"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!..."
The heavy, oppressive war drums thundered from the western side of the Sauron Army formation like the heartbeat of some savage behemoth.
Accompanied by those death-knelling beats, an assault force composed of more than two thousand Sauron regular infantrymen began slowly advancing toward Village No. 5 on the western flank, like a muddy current splitting off from a black tide.
The western offensive Harald had long been preparing finally raised the curtain on its bloody performance.
The composition of this attacking force showed the adjustments Harald had made after learning from past lessons.
At the very front were several dozen crude yet practical wooden shield-carts. Built from thick planks, their fronts and roofs were covered in rawhide, even looted quilts and door panels. They could effectively resist ordinary arrows and stray bullets, providing precious mobile cover for the infantry following behind.
Behind the shield-carts came Sauron heavy infantry divided into two successive waves. Most wore Iron-reinforced Leather Armor or Chain Mail and carried close-combat weapons such as long spears, battle axes, and curved blades. Their eyes burned with the savage gleam of trapped beasts and a hunger for rewards.
More than a thousand Sauron Light Cavalry rode watchfully along each flank of the infantry formation. They protected the sides of the attacking column while remaining ready to pursue routed enemies or widen any breach.
At the rear of the entire attacking force followed several hundred Sauron skirmishers and musketeers armed with Matchlock Rifles or powerful bows. Clearly, after witnessing the threat posed by Carnford skirmishers in the battle for Village No. 2, Harald had also strengthened the ranged cover ahead of his main formation, intending to pay them back in their own coin.
At the end of their path of advance, the ruins of Village No.