Cataphracts, surviving in a world full of mods

Before them lay a smooth, earthen hollow, gleaming with a dark sheen as if it had been repeatedly crushed and polished by something—this was the scene at the end of the canyon. After removing several large boulders blocking their path, this hidden place finally came into view.

Most of the crevices and caves in the canyon are shallow, like cracks that burst open when something is broken, except for this small, crushed pit at the end, which shows something unusual.

After searching three times to make sure there were no tunnels or hidden doors in the vicinity, they began to dig. The soil here was very hard, but once they could dig out a part, the rest could be pried out like peeling an eggshell. They quickly dug out all the compressed, hard soil, revealing the soft, yellow soil layer underneath.

This made the digging even faster. Hundreds of guards worked together to pour the excavated soil into baskets and dump it into a depression in the distance, digging deeper and deeper, just like digging a well.

Ding!

The swinging axe struck a hard object, instantly causing his hand to ache. The sharp, tempered part of the axe was visibly chipped, and the hard metal was compressed together, causing cracks and breakage.

"Found it, found it!"

The guards erupted in cheers, quickly clearing away the mud to reveal a long, black, strip-shaped object, about six-tenths the length of a human leg, with a dent in it, left from a collision with the axe and pickaxe in the soldier's hand.

Before they could even examine what this thing was, another cheer came from the side as a slightly shorter, thicker object with twisted ridges was dug out.

What followed was a continuous stream, one after another, piece after piece, while the cheers grew fainter and fainter... Everyone could see what it was—even though it was enormous, the soldiers could easily recognize it as human bone...

A few minutes later, facing the massive skeleton laid out on the ground in a certain order, the guards whispered among themselves:

"This is definitely a giant! Even just looking at the skeleton, you can tell this guy is twice the height of an average woman. How could a normal person grow to be like this?"

“I think something might be wrong… Look at this thing’s head. How could a human head be so long? How could its face be so prominent and its mouth so long? This must be some kind of strange beast, just hidden deep in the forest and hard to find.”

“I think so too! Look how long this thing’s teeth are, such long and sharp teeth, only a creature that eats raw meat would have them. I’ve seen them a lot back in my hometown.”

"Now that you mention it... I feel like this thing's waist is a bit too short, and its ribs seem a lot wider... And its arms are a bit too long, they seem to go past its knees..."

Talina placed the last bone with absolute certainty, then wiped the sweat from her forehead. These bones were incredibly heavy, almost like they were carved from stone, yet they undeniably possessed the structure and texture of bone.

Tersolius was at a loss for words, his heart filled with strange emotions—unlike others who had never seen such a creature before, he recognized it at a glance as a skeleton of a gorilla or something similar, having watched many documentaries in the past.

This skeleton has a wider upper body, thicker bones, and most importantly, a sagittal crest with attached muscles on the skull. It has a prominent face, long and thick canines, arm bones that extend beyond the knees, and a wide pelvis... It has quite distinctive features compared to human skeletons.

Even by gorilla standards, the skeleton is still too big, looking no smaller than Moss's size, and together they look more like a troll or something.

Of course, the most unique thing is that these bones all have a layer of oily black sheen, as if someone had specially coated them with black paint. Moreover, they have an astonishing density, indicating that they have been buried underground for an unknown period of time. They also have a high strength, enough to deform and damage steel.

"This is truly beyond my expectations..."

Thalina's voice made Teresolius look up in confusion, and then he heard her continue:

"I never expected to find the skeleton of something like 'sinsin' here. I've only ever seen it once in my teacher's book..."

Talina, looking quite moved, held a piece of parchment and was scribbling and drawing, recording the shapes of the massive bones before her. Meanwhile, the town of Tersolius was astonished by the two syllables it had just heard.

"Talina, what did you call this thing?"

"The teacher said this thing is called a 'sinsin,' which sounds like a kind of giant ape."

Chapter 247 Siege (1)

First to appear was a fiery red banner, followed by a troop of about 2000 light cavalrymen draped in red cloaks, sweeping towards the city like a red river. The sound of clashing armor was clearly audible amidst the billowing dust, gleaming spears stood like a forest, and the neighing of warhorses and the thunderous hooves, their armor gleaming, swept past the city's defenders in a state of near-breathless panic. Then, just an arrow's throw from the city gate, they suddenly turned right, scattering in groups of a hundred, and rushed into the villages, fields, and forests surrounding the city, beginning a thorough search and clearing.

The scouts who remained outside the city were immediately met with devastating blows. Like frightened deer driven by a flock of sheep, they fled in panic, only to be riddled with arrows or dragged away by nooses around their necks amidst a dense rain of arrows.

When they encounter slightly more troublesome prey, the various hundred-man teams will immediately coordinate closely and skillfully, constantly moving, tearing, harassing, and dividing the enemy until they are completely defeated and scattered. Only then will they fiercely pounce on the enemy, tear them to shreds, and relentlessly pursue and kill them.

Before long, the surrounding villages and roads were littered with the corpses of Hols, their blood seeping into the fields and falling among the trees. The remaining survivors also fled into the woods in a panic, desperately escaping along the surrounding paths, like water seeping into the soil after a stream has dried up, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

Following closely behind were countless packhorses, mules, and carts pulled by strong oxen. In this way, they brazenly began to plan camps in the vast fields outside the city, carrying countless building materials. A massive iron torrent also rolled toward the city from the horizon. The soldiers entered their camps in an orderly manner, buried the wooden stakes in the ground, and built one camp wall and tower after another.

As time passed, the imperial army, visible to the naked eye, stretched as far as the eye could see. A vast expanse of silver light stretched into the distance, and red banners fluttered in the wind like a continuous rosy dawn. The sound of their footsteps made the earth tremble, and the sound of their voices made the bricks of the city walls shake. The shouts of men and the neighing of horses were like the rolling thunder of a storm.

Many soldiers were so frightened that they lost their composure. Even some veteran soldiers who had been around for many years were also frightened by this terrifying power and turned pale. Some of them could not even hold their spears or crossbows steady. Their legs became weak and unsteady, and they had to hold onto the battlements to keep their balance.

At first, some tried to count their numbers, but later, except for those specifically tasked with it, everyone else gave up. There was no other reason; the more they counted, the more desperate they became… especially since the entire army consisted of armored soldiers, even the most shabby wore helmets. Even small squads moved with discipline, their ranks orderly, disciplined, and commands clear. It was unimaginable what price would be paid to fight such an army and achieve any possible victory… Of course, the more likely outcome was being crushed and trampled, becoming the legion's glory and wealth.

Before even launching an attack, the mere appearance of this army had already caused the city's morale to plummet. In a daze, it seemed as if a surge of blood energy rose up and condensed into a ferocious beast above the army's heads, its claws and teeth menacing, eyeing the upcoming sacrifices with predatory intent, grinding its teeth and sucking blood.

An old soldier with a white beard trembled, unable to speak. His usually steady and strong arms were now like limp noodles, unable to grip his spear. Instinctively, he wanted to hide his head behind the heavy battlements. This was a survival maneuver during a siege; even before engaging in battle, he had already begun to feel fear.

Before he could even squat down, a sharp whooshing sound accompanied the sharp end of a thin leather whip that lashed across the back of his head, tearing off pieces of skin and leaving a bloody gash. The excruciating pain caused him to scream and clutch his head.

"What are you hiding for? The Imperials haven't even attacked the city yet, and you're already hiding! When they really come, are you going to find a crack in the ground to crawl into?! Cowardice before the battle even begins?! I'll chop off your head!"

The Holstein officer cursed as he brandished his whip. He lashed the man mercilessly, like a disobedient animal, tearing the padded military uniform to shreds, exposing the cotton underneath. The man's exposed face and hands were covered in bloodstains. He only stopped whipping the man when he straightened up as if his backside was on fire and returned to his position.

"Listen up, all of you! If you don't want to die, stay alert! As long as we get through winter, the Empire definitely won't be able to hold on. So many troops cost so much money and food every day; they simply can't survive! Until then, every one of us has to risk our lives..."

The officer next to him was still giving instructions, but the veteran couldn't hear a thing. His face and hands were burning with pain, but thankfully the other party had been careful not to injure any bones or tendons, only to break the skin. He could treat it with some ointment tonight... What he was really afraid of now was seeing a flag, a black double-headed eagle flag!

He was a veteran, a soldier who had been in the army for over a decade. Because he was the only child left in his family and had nowhere else to go, he had stayed. He'd spent all his pay on drinking and partying, barely making any money. Logically, a seasoned veteran like him, not a fresh recruit, shouldn't have been so terrified. It was as if he'd been given a pitchfork and sent to face the Imperial armored cavalry's charge…

He had thought he wouldn't be afraid anymore; after all, he had no ties and lived one day at a time, so he wouldn't be easily frightened. But he could never forget the walls of Alpert...

At first, he was full of confidence. Having collected enough money, drunk his fill, and indulged in a few days of prostitution, he joined the main force in attacking the city walls. Although initial casualties were heavy, he still stood on the walls, wielding his sword and killing two slaves. Just when he thought he could take the walls in one fell swoop and collect the hefty bounty, the real nightmare began…

He didn't even know how he survived. He only remembered the rolling armored vehicles surging down the city walls, his companions having their heads smashed, limbs severed, and bellies ripped open in the blink of an eye, being slaughtered piece by piece like sheep, and being cleared from the city walls in the blink of an eye. When it was his turn, he was so terrified that he didn't even know how he moved his hands and feet, and in the blink of an eye, he tumbled and scrambled down the ladder.

Thanks to a stroke of luck he somehow managed to escape amidst a hail of arrows, along with a few remaining soldiers. He only suffered a minor scrape on his thigh; the thick flesh prevented any damage to blood vessels or bones. However, the wound now frequently itches and aches when it rains, and it doesn't heal very well.

This was definitely not a good thing for him at the time. Because his injuries were too minor and he could still walk, he was quickly sent back to the battlefield. Under the swords of the supervising officers, he had no choice but to continue grinding his own blood and flesh onto that millstone...

He was also present when the armored cavalry burst out of the city gate with a devastating attack... He watched as a hundred-man squad was reduced to mangled limbs in the blink of an eye! No exaggeration, just the blink of an eye! They were reduced to a field of severed limbs, to flesh and blood clinging to the stone pavement, to blood-red paint on the hoofprints of galloping horses...

That incredibly cruel scene was deeply etched into his mind, making him tremble and unable to stand when he thought about it, his breathing becoming rapid and labored... It was as if, in a daze, he had become one of those trampled under the hooves of horses, turning into rotten flesh and broken bone fragments under the iron hooves... He would even panic at the sound of horses' hooves, like a neurasthenic madman.

And ironically, the more he worries about something, the more likely it is to happen—

Another cloud of dust rose, and from afar, the silver gleam of the armor plates pierced through the yellow dust. The dull thud of hooves was barely audible, but felt like rolling thunder, crushing one's heart in waves. It squeezed out the last bit of courage, the last bit of will, the last bit of determination, and pulverized them into dust.

Amidst billowing dust and vast plains, amidst the sprawling military camps, a magnificent double-headed eagle banner pierced the dust and emerged into the sunlight. On the black silk, the golden double-headed eagle stretched its talons to the side. The tassels and gold decorations on the banner were extremely luxurious, exuding an astonishing aura even from such a distance.

The armored cavalry, now numbering over 2000, emerged from the billowing dust. Both men and horses were clad in armor, their gleaming armor shining in the sun. Under the clear sky, they resembled a drawn blade, its cold light gleaming and unstoppable, charging towards the city with a terrifying and ferocious aura.

The veteran cried out in alarm, his whole body trembling like a leaf, and he involuntarily took two steps back. His face was deathly pale, but the pain in his face and hands prevented him from collapsing to the ground. He simply pointed a trembling finger into the distance:

"It's Thesolius! Thesolius is here!!!"

His desperate, panicked cries did not elicit any reprimands or beatings from the officer this time, because the noble officer was also standing pale-faced beside the battlements, craning his neck to look.

Just as gasps of surprise echoed from the city walls, and some people almost thought that the armored cavalry was about to charge down to the city, the dazzling iron armor slowly stopped a few arrows away from the city. In an instant, it parted orderly to the sides, revealing a magnificent knight holding a flag high in the middle and dozens of splendidly armored generals.

Among them, the most eye-catching was a general wearing a magnificent eagle helmet. The long plume on the helmet was a blood-red color and fluttered slightly in the autumn wind. He was tall and had long arms, upright and agile, just like an eagle in the sky looking down at the world.

Countless eyes on the city wall were focused on this figure. They watched as he looked around with an air of confidence and arrogance, pointing fingers at their city from afar, conversing and discussing with the generals beside him, as if they were already trapped, like meat on a plate, at the mercy of those who would devour them.

What pride and confidence! But no one here dared to say that the other side was delusional or lacked the ability... Anyone with a sound mind knew very well that for the one outside, this was not an insurmountable goal. Rather, concentrating their forces in this city was a desperate gamble, an attempt to drag out the war and force the other side to return empty-handed.

For someone like him, he is undoubtedly the chosen one of this era, a superior being above millions. Why shouldn't he be arrogant? Why shouldn't he feel that everything is already within his grasp? There are few things in the world he cannot accomplish, and few people as dazzling as him.

Even his mere presence was enough to set the entire city on edge...

…………

Tersolius was of course unaware of the current state of the city's garrison, but he could guess some things from certain clues. At this moment, he was studying the city's structure and layout, looking for possible weaknesses.

The city before us was neatly and imposingly built, comparable to Alpert, and could be considered one of the few fortified cities in the south.

The moat alone, over ten meters wide, was enough to cause immense trouble for the attacking forces, not to mention the densely packed towers. The towering battlements, the countless arrow slits, and the deliberately protruding, difficult-to-climb walls, all seamlessly joined by thick, sturdy stone bricks, with intentionally protruding and vertical sections between the towering walls, ensured that no matter where the attackers went, there was at least one wall that could continuously fire arrows and stones.

The original stone bridge over the river had been demolished, leaving not even the piers. The towering city gate was constructed of thick iron beams wrapped with heavy wooden planks, and it was clear that it had undergone further reinforcement. The city walls surrounding the gate were riddled with arrow slits, and in some places there were circular and square gaps, undoubtedly traps that would release rolling stones and oil. Once reckless attackers ventured into the gate's passageway, they could unleash a torrent of firepower in a short time, causing terrible casualties.

The towers on the wall were visibly covered with ballistae, small catapults, and all sorts of defensive equipment, densely packed and jagged, leaving no space unused. This was a war fortress built with the combined strength of a nation, meant to become a grinding millstone, crushing attackers and defenders alike.

The city certainly seemed tricky, but Tersolius already had a rough idea...

Chapter 248 Siege (2)

Thick, sturdy wooden beams were joined together using mortise and tenon joints, then nailed with steel nails the thickness of a finger, and assembled in a specific order, quickly creating a tall wooden frame.

The thickest boom requires dozens of people to move. With the help of pulleys and a gantry, it is slowly moved to the right position. The oxen and horses are whipped and spurred forward. Craftsmen and apprentices climb up and down, installing each sturdy part in the right place and applying refined grease to the lubricated areas.

The installation of the huge counterweight box was quite laborious. This is the most important power output part, and no one dared to be negligent. Only after repeated inspections would the counterweight be added inside and the winch and slings installed.

The boulders used for launching require the combined efforts of several people to carry and put into the rope bag. They are all polished well in advance to ensure that they can land in the best possible flight posture and are not easily broken. They will directly grind a road through the city.

These are stone projectiles specifically designed to destroy buildings and official business. In addition, there are also crushing stone projectiles specifically designed to kill people. They are wrapped in iron netting and will fly everywhere when they hit a hard surface, causing a bloody scene in the dense crowd. All of them were prepared in large quantities in advance and transported to the siege camp by the logistics troops.

Ten heavy catapults were lined up below the city wall, protected by a large cavalry force in a heavily guarded military camp. This allowed them to adjust and test the catapults at will, making final preparations far from the range of the enemy's catapults.

This catapult was the masterpiece of imperial engineers and the crystallization of the wisdom of imperial scholars. It was incredibly tall, and each hurdle it launched was like a storm, with an extremely long range and immense force. Every impact produced a thunderous roar, and even the weakest city walls would collapse after a short time. If an unlucky soul was hit, no matter how heavy their armor, they would be crushed into a pulp on the ground.

At the precisely calculated location, soldiers had already dug a tall earthen mound and built sturdy fortifications to protect these precious heavy catapults. Only after all preparations were completed and the machines were transported to their designated positions by strong oxen and horses.

As the sky turned red and smoke began to rise from the military camp, the first stone projectile was finally loaded into a net with the help of several strong auxiliary soldiers. After calculations and adjustments, the artisans and scholars accompanying the army issued orders one after another.

As the mechanism was pressed down hard, the heavy launching lever was released, and the immense force propelled the heavy stone projectile directly into the air from the rails. The huge counterweight box made a sharp, piercing sound as it crashed down, prompting a craftsman to shout a rebuke:

"Toledo, you little bastard, I'll skin you alive! You haven't had enough of that oil yet!!"

The moment he finished speaking, a deafening roar like muffled thunder came from afar, accompanied by a slightly fading scream, which made him involuntarily turn his gaze back.

The sturdy crenellations of the city wall were crushed to pieces like rotten wood. The huge stone projectile broke through the wall without any hindrance and rolled directly into the city, crushing two soldiers who couldn't dodge in time into pieces of flesh. Their internal organs and blood were squeezed and sprayed everywhere. It finally stopped slowly after smashing a large hole in a two-story house.

"The position is off, the position is off. Let's try moving it three prairies to the left this time!"

The craftsmen immediately got to work, some applying oil, others making adjustments, preparing for the next launch.

Such bombardment is difficult to be precise. It can only be fine-tuned through repeated launches to maximize the chance of hitting the target. Moreover, it is not something that can be accomplished in a day or two.

The counterattack from the city wall had arrived, but most of it was blocked by the iron-clad wooden trolleys and the thick earthen slopes. The rest had mostly gone astray, which marked the area where the catapults were located as a dangerous place. The soldiers retreated under orders, leaving only the auxiliary soldiers and craftsmen responsible for operating the catapults, as well as the scholars responsible for calculation and adjustment.

Soon, the catapults fired a second volley, crashing against the city wall with a deafening roar and sending debris flying. The screams of agony could be heard even from a great distance, and visible gaps appeared in the sturdy battlements. The catapults flew through the air with a whooshing sound, like the whispers of death, ready to shatter people into pieces at any moment.

…………

"Next comes the hard work, we can't rush it. We need to clean what needs to be cleaned and disassemble what needs to be disassembled before we start."

As the massive boulders hurtled through the air and crashed against the city walls, bringing screams of agony, Tersolius stood in the camp, lost in thought. The Empire had made ample preparations for this war, not only for winter clothing, firewood, and food supplies, but also for catapult ammunition, spare parts, and stored dry materials—enough to last him until next spring.

Of course, he did not intend to drag things out until then. War is destined to bring destruction and death. Even the most elite army cannot withstand continuous combat, and the country also needs to recuperate.

The city is now completely surrounded. It is now just prey that has been driven into a trap. All that remains is to hunt down this behemoth while avoiding being hurt by it.

A cheer erupted from the side as a catapult, by sheer luck, struck one of the enemy's towers. The scaffolding on the tower, used to cover the enemy catapults, was shattered into pieces by the heavy stone projectiles, but unfortunately, it did not damage the catapults behind it.

The craftsmen and auxiliary soldiers quickly reloaded the stone projectiles and fired them again, but this time they missed quite a bit and crashed into the sturdy and thick city wall, shattering several of the stone bricks.

This is a common occurrence. Even if the angle remains the same, various reasons can cause the projectile to change its original landing point, so people are not too disappointed.

In the rear military camp, even more craftsmen were busy, using various ingenious tools and powerful livestock to move thick wooden beams, preparing to build tall siege towers that could reach the city walls, as well as other things to breach the city walls.