Warhammer Divine Throne

Chapter 44: Chapter 19, Dockside Bloodshed (Part 1)_2

The archers drew their longswords, first retreating into the formation, with about forty soldiers forming two rows. Additionally, there were a few crossbowmen on the port’s watchtower continuing to shoot arrows.

”The battle has begun.” The Kingdom Knight muttered, as a Water Ghost rushed towards him with claws extended, yellow teeth spewing nauseating spit. Laine wielded his hammer with both hands, striking fiercely onto the Water Ghost’s shoulder.

”Crack!” The sound of bones breaking came, as the Water Ghost’s body was directly sent flying by Laine, knocking over three other Water Ghosts, struggling briefly before falling silent.

Laine didn’t bother giving it a glance, his right hand gripping the hammer’s handle, lifting the Warhammer from under his rib upwards, striking another Water Ghost on its chin, its head exploding entirely, scattering red and white everywhere.

The powerful strength of the Kingdom Knight resembled a bright sun, illuminating the morale of the port’s defenders. In just a dozen seconds, five Water Ghosts turned to pulp beneath his hammer.

”Oh oh oh! Lord Laine! Long live!” Seeing Laine’s immense strength raised the soldiers’ spirits, as the tide of Water Ghosts surged toward the battle formation, the first waves either pierced by Long Spears or crushed against shields, then split in half by longswords.

One grey-faced Water Ghost crashed onto an iron shield, with Guard Commander Lauritz fiercely striking the Water Ghost’s head with the shield, then piercing the Water Ghost’s chest with a single-hand longsword, green blood coating the fine iron longsword. He had no time to care, however, as more Water Ghosts charged forward.

The sound of shield colliding with hard objects echoed through the battlefield. The number of Water Ghosts was overwhelming, these creatures often surged so rapidly that the guards couldn’t pull their Long Spear or single-handed swords from their bodies before the next wave advanced, causing the formation to slowly retreat.

”Ah ah ah!” The first casualty occurred as a young guard at the edge of the line was knocked down by a strong Water Ghost, sharp claws instantly stabbing into his shoulder. The guard screamed as his shield wavered, and Water Ghosts lunged towards him, knocking him to the ground. As several Water Ghosts pounced on him, ready to tear him apart.

”Ha!” Suddenly, the Water Ghost on top of him was directly flung away, as one figure swung a Warhammer in a spin, staining the fine iron hammer head with the green blood of the Water Ghosts. The young guard looked up, it was Lord Laine! He suppressed the pain from his shoulder: ”Lord Laine...”

”Get up, there are enemies to fight!”

”Sir, behind you!” The young guard noticed something and shouted in alarm.

”What?” Laine suddenly felt weight on his shoulder, discovering a Water Ghost had jumped onto his shoulder, biting down with sharp teeth toward him.

”Bang!” Just as Laine intended to act, the sound of a Hand Cannon came from behind, a bloody hole appeared on the Water Ghost’s head, sliding off him lifelessly.

In the distance, the female sorcerer elegantly held up the Hand Cannon, blowing its smoldering muzzle with sweet red lips: ”Laine, watch your back~”

”...Understood.” Though Laine wanted to say that the Water Ghost’s teeth couldn’t pierce his skin, he chose to express gratitude, then turned back to the battlefield.

He was still wearing his formal attire! The clothes were expensive!

With the appearance of the first casualty, the human line had to retreat again, resulting in more casualties. Sweat covered Lauritz’s forehead; already, three guards had fallen. The attacking Water Ghost horde numbered in the hundreds, still increasing. The port guards were only about forty strong, even with militia continuously arriving, it was only eighty or ninety at most, and how much the militia would help remained uncertain.

On Laine’s line at the left wing, the Kingdom Knight nearly crushed the enemy with overwhelming strength, snuffing out at least one Water Ghost with each move—the golden Warhammer brought certain death upon contact, leaving severe injuries, with almost no enemy able to withstand him. Even facing encirclement, Teresa’s firearms support proved deadly for Water Ghosts, bringing a dozen down with headshots.

But the right wing of the line didn’t enjoy such ease, as soldiers continually retreated, with Water Ghosts’ robust bodies constantly hammering at the line. Even with shields, the ordinary tier soldiers lacked the physical strength to maintain the shield against a continuous barrage. If an arm was injured or numbed, the line was at risk!

Laine quickly reacted, rubbing his left hand, causing electric arcs to flicker over the Warhammer. Striking the ground, arcs of electricity spread, turning a dozen Water Ghosts charred black—only a particularly strong Water Ghost rushed forward but met a hammer right on its chest, causing its body to split under the force of thunder, soaring skyward and disintegrating.

A militia group of around fifty people arrived from the street leading to the town, wearing chest armor so outdated and rusty, wielding simple Long Spears, short swords, and scimitars, their eyes filled with fear and resolve. Despite low morale and inadequate equipment, they fought to protect their home!

The line stabilized again, militia forming a spear formation, densely thrusting like a forest of spears, piercing the Water Ghosts. Green Water Ghost blood splattered everywhere. Unable to organize or coordinate, the Water Ghosts fought individually, steadily losing ground against humans, pushing the line toward the shoreline.

”Victory is at hand!” Lauritz cut a Water Ghost into two with his sword. Today’s battle saw both soldiers and militia exhibit tremendous combat effectiveness. He couldn’t help but feel grateful watching Laine battling on the front—thanks to the Kingdom Knight’s demonstrated strength, the troops held for so long, maintaining high morale.

This was the essence of cold weapon era combat—especially in this world of sword and magic, the command and martial prowess of a leader were the soul of an army!

”Dong~dong~dong~” Bells tolled from the direction leading from the port to the town.

It was the call to gather the army, Villarld was assembling the troops! Hearing the bells, even Laine couldn’t help but smile. The Water Ghosts, unable to break through, saw their morale decline gradually; these creatures also feared Laine’s might. After several charges, failing to overwhelm the port guards, the smaller Water Ghosts began retreating, cunning creatures as they wouldn’t just come to die wave after wave.

”Such cunning creatures!” After continuously shooting Water Ghosts in the head, Teresa lowered the Hand Cannon. The Hand Cannon loaded Jialan Council’s specially made mercury bullets, costly indeed. Seeing the situation under control, the female sorcerer felt the need to conserve ammunition.

At this time, another crowd approached the dock entrance—it was the Blood Axe Mercenary Corps! The Mercenary Leader Boris led the charge with a War Axe onto the battlefield, his axe quickly soaked in green blood.

Deputy Commander Viert wielded a two-handed greatsword, leading the mercenaries into the fray. With the mercenaries’ involvement, the Water Ghosts completely collapsed, those remaining fled into the sea, wailing. Little Mercenary Banda rushed over from behind: ”Lady Trovik, are you alright?”

”I’m fine.” The female sorcerer nodded, her gaze fixated on Laine fighting in the front.

The Kingdom Knight’s figure resembled a War God descending; he had slain countless Water Ghosts, wielding the hammer at the very front, so strong that one couldn’t bear looking directly.

Banda quickly caught on, thinking he too could do it. Looking for a less populated spot, he stepped forward. His skills had improved under Viert’s guidance, planting his stance firmly. Banda charged forward, gripping his sword’s hilt tightly with both hands, leveling it at his brow, causing the tip to circle in the air. Power gathered, Banda smoothly decapitated a Water Ghost.

No sooner did he celebrate, than an unexpected change occurred.

”Roar roar roar!!” A massive roar erupted, as a Water Ghost, towering two heads above the strongest one, appeared. Its muscles twisted and coiled, with blood-red eyes and larger fangs, clutching a Wolf Fang Club over a meter long. One swing had already turned a solitary guard to pulp, and its loud roar rallied the Water Ghosts who were already collapsing to regroup at its side.

”It’s the Water Ghost King! The Water Ghost King has appeared!”