Steel, gunpowder, and spellcasters

Chapter 92 Tower City
“My lord! No! It’s the Federation that’s going to fight Veneta. We ordinary civilians aren’t involved… Besides, there are not only militiamen from Chiliu Harbor in that fortress, but also Federation troops. We Chiliu Harbor people don’t have a say in this…” A respected local gentryman from Chiliu Harbor pleaded with Major General Layton, tears streaming down his face.

Layton's threats were never empty words. When he heard the locals from Red Sulfur Harbor who had been sent to persuade him to surrender claim that "the bastion garrison is also in a dispute and is begging for a day's grace before giving a reply," he immediately carried out his threat.

Soldiers of the Saint Mark's Legion broke down doors and, following the roster found in the council hall, searched house to house for the families and relatives of the garrison. Any Chiliu Harbor resident who refused to identify a relative of the garrison was also taken away.

The elderly, women, and children were tied together with hemp ropes and driven like livestock to dig tunnels in front of the bastion. Meanwhile, the soldiers of St. Mark began bundling firewood, collecting small boats, and constructing components for a pontoon bridge.

Layton's attitude had been clearly and explicitly conveyed to the garrison inside the fortress: if you do not surrender, I will fill the trenches with the corpses of your families.

Finally, when the Saint Mark Legion pulled their heavy artillery from the ruins of the bay fortress to the front of the bastion, the morale of the defenders collapsed.

The militia of Chiliu Harbor, who wanted to surrender, toppled the Union's red dragon flag and lowered the drawbridge. Soldiers of the Saint Mark's Legion immediately rushed into the bastion and slaughtered all the Union soldiers who still refused to give up.

Winters noticed that the officers of the surrounding St. Mark's Legion breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the red dragon flag fall.

These officers, far more experienced than Winters, certainly understood better what price the Saint Mark Legion would pay if the defenders resisted resolutely.

The main force of the Federation is still entrenched in the interior of Chiliu Island. If the Saint Mark Legion suffers heavy losses in front of this bastion, it is not impossible that the Federation could seize the opportunity to push them into the sea.

The one who understands this best is probably Major General Layton, but he doesn't seem to care much, as do the other officers.

The surrender of the defending forces is undoubtedly great news for the Legion of Saint Mark.

With minimal effort, the Saint Mark Legion not only captured a fortified bastion and gained complete control of Chiliu Harbor, but also obtained the garrison's gunpowder depot, armory, and food reserves.

Winters suddenly remembered that Field Marshal Ned had once said, "The key to siege tactics is to demoralize the defenders."

Watching the cheering soldiers of the Saint Mark's Legion, Winters couldn't help but wonder: "Is Layton just making a show of force to put pressure on the defenders? Or is he really going to launch a full-scale attack regardless of casualties? Hmm... maybe it's both."

In any case, Major General Layton brilliantly captured the Chiliu Harbor Bastion in this battle, which shows his skill.

After securing the port of Chiliu, Layton divided his forces into two battalions: one to attack the fortifications guarding the entrance to the bay, and the other to repair the fortifications in the middle of the bay.

The offensive and defensive situation at Red Sulfur Harbor has shifted, and the defensive fortifications destroyed by Winters and his men will now have to be rebuilt by the Legion of Saint Mark.

The three warrant officers, Winters and his companion, stayed with Lieutenant Colonel Field, assisting him in recruiting laborers from local and nearby villages to continue reinforcing the city's defenses.

The scouts quickly ascertained the enemy's whereabouts, and when the main force of the Federation learned that the rear port of Chiliu had been captured by the Venetta Army, a break immediately occurred.

The Federation's elite troops, local militia of Chiliu Island, and a small number of pirates abandoned the coastal defenses and instead sought refuge in the inland city of Tacheng on Chiliu Island. These troops who entered Tacheng made up the majority of the force.

Another small group—mainly pirates and rogue soldiers—departed from the main force of the Federation and fled to Red Sulfur Harbor.

Before the Saint Mark Legion's scouts could even make a move, these pirates surrendered to the Venetians, waving white flags. Each insisted they possessed vital intelligence and hoped to exchange it for a pardon, and ideally, a bounty.

However, Layton scoffed at the intelligence these people spoke of and showed no interest whatsoever. All the pirates who surrendered to the Saint Mark's Legion were confined to death row and sent to the construction site outside Red Sulfur Harbor to dig moats and do the hardest work.

These surrendered pirates were among the most cunning of the group; they immediately foresaw their tragic future. Some pirates claimed to have crucial intelligence and insisted on meeting with the highest commander of Venetta's army.

"Want to see me? One of those bastards wants to see me?" Major General Layton laughed in fury, a smile that sent chills down one's spine: "Fine, then let's see him."

The original council hall of Chiliu Island had been converted into the headquarters of the First Reserve Legion, where only soldiers used to come and go. Now, however, a dozen or so disheveled pirates were being led into the legion's headquarters.

Under the watchful eyes of the legion, including Winters, a dozen or so pirates stood trembling before Layton.

"I am the Legion Commander." Layton, leaning on his sword, sat down in a chair and said coldly, "Now that you've seen me, what do you have to say?"

"Your Excellency... my lord." The leading pirate licked his lips, suddenly knelt down, and mustered his courage to speak: "We were all coerced into serving the Federation. We did not do it voluntarily... We are willing to abandon the darkness and join the light, to be your pawns, to fight against the Federation's bandit army. Please spare our lives! Moreover, we have crucial intelligence about the bandit leader Kidd!"

“I don’t want to hear it!” Layton stood up impatiently and waved for the guards to take these people away.

The ruthless guards grabbed the pirates and dragged them out the door. The leader of the pirates cried and shouted, "My lord... my lord, spare us! Captain Kidd said reinforcements are coming soon... he's going to hold out in Tower City and has sent men to gather food around the area... my lord, my lord, spare us..."

Layton's initial impatience turned into anger, contempt, and extreme impatience as he strode toward the lead pirate.

The pirate leader, thinking he was saved, pleaded even more earnestly, swearing that he had definitely been coerced into the Federation's army.

Layton chuckled, and the lead pirate forced a stiff smile. The next second, Layton's sword was plunged into the lead pirate's mouth.

“I said I don’t want to hear it. Who gave you permission to tell me?” Layton asked.

The leader of the pirates was killed on the spot, and the other pirates were stunned in fear. Several of them got wet in their crotches instantly.

The officers of the San Marco Legion standing nearby also looked surprised, but Winters, Bard, and Andrei were not surprised at all.

Having witnessed Major General Layton's ruthless methods and violent temper, the three warrant officers found it perfectly normal for him to do such a thing. In Winters' view, Layton had already decided to kill the pirates the moment they entered the hall.

"These opportunistic cowards are a waste of food to be alive." Layton wiped the blood off his sword expressionlessly, not at the pirates, but at the officers around him, sternly reprimanding them: "Soldiers must have backbone! Traitors never deserve respect!"

Veneta's officers all shuddered.

The guards dragged out both the living and the dead pirates, leaving several dark red and pale yellow marks on the hall floor.

“Trash is trash, trash everywhere.” Layton scoffed, then called out the name of a military police captain: “Moritz!”

"Yes, sir!" Major Moritz, who had been lazily watching the show from the back row, replied, not expecting to be called upon suddenly.

"You're in charge of dealing with these pirate scum. Get the civilians on the island to report them, then find a crowded place and hang them all."

“Yes, sir.” Winters saw Major Moritz roll his eyes in a way that was barely perceptible to a normal person, and continued unhurriedly, “Aren’t we keeping them around to do the work?”

Layton's eyebrows shot up, and he said in a deep voice, "Pirates are all scum who only know how to cheat and cheat, and they won't work honestly either. Hang them all, and do the islanders a favor. Any more prisoners will be identified by your military police, and all pirates will be killed."

This was a reasonable explanation, and Major Moritz couldn't refute it. He saluted, turned, and left the hall.

After dealing with this farce, the military council of the San Marco Legion continued. This was an expanded meeting of officers, attended not only by field officers at the battalion commander level, but also by lieutenants at the centurion level.

Layton sat at the head of the table, his battalion commanders sat in a circle around the map table, and the lieutenants stood.

"The Federation's troops have retreated to Tacheng and are still gathering food, so they must be planning a long-term defense. That's a good idea, but unfortunately, they've run into me." Layton pointed to the map and set the tone for the military council: "I've decided to launch a preemptive strike and attack Tacheng. Tell me your thoughts." He said he wanted the officers to "share their ideas," but he had already decided to launch a preemptive strike, and the others could only make adjustments within that framework.

The officers began discussing the specific action plan, and the lieutenants had no chance to speak. Soon, the detailed plan was finalized:
The chief battalion of the Saint Mark Legion was responsible for guarding Chiliu Port, while the second, third, fourth, and fifth battalions were lightly armed and tasked with driving away small groups of the Federation forces that were gathering supplies near Tacheng, thus reducing the Federation forces' operational space.

The remaining five battalions waited until all the supplies were unloaded from the ships before heading towards Tacheng, and then attacked Tacheng with a force of nine battalions.

"Relax, those Tani guys are terrible at fighting. Even if we gave them fortified cities and cannons, they wouldn't be able to hold them." Layton laughed, ending the military meeting. "Maybe they'll surrender without us even lifting a finger. Meeting adjourned!"

Winters left the council hall with the others.

Outside the command post, Field asked the three warrant officers, "So? Do you want to come with me to the outpost, or stay at Red Sulphur Harbor and wait for the Third Army?"

Winters, Bard, and Andrei exchanged glances. Andrei was eager to try, but Winters shook his head and said with a smile, "I've had enough of fighting, so I won't go with you to try and make a name for myself. You should ask the other two."

“I also want to stay in Chiliu Harbor to rest for a while,” Bard replied unhurriedly.

Andrei originally wanted to go with them, but seeing that his two companions were staying behind, he changed his mind with regret: "Then I won't go either."

Field didn't press the three warrant officers. He laughed and said, "Your achievements the night before last are enough for many soldiers to earn in a lifetime. You should take a good rest... Don't worry, although Layton has a bad temper, he will never take credit for your work."

It was already afternoon. After speaking, Field turned to mount his horse, and Winters, Budd, and Andrei silently saluted Field.

Just as Field was about to raise his hand in return, the roar of cannons suddenly rang out from Red Sulfur Harbor.

Field immediately became alert: "Where are they firing from?"

On the waters outside the port of Chiliu, a large fleet was slowly sailing in, led by large sailing ships and heavy galleys. The size of the Foster warships carrying the Saint Mark Legion paled in comparison to the approaching large warships.

A fleet of large warships lowered their sails and approached the dock. Puffs of white smoke billowed from the hulls, followed by the thunderous roar of gunfire reaching Winters' ears.

Winters knew the fleet that fired the salute all too well; it was the reinforcements he had been longing for.

One day after Chiliu Port changed hands.

Veneta's revenge fleet has arrived.

……

……

Meetings, meetings, endless meetings, meetings that never end.

Bureaucracy is a cancer on humanity.

Before Field could even set off, he was summoned to a joint meeting of senior officers of the San Marco Legion and the Grand Vinetta Legion.

Winters wasn't qualified to participate in meetings of this level, and he was happy to have some free time.

The atmosphere in the council hall was extremely awkward.

Even without recognizing the subtle differences in uniforms and decorations between the legions, one can clearly distinguish from facial expressions which officers belong to the San Marco legion and which legions belong to the Grand Vinetta.

With the victory at Chiliu Harbor secured, the officers of the Saint Mark's Legion were all beaming with pride, their backs ramrod straight. Major General Layton, in particular, who had finally had his moment of triumph after years of being sidelined, even spoke with a three-pointed volume.

In contrast, Major General Serbiati of the Vicente Grande Corps merely smiled gently, while the other officers sat silently with displeasure. They had done the hard work, while others reaped the glory. Seeing their ally's smug demeanor, the officers of Vicente Grande Corps felt both sour and furious.

However, Serbian Legion Commander Serbiati was highly respected within the legion, so the officers of Vinetta refrained from making sarcastic remarks or saying anything strange, and everyone maintained a facade of harmony.

Legion Commander Antonio Serbiati exchanged a few pleasantries with Layton before getting down to business: "Now that Red Sulfur Harbor has been captured and our two legions have joined forces, we should now consider how to quickly eliminate the enemy within Red Sulfur Island..."

Before he could finish speaking, the arrogant Layton interrupted Antonio: "The Federation's troops were so frightened by me that they fled into Tower City. Hand it over to our San Marco Legion, and I'll take Tower City within a week!"

“I know a bit about the situation in Tacheng. It’s unlikely that a single legion can achieve anything in a short time,” Antonio said calmly. “We’d better not launch a direct attack and try to persuade the defenders to surrender.”

“Tacheng is such a tiny place, can its defenses be as strong as the fortress of Chiliu Harbor? I can take the fortress of Chiliu Harbor in a day, so why can’t I take Tacheng?” Layton confidently patted Antonio on the shoulder: “You just don’t trust us, do you? Don’t worry, you guys rest well in Chiliu Harbor and watch us take Tacheng.”

Antonio instinctively wanted to dodge, but he held back and let Layton pat him on the shoulder in a grand manner, still wearing a polite smile on his face.

When the officers of Grand Vinnetta saw Layton's rudeness, several hot-tempered ones were about to lash out on the spot, but seeing that Antonio remained calm, they gritted their teeth and held back.

“The situation in Tacheng is rather complicated. Let’s do some on-site reconnaissance first…” Antonio thought for a moment and still gave Layton some face in a rather tactful way: “…Even if we’re going to launch a strong attack, we can’t just send your legion. Let’s also give Grand Vinetta a chance to make a contribution.”

"Okay, okay." Layton laughed heartily, slapping his forehead. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go! Straight to Tower City. I want to see what this little Tower City is all about!"

Leighton, dragging Antonio along, went there excitedly, but upon arriving and seeing the scene, he only uttered three words: "Huh? Holy crap! This..."

what happened?
It has a natural defensive terrain with mountains on two sides and a commanding view.

The narrow attack surface made it impossible for the attacking forces to deploy.

The nearly ten-meter-high outer wall is wrapped in volcanic rock, which is awe-inspiring.

Outside the wall, a swarm of people, like ants, were busily digging the city moat.

Layton dismounted and dug a few times in the soil, but less than an inch below was solid volcanic rock. This godforsaken place was impossible to even dig.

Although Layton was considered a brute among the graduates of the Army Officer School in Layton and Antonio's class, his intelligence was not a problem.

Tacheng may be small, but it is definitely a tough nut to crack – no, not a bone, but granite.

How the hell am I supposed to attack this?
Thank you to all the readers who voted for the book before and recently. I didn't finish writing this chapter last night, so I wrote it during my lunch break today. I probably won't update tonight because Total War: Troy was released today. Although I'm not particularly interested in the Trojan War theme, as someone who has played over a hundred hours of Thrones of Britannia, I don't want to miss the new game. Thank you everyone.

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(End of this chapter)