Firearms in a Fantasy World 2

Chapter 237: Target - Biddeburg

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

"Present arms!"

"Prepare!"

"Aim!"

"Fire!"

With the company commander's order to fire, a burst of loud crackling sounds echoed across the parade ground, accompanied by thick white smoke billowing up.

Jos endured the choking smoke and hastily retreated to the third row with his comrades in the same rank, fumbling to load paper cartridges with ammunition.

After the procedures, he withdrew the ramrod, poked it into the barrel to pack the charge, then stood with his gun in hand, nervously awaiting the next firing command.

"You fool! You forgot to pull out the ramrod again! Want to shoot it out together?"

Next to him, a frustrated mutter came from Sergeant Markalov, his squad leader standing in the same row. As a veteran, he was the first to load ammunition and habitually checked the loading procedures of others in his squad. He immediately noticed that Jos had forgotten to remove the ramrod.

"Sorry, Sergeant!"

Jos slapped his forehead in frustration, removed the ramrod under Markalov's stern gaze, and anxiously awaited the company commander's next order to fire.

...

Jos's company was scheduled for shooting practice in the morning. Under the command of officers, he repeated mechanical actions. Initially, when he first handled the musket, he was excited. Sergeant Markalov said that with this weapon, just moving a finger could create a big hole in the enemy, even if they were armored.

"A masterpiece!"

During his first shot, Jos couldn't help but admire the single hole punched in the front board.

But after several training sessions, the initial excitement had faded, replaced only by careful caution to avoid mistakes.

"Advance shooting! Quick march - march!"

Just as the company commander was about to move on to the next exercise, a runner dashed onto the parade ground, blowing his whistle and shouting, "First Battalion, assemble! First Battalion, assemble!"

The squads on the field immediately stopped their current training, swiftly formed ranks, and headed to the assembly area. Others who weren't part of the training also hurried over upon hearing the command.

"Sergeant, are we going to the front lines to fight?"

Recalling the discussions he overheard during breakfast in the mess hall, Jos quietly asked Markalov beside him.

The sergeant replied, "Perhaps, perhaps not. But whatever order comes, we must execute it."

Everyone in the unit knew Alden was already embroiled in the conflict between two factions in Northwestern Bay. It was only a matter of time before they were sent to the battlefield. Since February, the army had increased its training intensity significantly, confirming this.

...

Two battalions were assembled, with over a thousand soldiers from the First and Second Infantry Battalions standing neatly on the parade ground. Soldiers from the Artillery and Transport Companies were also present.

Several officers stepped onto the reviewing stand. Jos recognized the two leading them as Colonel Bryce, commanding the First Battalion, and Major Joyce, commanding the Third Battalion.