Published: January 12, 2026
With pathetic screams, the bandits fell one after another into the moat.
The villagers were about to step back at the sight of the fierce armored lizards chasing from behind, but they couldn’t retreat because of the ballista set on the ground. Well, since there were shields in front of the ballista, they probably didn’t want to leave the ballista either.
It was a good plan that even amateurs could stand on the battlefield.
While I was thinking about the usefulness of the ballista, the threat was closing in right before my eyes.
“Ah!”
The bandit at the rear fell and screamed.
An armored lizard bit the leg of one of the bandits who had fallen just before the moat and shook it lightly.
Another armored lizard bit the upper body of the bandit, who was swung around like a child’s doll, and pulled him.
The leg was torn off, and blood splattered.
“Ah, ugh.”
With unbearable screams, two armored lizards devoured the bandit’s body.
The villagers’ fear reached its peak. The bandits in the moat who witnessed the tragedy above their heads probably felt the same.
I took a breath and shouted loudly.
“Ready!”
At my shout, the villagers moved reflexively and aimed the ballista.
There were about forty eight-meter-long lizards in front of us. Missing would be harder.
I raised the corner of my mouth and gave the command.
“Fire!”
As I shouted, I aimed at the face of an armored lizard one layer deeper and pulled the trigger.
A sharp sound tore through the wind, and the iron arrow released from the ballista flew at a terrifying speed.
The iron arrow flew as if drawn into the armored lizard’s forehead, which had slightly lifted its head, disappearing without being deflected.
Yes, it disappeared. Thinking I must have been mistaken, I couldn’t help but peek out from beside the shield and check again.
The armored lizard only had a black dot on its forehead. But it fell sideways immediately afterward. Then, the armored lizard right behind it screamed and twisted its body.
The iron arrow was stuck in the front leg of the armored lizard groaning in agony.
Did it miss the arrow?
I thought so, but the armored lizard lying sideways showed no sign of standing up, its limbs convulsing.
The other armored lizard pulled out the arrow stuck in its leg by lifting its foot.
In other words, the arrow had pierced through the hard front leg and stuck in the ground, finally stopping.
Looking to the left and right, every villager was astonished.
Yes, with about fifteen simultaneous volleys from the ballistae just now, the armored lizards in the front were dropping one after another.
Many aimed at the same armored lizards, so it wasn’t the greatest battle achievements. Still, it was an unexpected event.
“How was it?”
Lord Van’s slightly impatient voice echoed, and I turned around.
“Lord Van! You’ve created something incredible!”
“Which meaning is that?”
“Of course, the good meaning! That volley just took down ten armored lizards!”
At my words, after a moment’s pause, cheers erupted throughout the village.
“That said, there’s only one iron arrow left each! Please fetch iron arrows from other ballistae!”
As I shouted this, some villagers hurriedly ran off to gather arrows.
“If you have time, try the wooden arrows too! They’re light but as hard and sharp as iron!”
Wooden but as hard as iron?
I thought so, but if Lord Van cared, then we must try it.
“Everyone else, quickly prepare iron arrows and get ready to fire!”
I gave orders while turning around, nocked a wooden arrow, drew the string, and got ready.
It seemed to need less strength than I expected, and everyone had mostly prepared.
“Ready!”
When I shouted, everyone smoothly got into position.
Good. Just one attack gave everyone confidence. Confidence makes the mind positive and boosts action.
Therefore, the second volley was more accurate, and the time from command to shooting was faster.
“Fire!”
Right after the command, including my arrow, the watchers in the watchtower and those at the corners of the defenses joined, and a total of twenty-five arrows were shot simultaneously.