Armored Cavalry, survive in a world full of mods

This pond is clearly very presentable, with all sorts of precious aquatic plants from foreign countries growing thriving in it, the surrounding trees being carefully trimmed, and even the lawn being perfectly shaped.

A gentle breeze blows, causing the tree branches to sway with the air currents, and the fresh air is invigorating. It also keeps the noise of the outside world outside the courtyard walls.

The servants were busily working, moving tables, chairs, and a makeshift pergola onto the lawn, and filling it with seasonal fruits, freshly arrived snacks, and chilled wine just drawn from the well.

After all this was prepared, two maids carefully helped a noblewoman out of the mansion and led her along the smoothest path toward the lawn.

The imperial noblewoman wore a purple robe, the bulge in her abdomen not obvious. Every corner and seam of the robe was embroidered with intricate patterns in gold and silver thread, and the gold plate of the silk belt around her waist was inlaid with sapphires and red agates.

The woman had smooth, black hair with curls at the ends, which was neatly and elegantly styled in a bun on her head. The hair ornaments on it were simple by imperial nobility standards, but they still enhanced her beauty.

It's worth mentioning that this lady's height is exceptionally tall for a woman, but she doesn't appear bulky. Instead, she exudes a perfectly healthy aura, and her bare arms are so white they seem to gleam, as if carved from white jade.

Once she was seated, almost everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The lady looked at the overly cautious servants and found it somewhat amusing.

"I'm only two months pregnant, not at all that fragile yet. Look how scared you've all become..."

“My lady, your status is so noble that even the utmost caution is necessary. We cannot take any risks.”

An older female official answered in a measured tone. She was fairly satisfied with the servants' performance, but her expression remained as stiff as a mask.

"I don't like this, Dolores."

The woman frowned slightly, her tone suggesting a possible objection, but it sounded like she was being coquettish.

"I'm afraid you'll have to make do with this, Miss..."

The official's expression softened.

"This is what the general requested before he left. Besides, childbirth is inherently dangerous for women. Even if you are healthy, you cannot be careless. It's best to listen to me on this point."

“That guy Natamus… said something happened up north again, but he wouldn’t explain it clearly. He just ran off on his own. When he comes back, I have to make him give me a proper explanation.”

“Your husband has a heavy responsibility, and sometimes he can’t afford to waste even a little time. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

“But I’m so bored… Dolores, Natamus isn’t here, Tersolius isn’t here either, and I’m all alone in this house all day. I used to be able to go out hunting, but now I can only stay in this house and get moldy. I’m going to go crazy if this keeps up!”

Christina sprawled on the table without a care for her image, letting out a sigh. She looked languid, while several birds chirped merrily in the nearby treetops, seemingly undisturbed by the human presence.

"This is a stage that every woman has to go through. I have had three children, and although only one of them grew up, I know very well how difficult it is."

The lady-in-waiting named Dolores, somewhat nagging, came to the table and took a thick piece of cotton cloth from the side:

"Raise your hand."

Christina listlessly lifted herself up, and after the cotton cloth was laid out, she lay back down, her round cheeks squeezing out of shape.

"Her Majesty also sent her imperial physicians. Preparations for the birth of a healthy child have been underway for a long time."

Christina slowly opened her mouth, and the lady-in-waiting picked up a pastry garnished with raisins from the side and put it into the young woman's mouth. A gentle breeze brought a cool sensation to her skin, and the heat of the capital city could not affect her here.

But this tranquility was soon broken... A servant hurried to their side and whispered something in the lady of the house's ear.

…………

"Natalmus finally wrote to me! What? It was written by Tersolius? Show it to me right now!"

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

The deafening roar shook the leaves of the jungle; though still incredibly fierce, it was filled with a sense of weakness.

A massive white male lion was struggling desperately, its movements weak and feeble, exhausted to the extreme, with blood oozing from the corner of its mouth.

But no matter how much it struggled, it could not move another step... The trap set by the old mountain hunters accurately caught its four claws, leaving the exhausted beast at their mercy.

A large net woven from ropes was placed over the lion's head, and the more it struggled, the tighter the net wrapped around its limbs became, until finally it could no longer move.

Thales slowly approached, spear in hand. The dangerous beast was already cornered; all he had to do now was avoid the valuable parts and kill it cleanly.

When he reached the lion, the beast, which had been weak and listless, suddenly let out a frenzied howl and opened its blood-red maw to bite at his calf through the rope net. Its movements were incredibly swift, clearly indicating that it had gathered its last bit of strength.

In a flash, Tersolius swiftly raised his right leg and stomped down heavily on the lion's cheek, burying the massive head deep into the mud. Despite the exhausted beast's desperate struggles, Tersolius's foot did not budge an inch.

He raised his spear and aimed it at the lion's chest. Behind the thick muscles and bones lay the beating heart; if he pierced that spot, even the strongest beast would fall dead on the spot.

The lion unleashed its final ferocity, desperately clenching its fangs, but could only swallow mouthfuls of pebbles and dirt.

As the spear plunged down, the sharp steel tip tore through the thick fur and sturdy flesh and bone, piercing the pulsating organs inside. Bright red blood gushed out like a broken water pipe, instantly staining his hand red.

With a blank expression, Tersolius twisted the spear shaft, causing the sharp blade to slowly rotate within the beast's flesh, shredding its internal organs until the enormous lion lay still. Only then did he pull out the spearhead along with the bloody pieces of flesh.

The foul-smelling animal blood gushed out rapidly, seeping into the soil and submerging weeds and shrubs; it looked like it would continue to flow for quite some time.

Thesolius leaned on his blood-stained spear and smiled from the bottom of his heart. A series of cheers rose from the nearby woods, while the birds on the branches had already been startled away.

91. Undercurrents (3)

Men seem to have an innate instinct and yearning: they crave to capture large prey to gain praise and envy from others, and are willing to risk danger, invest time and energy, and even abandon many other things for it.

The allure of hunting is deadly to men; a large, ferocious prey provides unparalleled spiritual value and is an achievement that can be flaunted to others for years to come.

A nobleman could boast of hunting a ferocious lion. An old hunter would often consider a fierce prey his greatest achievement.

Especially when the prey is brought back, the whispers and quiet admiration of the onlookers provide unparalleled emotional value.

Even seasoned cavalrymen couldn't help but cheer loudly, feeling proud of the giant beast they had captured.

Ropes tightly bound the giant lion's body to a makeshift sled, which was supported by two thick tree trunks. A powerful warhorse used ropes to pull the sled and its prey out of the forest and onto the wide road.

Tersolius spurred his warhorse to the front of the procession, drawing admiration from the slave soldiers and mountain people. Although the marching column did not stop, every passing soldier had their eyes glued to the enormous lion, and some even couldn't resist reaching out to touch it.

The hunters marveled at the sight of the lion, speculating about its weight, while the slaves discussed who had killed the ferocious beast. They quickly concluded that their master, Terzolith, was the only one capable of being the great hunter.

The other hunters and cavalry also had a good haul. Most of the huge pride of lions that had been causing trouble in the nearby towns were killed. Most of them were driven into traps set by the mountain hunters by the cavalry and then killed cleanly with spears, just like slaughtering a lamb.

The human skulls scattered throughout the caves where the lions lived were proof of their wicked deeds. So even the cubs were not spared. They were turned into bloody pieces by the cavalry's chain hammers and longswords, and rotted into fertilizer in the ground.

One lion after another was brought out on horseback, their furs being excellent spoils. The entire army cheered and jumped for joy, excited by the large number of prey. Even their steps became lighter, and in the blink of an eye, they had crossed the forest.

The giant white lion was dragged to the middle of the procession. It was twice the size of an ordinary lion, and its enormous head was too big for one person to hug. Its golden mane was matted with blood, and its egg-sized eyes had become cloudy.

Several mountain hunters immediately volunteered to help Tersolius skin the lion, each boasting about their skill and how they would leave no excess fat or muscle on the hide...

Skinning this lion was clearly not an easy task for one person. Moreover, among the mountain people, skinning the chief's prey was an important honor, so before Tersolius could even react, they quickly arrived at the result in their own way.

Having easily defeated the two guys who dared to contradict him, Colin gleefully drew his sharp dagger and ordered the others to use ropes to separate the lion's two front paws. Then, he gently slid the dagger along the cut made by the spear towards the middle of the hind legs.

A cut was made in the milky white belly fur, revealing the white fat layer inside. As the blade continued to penetrate, the blood-red muscle was also exposed. The fur was then peeled apart to both sides, and the skin and fat layer were separated with the blade, just like taking off a piece of clothing that was glued to the body, and the lion's fur was slowly peeled off.

When the fur reaches the middle of the tail, the joints are cut off, leaving only a small section at the end. The entire pelt is then peeled off, leaving very little flesh or fascia, like a thick, soft blanket, heavy in the hand.

The lion, stripped of its fur, looked much thinner, and the fresh fat and muscle seemed quite appetizing, without an overly strong fishy smell. So, after digging a hole and burying the intestines, the remaining carcass was thrown onto the carriage, ready to be tested that night to see if it was edible.

The mountain girl deftly folded the lion's skin, then came to him and handed it to him with both hands. Tersolius smiled slightly and reached out to take it.

"Ow!!!"

The mountain people immediately cheered loudly, raising their weapons high, their faces beaming with joy, celebrating the successful end of the hunt. Even Colin couldn't stop smiling. Then, Tersolius immediately noticed the flaw in their plan:

"Why are there food pieces stuck in your teeth? Don't tell me you've been slacking off again these past few days..."

Colin's smile vanished instantly, and his eyes darted around in a panic.

"Doctor, tell me honestly, has he come to see you these past few days?"

The mountain girl desperately tried to signal to Tarina with her eyes, and the doctor, caught in a dilemma, didn't know what to say and stammered.

Teresliz immediately understood, and without even turning his head, reached out and grabbed the mountain girl who was trying to slip away:

"You dare disobey my orders? You've really got some nerve!"

"No, no! Let me explain!"

………………

The lion's pelt needs to be processed as soon as possible, otherwise it will rot and spoil. They will arrive at a new town today, where they can find a professional craftsman.

Now, all you need to do is find two branches of suitable thickness to prop it open, and while you're at it, use a knife to scrape off any remaining fat and fascia.

The process is actually quite interesting. As long as you can ignore the sticky residue and the faint fishy smell, it can even feel addictive, just like the donkey hoof trimming and ingrown toenail removal procedures he's seen before.

As the dagger scraped against the inside of the fur, Thesolius sat lost in thought in the swaying carriage...

Although he had a fruitful day, he did not overlook an obvious problem: how could there be such a huge lion infestation near the towns of the Empire? What were the local officials doing? Why didn't they organize manpower to clear it out in time?

The caves where the lion pride lived contained many human skeletons, including skulls that had been gnawed into pieces, with even the brains licked clean.

These beasts have clearly succeeded many times, and countless people have been abducted by them, but before they arrived, no one came to deal with these beasts... Perhaps we'll have to go to the next town to find out why.

He slowly stood up, handed the dagger to a mountain man beside him, and then leaped onto the warhorse next to him.

"You can handle the rest."

…………

Kochkin discovered that something might be wrong with his tongue; he couldn't feel anything going into his mouth before it was already in his stomach. Puzzled, he ate several more.

He then realized that the delicate pastry was so soft that his tongue couldn't even detect it, only a faint sweetness melting in his mouth.

Large chunks of cooked meat are arranged on a silver plate, while crispy, juicy roast chicken is garnished with cilantro, and fruit glistening with frost and dew exudes a refreshing aroma. The bread, coated in flour, has a crisp crust and a soft interior.

Combined with chilled wine freshly drawn from the well, this made for a sumptuous lunch.

After receiving permission, the two mountain people practically swallowed their tongues. They didn't even bother with forks and spoons, grabbing food with their hands and stuffing it into their mouths, their mouths greasy and bubbles coming from their noses. They let out blissful groans.

Kochkin and Warif couldn't imagine what kind of person could afford such a lavish meal. They even worried that they had been served the wrong thing, so they took a chance and stuffed themselves into their stomachs as quickly as possible, since no one would make them vomit.

Upon learning that the food was prepared for them, they couldn't help but loudly thank the generous lady. However, they didn't slow down their eating at all, devouring every last drop of oil and grease from the table like starving ghosts, and drinking every last drop of wine.

If they hadn't finally mustered a shred of shame, they might have even been chewing on the leftover chicken bones... but their current disgraceful state made the servants around them secretly frown.

After eating and drinking to their hearts' content, Kochkin loosened his belt to prevent his stomach from becoming too full and uncomfortable. Everyone leaned back lazily in their chairs, hanging there as if they had no bones.

"Warif, I would be willing to die now... Even if someone cuts off my head right now, I would have no regrets."

"...Even if you cut off my ear right now, I don't want to move anymore. So don't talk to me, I need to digest what's in my stomach."

Warif struggled to lift his head:

“Sir, could you please bring me my sword? Yes, that one. I can’t let it out of my sight…”

"I still have some here, damn it, I almost forgot my orders..."

A male servant, struggling to suppress a laugh, took their swords and placed them in their hands. The two men immediately hugged each other tightly, then collapsed into a state of relief.

"Warif, this meal isn't going to cost us a month's pay, is it? I'm getting a little scared. This might be the most extravagant thing we've ever done."

"You don't have to pay, so what are you afraid of? ... I've lived a worthwhile life anyway."

…………

The two chatted idly, waiting for the respected lady to finish reading the letter and summon them. Before that, they could enjoy a rare moment of leisure.

Thinking of their brothers who were still struggling on the road, they could no longer suppress their sorrowful smiles, and the two of them couldn't help but burst into silly laughter.

"Pfft!..."

Smiles seem contagious; a maid wearing a headscarf could no longer contain herself and covered her mouth with a soft laugh. Even the basin of water she was carrying trembled slightly.

The lady-in-waiting glared at her, causing the young maid to suppress her smile, though her lips still twitched occasionally.

"Gentlemen, the lady wants to see you. Please make sure you are properly dressed beforehand, or it would be extremely impolite."

"Understood, understood! Your Excellency, we'll get ready right away."

The two struggled to their feet, and the maid immediately brought them a basin of water so they could wash their oily hands and faces.

Two clean and tidy robes, along with matching clothes and shoes, were handed to them. After curiously looking them over, the two of them, now fully dressed, were led by servants to the back of the mansion, whispering excitedly about the towering beams and exquisite railings.

The servants all smiled as they saw the two men, who also greeted them with smiles. The servants responded with gentle nods.

Kochkin felt as if he were dreaming; when they stepped through the guarded gate, it was as if they had entered a dreamlike place.

Not only did no one make things difficult for them, but they also received the best hospitality. The servants here were not as aggressive as the old people in the village had described; on the contrary, everyone was very polite.

Even these two uncouth fellows could sense that no one here looked down on them; their smiles were friendly, and there was even a sense of normalcy about it. On the contrary, the two of them initially didn't know what to do with their hands and feet, causing quite a few laughs.

Moreover, no one told them to follow any complicated etiquette; they were simply told to salute like in the military. Everything they encountered was so beautiful, even the sunshine seemed exceptionally bright.

Even so, the two of them were still a little nervous before meeting the respected lady.

Mountain people are naturally fierce, and these two are the best of the best. But even if they are wild, they would not dare to offend the general's family, so they must make some preparations in advance.

After they had been whispering in each other's ears for a while, and as a cool, moist sensation touched their skin, they finally met the person they were looking for after turning a corner.

Christina smiled, waiting with interest for the two messenger soldiers to arrive. They insisted on seeing her before handing over the letter; if it weren't for the fact that they possessed her husband's keepsake, they might have already been arrested as assassins.