Chapter 283:

Chapter 283:

“Boom!”

A millstone-sized stone fell from the sky, fortunately missing any people, but the loud noise it made upon hitting the wall still caused a shiver of fear.

If such a large stone had hit a person, wouldn’t they have been instantly reduced to a pile of flesh?

The garrison of Fort Bidou was intimidated, each of them cowering behind the battlements, afraid to show their faces.

Outside the walls, Jace was highly satisfied with the trial firing of the catapult, laughing heartily.

He turned his head slightly and praised, “Captain Doug, the technology you brought is really useful! I’ve always struggled to counter the rebels’ Thunder Hammer, but now we’ve created such a weapon, it’s no less formidable than theirs.”

The cloaked mercenary captain, Doug, smiled slightly: “Your Lordship flatters me. But I am curious to see this ‘Thunder Hammer’ you speak of. I’m actually looking forward to them firing a few shots.”

Jace, gesturing towards Fort Bidou with his riding crop, said, “There! Those dark shapes on the wall are the Thunder Hammers. But, hmph, it seems that without Grayman, these fools can’t make good use of such a fine weapon.”

Before the attack, he had sent scouts to thoroughly reconnoiter Fort Bidou. There were no flags of the Grayman or Ganard families on the walls, although flags of other families in the alliance were abundant. It seemed these two lads were indeed tied down by matters in their domains, proving his father’s strategy effective.

Mercenary Captain Doug followed Jace’s gaze, and even with his excellent vision, he could only make out vague shapes at that distance.

He requested, “My Lord Viscount, after the battle is over, could I...?”

Jace smiled, “Rest assured, if you fight well, you’ll certainly get your share.”

“Thank you, my Lord! Heh, we mercenaries love to collect and study novel weapons. More knowledge, more security.”

“Hmph, once we take down this castle, it’s not just the Thunder Hammer I’ll give you, but much more...”

...

While Jace and the mercenary captain were engaged in their conversation, the lords of the allied forces were throwing a tantrum in the most fortified tower.

“Fools! Idiots! So quickly suppressed by the enemy!”

“Did you forget everything the instructor taught you as soon as he left?”

The instructors sent by Paul had mentioned in passing not to let the gunpowder get damp, a common knowledge in the Alda army, so they hadn’t paid much attention to it.

Unfortunately, the chosen gunners of the allied forces were completely absorbed in the great power of the cannons, letting the instructor’s warning go in one ear and out the other.

After the boat reached them, an officer climbed onto the deck and approached Schroeder.

“I’m sorry, Viscount Soro Carter has not accepted our offer to surrender. Here is his reply.”

Schroeder opened the envelope and carefully read the reply, then handed it to Tirpitz and Yarman.

Tirpitz, after reading, was furious. The letter, though worded politely, insulted Paul Grayman for joining the “unjust” side and “betraying” the new Duke.

“Lord Schroeder, begin the attack. Baron Claude and Andrew have already landed at the west gate and are waiting for your command.”

Schroeder checked his watch and nodded.

“Begin the operation!”

With his command, noise erupted from all four warships.

In less than a minute, thunderous booms resonated from the south side of each warship.

Fish Tail Town was immediately bombarded with dozens of cannonballs.

Some cannonballs hit the city walls, scattering bricks and stones, causing casualties among the soldiers there.

Others flew over the walls into the town, igniting large fires when the red-hot cannonballs hit flammable materials.

“It’s the Thunder Hammer! The legendary Thunder Hammer!”

“Quick! Fire the crossbow cannons in retaliation!”

The soldiers on the wall were either cowering behind the battlements or running around like headless flies.

Those responsible for the crossbow cannons bravely stayed by their side, straining to turn the torsion winches to shoot farther.

The commanding officer bellowed, “Fire!”

The torsion springs drove the crossbow arms, propelling four large bolts, shooting towards the Alda fleet...

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