Cataphracts, surviving in a world full of mods

"Sir, the reconnaissance team has made the arrest."

“Oh, they’re quick…” Natamus nodded slightly, then slammed the axe in his hand directly into the wooden stake.

"It's about time; if we delay any longer, we'll miss the opportunity..."

The axe was deeply embedded in the wooden stake, splitting a gap in the large structure that was firmly fixed to the soil by the tree roots. But pulling the axe out would not be so easy.

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"Your Excellency, Imperial General, I am willing to tell you everything I know! If only you would spare my life!"

Natams looked slightly taken aback, because he hadn't even said a word... The guy in front of him, who was wearing thick cloth armor and whose chainmail turban had serrated gold trim, knelt down on the ground in fear and trembling, desperately telling everyone he knew, like beans pouring from a bamboo tube.

The other party's cooperation exceeded his expectations, but because they were too cooperative, what they said became incoherent and they couldn't grasp the main point for a long time, which made him frown. Seeing his expression, the captured prisoner became even more flustered. His originally fluent speech suddenly became stiff and clumsy. He started to stumble while speaking, and in the end, he simply stood there with his mouth open like an idiot, staring blankly.

"Okay, shut up now."

A simple sentence calmed the prisoner somewhat, as if he realized the general wasn't going to order him to be taken out and beheaded. Natams, however, narrowed his eyes slightly, something dangerous brewing in his words:

"Looks like you're not doing so well. Your armor is rusty, and you haven't even had time to take care of it... How long has your king been withholding your pay?"

P.S.: I accidentally fell asleep while writing last night (||?_?), and when I opened my eyes I realized it was already dawn...

Chapter 460 Gold and Silver (1)

"ah?……"

Completely unaware that the other party would ask such a question, McGias uttered a rather foolish and dull question, and froze on the spot.

His current behavior was a stark contrast to his previous eloquence and obsequiousness, creating a strangely humorous effect that almost made several people present unable to suppress their smiles.

He had imagined many questions that the empire's generals would ask him, such as their troop deployment, the king's location, and where supplies and logistics were stored... but he never imagined that the other party would care about his pay like a kind neighbor. If it weren't for the gleaming armor and the chilling swords and axes beside him, he would almost have thought that the other party was genuinely concerned about him.

That's impossible, of course. After all, what merit or ability does he possess to attract the attention of such an important figure? If he were to actually be noticed, it would be a disaster for him...

The halberd, its copper-bound handle striking the ground with a heavy thud, the dangerous sound instantly snapping him back to reality. He realized he had been lost in thought for far too long—long enough to make others question his sanity… and almost instinctively, he immediately decided to make amends for his mistake:

"Since the start of the war, our soldiers have only received three months' worth of pay so far, sir... and even when they do receive it, it's heavily discounted. Some people get half the money, while some unlucky ones don't even get a third of what they were supposed to. Forget about making a fortune from the war, we even have to scrimp and save to pay for repairing our armor... and the food is getting worse and worse!"

"Just a few months ago, our meals consisted of soup made with salted meat and decent bread. Occasionally, we'd get pickled fish sent from the north, but otherwise, it depended on what the local villages could provide. Fresh cabbage and radishes were great for soup... turnips were the cheapest... But now, the bread we eat is at least half-mixed with sawdust! And then there are bags and bags of moldy beans, who knows where they came from! I'm so sick of it that I'm vomiting bile at night. If I hadn't been quick-witted enough to think of taking advantage of patrols to raid the nearby villages... to collect some things, I'd probably still be suffering like everyone else..."

He was just speaking according to Natamus's request, but as he spoke, he became emotional and clearly put his heart into it. He spoke with great passion and spittle flying everywhere, and he was practically jumping up and down cursing if he hadn't been kneeling on the ground.

"No money, no food, no women, not even a decent place to sleep! ... I don't even know why I came here in the first place! Shivering in a soaked tent every day, gnawing on hard bread that had to be sawed open and drinking moldy bean soup, I was practically growing mold on myself!"

"That damned red-haired pig initially said he would increase our military pay, and I was happy for a while, thinking he was an enlightened and generous king... What a fool he was! He couldn't even wait to let us be happy for a while before doing such a stupid thing!..."

Later, he became completely immersed in his own world, and all the dissatisfaction and resentment he had accumulated over a long period of time erupted at once. He even temporarily forgot his own situation, just muttering vicious curses and swears, grinding his teeth.

It seems that if Josetro were to appear in front of him right now, this guy would rush up and punch him without hesitation... Of course, if he were actually in front of him, it would probably be another matter, but at least at this moment, his anger and resentment are genuine.

This is a resentment stemming from a feeling of betrayal and humiliation. Even if suppressed temporarily, it will lurk in the heart like a venomous snake, waiting for the day it erupts... Of course, a large reward would be enough to satisfy these soldiers and officers.

Judging from his current behavior, the king clearly cannot afford to spend such a large sum of money to quell the soldiers' discontent for the time being... But this will not be permanent. Any ruler with a sound mind would realize the crisis he is facing and would certainly try to find a solution.

And this moment was just right for Natamus... The enemy's defenses seemed to remain strong, but the wavering morale was riddled with holes. Without the support of the people, no matter how reasonable the arrangements or how large the army, it would become extremely vulnerable—at least that was the case for him.

His confidence stemmed not only from the constant feedback from his numerous intelligence agents, but also from his understanding of the military… The military was incredibly expensive, almost like pouring basket after basket of gold coins into a puddle, especially the loosely organized and undisciplined armies of the West. The cost of assembling them was astronomical. He didn't believe that after this king achieved this, the national treasury would have much left.

Now, he has lost most of his sources of tax revenue, yet he still commands a large army—an army he dares not disband or abandon when facing a powerful enemy. So, what will happen is obvious...

"Take him away and lock him up."

The guards immediately stepped forward, grabbed McGias by the arm, and dragged him out of the tent. McGias, who hadn't heard the previous sentence at all, thought he was about to be beheaded and let out a terrified scream. He kicked his legs frantically like a frog, trying to find a foothold on the ground to escape the tragic fate he imagined.

Because the guy's screams were so loud, one of the guards finally couldn't stand it anymore. He raised his hand and punched him on the head. The perfect force and position immediately put Magias into a deep sleep. Then he was dragged away limply, leaving two obvious marks on the ground.

Ignoring the farce unfolding there, Natamus continued issuing orders. His hand was now on the hilt of his sword, his eyes sharp as blades, and his mere presence exuded an imposing aura, like a mountain.

"Issue my order—all troops, depart immediately and advance swiftly along the planned routes..."

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Jingle bells, jingle bells! ...

Bright orange-yellow gold coins flowed continuously through the gaps between fingers, making a crisp and beautiful sound when they collided with each other. This sound was enough to buy a person's soul, immersing them in the greed of gold, making them unwilling to leave.

The silver coin, which glows faintly under the flame, is slightly inferior in comparison, but it is still enough to evoke a heartfelt fondness.

This is undoubtedly an unimaginable fortune. An ordinary person in the Kingdom of Salanod could never see even a fraction of this wealth in their lifetime. It is enough to turn close brothers against each other, loving couples into enemies, enemies into peace, and cities into flames... It all depends on how you use it. In a sense, this gold is a wish-granting device, fulfilling people's wishes through its golden radiance.

It's hard for anyone not to be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of gold. For some who have suffered the most poverty, this sight could even cause them to faint from extreme excitement... But for others, gold is merely a tool to achieve their goals, worthless if not used.

"Hurry up! Distribute the money immediately, or some of these guys will turn the world upside down! Use this money to feed them; they've been starving enough."

Without a second thought, Redbeard Yotserlo tossed a handful of gold and silver coins into the box and expressionlessly gave orders to his logistics supervisor. However, the way his thumb was unconsciously clenching his index finger betrayed his underlying unease…

Chapter 461 Gold and Silver (2)

The murky broth boiled continuously over the flames, smelling of beans, but upon closer inspection, one could detect a faint bitter and sour taste... Clearly, the beans inside were not fresh ingredients.

The person next to him was stirring with a wooden spoon, and the cook in the soup pot also had a bitter look on his face. The beans he took out from the bag next to him were covered with black spots of all sizes, and they smelled quite bad. They could only be said to be able to fill one's stomach, if not kill one. Other than that, they had no advantages.

Beside him, a cook was sawing a long, black object with a carpenter's saw. His movements and the sounds he made were exactly like cutting wood, but in fact, this was the soldiers' dinner for the evening... It contained a considerable amount of sawdust to fill their hungry stomachs and increase the portion size...

This is indeed very useful; at least when you eat this kind of black bread, you will easily feel that your stomach is full... But in the end, it does not contain any nutrition or energy, and the taste is terrible. Eating it is a torment to your tongue and stomach.

As the saw continued to cut, fine fragments spilled onto the ground. The bean soup in the pot was finally beyond repair, and the cook signaled to the soldiers in the camp that it was time to eat.

The soldiers, their faces full of resentment, had their helmets askew and many weren't even properly dressed in their armor. They came to line up looking disheveled and even started arguing over the order. Before long, they started fighting, using the situation as an excuse to vent their anger and frustration. Meanwhile, the cook picked up his wooden ladle to protect his soup pot, preventing these guys who were about to take advantage of the situation from overturning it.

As it turned out, he was very prescient. In the chaos, someone tried to do something underhanded, but he hit their hand twice hard with his spoon, almost breaking their bones. The two who started fighting were also suppressed by the officers, and the others were finally able to continue getting their food.

However, no one showed any joy on their faces. Some people held their bowls and stirred them with spoons but didn't put them in their mouths. When they ate bread, it was as if they were chewing rotten wood.

This is the current state of the army of the Kingdom of Salanod. They have established countless camps on the defensive line where they are locked in a stalemate with the Imperial Legion, but because they have lost the richest region, their military pay is short and supplies are scarce. The soldiers are demoralized and full of resentment. Now, not to mention that they have launched an offensive, they have not scattered in a panic, which has even exceeded the expectations of many people.

But it was clear to everyone that if the situation continued, the collapse of this army would be imminent... After all, withholding military pay was fatal enough for an army, not to mention the shortage of supplies, low morale, and a powerful enemy in front of them. It could be said that the king had no reason to be harsh on these soldiers anymore. The reason he could still maintain this army was largely due to his past control over the country's military power and the authority he still possessed. What he was now expending was his past authority, something that was incredibly difficult to build but could be lost in an instant.

He scooped a spoonful of mushy beans from the soup and put it in his mouth, savoring the strange taste. Then, he used the hot soup to force down the dry, hard, and chewy bread, barely managing to get through the meal. The squad leader on duty then wanted to stand up and go to the nearby tower to arrange for the sentries.

But just as he was about to leave, a hand grabbed his sleeve and tugged at it furtively—he didn't even need to turn around to know it was Oris.

The two of them had a pretty good relationship, and this guy always had some clever ideas to get his hands on some good stuff, especially in this terrible situation. He could even get some jerky from who-knows-where to give his brothers a little something extra.

He immediately realized that something good was waiting for him, but after a brief hesitation, he put his duties aside... Anyway, the Imperials had been quiet for so long, so there was no need to worry about it today. Besides, his stomach was upset, so he didn't have the mood to think about so much.

With that, Oris raised an eyebrow at him, and he followed knowingly. The two of them made their way through the maze of the camp and hid in a warehouse, where three or four people had already gathered. They greeted him warmly when they saw him coming; they were all friends who got along well with him.

"Aha, Liver, you've finally made it here. Pol, hurry up and close the door. We don't have much time. Let's finish eating quickly and go back."

“That’s right, that’s right, Oris, I’ve given you all the money I have on me. If you can’t get me something good, I won’t let this go.”

"I've been eating moldy bean soup every day for the past two days, I'm practically moldy myself! If I don't find something good to try soon, I'm thinking of cutting my tongue off."

A group of people started making a ruckus, urging them on, and some even impatiently banged on the wooden planks beside them, causing Oris to frown and mutter curses at them.

"Keep your voices down, you guys are afraid no one will know, aren't you?! A bunch of brainless idiots! Alright, alright, Paul, open the box over there."

A box buried in straw was dug out. When the lid was opened, it emitted a strong, salty smell. The soldier called Bohr rummaged around inside for a bit and pulled out two halved salted fish and three bottles tied with hemp rope.

The crowd cheered immediately, eagerly urging Paul to bring the fish over so everyone could share, while Oris proudly began to boast about his achievement:

“You have no idea how far I ran to find this. That old man by the sea wanted my money, but I drew my sword and brandished it, and he shut up. These two fish were hanging from their roof beams. I found the wine after I beat him up. The local scoundrels are tough as nails; they won't behave unless you beat them up.”

Salted fish that has been exposed to the sun and wind has a beautiful brown color. The surface has even been cleaned to some extent. When you cut it open with a knife, the texture of the flesh inside is a warm and lustrous color like topaz. There is a thin layer of oil under the skin, which makes the knife used to cut it shiny.

A group of people stretched out their knives and shared the two salted fish. They took turns drinking wine from the jug, each person eating with gusto and their mouths were dripping with oil. They didn't even want to say much, afraid of missing out on a bite.

This unique way of having a meal together didn't last long. Mainly because their treatment suddenly deteriorated, the group contacted each other and pooled their money to get Oris, a guy with connections, to get them something lucrative outside, and Oris always managed to satisfy them.

In the end, even the fish bones were reluctantly put into the mouths of some people to suck, and others were licking the oil off their fingers and the blades of their knives. Even the empty wine bottles were refilled with water, just to savor the last trace of alcohol.

They looked so wretched and pathetic. After eating and drinking their fill, the resentment and anger that they couldn't suppress began to grow in their hearts again. They didn't know why they had fallen to such a state—even eating two salted fish seemed like a luxury. In the past, such food was just ordinary food, but now it was enough to make them fight over it.

So, their mood, which had been good just moments before, suddenly turned sour and hesitant. They didn't want to move at all and just collapsed into the haystacks in the warehouse, occasionally letting out a curse. Before long, some of them even started snoring and actually fell asleep right there.

Such apathy would have been unimaginable in the past, but it is no longer surprising... It has become a common phenomenon. Soldiers who are not receiving wealth and support are becoming disloyal to their kingdom and are no longer willing to fulfill their former duties... In fact, soldiers desert every day, but the news has not yet spread due to the information blockade.

"Hey...did you guys hear anything?"

Orliss, who was shaving his teeth nearby, suddenly stood up with a look of surprise, attracting the attention of two or three people around him... But they were, after all, professional officers in the army, not yet degenerated to that level, so they quickly noticed some unsettling noises—the earth-shaking sound of rolling hooves coming from afar...

Chapter 462 Gold and Silver (3)

The bowstring of this powerful bow is made of silk and hemp, making it strong and durable. However, the force carried by this strong bowstring also means that you must take good care of your fingers when using this dangerous weapon. Otherwise, a small part of your finger will be taken away the moment the string is released.

The hard raw cowhide finger guard on Tuo Moyi's right thumb firmly gripped the bowstring, his index finger hooked the first joint of his thumb, and the smooth arrow fletching was firmly held in the web between his thumb and forefinger. The sharp arrowhead, guided by the touch of his left index finger, steadily pointed at his target.

The next moment, accompanied by a calm yet long breath, the arrow shot out, hissing in the air like a venomous snake. It then accurately pierced through the gaps in the armor, tearing through the throat and muscles, exiting from the other side with scalding blood. It swiftly and fatally deprived the target of his ability to move, causing him to widen his eyes, desperately tear at his throat, and then his body went limp, and he fell from the tower.

He didn't look at his arrows again, because he already knew the outcome—the instant the first corpse fell from the tower, he had already nocked the second arrow, using the muscles in his back and chest to pull the bow open like a sturdy frame. On the galloping horse, he accurately judged the moment to fire, calmly shooting down another soldier who was trying to close the gate.

Behind him, his squad of cavalry did the same, raining arrows down on the camp before them, causing the soldiers inside to run around in panic. Every now and then, someone would throw burning rockets into the dense warehouses and tents.

This rocket is a flammable mixture of resin oil and carbon powder, contained in a long, narrow cloth bag. When needed, an arrow is inserted through the bag from end to end, then ignited and launched. It can burn continuously and ignite anything lacking moisture.

Because of their excessive weight, launching these rockets meant their range was destined to be short... Under normal circumstances, they would never have been able to approach and shoot so calmly, but today, every cavalryman was surprised by the enemy's laxity... They had already thrown the camp into chaos with almost no casualties, with firelight and noise colliding inside, soldiers running around in confusion, colliding and tearing at each other, and some even trying to escape through the back gate of the camp.

Everything went incredibly smoothly. After they harassed the enemy into chaos, the supporting attacking force destroyed their fortifications with almost no cost. Few resisted during this process, and the only hundred-man squad that was managed to be assembled was easily scattered. Seeing that the wall had been breached, the remaining soldiers immediately lost the courage to resist and tried to escape amidst the gleaming armor and swords of the Imperial Legion, leaving their helmets, armor, and weapons scattered all over the ground.

Those who had no way to escape could only surrender in fear. Before long, the once noisy camp was filled only with the sound of burning wood and the shouts of imperial soldiers driving away prisoners.

Many people are still somewhat confused, after all, in their view, everything happened without warning, as fast as lightning. The officer in charge of them has disappeared, and without a unified command, everyone tries to solve the problem in their own way, resulting in a chaotic mess. Coupled with their already low morale and lack of preparation, they were defeated before they could even react or resist.

Many were still shouting and screaming, their cries turning to agony as the whips tore through their flesh, but this did little to quell their doubts… Where were their officers?! Where had the people who commanded them gone?!

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

Oris stopped, panting heavily. He felt like his lungs were about to burst. Sweat soaked his hair and streamed down his forehead. His legs were weak and sore, making it difficult to take even one more step. His back bent involuntarily as he gasped for breath.

To avoid attracting attention, they didn't even ride horses, instead running on foot into a grove of trees next to the camp. They left their armor and helmets in the warehouse, wearing only light, soft armor, and didn't dare linger for a moment, running all the way to this spot. Only then did they regain some composure and believe they were safe to some extent.

At the same time, he was secretly cursing his bad luck—nothing had happened for so long, but today! Just when they had managed to get some meat and were about to have a good meal, the Imperials suddenly stormed in as if they had foreseen it! They completely occupied the entire camp.

At first, he thought about going out to organize the soldiers to resist, but the other officers had lost all will to fight, which made him hesitate as well. He watched as the situation deteriorated rapidly, and his brief hesitation completely ruined the last chance to organize the army. In the end, it was completely out of control, and they had no choice but to flee in disgrace.

This would be a disgrace to any soldier or officer—to be utterly defeated without inflicting any damage on the enemy, and to be on the defensive with advantageous fortifications and terrain, having played no role whatsoever, his army was completely wiped out by a brief moment of negligence and oversight… He had no doubt that if the king had known of this, beheading him would have been considered a lenient and merciful punishment.

They ran frantically, their clothes torn to shreds by the bushes and thorns in the forest, and their faces were scratched and bleeding. They were panting, leaning on tree trunks on the mountaintop, their bodies covered with dry leaves and thorny plant fruits. They looked even more wretched than refugees in the midst of war.

After a while, once they had caught their breath, the group looked at each other and realized they needed to discuss what to do next... Going back was definitely out of the question, and even if they did, they wouldn't be able to explain themselves. Their options were extremely limited.