Magic, steel, heavy industry

Chapter 59 The Battle of Old River Valley

The mercenaries were momentarily confused upon hearing this.

Although they admired the order and discipline of the guard, they did not think that all of them were sharpshooters, especially since a distance of more than 400 meters did not seem like a good time to fire an arrow.

But Vilan didn't bother to explain anything to them. He quickly led the group away from the low slope and hid on the other side, quietly waiting for the right moment.

Soon, a faint light appeared ahead, accompanied by the sound of faint footsteps.

At that moment, the new recruits of the guard team lying on the ground all stared wide-eyed, cold sweat pouring down their faces.

Squad leader Doku gripped his crossbow tightly, turned around to check on the soldiers in his squad, and with just one glance, he frowned and patted the shoulder of the person next to him.

"Don't be nervous, just do it the same way you do in training."

Karl trembled, his face pale as he raised his head, his eyes filled with confusion and helplessness.

"Class monitor...aren't you afraid?"

Doku nodded. "I'm afraid, but I believe in Lord Vilan. I'm willing to fight for him. Besides, I'm the squad leader. You can be afraid, but I can't."

"You're amazing... I wish I could be as brave as you..."

Carl forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, his hands and feet already ice-cold.

How could he not be afraid? Just 20 days ago, he was just an ordinary serf. Only now did he realize that training wasn't everything for a soldier; fighting was.

He looked at Doku with admiration, thinking to himself, "No wonder Doku can be the class monitor."

Not only Karl, but most of the new recruits were just as blank-eyed as he was, and some were even tempted to run away.

However, the drill training these days has been a constant reminder that running away is a capital offense.

Looking at the timid faces of the new recruits, Raya, who was standing guard behind them, sighed, "Isn't this too fast for them?"

Raya is a sentimental young man with long hair who believes he has the strongest artistic talent among the guards. He often takes his sketchbook to the riverbank to sketch, although his drawing skills are not as good as Vilan's drawings.

But it was precisely because of his sensitivity that he could understand others, especially the timidity of these new recruits.

Rossi, standing to the side, remained expressionless and calmly said, "This is a necessary course for growth. Only after today will they become truly qualified soldiers."

The words had barely left his mouth when the rapid footsteps grew louder and louder. The sky was already beginning to lighten, and Karelas, at the forefront, looked up at the sky, then at the bandits who had already reached their designated positions. He roared, "Prepare for battle!"

Splash!

In an instant, all the new recruits stood up, like a mechanical reaction. Despite their fear, they meticulously completed the training movements, and even if they made a mistake, they would immediately correct it.

Such a commotion immediately stunned the Strong Wind Bandit Gang in the Old River Valley.

"So many people! What's going on?!"

"Damn it! We've been ambushed!"

At this point, even the dumbest robber would realize something was wrong; the group of people opposite them were clearly waiting for them!

Strong Wind suddenly revealed a furious expression, turned to look at Steel Cable, and then there was a neighing of a warhorse. Steel Cable and Morata galloped off in two different directions without any explanation.

"Bastard! You dare betray me! You shameless traitor!"

Strong Wind immediately realized that the steel cable had tricked him!

"Unforgivable! You bastard, I'm going to kill you!"

Strong Wind angrily turned its horse around, trying to catch up with the steel cable. At this moment, the already chaotic bandits cried out in alarm, "They're going to shoot arrows!"

Qiangfeng turned around abruptly and, sure enough, found that those strange guys had all raised their crossbows.

Wait a minute! How could there be so many crossbows in Iron Anvil Territory!

Despite his shock, Qiangfeng shouted, "Don't panic! We're far enough away, they can't hit us!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Carreras swung his right hand in the distance, and the recruits in the first row habitually activated their crossbows, whoosh whoosh whoosh!

Ten magic powder crossbow bolts shot out instantly, then hurtled horizontally at a speed incomprehensible to the strong wind.

Before anyone could react to what was happening, crossbow bolts had already rained down on the bandits' ranks.

In the narrow plains of the Old River Valley, more than 130 bandits were crammed together, making them easy targets. The crossbow bolts didn't need to be aimed; they only needed to maintain a level angle to hit them easily.

Bang bang bang!

A few blossoms of blood bloomed in the bandit camp, accompanied by the heart-wrenching screams of the unfortunate ones who had been shot.

"Help! I've been shot with an arrow!"

"No! It hurts so much! I'm going to die! I'm going to die!"

These were people shot in the arms or thighs. There were also a few unlucky ones who didn't even have a chance to cry out. The crossbow bolts went straight into their lungs, heads, and chests. Under the magic powder arrowheads and powerful penetrating force, they died on the spot.

Qiangfeng instinctively looked down and saw an old bandit who had been shot in the chest and died behind his horse on the right. Blood was gushing from the man's chest and the crossbow bolt had almost come out of his back.

"Damn it! What is this thing?!"

Strong Wind's eyes widened, and without hesitation, he dismounted and hid behind the horse's rump.

He no longer had any intention of chasing the steel cable; all he could think about now was dodging those damned arrows!

shhhhhh!

Before he could even curse, Qiangfeng heard that death-like screech again. Sure enough, just a few seconds later, another volley of crossbow bolts came, taking the lives of several more bandits.

Meanwhile, in the guard's position, Rossi watched the constantly rotating recruits with a serious expression, a hint of admiration in his eyes.

This is the three-stage shooting training that Lord Vilan required the new recruits to undergo. After the first rank finished firing, they immediately kicked their legs and cocked their bows. The second and third ranks then stepped forward from the gaps to provide cover and suppression. By the time the soldiers in the second rank finished firing, the soldiers in the first rank had already cocked their bows and moved forward behind the soldiers in the third rank. It would only take a dozen seconds to start the next round of shooting.

By alternating in this way and constantly pushing forward, the crossbow bolts can be fired at the fastest frequency, while the battle line moves forward and gets closer and closer to the enemy.

Most importantly, with the help of the magic powder crossbow, these dense bolts not only have a suppressive effect, but are a true long-range death reaper. All that could be heard were continuous screams, and in just a few dozen seconds, the bandits on the other side had already fallen to the ground.

The remaining bandits were already terrified, and before Qiangfeng could give any command, they all fled in panic.

The strong wind howled furiously, "Stop! Fire arrows in retaliation!"

Several trusted subordinates seemed to have heard this and tried to retaliate with their broken bows, but unfortunately, their weak arrows not only lacked range, but also went completely astray.

Meanwhile, behind the bandits, at the entrance to the old valley, several figures were moving silently, and before they knew it, they had arrived at the only way for the bandits to retreat.