Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World-Chapter 685: Crossing the River
Chapter 685: Crossing the River
TL: Rui88
On the road leading east from the Duchy of Manda, a large number of soldiers formed a long column, winding like a giant serpent.
Under Schroeder’s command, the Alda Army’s Third Infantry Battalion was traveling light towards a key location called Silvermoon Fortress.
Schroeder himself, leading the main force and the baggage train at a slower pace, would arrive later.
According to intelligence, a large number of the kingdom’s routed soldiers had gathered at Silvermoon Fortress, and they could perhaps be of use to the Alda army.
Battalion Commander Joyce was riding his horse, contemplating defensive strategies, but the halt of the troops ahead interrupted his thoughts.
“Why have we stopped advancing? What’s happening up ahead?”
A soldier came to , “Commander, there’s only one bridge over the river ahead, but it’s been completely clogged by refugees. We can’t get through.”
Joyce’s brow furrowed tightly. What a mess to run into.
So he raised his whip, struck his horse’s rump, and galloped towards the riverbank.
Before he even arrived, he passed by large crowds of refugees.
The refugees coming from the east, supporting the old and carrying the young, carefully brought what few belongings they had, entering the territory of the Northwest Bay in a state of constant fear.
Some had already been devastated by the flames of war; their suffering came from the orc army, and some from the kingdom’s own disorderly soldiers.
Others, however, were planning ahead, having started their journey before the fighting drew near.
From their weary faces, it was clear they had all endured a less-than-pleasant journey.
Joyce rode to the riverbank. A dense crowd was still gathered on the opposite bank, all waiting—or perhaps “scrambling” was a more appropriate word—to cross the single wooden bridge.
The area around the bridge entrance was the most chaotic. Arguing, pushing, brawling, and crying made the already slow passage even less efficient.
Joyce grew anxious. If this was allowed to continue, his army would have to wait until tomorrow to cross the river.
And as it happened, the map showed that this was the only bridge here.
In his frustration, he noticed a group of knights maintaining order on this side of the bridge, commanded by a man dressed as a nobleman.
Joyce rode over and took off his hat.
“Good afternoon, sir. Lieutenant Colonel Joyce of the Alda Army salutes you.”
“This damned river!”
The nobleman cursed fiercely with a throat already hoarse from shouting, but he quickly came to his senses and turned to look at Joyce.
“You are… a lieutenant colonel of the Alda army? My apologies, I was cursing that river just now.”
His tone carried a hint of caution.
“Lieutenant Colonel… Joyce, I am the local lord, Viscount Jefferson Rossi. It is an honor to meet you.”
Viscount Rossi was about forty years old, with a slender build and a neatly trimmed mustache, looking quite refined.
He spread his hands wide in a gesture of helplessness. “Your men have already spoken to me. The army needs to cross this river immediately, but you can see the current situation.”
“Viscount, I must remind you,” Joyce said sternly. “The longer we linger here, the closer the orc army will get to your lands. We must intercept them before tragedy strikes.”
Viscount Rossi looked utterly distressed. “Lieutenant Colonel, I am of course aware of this. I have dispatched all my knights here to maintain order, precisely so that you can pass through quickly.”
“No, that’s not enough!”
Joyce suggested, “Have the people on the other side who are pushing onto the bridge stop immediately. Tell those who have not yet crossed to wait where they are. After we have passed, they can cross.”
“But…” Viscount Rossi glanced at the crowded throng, “they are being very irrational right now. No amount of persuasion is working.”
Hearing this, Joyce frowned and stared at the opposite bank for a while.
“My Lord Viscount.” Joyce pointed to a row of objects not far away. “Do you see those? Do you know what they are?”
Although they were covered with cloth, Viscount Rossi still recognized them.
He swallowed. “Those look like… Alda’s so-called ‘cannons’?”
“Yes, my Lord Viscount,” Joyce said. “My orders are to reach the designated location within the scheduled time. I will eliminate any obstacle to accomplish my mission.”
His tone took on a chilling edge. “If this bridge is still packed with refugees in an hour, then I will use the cannons to clear a path.”
“You… you can’t do that!” Viscount Rossi was terrified by Joyce’s words. “They are all subjects of the kingdom.”
“I’m doing this to prevent a greater tragedy!”
Joyce’s gaze was like a torch, making Viscount Rossi feel in his heart that this hothead would actually do it.
“Please wait a moment!”
He immediately turned and ran to his group of knights. “Forget trying to guide them. Have them clear the bridge immediately. Huey, Duane, you two take a few more men, swim to the other side, and tell the people the army needs to cross. Those who haven’t gotten on the bridge yet are to stay put and not move.”
“But…” the lead knight looked troubled, “will they listen?”
“Then beat them until they do!”
Viscount Rossi suddenly shouted.
“A beating is better than being blown to bits.”
“Yes, yes!”
The knight hurried off to find some men.
Joyce and the other officers waited anxiously by the river for the result.
The people already on the bridge continued to cross, but a sudden commotion broke out in the crowd on the other side. Clearly, the lord’s order had been delivered.
The once-dense crowd began to thin out, and the entrance to the bridge suddenly emptied.
“Bugler, sound the assembly. We’re crossing the river now!”
With the bridge finally clear of obstructions, the Third Infantry Battalion quickly crossed the wooden bridge, reached the opposite bank, and continued their march eastward.
By the next day, they finally arrived at their destination, Silvermoon Fortress.
Only then did they discover that the so-called Silvermoon Fortress had been abandoned, with only a stretch of ruined walls remaining.
It was clearly impossible to rely on this abandoned fortress to defend against the orcs.
Retreat?
No, Silvermoon Fortress was flanked by dense and dangerous forests. This was the only way to continue towards the Northwest Bay. He had to hold this place and could not just hand it over to the enemy.
Joyce had once been Schroeder’s squire. He swore he would not let his knightly honor be tarnished; he had to help him win this battle.
At that moment, a scout came to .
“A large force has appeared ahead! We don’t know if they’re routed soldiers or the orcs’ auxiliary troops. They’ll run into us in another hour.”
“What? So soon?”
The officers and men of the entire Third Battalion were thrown into chaos.
“Do not be afraid!” Joyce barked. “Everyone just perform as you have in your daily training.”
Under his strict supervision, the men quickly calmed down and swiftly took up their positions—three ranks, front, middle, and rear.
They waited quietly for the enemy’s arrival.
.
!
Chapter 685: Crossing the River
Comments