Cataphracts, surviving in a world full of mods

Hersalos watched as the enormous chests were placed on the ground, from which came the heavy snorting and restless pawing of animals. Each chest was guarded by several fully armed elite soldiers, along with some smartly dressed stablemen. Through the narrow windows above, they tried to soothe the creatures inside.

As a high-ranking deputy commander of the legion, Hersalos was actually a little nervous at this moment—he hadn't expected that his commander would actually get the stallions and foals of the Passatrian warhorses, and judging from the situation, the approval was obtained in a very short time after the message was delivered, otherwise it would not have been possible to arrive so quickly.

Even the usually stoic Hersaros was moved at this moment. After calming himself down a bit, he gestured to indicate that the cages of the Passatrian warhorses could be opened.

As the wooden pegs of the crate were opened, the scholars from the Imperial Research Institute, the officials from the Livestock Bureau, the guards escorting the shipment, and the personnel responsible for caring for the warhorses all retreated in an orderly fashion to avoid agitating the precious creature.

A thin, bony colt cautiously emerged from inside, looking around with a mixture of sensitivity and panic. Its chestnut-brown coat appeared exceptionally glossy, indicating ample nutrition.

Skilled personnel immediately stepped forward to soothe and guide the unremarkable foals to their new pen. It would take a long time for these creatures to adapt to their new environment, and they would have to be careful at all times, without any negligence.

Besides foals, there are strong and healthy stallions and mares... as well as everything needed to raise these precious creatures. Each item is maintained and operated by dedicated personnel, and dozens of scholars and sages from the Imperial Academy and Imperial Library are responsible for the breeding work here.

As everything unfolded smoothly, the scholars remained deeply concerned. Despite the exceptional nature of the Passatrian horses, the sudden change in environment and potential diseases could still destroy them. Therefore, they had to be extremely careful and ensure that nothing went wrong with this newly established and important horse farm.

Now that the Empire's east has been pacified, the proposal to establish an important horse ranch here was approved. Otherwise, no one could feel comfortable exposing such a vital facility near those ambitious enemies. Only when this land is fully under the Empire's control can this fertile land realize its full value.

Hersalos knew that he still had many tasks ahead of him, and this heavy responsibility allowed no room for slackness...

…………

The eagle flapped its wings, the frequency was not fast, but the speed was astonishing. Like a black lightning bolt, it streaked across the sky, spread its wings and circled, finally slowing down and landing on the tip of a tall tower.

The black tiles on the roof have a glossy glaze. If it weren't for the wavy protrusions, even birds would have a hard time standing on them, let alone the rain. Because of this, it is difficult to build a nest here. Most birds of prey just stop here to rest.

A squad of guards adorned with brass armor marched past on the city wall below. The gleaming tips of their spears were clearly well-maintained, polished to the point of being almost mirror-like, reflecting bright spots of light under the sun and flashing continuously with the sound of their armor plates vibrating.

The raptor was used to the soldiers' presence, so it didn't seem disturbed at all. It continued to preen its feathers with its sharp beak and scrape its hooked talons against the glazed surface.

A hand wearing a black leather glove reached up from the eaves without anyone noticing, silently grabbed the protruding point, and then gently exerted force to appear at the top of the tower. Only then did the eagle notice this uninvited guest, let out a sharp cry, flapped its wings and jumped directly from the top of the tower. In mid-air, it took control of the airflow and began to glide towards the foot of the mountain.

The newcomer wore a light gray short-sleeved shirt, the cuffs and hem clinging tightly to his body without any excess fabric. His fine leather boots had prominent brass studs on the soles, allowing him to stand firmly on the smooth surface. His face was covered with a mask of the same color, revealing only his eyes. The sunlight shone on the gray fabric of his clothes, making him appear somewhat blurry and indistinct.

The leather straps clinging to his body were covered with a variety of odds and ends—several small brass bottles painted black, several long, sharp needles that looked no more than the length of a finger, and a short, sharp, and unstoppable armor-piercing awl about two feet long.

Every part of this person's body suggested that he operated in the shadows, yet he appeared at this moment in the place closest to the sun, holding an exquisite small copper tube in his hand and gazing into the distance.

As he looked at it, he was also muttering something to himself and writing something down on the parchment in his hand. The parchment was covered with tiny, dense characters, making the most of every inch of it.

To complete this task, one needs fine, strong fingers and excellent eyesight, both of which he clearly possessed, so he did it with ease. Before long, he rolled the paper into a small roll and stuffed it into a small pocket on his chest.

Then, just like when he came, he made no sound at all. With a nimble flip, as if he was about to fall off the spire, his fingers had already gripped the brick seam below. He looked lighter than a falling leaf, and with only the fingers on his two hands, he climbed down like a gecko.

A cheer suddenly erupted from a distant mountain peak, prompting him to instinctively turn his head to investigate. Through the crystal lens of the brass tube, he saw a standing sculpted column—a commemorative column recording General Tersolius's achievements, which had finally been completed and transported to the column forest atop Mount Pisri with the assistance of hundreds of workers.

The size and style of the commemorative pillars in the forest of pillars are determined by the degree of glory and victory achieved. The more glorious and magnificent the achievement, the more ornate and tall the pillars become, making the difference immediately apparent.

Besides the various intricately carved patterns and sculptures on the columns, there are also poems praising the achievements created by the most outstanding poets and scholars. These poems not only need to be beautiful in language, but also clearly record every point, which requires a very high level of skill from the creators.

The Column of the Archon of Tersolius stands out even among that vast forest of columns. It is covered with thousands of patterns and carvings of all sizes, so dense that they are hard to distinguish without careful observation. The material is a single piece of carefully selected marble, and more than a dozen strong livestock died from exhaustion in order to transport it up the mountain.

When this pillar was erected, it naturally attracted countless people to come and watch, and bursts of applause and cheers that were even more intense and enthusiastic than a storm.

After a brief moment of reflection, he put away the small tube in his hand and, taking advantage of the gap between the arrival of the next patrol, nimbly slipped down the city wall. In a corner, he changed his clothes in the blink of an eye and quietly blended into the bustling crowd.

…………

The army camped on a wide, flat area with a nearby river with abundant water. The view was expansive and unobstructed, making even the sky seem wider. The stars twinkled in the clear night, their brightness changing from time to time, attracting people's attention.

Each time this elite legion stops, it creates a spacious camp, as large as a town, in a very short time. Those who don't know the situation can even get lost in it. Countless torches are lit throughout the night to illuminate the place and prevent any ill-intentioned individuals from causing trouble under the cover of darkness.

Amidst the ever-heavy defenses of the central army, Tersolius was burning the midnight oil by the light of a crystal lamp.

This peculiar little lamp was brought to him by the messenger who delivered the emperor's letter last time. It only requires periodic replacement of the wick to emit a gentle and bright light that lasts a long time. It is much better than an oil lamp and does not hurt the eyes.

After using it twice, he decisively abandoned the old oil lamps and used only this small crystal lamp for lighting the entire tent, which now seems to be a very wise choice.

In the bright light illuminating every corner, he carefully examined the writing on the parchment in his hand, while ink, still wet, dripped from the brass pen in his right hand.

After this period of study, he can now not only write letters himself, but he can even write them neatly and properly. Although they still look a bit stiff and rigid, they are still quite pleasing to the eye.

Finally, he raised an eyebrow, threw the pen in his right hand into the ink bottle, then put the parchment into an envelope, sealed it with wax, and placed it in the pile of documents next to him.

After a period of marching, he finally returned to the center of the empire. In two more days, he would reach his original post. At that time, honor would surely come to him, and trouble would inevitably be his to deal with.

Although this country is prosperous and powerful, its enormous size means that nothing is easy, and troubles and difficulties always come knocking.

To think that one person can solve everything is a foolish and arrogant delusion. Only by bringing together talented and determined individuals to form a well-organized organization can a country be governed.

What he is about to do may change the very foundation of the country—a new, more open, and broader way of selecting talent, and most importantly, a way to break the status quo and bring about new opportunities and changes.

This is like walking on a knife's edge; the slightest misstep could lead to utter ruin. So he had to be extremely careful... to prevent the situation from spiraling into the worst possible outcome.

There are so many things he wants to do, but the difficulties and obstacles are also countless. Sometimes, it even makes him feel a little irritable and creates a sense of urgency that time waits for no one... He even has an impulse to cut the Gordian knot from time to time.

But this impulse was only momentary, and he knew very well that it was the worst possible solution.

The crisp sound of warhorses' hooves could be clearly heard in the darkness. After the patrolling soldiers stopped the visitor and questioned him, they quickly escorted him to the center of the camp. After obtaining his permission, the messenger dressed in gray appeared before him again.

Although the other person was completely covered up, Thessalius recognized him as an old acquaintance from his build and certain subtle details:

"Another reply? You're quick."

"With a mission on my shoulders, I dare not slack off."

The emperor's henchman took out a parchment from his bosom and presented it to him with both hands. The fine gold thread inlaid along the edge shimmered in the lamplight.

Thesolius reached out and took it, but didn't open it immediately. Instead, he used his right hand to pull out the letter he had just written from the pile of documents:

"Give this letter to His Majesty, and your task will be complete."

The man reached out and took it, immediately understanding the other party's meaning—once they returned to the capital, the other party, in his capacity, could naturally communicate with the emperor in person, eliminating the need for letters, and thus his mission for this period would be successfully completed.

"What is the situation in the capital recently?"

"It was cleaned very well, and there were no extra bedbugs."

"That's good."

Chapter 191 Celebration (1)

Everything appeared blurry in the steamy heat. Hot water of just the right temperature flowed from the mouth of a marble lion sculpture, splashing into the wide pool and rising into the steam. Dew began to condense on the intricately carved stone bricks. Bright yellow light from the glass lampshade illuminated the vast space.

A dozen or so maids stood by the bath, holding towels, fine wines in carved silver pots, chilled fruits, and all sorts of other things, ready to serve the emperor of the empire.

Her silvery hair swayed in the hot water like seaweed bobbing with the waves. Her golden eyes, though less majestic and sharp than usual, were blurred in the mist, making them difficult to see clearly. Only the clear, melodious sound of the hot water being stirred could be heard.

A fair arm, smoother and more delicate than the finest white jade, was lifted from the pool. A maid immediately stepped forward and poured the rich, blood-like wine from the carved silver pot into a golden cup, releasing a fragrant aroma.

She picked up the exquisitely carved, ornate gold cup, brought it to her pink lips, and drank it all in one gulp, leaving not a drop. Then, she naturally put the cup back down and refilled it as the bright red wine dripped down.

She drank cup after cup until her fair and pretty face was flushed, then the emperor stopped, still wanting more. The smile on her lips and the way she gently tapped her fingers on the tiles showed her good mood.

Whether emperor or commoner, people in the empire always enjoyed spending time in the baths, served with fine wine and food by maids, to escape the summer heat and ward off the winter cold.

Public bathhouses that have been in use for a long time pose a risk of spreading diseases—something that the Empire's scholars had figured out long ago. Several plague outbreaks in cities had taught them a bloody lesson, and since then, any bathhouse that is even slightly reputable has had its water changed every day and workers hired at night to clean the bathhouse grounds.

No one else was allowed to tamper with the Emperor's bathroom. Anyone who dared to approach it would be imprisoned at best. The layout and furnishings exuded grandeur and magnificence, whether majestic or graceful, but the exquisite sculptures were everywhere, each a masterpiece, leaving no room for error.

This time had gone by far too long; even the sun had begun to set in the west and was no longer as hot as before. The emperor finally grew bored with the bath and walked up the marble steps.

Warm water flowed down her curvaceous body, gliding over her smooth, porcelain-like skin, leaving only glistening droplets.

Claudia calmly allowed the maids to wipe her body and change her into exquisite and gorgeous clothes. She looked as natural as a noblewoman who had been served since birth, and did not feel uncomfortable with such meticulous care.

Of course, this cannot be done from the beginning...

When Claudia first arrived in this great city, she had no friends she spent every day with, no familiar hometown, nothing she knew... Everything was strange, and everything could potentially be malicious.

At that time, she didn't want to be served meticulously, and she didn't even want any strangers to get too close. Under terrible pressure, she made one decision after another with great care, and every step she took was like walking on thin ice.

Without the support of her friends, Clautina knew very well that she would only be a puppet emperor and would never have any chance to gain power... Knowing how difficult the journey had been, she would never waver and would never allow herself to lose anything more.

Tersolius's messenger arrived this morning, conveying the news of his impending return to the entire city. A frenzy was brewing, and this was destined to be a momentous event worthy of being recorded in history.

At this time, she also appropriately demonstrated her generosity—within three days of the legion's return, everyone in the city, whether commoner or beggar, merchant or peddler, could enjoy the food and wine provided and revel in unrestrained revelry.

The cheers of "Long live the Emperor!" echoed throughout the city, causing many nobles in the nursing home to freeze in shock, unable to even maintain their usual smiles, like a flock of chickens with their throats choked.

Thinking of those guys' disgraceful behavior, the emperor's expression grew even happier—this was a tremendous victory the empire hadn't seen in decades, and no one could allow such glory to be tarnished in the slightest; their prestige was already at its zenith.

Of course, she couldn't be too coercive, as that could easily cause trouble. It was up to her to find the right balance... But things that used to require such caution were now handled with more ease, and she no longer had to be so meticulous.

With all these good things happening, Christina's mood became increasingly cheerful. After letting the servants take care of everything for her, she walked out of the bathroom and let the evening breeze in the sunset dry her hair.

"Let's get started on the preparations. I want to liven up the whole city by tomorrow night."

A female official nodded and bowed, then turned to convey the emperor's instructions.

........................

Amidst deafening cheers, the black double-headed eagle banner was once again planted in the center of the camp. The soldiers, who had been away for half a year, returned to their permanent camp and to the center of the empire once more.

Every soldier gained a great deal from this expedition, earning numerous merits and honors. They were eager to return to their hometowns and let everyone know what a glorious war they had participated in.

Of course, before that, they would travel to the capital to participate in a grand military parade, to boast of their achievements in the largest city of the empire. This was a coveted honor for any soldier and general, one that would be remembered by their family for generations.

Afterwards, they would take turns returning to their hometowns for vacation under strict arrangements, in order to relax their tense nerves from the war and reunite with their families.

In this situation, even the veterans in the legion who could face a cavalry charge without flinching couldn't help but feel extremely excited. It was just that due to the strict discipline of the army, they dared not make a sound, but whenever they had the chance, they couldn't help but whisper among themselves and discuss their plans with their comrades.

However, Tersolius, their legionary commander, did not intend to linger in the camp. After settling his legion in, he led his personal guards and Talina on horseback out of the camp gate and soon disappeared at the end of the road.

Most of the veterans were already very familiar with everything in the camp, but there were quite a few newcomers among them, and they had never seen such a large and imposing military camp before...

Each squad was assigned a spacious barracks. These houses, built with sturdy beams and rammed earth walls, and with exquisite red tiles on the roof, looked respectable and comfortable. Even wealthy townspeople might not be able to afford them, yet now they stood one after another, neatly arranged in a straight line across the vast camp that stretched for miles. The roads in the middle were also neatly rammed and wide enough for carriages and horses to pass through.

When the mountain people first arrived, they had to build their own barracks, but the new recruits didn't have that opportunity—the Imperial engineering corps had already built enough houses here for the newly recruited members of the legion to live in, and they were much sturdier and more durable than those built by the mountain people—this made Kochkin and his men complain for a while before they could barely calm themselves down.

As a centurion directly under the legion's command, Karila was naturally assigned a separate barracks to live in—just like other armies in the world, the Imperial officers were well-paid, far exceeding the average soldier, and this was reflected in every aspect of their lives.

To the surprise of her subordinates, these battle-hardened slaves, who had originally wanted to help their commander arrange the rooms and furnish them, were all driven out by the enthusiastic Karila, who declared that everything here was up to them to solve.

Accustomed to obeying orders, the slaves naturally returned to their barracks without even asking a question.

Karila calmed her breathing. This wild, fearless Rigut girl felt dizzy at this moment, and an indescribable sense of happiness almost overwhelmed her.

Looking at the sturdy and neat house in front of her, she even had the urge to sing a song.

The Riguts are known for their tenacity, ferocity, and cunning – a common perception among all people on this continent. This savage people is the most notorious presence in the entire north. They will not miss any opportunity to plunder anything, and they are fearless and tenacious, constantly harassing the northwestern and western coastal regions of the empire.

The people of Western countries were terrified of these raiders who harassed and plundered them, and even called these raiders who came from the sea in long ships "sea monsters" to describe their elusiveness and ferocity.

Many people know why the Rigut people are so fearless, resilient, and fierce – their extremely harsh living environment forces them to rely on plunder for survival, especially those struggling to survive on islands without even trees. Besides fishing, this is their only way to live.

Karila had never lived in a sturdy house on her barren island home. Precious timber was used to build and repair longboats for raiding and fishing, and a large portion of valuable oil was also used to waterproof the boats. The boats were their land of survival, their very lifeblood.