Our Family Has Fallen
Chapter 80: Training Soldiers_1

Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Training Soldiers_1

The assessment results were divided by Lance into excellent, pass, and fail.

There was little to be said for the first two categories, as those who failed were naturally eliminated.

Those whose names were not called had grim expressions, appearing dejected; however, with their training performance laid bare before them, they could only blame their own lack of effort.

Lance ordered those who failed to pack up their belongings and return their equipment. Once the six had departed, a neat squadron of thirty men stood on the training ground.

As for those who remained, they naturally breathed a sigh of relief, a sense of honor about to be bestowed upon them.

It wasn’t that Lance didn’t want more troops; the small town simply couldn’t support more. Thirty was the limit, and any more would likely cause issues.

"From today, you are officially soldiers... Those whose names are called, step forward onto the stage."

Standing on the platform, Lance addressed the troops before calling them up one by one to present them with weapons and equipment.

The style of the military uniform had not yet been finalized, so Lance distributed standard everyday clothes, shoes, and socks—and, of course, weapons.

These were thirty prepared Spears with wooden shafts and iron heads.

Lance didn’t issue muskets directly to them because mastering the Flintlock Gun required time and training, yet battle was imminent.

Moreover, neither the Ship Boss nor the bandits possessed many firearms, if any. Giving them guns now might not be effective in the heat of battle; on the contrary, they could easily collapse if the bandits charged.

However, when their Spears formed a pike formation, those riffraff could hardly get close; it was their safest method of combat.

The thirty men were split into three squads, with Andrew, Vick, and George each leading a team; they were additionally granted a breastplate.

Only after they had all changed into their new gear did the three squads begin to resemble an army. However, to become true soldiers, they still needed to spill blood.

"Continue training!"

「...」

In his room, Lance spread out the Map of the docks, with Dismas and the three new squad leaders by his side.

"Reynard, you lead Andrew’s squad here. Balistan, you lead Vick’s squad from this side. Dismas and I will take George’s squad around this way, entering via a small path to blockade the port and prevent their escape to the ships. Upon hearing gunshots, you are to begin your assault and drive them all out," Lance instructed.

Lance had planned the tactics: essentially, to encircle the enemy and prevent them from boarding ships, leveraging their numerical superiority. There wasn’t much more to it.

With that said, he turned his gaze to the three new leaders.

"Do you understand?"

"Understood."

The three were unclear why the Lord had suddenly decided to move against the Ship Boss, but they understood military regulations.

Soldiers only needed to obey orders and follow commands, without thinking too much.

Simultaneously, they felt somewhat anxious, as this was their first mission.

"Go and lock down the camp; no one is allowed out. Eat and then rest well. We’ll assemble at one in the morning."

"Yes, sir!"

After the three departed, Dismas spoke up.

"My Lord, as you predicted, those bandits are assembling. If they all unite, their numbers could exceed a hundred. However, I’ve only seen a few among them with muskets, and even fewer wearing armor," Dismas reported.

"Excellent timing. Without them, I wouldn’t know what to do." Lance showed no sign of panic upon receiving this news; instead, a smile graced his lips.

Although Lance had anticipated the bandits would assemble, he couldn’t simply ignore it. Thus, he had dispatched Dismas to observe those miscreants.

These bandits lacked artillery and muskets, and couldn’t even muster a complete set of armor. They weren’t worth fearing.

And I need to use them for certain matters that I can’t conveniently handle myself... Lance thought.

"Alright, everyone, eat your meal, get some early rest, and prepare to commence the operation," he commanded.

With that, Lance’s smile faded, and his eyes sharpened. "After tonight, I want no more obstacles."

「...」

It was easier than imagined. The vast harbor was completely unguarded. In the dead of night, it was so tranquil that only the sound of crashing waves could be heard.

Lance had initially chosen to play a game of cat and mouse, allowing the Ship Boss to dominate the harbor. His subsequent lack of aggression, even making concessions, had greatly lulled them into a false sense of security.

And this would become their path to ruin.

With George leading the way, they infiltrated the harbor. Upon seeing the gently swaying fishing boats—all small, single-decked vessels incapable of hiding anyone—they determined there was no immediate threat.

The coastline was long, but there was only one harbor. As long as they held it, those people wouldn’t be able to seize a ship and would naturally have no escape route.

Observing this, Lance gave several hand signals. These professionally trained new soldiers understood them and, under George’s leadership, began to form up, blocking off the harbor.

Beneath the forest of long Spears, no one would want to charge.

Actually, all I need to do now is go in directly with Dismas and take down the Ship Boss to end this farce, Lance thought. But I am here to train my troops.

BANG!

A musket shot shattered the quiet of the night sky. The new soldiers actually looked towards Lance after hearing the sound, a reaction that truly infuriated him.

"Why are you looking at me? Look at your enemy!"

The chastised new soldiers quickly gripped their Spears tightly, aiming into the darkness.

Upon hearing the gunshot, the two Longspear Squads, led by Reynard and Balistan respectively, steadily advanced. The startled occupants, thinking the bandits were attacking again, hurried out, attempting to flee to the ships for refuge.

Resistance? How could they possibly have the courage...

"Run for it!"

Soon enough, a commotion could be heard from the opposite side. It grew increasingly intense, with chaotic noises carrying through the air.

Lance, positioned at the rear, also saw the fishermen being driven towards them. The sight of a dozen or so people charging forward made the new soldiers apprehensive, and they showed faint signs of wanting to retreat.

"Anyone who retreats a single step will be eliminated immediately! Would you rather be cowards for life or brave warriors?" Lance barked upon seeing this. Supervising from the rear, his words finally steadied them.

However, this wasn’t enough.

"How did I teach you?"

"Raise Spears!"

At his shouts, the new soldiers began to brace their long Spears before them, gripping them tightly. Only this offered them a sliver of reassurance.

"Run! This way."

"Oh! Why are they here?"

"Damn it! We’re encircled."

The fleeing people were driven towards the harbor, only to be confronted by a military formation with raised long Spears, which immediately threw them into a panic. They wanted to turn back, but the other two squads had also advanced, cutting off their escape.

Finding themselves in an encirclement, they were like fish caught in a net, powerless against the continuously tightening net.

"Damn it all! We’ll die if we fall into their hands anyway! Brothers, let’s fight for it!"

Someone bellowed and charged forward, with a few others rallying to his call.

Witnessing this, the new soldiers couldn’t help but feel a surge of panic, and their grip on their long Spears began to waver.

"Keep your eyes on the enemy!" Lance commanded, his face cold. He waited until the first attackers were close enough before roaring:

"Kill!"