Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1155

1155. Who Pays the Price? Your Share (7)

After some time, the intensity of the fighting gradually decreased.

“We should thank Saint Horge….”

As the pressure from the enemy lessened, the commander, realizing that his soldiers could move more safely, made a quick sign of the cross and muttered a prayer.

* * *

The ‘Saint Horge’ he mentioned is more commonly known as ‘Saint George’ in other regions.

He’s the patron saint of soldiers and knights, as well as many other professions and causes, and is considered a ‘Great Saint’ in the Orthodox Church. Because of this, most soldiers, from knights to privates, regulars to mercenaries, carried a small ornament symbolizing the saint—a red cross on a white background.

Artillerymen, on the other hand, often venerate ‘Saint Barbara’ as their patron saint. Many of the artillerymen in this battle carried small palm branches, broken off and attached to their cannons.

* * *

As the sun began to set, the fierce battle gradually subsided.

The earth-shaking cannon fire and gunshots died down, and soldiers bearing white flags carried the wounded and dead on stretchers to the rear. While the surviving soldiers on the front lines rested, grateful to have made it through the day, Marquis Alba and his commanders gathered in the rear headquarters tent for a meeting.

“It took us a whole day to advance just 200 yards.”

“I am sorry, Your Excellency.”

At Marquis Alba’s complaint, the commanders lowered their heads and repeatedly apologized.

Marquis Alba waved his hand dismissively.

“It’s not your fault. You’ve all experienced what the Empire’s bastards are like around Gibraltar, haven’t you? It would have been stranger if it had gone smoothly.”

The commanders acknowledged Marquis Alba’s words in silence.

Most of the commanders gathered here had fought the Imperial Army around Gibraltar. They knew all too well how cunning and tenacious the Imperials could be.

The senior staff officer next to Marquis Alba added, “Using a large number of cannons like the Empire did was effective. Of course, there were shortcomings, but I think we can improve our methods.”

The commanders all nodded in agreement.

While the Spanish and French allied artillery bombarded the Imperial positions, the enemy resistance was relatively weak. However, as soon as the bombardment stopped, the Imperial Army’s resistance stiffened, and the casualties among the Spanish soldiers climbing the ridge increased rapidly.

After that, as the artillery units on both sides fiercely exchanged counter-battery fire, the Spanish soldiers managed to secure only a precarious foothold on the ridge.

“However, the real problem is what the French call ‘airplanes.’ The things that caused the most damage to our artillery weren’t the Empire’s cannons, but these flying machines.”

Marquis Alba, who had personally experienced the attacks of the kestrels and albatrosses [early warplane models], shuddered involuntarily at the memory.

He wasn’t alone.

The staff officers and artillery commanders who had been nearby at the time also looked grim.

“The problem is that these things are sure to keep bothering us, and it’s not easy to stop them.”

‘It’s not just difficult, it’s almost impossible…’

The commanders’ expressions turned even grimmer at Marquis Alba’s words.

Through today’s battle, they had once again realized the importance of cannons, especially ‘a lot’ of cannons. The problem was that when the artillery suffered losses, it took a lot of time and money to rebuild the unit. It was completely different from the infantry, where you could just grab any able-bodied man, hand him a gun, and send him into battle.

Today’s air raid had created a rather large hole in their artillery strength.

“I think we should start by reorganizing the artillery formation,” one of the artillery commanders suggested after a moment of thought.

“First, instead of arranging the cannons in a straight line, they should be positioned irregularly.”

This would minimize the damage from the Empire’s ‘airplane’ attacks.

“The cannons should be spaced further apart, and the area around each cannon should be surrounded by sandbags to protect the cannons and artillerymen.”

“The cannons, shells, and gunpowder should be stored further apart. In addition, the places where shells and gunpowder are stored should also be surrounded by sandbags.”

“…This will reduce the rate of fire, but it will greatly reduce the damage. In particular, it will definitely reduce the risk of chain explosions.”

“That sounds plausible. Let’s do that.”

Marquis Alba listened to the artillery commanders’ suggestions and immediately accepted them.

“Still, that’s not enough to counter those airplanes. Stopping them and minimizing damage are two different issues. We need a way to stop those airplanes altogether.”

At Marquis Alba’s statement, the commanders offered the following measures.

“First, deploy a large number of fire wagons [wagons filled with flammable materials].”

“Considering the battle today, it won’t be easy to stop airplanes with fire wagons. However, even if we can’t stop them, we can at least interfere with their attacks.”

As the Spanish artillery officer finished speaking, a French officer added, “I think fire wagons are only a temporary solution. I believe airplanes should be countered with airplanes.”

“With airplanes?”

After briefly expressing his doubt, Marquis Alba nodded.

“France has developed airplanes, right? We should request their support. Are there any other good ideas?”

At Marquis Alba’s words, various ideas were suggested, but they were all similar.

In the end, the meeting concluded with the adoption of methods to adjust the positioning of the cannons and build thicker protective walls.

“Until the artillery is ready, the ridge attack will be put on hold. Continuing it now would be a meaningless loss. Instead, strengthen the bridgehead as much as possible.”

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

The commanders, responding loudly to the Marquis’s order, bowed politely and left the tent. As they left, some whispered to their colleagues.

“It seems the nickname ‘Grammar Teacher’ was wrongly given, don’t you think?”

“I agree.”

Marquis Alba’s nickname was ‘Grammar Teacher’ because he was considered overly conservative and meticulous.

However, Marquis Alba’s behavior today didn’t fit that image.

His emphasis on courage might seem conservative, but in other respects, he was making very rational decisions. In particular, the decision to ‘put the ridge attack on hold until the artillery is ready’ was unexpected.

Thanks to this, the faces of the commanders leaving the tent, especially the Spanish commanders, were quite bright.

* * *

After all the commanders had left, the senior staff officer asked Marquis Alba.

“Will France send airplanes?”

“They will. They’re the ones who planned and started this war. If they started it, they have to take responsibility, don’t they?”

“That’s true, but….”

“Tell Fernando in Valladolid to handle the diplomacy and politics.”

“Your Excellency….”

The horrified staff officer tried to warn him, but Marquis Alba, with an indifferent expression, unfolded a blank sheet of paper.

“Let’s see…. ‘To His Majesty Fernando II, Regent of the United Kingdom and King of Aragon’….”

With a cynical expression, Marquis Alba began to write a letter to Fernando II, filling it with splendid titles and modifiers.

* * *

Marquis Alba’s request for ‘airplanes’ was immediately forwarded to Paris.

“Airplanes….”

Charles VIII, after confirming the request, looked back at Louis XII and François I.

At the unspoken question, François I immediately answered, “The navy, as well as the army artillery, have been severely damaged by the Empire’s airplanes.”

“I’ve already confirmed the navy’s report, but the army was also damaged?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Hmm….”

After pondering for a moment, Charles VIII asked Louis XII, “Do you think sending airplanes is a good decision?”

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea. Considering the battle between Bigu and Lorraine in the past, airplanes are the best counter to airplanes.”

“I’m a little uneasy about sending airplanes to Spain.”

“That’s true.”

While Charles VIII, Louis XII, and François I were pondering, the outside of the truce room became noisy.

“What’s going on?”

At Charles VIII’s question, the attendant who had checked the situation outside returned and reported, “Count Montfort is requesting an audience.”

“Montfort…….”

As soon as they heard the name ‘Montfort,’ the faces of the three men fell. [Count Montfort is known to be eccentric and obsessed with airplanes.]

Count Montfort was the commander of the French airplane unit. However, he was more famous for his nicknames ‘the craziest man in France’ and ‘visionary’.

“From now on, it’s the era of ‘aviation’!”

Count Montfort was the one who had grandiosely proclaimed the coming of ‘aviation’ while being the commander of a unit with just over 40 airplanes.

“Hoo~.”

Charles VIII, letting out a long sigh, ordered the attendant, “Let him in.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Count Montfort, who entered the truce room, bowed politely.

“Welcome, Count. So, what brings you to see me?”

At Charles VIII’s question, Count Montfort replied with an excited expression, “I heard that the Empire used its air force in Gibraltar to inflict great damage on our allies. Your Majesty! The French Air Force is ready to go at any time!”

“Air Force….”

At Count Montfort’s words, Charles VIII, Louis XII, and François I unconsciously put their hands to their foreheads. However, Count Montfort’s passionate speech continued.

“Your Majesty! Only airplanes can deal with airplanes! Please allow the French Air Force to deploy!”

“However, the number of airplanes we currently have in France is not large.”

“Your Majesty! The Air Force’s airplanes are weapons, not decorations! And we need to experience actual combat to know what is lacking!”

Louis XII interjected at Count Montfort’s protest, “Sending airplanes to Spain is politically unstable.”

In response, Count Montfort replied firmly, “Cesar of Rome said, ‘The die is cast!’ Isn’t the same true for France! Is there anything more to argue about when a war has broken out with the Empire?”

At Count Montfort’s point, Charles VIII and the others looked pained.

It was their plan, and it was the war they had started. However, with the sluggish war situation, the three men began to feel as if the war was someone else’s problem. However, the Empire had conveyed its intention to fight to the end through Duke d’Iche. The possibility of ‘negotiation’ that they had initially expected was nowhere in sight.

As Count Montfort said, they had to admit the reality that ‘the die had already been cast.’

In the end, Charles VIII had to make a decision.

“I order you, Count. Immediately organize an air squadron to send to Spain.”

“I obey!”