A Crusader with System in the Middle Ages

The Genoese Crossbowmen far outnumbered the guards on the walls. And since Rufus’s sudden move had drawn the guards’ attention, they were a step slower to react than the crossbowmen below.

The first volley from the Genoese Crossbowmen wounded over a dozen guards, dealing a blow to their morale. Seeing their comrades fall, some of the guards couldn’t contain their fear and began to back away. While most still held their posts, it didn’t change the fact that they were on the defensive.

Many of the guards had little experience with crossbows, their skill far inferior to that of the Genoese Crossbowmen below.

Meanwhile, the Genoese Crossbowmen and the shield-wielding Flemish Spear Soldiers below had drilled together, and their coordination was superb. Whenever a Genoese Crossbowman stopped to reload, a Flemish Spear Soldier would quickly move to protect him with a shield.

The Genoese Crossbowmen mercenary company was also equipped with ten Giant Crossbows. These heavy weapons originated in the Roman Era; though ancient, they were never obsolete.

To fire it, the crew first had to pull back the rope connected to the bow prod and place the crossbow arrow into the groove. It fired its own specialized crossbow arrows, which were four times thicker than ordinary arrows but only half as long.

It took two powerfully built soldiers to draw the bowstring. The resulting Power was at least double that of an ordinary arrow, enough to shatter stone or pierce a tree trunk. Even heavy Chain Armor could not withstand its might.

Eric had replaced the Giant Crossbows’ original sinew bowstrings with nylon ones he had acquired from the system. Nylon’s load-bearing capacity far surpassed that of sinew, which greatly increased the durability of the Giant Crossbows.

Once the guards were completely on the defensive, the Genoese Crossbowmen manning the Giant Crossbows quickly loaded their arrows and aimed at a specific spot on the walls.

Ten heavy crossbow arrows shot out in succession. One, carrying immense force, pierced a guard’s chest and pinned him brutally to the inner wall. It didn’t kill him instantly; he twitched for several minutes before finally going still.

Another arrow was lucky enough to strike a weak point in the wall, shattering a section of an arrow slit near the center. The flying stone fragments knocked down a nearby guard, but it only created a small gap.

The catapults, by comparison, were less impressive. The ones Odo had brought were counterweight catapults, which used leverage to hurl projectiles at the wall by suddenly releasing a heavy counterweight. They consisted of a long throwing arm, with the fulcrum positioned about a quarter of the way down its length.

To fire, soldiers would first winch the longer end of the arm down to the ground and place a projectile into the spoon-shaped container or sling at its tip. A basket or wooden box, meant to hold counterweights such as iron blocks or stones, was permanently attached to the shorter end of the arm by ropes.

Once everything was ready, an engineer would release the counterweight. Pulled down by gravity, the weight would swing the arm, flinging the projectile at the other end high into the air in a soaring arc.

It could cause more widespread damage to the wall, but its drawback was its lack of precision. Often, the projectiles didn’t hit the wall at all, but sailed completely over it.

For Robert’s side, this wasn’t entirely a good thing. Their newly constructed siege towers couldn’t get close to the walls.

However, they hadn’t planned to breach the walls with siege towers from the start.

Their current frontal assault on the walls was actually a diversion, meant to provide cover for their man on the inside, Ansebel.

Thus, after the assault had continued for an hour, Robert led his army back to their nearby camp, putting on a show for the guards on the wall, making it seem as if they were unable to breach the defenses and were forced to retreat.

The guards, believing they had repelled Robert’s army, erupted in cheers.

During the subsequent lull in fighting, Eric had his troops create the impression that they were busy building more siege towers, making their defenses appear lax.

To Eric’s disappointment, however, his ploy seemed to have no effect. Even late into the night, Rufus sent out no raiding party.

In the camp, beside a bonfire.

Having successfully humiliated Rufus, Robert was exceptionally excited, chattering away to anyone who would listen.

”If only we had a Painter, I’d have him capture the look on William’s face. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it back in Rouen.”

”Don’t worry, Robert, my dear nephew,” Odo chimed in with a laugh. ”There will be plenty more opportunities like this. Victory will be ours.”

”Yes! God is on our side!”

Robert laughed, drained the ale in his hand in one gulp, and let out a satisfied breath.

Then he noticed Eric, who had been silent beside him for a long time.

”What’s wrong, Eric?”

”I’m going to check on the watchtowers, Robert.”

Eric ignored Robert’s question, stood up, and started walking away.

This left Robert momentarily stunned and a little awkward. He gave a sullen toast to the sky.

But Eric had no time for that now.

’That feeling of unease is getting stronger. Something is definitely wrong.’

Eric waved to Leif, who was standing nearby. Leif, in turn, waved to the members of the Warband, who quickly got to their feet and gathered around Eric.

Eric stroked his chin, thinking for a moment, then suddenly turned back to face Robert.

”Robert, give me three hundred Crossbowmen and three hundred Knights.”

”Huh? What is it?”

”Nothing. I’m taking them to inspect the watchtowers. And I’ll need your personal standard as well.”

”Why would you need the standard for an inspection...”

Robert started to ask out of habit, but he caught himself.

”Fine.”

He then waved to one of his Attendants, who pulled the standard from its place by the main tent and handed it to Eric.

However, mobilizing the Knights and Crossbowmen still required Odo’s approval. At that moment, Count Odo was minding his own business, drinking his ale as if he hadn’t seen or heard a thing.

Robert coughed twice in Odo’s direction.

”Demanding the personal standard and moving troops before a battle... have you forgotten your Identity? You’re just a newly-made Knight. You don’t even have the right to carry a standard...”

Odo’s voice was level, but exceedingly sharp.

”Fifty Knights and a hundred Crossbowmen should be more than enough. They have more important things to do—they yearn for glory on the battlefield, not to be bossed around by some low-born Cultivator.”

”Oh, yes. Staying here drinking ale must be a truly glorious task. If a Knight’s glory were measured by his capacity for drink, then Count Odo would surely be the greatest Knight in history.

Even if the head that wears a Helmet was meant for a Bishop’s miter, and the hand that wields a Sword was meant to hold the Bible. God must be so pleased with him.”

”You...”

Odo immediately reached for his Sword, but Robert, who was beside him, held him back.

Robert quickly waved at Arno, signaling for him to lead Eric away.

Not long after Eric departed, Ansebel arrived at the main camp on horseback.

”Duke, the city gates are about to be opened.”