Firearms Support (2)
“The Union forces will likely set up camp and wait here.”
The allied forces' commanders were holding a meeting, staring at the map.
“Hmm... this position might be a bit tough.”
Some terrain features were problematic. They could end up helplessly exposed to enemy attacks. But there was no other quick path forward besides this one—they'd have to take a massive detour or push through treacherous ground otherwise.
It could drag on time. In the meantime, the Union forces might receive firearms support from the Boern Empire. Plus, to maintain smooth supply lines, they had to secure this terrain somehow.
“No choice, then. The good news is, once we get past that spot, we're back in our favor, right?”
“Yeah. They still aren't operating firearms yet.”
Once past this terrain, it opened into flat plains again. And on open ground, the allied forces could overwhelm the Union army.
Mage and knight levels were comparable, but the allied soldiers' combat prowess held the edge. Even if close range was even, they could gain the upper hand from afar with firearms.
And the enemy hadn't mastered firearms operation yet. Sure, some enemy units had been spotted using them, but not at a threatening level. The Union forces that raided the allies had captured only a limited amount of firearms, and by now, they'd likely run out of powder and ammo—that was the allies' guess.
“Let's plan this out. Ways to break through here...”
“Send some troops to bypass and harass their rear...”
“First, use cavalry to disrupt those two hills...”
The allied nations began searching for a way to punch through the terrain.
“First, let's guess where the enemy might be ambushing. Probably around three main spots.”
“Even so, it doesn't seem like a huge threat...”
The meeting continued, and finally, the commanders rose from their seats with smiles.
“We'll take some losses, but we won't lose.”
“Right. Once past here, the Pike Kingdom falls soon enough...”
“Won't be easy for the Union side. Haha.”
The Union forces' commanders were holding their own meeting. With the firearms supplied by the Boern Empire and smart use of terrain, they judged they could score a major victory.
“The issue is how well the troops have mastered the firearms.”
But the marksmen lacked time to get proficient. Aside from a few with experience from captured guns, this would be most of their first real combat.
“At least teaching basic operation didn't take too long.”
“If we use them to form a fire net, that should work, right?”
“Hmm...”
The silver lining was how relatively simple the firearms were to use. They'd been drilling the marksmen continuously.
“The enemy still doesn't know we have mass firearms too.”
Moreover, the enemy didn't even know the Union forces had received firearm support.
“We could turn that to our advantage...”
“Lure them in deep...”
“Then, avoid using firearms until they're at optimal range...”
Time flew by. The Union forces devised their defensive strategy, while the allied forces kept advancing. At last.
“Enemy spotted ahead!”
The battle began.
“Pfft, pathetic.”
The Union forces started attacking the allied forces with arrows.
“Stop those archers.”
At the allied commander's order, cavalry charged up the hill. The arrow fire soon stopped, and the allies pressed forward.
As the distance closed, magic attacks flew in.
Boom! Thud!
But the allied mages' defensive spells blocked them, keeping losses low.
“Keep advancing!”
While the mages traded spells, the allies advanced smoothly. The Union tried to hold them, but.
Pop! Bang!
Their resistance crumbled under marksmen fire, forcing repeated retreats.
“Going smooth. Keep pushing!”
The battle was unfolding easier than expected. Morale soared among most allied commanders and troops. But some found it suspicious.
Too smooth.
Even sections thought tough to breach fell easily. Ambushes were scarce too. With lighter-than-expected Union resistance, the allies were breaking through the terrain without issue.
What are they aiming for?
Magic attacks could be blocked. The bigger the firepower, the easier for mages to detect and prepare. Plus, past this terrain lay open plains again—the Union would be at a disadvantage once more.
If they'd used the terrain well, the allies would've been stuck fighting longer here. Yet the Union was yielding the breakthrough too easily, and it nagged at him.
Damn... it's bothering me.
Things were going well, but something felt off. And soon, his doubts cleared.
Union soldiers popped up over the hilltops. Smoke billowed from the ridges moments later, followed by gunfire echoing with a slight delay. It came from multiple directions.
“Damn it, fire back!”
“Mages! Hit them with spells...”
“Knights! Cavalry!”
The Union ambush fire threw the allies into chaos. They'd guessed the enemy had few operational firearms, but bullets kept coming. The Union had more than estimated.
“Damn, find a way quick...!”
Mages unleashed attacks toward the enemy marksmen. Cavalry and knights charged them too. But the enemy had knights and mages as well. Cavalry charges were halted by spearmen, knights blocked knights, and mage attacks stopped by defensive spells. Late allied marksmen fire had little effect due to elevation differences.
Firearm balance evened out. The Union matched allied strength. But terrain disadvantage started turning the tide against the allies.
Every puff of smoke from the hills dropped allied soldiers. The battle had already gone south.
“Retreat!”
Allied commanders shouted late, but damage exceeded expectations.
“The enemy is retreating!”
One Union soldier watching yelled out.
“Good.”
The commander muttered, seeing them pull back.
“Don't give them time to recover. Pursue now.”
Soon, Union cavalry chased the fleeing allies.
“War report.”
In the Boern Empire's military headquarters, an adjutant began reading the battle report to assembled high officers.
“Since starting firearms support to the Union forces, their combat power has surged. After the Shen battle, the allies took heavy losses, letting the Union seize momentum and push the front lines...”
The military watched the war closely. A massive clash between nations—their tactics, formations, flow.
“Interesting how it's playing out. Lots to learn.”
“But their firearms differ from ours, don't they? No need to copy their methods exactly.”
“True. Reload times slashed, accuracy way up. Time to rethink approaches.”
“So, how should we change operational doctrine?”
“Hmm... Volley fire compensated for old guns' poor accuracy, right? No need to stick to that now.”
Troop firearms were swapping out smoothly. The military began pondering new doctrines accordingly.
Meanwhile, at the weapons research lab.
“Ugh... ughh...”
The groaning protagonist was John Brown. As the military rolled them out, issues cropped up. He was tackling them diligently today.
To fix rounds not chambering smoothly on reload...
Guns grew complex, spawning new problems.
Need new safety too... hmm...
As he tinkered with blueprints, someone approached.
“Um... Senior?”
The lab kept getting fresh staff. This was one new junior.
“What's up?”
“Well...”
The junior showed him a blueprint and explained.
“Bolt-action rifles feel a bit awkward to load, right? I mean, better than old firearms, but...”
“Yeah.”
Lift the handle up, pull back, push forward, down. Some awkwardness was inevitable.
“So, I thought of a fix...”
The junior kept explaining. Listening, a term popped into Brown's mind.
This is straight-pull, huh?
A method using a rotating bolt for simple push-pull loading. Midway between semi-auto and bolt-action rifles. Not practical yet—rotating bolts complicated manufacturing.
But Brown was impressed. As a military buff obsessed with guns, he knew the mechanics. Yet this guy invented it independently. Brown admired the junior.
Name's... Smith Warren, right?
But the junior, seeing Brown go quiet, got nervous.
“Sorry. I overstepped...”
“No, no. Warren, right? Great idea. And...”
Brown stopped the apology and continued.
“You interested in firearms that auto-load on firing by any chance?”