Cataphracts, surviving in a world full of mods

This former cattle ranch owner was meticulous and decisive. After completely siding with Tersolius, he was entrusted with the important task of establishing an intelligence network for the emperor and his people in the Eastern Province.

This was no easy task. Although Cerisonas had been reduced to ashes and everything that used to hinder them had been cleared away, their intelligence work was also greatly hampered by the drastic reduction in population, making their work extremely difficult and fraught with setbacks.

It wasn't until recently, when slaves from Cerisonas were assigned to this land to resume production under the orders of Tersolius, that the land regained some of its former vitality. Large numbers of slaves moved into villages and pastures that had been burned down, and slaves and poor people from other provinces continued to pour in. It was during this opportunity that a still rudimentary intelligence network was established in this province.

"Yes, my lord, thanks to the help of those lords sent from the capital during this time, everything I've done has gone very smoothly. Now we have informants in every village and town in this land, and we're expanding into the surrounding provinces..."

Fitzgerald reported his condition respectfully and quickly, while Tersolius listened quietly and calmly, occasionally asking a question or two, pondering for a moment after receiving an answer, and then gesturing for him to continue.

"Now that you've made contact with your henchmen... is there any progress regarding that message?"

"I regret to inform you, my lord... We have compiled intelligence gathered from all the secret agents in the empire, but we have found no trace of such a thing, only some ambiguous rumors and legends... Most of them are nonsense, and the others are difficult to investigate."

"Similar records exist in the capital's main library... I have compiled them all and recorded them here."

As he spoke, Fitzgerald handed over several sheets of white parchment with neat handwriting in black ink and simple drawings in charcoal.

Tersolius reached out and took it, then carefully examined it—he was no longer the same person he used to be; he could even understand complex and rigorous academic knowledge, and he had now begun learning the language of the Kingdom of Asel…

The records on the parchment lack precise dates, but they do specify locations. It's unclear whether they were lost during the book's preservation or due to some other reason.

'...The governor of the province of Miles, Turicart... assassinated...'

'The Illinois province rebellion...lasting for 3 months...with many suspicious points...'

………………

These intelligence reports may seem disorganized, but careful analysis reveals that most of these strange disturbances are concentrated in provinces closer to the west. Although most of them are resolved in a short time, the strange elements involved cannot be hidden from truly intelligent people.

Although the Capital Library is called a library, it undertakes many functions and is a very important national institution. The scholars inside also have a strict organizational structure, unlike the academic organizations in other countries which are often disorganized.

One of the most important tasks of one of the academies was to gather information from all over the country, verify its authenticity, and then analyze it to provide the emperor with specific advice. Such strangeness naturally could not be hidden from them.

The emperor's henchmen had also put a lot of effort into the western provinces of the empire, but had gained very little... Those behind the scenes handled things very cleanly, leaving no trace after causing several disturbances.

After their fruitless mission, the scholars of the empire still recorded all the information in the library, which is why these parchments are now in Tersolius's hands, allowing him to understand what happened decades later.

The concentration of these large and small unrests in the west of the empire couldn't possibly be due to favorable feng shui or easier rebellion there… On the contrary, because of the long-standing wars with the Hols and other western states, the empire's west maintained a large and elite military force. Therefore, such unrest was often swiftly quelled by the imperial army's brutal suppression, leaving one wondering what the motives of those who instigated these disturbances were. Or rather, what did they gain that made them willing to do such things…?

No one would do something thankless and exhausting. These ridiculous upheavals must have had some purpose, but unfortunately, decades have passed, and even if one wanted to, it would be impossible to verify.

…………!

Teresolus suddenly raised his head—wasn't this commotion in Cerisonus highly suspicious? How come he hadn't noticed it?

Chapter 145 Hidden Clues (2)

"Have all those guys been detained?"

"As you commanded, except for those executed during the rebellion, all the Iris organizers who instigated this uprising have been captured, and the prison guards in the capital have arrived."

"They've moved quite quickly... Let's go see these brave gentlemen and hope they still have enough courage to face their fate."

Tersolius scoffed – the unique skills of the prison guards in the capital were not something everyone had the chance to taste. Ordinary criminals were not qualified to be sent there, and only these despicable and laughable fellows could enjoy this honor.

Of course, they haven't tasted that feeling yet. As the most powerful and prestigious commander-in-chief and governor of the entire province, the jailers wouldn't act rashly without his permission.

Fitzgerald bowed and then took his helmet from his waist and put it on—he was now dressed as a standard elite legionary soldier, armed from head to toe, responsible not only for laying out a covert intelligence network, but also for earning the position of captain through his own merits.

His feat of chasing a murderer at midnight and avenging himself that very day has spread throughout the entire legion. Although his position is still relatively low, everyone knows that he has won the commander's favor and has been granted permission to join the imperial legion. Sooner or later, he will rise to prominence. Therefore, even if he reports to Tersolius without going through the proper channels, no one will think there is anything wrong with it. At most, they will feel a little envious and jealous.

After the guards raised their flags, finished their preparations, and escorted the two away, a tall figure with long golden hair appeared in front of the tent. When stopped by the guards, she spoke without hesitation:

"I'm here to fight Tersolius! Make him come out and see me!"

The guard gripped his halberd tightly with a creak, eyeing the now-respectable-looking fellow with ill intent... If he hadn't known what kind of barbarian this was, he would have already attacked.

But since it was a promise made by Thesolius himself, he still had to explain the previous sentence:

"The master has important business to attend to and has already left."

"Do you know where he went?"

"do not know."

………………

After being forcefully pushed back, Karila wasn't discouraged at all. After leaving the central command tent area, she strolled to the main road. Then, without hesitation, she squatted down and began examining the marks on the ground…

After observing for a while, she seemed to have figured something out, but an excited smile appeared on her face. She stood up, stretched her legs, and followed after them, only to be stopped at the entrance of the camp…

"No one may leave the camp without orders."

The fully armored legionary soldiers blocked her path without hesitation with their halberds, and the massive camp gates and antlers showed no sign of opening, which immediately put her in a difficult position.

The empire's army has extremely strict discipline, which extends to every aspect of life. Soldiers are not allowed to leave their posts without permission, unlike soldiers in Western countries, whose camps are filled with all sorts of merchants and vendors, and even a considerable number of prostitutes... It could even be described as a marketplace within the military camp, and soldiers are not prohibited from leaving.

Since she had promised to abide by the rules of Tersolius, Karila would not go back on her word; otherwise, given her past nature, she would have already charged forward with her axe.

Although she didn't show it on her face, her mind was racing. One idea suddenly surfaced and quickly gained support and was put into action.

“I have received General Tersolius’s permission to go on important business.” — Keeping a promise is certainly important! Based on that alone, she cannot be considered lying.

"Bring me the military order and the token."

"Here."

A smile involuntarily crept onto her lips. Luckily, she had been careful and had Tersolius write a receipt in case the other party denied it.

With a piece of parchment bearing the legion commander's seal and a bit of quick wit, Karila managed to slip away—but he had to return before nightfall or he would be punished.

After examining the tracks on the main road again, they realized that the reconnaissance teams that had been coming and going had scrambled the tracks, making them harder to track now... but it wasn't impossible.

The tall woman moved her hands and feet – this was experience accumulated over many years in her hometown, knowing how to keep her body in the best condition before strenuous exercise.

After confirming the direction again, she immediately started running along the road, swinging her arms and stretching her legs forward. Each step was quite long, and her speed was astonishing.

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

A middle-aged man with a full face was sticking his hand out over the fence, shouting loudly with an anxious expression:

"I am innocent! You esteemed and respectable officials must have made a mistake somewhere. I am sworn enemies with those rebels! Because of them, my business has been ruined. This must be a terrible misunderstanding! Please let me go out and explain myself properly!"

Before he could finish speaking, a middle-aged woman of similar age in the cell next to him also shouted at the top of her lungs:

"That's right, that's right! Kind sirs, please have pity on this wretched old woman! I've been doing good deeds all along in this city, please spare me for my sake!"

She was clearly in the prime of her life, yet this woman called herself an old hag without batting an eye, and at that moment she was crying and looking miserable and pitiful.

The middle-aged man who spoke first almost couldn't help but roll his eyes... Even among the people of Iris, the other party could be considered exceptionally shameless—this middle-aged woman was the city's largest slave trader, and she specialized in selling good-looking and healthy boys and girls to wealthy merchants and nobles.

These boys and girls were mostly obtained through despicable means, and most of the time they were the product of families being destroyed and people dying... This woman could be described as having blood on her hands, yet she could say without batting an eye that she was doing good deeds.

There are only five people in this prison, none of whom are simple. They all once possessed enormous wealth and even had a certain amount of power with the governor's tacit approval.

But now they have become the lowest of prisoners... and they were imprisoned so early that they didn't even know that the governor had committed suicide by poison and that the city was now completely under the control of the army.

So they still held onto hope, and after eating and drinking their fill each day, they would always stand at the door and make all sorts of noises outside, hoping to get some kind of turnaround.

But such ideas often fall through. No matter how hard they shout, or even deliberately make noise during their nighttime rest, the soldiers guarding outside are too lazy to come in and deal with them. They simply put food in wooden buckets in their cells every noon. Apart from that, the only people they can talk to are each other.

At first, they were always fiercely blaming each other, each accusing the other of making a mistake that led to the current situation.

But after a few days of arguing, they lost interest in continuing. They each occupied a corner, gradually becoming listless and exhausted.

While they weren't lacking in food each day, it was far inferior to the sumptuous meals they used to enjoy. How could these pampered fellows possibly adapt to such a diet? Naturally, they felt this was a hard life and longed for some change to free them from their current predicament.

They were all so eager for change that after hearing the cheers from the city a few days ago, they reverted to their old habits, making a ruckus here anytime and anywhere, hoping to attract the attention of important people.

And today, they have finally gotten what they asked for, and are experiencing a long-awaited change...

………………

As the heavy iron gate slowly opened, several people looked in that direction with expectant eyes—no matter who came in, as long as it was a powerful figure they could talk to, they were confident they could bribe them with benefits…

The first thing that caught the eye was the gleaming iron armor. The sound of the armor plates rubbing and colliding gradually became clearer and louder. A team of elite armored soldiers filed in and lined up on both sides of the prison. The five people held their breath even more, knowing that the truly distinguished person was about to appear.

When Thesolius slowly walked in, three of the five men immediately turned pale, unable to even stand, and sat down on the ground. The other two reacted a little slower, but quickly realized that something was wrong; cold sweat soaked their hair, and they collapsed completely.

Tersolius raised an eyebrow, confirming that these guys did indeed know him.

It's important to understand that information transmission was extremely limited and slow in this era. Even though he was renowned throughout the empire, very few people had actually seen his face or recognized him.

And yet, in distant Cerison, the fact that the five prisoners who were the ringleaders of the rebellion could accurately recognize his face speaks volumes.

Tersolius was always decisive and efficient, and didn't like using too many roundabout methods, so he spoke directly:

“I know that you people are hiding some secrets, which you dare not speak out of fear. The crimes you have committed are enough to make you suffer for dozens of days before dying in agony. But I can give you a little mercy now... as long as someone is willing to tell you without reservation right now.”

After he finished speaking, he paused slightly, and as expected, these guys wouldn't admit their mistakes until they were faced with a fatal error.

There were still those who loudly proclaimed their innocence, arguing that they were just honest and law-abiding merchants who could never have participated in the rebellion.

There were also those who stubbornly protested, citing imperial law to say that innocent people could not be imprisoned.

Even more rebellious figures dared to turn around and criticize him...

Tersolius shook his head, genuinely feeling sorry for them and a little relieved—sorry they had let go of one last precious opportunity, but also relieved that they had chosen to do so.

With a slight wave of his hand, the jailers in black robes filed in, their bronze faces covered with various scars. They were somewhat blackened, but the metallic sheen was still visible.

The five people immediately shut their mouths, panic and despair instantly engulfing them... Everyone knew the formidable reputation of these black-robed men. Anyone who fell into their hands, even a noble of high status in the empire, would never have a good end, let alone these men who had injured people.

These black-robed jailers are like ominous crows, bringing death and disaster whenever they appear. Many even refer to them with fear as "the emperor's crows." When they appear on the streets, even the most arrogant and domineering people will temporarily retreat, fearing to be tainted by the aura of death and calamity they carry.

“I have given you one last chance, but you did not choose. So I only have one choice left—to dig out everything they know. I allow you to use any means necessary.”

The last sentence was addressed to the jailers, and the men in black who had remained silent immediately began to act. After unlocking the iron locks with keys, they used clamp-like devices to clamp around the necks of each person and forcibly dragged them out.

At this point, even a complete fool would realize what was coming, let alone these shrewd businessmen. Although they hadn't shed a tear until they saw the coffin, once they did, their tears would fall faster than anyone else's...

"I'm willing to speak! Your Excellency, I'm willing to speak! Please spare my life, and I will tell you everything I know!"

The overweight middle-aged woman screamed at Thesolius in a panic, hoping to escape the terrible punishment that awaited her. But to her despair, Thesolius didn't even turn his head.

"It's too late to say that now... I'd rather know the wallet we've dug out of your mouths than be scared out of my wits in this situation."

In the face of utter despair and terror, the five men struggled desperately, but with their necks locked by the special long-handled iron clamps, they were powerless to exert any strength. They were dragged away like sacks towards the steel gate of the prison. The light they had longed for had now transformed into a deadly demon, causing them to let out heart-wrenching screams.

No matter how they pleaded, how they insulted, or how they went mad... they couldn't distract Thesolius for even a moment. He didn't need to be involved in the executions and interrogations; these jailers were professionals.

And there's no need to worry about a lack of torture instruments here—the large prisons in each provincial capital are fully equipped with these things, enough for them to enjoy themselves to the fullest.

Only after that did he become interested in hearing what these guys were confessing to…