Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

Because of the charge from the Guard Knight Order, the mouse-ear clan soldiers on the frontline finally got a chance to breathe. They began retreating to reorganize the line, while some soldiers clad in full melee steel armor and carrying shields stepped forward.

The short-statured members of the mouse-ear clan formed a shield formation stretching for kilometers. Soon, with the sound of rolling wheels, large iron crossbows were transported to the mountaintop. Under the mouse-ear clan engineers' adjustments, these crossbows were aimed downward at the dense mechanical bodies below, while more than a dozen engineer soldiers began turning the winches to draw the strings.

A special Silver Iron Crossbow Arrow was loaded into the bowstring. Then the trigger was pulled, firing rapidly, raising a wave of autonomous units from the earth.

At this moment, the mechanical bodies in front also gradually changed their rushing combat strategy. Those capable of long-range shooting began climbing the city wall, firing continuously. Among them, the powerful ones unfolded gun barrels like a beehive, and the surging shooting firelight submerged their own bodies.

The barrage of bullets caused the barrier constructed over the mouse-ear clan formation to rapidly shatter and dissipate. Without its protection, the line began to suffer significant casualties. At this point, the mouse-ear clan commander had no choice but to order the entire line to retreat to the shadow of the mountain, using the slope to block enemy fire.

Messengers galloped along the line, shouting for everyone to retreat in an orderly fashion, then reorganize the line. One by one, long spears were raised, pointed slanting upwards toward the sky, waiting for the mechanical bodies to crest the hill and face the forest of spears.

To the mechanical bodies, these long spears didn't pose much harm, but if they couldn't breakthrough, they would become targets for the dense firearm formation in the back.

The guns loaded with special gunpowder kept firing. At this point, the line was gradually entering a stalemate, with both sides wearing each other down, the front members constantly falling, only to be replaced by those in the back. If it were soldiers of another species, they would have likely panicked and fled due to the casualties. But the mouse-ear clan can establish a kingdom on this land due to their distinct traits.

If it were a single mouse-ear clan member, they'd probably be as timid as a regular small mouse. But when they form a group, their courage and will seem to be enhanced, as if dying together with everyone is acceptable and worthwhile.

This trait makes it easy for the mouse-ear clan to unite and grow stronger in this land, eventually defeating other local species to form their own kingdom.

"Sir, the frontline melee shield guards are all dead." A mouse-ear clan messenger, face covered in blood, reported to the commander.

At this point, because of the fierce battle, the shield-bearing soldiers responsible for maintaining the line in front were almost completely depleted, and there were still numerous mechanical autonomous units crossing the mountain from the mountaintop.

"Send the second reserve forward!" commanded the commander.

Then, squads of mouse-ear clan soldiers withdrew the bullets from their firearms, affixed bayonets, and moved forward on command. Among them were both men and women, but the gender distinctions among the mouse-ear clan are not obvious, and they look quite similar. At this moment, they peered past the brims of their steel helmets, breathing heavily, watching the continuous rush of mechanical bodies.

At dawn, nearly ten thousand troops arrived, now only half remained. The slopes were littered with corpses and the broken remains of mechanical bodies, with the air filled with the pungent smell of gunpowder smoke.

Replacing the shattered frontline, this squad wielded firearms with bayonets and engaged the advancing mechanical bodies, while from the rear, continuous sounds of gunfire echoed.

Without the steel armor and shields, confronting the mechanical bodies was much more difficult for them compared to previous soldiers. Almost upon contact, there were various casualties as the sharp mechanical scythes harvested these fragile lives.

"Open fire! Open fire!"

Faced with such a scene, the commander grew anxious, knowing that relying on such a reserve wouldn't sustain for long. If they couldn't inflict massive damage on the enemy during this precious time, the consequences would be unthinkable.

But by this time, there were few left in the mouse-ear clan able to fill the line and provide support. The elite knights that charged earlier were almost depleted, now dismounted and fighting, maintaining the most dangerous central frontline.

Originally, with the Iron Rat Kingdom's power, they should have been able to rally more troops and fighting strength. But internal conflict a month ago depleted significant forces, and after the awakening of the dormant mechanical bodies within the ruins, both sides decided to set aside past grievances and cooperate again.

"Is it too late now?" Watching as gaps formed in the line, with reinforcements unable to prevent the breach, the commander Hyacinth tightened her grip around her sword hilt.

She resolved to try her best, then raised her cross sword high, with its dazzling light shining.

"Members of the Knight Order, charge with me!" At that moment, thirty or so mouse-ear knights were all she had left.

They gathered behind Hyacinth, forming a sturdy triangle wedge, all drawing their double-handed longswords in unison, holding them ready as they began to advance with Hyacinth.

This group of thirty charged against the tide, crashing into the dense mass of mechanical bodies, aiming to disrupt the enemy's cadence and relieve the pressure on their line.

Initially, they continuously swung their coldly gleaming double-handed swords, tearing through the mechanical bodies along the way, giving everyone hope. However, as the battle continued, the knights beside Hyacinth dwindled.