Cataphracts, surviving in a world full of mods

In this era, the bow and arrow played an undeniable role on the battlefield. As one of the earliest projectile weapons created by mankind, its advantage of being able to kill enemies at a greater distance was self-evident.

The earliest bows and arrows were simply a bent stick that used its elasticity to launch projectiles for killing purposes. Both the technique and the power of the arrows were very primitive, and they could only hunt small animals. To hunt larger prey, one had to use poison.

As the nature of human warfare continues to evolve, the scale of wars is becoming larger and larger, and the process is becoming more and more brutal and bloody. In order to carry out this most destructive social activity of mankind more efficiently, weapons and armor are constantly being updated and replaced to obtain better power and protection.

In today's grand battles with thousands upon thousands of troops arrayed in formation, the short bows used for hunting are of no use whatsoever, and are even unlikely to harm one's own enemies.

In order to penetrate increasingly sturdy and heavy armor, people need more powerful and penetrating bows and arrows. To achieve this goal, strong and sharp arrowheads, straight and resilient shafts, and powerful bows are all indispensable... as well as various other factors and conditions, but in general, each generation will be more powerful than the last.

Bows made from natural materials can be broadly divided into two types: single-piece bows made from a single material and bows made from a combination of multiple materials. Generally speaking, the latter is more efficient and powerful than the former at the same weight.

Single-piece bows also have their own advantages. These longbows, made from a single material, often do not require special maintenance. Just apply a little oil and they can be used for a long time. They are also cheaper to make, require less technical skills, and are more adaptable to changing environments. They do not require much effort in maintenance and, when the weight is sufficient, they also have considerable power.

Although a horn bow made of a combination of different materials requires careful maintenance and cannot withstand a humid and hot environment, and has a very long production cycle, it also requires a very high level of skill from the craftsman... Once made, it can achieve higher efficiency and power with its shorter bow body, is lightweight and flexible to use, can shoot arrows that are extremely far and sharp, and can even be used to maneuver on a galloping warhorse and draw the bow with both hands - of course, very few people can do this.

The bows and arrows used by mountain archers like Colin are longbows made from the finest yew wood from their local area. Hunters with the means would add an extra layer of elk tendon to increase the weight and power. To prevent the tendon from becoming soft and falling off due to moisture, they would also wrap it with a thin layer of oily bark.

Such longbows are generally only suitable for use while standing on the ground, allowing for greater muscle use in drawing the bow, thus enabling a very high draw weight. Paired with well-made heavy arrows, they can easily pierce through ordinary armor.

The raiders of the East, on the other hand, mostly used horn bows because the cattle on the grasslands did not have long enough horns, so they mostly used ram horns to make them.

By making flat horn plates and attaching them, along with sturdy long tendons, to both sides of the wooden frame, this composite material can bring extremely high efficiency without affecting their use on warhorses.

Nowadays, the bows and arrows used on the battlefield are more than enough for hunting. Even large beasts like bears and tigers cannot withstand more than a few arrows. There is no longer a need to rely on poison to bring down large prey. The sharp metal arrowheads can pierce bones, tear internal organs, and cause terrible wounds.

Archery skills have evolved rapidly over the years, eventually becoming a unique art form that is easy to learn but difficult to master, and is extremely important.

Because bows and crossbows are different, having strong arm strength is only the foundation. Hitting a target of the same size is much more difficult. Without years of accumulated experience and feel, a complete novice is more likely to hit his own people than the enemy. A barely competent archer needs at least two years of training. The techniques of archery are even enough to establish a special school.

The Imperial Capital's Grand Library contains numerous books dedicated to archery techniques. This vast nation connects the East and the West, where Eastern and Western civilizations converge and blend. As a result, the Imperials can use both Western and Eastern methods of drawing the bowstring. If something is effective and usable, the Imperials will choose the superior method without hesitation.

Thesolius felt he could now write a book on archery, and it wouldn't be difficult for him at all...

………………

The large black bow in his hand was incredibly large; when unstrung, it reached his chin. The bow arms, made of black wood, extended to both sides, tapering towards the ends to form a beautiful gradient curve.

The bow has a slight recurve on both sides, but not too much. When strung, it looks like an extremely elongated S-shape. The end of the bow is polished and fitted with stag antlers. The part near the handle narrows sharply, forming a pair of close-fitting arcs, providing the archer with a good grip. The firing part is covered with durable hard fish skin, while the soft and sweat-absorbing leather part is decorated with gold inlay patterns... No matter how you look at it, this is a finely crafted and valuable bow.

The bowstring is made of a very unique material: bundles of fine white fibers wrapped together with strong thread, making it incredibly strong and able to withstand tremendous tension.

This unique material is only produced in Hols, a southern region. It is made from the bark of a slender tree native to the area. After being peeled and soaked, softened, separated, and steamed, the bark is used and is considered the finest material for bowstrings.

This was a trophy he brought back from the battlefield of the Bone Basin. At the time, he didn't think it was anything special, but now it seems that it might be a weapon owned by a Holstein nobleman. After all, in terms of both the fineness of its workmanship and its excellent quality, it was not something that ordinary soldiers could afford.

He had long forgotten what the man who died by his hand looked like. He had only brought the bow back on a whim and had been using it ever since, and it had never let him down.

He drew a large arrow from the quiver behind his waist. The hardwood shaft was coated with several layers of paint, making it smooth and glossy without any excessive friction. The fletching, made of broad falcon feathers, was flexible and elastic, allowing it to maintain a stable flight posture. The slender, sharp, hard steel arrowhead had a section of its fletching inserted into the wooden shaft, making it even more sturdy and durable.

Thetholys secured the sandalwood end cap to the bowstring and steadily drew back the bow. He stood as straight as a birch tree, his shoulders and arms forming a straight line, maintaining his current posture without moving an inch, his breathing steady and powerful, neither hurried nor impatient.

Maintaining the drawing motion requires a lot of physical strength, but this heavy bow is as easy to shape as a soft noodle in his hands. He keeps the drawing motion in place and aims at the target in front of him, which is made of multiple layers of thick cowhide.

The soldiers and onlookers from the surrounding forces almost forgot how to breathe. Everyone's attention was focused on this moment, and they were completely silent, waiting for the powerful arrow to be fired.

Amidst everyone's anticipation, Tersolius's shoulders twitched slightly, and the great bow was lowered. A cloud of dust rose from the leather target in the distance, and a trembling arrow shaft was embedded in the palm-sized red bullseye. The long arrow was more than halfway in, leaving only a palm-length section exposed. The dozen or so layers of leather and the wooden backing were pierced through together, and the entire target swayed slightly from the remaining force.

The soldiers watching were about to cheer loudly, but before their cheers could even get out of their throats, they swallowed them back down—because Tersolius had already nocked another arrow…

The target, made of thick cowhide, vibrated incessantly. This target, specially designed for armor-piercing arrows, was now as fragile as tofu, riddled with holes. One after another, the exposed arrow fletchings crowded densely on the central bullseye, without a single one colliding with the others, like a swarm of bees returning to their hive.

Thesolius fired one powerful arrow after another with a sense of utter freedom, each strike capable of piercing a strong bull and penetrating thick iron armor.

Anyone who knows how to shoot can see that Thesolius did not use his full strength at all, and did not even focus his eyes on the target. He hit the target accurately with a casual shot, and still had the energy to divert his attention to other things.

This is a state of perfect harmony between man and nature. For him, archery is as simple as breathing. Hitting the target is nothing to be surprised about; missing is what is noteworthy. When the bow is drawn, hitting the target is already a foregone conclusion...

Such bravery naturally drew thunderous cheers. Even the archers in the legion who had previously boasted of their superb archery skills felt ashamed and embarrassed to take out their bows. The entire archery range became his stage, and more and more soldiers gathered around to cheer and applaud him.

Apart from him, no bow made a sound. Everyone was holding their breath, and anyone who disturbed the scene would be met with disdain and possibly a beating.

Each arrow that hit the target would elicit a cheer from the crowd. As the bow was drawn back again, the cheers would quickly subside... And so, with the vibration of the bowstring, wave after wave of cheers washed over the training ground in the military camp, everyone's emotions being stirred and manipulated by the same person.

As the last arrow was nocked and flew steadily, it found its way into the only remaining small gap in the arrow's fletching. All 35 arrows in the entire bag were fired, with not a single one landing outside the bullseye, nor colliding or scraping against any of the other arrows.

Even the feathers on the arrow shaft were perfectly intact, just as neat and tidy as before it flew from the bowstring, leaving everyone speechless.

The officer in charge of the area stepped forward and pulled out all the arrows. This process took considerable effort—the arrowheads, deeply embedded in the cowhide, were difficult to remove, and the tough leather provided strong friction; it took all his strength to move and pull them out little by little.

There was no need to sing the target anymore; everyone could clearly see the final result. Such superb skill and astonishing bravery left everyone in awe. A frenzied and restless atmosphere filled every corner around them. All the soldiers who could shoot arrows were discussing it in hushed tones and exclaiming in amazement.

Before, soldiers were honing their martial arts skills on this training ground, but after he started shooting arrows, no one did anything else. Everyone gathered around, crowding in several circles, their voices like the flapping of bees' wings, their excitement rippling like the ocean tide.

No one understands the difference in martial arts skills better than soldiers who fight on the battlefield, and therefore is more aware of this terrible gap.

Of course, some people can hit the bullseye every time, and quite a few at that, but to do it so that each shot doesn't collide with the others and precisely fills every gap... especially with such a powerful bow, is something that probably only Tersolius could do in the entire legion, the entire empire.

What soldier wouldn't want to follow such a brave and invincible general? What officer wouldn't want to serve under him? And what legion wouldn't be honored to be under his command?

Only a general like this can lead them to victory after victory, bringing them supreme glory time and time again, wealth, dignity, and precious yet rightful victories. Who wouldn't want to follow in his footsteps?

Amidst the soldiers' murmurs, Tersolius turned to look at Talina beside him:

"Doctor, please write this down..."

"The force with which you strike the string is crucial, and on this point I recommend... paying attention when pushing the bow with your lead hand..."

"Adjusting your breathing is a crucial step; don't panic, that's the most foolish and cowardly thing to do... Don't move your shoulders unnecessarily, that's a key part of your structure..."

Tarina used a brass pen to write neat and beautiful characters on the parchment on the wooden board. She not only recorded the language of Thesolius, but also organized and arranged it accordingly. After finishing, she bound it with silk thread, and it could be regarded as a complete book.

"Sir, are you planning to write a book about archery? Are you intending to distribute it and have it recorded in a grand library?"

After finishing her notes, Tarina couldn't help but ask the question; the girl with sparkling eyes was clearly very interested in it.

Chapter 163 Sprouting (2)

The Empire's army is a professional army and an important channel for the common people of the Empire to achieve upward social mobility. Every commoner who aspires to this goal will prepare his own weapons and protective equipment, and their ultimate goal is to join the elite legions and become a respected legionary soldier.

Once their skills are recognized and they receive this honor, they will become full-time soldiers for the next 15 years, fully supported by the state. They will be responsible for honing their martial arts skills and training their discipline, constantly tempering themselves in war until they become the best soldiers.

Even if they don't achieve enough merit, or even if they spend all their military pay, as long as they live to the point of retirement, they will receive a piece of land and a sum of money from the state, enough for them to support themselves.

Such a professional, off-the-job army, honed through the flames of war, possesses a will and combat skills that ordinary conscripts cannot match. Naturally, the financial resources required are also incomparable, costing countless gold coins and consuming massive amounts of resources every day.

It is precisely because of such a large pool of excellent soldiers that the empire's army has been able to achieve victory after victory on the battlefields on all sides, crushing any enemy who dares to covet this vast and fertile land into mincemeat and using them to enrich their own land.

Countless commoners and slaves worked on the land, in the mines, in the forests, and in the workshops... The immense wealth generated supported the country's vast and formidable army. Relying on the Pantalis River, which runs through the entire country, smooth and developed shipping attracted merchants from all over the world. Amidst the prosperous commercial activities, rivers of gold and silver flowed through the lifeblood of this nation.

That is why becoming a legionary soldier is an honorable thing in any corner of the empire. Their families will be so proud that they will shed tears, the most beautiful girl in the village will cast admiring glances at them, the other young men in the village will be so jealous that they will break their own bows, and the tribunal of the village will take good care of their families.

Even after retirement, these veterans are still respected by the people of the Empire. Whenever there is something to discuss in the village, their opinions are always sought, and slightly wealthier merchants are very willing to hire them as their bodyguards.

Therefore, whenever a legion receives permission from the Senate and the Emperor to issue a recruitment notice, all the strong young men of suitable age in the vicinity will gather here, hoping that they will be the lucky one selected from among ten.

………………

"Baria, hurry up! Grab your sword! And eat this pie quickly, and finish this soup! Don't forget to tie your boots!"

A plump middle-aged woman was wiping the sweat from her hands with an oil-stained headscarf. The sweat wasn't from the heat... Her heart was pounding, a mix of fear, anticipation, and nervousness coursing through her mind.

Despite being so nervous she was about to faint, the woman forced herself to maintain her usual capable and assertive demeanor, urging her son to prepare as quickly as possible while keeping her hands busy packing his luggage.

The dry food I made last night is emitting the aroma of grains, and it also contains crunchy nuts. Just two pieces are enough to fill you up.

The water bladder, made from thick cowhide, is the work of the village's best leatherworker. When filled with water, it won't leak a drop even after a week of walking around, and it will remain smooth and supple for several years.

There were also two sets of clothes to change into, leggings and sturdy shoes, straps for hanging ornaments, ropes for hanging a shield, and an oilcloth cover to keep out the rain... After packing all these into the package and tying them up properly, it could be carried securely on one's back.

Her husband was polishing the tip of a spear with a fine whetstone until it gleamed and sharp enough to pierce cowhide with a light touch. He then handed the spear, with its oak handle, to his son, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small cloth bag from which came the crisp sound of coins jingling.

“Old Boris is a heartless bastard! He only paid such a price for such a fine donkey of ours… Keep these safe and don’t show them to anyone, not even Caledo! Don’t stare at me, kid. I know you’re close to him, but anything can happen in front of these shiny little things. Use the copper coins I gave you for everyday use, save this money for more important things…”

Their child was a robust young man with curly black hair, a big nose and small eyes like his father, and a similarly honest, round face, though he looked much younger.

The young man had a simple and honest personality, just like his appearance. He nodded repeatedly under his father's tutelage, seemingly having absorbed a lot of his teachings. His mother, having finally finished packing, came over and began to put various things on him.

"Don't panic when the time comes. Even if it doesn't work out, it's okay. We have other options. If it doesn't work out, come back early to avoid any danger on the way... I'll contact the sawmill and ask that old guy to find you a better job."

"Don't listen to this old man's discouraging words!" The middle-aged woman glared fiercely at the man beside her, then muttered to her son:

"This is General Tersolius's legion! You must work hard! Who knows when the next opportunity like this will come? Maybe by then we will all be gone, and you will be an old man."

"Cough cough cough... Your mother is right, this is a great honor, and you must do your best to strive for it, but you still need to be careful to protect yourself. I asked your Uncle Maris to take care of you on the road. If anything happens, listen to him. Be sure to stay on the main roads and travel with your buddies. Don't go alone..."

The couple seemed to have endless things to talk about, constantly giving their son instructions and advice. The young man, however, showed no impatience, listening attentively to every word and nodding repeatedly.

"Balia, we need to get going. Let's hurry."

A loud shout came from outside. A large group of young people, dressed like Baria, carrying their own spears, swords, shields and other weapons, gathered together and boarded the carriage at the village entrance. A handsome young man was waving towards their door, calling his companions to catch up with the group.

"Calido is calling me, I'm off!"

"Be careful on the road! Stay with everyone."

"understood."

"I will take good care of Balia, old man, you should go back and rest."

"Be careful, all the young men in this village are on your carriage."

“I know, my son is inside! Even if it costs me my life, I can’t let anything happen to them.”

"goodbye!!"

"goodbye!"

"..."

………………

Teams like these are everywhere in the western region of Cerisonnas and the neighboring province of Miles. The recruitment orders of the Golden Legion have attracted all the young people to gather here, each of them filled with hope and expecting to reap that glory.

----------------------

"You always manage to surprise me, Talina."

Tersolius smiled and put down the book bound in parchment. The supple leather was strung together with sturdy twine, the edges were neatly trimmed, and the words "archery" were written on the pale yellow leather.

"I just tidied things up, sir, it's nothing."

“You didn’t just tidy it up…” Tersolius couldn’t help but turn the pages again, admiring the neat handwriting that looked as if it had been measured with a ruler.

"It was just one night, Doctor. In just one night you transcribed everything I said, removed all the unnecessary parts, and extracted the most concise sentences. They're not complicated or awkward at all. Even a child who has only had a few years of schooling could probably understand what it means..."

"And you probably didn't sleep last night... Don't cover your face. I know you have plenty of ways to hide your fatigue, but you can't keep the lights off in your tent."