Armored Cavalry, survive in a world full of mods

Natamus suddenly understood:

"Is it that same set of secret texts you two came up with again?"

“That’s right. I need at least two more months to become proficient at reading text… She probably doesn’t know that and thinks I’m still the same as before.”

"I really don't know how a brain as smart as yours grows. You can actually convey messages using those strange patterns. Why do all these patterns look the same to me?!"

"We put in a lot of effort to get this done, and we messed it up countless times..."

After casually replying to his brother, Thesolius's lips gradually curled into a smile, while Nathamus visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

"It looks like things are going well, at least better than I expected."

"Have everyone hurry and send messengers to spread the news of our arrival."

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

The capital of the empire is never short of noise; even in the quiet of the night, there are always people who stay out all night, supporting the city's nighttime prosperity.

The deep darkness was finally about to pass, and experienced soldiers could already tell from the subtle differences in color in the sky. The armor that had been dim in the night was now becoming clearer under the increasingly bright light.

In such cities, the night is often a haven for murder and crime. The vastness of the city makes it impossible for the garrison to cover everything, thus giving urban gangs and other forces room to survive.

A group of soldiers slowly marching down the street had become quite lax. They were not wearing heavy, ornate armor; a light chainmail covering their chest and abdomen would suffice.

Even the weapons weren't as extravagant as those used in war; a spiked iron club was enough to handle most situations and give any troublemakers a good beating.

No citizen or slave was allowed to wander around the city at night. Anyone found doing so would be fined or whipped. To fulfill this duty, the captain wore a long whip made of cowhide around his waist.

Everything was normal in their assigned area today. They didn't encounter any unfortunate souls with their throats slit and thrown into the sewers, nor did they see any thieves sneaking around at night instead of staying at home.

Then, all they had to do was walk back to their camp along the wide road, where they could lie down and catch up on their sleep, making up for the sleep they had missed during the night.

For this reason, the soldiers were all in low spirits, and some were even drowsy, yawning constantly, with tears welling up in their eyes.

They passed through road after road without any hindrance. The captain, who knew this area better than his own home, casually glanced around. It wasn't necessarily because he wanted to find anything, but more because it was a habit he had developed over the years.

The torches in their hands were almost extinguished, and no one cared about anything else. They just wanted to get back to the barracks as soon as possible and get a good night's sleep, desperately trying to keep their groggy minds clear.

On such a quiet and harmonious morning, not knowing whether to be happy or sad, a black figure flashed through the alley and disappeared. The captain's heart skipped a beat.

To be honest, he really didn't want to run into any trouble at this time... but this just happened to happen to him... Thinking of the rumors that had been circulating in the city in the past few days, he hesitated for a moment, but still led his soldiers to follow.

101 Arrival (2)

Even though they only wear short-sleeved chainmail and small helmets to protect their heads, the garrison responsible for maintaining city order is not someone that ordinary gangsters can mess with. They can often beat out several times their number of troublemakers in a short time.

This is certainly because their chainmail makes most of the attacks from the commoners ineffective. More importantly, the third-line troops responsible for maintaining order in the city have also received some training and can at least cooperate with each other to form a formation, which is beyond the ability of ordinary people to fight against.

Although the patrolling soldiers were exhausted, they dared not slack off—if some assassin or similar figure managed to infiltrate the city and track them down, they would likely be in trouble.

So they immediately gave chase under the leadership of their captain, and split into three teams. Taking advantage of their familiarity with the terrain, they moved to encircle the streets on both sides, hoping to catch the suspicious guy in a big trap.

Their weapons were tough ash wood clubs with iron tips. They were not easy to kill unless aimed at vital organs, but they could easily cause intense pain. They were also sturdy and durable, and required no special skills to use. Logically speaking, anyone who could use a hoe could use this.

No one was foolish enough to open their mouths and shout, and they didn't even walk too fast. Using the shadows of the street and the cover of various stalls and corners, they flowed into the corners of the street like three gentle streams of water.

A few minutes later, the three groups of people gathered in a dark alleyway, looking at each other in bewilderment... and the black shadow seemed to have disappeared into the ground, never to be seen again.

If it weren't for the fact that several other people had also seen it, the captain would have almost thought he was hallucinating from exhaustion. Somewhat unwillingly, they scattered again to search everywhere, but in the end, they returned empty-handed.

They would be punished for letting the assassin in, but they would also be rewarded if they caught him. Even if he wasn't an assassin, they would get an extra reward for catching other troublemakers, which is why they were so enthusiastic... Now it seems that this money is not meant for them.

The only thing we can do is report this to our general and let that man deal with it... that way, the responsibility won't fall on us.

…………

Not long after, the general of the Loristician garrison received a report that there were suspected assassins in the city. Because of the undercurrents in the past few days, he dared not be negligent and immediately sent a report to the Golden Palace.

When the emperor dealt with his state affairs at night, this report was naturally seen and, as a matter of course, received his attention.

Claudina pondered for a moment, then tapped her fingers lightly three times on the table. The figure dressed in black silently descended from the rooftop and appeared behind her.

"Have any spies returned to the city recently... and exposed their presence?"

"No, esteemed master. There is still a month before the next intelligence report is due, and all the spies are in their respective areas of responsibility."

The emperor nodded slowly, but said in an unquestionable tone:

“Then investigate. I don’t want any despicable scoundrels plotting their schemes in this city. Find them and eliminate them… Figure out why they’re here, my hounds.”

Your will cannot be defied.

………………

In the darkness of night, the emperor's henchmen moved out silently, casting their nets before dawn, which unknowingly enveloped the entire city.

————————————————————————————

Malt-fermented liquor is the most common beverage in cities.

Every day, large quantities of wooden barrels are transported to the city by horse-drawn carriages. These are new wines produced in nearby farms, but they are often consumed within a day. As the capital of the empire, even the beggars here are richer than their counterparts elsewhere.

No one would refuse a glass of ale from a cool cellar on a hot day, and even the poorest workers and laborers wouldn't be stingy with such a thing.

These taverns, which offered food, were also important areas for information exchange in the city, besides the three large bathhouses. Merchants and other travelers from all over the country brought all sorts of news, some true and some false, and they spread among themselves here.

Some people even spend all day in the tavern, ordering two glasses of water mixed with alcohol and sitting there until the owner kicks them out when there are more customers in the evening.

They knew every tavern in the city like the back of their hand, knowing exactly which tavern owner would add more water to their drinks, and which tavern they could stay in longer without being kicked out... Because of this, they could be considered the most well-informed group of people in the city.

Now a message is spreading through the city, and after being embellished and exaggerated, it has become unrecognizable, but at least it has maintained a basic framework.

This also let the residents of the city know one thing: General Tersolius will arrive in the capital tomorrow, and the garrison has sent troops to meet him!

The whole city was in an uproar because of the news, and even the sparrows in the treetops were so disturbed that they were hopping and dodging from branch to branch.

Almost everyone who shared this news swore that their source was absolutely accurate, boasting that some distant relative of theirs was involved in the matter.

Thus, from various angles, from all aspects, and from the mouths of all sorts of different people, this jumbled information had a striking similarity, which quickly led to the rumors being confirmed as facts.

After all, the general of the capital garrison has not appeared for quite some time, and management has become stricter in the past two days. Several hotel owners have been fined for violating orders and operating outside of designated hours.

This also caused a restless mood to begin to accumulate in the hearts of the imperial people in the capital. Their emotions were always so easily agitated, and they were always more willing to believe what they wanted to believe.

This pent-up sentiment put the capital's garrison on high alert, and countless gangs suffered as a result. But even if they were destroyed, new replacements would soon emerge, squeezing out the interests of the city's underclass.

The arrival of a cavalryman completely ignited this pent-up emotion... His iconic armor and horsemanship blatantly proclaimed his identity, and a small, ornate banner fluttered in the wind atop his spear.

The cavalryman made no speech or address to anyone, but his journey to the Empire's Golden Palace caused an uproar throughout the city, the deafening roar nearly causing the mountains to collapse.

People were discussing the matter intensely and excitedly, especially Aristotle, who had been imprisoned and was awaiting questioning, making everyone realize that a big scene was bound to unfold.

Some people easily realized that such a large-scale event might not be a good thing for them, so they began to prepare early.

Meanwhile, Tersolius is receiving cheers—the cheers of his legions for their general.

This is a high, sloping area that is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Streams flow between the mountains behind the camp and pass through it. The trees around the camp have been cleared away, so no one can hide there.

Numerous wooden buildings covered the broad hillside, forming a neat rectangle with walls made of thick logs. Dozens of watchtowers and arrow towers were scattered throughout, monitoring every movement in the surrounding area.

This is a typical permanent camp, with sturdy and reliable housing and ample water. If food is plentiful, the legion can hold out here for a long time, just like defending a city.

The wide trench was surrounded by sharp chevaux-de-frise, and the bottom of the trench, which was more than a person deep, was full of sharp spikes cut from hardwood, which could impale soldiers who fell on it. Such a camp was enough to make any attacker pay a heavy price.

Not to mention the elite soldiers living in those neat rows of low wooden houses—this was the renowned Golden Legion, a full nine thousand soldiers awaiting the emperor's orders and obeying the general's commands.

This legion was entirely assembled by the emperor and her two generals, and no other power could extend its reach here. This was also the greatest benefit the emperor had gained after Tersolius took the head of the Kiel Khan and won an unparalleled victory for the empire with his brother.

The sentries around the camp spotted him as soon as his flag appeared on the road and quickly relayed the message back.

When he led his army near the camp, the heavily guarded camp was already wide open. The garrison commanders and centurions stood by, eagerly awaiting his arrival. The legion's flagstaff was at the very front, held in the hand of a strong flag bearer.

When he led his cavalry to the camp gate, as the legion's banner was raised high, everyone, soldiers and officers alike, erupted in a frenzied cheer at the same time.

"Tesorius!!!"

A unified roar rolled in, crushing everything around it like thunder, causing the soft treetops to sway like blades of grass in a storm, and sending flocks of birds soaring up like dark clouds.

Tersolius bowed slightly and took the legion's flag from the standard-bearer, symbolizing that he had taken over command of the legion.

The massive black warhorse beneath him leaped on its hooves, turning as nimbly as a stag, causing the red silk on the flagpole to flutter in the air.

Another wave of cheers rose into the air as the soldiers raised their swords and short hammers, banging them against their shields and cheering in unison. Their terrifying aura was enough to shake mountains, and anyone standing among them would believe that nothing could stop them!

Amid cheers from the troops, the black double-headed eagle banner slowly entered the camp, with the battalion and centurion flags lowering themselves in salute.

The fully armed cavalrymen seemed to be one with their warhorses, with no one standing out or in disarray. The horses' strong, long limbs extended in a harmonious rhythm as they entered the camp that stretched for miles.

Wherever the black double-headed eagle banner went, deafening cheers erupted. Tersolius's warhorses traversed every corner of the vast camp, and countless banners bowed to him, expressing their reverence and obedience.

All the legionary soldiers were arrayed in formation, each square as neatly sculpted as if by a knife. Well-maintained swords and spears reflected a blinding, cold light, and heavy, fine armor formed a wall of steel.

All the soldiers cheered for him, saluting their commander. They surrendered their command to him, entrusting their lives and honor to that glorious banner.

Everyone was calling out his name, calling out Thesolius, as if the name possessed some kind of magic, giving them glory and courage, making them unwilling to stop even when their throats were hoarse.

The platform, built of mud and sturdy logs, looked crude, but only the legion commander could occupy it; no one else could cross it.

As his banner was firmly secured in the groove by Alka, the thick flagpole remained still, and the golden double-headed eagle gripped the banner's crossbar tightly with its sharp talons, its golden, carved wings raised high as if ready to take flight.

Without hesitation, he dismounted and climbed onto the platform. Alka immediately spread the white lion's pelt on the large hardwood chair above, and only then did he calmly sit down.

Generals and officers stepped forward to pay their respects and relinquish their command, while fully armed guards stood behind him, spears in hand, silent and dignified like statues.

He also talked with each of his subordinates, talking with these seemingly unfamiliar yet familiar faces. Everyone seemed to have endless things to say, including him. Some were so emotional that they even gestured wildly, appearing extremely out of control.

But no one would laugh at them... Today, at this very moment, the Emperor's Golden Legion once again welcomed their commander, and both generals and soldiers were swept up in a frenzy, cheering and jumping for joy for their leader.

If it weren't for the strict discipline, the entire camp would have been in complete chaos long ago, but even so, the commotion continued until evening before finally subsiding.

As night deepened, the camp fell silent once more, seemingly no different from any other time before. Even the birds that had fled gradually returned to their nests, reluctant to leave their homes.

Only the double-headed eagle on the black banner remained vigilant, its golden feathers gleaming silver in the moonlight, highlighting its owner's status.

102 Arrival (3)

The soldiers of the empire are always driven by a pursuit of honor, and their desire for wealth and victory is unparalleled. An excellent commander who can bring victory can easily win their support.

After following Thesolius to victory after victory, the legion had been branded with his mark. He was the only one in command of these elite standing armies, and the soldiers trusted only him as their general.

Therefore, no one except him and the emperor can touch this army; the army will spontaneously chop off any unruly claws... In other words, if something really happens to him, this army will soon become a thorn in the side of some people.

During his absence, the generals in the legion effectively suppressed news and rumors, preventing any major disturbances. Many soldiers were unaware of the specifics, their leave was canceled, and they were ordered to remain in the area for training.

This pleased Tersolius greatly. If his legion were to become unruly due to certain news, it would certainly cause a lot of trouble for the emperor and his brother, and would also become a handle for some unscrupulous people.

He led his cavalry to arrive first, while Natamus led the infantry and mountain people behind him. At this moment, they passed through the wide camp gate and arrived at the campsite reserved for them.

The legion's permanent camp is no different from building a house; both involve laying a deep foundation in the ground, then building a frame out of logs and covering it with tiles.

This house can adapt to most seasons and climates, and it remains sturdy even after more than a decade of continuous use. Many farmers toil half their lives to afford such a house to provide shelter for their families.

The mountain people and slave soldiers continued to look around curiously. In this period of time, they saw more than they had ever seen in the first half of their lives. All kinds of scenery and novel sights broadened their horizons.

Now they have learned not to shout and yell anymore, but to look at the places they find new with amazement.

Many people had never seen such a well-organized and clean camp, especially the slaves from Alpert, whose army camps were mostly muddy, with mounds of excrement and garbage scattered everywhere.

Such campsites often reek of foul odors, and on rainy days, sewage soaked with garbage and excrement would flow into the tents, drawing a chorus of complaints.

Just as they learned during their training in Alpert, the Imperial army was strictly disciplined, and it was this discipline that made the Imperial army so powerful.

They had to build their own shelter on the land; until then, they would continue to live in tents. Everyone was incredibly enthusiastic about it; after sleeping in tents for months, everyone preferred sleeping in a sturdy room.

A wide open space was specially designated, and Talina and her medical team moved supplies here. In the near future, this place will be built into a sturdy structure, and the soldiers of this legion will be the first to receive the best medical care.

And it wasn't just them who were amazed; the proud soldiers of the Golden Legion also looked at these newcomers with great curiosity, especially the young women in the medical teams, who were more likely to attract the attention of these hot-blooded soldiers.

Women were generally not allowed to enter the Legion's camps; Talina's medical team was among the first, and this was an exception only under Terthorius's orders.

News always spreads quickly in military camps. Soldiers live and work together, sharing life and death experiences. They are more willing to share news with their comrades, and so it spreads from one to ten, from ten to a hundred. Before the mountain people and slaves had even settled down, their stories were already widely known.

Almost every legion of soldiers envied these guys who had received such great honors. Capturing Alperth for the Empire was something any soldier could boast about for a full 10 years, not to mention the legendary battles that followed.

But they didn't stay there for long. The officers who noticed the situation immediately dispersed them and sent the soldiers on their own. Otherwise, their gathering could easily cause trouble.

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

Tersolius rubbed his temples. He had been busy since yesterday, and he had finally managed to get most of the affairs in the legion sorted out.

A man of medium build and muscular build stood before him. Although not tall, he had unusually broad shoulders, slightly rough, dark skin, and neatly trimmed, slightly curly hair.

His beard was neatly shaved, and he wore a fine chainmail over a red jacket. Apart from that, he wore no other armor, which made him look smart and capable.