Armored Cavalry, survive in a world full of mods

Until the knight, clad in full armor and gleaming with cold light, came into view, the cheers that had just stopped almost lifted the roofs of the surrounding houses, all because the figure wearing a magnificent winged helmet, clad in heavy armor and covered by a silk robe, and surrounded by elite cavalry, had finally stepped into the city...

…………

At such a glorious moment, neither the emperor nor the Senate could be stingy with these meritorious soldiers, bestowing large sums of money upon them and allowing them to enjoy fine wine and food at will, bringing this joyous feast to a true climax.

With such merit, Tersolius naturally gained more power, and his current position is of paramount importance, with his prestige soaring.

Karasaloni, the legionary commander of Myris's Legion, was promoted to the Senate and secured a new seat thanks to his achievements.

That's right, a new seat.

Asking a noble elder to relinquish his position is tantamount to taking his life; it would be easier to ask him to cut off a piece of his own thigh, because this position not only represents his power but also his and his family's status and wealth. Anyone who dares to covet it will face a merciless retaliation, even the emperor…

Relying on accumulated military merits, it might be possible to ascend to that position, but ousting those in power and installing one of their own is far more difficult. At least for them now, achieving this without resorting to drastic measures is extremely challenging.

Even with such a glorious victory, all adversaries had to temporarily back down, but there was no other effective way to get these guys off that position except to cut off their heads.

However, if we consider a different approach—that securing a majority of seats would grant us an unparalleled advantage—then increasing the number of seats is just as effective as seizing them. This approach can also weaken the deep-rooted power of nursing homes and divide their influence.

Of course, achieving this was not easy. Feeling threatened, the noble elders were unwilling to back down even slightly, fearing that their situation would worsen, and often showed a tendency to confront them head-on.

But ultimately, the tide had turned in their favor... A glorious victory was the ultimate truth—this was widely accepted in the country and the source of the emperor's current confidence.

At yet another Senate meeting, Tersolius spoke first, pointing out, based on previously gathered clues, that a noble senator had committed crimes that disqualified him from remaining in this sacred place. His authoritative rebuke was as powerful as thunder. Caught off guard by his sudden attack, the senator didn't even have time to react, displaying a ridiculously dumbfounded expression.

The other noble elders knew very well that this guy was indeed not clean... To be precise, very few of them could be considered clean-handed. Everyone had some unspeakable secrets, but they were even more aware of their own position, so they immediately launched an attack, and a storm of questions overwhelmed the entire hall.

The elders on the emperor's side immediately stood up to fight back, and the two groups started arguing back and forth, spitting each other's saliva.

Generally speaking, when things reach this point, it becomes very difficult to make any further breakthroughs, especially when neither side is willing to compromise. This can lead to a prolonged period of stagnation with little chance of change.

This time it's almost going to turn into that situation too...

But just as the two sides had grown tired of blaming each other and were becoming impatient with the argument, one of them stood up at the emperor's prompting and raised a new issue: the legion commander of the Myris Legion, Karasaloni, was so distinguished that even the most discerning person had to admit that he deserved to be an imperial elder based on his seniority.

That's absolutely true. Even if someone wanted to lie through their teeth, it wouldn't be so easy to do it here... So the heated argument and discussion started again. The noble elders almost all thought that the other party's goal was to remove the person they had just accused from the position and let their own people take it.

But given the current intense public scrutiny and the fact that a general with such distinguished achievements and years of experience is being presented, they must find a suitable solution…

In this anxious situation, a seemingly acceptable solution emerged – instead of canceling anyone's seat, a new seat would be created, thus achieving the best of both worlds.

This proposal, which would have initially drawn the fiercest opposition, was instead accepted by the majority in a relatively smooth manner... After all, compared to the terrible proposal just now, this solution would not harm the interests of most people or would cause very little damage, and it seemed quite feasible when a choice had to be made.

With the full support of Tersolius and the Emperor, the Imperial Senate gained another seat today, and Karasaloni, who had made great contributions, received this honor. The entire capital praised and cheered.

…………

In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed since the celebration that shocked the entire empire, but people's enthusiasm had only increased—there had been so many big news stories during this period that people living ordinary lives in this era were reluctant to give up on interesting topics.

During this period, the sales of malt liquor in the capital were astonishing. Almost every tavern was packed every day. Enthusiastic men and women always liked to crowd here, drinking and chatting, and before they knew it, they had emptied the barrels of liquor.

Nearby wineries received a constant stream of new orders, and the wine stored in their cellars quickly sold out, making them a fortune.

At the same time, an uneasy unease began to spread throughout the Empire—not just among the generals of the Imperial Legion, but almost every Imperial citizen began to stir with ambitions toward the South, especially with Alperth under Imperial control. Everyone naturally assumed that destroying the Southern nation, which was always at odds with the Empire, would be a piece of cake.

However, because the turmoil from Cerisonnas had threatened the empire's important horse-breeding grounds, the empire's high command was largely preoccupied with the east.

Now that the east of the empire has been pacified, and the Kurist people have been completely subjugated and will become part of the empire in the future, many people no longer have any worries and have turned their attention to the south once again.

Every citizen of the Empire was already fed up with enemies on all sides. The call to deal with the weaker countries first was growing stronger. No citizen of the Empire wanted to see their country besieged on all sides, having to deal with a powerful enemy while also having to be wary of another enemy that was lurking in the distance.

After one victory after another, Thesolius had gained a formidable prestige within the army—a commander who could lead his men to wealth, merit, and honor was the one who commanded the hearts and minds of the people and would naturally win the support of these soldiers.

Even the most foolish and dull-witted person can now see that the south of the empire holds countless merits and riches waiting for capable individuals to claim them. The two legions that have reaped considerable gains in the war in the east have become the envy and jealousy of everyone. No general of any legion can help but be envious of them, especially Karasaloni, who has risen to become an imperial elder.

This unrest is currently just a brewing wave, but it's foreseeable that it won't be long before it becomes an overwhelming flood. This flood is unstoppable, but it can be guided by its own momentum...

195 Interlude (1)

The grand celebration lasted for three days. The wine consumed was enough to fill a small river, the food eaten was enough to feed a small, populous town for a long time, and other expenses were countless. Other cities followed suit, and the entire empire was plunged into revelry.

After the joy, the mess was cleaned up, and under such glory, no one could help but admit that the country's future was bright, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, this prosperity would continue.

Every city in the empire has a district of artisans, though some cities are vast while others have only a dozen or so blacksmith workshops. Steel holds a special place in this country—this tough and sharp material can be made into both armor and weapons, arming the nation's large and elite army, and is a symbol of prosperity and stability.

The empire's capital naturally possesses the country's largest artisan district, which is heavily protected on the northwest side of the city, situated on high ground and separated from other urban areas by tens of meters.

The outer perimeter of the artisan district is relatively open, allowing anyone who wants to buy a suitable weapon to come here and enjoy the excellent craftsmanship of the capital's artisans. However, the interior is strictly guarded, as it houses a vast workshop for forging fine armor, where smoke and fire never cease, billowing black smoke that churns in the sky day and night. No one of unknown identity is allowed to approach, and even the most lenient punishment for the slightest transgression will result in imprisonment and interrogation.

This place also gathers the nation's most outstanding artisans, most of whom come from families of artisans. Generation after generation, they have accumulated exquisite skills and, through their own abilities, have achieved their current status after overcoming numerous trials and tribulations.

None of the craftsmen here can be compared to the so-called masters in other cities, or even the best craftsmen in other cities are not worthy of being their apprentices. Their exquisite craftsmanship is a masterpiece, the result of talent and hard work.

Thesolius walked beside the blazing furnace, the rolling heat waves blowing through his hair. In this suffocating space filled with dust, steel, and burning embers, skilled craftsmen were busy working, sweating profusely. They wore thick leather aprons and thick gloves, hammering the red-hot steel sheets on the anvil.

"If you can't stand it, go outside and wait for me, doctor. It's hot and dry here, and it will make you very uncomfortable."

Tersolius was dressed in a simple linen shirt, gray trousers, and leggings, just like any other young man you'd see in an imperial village. But no one would mistake him for an ordinary person.

“It’s alright, sir. I’ve sailed through the Sea of ​​Us in a shipwreck and collected plants in the coastal areas of Asler. This temperature is tolerable for me, as long as I stay away from the furnace.”

Seeing that Talina didn't seem to be in too much pain—there was sweat on her forehead, but it was just a normal amount, not the kind of disheveled look of someone drenched in sweat, and her expression was quite calm—Tesolius nodded in satisfaction.

"I didn't know you'd been to Assale. What was it like there? Was it like the folklore we have here, all desert?"

Wearing a long gray cotton dress with delicate lace trim on the cuffs, Talina watched with curiosity as an apprentice used a special awl to drill holes in a red-hot steel plate before quenching it in oil to create a sturdy and durable armor plate.

"That's not the case. Only the western part of the Kingdom of Asel has large deserts. Other places still have a lot of land, but the climate is dry and hot. Only a few oases have abundant water and fertile land. There is always fierce competition there, and various tribes fight over them. It often results in bloodshed. Even the Shah cannot completely stop it."

"The best grain-producing area in the entire Kingdom of Asel is the Stoia Plain in the east, where a great river flows through. Each flood brings fertile soil. However, because the terrain is too wide and flat and there are no dangerous places, Asel has lost this land several times in history."

The two men circled around a burning furnace, sparks flying from the steel, which quickened their pace to prevent the scorching iron filings from burning through their clothes.

"I've heard that the swords and blades produced by Asel are of extremely high quality and incredibly sharp. Have you heard anything about that, Doctor?"

To Teresolus's surprise, Tarina actually knew something about this:

"Asel's swords are indeed renowned for their fineness and sharpness. I once witnessed a merchant selling swords in the market behead a goat in front of onlookers with a single stroke. The goat's hide was cut in two as neatly as a fragile leaf. There are often rumors in wars that warriors can cut off their opponents' bodies with a single stroke, so there must be some truth to them."

"Swords are generally not very expensive, so anyone with a little wealth will get one for themselves. However, because these sharp swords are designed for cutting and slashing, they are not very effective against sturdy armor and will be severely damaged in intense combat. Their durability is actually quite average."

Tersolius smiled and picked up an imperial standard-issue saber from the table; the sharp blade had a pattern resembling flowing water.

"But against enemies without armor, the killing power is terrifying, right?... They are too focused on extreme sharpness, but to kill someone, why do you need to sever their body? A blade only needs to penetrate a few inches into a vital area to easily take a life. Making the blade thin and sharp will only make it as fragile as glass. Therefore, our swords have always pursued sturdiness and durability, and sharpness is considered later."

The longsword spun in his hand, its slender tip and the counterweight ring forming the perfect center of gravity of the blade. It could move with the dexterity of an arm, unleashing lightning-fast slashes and thrusts, while also being able to cleave through hard armor plates without easily breaking or bending.

"On a real battlefield, who would place their hopes on those sharp ornaments? A weapon breaking in one's hand is fatal to anyone."

Thesolius swiftly raised his arm, then dropped it diagonally downwards in an extremely short and fast arc. The sharp blade sliced ​​through the air, cutting the drifting dust in two. The separated dust particles quickly gathered together again, returning to their previous state.

"Asel is a wealthy kingdom... Their merchants are found in every corner of the world, their people are adventurous, shrewd and capable, constantly earning gold and wealth, they also have skilled craftsmen to forge armor and weapons, and fertile plains to provide food for the entire kingdom."

"This country has been at peace with us before because of the Hols people between us, but we may have to consider facing a new neighbor or potential adversary in the future. We need to prepare for this in advance and not take it lightly."

He placed the longsword he was holding on the table, turned around and looked at a busy workbench next to him. Several skilled craftsmen were doing the final polishing work on his armor, and others were checking whether the delicate parts were secure and safe.

His armor has been completely repaired, any potential problems have been resolved, and it has been modified and optimized in many places, reducing weight and improving mobility while maintaining defensive capabilities.

At the same time, in order to highlight the lofty status and identity of the legion commander, many parts of this armor were luxuriously made of gold-plated components, which were engraved with exquisite and intricate gorgeous patterns that extended all the way to the ends of the armor.

Now in the final stage, each armor plate is carefully polished to ensure there are no flaws before being coated with a glossy grease to remove any possible burrs. Only then will it be woven and installed. After a tense and orderly process, the exquisite wooden frame made of mahogany is soon adorned with a magnificent and imposing suit of armor... It looks ready to be thrown into a new war at any moment, facing a barrage of fierce attacks.

After receiving permission, the craftsmen temporarily took over the duties of servants and worked together in an orderly manner to drape Tersolius in this magnificent suit of steel, tightening the exquisite thick leather belt around his waist, adjusting the tightness of the buckles, and then putting on the modified winged helmet.

The helmet's interior features a suspension lining made of soft swampy cow leather, providing effective cushioning—a creature that lives in swamps and is about the size of a calf, possessing the softest and toughest leather, and is touted and sought after by nobles throughout the continent.

Just as the master craftsman had described, the helmet's gilded visor was designed to open and close, allowing the wearer to open the visor at any time to project their voice powerfully without having to remove the helmet frequently.

When the faceplates close, the latches below make a crisp, melodious sound, locking firmly in place. Even hitting them hard with a warhammer won't loosen them; only pulling a small hook on the side protected by the armor plates can open them.

What surprised him most was the intricate and exquisite hand guards—even the fingers were protected by small nail plates riveted and stacked together, all the way to the fingertips. It was unimaginable how much effort it would take to complete such a delicate design.

“I didn’t tell you, did I, Talina? I was also a blacksmith’s apprentice for a while, but not to learn a craft. I just wanted to make a living. During that time, I only learned how to forge steel. I wasn’t even qualified to see a work as perfect, sturdy, and exquisite as this. As it turns out, my talent is not in this area.”

"No one can be talented enough in everything, sir. But before a certain amount of training, no one knows exactly how far their talent will go. It's a very subtle thing. Some people may never discover their talent in a certain area in their entire lives."

“You’re right, Talina. Fate is fickle, and who knows which path they will take? All we can do is try our best… Take a look at this, you should like it.”

As the heavily armored Tersolius waved his hand slightly, a craftsman presented an exquisite wooden box, carved with iris patterns, and intricate vine patterns entwined around the edges and corners.

Tarina looked at the exquisite box with some curiosity, her eyes also showing a hint of excitement and anticipation.

Without any intention of keeping them in suspense, as the box was opened, the exquisite chainmail inside was revealed before their eyes.

Tersolius reached out and took out a chainmail from the box, gently unfolding it. With a soft metallic clanging sound, the smaller chainmail unfolded, seemingly able to protect up to the middle of the thigh and the upper forearm, completely enveloping the vital parts of the body.

What's most surprising is that this chainmail, which covers a considerable area, is only the size of two fists when rolled up. It can even be put into a pocket and carried around without taking up much space. The finely interlocked rings on it are ingeniously locked together, making it look like a work of art.

"It weighs only half as much as a regular chainmail, so it should be perfect for you. Wearing it on a daily basis won't take up much of your energy, but it can protect you from daggers stabbed from behind... You have to consider that now. Try it on and see if it fits."

Talina smiled, but forced herself to remain calm and composed. She extended her hands, allowing Tersolius to help her put on the chainmail. After a few adjustments, she was fully dressed.

Tersolius looked at Talina thoughtfully, and soon found with satisfaction that the chainmail fit her perfectly, with nothing too loose or too long...

He focused his gaze on a particularly voluptuous area, where even the deliberately loose chainmail was stretched wide. Apart from being somewhat eye-catching, there was nothing wrong with it, so he looked away.

“Very good, I don’t see anything wrong with it. You can wear it under your clothes from now on. When someone with ill intentions tries to harm you, they will definitely be surprised.”

"Thank you for your gift, sir... It must be very expensive. I've never seen such exquisite armor before; it must have taken the craftsman a lot of effort... I've also saved up some money, if possible—"

"Don't waste my good intentions, Talina."

Tersolius abruptly interrupted the girl, speaking with an unquestionable tone:

"This is something you need as my assistant. Your safety must be guaranteed, so just accept it without any guilt and let it serve its purpose. I will need your help in many ways in the future, so this is nothing."

"Be careful in the future. Your presence by my side is bound to attract people with ill intentions. Don't put yourself in a dangerous situation. You are very important to me and to us. You can come to me with any problems. It is my duty and responsibility."

196 Interlude (2)

Tersolius never expected such a coincidence to happen to him—he had just talked to his doctor about Asel's swords yesterday, and today he had acquired several.

This is part of the various gifts bestowed by the emperor. In order to show his generosity to his subjects, all sorts of gifts have been delivered to Natamus's residence by cartload after cartload in the past few days. Exquisite silks with intricate and gorgeous patterns alone have filled a storeroom, demonstrating the emperor's favor.

He also received a house in the city, but it is still under renovation, so he is temporarily living at his brother's house, and the gifts were naturally transported there.

Besides those glamorous items, he was also given a considerable number of exquisite armors and weapons—it has to be said that this hit his weak spot, immediately drawing him into the warehouse. Clautina always knew his tastes very well.

The three sets of armor consisted of a scale armor, a knee-high chainmail, and a heavy lamellar armor made of large gilded plates. No flaws could be found with the naked eye, and all were made by the most skilled craftsmen in the royal family.

The sheer number of weapons was terrifying; all sorts of swords, hammers, spears, axes, and halberds filled the two rooms, neatly arranged on shelves made of red hardwood, enough to arm four squads of legionary soldiers.

Moreover, each sword was uniquely decorated with different designs, using gold and silver, lapis lazuli and topaz, and all sorts of precious metals and gemstones to create exquisite decorations. In addition, as a special item in the imperial palace collection, any one of them would attract a large number of wealthy merchants and nobles to fight over, and a few hundred gold coins would be considered a bargain.

Among them, swords from Asel in the south also occupy a corner, hanging on a sword rack made of deer antlers.

These beautifully curved swords are lavishly decorated with gold and gemstones, so ornate that one might even wonder if the array of gemstones would affect the user's grip on the hilt...

He casually picked out a scimitar with a crescent-shaped arc and a slender blade. Tersolius drew it from its sheath; the sharp blade had flowing patterns on it, and the faint glint of light on the thin edge seemed sharp enough to cut the eyes.

The tip of this knife curves upwards. Although it remains long and sharp, it is difficult to pierce during use. This is to enhance the knife's already unparalleled cutting ability, allowing the sharp blade to effortlessly slice through thick flesh.

The flowering trees outside the window are growing lushly, with dense branches hanging down and glossy red and green leaves, clearly well maintained by the gardener.

Tersolis extended the sharp blade in his hand and then swept it through the drooping branches with extremely gentle movements. Before he could feel any resistance, the slender branches fell to the ground with a rustling sound, and the branches that were originally of different lengths were now arranged in a neat straight line.

I marvel at the extreme sharpness of the scimitar in my hand. My right thumb finds the cross-shaped guard, and after determining the direction of the blade, I skillfully swing it in my hand, feeling the speed brought by the good center of gravity.

There is also the Holstein streamlined curved sword, whose shape is reminiscent of a long snake slithering in the rainforest. While retaining good slashing ability, its piercing performance is also excellent. However, the guard is made to be exceptionally narrow, serving only as decoration and not capable of blocking the opponent's sword. When using it, one should pay more attention to agile dodging.

The Turlu people are a people living in a hot and humid climate. Their swords have an extra heavy tip, so although they are wielded slowly, they are powerful and heavy, capable of easily cutting through bones and decapitating people. They are not very balanced, but they are quite intimidating.

The swords of the Kiel and the Curist are very similar to those of the Empire, with many only having different decorations. The differences are so small that those who do not know them cannot even tell the difference.

The weapons of the Western countries are even more distinctive, completely opposite to those of Assele. They are designed for extreme piercing capabilities, with not only long, thin, and sturdy tips like cones, but also the most complex and massive handguards. Even the counterweights at the tail are angular, which can be used for striking and smashing when necessary.

Battle axes come in square blades, crescent blades, round blades, and hook blades; spears come in willow leaf shapes, shuttle shapes, and wheat ear shapes… Iron staffs come in angular shapes, flower and leaf shapes, and spike shapes… all sorts of shapes, dazzling and overwhelming.

Tesorus went into these rooms in the morning and stayed until lunchtime before reluctantly coming out. The flowers and plants around the house suffered a lot. He spent the whole morning trying to cut them with his knife. Although he could only cut off a few branches each time, the damage had accumulated and the plants were now in a terrible state. It would take at least one or two months to restore them.

Such behavior naturally earned Christina a glare.

"You're a general now, and you still have a problem with those flowers and plants! Look what you've done to my yard."

"Sorry, sorry, they'll grow back soon. The same goes for Clautina. Sending so many at once has almost filled up the house... I'll move all these things over in a couple of days."

"Keep pretending. You've been laughing since morning, without stopping... Do these things really make you that happy?"

“Of course.” He used his silver fork to pierce a piece of sliced ​​beef from the plate, dipped it in a thick layer of sauce from the small bowl beside him, casually tossed it into his mouth, and began to chew, letting the rich, savory flavor of the meat explode in his mouth.

“You know I’ve only ever had this one hobby since I was a kid. When I was little, I would run to the blacksmith’s shop in the village whenever I had the chance, watching the blacksmith hammer the red-hot metal and imagining those rough iron blocks turning into sturdy armor and fine weapons… After my father and mother passed away, my brother and I went to the cattle farm and the blacksmith’s shop to make a living. We both became the hardest and most tiring apprentices. Claudina was luckier than us and found a handyman job in the tailor shop.”

"Back then, the little money I could earn each month wasn't even enough to buy the crudest iron sword... Later, after learning a few things, I used the leftover scraps to forge a hammerhead for myself, and added a birchwood handle. That was my first weapon... Then, after only three days, I broke it while fighting with those bad boys."