Napoleon stood atop the waterwheel north of Marengo Village, watching through his Telescope as Joubert led the soldiers in a charge.
But they were quickly driven back by the Austrian Army's orderly Infantry Line.
Napoleon's heart began to pound violently.
He knew full well that Cervoni was surely gathering the soldiers who had fled in defeat earlier. More and more enemies would soon mass along the Austrian Army's defensive line at the village entrance.
And Junot and Sérurier on the flanks could be broken through by the enemy at any moment.
When that happened, they would be surrounded by an enemy force twice their size!
Lucien suddenly came stumbling over, gasping for breath. "Our... our Artillery position has been attacked by enemy cavalry..."
Napoleon was not surprised, for he had not heard the sound of his own guns for quite some time.
He stared fixedly at the Austrian Army's defensive line at the village entrance.
That should have been Cervoni's last remaining force. So long as they broke through it, they could launch an attack on Melas's headquarters.
But the Joubert Legion clearly had little strength left to spare.
Napoleon looked to his side. He had fewer than three thousand recruits left in his hands.
They were called the reserve force, but in truth, they had only been kept to the rear for fear of interfering with the Moulins Legion's operations.
Napoleon gritted his teeth hard, a low growl rising from his throat.
No, it was not yet time to admit defeat!
Even if they were only recruits, he had to give it a try!
He leaped down from the waterwheel, swung into the saddle, rode to the front of the newly formed Wangre Regiment, drew his sword, and shouted, "We are only one final step away from glorious victory!