Paris Police Academy's Assessment

Alois suddenly shouted, "Do you remember? The instructors in Paris said that the training we received was enough to handle a real army."

Listening to the increasingly distinct Austrian war drums, Bourget nodded. "Right. Even against the Austrian Army, we might not lose!"

"Don't be afraid, everyone. Just treat them like gang members!"

"Right, just a gang with more people."

That was what the Wallonia police said, but their hands gripping their guns had gone white, making it clear that they had little confidence.

Bourget recalled something else. Looking at the faintly visible Austrian soldiers in the distance, he said, "The superintendent said that after this fight, we'll get triple pay."

The hefty bonus immediately diluted everyone's tension. Some even showed expectant looks.

Wallonia's coal and iron mines had brought enormous wealth to the region, and with the benefits of Rhine River trade, the Walloon Chamber of Commerce was swimming in money. Paying the police a few extra months' wages would not even make them blink.

Before long, rhythmic war drums also sounded from the front of the Walloon Police formation.

Bourget checked once more that his Charleville 1776 Flintlock Gun was loaded with ammunition, then heard the police superintendent from his precinct shout, "Prepare—"

He silently recited, "God bless," and raised his flintlock gun.

The Austrian Skirmishers advanced with three or four paces between each man, looking utterly relaxed.

They knew perfectly well that police could only bully thieves and robbers. Against a real army, they would crumble at the first touch.

All they needed were two or three volleys, and that seemingly orderly formation ahead would collapse.

Then they would chase them for several hundred yards before accepting their surrender—or shooting them dead.

"Aim—"

The police superintendents overseeing each section of the line formation were already too nervous