Although the Iron Bone Tribe's elite warriors had failed to take the fortress, they had reached its walls and inflicted considerable casualties on the defenders. It was the best the Barbarians had done in any siege assault for some time.
Seeing this, the other tribes began gearing up and preparing in earnest. They hoped to achieve even better results when they attacked the fortress and claim more spoils.
In short, preparations throughout the Barbarian Main Camp had grown more fervent than ever. Facing a common crisis, the Barbarian army had rallied together again through Heshima's efforts.
Inside the fortress, everyone from the rank-and-file defenders to their commander, James, was surprised. No one had expected the Barbarian troops to fight so differently today.
The warriors attacking the fortress were elite troops with steadfast resolve. Most importantly, their assault was methodical, nothing like the mindless rushes that had sent expendable troops swarming up the walls before.
Of course, the makeup of this elite force also had much to do with it. They had put the defenders under tremendous pressure.
When the Barbarian troops launched their assault, it was extremely difficult to suppress them from the walls. They spread out in small formations and had plenty of shield carts for cover. The defenders' Bed Crossbows and catapults struggled to inflict meaningful casualties, while the attackers' armor and shields stopped their arrows.
So when the Barbarian troops charged, the defenders had trouble halting their advance.
They were no easier to deal with once they reached the walls and began climbing with siege ladders and ropes. Alternating between the two, they covered one another, dodged attacks from above, and searched for gaps in the defenses.
The Barbarian troops below did not stand idle, either. Every one of them was a skilled archer.
Their bows were