"Counterattack, load scorching bullets in all batteries! Mortars ready! Fire!"
Smoke billowed as the bloodstained middle-aged Army commander of the Hilus Empire shouted hoarsely while slashing his command saber downward.
Bang! Bang! Bang!...
Orange-red flashes from the artillery flared.
The air vibrated, and solid cannonballs like a swarm of locusts splashed huge swells around the distant steel battleship.
But even though the impact of the cannonballs was overwhelming in number, only a few struck the opponent's hull, akin to a mosquito bite.
Once the enemy ship slightly retreated, it was completely out of the battery's range.
Only a few post-loading rifled cannons imported from the Tulips could still threaten the opponent.
The plan was to dispatch sailing battleships to drive them away, but... there was no wind now!
The shore defense garrison, covered in dirt and ash, seemed to hear the distant laughter from the ship aboard, each face darkened.
