HCB Chapter 388 Seeing the Situation is Not Right
Chapter 388 Seeing the Situation is Not Right
John stared through the telescope at the war elephants slowly approaching in the distance. Their huge bodies were particularly conspicuous in the sunlight, and their armor gleamed in the sun, as if declaring their power.
He put down the telescope and looked around at the soldiers around him, and found that most of them had solemn faces and uneasy eyes. Although the soldiers led by John were well-trained and had strong fighting spirit, he noticed that the soldiers from Murcia were a little shaken. Many of them held their weapons tightly, and their hands kept shaking, obviously frightened by the huge size of the war elephant.
John raised the telescope again, looking into the distance nervously and attentively. Hundreds of cavalrymen, both men and horses, were wearing armor shining with golden light, and their figures were so dazzling under the sunlight.
Behind the cavalry, the endless infantry troops surged like a tide, mighty and seemingly endless. Their unified ranks displayed a strict formation, and countless flags were constantly fluttering above them.
"Hurry! Ready your artillery and stay alert!"
John gave instructions loudly, his voice was unusually clear in the tense atmosphere. While giving orders, he was thinking about how to effectively disrupt the enemy's offensive.
He knew that although those huge war elephants brought deterrence during the siege, their real use was actually not great. The attack power of war elephants was insignificant when facing the solid city walls. Their greatest effect might be to temporarily shake the morale of the defenders and cause panic. But if the enemy's command was not good, once the war elephants went crazy in the chaos, it would be the biggest threat to the Kushans.
The army of Galixica stopped quickly 500 meters away from the wall of Murcia, and the neat formation looked majestic. At this time, more than a dozen cavalrymen riding tall horses, wearing various Kushan-style armor, rushed towards the wall like arrows, raising dust and the sound of horse hooves in the silent wilderness. The armor of the cavalrymen shone in the sunlight, making this cavalry team more majestic.
The soldiers on the city wall instantly tensed up, all of them loaded arrows on their crossbows, staring at the approaching cavalry, alert and vigilant. The air was filled with tension, and the soldiers held their breath, ready to face any possible attack at any time.
"Don't attack yet."
John decisively stopped his men's actions. He knew at a glance that these people must have come to negotiate. He wanted to see what these people would say and by the way, find out the location of the main force of the Galician army.
The Kushan cavalry quickly stopped at the foot of the city wall, and the sound of horse hooves gradually dissipated in the silent air. The cavalry looked around, staring at the towering city wall and the cannons sticking out of the city wall, and they couldn't help but feel a little confused and vigilant. In the sunlight, a few traces of smoke and fire showed the solidity of this fortification, but the faces of those who were not Kushans made them feel unfamiliar.
The leading envoy stood on horseback, frowning and looking around. He tried to sort out his thoughts, but he could not reconcile the scene in front of him with his previous impression. Half a month ago, when he led his team here, this was still a bustling Kushan city, and the streets were filled with a familiar atmosphere. But now, how come this place was occupied by the pagan army?
Although he felt strange, the messenger did not take it too seriously. He firmly believed that the army he was accompanying was enough to capture the city. Even if the people on the city wall could not communicate, there was no need to worry. He only needed to return to the army and launch an attack to win.
After thinking it over in his heart, the messenger raised his voice and faced the army on the city wall:
"I am the messenger of Lord Galixica. Who dares to talk to me?"
His voice echoed in the air, sounding very confident.
After a moment of silence, a voice in Kushan finally came from the city wall:
"I am Mamtim, the owner of this city. May I ask what is your purpose in bringing your army here?"
The messenger continued:
"I came here half a month ago and talked to you about surrendering to Lord Galisica. I don't care who you are. I came here just to ask you if you are willing to surrender!"
As soon as the words fell, the voice on the city wall sounded again, with a little hesitation:
"Can you give us some more time to think about this? Also, where is the army of Calixica now?"
Upon hearing this question, the envoy immediately felt dissatisfied and replied coldly:
"I have already given you enough time to consider. And Lord Galisica's army will arrive in half a month. If you refuse to surrender, the only outcome of staying here is death!"
At this moment, the messenger vaguely heard a contemptuous "Oh" from the city wall, and then a voice from the city wall sounded:
"I think you are a little unqualified. Let's talk about surrendering when Gabriel comes here."
These words were like a bucket of cold water poured on the messenger's head. He immediately felt despised and provoked. He was furious and responded mercilessly:
"Just wait for Murcia to be captured!"
His voice was high-pitched and decisive, carrying his unquestionable majesty.
After saying this, the messenger turned around angrily and led his team back to the military camp. He was filled with anger and resentment. He could not tolerate the other party's contempt and was determined to make them pay the price.
Soon after, a horn sounded, drums beat, and a high morale spread through the military camp. The densely packed soldiers carried ladders and pushed battering rams, charging towards the city of Murcia.
John looked down at the soldiers charging towards the city, and he knew in his heart that the messenger had been angered by him, which was just what he wanted. If the messenger just ran away, he would really be helpless.
"Immediately order the soldiers on the city wall! Shoot arrows at the Kusha soldiers rushing down!"
Then he quickly gave the order:
"Cannons on the city walls, aim in the direction of those war elephants and fire!"
As John issued his order, the soldiers on the city wall moved quickly and orderly like a lit gunpowder barrel. The bows in their hands were fully drawn, and the black arrows flashed coldly in the sun; and the cannons were quickly put into position with the roar, and blue smoke came out of the muzzles, indicating the upcoming fierce attack.
Arrows rained down, sweeping out with whistling sounds, landing precisely on the heads of the charging Kushan soldiers. At the same time, artillery roared, and huge shells whizzed towards the enemy formation, directly hitting the approaching war elephants.
The Kushan soldiers were caught off guard and suffered tragic casualties in an instant. Arrows pierced their armor and muscles, blood splattered, and cries of grief rose one after another. At this moment, the originally fierce charge became embarrassing, and the soldiers tried to find cover in a panic, but there was nowhere to retreat.
At the same time, the situation of the war elephants behind them was even more serious. Those huge beasts were hit by shells amid the roar of artillery fire, and after a panic, several war elephants fell to the ground one after another, their huge bodies fell to the ground with a bang, and dust flew everywhere. When the soldiers around saw this scene, endless fear suddenly surged in their hearts.