Despite old Jimmy, a retired veteran, directing the construction of barricades and engaging in back-and-forth skirmishes with the City Guard, who were reluctant to incur casualties, even pushing the battle lines into other districts at one point.

This does not mean that the rioting populace could truly face the army head-on, nor does it mean they have the strength and capability to create a successful riot with enough destruction in the capital of the world's most powerful nation.

Though the riot swept through four districts, under the control and blockade by the City Guard, the rioters were contained within these districts, preventing further spread.

And with the arrival of the Steam Knights and the Guard Army Cavalry, the scales of victory have overwhelmingly tipped.

"Steam Knights, open the passage, clear the barricades and other obstacles on the streets. Cavalry, prepare to charge!" The Knight Commander's voice boomed as he issued orders while also ensuring his apprentice was well-equipped: "Jimmy, stay sharp later, don't rush too fast, just stay by my side."

The apprentice, advised by the Knight Commander, showed some reluctance but nodded: "I understand, master."

The young apprentice was still filled with passion, driven by the knightly stories he heard in his childhood, yearning to achieve greatness. The fervor of manhood constantly surged in his chest.

Finally encountering an opportunity to showcase his skills, the young apprentice was somewhat restless.

Of course, the Knight Commander could see that his apprentice was being insincere, but he chose not to say anything more.

He understood, having been young once himself, what these young ones who haven't faced much battlefield thought: they saw war as the knightly tales described, where brave knights win honor, justice triumphs, and knights live happily ever after with princesses.

This is why they misinterpret the brutality of war, viewing it instead as a romantic venture of youth and zeal.

But for someone like the Knight Commander who had truly experienced the trials of war and understood its cruelty, warfare never brings romance or fervor, only brutality and destruction.

It doesn't bring anything beautiful, only destroys all.

However, trying to convey such realizations to the youth is futile; they'd just view him as stubborn and conservative, a hindrance to gaining their honor.

Thus, the Knight Commander merely advised his apprentice instead of giving strict orders.

In his view, his young apprentice merely lacked training; his passion and sense of justice and belief were not lacking. With more opportunities to train, he could become a reliable knight and a core member of the White Bear Knight Order in the future.

So, for this combat mission, the Knight Commander brought him along, even though he was still just a knight apprentice and couldn't wear Steam Knight armor onto the battlefield, he was nonetheless enthusiastic, donned in traditional armor, ready to showcase his skills.

Soon, the order to attack was given. The Knight Commander led his flag squad, advancing in attack formation.

The powerful drive of the Steam Knight armor was fully displayed at this moment, and those barricades obstructing the cavalry were easily broken through by the Steam Knight's push, as if they were made of paper.

The rioters guarding the barricades raised their weapons, bravely or perhaps ignorantly shooting at the Steam Knights, trying to bring down these formidable knights.

However, the lead bullets from their muskets were nothing more than a joke against the composite armor of the Steam Knights, not even matching the damage caused by some crossbows.

Unless a bullet was unlucky enough to hit the observation window in the helmet, piercing Steam Knight armor with one was impossible.

As for dealing heavy firepower damage, a 6-pound or above infantry cannon could pose a threat to Steam Knight armor, but where could mere rioters get such firepower?

The City Guard does have it, but Langton's City Guard isn't those corrupt gluttons from novels or tales.

Though indeed prone to corruption, the City Guard remains a non-military force maintaining peace, yet many soldiers are retirees from regular troops, with some officers even being non-excellent graduates from military academies.

Overall, pitching them in hard battles might be tough, but dealing with a mob of rioters? They wouldn't fall apart and abandon artillery at first sight.

Therefore, even when old Jimmy organized people to attack the Steam Knights based on anti-knight combat doctrine he learned back then, all they ended up with was casualties.

Not only did they fail to achieve any results, but they also shattered their morale.

After all, they sacrificed over fifty people but couldn't even stall the advancing knight, how would their morale not collapse?

In fact, the Empire's Military Department had already proven through numerous actual combat exercises that even the most elite Guard Army Infantry Battalion would require an entire battalion's strength, fully deployed, utilizing solid permanent fortifications to possibly resist a Steam Knight squad's advance.

As for winning? Two elite Guard Army Infantry Battalions could perhaps achieve it at the cost of two-thirds of their losses.

Or if they're equipped with ample artillery, forming comprehensive fire coverage over the Steam Knights, otherwise there's nothing on the battlefield capable of harming them.

This led the battle to become a one-sided massacre, especially when the Guard Army Cavalry began charging, it turned into a mere cleanup operation.

The cavalry swung sabers as they galloped through the streets, ruthlessly cutting down anyone daring to resist.

Blood flowed unrestrained onto the streets, bodies lay scattered by the roadside, while the cries of women and children echoed somberly from the buildings, presenting a scene so cruel.

This sight shocked the apprentice Jimmy, almost witnessing battle for the first time. He had envisioned the battlefield, believing himself ready.

But seeing it all unfold before him, he could only murmur "This is wrong, it shouldn't be like this", trailing his mentor, stupefied, until a bullet struck his helmet.

Fragments blinded one eye, causing his mentor to immediately retaliate by firing an anti-recoil gun.

Amidst the explosion, the young apprentice, clutching his eye, saw a thin old man dressed in an old-fashioned military uniform, holding a smoking flintlock gun.

With a satisfied smile on his face, he was quickly engulfed by the blast of cannon shells.

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