"Fire!"
Ijiri Matabei Yoshitoshi, who was also inexplicably nervous, his palms almost sweating, immediately lit the flare in his hand upon hearing the command.
"Whoosh!"
With a sharp whistle, the flare shot into the sky, emitting a loud bang.
And the soldiers ambushing outside the city, hearing the signal from behind, who were already drenched in sweat due to the approaching enemy, finally pressed the button in their hands with a sigh of relief.
After pressing it, these men, without a word or a backward glance, quickly ran towards Kasuga Castle.
They had to race against time to escape back to Kasuga Castle, otherwise, they would be surrounded by the Okurai clan's army.
However, the moment they turned to flee, a thunderous roar that shook the earth instantly erupted.
The soldiers who were just fleeing instinctively turned their heads in astonishment, looking behind them.
They saw the green block that had been placed in front of them earlier was now lying on the ground, emitting smoke.
What was even more shocking were the Okuragui Army soldiers who were almost upon them.
The previously imposing and dense formation of Okuragui Army soldiers now appeared as if a chunk had been devoured.
The soldiers at the very front fell to the ground in that booming sound.
Looking around, everything was a horrific sight.
The armored soldiers seemed to have suffered some unknown attack.
Especially the soldiers at the very front, the dense blood holes all over their bodies were like beehives, enough to trigger trypophobia.
Their entire bodies were riddled with holes, and they lost their lives without even letting out a single scream.
There were many soldiers who suffered as terribly as this one.
Within fifty meters, regardless of whether they wore armor or carried shields, all were annihilated by the steel pellets fired from the claymore mine, with none spared.
These people didn't even realize what had happened before they all perished.
And at a distance beyond fifty meters, but within a hundred meters...
It was even more gruesome.
If the soldiers who died earlier merely looked tragic but died instantly without much pain,
Then these soldiers suffered far more terribly.
Especially those soldiers whose fatal spots were not hit by the pellets; some of them had dozens, or even scores, of pellets embedded in their bodies.
These pellets, shot into their bodies, brought them immense pain.
Yet, they did not immediately lead to death.
These soldiers lay in pools of blood, constantly letting out agonizing wails.
Crimson blood stained the ground, and a strong scent of gore permeated the air.
This was the smell of death.
Facing such an astonishing change, the army that had been continuously advancing, attempting to attack Kasuga Castle, immediately halted.
The maximum range of the claymore mine's steel rods was a full two hundred and fifty meters.
How many soldiers could be within a range of over two hundred meters?
No one knew this number.
However, Kobayashi Itsuki and the others on the city wall clearly saw the screams and wails of countless people falling to the ground.
Roughly estimated, at least seven to eight hundred people were covered by the attack range this time.
Besides those who died on the spot, hundreds of wounded soldiers were left behind for the Okuragui Army.
These people not only lost their combat effectiveness but also greatly impacted morale.
The greatest effect of the claymore mine was not to cause extensive casualties, but the injuries and disabilities it could inflict.
In wars of any era, crippled soldiers always demoralize more than deaths.
Wounded soldiers not only require treatment, burdening active forces, but a large number of deaths can also cause a sharp drop in morale.
It can be said to be a very malicious weapon, which is also the original intention behind the design of many mines.
Being killed is not scary; being wounded is what is most frustrating.
"It seems the enemy should be slowing down for now."
Seeing the Okuragui Army halt, Kobayashi Itsuki showed a faint smile on his face and said to Ijiri Matabei Yoshitoshi beside him.
And looking at such astonishing lethality before him, Ijiri Matabei Yoshitoshi's face showed deep shock.
Although there were weapons and explosives in this era, the destructive power of the gunpowder bags of this era was far inferior to that of the claymore mine.
Just now, standing on the city wall, Ijiri Matabei Yoshitoshi watched with his own eyes as the Okuragui Army soldiers were swept away in a large swath, just like harvesting wheat.
This shock was far beyond what the weapons of their era could bring.
"Kobayashi-kun, what... what kind of weapon is this?"
"It actually has such exaggerated and terrifying destructive power."
"Just a trivial little thing from the future."
Kobayashi Itsuki said with a chuckle, his expression relaxed.
"I didn't expect the weapons of the future to be so powerful."
Ijiri Matabei Yoshitoshi said with great emotion, his eyes full of shock.
"With hundreds of wounded soldiers added at once, the Okuragui Army should temporarily cease its movements."
"Hmm!"
Ijiri Matabei Yoshitoshi nodded excitedly, "Kobayashi-kun, you're right. They must accommodate so many wounded soldiers."
"At least until these people are properly handled, they won't attack again."
"This is definitely good news for us."
"Maybe we can launch a night raid tonight and catch them off guard!"
Ijiri Matabei Yoshitoshi became more and more excited as he spoke, as if he had already seen the dawn of victory.
Kobayashi Itsuki's arrangement this time directly caused the Okurai clan to lose so many people before the war even began, which instantly gave hope to Kasuga Castle, which was originally at a disadvantage.
"Instead of tonight, perhaps now is more suitable."
"After all, what Ijiri-kun can think of, the enemy will certainly be wary of."
"Kobayashi-kun, you're right!"
A glint flashed in Ijiri Matabei Yoshitoshi's eyes as he looked at the distant Okuragui Army, filled with murderous intent.
He had no good feelings whatsoever for the Okurai clan, who wanted to steal his beloved princess and invade his homeland; only deep hatred.
"I'll go organize the men right away and catch them off guard before they can gather their wounded!"
Ijiri Matabei Yoshitoshi said and hurried away.
Kobayashi Itsuki watched his retreating figure, a smile on his lips.
In the original work, Ijiri Matabei Yoshitoshi leading a night raid was no match for the enemy at all.
But now, after suffering a setback, the Okuragui Army is like a startled bird; now is the best opportunity for a counterattack.
Moreover, he still has three claymore mines in his possession.
For others, claymore mines can only be used in positional warfare.
But Kobayashi Itsuki has the Invisible Hand.
He can completely use the Invisible Hand to lift the claymore mine and directly unleash maximum damage on the crowd.
The Invisible Hand can fully withstand the recoil of the claymore mine.