Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 71: Guns Against Cavalry

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

The artillery on the high ground had already noticed the enemy's approach. Spearman came over to assist them, planting the bottoms of their spears on the ground, preparing to defend against the cavalry.

Paul's command reached them, and the artillery adjusted the direction of their cannons loaded with shot, pointing them towards the necessary passage on the advancing route of the Byerldine knights.

Ebbert saw the Alden soldiers turning around to adopt a defensive posture.

"Hmph! Grayman only arranged two thin layers of spearmen against them, which can easily be broken through."

In this era, knights had their own fiefs, wore the best equipment, ate the best food, and had a lofty social status. Under the repeated inculcation of virtues such as loyalty and bravery, they valued honor and faith more than their own lives. These endowed the knights with powerful material and spiritual strength.

Once they violated the virtues of loyalty and bravery, such as shrinking back when ordered by their lord to charge, they would lose everything, a punishment more terrifying than death for a knight.

Therefore, despite the danger, they would still charge at the enemy without hesitation. The first knight to make contact with the enemy would receive supreme honor and rewards, regardless of whether they survived.

Both the knights and their warhorses were clad in thick armor, making them natural heavy cavalry.

The horses also wore specially made iron masks on their heads, leaving only a small opening at the front. The horse's field of vision was close to 360 degrees, allowing them to see the terrain and obstacles ahead through the gap in the mask and a small section of the blind spot in front. The narrowed field of vision prevented the warhorses from being distracted by objects on either side or becoming fearful at the sight of endless forests of spears.

When facing a phalanx of spears, the charge of a knight wasn't simply a matter of crashing into it. Even if a person was determined to die, the warhorse would instinctively avoid sharp objects. That kind of charge would only be carried out when absolutely necessary, with the horse's vision completely obscured, and certain terrain and distance requirements met.

Generally, the first row of knights would throw javelins or shoot with short bows, then spread out to the sides. The knights behind would decide whether to continue throwing or charge directly, depending on the situation. After creating a small gap, the following cavalry would quickly expand it, rushing into the formation to slaughter.

Unless they had undergone long and rigorous training, ordinary people would often mentally collapse before the powerful momentum of a charging group of knights. Infantry formations composed of militia hastily conscripted would often scatter at the sight.

Although Ebbert led only a few dozen knights, as they drew closer, they still exerted tremendous pressure on the Alden army, causing many soldiers to nervously break into a cold sweat.

"This is bad, we've underestimated them!"

Watching the rising dust in the distance, Paul regretted deeply. Two rows of spearmen probably wouldn't be able to hold them back.

He and the two battalion commanders whipped their horses fiercely, running along the formation, hoping to quickly convey the new orders to the entire army: "The third row to the sixth row, all face backward!"

The sudden change in formation caused some confusion in the ranks, especially with enemy cavalry charging towards them at high speed.

Ebbert watched the movements within the Alden army with a cold sneer, "Hmph! Too late! The formation is so thin, it's practically inviting death."