The day of departure arrived, and the Tatsuo Battalion, now a well-oiled war machine, marched towards Stonebridge Town. After three days of travel, they reached a position overlooking the town, hidden within the surrounding woodlands. Tatsuo, his eyes fixed on the town's defenses, issued his orders.
"We will attack immediately," he declared, his voice cutting through the morning air. "No warnings, no negotiations. We will take this town by force."
He turned to Senior Major Rota. "Rota, your company will take the bridge. Unleash your full power. Break through the gate and secure the crossing. Do not hesitate."
Rota, his expression grim, nodded. "As you command, Your Highness."
"Ragnar, Theron," Tatsuo continued, addressing 1st Class Major Ragnar and Junior Major Theron, "once Rota's company breaches the gate, your companies will storm the town. Ragnar, your Stonefist Company will crush any resistance in the streets. Theron, your Stalwart Company will secure key locations and establish a perimeter."
"Anya," Tatsuo said, turning to Senior Major Anya, "your Hawkseye Company will provide covering fire. Target the archers on the walls, and any defenders who attempt to reinforce the bridge. Ensure our forces have clear passage."
"Reeldos," Tatsuo concluded, "your Swiftwing Company will scout the surrounding area, ensuring no reinforcements arrive. Prepare for first aid and establish a triage point outside the town."
The attack commenced with brutal efficiency. Rota's elite Tatsuo Company, empowered by their enhanced training and the new firearms, charged towards the bridge. The hand cannons roared, their projectiles shattering the gate's wooden barriers. The guards, caught completely off guard, were cut down before they could react.
Ragnar and Theron's companies stormed through the breach, their soldiers a whirlwind of steel and fury. The Stonefist Company, armed with hammers, axes, and clubs, smashed through any resistance, their blows shattering shields and crushing bones. The Stalwart Company, with their swords and shields, formed a disciplined line, pushing through the streets and securing key points.
Anya's archers and crossbowmen rained down arrows and bolts, silencing the defenders on the walls. The hand cannons, now in the hands of the Range Platoon, added to the devastating barrage, picking off defenders with deadly accuracy.
Reeldos' scouts patrolled the perimeter, ensuring no Blackthorn reinforcements approached. The medical teams, stationed just outside the town, prepared to treat the wounded.
The attack was swift and merciless. Any defender who raised a weapon was cut down without hesitation. The townspeople, caught in the chaos, fled in terror, seeking shelter from the onslaught. By midday, Stonebridge Town was firmly under Tatsuo's control.
The mayor, Borin Fellwood, was quickly apprehended, his protests muffled as he was dragged away. Baron Elmsworth, however, chose a different path. He, a man of pride despite his limited martial skill, attempted to rally his remaining guards. But his efforts were futile against the might of Ragnar's Stonefist Company. With a thunderous roar, Ragnar brought his battle axe down, cleaving the baron in two.
Tatsuo then ordered the capture of the Baron's family, who were found hiding in the manor.
Baron Elmsworth's Family:
* Lady Elara Elmsworth:
* Age: 38
* Appearance: A woman of refined features, though now etched with fear and grief. She has long, dark hair and pale skin. Her eyes, usually sharp and calculating, were now filled with terror.
* Details: Known for her shrewd management of the barony's finances and her influence over her husband.
* Sir Kael Elmsworth:
* Age: 19
* Appearance: The baron's eldest son, a young man of average build with light brown hair and a determined expression. He had a small sword, indicating that he had some training.
* Details: Eager to prove himself, but lacked real combat experience.
* Lyra Elmsworth:
* Age: 16
* Appearance: The baron's daughter, a young woman with bright, intelligent eyes and auburn hair. She was slim, and appeared to be very scared.
* Details: Known for her intelligence and interest in scholarly pursuits.
* Infant Elmsworth:
* Age: 1 year.
* Details: The Barons youngest child.
The news of the mayor's capture and the baron's brutal demise spread quickly through the town's defenders. Seeing their leaders gone, the remaining militia and garrison soldiers lost all morale and surrendered to Tatsuo's forces.
Tatsuo, now in control of Stonebridge Town, issued his commands. "Majors," he began, his voice authoritative, "we must secure this town and restore order. I want a thorough accounting of everything."
"First," he ordered, "appease the townspeople. Assure them that they will not be harmed if they cooperate. Offer assistance to those who have suffered losses. We are here to bring order, not chaos."
"Second," he continued, "I want a detailed report on casualties: our side and theirs. Account for every soldier lost and every civilian casualty. We must understand the cost of this victory."
"Third," he said, "account for all loot taken from the mayor's residence and the baron's estate. Gold, valuables, supplies – everything. We need a precise inventory."
"Fourth," he concluded, "compile a list of all prisoners of war. Their names, ranks, and any relevant information. I want to know who we have captured."
"Present these reports to me as soon as possible," Tatsuo said. He needed to assess the situation and plan his next move.
The reports arrived on Tatsuo's desk, a stack of meticulously compiled parchments. He reviewed them with a critical eye, expecting the grim tally of war. However, as he read, a sense of astonishment washed over him. The reports were almost unbelievable.
"No casualties?" he murmured, his eyes scanning the detailed lists. "Not a single soldier lost?"
The swiftness and ferocity of the attack, combined with the superior training and weaponry of his forces, had resulted in a bloodless victory for the Tatsuo Battalion. The defenders, overwhelmed and demoralized, had offered little resistance.
He moved on to the inventory of the looted goods. The mayor's residence, though modest, had yielded a collection of valuable trade goods, fine silks, and a small chest of gold coins, estimated to be worth around 500 gold pieces. The Baron's estate, as expected, was far more opulent.
"The Baron's belongings..." Tatsuo read, his eyes widening. "Jewelry, fine art, rare wines... estimated value of 10,000 gold pieces?"
The sheer wealth of the Blackthorn nobility was staggering. He also noted the captured weaponry: a collection of well-crafted swords, bows, and armor, enough to equip a small company. The value of these weapons was estimated to be 2,000 gold pieces.
The prisoner of war list was extensive, numbering nearly 300, mostly town militia and garrison soldiers. Tatsuo knew that he would need to find a way to integrate them into his forces or release them, depending on their loyalty and skills.
He then turned his attention to the Baron's family. He could have imprisoned them, treated them as hostages, or even executed them. But Tatsuo, despite the brutal nature of the attack, was not without compassion. He understood the importance of maintaining a semblance of order and respect for the defeated.
"They are nobles," he thought, "and they deserve a degree of dignity, even in defeat."
He ordered that the Baron's family be placed under house arrest within their own manor. They were to be treated with respect, provided with comfortable accommodations, and allowed to retain their personal belongings. He instructed his soldiers to ensure their safety and well-being.
"Lady Elara, Sir Kael, Lyra, and the infant," he said to his guards, "they are to be treated as guests, not prisoners. Ensure they have everything they need. But they are not to leave the manor without my express permission."
He understood that this act of kindness could be seen as a sign of weakness. But Tatsuo believed that it was a strategic move. By treating the Baron's family well, he could potentially gain their cooperation and influence the townspeople. He also hoped that it would send a message to the Blackthorn Duchy: that the Tatsuo Battalion was a force of order and justice, not mindless destruction.
He began to formulate his next move. He needed to secure Stonebridge Town, establish a stable administration, and prepare for the inevitable counterattack from the Blackthorn forces. He also needed to decide what to do with the captured soldiers and the Baron's family. He knew that the coming days would be crucial.