Chapter 222
The city closest to the northeastern border of Equitania was Portabella. As is customary for border towns, this place was more akin to a trading city than a military one, connected to trade routes heading north.
Thus, the castle walls of Portabella were more showy than practical. They were splendid but unsuitable for defense. And the enemies had artillery.
Unlike the era of catapults, artillery could actually pierce the walls. This weapon, supplied along with trains during the great war, itself twisted the structure of siege warfare.
“Damn it.”
Standing on the gallery of the castle walls, a knight lamented. He could see the enemy’s banner flapping on the horizon beyond the border.
It was the banner of Elrsos, crowned with a stag. Judging by the banners beneath it, it was a large army consisting of at least three counts.
A serious military force. The funny part is that this isn’t their real strength. These were merely the vanguard, scouts meant to gauge the strength of this side.
Since the other nations of the Southern Six Nations had not yet mobilized their crusading forces, it was merely a matter of snagging a minor achievement before the real crusade began.
A truly minor military skirmish. It would be nothing more than a show of strength.