"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!..."
The fiercely shot crossbow bolts, like flying birds, suppressed the hunters on the stockade walls. Nearly ten Canine Warriors were struck by arrows, falling from the height with chilling screams. Then, the "bang bang" sounds from the rocks abruptly silenced the screams.
"Ah, the Mexica’s archery is so fierce even when shooting upwards!..."
In tension, Alan crouched low, hiding in the corner between the mountain face and the stockade wall. Deadly crossbow bolts flew over her head and landed behind her in the camp, creating a "thud" as they buried into wood, while occasionally, the wails of the wounded could be heard. Clutching the Hunting Bow tightly, her mouth also dried up significantly. Although she had gotten used to small-scale fights, and had hunted down more than a dozen enemies, this was her first time participating in a battlefield with tens of thousands of people.
"Alan, it’s okay! This position is good, just stay hidden, and the Mexica’s arrows won’t reach us. Just wait until their warriors charge up, then the arrows will stop!"
The young militia, Chipawa, whispered reassuringly. Alan turned her head and saw that Chipawa had already skillfully crawled behind the wall. He placed his Long Spears beside him and pushed a huge round rock, peering down through the gap between the wall and the rock. Then, he issued a tense, low shout.
"They’re coming up!"
"Thud thud! Thud thud!"
The spirited war drums rang loudly, inspiring the spirit of warriors, conveying the charge command! Two thousand Ottopan Warriors raised their Great Shields, formed into several front and rear squads, and charged towards the stockade walls in sequence. The hunters on the stockade also began to counterattack, as Bone Arrows fell like torrential rain, turning the shields into porcupines. Quickly, the first squad of five hundred warriors braved the rain of arrows and charged within thirty steps. The vanguards, screaming mightily, began to climb the final steep slope.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!"
Thousands of red-haired hunters popped their heads out, continuing to shoot arrows viciously! At this distance, their shooting accuracy was terrifyingly high, each arrow targeting vital spots. The climbing warriors, unable to shield their bodies with their shields, were hit repeatedly in the head and face by arrows, screaming as they tumbled down the slope. After just two or three rounds of arrow showers, more than a hundred warriors had fallen! And when the vanguard warriors reached the steep slope, nearing the stockade, they were met with heavy rocks smashing down, crushing heads and splattering blood. The cruel uphill attack was brief, and the first squad of warriors began to falter. Some warriors even stopped on the steep slope, raising their Wooden Shields to defend on the spot.
"Supervisory teams forward, retreaters die! Keep charging; sacrifice for the Chief Divine!"
Jiowar, clad in Heavy Armor and wielding a War Club, stood at the steep slope under the camp. He roared loudly, leading the Longbow trusted aides personally in the supervision.
"Kill the Canine Descendants, reclaim our land!"
"Kill the Canine Descendants! Reclaim the land!"
The second squad of five hundred warriors echoed the chant and then carried out a desperate charge. Bone Arrows fell from the heights, becoming even more fierce. Many red-haired hunters, as if by unspoken agreement, aimed at the supervising Jiowar, quickly turning his Cloth Armor into a porcupine hide.
"Advance twenty steps, and shoot from opposite the stockade!"
Balda was ruthless. He held up his shield and personally led the Crossbowmen forward. As the Crossbowmen got closer and released a volley of arrows, a dozen red-haired hunters fell. The hunters furiously retaliated, shooting down several Crossbowmen. Subsequently, both sides’ Archers and Crossbowmen began exchanging fire; the rain of arrows crisscrossed in the air. With the cover of the Crossbowmen, the second squad of warriors quickly approached the stockade, and the third squad also launched a charge.
"Whoosh!"
Alan peeked out, squinting her eyes and swiftly firing an arrow. An Ottopan Warrior, who was climbing up, clutched his face, tossing his head and rolling down the mountain. His dropped shield hit the warrior behind him, who paused stunned, then continued to climb with gritted teeth!
"Their morale is high...ah!"
Alan looked worriedly for a moment, then abruptly crouched behind the stockade wall.
"Whoosh!"
A fierce crossbow bolt grazed her red hair, striking the mountain wall with a forceful "bang". Only then did the bolt’s momentum exhaust, bouncing into the camp behind.
"Alan, are you alright?"
Anxious shouts came from beside her. Alan turned her head to see that Chipawa hadn’t moved, still pushing against that huge rock, with only a small half of his face visible.
"Chipawa, what are you doing?"
Alan blinked curiously.
"I am... throwing rocks..."
Chipawa hesitated before answering.
"Good! The Otomi have climbed up! Archery is too dangerous, I’ll come and throw stones with you!"
Arin moved swiftly, scrambling to the boulders. She squinted towards the direction of the Otomi Warriors, then unhesitatingly pushed the huge rock down with force!
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"...Arin!"
"Bang!!... Bang bang!"
The dull thuds rose from beneath the fortification walls, accompanied by the muffled sounds of bones shattering. Then, the impact sounds continued unabated, along with the warriors’ cries of alarm. The boulder rolled down the rugged steep slope, gathering speed and bringing an unstoppable force, charging straight towards the supervising Jiowar.
"Damn it!"
Jiowar, covered in arrows, stood defiantly. However, as the boulder approached, he could no longer hold himself together. The Coyote Prince roared and flung himself to the side.
"Bang!!"
The boulder struck down a Longbow trusted aide, emitting a grating crash, and finally smashed into the gentle mountain trail, burying deeply into the soil. The trusted aide spat blood from his mouth, his chest caved in, clearly beyond saving.
Jiowar climbed up from the ground, fearfully. Then, in a fit of rage, he waved his War Club and pointed towards the fortification where the boulder had fallen.
"Longbow trusted aides, fire at will! ..."
"Ah, ah!"
Rain of arrows crisscrossed, taking the lives of archers. Boulders rolled down, crushing the bodies of warriors. And the dying moans echoed continuously through the mountains, as the fighting grew ever more brutal.
On the steep slopes, one or two li wide, the Ottopan Warriors paid a heavy price but finally made their way to the fortification walls. With bloodshot eyes, they swung their weapons and engaged in combat with the thousands of Canine Warriors defending!
"Kill!"
A few warriors climbed over the low wall near the mountainside, backs against each other, fighting fiercely with the defending tribe’s warriors. Although it was a remote location, Prince Jiowar had specifically ordered an attack here; indeed, the defenders were not many.
A fierce warrior swung his War Club, slashing down three Canine Descendants in succession. Then, a sneak-attack with a Stone Spear came from behind, blocked by the shield of a comrade. The fierce warrior slightly tilted his head, swept his War Club horizontally, and knocked down the attacking warrior.
"Puchi!"
The comrade behind stepped forward and thrust out a Copper Spear, stabbing into the downed enemy. As he pulled out the Copper Spear, a large gush of fresh blood splattered.
Blood splattered on Chipawa’s face, gripping his Long Spear, his whole body shook. He faltered in his steps, unconsciously retreating. This display of fear caught the eye of the warrior, triggering their utmost intent to kill. The fierce warrior sneered, then advanced in large strides with his War Club swinging.
"Kill!"
The ferocious War Club slashed through the air, bringing a sharp whoosh but missed. The fierce warrior raised his eyebrows as the young Canine Descendant stumbled, actually scared to the point of suddenly sitting on the ground, making him miss his strike. But it didn’t matter anymore; the seated enemy simply closed his eyes, waiting for death.
The warrior cruelly smirked and turned the direction of his War Club. He aimed at the enemy’s neck, ready to strike down.
"Whoosh!"
A precisely aimed Feathered Arrow struck, deeply embedding into his neck. The fierce warrior gasped twice, then lost all strength, similarly collapsing to the ground. Chipawa faced the warrior, and then suddenly burst out screaming.
"Ah! Ah!"
The young Militia grabbed the Long Spear and desperately stabbed the dead warrior. The Canine Warriors behind him immediately backed him up, engaging with the remaining warriors. Arin watched Chipawa for a moment, shook her head, but said nothing. She once again lifted the Hunting Bow, aiming at the nearby enemy.