Armored Cavalry, survive in a world full of mods

At the command, the archers began to draw their bows and shoot with practiced ease, completing the entire process of drawing the arrow, nocking the string, drawing the bow, releasing the arrow, and drawing the arrow again in a smooth and fluid motion, without any unnecessary pauses.

About 50 paces in front of them stood a straw target with a palm-sized mark painted in bright red. Arrows rained down, piercing the tough straw ropes that made up the target with deadly force and straightness. A unit of arrows was fired in the blink of an eye.

The elite archers standing here rarely miss their targets. In other legions, each of them would be considered excellent, but here, they are held to a higher standard—they must be faster, more accurate, more ruthless, and more direct.

There are three chances in total. Everyone who fails to meet the standard will have two more chances to salvage their reputation. In the tense and terrifying atmosphere, everyone grits their teeth and concentrates intently.

In the adjacent arena, armored infantrymen are engaged in fierce combat, their blunt weapons leaving white marks on their opponents' armor. Flat-headed spears and blunt swords clashed back and forth. None of the elite and tenacious infantrymen would easily admit defeat, and it was often only after a long period of attrition and stalemate that one side was finally defeated.

Meanwhile, elite officers atop the towering wooden towers nearby would intently observe their actions, evaluating the performance of each individual and the group as a whole, with scribes recording their observations on parchment scrolls.

Further on the vast plain, the hardened loess soil was being trampled by warhorses. Light cavalrymen charged forward in formation, scattering arrows like raindrops onto the straw men erected on the grass. They circled and soared over the grass like eagles, tearing at their prey.

The armored cavalry undergo the most rigorous and meticulous assessments. They are the most renowned, powerful, and fierce knights in the empire, enjoying the most generous treatment in the entire empire, using the best warhorses, armor, and weapons. Therefore, they should naturally be the most outstanding and elite.

Every assessment they underwent was extremely rigorous. What might have been considered harassment by other soldiers was taken for granted here. They proudly accepted these standards and ruthlessly proved with their outstanding performances that they were fully deserving of everything they had achieved.

The cavalrymen returned proudly to their camp, letting their sweat-drenched horses rest in the stables; their performance was impeccable.

This rigorous and intense test lasted for three days, during which each soldier was carefully examined to prove that they possessed the necessary qualities and abilities.

Whether it's good or bad luck, no one left the legion this time, but some are still in danger due to poor performance. If they fail twice more, they will lose their current glory.

Of course, some people received extra rewards for their outstanding performance, so it's fair to say that some were happy while others were sad. But most people still managed to get through it peacefully.

As the sun sets, even these resilient and elite soldiers feel exhausted. As the cooking smoke rises, their meal for the day will be exceptionally plentiful, a long-standing tradition to reward their bravery and willpower.

Only then did Natamus, who was eager to return home, finally allow himself to spur his warhorse away from the camp, and with his personal guards, travel under the moonlight back to the heart of the empire.

Thinking of his wife, who was now too immobile to move much, and her increasingly cumbersome belly, he wished he could grow wings and fly back, so he wouldn't have to worry about the journey.

………………

In the Empire, most death row inmates are beheaded quickly and without much torture, except for those who have committed heinous crimes and deserve more suffering.

The gleaming decapitation sword was sharpened to a fine point to ensure a clean and swift decapitation. This weapon was only meant for this purpose; its extreme focus was designed to enhance the ultimate slashing power, which resulted in a lack of dexterity and fluidity, creating significant openings.

However, if it is only used to decapitate, this heavy blade will show great advantages - the long blade is not easy to slip and fall like an axe blade, and the heavy weight will make the neck seem extremely vulnerable.

As usual, the execution platform in the city square was crowded with people. After the crimes of the prisoners were read out, one after another, the prisoners with their hands bound and covered in blood were pushed to the front of the platform. Below the platform was a basket woven from soft and flexible branches. The executioner had to make sure that the head fell into the basket accurately to be considered skillful and perfect.

With a flash of cold light, a distorted head fell straight into the basket, warm blood splattering everywhere, staining the nearby pillar red. Blood gushed from the still-writhing neck muscles, quickly piling up in a pool on the ground.

One after another, the bloody heads piled up like melons, and more and more of them, until a new frame was used to hold all the heads. The decapitated prisoners were so terrified that they soiled themselves, but they still could not escape this cruel punishment.

At this point, all the captured criminals had been executed, and the jubilant Imperials, having finally finished watching the spectacle, turned and left satisfied, leaving only two figures, one tall and one short, still standing there pointing and gesturing.

"See, I told you so. These guys will get what they deserve. That's the rule of this country. If you want to survive here, you have to follow the rules... just like when you go to another prince's territory, you have to abide by the rules there."

Carila nodded thoughtfully:

"You're right, that's exactly right... I didn't expect you, little dwarf, to be so clever. Thank you so much this time! I'll treat you to the best wine here later."

Colin's brow, which had just relaxed, suddenly furrowed.

"Who are you calling a shorty?! I'm within the normal height range!"

Karila looked down at the girl in the mountains with a half-smile, saying nothing but conveying her meaning clearly.

"It's clearly because you're too tall! You're as sturdy as a tree. Where can you find a woman this tall? You're clearly an exception!"

"Isn't it a good thing to be healthier and taller? A warrior wouldn't like a skinny woman. I see that's how it is here too. You should grow taller, otherwise I'll just call you a dwarf."

"You...are you deliberately trying to fight me?! Take back what you said right now! You wretched, big oaf!"

"Ha! You can't beat me anyway..."

"You...!"

…………

In the city, the two bickered as they embarked on their journey home. Although they still seemed at odds, for some reason, they inexplicably became more harmonious.

————————————————————————

"Get out of my way! I just want to get some fresh air! Why are you all blocking my way?"

Christina stomped her feet in frustration, but the lady-in-waiting and maids who had cared for her since childhood refused to budge, trying to get their mistress back to her room filled with soft blankets.

“Please forgive our intrusion, Mrs. Christina, but Dr. Tarina’s predicted delivery date is very close, and we cannot let you take that risk. If you need anything, we can bring it here, but for now, please rest here.”

"We can open all the windows to let in the fresh air from outside."

“Miss, don’t forget what Lord Tersolius said. He told you to follow the doctor’s instructions… Lord Natamus will be back soon, and we must make sure the child is not threatened.”

Hearing her lady-in-waiting's words, Christina finally sighed helplessly, turned around and went back to her room, dejectedly collapsing onto the soft bed.

"When I was 13, I could walk all the way to Toribeca on my own, and when I was 18, I shot a wolf with my own hands. But now you won't even let me leave my room!..."

The rather elderly female official walked to the bedside, and with a mixture of helplessness and affection, gently brushed aside the hair on the mistress's forehead:

"Don't be stubborn, Miss. Dr. Talina is an excellent healer, and we should seriously consider her suggestions. Your actions have become increasingly difficult these past two days. Perhaps even as we are speaking, this little one is already eager to arrive in this world. We must be fully prepared..."

"Childbirth is a dangerous process for women. Although you are very healthy, we must be extremely careful... I have seen many tragic things, but I would never want such a thing to happen here."

Christina slightly turned over, but dared not lie down, afraid of pressing on the fetus in her womb.

"Okay, okay, you don't need to say so much, Dolores... I'm just a little annoyed. Go get me some water and snacks, I'm a little hungry."

The maids and servants around breathed a sigh of relief. The one closest to the door turned around immediately at the lady of the house's glance and hurriedly went to do his work. All the windows were opened, letting in the gentle autumn breeze.

The other servants were not idle either; they quickly and efficiently began cleaning the room until it was spotless. Only then did most of them bow and leave.

Dolores, meanwhile, sat by the bed, chatting with her agitated mistress… This woman, no longer young, knew exactly what was wrong with her—like any woman giving birth for the first time, she was inevitably tense and fearful, which was why she appeared so agitated and uneasy.

Soon the water and snacks were brought in. The cool well water was originally very clear and sweet. Later, on Dr. Tarina's advice, the servants in the kitchen would boil the water and then put it into a clean earthenware pot to cool before serving it to their mistress.

These pastries were all made by a skilled private chef brought from home, and were carefully inspected to ensure they were perfect and meticulously prepared.

Dolores was about to help her mistress up when she felt the body she was supporting suddenly tremble, and Christina's fair and beautiful face quickly turned pale. She began to curl up, the intense pain rendering her speechless.

…………

In the blink of an eye, the manor became lively, and Natamus stopped his warhorse and hurriedly stepped through the gate.

199 offspring (1)

The lush green grape leaves have now turned somewhat yellow and brownish, brittle edges, yet they still block most of the sunlight, providing ample shade. The grapes, as translucent as purple jade, hang heavily on the vines, each bunch dense and plump, brimming with juice and sugar.

The marble mosaic tiles underfoot are tightly joined together, with the gaps filled with dense mortar, making them as smooth as a single piece. The fine grooves on them also guide rainwater, preventing excess water from accumulating in the courtyard.

The building occupies a large area, and a pond has been specially set aside in the spacious courtyard, which is surrounded by trees with soft branches.

In addition, the spacious grape trellis that occupies half of the yard provides a cool and comfortable environment, no matter how scorching the sun is, allowing the host and his guests to enjoy themselves and hold lavish banquets.

The surrounding buildings are mostly made of stone, with some other materials mixed in. The style is as majestic and grand as ever, characteristic of the empire. Due to the limitations of materials, they are not built very tall, but they are sturdy, comfortable, and well-lit.

This was Tersolius's residence. In the past, despite his considerable honor and status, he was accustomed to living in the military. But now, as the commander of the Imperial Legion, it was essential to find him a suitable and respectable place to live in the city.

Construction on this residence began more than half a year ago. The capital's best craftsmen worked in groups to plan and design the site, while slaves and workers brought in building materials and began leveling the land and digging the foundation. Until yesterday, the last stone brick was finally polished and inlaid into the ground, and the craftsmen completed their final work.

A wide variety of precious plants were transplanted here, with dedicated gardeners ensuring their survival. The finest grape varieties were also transplanted, and to this day they bear abundant fruit, beautifully adorning this residential area.

Tersolius was quite satisfied after walking around for a short while and could not make any further demands. After all, the design made by the empire's best craftsmen was impeccable in his eyes, and he was happy to live in this dry and comfortable residence.

This place also has a huge number of rooms, with one exquisite and magnificent building after another rising from the ground. Managing this place is definitely not something that can be done by just a few people. At least a hundred servants and a hundred guards are needed to manage it effectively.

“We can set up that place as your laboratory, Doctor; I’ve also made sure they’ve set aside a spacious training ground. I don’t want living in the comfort of the city to make me rusty in my martial arts. The stables here are also very well-maintained, with many structural improvements. They’re more ventilated than the old ones and easier to manage, preventing the spread of disease.”

"Everything you need has been prepared. To be honest, I never imagined that making those transparent and sturdy glasswares would be so difficult. I heard that the number of failed attempts was 20 times more than the number of successful ones. The scholars of the Imperial Library and the Academy will also provide full assistance, and the Hounds and Black Crows are on standby at any time."

"The personnel here will undergo the most rigorous screening, and the soldiers will protect this place with impenetrable security. All the buildings are actually designed according to the requirements of a fortress, and the layout is also ingenious. The emperor's henchmen will not allow any treacherous insects to touch this place. This place can be called the safest place in the entire empire..."

At this point, Tersolius reached out and picked a bunch of firm, juicy grapes. He shook off the dust slightly, then picked the lowest one and threw it into his mouth, taking a big bite.

The sweet and slightly sour juice bursts in your mouth, the soft and juicy flesh crumbles between your teeth, and the delightful sweetness travels from the tip of your tongue all the way to your brain, while the hard and bitter seeds and skin are spat out to the roots of the vine.

He turned and handed the grapes in his hand to Talina, who was following behind him, then picked a bunch for himself from the vine.

"Even if I wanted to take this place, I would need at least three hundred elite legionary soldiers, and it would require a meticulous plan, with no one interfering during the process."

"If so many elite troops could attack this city, I can't think of any other possibility besides a massive rebellion that would engulf the entire country. At least for now, I can't think of any other country's army with such strength, except for the Empire's elite legions."

The servants were busy in the newly built manor. They swept the ground, trimmed the trees and flowers, and bowed when the ruler of the place came by.

These are all servants trained by the royal family. They were sent here by their parents, who were unable to support them, when they were still children. They received training and education from a young age, growing up through instruction and learning to ensure their purity and safety.

Elite legionary soldiers have been deployed here, and they now have a new duty: to rigorously protect this building and prevent any malicious individuals from approaching.

The room had been newly decorated, with mosaic tiles and oak wall panels giving it an elegant and grand feel. All the furniture was made of precious Astrid wood, a type of wood that is sturdy, stable, and very oily. It is difficult to crack even without paint or oiling, making it extremely durable. It also has beautiful patterns like purple Astrid flowers.

The empire's artisans have learned to stuff leather with soft materials such as wool to create comfortable and sturdy chairs, and they also make heavy silk curtains to shield their owners from the harsh sunlight.

With that, everything was in order, and this area, located at the corner of the mountain and adjacent to the palace, began to serve its true purpose.

Next, Tarina began to report on other matters. As his chief of staff, she was responsible for organizing and classifying many reports and intelligence. The girl proved her ability by handling these tasks in an orderly manner.

His legion was resting. After six months of fighting, the soldiers returned home laden with honor and wealth, but they were all exhausted and their spirits were high. They needed to rest for a while.

During this period, each soldier will have the opportunity to take turns returning to their hometown to reunite with their family, hand over their savings to their wife or mother, and settle things at home.

Such a large-scale mobilization was bound to be a major undertaking, requiring meticulous planning and orderly coordination. The officers in the corps worked continuously for a week to complete the task, allowing the vast majority of soldiers to return home and relieve their tension.

Servants had already brought in washed grapes and chilled wine. Thesolius and his chief advisor ate and chatted, finalizing solutions to certain matters. Time passed by, minute by minute, until a panicked shout from outside drew their attention.

A moment later, the guards brought in a man, whom Tersolius recognized.

Before he could ask, the anxious-looking man immediately bowed and said:

"Lord Tersolius, I have come here to ask Dr. Tarina to come over. My mistress is suffering greatly, and we do not know what to do!"

………………

Natamus's heavy footsteps echoed up the stairs, while his wife's faint screams and moans filled the room, making him anxious and wanting to kick the door open and rush in to do something...

But there was nothing he could do... Even when facing an enemy several times his size, he would not be afraid in the slightest and could throw himself into the forest of sharp spears without hesitation to tear open an opening for the cavalry.

But the problem he is facing now cannot be solved with swords and spears—generally speaking, a woman who is healthy enough can give birth to a healthy child smoothly, but if there is pain and spasms in the abdomen and no result for a long time, the possibility of dystocia should be considered.

The servants went to find Dr. Talina immediately, but it would take time to get here from near the palace, and the incident happened too suddenly, especially at this time... As the commander's advisor, Dr. Talina also had her own important work to do and could not spend all her time here.

There were no enemies here for him to fight against, only a groaning voice that constantly tugged at his heartstrings. No matter how strong or brave he was, it was of no use. He could only stay outside and occasionally comfort his wife in the room with his own words.

Upon hearing the rapid, hurried sound of horses' hooves coming from the street, he decided not to waste any more time going down the stairs. Instead, he flipped over and leaped down from the second floor in his heavy armor, his feet sinking deep into the grass. When he pulled them out, he pulled up a large pile of mud with him, and then charged swiftly and fiercely toward the gate.

The heavy door was pushed open, and Tersolius stepped in first, followed closely by Talina, who had a lion-skin pouch hanging from her waist. Both hurried along, bumping into Nathamus.

Without any unnecessary words, the two brothers exchanged a glance, and Natamus immediately turned around and led the two towards the beautiful white building. Their faces were tense, as stiff as stone and as sharp as steel.

Ascending the stairs, servants were moving back and forth, carrying anything that might be useful, but they dared not make a sound. Under the direction of the lady-in-waiting, they were busy in an orderly manner.

Upon arriving here, Tarina was immediately regarded as a savior. Several female officials greeted her with eager expressions, chattering about the current situation, and hurriedly ushered her into the room.

The brothers stopped again, but their expressions were no longer anxious; instead, they were much more relaxed. After spending time together, Tarina's exquisite medical skills had earned everyone's trust, and seeing the girl arrive here made them feel at ease.

As a clear, melodious voice chanted softly, a visible cyan light shone through the window. The painful groans subsided considerably, allowing Natamus to let out a long sigh of relief, and he loosened his grip on the heavy sword at his waist.

Tersolius waved his hand to the side, and the servants brought over a wooden round table and placed it there, along with two chairs, on which they placed wine and food.

"Sit down and have a drink. Talina is the best doctor I've ever met. We don't have anything to worry about now. We just need to wait a little while."

Natamus lifted the skirt armor on his legs and sat down in the chair. The gleaming iron scales rubbed against each other, making a soft and crisp sound. The silver cup on the table was already filled with a cold, bright red liquid. He picked it up and drank it all in one gulp. Then he poured himself another cup and drank it all in one go. He didn't stop until he had drunk three cups, still feeling unsatisfied.

“I must say, you always have a good idea, my brother… If you guys hadn’t come soon, I probably would have broken the stairs by now. In just a short while, I’ve run up and down the stairs more than 20 times, like a blindfolded donkey, not knowing what to do.”

"Okay, don't worry anymore. How about thinking of something good? Like giving your soon-to-be-born child a good name."

“Oh, you’re right, I’ve been thinking about that too… but my adjutant and staff insisted that the name I came up with was terrible. At first, I thought it was just their preconceived notions and prejudices… but they eventually found a way to make me realize the truth.”

So you mean you still haven't made up your mind?

"That's right... Why don't you help me with this? Give my soon-to-be-born nephew or niece a good name. With your smart brain, this should be easy for you. Okay, don't hesitate, think about it quickly."

“I think you’d better not get your hopes up. I don’t have much talent for naming things either, just look at Moss. But if you insist on letting me do it… how about ‘Ikosoya’ if it’s a boy? Ruthless Courage.”

Natamus was overjoyed and repeatedly clapped his hands in admiration:

"See, I knew you'd be fine. Isn't this a great name? It sounds so powerful, even I'd like to use it. Let's think of another one for the girl!"

Thesolius frowned and pondered for a moment:

"As for girls... how about 'Fercitala'? — Blessed from birth."

"That's it! It's decided. I don't think there could be a better name. We'll see which one my future child gets."

The pot of wine was quickly finished, and the bedroom door opened at that moment. The servants rushed out and immediately scattered to search for what they needed, while also carrying back some useless items that they had brought in in their haste and chaos.