, then our musketeers taking their shots, over and over.

But this was no game, and the ones hitting the dirt werent getting back up when it was all over.

The only difference in this unfair game was that eventually, the walls went silent as I led my soldiers closer to it.

Dismounting from my horse, I stood before my men and said.

Ready.

I surveyed the soldiers, taut and edged with cold steel, swiftly affixing bayonets to their muskets.

Charge!

Woooooh!

I led the charge, sword drawn, as the soldiers followed with a roar.

Arrows continued to rain from the remnants on the walls, but the cries of the struck were lost amid the thunder of the charge.

Block them! Halt their advance!

Spearman emerged from the rubble-strewn breach to obstruct our path.

Huk!

However, as I led the onslaught, shattering their spears, their defense crumbled.

Follow the Marquis!

Long live the Republic!

Our soldiers rushed the now defenseless spearmen and screams and blood flew.

Uaaak!

I swung my sword, cleaving one soldiers chest, then thrust and twisted it into anothers neck before wrenching it free.

Hi, hiik-!

Kurk-

I kicked the awkwardly standing enemy, sending him tumbling to the ground, and with a horizontal slash of my sword, the soldier who was late to react clutched his throat, spurting blood and falling.

You cur!

As the soldiers began to stumble and retreat to avoid me, a knight clad in clanking armor charged towards me.

In stark contrast to my attirea mere light breastplate atop my military garbhe was fully kitted out, a sight that had been utterly ordinary just a year ago.

Lafayette! Betrayer to the nobility!

Dodging the spear hurled by the charging knight with a twist of my body, I thrust my mana-infused sword into him.

The mana that the knight hastily conjured to protect himself was effortlessly shattered by my sword.

Cough, kuh!

His armor, which failed to block the direct hit and only hindered his movements, couldnt protect its wearer when my sword pierced its joints.

Count LionelM-My LordI, ughaaaah!

Was there another choice?

He pointed his sword at me.

Should I have sat by, awaiting ruin when those insurgents came for me and my lineage?

I proposed a path with the Republic. I, along with Countess Aquitaine, and the lords who joined us, are proving that we can stand with them now.

Heup-!

Count Lionel charged again with his shield at the forefront.

Shield in the left hand, sword in the right.

I met his advance head-on, sidestepping the shield and directing my blade toward an opening on his right.

Kuk?!

My sword pierced through Count Lionels mana, nicking his chest. But even though his enhancement shattered it bought him enough time to divert my sword.

Tsk, the cut was too shallow.

While both of us tried to catch our breaths, the Count said.

Perhaps you find solace in their company. But do you remember for what we spilled blood in the Civil War?

Even with his armor stained by blood, his posture remained unyielding.

Unlike lesser Knights, the Counts experience in combat made him a worthy adversary.

During the Civil War, I witnessed the fall of many vassals, knights, and my own men. And For what cause? Fealty to a Prince? No! All I did was to protect Lionels domain! To protect our honor!

Count Lionels gaze burned with an intense flame.

Marquis, I have fought for so long to protect this land, this name, bestowed by my forefathers, long before you first stepped onto the battlefield! What worth is there in a life that renders all of that futile, merely to preserve this single existence!

By orchestrating events to impart meaning upon your life, Count, does it excuse the demise of countless others who might have lived? And those who perished in your name, are they truly saved?

Count Lionel pressed his lips together as I continued.

At least I harbor no shame. They may have forfeited their legacy due to me, but in its stead, we shall forge something new.

Very well, Marquis. I see that we are destined to remain at odds.

The fire in Count Lionels eyes never waned. Ultimately, no words would ever sway him.

For him, this course must have seemed the optimal choice, confined by his role and those he cherishes.

Perhaps the gap between us stems from my diverging actions during this life, something that should have never happened in the first place.

Trying to keep my breathing in check, I tightened the hold on my sword.

Count Lionels gaze momentarily tracked my right hand wielding the blade, and then our feet kicked the ground in unison.

Lafayette!

As Count Lionels shield barreled toward me, I switched my sword to my left hand and unsheathed the dagger at my hip with my right.

Shifting my leg as though to lunge to the right

Hyaahp!

I dodged the swinging shield and instead dug into the left.

Kuk?!

Confusion flashed across Count Lionels face as our swords collided, sending violent vibrations.

As both of us flinched from the numbing pain in our arms, the dagger I had thrown with my right hand buried itself into Count Lionels chest, where my sword had pierced just before.

Even though the dagger was imbued with mana, it failed to fully pierce the Counts own mana enhancement and his sturdy armor.

Kuh, ugh-ah! Not like this!

With the blade half-sunk into his chest, Count Lionel roared in defiance.

In that instant, I drove my foot into the daggers hilt embedded in his chest.

Kaaahk!

The blade sliced through his mesh armor, biting into his flesh, and shredding his muscles. Only when the whole blade had been embedded inside his chest, did Count Lionel drop his sword and shield, crumbling to his knees.

My lord!

Save the Count!

Enemies atop the ramparts shouted in desperation, attempting to rush out.

Do you intend to tarnish even my last moments?!

A thunderous bellow, unfathomable from one so grievously wounded, quelled all clamor on the battlefield.

In the stillness, a knight once radiant with valor and resolve now spoke with the fatigued tone of an elderly man.

Such is the end of our long battle.

The Count let out a hollow laugh, then coughed while looking at the blood flowing from his chest and soaking the ground.

After a moment of silence, he spoke again.

My son, Gilles. That child, he opposed my plans. And fled this land.

Is that so?

The lands and honor of Lionel shall perish with me, but the lineage of Lionel..My Blood.That.Child.

The Count looked at me weakly, pleading in his gaze.

Will you overlook just that boy?

Should he depart these realms and shed no further blood, it shall be as you wish.

I beg of you. Ancestors, forgive me for my disgrace

The Count didnt finish his prayer.

Seeing the gates open and those bearing white flags rushing out, I slowly reached out to close his eyes.

TL note: I have promised.

I have delivered.

Although my fate verse fanfic binge may have delayed this chapter kewk.

What can I say.Mama loves sum Fate.

Omg Archer is just too hot.

/genesisforsaken