Mercenaries and Adventurers

A large number of militiamen walked tiredly with torches, and behind them were donkey carts and horse carriages one after another.

After running all day, these animals lost the energy they had when they set out in the morning. They were tired and allowed to be driven by humans, just hoping to find a place to rest as soon as possible.

Group after group of militiamen entered the organized open space under the command of the leading Rumi knight. Each group of militiamen gathered together, sitting back to back on the ground, tapping their calves, or taking off their boots, looking back and forth at the soles of their feet or the soles of their boots after a day of walking.

More than that, they regretted the wear and tear of the boots.

After all, the vast majority of militiamen don't have the money to buy such a pair of 'well-made' boots.

In their respective villages and hometowns, they could at most buy a small piece of scraps of wild beast leather from hunters who had caught prey, and used the layers of leather as soles to make a pair of soft ordinary fur shoes.

Few villagers have skilled leather-making skills, so these fur shoes often become damaged after being worn for a period of time. Every family only prepares a pair of these things for their children who go barefoot all day when the boys and girls in the family reach adulthood, as a kind of coming-of-age gift.

Everyone will only take out the stored shoes from the wooden box at home during festivals or celebrations, walk out of the house decently, greet their neighbors who are as poor as before, and join in the celebration.

Young boys and girls often dress themselves up at this time, and then expect to meet, date, and start a family with their loved ones in various activities.

The elders who are the head of each family need such a moment of dignity to show some respect in their clothes to some of the big shots they usually dare not talk to when they see them. It is often at this time that they will talk to the big shots about some of the difficulties they encounter at work, hoping that the big shots will show mercy or help.

After the logistics convoy stopped in the open space, the urban militiamen driving the convoy immediately removed the restraints on the animals, and then led them to the place where fodder and water troughs had been prepared to feed and drink water to the animals.

The secretaries accompanying the army directed groups of militiamen to set up tents on the spot. Everyone was busy. Driven by fatigue and sleepiness, everyone couldn't wait to fall asleep.

This is of course impossible.

There must be someone watching the camp, right?

In terms of the sentry arrangement, both Crow Knight and Rumi Knight believed that the first half of the night should be given to a part of the militia to serve as sentry, while in the critical second half of the night, more reliable town guards would be needed to serve as sentry.

Some militiamen who had just taken off their equipment cursed and could only put on their equipment again. They yawned and came to various parts of the camp. Some lined up in queues and shuttled through the camp, while others sat on the tops of some vehicles. Crossbow arrows were distributed, and some people stood with torches, while others sat cross-legged on the carriage without torches, serving as hidden sentries.

Except for those who were guarding those damn fake merchants, the town guards under Knight Crow all went into their respective camps to rest.

After everything was settled, Knight Crow patted Kil's chest: "I originally planned to conduct a test, but something like that happened, so we will leave the test for later. Go back to the camp and go to bed early."

Kil frowned: "Sir, what are those people trying to do? And who are the people behind them?"

After staring at Kil for a while, Knight Crow looked at the north gate of the level that was still brightly lit not far to the south, and said slowly: "There is a lot involved here, and you are not supposed to know. Go back and rest, and I will definitely give it to you tomorrow. For testing. After you have conducted a series of tests and I have mastered your abilities, the formal knight training will begin. Are you ready? This method is not easy and requires more hardship. .”

Kil did not hesitate: "Get ready. To become as strong as you, no matter how much hardship you have to endure!"

Kiel was confident. After all, he had worked very hard to study in his previous life, and had experienced many mental and physical hardships. He has gone through all of them, and he is very confident after experiencing them in this life.

The knight nodded and waved Keir away.

In the center of the camp was where the baron and the two knights' tents were stationed.

Because he is a knight attendant of Knight Crow, Kiel's tent and carriage are also next to Knight Crow's tent.

The horses in his carriage had already been fed and brushed by the knight's two guards. Kil led the horse he had been riding and came in and greeted the two guards guarding the unoccupied tent.

When he turned around, he saw that these two people had already helped Keir set up his tent.

After thanking the two men, Keir untied all saddles and other burdens from the horses, and simply tied the two horses to the small carriage, then took out his own bedding from the carriage, and spread it out in the tent.

After taking off his weapons and equipment, and taking off his armor, Kil wore only spring clothes and got into the dog-skin quilt.

Although he wanted to think about the fake businessman who wanted to assassinate the baron's troops today, he couldn't resist the tired sleepiness and fell asleep quickly.

-

Knight Crow did not sleep, so he did not return to his tent to rest.

As a strong knight-level man, as long as he thinks about it, nothing will happen if he doesn't sleep for a long time.

He came to the baron's tent, nodded to the baron's bodyguard who saluted him, opened the curtain of the baron's tent, and walked in.

When the team entered the camp just now, Knight Crow greeted the Baron and Knight Rumi and explained the situation in brief words.

As soon as he came in, he saw the Baron himself sitting on a folding wooden chair with Knight Rumi, drinking a drink and frowning.

"Klaue, what happened?"

The younger Knight Rumi was the first to ask the question. He and the baron's team were walking behind, looking after each other, so the news was the same.

Knight Crow did not sit on the wooden chair, but sat directly on the spot, frowning and explaining the whole story.

"Damn fat man! I knew he didn't have good intentions. As a great nobleman, he can only use such despicable methods." The baron threw the drink cup in his hand to the ground.

The brazier responsible for lighting in the center of the camp was almost doused by these drinks.

"grown ups?"

There were attendants outside the camp who asked questions.

But soon the baron said it was okay: "It's okay, no need to come in, just stay outside."

"Yes, sir." At this time, the attendants brought by the baron to the war were all true followers of the Kendall family for many generations. They had been the servants of the Kendall family since the empire, and they had followed them all the way to the Kingdom of St. Holes. , The attendants who accompanied the family were all around, and they never betrayed their family. Therefore, Baron Kendall and the others never avoided speaking to the attendants outside the camp.

Knight Crow continued the topic: "Although the method is shabby, if it succeeds, well, the effect is hard to say, but there will definitely be a lot of trouble."

Knight Rumi answered: "For example, it will consume additional divine power of the priests accompanying the army this time."

The Baron also continued: "It will also delay time. Once a large number of militiamen fall ill or lose their physical strength, the marching speed of the entire team will be greatly reduced."

Knight Crow answered again: "We will miss the agreed time with the nobles on the southern border. According to the agreement, if we are late, the final division of interests will be greatly affected."

"How did that guy know these things?" The Baron was a little confused.

Knight Crow waved his hand: "Don't fall into skepticism. This time the troops are sent to support the nobles in the southern part of the kingdom to fight for the iron ore veins on the border. It is impossible for the other party to know about it. Although the earl cannot and will not send troops to participate, some information has been revealed. But I guess there will be a lot of spies."

"That's right. Those people from the south were recruiting connections in the kingdom last autumn, and everyone knows about it. Well, it's nothing. However, I can't swallow this breath!" The baron clenched his fist and smashed it on his thigh.

As a result, a magic barrier exploded where the fists and legs met, buffering him against his own slight hit.

Knight Rumi wanted to say something, but couldn't speak, so he had to look at Knight Crow and wink.

Knight Crow nodded: "Sir, I have endured so many things over the years, so what if I endure one more thing? Yes, if you want to vent your anger, I can lead hundreds of militiamen through the Ice Flood Pass tomorrow. When the time comes, take it directly."

The baron looked at Knight Crow with an unpredictable expression on his face.

Knight Crow remained serious: "But what happened after that? You completely broke up with the count. How should you respond to other people in the noble council? Oh, the other party sent a few people to disgust our troops and assassinate us. That’s why we broke the previous resolution of the parliament and won the Ice Flood Pass where we all benefited?”

"It's not impossible, but then we have to welcome the other side's counterattack. He will use this as an excuse to let the other wild wolves in the council rush up and tear us apart. I only ask one thing: Are you ready to turn Kendall County into a white ground? Are you ready?"

Before the tangled Baron Kendall could answer, Knight Crow pointed at Knight Rumi and himself: "We are already prepared. If all the militiamen were gathered over the years, there would be about three thousand people, and there might be some The militia quota will be repeated from previous years, but that doesn't matter, it just means that those people are better trained.

In addition, there are nearly a thousand local militiamen in various farms and villages who have received simple training and can barely guard the towns. Coupled with the urban militia and gangsters in the city, up to five hundred people can be drawn out to fight. These people have included most of the young men in Kendall County. Of course, if you are willing, you can also let the Church of Saturn organize the last part of their believers, who are all strong middle-aged men and women who can also fight. "

After a pause, Knight Crow continued: "We also have fortress-like farms, cities, and villages. Although the Imperial Border Knights on the border will not participate in the disputes between nobles within the kingdom, they will intervene at the most critical moment and let everyone Forced armistice also has this ability. We have fed them for so many years, and we can still do this."

"In addition, the two masters of rivers and lakes have also said that they can create sudden floods if necessary. This can also be used as the ultimate method on the plains on both sides of the Kendall River. Just do it this way, Except for Kendall City, which is fine at high altitudes, all the farms outside the city will be destroyed. Of course, the coalition of nobles who attacked us will also be finished. But they said that in this way, Lake Umi in the northeast of the county will dry up. , after all, they can’t conjure water out of thin air, they can only rush the entire lake’s water into the Kendall River at the critical moment, causing the river to surge like it does in spring.”

Knight Crow said so much. Baron Kendall listened nervously at first, but then he closed his eyes and did not interrupt or express anything.

At this time, Knight Crowe finished speaking, and the Baron finally closed his eyes and thought, then opened his eyes and let out a breath.

"Huh, this way, all the years of accumulation will be over."

"That's right, but at least we will win. If that fellow Count led the team himself, he might also die in the war."

Knight Rumi raised his lips and said with a smile: "Not only that, maybe the nobles on the northwest border of the entire kingdom will be hit hard. Maybe you can lead a team to fight out?"

The Baron and Knight Crow were both amused.

It's not impossible to fight out, but what happens after that? It will only usher in a stronger counterattack from the noble council.

If they can't send out more troops, the other side will report to the capital and ask His Excellency the Regent, the nominal leader of the Noble Council, to send out the Kingdom Knights or the Guards Knights that Knight Crow once served to defeat them.

The Empire Frontier Knights may be able to fight against those high-end troops, but who would do this kind of thing that would destroy both forces as long as they were not fools?

"So, I have to endure it?" the baron asked, seemingly aggrieved.

The two knights looked at each other: "What else can you do if you can't bear it? Just bear it."

"Yes, it's good to bear with it. As long as you participate in the fight for the mineral veins this time, no matter how much the team loses, you can at least get the substantial discount on the price promised by the nobles in the south. With enough metal, weapons and armor used by the army , as well as pioneering agricultural tools can be made more cheaply. Weapons and equipment can be used to arm the militiamen who returned from participating in the war, and reorganize them. If the situation is good, they can be officially changed into city defense soldiers. And a large number of iron tools, You can hire more Saturn priests and let them perform grand rituals to strengthen the soldiers and heal them."

The baron became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke, and with his last breath, he said loudly: "Damn it, in order to defeat that fat pig who only likes music and treasures in the future, I endured it."

Knight Crow chuckled lightly: "If you really can't stand it, why don't you do the job of executing those fake businessmen yourself after passing through the Ice Flood Pass tomorrow?"

The Baron gave Knight Crow a hammer and said, "Forget it, I don't want to see them. Deal with it secretly, don't let anyone go. That guy sent people, so we secretly eliminated him. Tell him the fact in a subtle way, we You can’t be harmed by his despicable methods.”

"Yes, sir." The two knights responded as they stood up.

-

The next day, it was just dawn.

Everyone rose to the roar of the mighty Kendall River next to the camp.

The cooks got up the earliest, after all, they went to bed early last night. After they got up, they first rekindled the fire, and then nervously began to cook meals for the entire army.

They would mix wheat flour and make some dough to take with them every time the team stopped. At this moment, the slightly sour dough was taken out of the jar and cut into small pieces with a dagger. The chefs used their skilled hands to roll the small pieces of dough into a wheat cake.

Wheat cakes made from coarse flour didn't look good, but they were baked on an iron plate over a fire, and then a large amount of wheat cakes were placed on the iron plate. However, when they went out to urinate, the cakes swelled up. . The chefs used wooden shovels to turn them over, and the strong smell of burnt grains lured the newly awakened militiamen out of their tents.

The yawning militiamen, whose stomachs were growling, first lined up next to the carriage equipped with large buckets to fill the water bottles they carried. Then they were attracted by the smell of wheat cakes and thick soup. Amidst the scolding, they lined up according to the size of the team and gathered at various cooking places, waiting to eat.

The thick soup with fat chunks added is particularly delicious. If the team had not passed through the Ice Flood Pass later and the logistics vehicles would have been replenished, the cooks and the clerks in charge of logistics would not have given them such an open meal. It was rich in energy. The fat piece of meat.

While everyone was eating, some of the Crow knights' town guards drove a carriage through the camp. The carriage was full of crossbow arrows in a small crossbow barrel.

The most deadly crossbow arrows, which had not been distributed to the militiamen before, have now officially begun to be distributed.

Of course, there was no intention to guard against soldiers from Bingxun Pass. It was just because they left Bingxun Pass and headed south that they completely left Kendall County and entered the territory of other nobles.

Of course, even though we have already greeted the other party in advance, and we will take the trade route that caravans frequently travel on, passing through many cities along the way, and there will be more villages and towns, there will be no problem with supplies.

But after all, it was a formal force passing through the opponent's territory, and those nobles would also send soldiers to accompany and monitor the baron's large force.

Prevent Baron Kendall from doing anything false to destroy Guo Guo.

Although there is no such idiom here, the meaning is the same, and this kind of thing is not uncommon among feudal nobles.

A barrel of crossbow arrows was issued to each militiaman. Thirty pieces were enough for short-term battles and against bandits.

After the crossbows were distributed, Knight Rumi began to organize the team, asking everyone to bring their things and not to leave anything behind. It’s best not to leave anything behind but trash.

Knight Crow stayed with Baron Kendall, and Kil stood silently behind the knight.

"Sir, will you be in the team later, or will you come with me to meet those losers?"

Knight Crow was not polite. After all, in his opinion, those who managed Bingshuguan were really useless people who relied on nepotism to get to the top.

It's not that relying on family connections or nepotism is not enough to get to the top, but he is really unconvinced that the count they cited as their enemy only sent such a bunch of losers to manage this important place, Bingxun Pass.

A few years ago, if the count hadn't robbed this place relying on his status, this would have been the territory promised to him by the baron.

If the family can completely control this place, their wealth and strength will be huge.

Although Knight Crow is not confident in making this place more prosperous, at least he will not let any bandits exist near Bingxun Pass.

With the help of his attendants, the baron mounted his war horse covered in colorful 'costumes' and waved his hand: "Go ahead. I don't want to talk to those guys now. Remember that matter and handle it secretly."

He glanced at the fake businessmen who were being tied up by the guards not far away.

These people were being tied up by the guards and then stuffed into the logistics vehicle as they squirmed.

Everyone is very relaxed. After all, no one will check the military vehicles unless he doesn't want to live anymore.

"Okay. Kil, follow."

After saying that, Knight Crowe took Kil to ride a horse.

After riding on their horses, the two of them ordered the guards and militiamen from yesterday. Dozens of them headed towards the north gate of Bingshuguan ahead of the rest of the group.

-

The north gate of Bingxun Pass has been opened in advance, and there are only a few soldiers at the gate blocking the businessmen who want to pass through the gate.

Knight Crow chuckled, and then led the people through the north gate of the level.

Kil still remembered that the last time he left here, he returned to Kendall City with a large amount of coins. He also had a fight with some gangsters who were greedy for money and killed some guys who were blind to money.

He actually likes it here. Compared to the orderliness of Kendall City, although it is more chaotic, there are more opportunities here.

He got a lot of wealth from the bandits related to Bingxunguan.

Patting the long sword on his waist, this guy earned most of his reforging materials from here.