You should know that Dismas and the two others were originally accompanied by Barton's artillery unit. Lance arranged it this way because many of the artillerymen lacked combat experience. They're fine with shooting and firing cannons from a distance, but if ambushed by heretics and drawn into close combat, it would be troubling.

But perhaps because Balistan opened the road ahead, attracting attention or clearing troubles along the way, they proceeded unexpectedly smoothly without obstruction.

They even caught up with the second unit. However, upon knowing Balistan's advancement, Barton immediately ordered Dismas and the others to move ahead for support first and then led the main force over.

If not for this decision earlier, the situation would have been more troublesome.

"I already know the situation here; leave it to us." After quickly exchanging information about the current situation, Barton's gaze settled on the outpost nestled a hundred yards away, dotted amidst the wilderness.

The structure certainly does not match the fortress of the forward post, and the brick and stone structure has been subjected to the erosion of wilderness and time.

"Set up the position!"

An artillery group has seven people, and logically, twenty cannons should have one hundred forty people.

However, there are only just over one hundred, as five mortars are spare and have no dedicated personnel.

This device is specifically used to lob explosive bombs, not something ordinary gunners can handle, and in most situations, it is not needed.

Setting up these cannons in the wilderness environment is somewhat challenging, but fortunately, there are enough manpower, each performing their duties…

The heretics hiding within the buildings are also preparing, with several corpses laid out on the ground. These were heretics who died in the recent battle, retrieved during their retreat.

Now, these corpses form a strange ritual pattern, which is the emblem of the Ascension Sect.

Opposite the ritual stands a Heretic Priest without a helmet, revealing a youthful and slightly alluring face.

She is the leader of the heretics controlling Target Two, as mentioned by Balistan.

The heretic actions in the wilderness were initially led by the Saintess of the evil cult, but the Saintess has disappeared, and even prayers to the divine haven't found her.

The Ascension Sect assigned the Saintess to oversee the wilderness for a reason. She could interpret the divine will and deliver orders from above. Not everyone can handle this task, as the Saintess is the divine chosen one.

Through the power of the divine and connected by flesh and blood, other priests could hear her prayers, even from far distances. This is how she managed to command the scattered heretic priests in the wilderness.

However, with the Saintess gone, there's no divine connection to coordinate them; dispersed guerrilla tactics quickly unravel.

But their operations were always free-willed, combined with a lapse in orders, resulting in little concern over these issues.

This provided Lance an opportunity.

One must say Lance stealthily and quietly pushed forward, paying any cost and swiftly seizing the moment, perfectly filling the vacancy.

Thus at the start, those heretics collapsed under the assault, unable to resist.

Otherwise, the heretics' mobilization may have had the ability to face off against the army, even if not able to be defeated one-by-one as now.

Although they do not resist Ascension, death is simply returning to the divine for them.

But not everyone is content; they wish to offer more sacrifices to the divine.

Among the heretics, some developed thoughts due to the Saintess's disappearance. They do not consider themselves inferior; they too want deeper attention from the divine.

It's simple; complete sacrifices using the flesh of these people.

When all other channels were blasted collapsed, the heretics retreated to Target Two and organized under a priest. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

They even set traps to lure the enemy, but unexpectedly encountered Balistan, disrupting their setup with fortuitous precision.

Originally planning to consume these people.

Unexpectedly, Balistan's veteran-formed second unit was exceptionally resilient!

The heretics couldn't break them but instead lost their teeth trying, and even the priest's use of the Soul-Entangling Curse couldn't break their resolve.

But the power from casualties gathered around the priest, seemingly drawing the divine's gaze her way.

Just as she was preparing for something significant, reinforcements arrived. Other heretics might die-fighting without retreat.

But for the ambitious priest, preserving the team's strength was crucial, so she retreated with her men to Target Two, intending to rely on the building for resistance.

After all, there's a passage behind, and she wants this to be her first step in becoming the new Saintess!

Then…

Under collective effort, two artillery positions were quickly established, forming an interlocking angle to lock down Target Two.

"See that wall pushed up by tree roots? Hit it hard for me!"

Barton, tall and strong, wearing Hamlet's military uniform, supported the long knife at his waist with one hand, exuding an imposing presence.

And the cannon array lined up before him looked even more imposing!

"Loading complete!"

"Trajectory adjustment complete!"

"Trial shot preparation—fire!"

"Boom!"

Busy artillery groups worked swiftly, and then, with a cannon's thunderous roar, larger multiples of a gunshot, fist-sized stone shots fired, slamming into the outpost walls at a speed surpassing ordinary human sight.

The roots clinging to them instantly crumbled, emitting a dull sound, and the clash between stones ended with the stone shots shattering.

And left marks on that already twisted wall.

A pit filled with rubble, indicating the wall's previous vibrations revealed it wasn't as solid as its appearance suggested.

"Free fire!"

With a shout, the artillerymen immediately ignited; this was their first real combat after extensive training, intoxicating all in novice excitement.

Only through this could they quell nerves and vent emotions with each fired bomb.

Perhaps the outpost had, through time, repelled countless enemies for Hamlet, with every brick bearing traces of battle from swords and axes, immune even to time itself.

Yet now, a round of cannon fire made the wall pushed by roots collapse, dragging half the building down, causing bricks to crumble and dust to fill the air, enveloping that section instantly.

Rendering internal conditions invisible, only strange noises resonated.

Witnessing half the outpost demolished by a single cannon volley, Balistan's team understood why the Lord preferred investing in cannons over building a fortress in Hamlet.

As future War King mentioned by the Lord, fortifications suddenly seemed fragile before artillery.

"Mortar group advance thirty yards and bombard inside, drive the heretics out, other groups cover..."

Barton managed the situation; he need not completely demolish the building—these light field guns lack that ability.

Such easy demolition owed to existing weakness; bombs simply accelerated the process.

Other structures showed no obvious vulnerabilities; thus, each bomb was critical, not to be wasted.

Simply deliver bombs through that gap.

Receiving orders, the group maneuvered immediately.

This device weighs less than six-pounder cannon, but the bomb is head-sized, filled with gunpowder in a steel case.

Almost seamlessly connected, the smoke from the outpost's collapse hadn't dispersed before pushing forward thirty yards; loading was completed.

The artilleryman Bonaparte, among those qualified for mortar operation, boasts the highest accuracy.

Barton named him, intending to cultivate him; this opportunity he couldn't miss, and mustn't embarrass the leader.

Observing the target condition, Bonaparte adjusted the powder and firing angle; the battlefield allowed little time for delay, and he commanded promptly:

"Fire!"

The mortar's fuse was ignited first, followed by the bomb…