Experience, Catching Thieves

After the Baron left, Elisa was clearly out of sorts, so they let her be.

"Uncle Adam, I'm sorry to bother you so late."

Old Adam and his brother-in-law were summoned to discuss today's matter.

"It's nothing, young master. I heard about it and was planning to find you anyway. Now is an opportunity!"

"Opportunity?"

"An opportunity to test the true combat power of us god-given warriors!"

William added, "The two waves of people from the County of Tervain have entered the manor. Arranging them near the threshing ground is perfect for an ambush."

Their main principle had always been to waver between the two sides. If the Holy See offered more benefits, they would help the Holy See; if the Baron offered more sweet deals, they would follow the Baron.

Now, a group of pirates from the County of Tervain had arrived and, by chance, stolen the supplies the Holy See had prepared for them.

Everything seemed to be going well, with no trace of human intervention and appearing not at all deliberate.

However, Pastor Alphons didn't know the identity of the culprit, so he ordered a crackdown on the pirates.

Therefore, they couldn't blame themselves for using these pirates to show the Baron their efficiency and attitude.

Thus, the plan unfolded without the pirates having the slightest inkling.

Old Adam, as the highest-level sharpshooter in the village, led 15 militiamen armed with hunting crossbows to ambush on top of the granary. Adamson led the other eight light infantrymen, ready to engage. Ergons and William Adena mounted their horses, ready to maneuver on the battlefield, which was no more than an acre long and wide.

As everyone took their positions, the pirates clearly heard the commotion. There were faint sounds from the weighing rooms lined up along the main keep near the granary.

"They're not completely clueless. They won't run, will they?" William Adena looked at Ergons.

"Don't worry. These rooms were originally used to store grain during the busy farming season and were built right next to the main keep's walls. I doubt they can smash through stone walls that are two feet deep."

The partition boards in the weighing rooms were destroyed by the pirates. The originally connected compartments were opened up, and everyone was gathered together.

"What do we do? It's obvious they're planning to make an example of us!"

"Didn't they say they were here to infiltrate? Did the negotiations fall through?"

"Who cares? Those few useless guys who came with us, wasted their armor and horses. A bunch of losers who reek of the sea, they're just peasants dressed as knights."

A greasy-looking pirate with a big beard halted the panic among them. "Anyway, our mission is infiltration, invasion. The armor on these brats looks like equipment prepared for us. We'll take this village. Since it's an invasion, let's start here."

The pirates immediately calmed down. As expected of bloodthirsty scoundrels, they started laughing instead of panicking.

"See those ten or so infantrymen? You think you can wipe us out with just a few of them? You're underestimating us."

The big-bearded pirate was the ship's Second Mate. His real name had long been lost to the waves of the sea. People called him "Big Beard Second Mate," and he answered to it. With the captain and first mate gone, he was clearly in charge.

Seeing that the scoundrels had adjusted their state, the Second Mate took out the javelin tucked into his back waist and peered out through the crack in the door.

"Aim carefully, everyone. When they surround the door, give these mud-crawlers a surprise."

On the other side, Old Adam was briefing the militiamen on the roof before the battle. Although they didn't look nervous and were even a bit excited, discipline was more important than skill.

"You've taken hunting crossbows out to hunt rabbits these past few days. I'm telling you, sometimes humans aren't as quick as rabbits. If you can kill a rabbit, you can kill a person. But there's one difference. Hunting rabbits relies on your own experience; you can shoot when you feel the time is right. Killing people is different."

Old Adam's originally pleasant expression changed. His sternness seemed to reveal not age, but a chilling aura like a sea of corpses washing over them.

"No one shoots without my command! I will group you into teams of three. Arrange your own targets, but divide the enemy's ranks from left to right. Each team will have a shooting zone to maximize the kill count."

After a simple reiteration of their usual drills, the eagerness of the men to fight was tempered with a bit more caution. After all, their young master would also be engaging in flanking attacks. If they couldn't eliminate as many active targets as possible, they might still cause some trouble for their young master.

Nine heavily armored light infantrymen, led by the tall Adamson, approached the central weighing room with their shields. The pirates inside raised their throwing weapons, ready to give them a hard time.

The battle built up in a tense silence as both sides suppressed their movements. Both sides were completely focused until Adamson reached the corridor.

"Let's get 'em!"

The pirates were cautious and didn't rush out of the house. They knew that before they could eliminate these infantrymen, the house was their best protection against further external attacks. However, their throwing weapons were not polite as they hurled them at the infantrymen advancing from the front.

Unfortunately, the gaps in the windows corresponded to the crossbowmen who had already taken aim. The pirates, throwing javelins and throwing axes with all their might, had no idea their heads were already in the crosshairs of the shooters.

However, without Old Adam's command, no one fired.

"Thump, thump, thump thump!"

The powerful throws hit the shields. Adamson's infantry couldn't advance further and began to retreat slowly. Although suppressed by the pirates' throws, no casualties were sustained. They retreated all the way to the center of the drying yard, and the pirates' throwing weapons were depleted.

Adamson roared, dropped the large shield, which was now as bristly as a hedgehog, flipped the fan-shaped shield on his back to the front, and led the charge again with his mace.

This time, the pirates no longer held back. The big-bearded pirate shouted, kicked open the large door, and charged out first. The Big Beard Second Mate, charging the fastest, collided with Adamson, who was over two meters tall.

Amidst the clash of shields, Big Beard suddenly realized he had underestimated these peasants.

These peasants were not just experience points.

Because he felt an immense, powerful force directly send him and his shield flying into the house.

The few behind him also became unfortunate victims rolling on the ground.

"Kill!"

Nine light infantrymen formed a simple offensive and defensive formation, guarding each other's flanks, their war swords and maces swinging in wide arcs, smashing and slashing.

The pirates, who had almost surrounded them, couldn't break through for a time.

Especially those within Adamson's attack range – each encounter resulted in broken bones and flying blood. He had already killed or wounded six or seven upon first contact.

Their individual combat strength was far beyond the normal standard for light infantry.

The other eight, while not killing enemies, at least weren't being completely overwhelmed.

With a stable, winning situation spearheaded by Adamson, things were not developing as the pirates had imagined. Instead, the pirates found themselves at a disadvantage for the moment.

The charge was halted. Big Beard, struggling to get back up, coldly observed the situation on the battlefield and shouted, "Have a few men hold them off, the rest follow me out to kill!"

"I don't believe they don't care about the lives of the other old and weak in this village?"

Having spent a long time together, raiding and plundering, the pirates had an astonishing level of unspoken coordination. They naturally split into those who would block and those who would break through.

However, just as most of the pirates were preparing to move, a loud shout came from the tallest granary nearby: "Confirm targets by group, fire!"

"Swish, swish, swish!"

Crossbow bolts rained down like locusts, flying towards those unfortunate souls.