ocean-life Book 4: Chapter 6-1: The Forbidden Fruit
Book 4: Chapter 6-1: The Forbidden Fruit
Book 4: Chapter 6-1: The Forbidden Fruit
It had been four days since I arrived in Bell Erucy.
The arrival of Imperial soldiers was delayed more than planned. They probably pushed themselves too hard along the way.
I sent reconnaissance missions multiple times, but the soldiers appeared lifeless, and many seemed to be wounded.
They were given only minimal food, and there were also deserters. Each time, they made examples of them, but it didn't seem to deter others.
During my free time, I taught the people of Bell Erucy how to cultivate hemp and instructed them on using the new weapons.
Today, I was having a discussion with the members of Nettle in a room they were given. Members who had been sent on reconnaissance had returned, and we were sharing the results.
Roleau, what do you think after hearing the reconnaissance report?
I don't understand.
I was prepared for a long battle, but they might starve themselves to death on their own.
Looking at the situation alone, it seemed like they had deployed their forces without allowing them to recover from the last battle.
Leader, regardless, if they come attacking, we'll just repel them. It's pointless to overthink it.
That's certainly true.
Roleau, due to his straightforwardness, had a knack for stating simple truths. No matter how complicated we made things, our actions wouldn't change. We just had to deal with the imminent threat.
But, Cyril, This situation cant continue. Even if it's easy to win, being constantly attacked is hard.
You're right. If they keep attacking us even after suffering such losses this could go on until we're wiped out.
Lucy and Kuu murmured with unease.
Their concerns were valid. In a country like Erucy, where human resources were lacking, one defeat could be fatal. But the Empire, with its vast population, could recover from a loss of five thousand soldiers in a few years.
The fundamental problem was the overwhelming population difference that prevented us from launching an offensive.
I've been thinking about that, and I'm preparing something to make the Empire focus on something other than war. The cannabis seeds I brought today are part of that plan.
Will plants harm the Empire?
Yes, I plan to create medicine and distribute it.
While keeping an eye on the Imperial soldiers, we also have to be aware of our rear. That's why, apart from the trustworthy individuals specified by the five leaders, we didn't place anyone else near the members of Nettle.
I was positioned on a certain hill with Lucy, just the two of us.
It seemed they had learned from the last time, as this time the Imperial soldiers were charging forward without announcing their names. There were no surrender offers either.
Several people carried ladders to hang on the outer wall, while others with large shields surrounded them. They weren't wearing armor.
They've thought it through.
Yeah, it makes things a little difficult.
Wearing armor wouldn't make much difference since crossbows could penetrate it. Large shields could withstand piercing, so it made sense not to wear armor. Besides, despite their reduced numbers compared to our previous encounter, a thousand soldiers remained a formidable force. The fact that we couldn't incapacitate them in a single shot posed a significant challenge for us.
In fact, the arrows fired by Bell Erucy's soldiers and even the arrows fired by the members of Nettle were unlikely to cause fatal injuries.
Being on high ground had its advantages, but the limited firing angle made it difficult to make effective attacks against the shielded troops in front of the ladders.
Everyone, keep them engaged for a bit longer!
The distance was about 100 meters.
I didn't want to use the new weapons in a rush. Until now, only about twenty Bell Erucys soldiers had been trained to use them.
If mishandled, we could end up wiping ourselves out, so we had to be careful and only entrust them to individuals we could trust.
Ranged soldiers, get ready!
Following my instructions, twenty Bell Erucys soldiers took out metal cylinders the size of rugby balls. The surface was made of thin metal, with a metal core inside, and the remaining space was filled with a black sand-like substance and sharp metal fragments.
The shouts of the Imperial soldiers were getting closer.
They were about fifty meters away.
Fire!
At my signal, the soldiers of Bell Erucy simultaneously hurled cylindrical metal objects the size of rugby balls. Due to their considerable weight, they threw them like shot puts.
Despite the weight and throwing technique, Bell Erucy's soldiers, thanks to their strength and the elevated vantage point, successfully propelled them fifty meters through the air.
The metal cylinders landed where the Imperial soldiers had passed through. Unfortunate soldiers who were struck directly were killed instantly, and those who managed to shield themselves still suffered broken bones from the impact.
However, the tragedy was just beginning.