Chapter 452 1 Unification

The rebel nobles were vulnerable to the offensive of the First Army. The only few head-on exchanges of fire were to determine the outcome after a round of volleys. Even the bomb nests did not need to be replaced, and the opponent had completely collapsed, leaving behind more than a dozen The body fled away. More often than not, it is just a unilateral pursuit and search by the First Army.

At the rate of clearing a territory every day, Iron Ax successively captured the bases of the Elk, Running Wolf and Wild Rose families. However, when the troops advanced to the Maple Leaf territory, the offensive momentum slowed down.

They encountered unexpected trouble.

"Damn, this is no different from a fortress," Brian spat angrily as he looked at the Earl's Palace towering in front of him, "It even has a moat!"

"Was anyone injured in the attack just now?" Tie Ax asked with a cold face.

"Two unlucky guys were injured. One was hit by an arrow in the arm, and the other was shot in the back while retreating. Fortunately, it's not a big problem," Brian frowned. "The soldiers were at a huge disadvantage when they shot at the roof from below, even if the opponent had them in their hands." With only crossbows and short bows, we can’t get any benefit.”

Iron Ax knew that the other party was right. No one expected that Earl Maple Leaf would actually build his residence in the form of a tower, and it was built against a mountain, with a rocky cliff as its back. The stream flowing down from the desperate mountains was introduced into a ditch more than five meters wide, forming a "small moat" surrounding the mansion. Because it was living water, although it was filled with floating ice and snow, it was not completely frozen. There is only one entrance to the entire tower. If you want to attack the gate, you must cross over the arch bridge, which is also a key part of the enemy's surveillance.

There was no shelter around the Earl's Mansion, and it was all flat snow. The shooting from a high point made up for the disadvantage of the short range of the crossbow. After two rounds of tentative attacks, the First Army only killed three or four of the opponent's people. Several people on our own side were also injured.

"It would be nice if the artillery battalion was here," Brian said bitterly. "If you fire a few rounds at the gate, you won't believe he won't surrender."

"It's a pity that they can't get through. It's too far away from the fortress and the snow is too deep." Tie Ax raised his head and glanced at the sky. "Let's go here first today and arrange for the soldiers to camp."

The Maple Leaf family's fiefdom is located northwest of Changge Fortress, close to the Impasse Mountains and on the edge of the Western Territory. It would take nearly a day just to walk here. In addition, no one had cleared the snow on the road, making it impossible for the twelve-pounder field gun to move forward.

According to the intelligence they obtained, the Maple Leaf family contributed very little to this rebellion, and even the count himself did not come forward. This means that the opponent's strength is almost intact. If they are all nestled in this fortress-like tower without siege weapons, It's really hard to deal with.

After nightfall, bonfires were lit in the tents in the camp.

"What should we do tomorrow?" Brian added a piece of firewood to the fire pit. "Order the soldiers to rush forward with arrows? As long as they can blow open that damn iron door, their death will come."

But the First Army would also pay a dozen casualties. Tie Ax shook his head and did not answer. If he had been in Iron Sand City before, let alone ten, even if a hundred-person guard team was entrusted to him to lead, as long as he could complete the tasks assigned by the clan leader, he would not hesitate to fill them all in. But after arriving in the Western Region, he saw with his own eyes how these soldiers had grown to where they are today. When he thought of the hard work His Highness Roland had put into them, he felt a little reluctant to part with them.

After being silent for a while, he breathed out, "Please witch."

Brian was startled, "Looking for them?"

Iron Ax didn't want to do that either. He remembered His Royal Highness the Prince once said that a qualified army should have the ability to complete tasks independently at any time. But now is not the time for competition. In order to achieve the goal of unifying the Western Region within a week and reduce casualties as much as possible, he will not bite the bullet with inexplicable pride.

Because His Highness also said that a general who is responsible for the lives of soldiers is a good general.

"Send out the messenger and say that we are in trouble and need Miss Maisie's help," he ordered.

Early the next morning, Maisie and Lightning rushed to the camp, "What happened?"

"Gugu?"

Iron Ax coughed twice and briefly explained the current difficult problem, "The enemies are mainly concentrated at the top of the tower, and the damage done to them by rifles is limited. In addition, there is an iron door blocking the entrance. It is difficult for the First Army to get close to plant explosives, so they can only Please open the exit."

"Keep it with us," the little girl said, patting her chest.

Throwing explosives was no stranger to the two of them, and they had trained together with the First Army when they were in the town. Iron Ax nodded and immediately started arranging soldiers to prepare for the final attack. Regardless of whether the explosive package could have the expected effect, it could at least frighten the enemy. Taking advantage of this, they should have enough time to destroy the iron gate.

"You want to go into battle yourself?" Brian looked at Iron Ax in surprise as he looked at the spear on his back and stuffed the loaded cartridge into his belt.

"Instead of saying fight for me, it's better to say fight with me," Tie Ax smiled, "This is what His Highness often talks about."

…

When the two men led the soldiers into the charging position, Maisie's figure appeared on the horizon.

She transformed into a giant beast and swooped down towards the tower against the rocky cliffs, holding a bag of new explosives in her sharp claws. Everyone saw this astonishing scene. The difference was that the First Army suddenly burst into loud cheers, and the top of the tower fell into chaos. The mercenaries and guards of the Maple Leaf Family turned their crossbows and aimed at the giant beast. Shooting, but with little success.

Maisie had already completed the accumulation of speed. She spread out her huge wings and flapped them hard, pulling her body up high and releasing her claws at the same time. The explosive pack was like a discharged cannonball, whizzing straight towards the roof of the building——

Iron Ax felt the surroundings become silent for a moment, and then he saw a dazzling fireball rising from the top of the tower. In an instant, the ground shook! The whole world seemed to be trembling. A huge column of smoke rose into the sky carrying snow and mist, and a wave of heat rushed towards him. He even couldn't help but take two steps back, and his ears were hurt by the shock.

This is...the power of gods!

Tie Ax couldn't help but think of the first time he witnessed His Highness the Prince testing black powder. But this time, the explosion was far more powerful than before. Even though he was nearly a hundred meters away, he could still feel the scorching temperature contained in the fireball. As for those enemies who come into close contact with Heavenly Punishment on the roof, the fate can be imagined.

After silently praying to the three gods, he raised his spear forward and said, "For His Royal Highness, the First Army, the whole army charges!"

"For Your Highness!" the soldiers shouted slogans and swarmed towards the Earl's Palace.

This time... no one dared to stop them.

When the Iron Ax Squadron returned to Changsong Fortress, it happened to be the evening of the sixth day.

The entire Western Territory was finally under Roland's control. (To be continued.)