Our Family Has Fallen
Chapter 937 - 531: Fierce Combat
Witness the power of humanity!
The explosion occurred beneath the Heretic Priest's feet, the resulting shockwave affecting the entire area, as shrapnel scattered and embedded into their flesh.
If it were ordinary people, they might fall into a hopeless wail. But for these heretics, it only caused a momentary pause.
Yet, this brief pause was enough to shatter the despair they had created, as the power of firearms awakened those uneasy souls.
"Hamlet Must Win!"
This shout seemed to carry some force, instantly soothing everyone's anxiety as the others instinctively followed suit, shouting with all their might.
"Hamlet Must Win!!!"
At this moment, the recruits felt no fear; on the contrary, courage and strength surged in their hearts, as if they had been strengthened.
"Fire at will!"
"Bayonets forward!"
"To hell with these evil bastards!"
Once the ammo runs out, forward with bayonets, the two-meter distance became a unified front, pushing those enemies out.
These soldiers, driven to madness in battle, were no less fierce than the heretics, given their equipment advantage, numerical superiority, and most importantly, their boldness—they didn't fear close combat with those scoundrels.
In the intense clash of flesh and blood, finally, with the arrival of reinforcements—a squad of forty—the twenty or so enemies were slain.
Even though they held the advantage, they still needed at least double the numbers to overpower them. Fortunately, these heretics didn't use firearms nor wore armor, otherwise, it would be even more troublesome.
Likewise, there were quite a few casualties on our side. The most serious was a recruit who lost his head in the heat of battle, neglecting his position and ended up wounded. Luckily, the powder stopped the bleeding, with a simple bandage to await further treatment.
There were also several soldiers unsettled and demoralized due to the Heretic Priest's sorcery, with this situation more prevalent among recruits.
Most could withstand it through sheer willpower, passing the battlefield test, signifying their true transformation into veterans.
Of course, it's important to understand that not everyone possesses such courage.
Those soldiers who struggle to adapt to the fierce battlefield won't remain; they'll either transition to logistics or become sheriffs.
Naturally, their compensation will be correspondingly reduced, as Hamlet doesn't support idlers.
As for the veterans? Don't be ridiculous—their loyalty to the Lord isn't swayed by sorcery. Some fierce individuals face the Priest's sorcery with even greater zeal.
Why is warfare fought over logistics? Hamlet's soldiers have ample ammunition, food supplies, and even personnel replenishments.
Shortly after the battle here ended, a few carts came rushing over—the logistics unit had arrived.
Part of this operation included the use of Hamlet's draft animals, temporarily requisitioned for road repairs.
And these logistics wagons were already part of the military. Lance had been seeking ways to enhance army mobility and logistic support.
These logistics personnel underwent professional training, mostly having passed tests in training camps, yet ranked behind in the reservists.
Additionally, there were some veterans slightly wounded but still possessing combat capability.
Their primary task is to clean the battlefield, drag away bodies for disposal, transport wounded or other soldiers back to the outpost for treatment, also providing necessary supplies for the team.
While they don't face frontline warfare directly, if needed, they can wield weapons and fight.
After receiving supplies, several squads quickly adjusted their status, most recovering, dealing with minor injuries simply, refusing to leave the battlefield.
Don't underestimate the willpower of ordinary people in this era; they're more accepting of battlefield brutality than modern individuals.
After a brief rest, the squads set off again, joining the action once more.
Despite some missing members, it didn't affect their operations...
Within the heretics, not everyone wished for futile confrontation with Hamlet's army. Some realized the situation was unfavorable and immediately attempted to break westward.
But awaiting them was Reynard leading the Hamlet Cavalry, the warriors long prepared, brandishing gleaming sabers as they charged towards the enemy.
The cavalry, now with mobility, roamed the wilderness, harvesting heretic heads one by one.
They found it even easier than other aspects, since few heretics made it this far.
However, Reynard was clearly unsatisfied with merely waiting for heretics to present themselves; he kept advancing, pressing towards the center...
At this moment at the outpost, Lance coordinated logistics—in a sense, he was the chief supply officer of the rear.
Through advances on various fronts and logistics feedback, he could accurately discern frontline developments.
Though initially faced with some issues, everything seemed to proceed as Lance envisioned—continually driving, forcing, and ultimately harvesting those heretics, aiming to weaken their living forces as much as possible.
Unfortunately, as frontline advancements extended, the frequency of information retrieval had to be reduced.
But at this moment, a logistics cart returned, bringing back frontline news along with some injured soldiers.
"Quick, quick, quick!"
Most medics had gone up with the squad to the front line, striving at the first moment to control their injuries, then transporting them back for more detailed treatment.
The personnel remaining at the outpost were primarily trained but hadn't had much practice... medical staff.