Empire Ascension: The Rise of the Fated One-Chapter 247: Battle of Ladakh part -5

As the Ladakhi soldiers retreated, Captain Ayush seized the opportunity to descend with his force of 120 men. They brought along their five Falcon cannons, leaving behind their rockets and other supplies, fully prepared for an offensive strike. However, unbeknownst to Ayush, the group now numbered 119, as a veteran sergeant had discreetly sent one soldier to report to the higher-ups.

Midway to their target stockade, the group halted at a distance of 700 meters.

"All units, halt!" Captain Ayush commanded, raising his hand.

He took a moment to survey the terrain. Moving upward and out of the safety of their elevated position, they were now exposed to the enemy. The hill they descended from had previously offered a natural defensive advantage, but the new terrain was far less forgiving.

The opposing hill was steep, its rocky surface and scattered dust offering limited cover. While blending into the environment was possible from long-range vantage points, the open expanse between the two positions left them vulnerable to a countercharge. Had the enemy not been in disarray, there was still a significant risk of being spotted by their scouts.

However, Ayush was confident this was the perfect moment to strike. The enemy garrison was preoccupied with tending to their wounded and regrouping, making it unlikely they would notice the advancing force.

The risk was undeniable. If retreat became necessary, they would have to descend another 400 meters, cross the valley, and climb back to their original position—an exhausting endeavor that would also mean abandoning the cannons. But if they could storm the stockade and breach its defenses, the reward would outweigh the gamble.

Ayush turned to his men, his voice firm and resolute. "Take positions. Cannons, focus on the fort gate—that wooden wall. I want it blown to pieces!"

The cannoneers adjusted their aim, recalibrating the heavy artillery toward the fort gate. Soldiers shifted their positions, lining up behind the cannons in preparation for the assault. Meanwhile, the logistics team readied the ammunition crates for the bombardment.

The cannon muzzles were meticulously cleaned, loaded, and aimed at their target. The men stood poised, their nerves steeled for the impending strike.

Vantage point, Imperial mercenary outpost

Bheem brimmed with joy as he watched the carnage unfold below. Positioned at a nearby outpost, he had witnessed the enemy Ladakhi soldiers attempt an assault—only to be ruthlessly beaten back and blown to pieces. More than half of them had retreated, dragging their wounded as their morale crumbled.

King Dravya, however, was more shocked than elated. The sheer power of the grapeshot had been the most eye-catching display, utterly shattering the enemy’s resolve. He had a big "O" plastered on his face as he watched the spectacle and was only able to return to normal as his counterpart, Vice General Bheem’s words rang in his ears.

"Your Majesty, I hope the fight is to your satisfaction."

"Hahaha!" King Dravya let out a hearty laugh. "No wonder the prince was so confident with these weapons at his disposal. The battle is already ours!"

Bheem smirked. "Just the surface of what we have in store. There’s more to come."

King Dravya, still mulling over the aftermath, asked, "Then what are we waiting for? Why not send in our full force?"

Bheem shook his head. "We don’t know the full strength of the enemy yet. Besides, we are far stronger in defense than offense. My plan is to bombard their base with rockets rather than launch a direct assault. This will force them to send more soldiers toward our well-defended position, effectively halving their numbers and breaking their morale before we face them with full and for final. That way, we secure victory with minimal losses."

King Dravya nodded in understanding. Just then, smoke rose from the enemy lines to the north west of their position.

A smile appeared on both their faces as King Dravya remarked, "It seems our allies have begun their assault. It’s the perfect time to strike."

Bheem nodded. "I will.. "

Before he could finish, a soldier rushed toward them, his voice urgent.

The messenger saluted sharply and announced, "26th Battalion, Company 4, Platoon 2—Commissioned Sepoy Mankhar Singh, reporting, Sir! I have an urgent message."

Bheem gave a curt nod, prompting the soldier to continue.

"General, our captain has defied central command’s orders and descended to chase the retreating enemy. He plans to take the first fort garrison by himself. By order of my sergeant, I was sent to report this and request reinforcements if possible."

Bheem’s expression darkened as he clenched his fist. "That fool! He dared to disobey orders?" His outburst made the atmosphere tense, but he quickly took a deep breath to steady himself. "Which outpost?"

"The third from the left, General."

Currently they were at the central outpost. Bheem turned his gaze toward the left side of the mountain range, scanning the terrain before shifting his focus to the enemy fort garrison . It was nothing more than a wooden fortification sheltering Ladakhi soldiers, but its elevated position gave it a defensive advantage.

After a moment of calculation, he issued his command. "Take a horse and return to your captain’s position, but maintain a safe distance. Scout the situation personally and report back to me. If they remain unscathed, pass my orders for them to retreat immediately and meet me upon their return."

The sepoy’s face fell; he had expected reinforcements, not a scouting mission. But orders were orders. Nodding reluctantly, he turned to leave when Bheem added, "Send Colonel Manish on your way back."

A glimmer of hope flickered across the soldier’s face before he hastily mounted his horse and rode off.

Once the sepoy departed, King Dravya stepped closer. "What now? Are you going to change the plan?"

Bheem replied sharply, "No, we will proceed as planned. I am preparing to secure the cannons or, if necessary, destroy it from afar. That lousy captain has brought this upon himself. Apart from my best wishes, I cannot grant him much."

With that, he turned his gaze back to the stockade, his mind churning through contingency plans should things spiral out of control.

First garrision Fort, rooftop

Field Commander Gyatso Wangdu watched in horror as the battered remnants of his soldiers stumbled into the courtyard, leaning on their comrades for support. Blood oozed from open wounds, shattered armor barely clung to their bodies, and some had even lost limbs—torn apart by the relentless bombardment.

It was a scene of ruthless devastation. A heavy gloom hung over the camp as murmurs of despair spread among the survivors. The once-proud soldiers now whispered in hushed, broken voices, their will to fight crumbling.

"I don’t want to go back... My hand was torn apart by the shockwave. I was completely helpless," a soldier moaned, his severed arm wrapped in a blood-soaked cloth as he leaned against a comrade.

His companion, supporting him, sighed. "I wonder if the commander will let us hold the fort. Out in the open, we don’t stand a chance."

First, it had been the unknown weapons—deadly projectiles that flew from unseen distances, tearing through their ranks before they could even react. Now, morale had sunk to its lowest. The men knew another bombardment was inevitable. Only the forts had managed to withstand the assault—sturdy wooden walls less vulnerable to the deadly rockets and explosives. Though fire remained a threat, preparations were underway to douse the flames with water and dust.

There were four such garrisons forming the first line of defense, built to face the enemy from the west. But the sudden assault from the south had caught them completely off guard. Still, the soldiers scrambled to fortify their position, assembling inside the fort in large numbers—men who had previously been patrolling the valley pass. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Just then, a soldier came sprinting toward Commander Wangdu, panting heavily. His urgent arrival only deepened Wangdu’s growing unease.

"Any urgent news?" he asked, his voice tense with foreboding.

"The imperial soldiers have begun their onslaught in the west! Commander Lobsang is requesting reinforcements!" the messenger reported.

Before Wangdu could respond, the ground trembled beneath them, followed by thunderous blasts. Smoke and fire erupted as gaping holes tore through the wooden walls. Soldiers rushed to contain the damage, but Wangdu’s eyes were fixed on the distant battlefield. Through the thick smoke, he spotted enemy soldiers reloading their cannons—aimed directly at his fort.

It was the worst possible moment for such an attack. But then, an idea struck him. His eyes flicked back to the battlefield. The enemy artillery crew was small—barely a hundred men.

Turning sharply to the messenger, he asked, "How many horses do we have?"

"Almost two hundred, Commander!" the soldier replied.

Wangdu’s expression hardened. "Gather the able-bodied men. We’re launching a counterattack. We’ll rush their position and seize their cannons. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—it may be our only chance to retaliate!"

The soldier nodded, hastening to carry out the order.

Wangdu’s grip on his sword tightened as he turned back to the battlefield. The next move would decide their fate.

The cannons roared once more, their deafening blasts tearing into the wooden gate and walls of the fort. Each strike sent splinters flying as thick smoke billowed into the sky, marking the devastation. The ground trembled under the relentless bombardment, and the once-imposing stockade now stood tattered and punctured.

Then, the moment arrived.

With a groan, the battered stockade gate swung open, and a cavalry force of 200 Ladakhi soldiers surged forward, galloping straight toward the enemy artillery. Captain Ayush smirked at their reckless charge and raised his hand. "Fire!"

The cannons thundered, their projectiles ripping through the advancing horsemen. Explosions shook the battlefield, throwing dust and debris into the air. Horses reared in terror, riders were flung from their saddles, and the ground became littered with bodies. Yet, despite the carnage, the cavalry pressed on. Five cannons alone weren’t enough to break their resolve. Their orders were clear—return only with the captured artillery or not at all. Gritting their teeth, they surged forward with ferocious momentum.

As the riders closed the distance, Ayush made his next move. "Prepare the grapeshot!"

His artillery crews moved with precision, hauling crates of lethal rounds and swiftly loading the cannons. Moments later, another volley erupted, this time unleashing a storm of iron pellets. The effect was devastating. Hundreds of small projectiles tore through the ranks, shredding armor and flesh alike. Riders toppled from their mounts, their formation crumbling under the deadly barrage.

But the cavalry adapted quickly. Splitting into two groups, they maneuvered with speed and agility, evading the direct line of fire while continuing their relentless advance. A few more cannon blasts followed, cutting down more riders, yet it wasn’t enough. The Ladakhis had now closed in to just 300 meters, their numbers halved but still formidable, nearly matching the standing infantry. Now, they divided further, attempting to flank Ayush’s forces.

Ayush exhaled sharply, realizing his gamble had not paid off. The cannons alone wouldn’t stop them. His mind raced as he made a crucial decision.

"Halt bombardment! Form square! Cover the cannons and crews at the center! Grenades to the artillerymen!"

His soldiers reacted instantly, their months of discipline taking over. Without hesitation, they formed a square around the cannons, locking their formation tightly. Ayush’s commands carried through the ranks, his voice unwavering as he directed the defense like a well-oiled machine.

"Load!"

The musketeers raised their weapons, fingers steady on the triggers.

"Aim!"

The cavalry reached the 100-meter mark, their war cries filling the air.

"Volley fire!"

A thunderous BANG echoed across the battlefield as the muskets discharged in perfect unison. The bullets tore through the cavalry ranks, piercing armor, shields, and flesh alike. Horses stumbled, their riders thrown into the dirt, screaming in pain. The once-unwavering charge lost momentum by slowing down a little, the survivors hesitating as they reeled from the unexpected barrage. They had never faced such a disciplined use of firearms before.

But their leaders rallied them.

"Charge! They are nothing up close!"

"Avenge our fallen brothers!"

With renewed determination, the cavalry pushed forward, determined to break through the infantry lines. However, that was their fatal mistake.

As the first wave reached the defensive square, their horses were impaled on the gleaming bayonets. Some riders managed to break through, only to be shot down at point-blank range. Others circled, searching for an opening, but the bristling wall of steel left no gaps. A brutal skirmish erupted as the cavalry clashed with the disciplined infantry, casualties mounting on both sides.

Ayush saw the moment of weakness and seized it.

"Throw the grenades!"

Explosions rocked the battlefield. The rear of the cavalry force was torn apart in fiery blasts, horses and men flung into the air like ragdolls. The front ranks, already engaged in close combat, were momentarily stunned. The infantry took advantage, thrusting bayonets with deadly precision, while the rear lines continued firing at will. Within moments, the once-mighty cavalry charge crumbled. The surviving Ladakhis turned to flee—but there was no escape. The disciplined infantry gunned them down mercilessly.

Victory cheers erupted from Ayush’s ranks. The hard-fought battle had been won.

But then, a horn sounded.

The stockade gate groaned open once more.

This time, an army of 2,000 enemy soldiers emerged. Almost double than the expected.

A stunned silence fell over Ayush and his men. No one had expected the enemy to have such reinforcements.

Now, faced with overwhelming odds, they had only two choices: retreat and abandon the cannons or stand their ground and fight to the bitter end.

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//A/N:

Thanks to Ignus106 and Alpa for your warm supports by donating 1 new GT tickets each. Your immense support is deeply appreciated. :)