Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters
Chapter 1230 - 37: Great Alliance Moves Forward (22)_4

Chapter 1230: Chapter 37: Great Alliance Moves Forward (22)_4

But none of that matters anymore.

What’s important is that they are now appearing on the west bank of the unnamed river, on the southern battlefield... behind the unguarded Alliance frontlines.

And for Colonel Gaisa, "this troop appearing behind the front lines" is no longer important.

"Deliver this letter to Colonel Skool, go now." Gaisa folded the piece of paper, tossed it into Washington’s hand, and coldly said, "If you don’t deliver it, don’t come back."

"Yes!" Without asking further, Washington turned and mounted the warhorse already foaming at the mouth from exhaustion, snapped the whip, and galloped out of the square formation.

Gaisa watched the junior officer leave in silence, then took the reins and mounted his steed: "Beat the drums! Pass the order! There’s no need to retreat anymore!"

He solemnly donned the helmet he always disliked: "Engage right here!"

...

[River Valley Village]

"Seems I was right." Woods raised his hand and pointed southwest: "Colonel."

In the direction indicated by the Lieutenant, that newly appeared troop finally stepped into the battlefield in the true sense—into the fields of River Valley Village. They no longer hid their identity, revealing the flag of the Sixth Legion to all.

"Indeed." Colonel Bod did not look at the newcomers but instead focused on the Bai Mountain County troops engulfed in smoke to the southeast: "Even if that boy Winters comes quicker, there is no way he can arrive today."

The deafening cries of battle erupted on the fields of the South Bank, the troops bearing the Sixth Legion flag shouting as they charged toward River Valley Village at the heart of the battlefield.

...

[North Division Battlefield]

"What are you doing?" Washington lunged at Colonel Skool. Loson, along with a military police officer, barely managed to hold him back, shouting his question: "Why are you retreating? You’ve already crushed the enemy’s right wing! Why are you retreating!"

Skool silently finished reading the letter Washington delivered, then tore the paper into pieces. Pointing at Washington, he said to Loson: "He’s coming with us."

Loson nodded.

"I... go..." Washington was initially stunned, then began to struggle violently, cursing: "Your mother! Scoundrel! Coward! Damn! Damn..."

Without a word, Loson pinned Washington to the ground, tied him securely up, and directly threw him onto a soldier’s horse, then gestured for the soldier to take him away.

The square formation composed of two infantry battalions supporting the right flank of the New Reclamation Expeditionary Army was surrounded on all sides and soon shattered.

All forces from Thunder Group County and Riverside County, as well as the two infantry battalions from Bai Mountain County, were regrouping and retreating from the battlefield at the fastest possible speed. Despite heavy casualties, their structures remained intact.

"You go first," Loson said to Colonel Skool, "Sanel’s pistol cavalry can still fight. I’ll lead the cavalry to cover the retreat."

Skool did not speak more than necessary; he merely nodded: "I’ll wait for you at Changhai Town."

"Yes." Loson stood at attention and saluted.

Skool grasped the saddle horn and mounted his warhorse, taking one last look towards River Valley Village.

Far away, the sounds of fighting and gunfire could still be faintly heard, clearly signaling an ongoing battle. Up close, River Valley Village was already encircled, its remaining troops and wounded making their final stand.

Skool gazed at the flag fluttering atop the Bell Tower, slowly raised his hand in salute.

Just then, Skool heard a sound both familiar and alien—a thunderous boom followed by a horrifying gash on the Bell Tower of River Valley Village’s chapel; rubble, wood chips, and dust erupted forth.

Colonel Skool fearfully looked toward the artillery position on the opposite riverbank, only to see a cottony puff of white smoke rising from the hilltop. Turning back to River Valley Village, the chapel’s Bell Tower groaned, swaying amidst smoke and dust.

At the artillery position, bloodied Major Walei dove behind another heavy gun, pushed aside the gunner, and personally adjusted the shooting angle. Three usable heavy guns, all aimed at River Valley Village.

"Aim for the chapel!" Walei shouted, giving himself the order, "Fire!"

Another thunderous boom sounded as the solid cannonball struck the Bell Tower, gouging out another massive gap.

The cannon sound drew all eyes, as if the fighting on the battlefield ceased; soldiers and officers from both sides instinctively looked toward the Bell Tower with the quadrant flag.

Once more, the Bell Tower could no longer bear the burden. Under everyone’s watch, slowly, calmly, and inevitably, it collapsed, sending dust flying into the sky.

Colonel Skool could hold back no longer; tears welled up and streamed down his face.

Gaisa pursed his lips, remaining silent.

A sudden burst of deafening cheers erupted from the parliamentary army, soldiers in brown cried tears of joy, shouted loudly, crazily beat their weapons and chests.

They had won, they had won. If one were to seek a symbolic event proving the parliamentary army’s victory today, undoubtedly, it was now.

But just then, amidst the dust, another sound emerged, a sound suppressing all cheers and shouts.

The sound of a bell.

The clear ringing of a bronze-cast bell struck by a heavy object, echoing in everyone’s ears.

The sound of a bell.

One dong followed by another.

One sound followed by another.

"Move out!" Skool ordered.

"Continue the fight!" Gaisa shouted.

Turning their backs on the resilient, desolate, deep bell sound, soldiers from Thunder Group County and Riverside County retreated from the battlefield without looking back.

Yet, like the same resilient, desolate, deep bell sound, another army emerged from the valley south of River Valley Village.

When the parliamentary army’s scouts approached to investigate, they unhesitatingly unveiled the dark blue flags—belonging to Iron Peak County.

Faster than the most optimistic, most pessimistic, and boldest predictions, because they had taken the shortest route.

Winters Montagne’s army had crossed Yunque Mountain, stepping onto the battlefield.