Armored Cavalry, survive in a world full of mods

The water from the city fountains also passes through this small area, and the clean water they drink comes from here, which they keep bringing back a constant supply of clean water from their stomachs.

Every night, more than ten large pots would be set up here, and steaming hot meat porridge would boil inside. The men would then receive enough food to fill the stomachs of everyone in their families, based on the number of people in their households.

After they had spent a quiet night in their shacks, before the sun had even illuminated any corner of the city, they would be driven away.

Those cavalrymen, clad in heavy armor, were their officers, who would use whips to drive away any lazybones who wanted to sleep a little longer.

Even if they were whipped a few times, the slaves would not complain, and they would never utter such a sound in private...

They are now living a happy life they never dared to dream of before, so what does it matter if they get a few lashes? It won't break your arms and legs.

But even so, they were still terrified of their superiors. Whenever they heard the sound of armor plates rubbing together, they would instinctively straighten their backs...

Once they have donned their armor, taken their weapons, secured their leg wraps, and put on their shoes properly, they must proceed to their training grounds as quickly as possible.

The training ground was filled with pillars and blood-stained iron rings.

There they will receive all the training necessary to become a soldier.

They would train in formation, train themselves to follow their captain and standard-bearer, train themselves to obey the commands of bugles and flags, and understand the meaning of drumbeats...

They also had to learn how to raise shields, how to thrust their spears, how to maintain their ranks... There was so much for them to learn that they didn't get any rest most of the day.

But no one is willing to be lazy. The slaves who have survived to this day are not stupid. They know what they are training for... If they don't learn these things, they will just be slaves and will never become warriors.

On the battlefield, only warriors survive; slaves do not…

Although their current life is far beyond what they could have imagined before, they have developed even more urgent needs after obtaining enough food and warm shelter.

………………

The land... that fertile, precious land.

They could obtain a small piece of land of their own, a small piece of land that they could acquire through their loyalty and blood...

This was an unimaginable blessing and mercy, and everyone could understand it. The slaves were like madmen, their eyes red as they talked about it all day long.

As long as they own a piece of land, they are like free people who were not enslaved, able to cultivate their own land and store the food they need...

………………

Before dawn, the slaves were able to rest for a while. After dawn, whether they were men, women, or children, they all had their own work to do...

But they did it willingly.

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

Step on the steel foot ring of the crossbow, then hook the bowstring on both sides with two rope hooks with thick hemp ropes, and use all your strength to hang the string on the hooks.

He pulled a crossbow bolt from the leather pouch at his waist. This bolt was much shorter than an arrow. Because of its lighter weight and the greater weight of the crossbow, the bolt was often more powerful and had a longer range than a bow and arrow. Ordinary armor could not withstand it.

Insert the crossbow bolt under the brass hook, then slowly level the crossbow in your hand, grip the wooden handle firmly with your right hand, and hook your index finger onto the thick iron rod.

Adjust your breathing, change the angle to a suitable position, and then pull down the iron bar...

The sound of the bow vibrating came at the same time as the crossbow shuddered violently, and the wooden grip struck his shoulder, making a rustling sound on his chainmail.

The crossbow bolt struck the head of the humanoid target accurately, embedding itself deeply, leaving only a finger-length section protruding. The entire target was pulled backward by the powerful force.

The slave didn't even glance at the arrow. Instead, he quickly put his foot back into the footrest, used all his strength to draw back the crossbow, nocked an arrow, and fired.

Without making any unnecessary movements, he fired one crossbow bolt after another with maximum efficiency. When a crisp sound came from the side, he had already fired six bolts in succession...

The pain in his shoulders became unbearable as soon as he stopped. Pulling the crossbow bolt repeatedly in a very short time put a lot of pressure on his shoulders, but he dared not move and kept himself in the same position.

On either side of him were slaves who had suffered as much as he had, now holding their crossbows with tense expressions.

The sound of armor plates rubbing together and heavy footsteps came from the side as their officer and centurion approached the target.

Harris knew he didn't need to be nervous, because no one else had shot as many arrows as him, and even fewer of them had hit their targets...

But when he saw that serious and stern face, he still felt his legs go weak. He had been whipped quite a bit these past two days because of his clumsiness... He could only hope that his performance this time would not cause any problems.

The officer inspected the targets one by one, his face expressionless, but many slaves looked relieved.

As long as they don't scold him, it means they're barely able to satisfy him... so he doesn't have to be so worried.

In the end, apart from one guy who shot an arrow at someone else's target and got kicked a few times, several others received an unexpected reward: they could have an extra two slices of meat at their dinner that day!

Amidst the quiet cheers of the crossbowmen, the infantry training was also proceeding at a rapid pace…

…………

They huddled together tightly, each with their own spot, a teardrop-shaped shield hanging from their left hand, stacked on top of each other's shields to form a wall of steel and oak.

As the bugle sounded, they began to march forward in unison, neither too fast nor too slow, maintaining a straight line with their comrades...

He tucked his helmeted head behind his shield for extra protection. A sharp dagger, gripped in his right hand, extended from the gaps in the shield like a protruding steel spike.

Several spears with sharp points extended from their shoulders forward, defending against the imagined oncoming enemy warhorses. They needed to thrust their spears accurately and ruthlessly into the eyes or chests of the warhorses, and if possible, stab their riders off the ground...

Some slaves did not carry shields; instead, they carried sharp, large axes—weapons highly effective against ordinary armor, their heavy weight allowing them to unleash terrifying lethality when swung.

Once the enemy cavalry is stopped, they will bravely charge forward and, with the help of others, swing their great axes to kill the cavalry...

Those who could undertake this task were all the strongest and bravest among them, and they even got to eat a little extra at dinner.

The infantrymen holding shields not only had sharp short swords in their right hands, but some also held a hammer about the length of their calves. The hammerhead had several grooves that divided it into a geometric shape with sharp edges.

Such a hammer, when struck on a smooth armor surface, will not easily slip, allowing the force to be effectively transmitted, and its relatively short length will not hinder the infantrymen's movements in swinging it.

They didn't learn any complicated techniques, only a few very simple movements, which they were taught to execute with power and speed...

This is not easy. Some slaves are touching swords and hammers for the first time in their lives. They don't even know how to use the blade to cut their enemies... They don't know that the direction of the sword swing should be horizontal with the blade.

The consequence of doing this is that the swords and knives are often twirled in the hand, not slashed... but rather slapped, without causing any damage.

The hammer is easier to use, but its center of gravity is too far forward, making it difficult to retract after swinging. You need to learn to use it more carefully.

If slaves wanted to become warriors, they could only rely on arduous training, on meticulous training without a moment's rest.

Many people will still be holding their weapons after finishing their meals, chopping and hammering a wooden stake. Everyone knows what they will face, and even if things are tough now, it is still much better than before, so what is there to be afraid of?

Cooperation! ...The officer repeatedly emphasized to them that only mutual cooperation and strict discipline were the key to their survival.

Don't believe the fancy swordsmanship described by bards; that's not something you can use on the battlefield.

On the crowded battlefield, you can only survive by relying on your comrades and your fellow soldiers. You will not have the chance to adjust your pace, nor will you have the chance to retreat. They can only press forward...

Believe me, your comrades around you are armed just like you, and your life is in part in their hands...

………………

The cavalrymen spared no effort in passing on their experience to these slaves, many of whom were actually skeptical and did not believe that these slaves could really be trained into warriors...

But they would not question their general... The armored knights would only obey one will, that of Tersolius, who had led them all the way here.

Any order from the general must be carried out, and anyone who dares to disobey is an enemy that must be eliminated.

With this belief in mind, the cavalrymen spared no effort in training the slaves, teaching them how to maintain formation on the battlefield, how to fight, and how to obey orders...

Time was running out, and they knew they didn't have much room for maneuver, so the cavalrymen became increasingly violent and their tempers worsened.

They were not afraid of death, nor of war, and even enjoyed it, but they worried that these slaves would be useless and would only ruin the whole situation.

Tersolius quickly noticed the restlessness spreading through his army... and he realized he had to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

So, after a meeting, Tersolius gave an explanation to all his commanders, making his true intentions clear to his men...

This is absolutely necessary. Many tragedies in human history have been caused by information gaps due to a lack of communication. As a leader, if he cannot implement his will into the actions of his subordinates, he will not be able to achieve what he wants to do next.

The city's original inhabitants were a potential threat. They had benefited greatly from the thriving slave trade and naturally wouldn't welcome these uninvited invaders.

Fortunately, they were still able to control the city. When the city's slave owners accepted the precious gold, they had already made their choice. Perhaps some people still wanted to hide it, but Tersolius would make them understand that they had no other choice.

They divided the lord's wealth among themselves, so naturally they would help him defend the city...

So the cavalrymen didn't hesitate to knock on the doors of every nobleman, demanding that they provide food and other supplies, and actively cooperate in city management.

Some slave owners were prepared for this; for them, it didn't matter who was the lord or whose rule they accepted, as long as they continued to enjoy rights and wealth.

So they agreed without hesitation.

…………

Some people still harbor illusions and always make excuses.

The cavalry would not hesitate to forcibly take what they needed from their homes, and might even whip them a few times.

………………

Thus, the city's defenses became increasingly tight, and the mountains of food and the constant supply of fresh water within the city gave each defender more confidence.

Everyone is waiting for a moment...

Testimonials

This book is finally ready to be released, and I am very grateful for everyone's support.

Writing this kind of hardcore novel on Hedgehog Cat does involve a lot of risk. This genre is more suitable for light-hearted works, but the author has wanted to write about this subject for a long time o(￣▽￣)d so she took the risk and decided on the style of this book.

I wasn't really confident myself, but I didn't expect so many people to support me... In the novel writing industry, I'm still a novice, and this is only my second book. I'm truly flattered and overwhelmed by everyone's support, and I'm even a little bit carried away (?????)

Now that this book is ready to be published, the author has no idea how well it will perform. All he can guarantee is that he will continue writing diligently and give all his books a complete ending.

Okay, that's basically all I wanted to say. Here's an extra update for today.

54 The Siege (1)

Earthenware pots are very heat-resistant and can be used for a considerable period of time as long as they are not suddenly placed in cold water.

Earthenware containers can distribute heat evenly and consistently when stewing, making them ideal for cooking meat until it is tender and more delicious, although it will take longer.

The large chunks of beef were placed into an earthenware pot, which had already been coated with a layer of butter, and then heated for a period of time.

The fresh chunks of meat sizzled as soon as they were put in the oil, and the red meat quickly turned a golden brown, releasing its unique aroma.

At this point, the chopped sand ginger and other seasonings were added, and after a few stirs, the aroma of the meat was enhanced by a hint of spiciness.

Once it's almost cooked, add hot water and then cover it with a lid.

"It smells wonderful, doesn't it?"

Tersolius smiled and looked up at the Holstein girl sitting opposite him.

The girl was still wearing that little robe, sitting timidly in the chair, her nose twitching occasionally, and she even swallowed.

Upon hearing Tersolius's question, he nodded slightly, though hesitantly...

"This method is a bit different from the usual way of stewing meat, but the meat tastes even better... Does your mother cook for you?"

The girl shook her head timidly.

“I thought so too. Your father and mother must be very busy most of the time… I’ve made some food here, how about we eat before we go back?”

The girl, with hair the same color as her mother and soft, delicate cheeks, hesitated slightly, but after glancing at Tersolius, she dared not refuse and could only remain silent.

The beef stewed in the earthenware pot became more and more fragrant, and the rich aroma wafted out of the house, making even the cavalrymen guarding the door twitch their noses.

After washing and cutting the carrots and taro into chunks, add them in and simmer for a while longer; the flavor will become increasingly fragrant.

The rich aroma seemed to have attracted someone... A series of hurried footsteps sounded in the corridor outside, and a woman spoke with the cavalrymen with a slightly flustered expression.

A short while later, the cavalryman came in to report:

"General, the lord's wife requests an audience."

Tersolius raised his head with a smile on his face:

"It's much later than I expected... Please let her in."

After saying that, he reached out and lifted the lid of the earthenware pot. Steaming hot vapor burst out, and the rich aroma of meat exploded in the room like a storm.

She took out two small dishes, then used a wooden spoon to scoop the cooked beef and taro into the dishes, indicating that her young guest could begin to taste them. Only then did the city lord's wife open the door and come in...

The woman looked rather haggard these past two days, probably due to excessive stress; the calm expression on her face was long gone.

"Please forgive me, sir, I didn't know my child had been bothering you for so long..."

"Don't worry, madam. I know what you're anxious about... but I don't have those thoughts... Perhaps you already know why I invited you here?"

As he spoke, he used his fork to pick up a large piece of beef, put it in his mouth and began to chew. He then raised his hand, gesturing for the girl to try some as well.

The beef had been cooked until very tender, and this was the first time Tersolius had eaten something reasonably decent in this world...