Chapter 139: The Duel (Part 2)

Wu Qingsong couldn’t help but shake his head in disbelief.

The terriermen’s approach was undeniably chaotic and lacked any strategy, but Angus’s tactics also had significant shortcomings.

For starters, it was somewhat rigid to opt for long hammers over spears, given the circumstances. While they might have been more adept with the combination of short hammers and two-handed shields, the effectiveness of long hammers was significantly reduced against armored opponents, with their flexibility turning into a major liability. Had they switched to long spears, those four terriermen could have been disqualified right from the outset.

They roared loudly as they clashed with the houndmen. If it weren’t for the terriermen’s lack of command and coordination, a flank from both sides at that moment could have compromised the shield wall.

However, it was ultimately ten against four behind the shield wall, a team that had honed their coordination for over half a year. After two houndmen were deemed incapable of continuing, all four terriermen were also judged as such and, under the pigmen warriors’ insistence, reluctantly withdrew from the battlefield.

The tide of battle quickly shifted.

The terriermen, attempting a frontal assault, couldn’t penetrate the shield wall’s staunch defense. The fight was so closely contested that there were instances of accidental hits leading to disqualification. When they finally began shifting to the sides, preparing to encircle the enemy, the shield wall unexpectedly opened up. The long hammer bearers charged forward with a roar, taking them by surprise. Three were declared incapacitated, one of whom was genuinely knocked unconscious by a wooden hammer.

Their plan to encircle from the sides was disrupted, and as they prepared to counterattack, the shield formation seamlessly resumed its original structure.

The terriermen found themselves at a disadvantage from the beginning, with their strongest warriors quickly removed from play. Their frontal assaults failed to breach the defenses, and any attempt to divide their forces was immediately met with a frontal charge from the houndmen, pushing the terriermen firmly onto the back foot. 

After a second successful frontal breach by the houndmen, the numbers dwindled to sixteen against ten. At this point, the two-handed shield bearers initiated an offensive, knocking two terriermen down and encircling the remaining eight.

The situation was difficult to reverse, yet the terriermen on the field refused to admit defeat, fighting valiantly until the very end. When the last terrierman was encircled by six large shields, rendered unable to wield his weapon, Wu Qingsong finally announced the end of the competition.

Thunderous applause and cheers erupted immediately. The hound soldiers and their families, as one of the largest contingents present, naturally reveled in their triumph.

“The houndmen team wins!” Wu Qingsong declared, awarding them with beer and a pouch of money, which elicited even louder cheers from the houndpeople.

The terriermen, however, showed faces of discontent, gathering in a huddle with grim expressions, whether fuming at their own performance or resenting the others was unclear.

“Reflect on today’s lessons and train diligently. We’ll have a second match in five days,” Wu Qingsong stated.

The terriermen’s eyes sparkled with determination, quietly growling, clearly set on avenging their previous loss.

The houndmen hesitated for a moment but soon joined in with their roars, convinced that no significant change could happen within five days, and that victory would still belong to them.

***

“Three knocked out on the spot, two with fractures, three needing bed rest, and most suffering from various degrees of minor injuries,” Ram sighed. “Is it really wise to proceed like this?”

“Better to be injured now than on the battlefield,” Wu Qingsong responded nonchalantly. “Losing to ourselves only results in injury, but losing to the enemy could mean death.”

He viewed such an exhilarating contest as having more benefits than drawbacks. In the absence of war, such hands-on training could more effectively highlight their weaknesses. Moreover, the rivalry between them could provide ample motivation for reflection, effort, and the pursuit of victory.

With everyone eagerly waiting, the second duel quickly approached, and this time, even the deerkin left their tasks to watch and cheer. The rules were the same, but the protection was slightly improved with padded clothing, adding minimal weight but sufficient to prevent unforeseen injuries.

This time, Angus finally made the switch from long hammer wielders to long spear bearers, increasing their number from six to eight, but reducing the two-handed shield bearers by two. The terriermen, on the other hand, adjusted their strategy as well. Their build meant they couldn’t wield two-handed large shields as freely, but they added several long hammer wielders and two-handed swordsmen this time, apparently planning a different tactic.

Wu Qingsong was intrigued by these changes. His knowledge of battle formations was basic, and if such duels could help discover the optimal formation combinations, then the exercises would indeed be valuable.

The competition commenced without delay, with the houndmen holding their position for defense, and the terriermen adopting an offensive stance.

This time, however, they approached more cautiously, not expecting to overwhelm their opponents in a single charge. Instead, they split their forces into three groups, long hammer wielders and two-handed swordsmen targeted the shield bearers, while each flank, led by a strong warrior, attempted to outflank the enemy.

Angus seemed to have anticipated their strategy.

As the opposing forces approached their formation, he let out a roar, and the formation adeptly shifted. The shield bearers’ formation tightened further, especially on the left, engaging the terrierkin’s right flank. Meanwhile, the long spear bearers and short hammer wielders quickly moved to overwhelmingly counter-flank from the right, catching the terriermen off guard.

“Did you give them this idea?” Wu Qingsong couldn’t help asking Harold.

The elder wolfman simply watched the ongoing battle, offering no nod or shake of the head in response.

The terriermen hesitated momentarily, but in just that brief moment, their left flank was decimated by the long spear bearers’ charge, barely managing to take three of the hound short hammer bearers off the battlefield with them. The middle reinforcements soon began to fall rapidly, overwhelmed by the spear formation and hindered by the two-handed shield bearers.

They fought valiantly, to be sure. In a one-on-one fight, a terrier swordsman could easily overpower a hound spear bearer. 

However, against a spear formation supported by two-handed shield bearers on each side, they found themselves unable to close the distance or penetrate the defense, vainly struggling in the fray until they were overpowered one by one.

Ultimately, the terriermen suffered an even more devastating defeat than in the first time.

“This isn’t fair!” the terriermen finally protested. “This is nothing like actual combat!”

“Of course, it isn’t fair,” Wu Qingsong agreed. “In actual combat, the first action would be a barrage of crossbow bolts, followed by incendiary bottles. How many of you could even reach the front lines? Personal bravery is useful, but within an army, discipline, equipment, and the ability to execute tactics are most important. You are valiant warriors and a crucial component of the Thirteenth Mercenary Group. However, I hope you realize that in this place, discipline and obedience are the most treasured qualities. While some of you may be stronger than the houndmen, these two duels should have made it clear that the combat prowess you pride yourselves on is useless against a well-organized formation.”

The heads of the terriermen finally bowed.

“If there is no extraordinary power, an organized army will always triumph over a disorganized one under equal conditions. A highly organized army will always crush a less organized one. An army lacking discipline, that fails to execute tactics strictly, will crumble in the face of a well-formed formation. I want everyone to remember this,” he addressed all present. 

“Terriermen will be distributed among various squads as sword and shield bearers or short hammer wielders. Going forward, our duels will be held monthly, with squads drawn randomly to compete. The winning squad will earn leave and extra bonuses, while the losing squad will handle cleaning the barracks and latrines. However, today is an exception. All warriors who participated in the competition will receive an additional reward. You have all shown great bravery, and I am proud to count you as my subordinates. Let’s host a feast to celebrate this competition. Tonight, let us dissolve any past grievances with wine. Let’s drink until we can no more! After today, anyone who harbors resentment or disobeys discipline is out. In the Thirteenth Mercenary Group, there’s no room for those who hold petty grudges or are lazy. Do you understand?”

A wave of solemnity passed over the crowd.

“Now then, let’s go drink!”

“Long live!” 

Everyone erupted in cheers.