After Baron left, Elisa was clearly distracted, so he simply let her off.
"Uncle Adam, sorry for disturbing your rest so late."
Old Adam and his brother-in-law had been summoned to discuss what had happened today.
"It's fine, Young Master. I heard about it and was planning to come find you anyway. This is an opportunity!"
"An opportunity?"
"An opportunity to test the true combat strength of these God-gifted warriors!"
William picked up the thread. "Both groups from the County of Tervain have entered the estate. They've been stationed near the threshing floor, which is perfect for surrounding and annihilating them."
Their basic policy had always been to sway between the two sides. If the Church offered more benefits, they would support the Church; if Baron offered them more perks, they would follow Baron instead.
Now, the pirates from the County of Tervain had accidentally stolen the supplies the Church had prepared for them.
By all rights, everything was perfect. There wasn't the slightest trace of human intervention, and it didn't look deliberate either.
But Pastor Alphons had no idea who the culprit was, so he had ordered them to apprehend the thieves.
That gave them no choice but to use these pirates to demonstrate their efficiency and attitude to Baron.
Thus, the plan unfolded without the pirates noticing anything.
Old Adam, the highest-level marksman in the village, led fifteen militiamen armed with crossbows in an ambush on the granary roof. Adamson led the other eight light infantrymen in preparation for the engagement. Ergons and William Adena mounted their horses, ready at any moment to weave through the battlefield, which was no more than an acre in length and width.
Once everyone was in position, the pirates clearly heard the commotion as well. Faint sounds came from the storage sheds beside the granary, lined up along the main fort's wall.
"They're fairly sharp. They won't run, will they?" William Adena looked at Ergons.
"Don't worry. These sheds were originally used to store grain during the busy farming season, and they were built right against the main fort's walls. I doubt they can smash through stone walls two paces thick."
The partitions between the storage sheds had been damaged by the pirates. The originally separate compartments had been opened up, and everyone had gathered together.
"What do we do? They clearly intend to use us to sharpen their blades!"
"Weren't we supposed to infiltrate? Did the negotiations above fall through?"
"Who cares? Those few pieces of trash we saw on the way here were a waste of armor and horses. They were all useless, covered in the stink of soil. Just a bunch of peasants dressed up as knights."
A greasy-looking pirate with a big beard put an end to everyone's panic. "Our mission is to infiltrate and invade. Judging by the armor on those brats, it looks like they prepared this equipment for us.
"We're taking this village. Since this is an invasion, let's start here."
The pirates immediately calmed down. They truly were a pack of bloodthirsty thieves; instead of panicking, they began laughing.
"See those dozen or so infantrymen? They think they can surround us with just those few cloves of garlic? They're really underestimating us."
Big Beard, the ship's Second Mate, had long since lost his real name to the waves of the sea. People called him Big Beard, and he answered to it. With the captain and First Mate gone, he was clearly in charge here.
Seeing that the thieves had regained their composure, Second Mate pulled out the throwing spear tucked behind his waist and looked outside through the crack in the door.
"Take careful aim. When they surround the door, give these mud-legged peasants a little surprise."
On the other side, Old Adam was also giving the militiamen a pre-battle briefing on the roof. Although they looked neither nervous nor even slightly excited, discipline was still more important than skill.
"You've taken your hunting crossbows out to shoot rabbits these past few days. Let me tell you, people are sometimes not even as nimble as rabbits. If you can shoot rabbits, you can kill people.
"But there's one difference. When shooting rabbits, you rely on your own experience. Once you spot the right moment, you can fire.
"People are different."
Old Adam's previously genial expression changed. Beneath the sternness, what surged toward them was no longer the aura of age, but the murderous fury of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.
"Without my order, no one is allowed to fire!
"I'll divide you into groups of three. Arrange your own targets, but divide the enemy formation from left to right. Each group will have its own firing sector. That way, we'll inflict the greatest possible casualties."
After briefly going over their usual drills, the men's eagerness for battle gained an extra measure of caution.
After all, their lord would also be making flanking attacks. If they could not eliminate as many living targets as possible, they might still cause their lord some trouble.
Nine light infantrymen in heavy armor, led by the large Adamson, approached the central storage shed with their shields raised. The pirates inside also raised their throwing weapons, preparing to give them a vicious welcome.
The battle built up a heavy tension in the silence both sides struggled to maintain. Everyone was completely focused until Adamson reached the covered walkway.
"Get the hell out here!"
The pirates were very cautious and did not rush out of the building. They knew that until these infantrymen were eliminated, the shed was the best shelter they had against further attacks from outside.
But the throwing weapons in their hands showed no mercy as they stabbed toward the infantrymen approaching from the front.
Unfortunately for them, the gaps visible in the windows corresponded to the crossbowmen who had already taken aim. The pirates throwing spears and battle-axes with all their strength had no idea that their heads had already been caught in the shooters' sights.
Yet without Old Adam's order, no one fired.
"Thud, thud, thud-thud!"
The forceful projectiles slammed into the shields. Adamson's infantrymen could no longer advance and instead began slowly retreating.
Although the pirates' barrage suppressed them, it caused no casualties. By the time they had retreated to the center of the drying yard, the pirates had exhausted their throwing weapons.
Adamson roared, threw down the enormous shield that had been stabbed until it looked like a porcupine, and flipped the fan-shaped shield from his back to the front. With a mace in hand, he led the charge once more.
This time, the pirates stopped holding back as well. With a loud cry, Big Beard kicked open the door and led the charge out.
Big Beard, the fastest to charge, collided head-on with Adamson, who stood over two meters ten tall.
As shield struck shield, Big Beard suddenly realized that he had underestimated these peasants.
These peasants were not walking experience points.
He felt an immense force crash into him, sending him and his shield flying back into the room.
Several pirates following behind him became unlucky victims in the rolling heap.
"Kill!"
The nine light infantrymen formed a simple offensive and defensive formation, shielding one another's flanks. Their long swords and maces swung in wide arcs, smashing and slicing through the enemy.
The pirates, who had nearly surrounded them, were unable to break through for a time.
Those within Adamson's attack radius were especially unfortunate. Anyone who encountered him suffered shattered bones and torn tendons. As blood sprayed, six or seven pirates were killed or maimed after only a single exchange.
His individual combat strength was far beyond that of an ordinary light infantryman.
Although the other eight men failed to kill any enemies, they at least avoided being crushed outright.
The stable advantage they had gained through Adamson, their exceptional fighter, had not developed as the pirates imagined. Instead, the pirates suddenly found themselves at a disadvantage.
Their advance had been halted. Big Beard, who had struggled back to his feet, coldly assessed the situation and shouted, "Have a few men hold them off! The rest of you, follow me out and kill!"
"I refuse to believe they'll just abandon the lives of the other old people and children in this village!"
The pirates had fought, looted, burned, and killed together for a long time. Their coordination was astonishing. They naturally split into those who would block the infantrymen and those who would break out.
Yet just as most of the pirates were preparing to reposition, a shout rang out from the tallest granary nearby.
"Groups, confirm your targets. Fire!"
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"
The crossbow bolts flew like locusts toward the hapless pirates.
Before you continue