Chapter 146: Chapter 66: Mortal Courage! Odin’s Gaze "Raise your shields!"
"Form up!"
Brad roared, standing on the frontline of the first row, as soldiers on both sides began to shift into a tight formation, raising their shields to withstand the enemy’s initial charge. Then, their short heavy swords would seek opportunities to strike down. This was the classic tactic of the Roman Empire, emphasizing "defense and counterattack." As long as they could withstand the first wave, once the enemy’s momentum was spent, they would fight back with increasing vigor.
In the past, it was the Youth Army that led the vanguard, while the Mature Army decided the outcome of the battlefield. Now, however, the first row had to be filled with elites, or they couldn’t withstand the Barbarian Race’s first powerful charge. If the formation was immediately disrupted in the first confrontation, it would be even harder to fight back.
After the Empire’s military reform, it was the Field Army’s responsibility to annihilate the enemy.
Brad was a descendant of the Romans left on the Great Britain Island back in the day, with the early British Legion being trained by his father.
They were the only heavy-armored infantry, holding the line at critical moments.
Of course.
Not all frontline defenses were handled this way, as there would always be unexpected variables on the battlefield.
For example, the Frank axe-throwing infantry, a group that Duncan had temporarily incorporated, numbering only a few dozen, mixed with the Frank infantry. Due to their strong combat capability, they were placed on the frontline of the right wing.
Swish!
The Gepids had just charged forward, only to be met head-on by a barrage of Franks’ flying axes. Before they could even recover from the shock, the enemy was already howling as they raised their shields and swung their battle axes, counter-charging towards them.
This counter-charge was significant; even the Gaul Warriors couldn’t hold back. One by one, they unleashed their battle cries, all launching a reverse charge.
Whenever they let out a battle cry, it had a chain reaction, turning defensive battles into offensive ones.
Good news, they directly stunned the Gepids.
A wave of counter-charging left the enemy’s frontline troops completely shattered, and within moments, they had struck down dozens.
Bad news, a gap appeared on the right-wing defense line, as the Gaul Warriors had overcharged, pulling away from the second echelon, the British Imperial Guard, fully exposing the flank archer units. The Huns’ mounted archers seized the moment, preparing to take out these overextended soldiers with a wave, further devastating the British archers inside.
An unexpected turn.
Because of the Gaul Warriors’ battle cries, the entire battlefield was filled with their frenzied roar for a time. This chain reaction not only excited their own side but also the enemy units, with the Huns’ heavy infantry and East Goth heavy axe-men entering a reckless state, marked as "charging on their own accord."
Suddenly, the entire northwest was in chaos!
Although the Gaul Warriors lacked strong discipline, they excelled at dragging enemies into chaotic melee, ultimately relying on their practiced chaotic combat techniques to defeat the enemy.
As long as you charge recklessly like us, we’ll be on an even playing field.
They couldn’t improve their own discipline, but they could lower the enemy’s. The adrenaline-inducing battle cries directly caused nearby Barbarian Race soldiers on both sides to lose their heads.
"Fools!"
"Fools!"
In an instant, Duncan and Charagan simultaneously cursed.
The Gaul Warriors overextended, exposing the second echelon, the British Imperial Guard, as reserves, also putting the British Auxiliary Archers right in front of the enemy cavalry. If they took a frontal charge, the British Imperial Guard couldn’t hold, and the right wing could plunge into a significant disadvantage.
However, the enemy wasn’t much better off. The East Goth heavy axemen, another Barbarian force, began charging with battle cries, turning the right wing into a chaotic melee. Since they were the aggressors, their exposed weaknesses became more apparent, causing the entire right wing to become disconnected and presenting a significant strategic gap. If intercepted, the entire frontline troops would face a massive rout!
With just a roar, the right wing immediately became the decisive area for the entire battlefield’s outcome.
Duncan now faced a decision.
If he played it conservatively, he would support the right-wing defense, push back the Huns’ elite cavalry, and protect the British archers, letting the British Imperial Guard hold on, regroup the forces, and break the enemy’s first wave of attacks.
This is a strategy for a minor victory.
Because the enemy could still regroup the fleeing troops, a second wave would follow quickly.
The aggressive approach was straightforward.
Duncan completely ignored the right-wing, ordered the British Imperial Guard to hold on, and personally led the cavalry to break through. Although the Gaul Warriors were reckless, they indeed shattered the enemy’s frontline. If Duncan then pierced through, they could entirely destroy the Huns’ East Goth elite axemen.
At that time, no matter how many infantry the enemy had, the main battle army capable of fighting would have been annihilated.
Once the main battle forces were wiped out, the remaining troops would quickly fall apart.
——Gaul Warrior Battle Group (One Star) (High Morale) (Crush the Enemy) (From a Commanding Position) (Reckless Charge) (Panting) (We’re Going to Win)!
This reckless bunch didn’t even realize they had overextended.
They fought wildly in every direction!
They were battling the besieging enemies back and forth, dragging the entire right-wing battle line off course, whether it was their own or the enemy’s side, even causing individual combat units to show a "headhunting" special mark.
"Follow me!"
At this moment, Duncan completely followed his intuition. Logically, supporting the right wing was safer, but he now wanted to seize the opportunity to crush the enemy’s main infantry force.
The Gaul Warrior Battle Group bore so many positive statuses; they could withstand at least two or three more waves of attack.
No worry for discipline, Gaul Warriors and Oathsworn Warriors had top-tier morale!
Chaotic battle—it’s what they excelled at.
The pounding of hoofbeats resounded as Duncan led the general’s guard and cavalry units straight toward the enemy’s right-wing flank from behind, utterly exposing his own weaknesses and caring not, betting on mutual backstabs to see who first collapses the enemy’s army.
Now it was Charagan’s turn to find himself in a predicament!
Originally, he held the initiative, whether attacking the enemy’s right wing or wiping out the Gaul Warrior Battle Group; everything flowed smoothly.
But now with Duncan charging, Charagan found himself in a dilemma.