Rather than gazing from afar, Sylvie saw it much more clearly.
Through the walls of the earthen house, she could see the soldiers busily and methodically working, each performing a single, repetitive action, but the seven of them together formed a complex and fluid whole. The paper bags and iron balls piled up behind the compartment were continuously fed into the thick iron tube, and then erupted out with the force of thunder.
Looking closer, Sylvie noticed that the soldiers first lit a rope at the tail end of the iron tube, and the jumping sparks窜入了 into the interior, igniting the first paper bag that had been stuffed in. The flash of light in the next instant made her squint her eyes involuntarily as the spark quickly expanded into an orange-red fireball, filling every pore in the tube. The expanding flames had nowhere to go, so they had to wrap around the iron ball and rush outward, as if a giant hand was throwing it out with force!
In the blink of an eye, the iron ball turned into a black shadow and crashed straight into the sailing ship in the river. Its force was so great that it drilled a fist-sized hole directly in the planked side of the ship. Although the speed slowed down a lot after penetrating the plank, its power was still not to be underestimated. An enemy who was about to climb out of the cabin was hit in the waist and instantly broke into two pieces.
This was the first time Sylvie had seen such a scene—without sharp blades or sword edges, a round ball could divide a person in two.
Because the line of sight was too close, she even felt that the blood and internal organs sprayed out by the killed person had splashed on her body. Then several more people were hit by the iron ball, either severing their limbs or smashing their heads. For a time, the cabin was filled with flowing dirty blood and red and white organs.
The witch suddenly felt a churning in her stomach, and a surge of acid went straight to her throat.
“Ugh…” The scene in the cabin suddenly disappeared—the chaotic thoughts could no longer maintain the application of the ability, Sylvie was forced to disconnect from the Eye of Truth and lowered her head to vomit.
“What’s wrong?” Lian, who was startled, immediately stepped forward to support her, “Are you okay?”
Prince Roland also noticed her discomfort and handed her a handkerchief, “If you find it bloody, don’t look at it for now, at least don’t use your ability to watch it up close. Take a rest first.”
“Thank you…” Sylvie took the handkerchief and wiped her mouth, “I’m fine.”
This was probably the "incredible invention" that Maisie and Lightning were talking about, but at the time, everyone didn't listen much, or didn't take it to heart at all. After all, before seeing it with your own eyes, it is difficult to imagine such an amazing weapon in your mind.
She looked at the battlefield again and saw that Tiffko's fleet had begun to approach the two banks—obviously they had also realized that this storm-like attack came from behind the low houses disguised as earthen slopes on the shore. However, the other party did not know that Prince Roland had arranged far more than this one construction.
In a place far away from the v-shaped defensive line, concealed bunkers covered with weeds and vines were hidden, and the distance between the two was exactly equal to the length of the fleet's columns. Unless they unhesitatingly turned the bow of their ship and withdrew directly, landing at any point would only fall into a trap with attacks from both front and back.
The soldiers in the bunker also held a long, round iron rod, and the thing that was launched was no longer a round iron ball, but a sharp, tailless crossbow bolt. They did not look as unstoppable as the iron balls, but the target had been changed to bodies of flesh and blood without any armor.
Sylvie guessed that the enemies probably wanted to wait until they landed and regrouped before launching a counterattack, but the soldiers in the bunker did not give them this opportunity—in the same way as the previous attacks, they didn't even need to show their heads. They only needed to aim their weapons at the target and easily pull the trigger, and the crossbow bolts would pour towards the opponent like rain.
Faced with this weapon that fired quickly and did not require cocking, the enemies did not hold out for long before collapsing completely. Those who got off the ship wanted to return to the ship, while those standing on the side of the ship waiting to disembark fled in all directions. In the heavy sway of the ship, the gangplank fell into the water, and many of those who fell into the water were killed while climbing the side of the ship, and the scene was chaotic.
“It’s time,” only then did the prince put down the telescope and ordered Iron Axe, “Take the reserve team to clean up the battlefield. If their leading knight is lucky enough not to be killed in battle, capture him alive as much as possible. I want to ask them some questions.”
“Yes,” the latter saluted.
Then he looked at Sylvie, "You go with Iron Axe too, don't let anyone slip away."
Sylvie nodded and followed the First Army commander out of the observation post. She suddenly understood why Prince Roland dared to openly protect the witches in a corner of the continent… With such a powerful force, even if the Church dispatched the God’s Punishment Army, it might not be able to defeat him easily. If Tilly could also have such weapons, the witches might really have a day to return to their homeland.
*******************
Looking at the paralyzed sailing ships on the river bank, Roland breathed a slight sigh of relief.
When they planned to land and counterattack, the defeat was basically doomed—it was a very slow process for the boatmen and oarsmen to turn the bow of the ship, and the other party probably did not choose to turn around and withdraw under the artillery fire because of this. Rather than being beaten in vain, it would be better to hurry ashore and then organize keyao teams to counterattack.
It is difficult for solid iron balls from twelve-pound field guns to completely sink a wooden sailing ship. Even if the hull is riddled with holes, it will not affect its ability to continue floating on the water. Therefore, turning the bow of the ship may cause serious losses, but one or two sailing ships can always escape, while choosing to land will only result in complete annihilation.
Compared with the last surprise attack on the fortress and town defense battle, this time the enemy did not even have an effective attack—probably the pills are usually controlled by the commander, and they are only distributed to the militia before the battle. Once an ambush is encountered, it is impossible to respond quickly.
It was not until dusk that the work of cleaning up the battlefield came to an end.
Iron Axe and the bodyguards led two prisoners into the camp.
Before Roland could open his mouth to ask, one person had already shouted, “I am Sir Snark, Your Highness, please allow me to write a letter to my family, they will definitely send a generous ransom.”
“I am Alvin. Shade, the second son of the Northern Shield family, Your Honorable Highness,” said the other man, “I am also willing to pay a ransom.”
“So… this attack was led by you?” Roland raised his eyebrows.
“Uh, no, the captain was Sir Vincent, but he has already died in battle.” Sir Snark twisted his body, “Your Highness, can you let your people untie my hands? During the redemption period, I hope to receive normal treatment.”
“I don’t need a ransom,” the prince shook his head, “Your purpose and plan for coming to the Western Territory, and Tiffko’s plan… tell me everything you know, and I might give you the ‘treatment’ you deserve.”
“This… please forgive me for not being able to tell you,” Snark hesitated for a moment and said.
“I have sworn allegiance to His Majesty Tiffko,” the young knight of the Shield family also refused, “Doing so would violate my oath.”
“Is that so,” Roland said nonchalantly, “Take them down first.”
After the bodyguards left, he glanced at Iron Axe, "I heard that you served as a clan leader's guard in Iron Sand City and are very good at interrogating intelligence?"
“Yes, Your Highness,” Iron Axe replied, “Few people can hide information from me.”
“Very good, I’ll leave these two to you for interrogation,” Roland turned around, “There are no restrictions on methods and means, as long as you can get enough information.”
He was stunned, "What about the ransom..."
"I said from the beginning that I don't need a ransom," Roland said coldly, "After asking, treat it as death in battle."
This is the ending that those who plunder civilians and invade the Western Territory deserve. He added in his heart. (。)