Mercenaries and Adventurers

Kiel told Knight Crow about the rain protection matters that the local merchants in the Western Province reminded him, but Knight Crow proudly pointed to a certain logistics carriage.

"Kiel, guess what's on it?"

Seeing him like this, Keir guessed that the carriage, which had not been used much, must contain supplies related to marching, fighting, rain and waterproofing.

Needless to say, Kil smiled tacitly and gave Knight Crow a thumbs up.

"These are just the basics of marching. A sophisticated army must be able to cope with various environments. Of course, it doesn't matter if it is not sophisticated. An ordinary army like that can also fight, but soldiers who become sick due to getting wet will inevitably affect their combat effectiveness. , resulting in non-combat attrition.”

The knight shook his finger: "Actually, most of the armies of noble lords are very ordinary. They are more than enough to be recruited to deal with riots or bandits. They are also barely enough to fight with other similar armies."

He looked to the south and pointed in the distant direction: "But this time fighting against the neighboring armies will not be so easy. Hey, do you know why our far-flung armies from the northwest province will go to support the southern provinces this time? Border?”

Kil had some guesses, but Knight Crow was willing to talk, so he didn't answer.

Seeing Kil shake his head, Knight Crow explained: "It's very simple, because the lords on the border can't defeat the army on the opposite side. As I told you, the temporarily recruited armed people, plus some temporary mercenaries, The mercenary group that came here. This kind of combination can resolve conflicts with neighbors by force, but it is difficult to win against a more regular army. "

He crossed his arms across his chest, exhaled and continued: "They suffered a defeat last year, so we will go over to support them this year. Hey, I hope the situation is not too bad, too bad that we can't help them."

After that, the two of them talked about some things that Knight Crow had participated in during the march and war. The knight told some stories about his time as a soldier before he became a knight. At that time, he was still a young ordinary soldier and participated in many wars. After performing well in the battle, he had the opportunity to become a knight in the kingdom's army.

Unlike today's Knight Crow who trains Kyle to become a knight, the Kingdom's army has sufficient resources and has a dedicated team responsible for training new knights. Things like monster meat can be eaten every day.

Unlike Kilde, who skipped eating water ghost meat and accumulated life energy inside his body at a slower rate.

Fortunately, Knight Crow was very satisfied with Kil's talent. He could always master the skills of manipulating life energy that he had to learn repeatedly in three to five days. Therefore, even if the monster meat that provides life energy is not enough, there is still a lot of life energy that Kil can accumulate from daily life.

-

Sure enough, as the local businessman said, the master of the sky still displayed his divine power.

In the middle of the night, a drizzle of light rain fell from the sky. The elastic tent trembled slightly in the rainy night. Only the sound of raindrops falling from a corner of the tent to the ground made Keir, who was alert even when he was sleeping, tremble. To wake up.

"As expected, it rained."

He was huddled in a warm, rough dog-skin sleeping bag, gently listening to the subtle sounds outside.

Darkness was his friend and made him feel quite comfortable, but Kil had to be careful about whether water would get into his tent.

Fortunately, the rain was not heavy, which made him relieved.

Outside, the knight's bodyguard asked in a low voice what Knight Crow was saying. After a while, the knight got dressed and walked out of the tent to go on a patrol.

Dimly, Kil fell asleep again.

-

Before dawn the next day, Keir woke up on time.

When he got up, he first checked inside the tent and found that the tent he bought was indeed of high quality and low price. It was not only anti-freeze and windproof in winter, but also had a certain protective effect against such moderate rainfall.

It was warm inside the tent and no rainwater seeped in.

After getting dressed, Kil walked out of the tent holding a rolled-up dog skin sleeping bag.

His two horses were looking at him dissatisfied, snoring and shaking their heads, obviously feeling uncomfortable after being exposed to the rain.

Although it is uncomfortable, the horse itself can be exposed to the rain. After all, when living in the wild, the horse has no way to shelter from the rain.

The hair on the two horses was pulled down, and water dripped down bit by bit.

Marching in the Western Province these days is really convenient. The two horses don't even need to be fed. They only need to lower their heads to eat fresh and tender grass. These days, they have even become stronger.

Throwing the things in his hand into his shed carriage, Kil then dug out a thin cloth cloak from the carriage box and wore it over the hard cowhide armor to protect him from the rain.

Keel then dismantled the tent, but did not put it away. Instead, he used a rope to hang the main tarpaulin of the tent outside the carriage. He then took out a dry cloth and wiped his two horses.

After casually feeding two handfuls of hay, and after the two horses had their bellies padded, Kil took his own bowl and spoon and went out to eat.

The cooks who accompanied the army set up an open tent outside the iron pot where the rice was cooked, and the militiamen who were waiting to eat gathered outside to wait for their meal.

Interestingly, Kiel saw the town militia with logistics carrying bundles of rain gear to the cauldron, and giving each militiaman a set of cloak-style rain gear to cover the food.

When it was Kiel's turn, he waved his hand and rejected the rain gear offered by the other party, indicating that he had something to protect him from the rain.

Not to mention that the thin cloak itself can protect against rain, but the hard cowhide full-coverage armor that Kil usually wears can withstand wind and rain due to its strict design.

Although he refused the rain gear offered by the other party, Kiir stood eating breakfast while observing the surrounding militiamen.

Most of the militiamen from all over the county had never used the items issued to them, but because the rain gear was simple, they quickly mastered the use of this cloak-style rain gear without even guessing.

When the rain gear was handed out, it was tied up with a dry fine hemp rope. After untying the hemp rope, the contents inside were in three sets.

The first is a thin waterproof cloth hood that goes over the head. This thing can be put directly on the leather-wood helmets made of wood by the militiamen to prevent the wooden parts of the helmet from directly touching water.

Then comes the main body of the rain gear, a cloak made of the same material, which can be draped over their half-body wooden armor. The thin hemp rope from before is passed through the upper part of the cloak and can be put around the necks of the militiamen. Rain poncho holds in place.

The last thing was something like a sock or glove, with some dry sawdust inside. I don’t know what it was used for.

This question was answered quickly. A clerk rushed over and told the militiamen loudly not to use the last thing. It was for when the rain was heavy and the water was deep, put it on the feet to keep the feet A tool for drying.

And when that thing is put on the feet, it not only allows the sawdust inside to absorb moisture from the feet, but also isolates the water from the outside.

By wearing that thing and putting on boots, the militiamen could lie down in the water and walk a certain distance under very difficult circumstances.

The thing was designed to be simple and effective, but Kiel had no use for it.

His boots were long, tightly sealed boots that extended from his feet to the middle of his calf, where they were combined with the shin guards on the calf part of his armor.

If the water on the ground is really submerged up to the calf, it doesn't matter whether you have that thing or not.

After eating, Kil found Knight Crow, and a new day's march began again.

-

Unlike Kendall's army, which had been well prepared, the caravan was in chaos. Although most of the traveling merchants had prepared shelter from the wind and rain, for temporary use, it was still chaos.

The army waited for them for a while, and the baron even sent more than a dozen town guards to help supervise. Only then did they get ready. The group of people bypassed the nearby villages and followed the stone pillars that guided the vague trade routes in the rain.

The local caravan responded quickly. According to Knight Crow, when it rained in the middle of the night, they had already started to prepare rain protection equipment for the journey.

Judging from the neat way the opponent set off, it was obvious that the opponent was well prepared.

And from a distance, the other party's rainproof clothing was too sufficient.

Not only were the people covered in inconsistent rain gear, but even the horses and the carriages without hoods were equipped with coverings to protect them from the rain.

Rain-covering cloths with the names of various chambers of commerce and caravans sewn on them were draped over the horses, and they looked as conspicuous as advertising for each caravan.

As Kiir rode around the army and looked around, Knight Rumi called him over.

"Kiel, although the rain curtain is not big, it still blocks the line of sight, and the guiding stone pillars are difficult to see." Knight Rumi in armor said loudly to Kiel.

He pointed to the guide stone pillar of the trade route that could barely be seen in front of the team, and then said: "This won't work, there is a risk of going the wrong way. In this way, I discussed it with His Excellency Baron and Crowe, and you can go find it in the local caravan at the back. A guide who was familiar with the trade route then found the baron, took his lighting magic ring, walked in front of the team, found the nearest guide stone pillar on the trade road, and activated the ring on the spot. Use the light it emits to illuminate the team. The forwards provide guidance.”

At this time, the front line of the army was said to be the vanguard, but due to the rain curtain, the distance between the vanguard and the main force of the army was already very close. It was far less than the distance of at least one kilometer before when the weather was good. Basically, the two are only a few hundred meters apart, barely visible.

At the same time, the distance between the logistics carriage and the militia force was also shortened, and some town guards got on the carriage to form a defense for the carriage.

Because of the rain, the situation on both sides of the trade road was no longer clear. In order to avoid people and monsters hiding on both sides of the road from attacking the logistics carriage, Knight Crow issued such an order.

This makes many walking militiamen quite envious, but who knows that the town guards accompanying the army this time are usually the subordinates of Knight Crow.

They couldn't be more envious.

After receiving the order, Keir immediately took action.

He was a little excited to finally get up close and personal with the Baron's magical accessories and props.

In the local caravan that followed the army some distance away, Kiel quickly found a guide on horseback.

However, this person was not what he had expected before, a merchant or caravan buddy who was familiar with the trade routes. On the contrary, the guide was an armed guard of the caravan.

A middle-aged man with a slovenly beard, the local caravan steward who had dealt with him before assured Kiel that this armed guard had been walking on this main trade road that leads directly to the southern provinces for ten years, even if I can smell it even with my eyes closed and run to the southern provinces.

"Hello, I am Joe Keel, from Kendall County in the Northwest Province. I am a knight apprentice."

Keir waved his hand in greeting.

This armed guard rode a strong local horse. Although he was not wearing armor, he was wearing a thick leather coat with a few iron armor pieces. He also wore a wide rain gear outside the leather coat, and even the horse underneath him was the same.

Compared with the opponent's horse, the horse Kiel was riding was thin and short, which made Kiel a little embarrassed.

But obviously the other party saw Kil's embarrassment in this regard, and he opened his mouth and smiled, revealing half of his rotten teeth: "Nivarster, everyone calls me Bloody Tooth. Don't be surprised, I have a little bit in my mouth. My little problem is that the roots of my teeth always bleed, making half of the teeth in my mouth bloody, so that’s why everyone calls me that.”

Although he said this, the armed guard carefully kept a certain distance from Keir even when he seemed to be greeting him in a friendly manner.

Because as a traveling caravan guard, although I can't say what his combat prowess and skills are, his vision is far beyond that of ordinary traveling merchants.

As soon as he saw the young man, he felt a faint stinging sensation from the tip of the knife.

This young man must have killed many people.

Looks like you have to be careful.

He thought so.

"I see. It seems that your friend calls you Bloody Fang, which is considered a friendly tease." After a few words of greeting, Kil asked the other party to follow him. On the way from the local caravan following behind to the logistics carriage where the baron was, Kil told Bloody Fangster about the mission.

"What did they tell you? What are we going to do now?"

Bloody Fangster shrugged: "The steward just spent money to replace me from my original employer, and then gave me another sum of money, asking me to be responsible for guiding everyone correctly in this continuous rain. Stop wandering?"

"Yes, that's true." Keir confirmed the other party's statement.

With this guide, the two of them rode horses to catch up with the slowly advancing army.

The horses trample across the water-saturated ground, and the creeping grass that seems to be compacted by the soles of their feet and the wheels of the carriage is full of rainwater. When the horses' hooves trample over it, it will stir up a lot of water splashes.

These splashes of water made the horses' bellies wet, making Kiel's horses shake their heads.

"Well, Kiel warrior, right? Your horse is on its belly, so you need to find something waterproof to wrap it up. This place is different from other places. It is not a dirt road or a gravel road. The grass is full of water and will always splash. It stirred up a lot of water."

Bloodtusk rode aside to explain the matter.

Keir nodded, he thought so too.

"If the horse's belly is constantly splashed with water, it will easily cause diarrhea and it will be unable to ride. After all, it is spring rain and it is still quite cold."

"Thanks, I'll figure it out tonight."

Keir thought that he could ask for a copy of the rain gear used by the militiamen, and put the rain-proof cloak on his body backwards over the belly of the horse. As long as it does not come into contact with water, it should be fine.

-

The baron's carriage is in the middle of the logistics vehicles. There are several carriages in front and behind that are all carriages serving the baron. Not only himself, but also his valets and bodyguards, as well as the capable cooks, luggage and other items are all loaded in these. On the carriage, not to mention some other supplies.

These carriages were surrounded by more than a dozen of the baron's personal guards on horseback, guarding them to prevent anyone from getting close.

In normal times, the Baron would of course have led the team on horseback. Now that it was raining, he would not be exposed to the rain and cold outside. He had entered the carriage carriage carrying passengers to rest since the morning.

"Who is it? Slow down."

As soon as Kiel and his men crossed the other carriages from the roadside and approached, they were stopped by the baron's guards.

The two men immediately rode on their horses, putting their hands on the handles of their weapons and getting close to the two of them.

It wasn't until he got closer that he saw Kil himself with his helmet and visor raised, and then he relaxed: "It turns out to be little Kil. The Baron has sent someone to wait for you, come here. But who is this person?"

Kil explained that he was a guide who was introduced by the local caravan and was familiar with the road. Then let Bloodfangster follow here slowly on horseback, and he will be back soon.

Kil didn't say what he was doing, but Bloodfangster didn't ask too much, because this middle-aged man knew that if you want to live longer, you have to speak less. Once you open your mouth, your life will be lost.

As a caravan guard who travels north and south, he knows that not delving into matters that have nothing to do with him is the first rule of survival.

-

Keir originally thought he would go to meet the Baron, and Baron Kendall would personally lend him the magic ring. But unexpectedly, as soon as they approached the baron's carriages, a voice called out from a closely guarded carriage next to them.

"Jo-Kil warrior! Kiel warrior!"

Keir looked at the carriage next to him and found that a baron's valet was huddled by the window of the two carriages and calling him.

"Come here, come here! I have the stuff here!"

Touching his nose, Kil asked the horse to lean over and asked: "Hello, thing, is the thing you are talking about the Baron's magic ring that Knight Rumi said?"

The attendant in the carriage smiled slightly: "Yes, I have the stuff here. The baron just asked me to come and pick it up. I'll give it to you now."

After saying that, the expensively dressed valet took a heavy wooden box from the table in the carriage behind him. The wooden box was engraved with the family crest of Baron Kendall, and there was a small but strong lock hanging on the box. .

In addition to the valet, there were several other people in the carriage. These people were chatting and looking at Kiel. After all, Kiel was already somewhat famous in the army at this time. Not to mention being Knight Crow's apprentice, his own fighting prowess was spread by other comrades, making many people curious.

The people in this carriage were all close to the baron, and it was rare to see Kiel. At this time, most of the others saw Kiel up close for the first time.

An extremely young boy.

It's really good luck to be able to attract the attention of the extraordinary Knight Crow and become a knight's apprentice.

This makes them quite envious.

The attendant took out a key hanging around his neck from his collar. Interestingly, the key was not inserted directly into the keyhole of the lock. Instead, the key was inserted into the lock regularly. After pressing the two sides together for a few times, the metal lock opened by itself.

"Interesting, if you don't know this thing and insert the key directly, what will be the result?"

Kil watched the other party unlock it and asked curiously.

The attendant smiled: "Then it won't be possible to open it at all."

"Isn't it enough to just smash the lock?" Keir raised his eyebrows.

The attendant still smiled slightly: "This is a lock made of strong magic material. Even the inside of the box is so strong that it can't be opened with a hammer."

After saying that, the valet removed the lock and opened the box facing Keir.

Sure enough, as the attendant said, it looks like a wooden box on the outside, and there are openings and closings connected to the locks inside, all made of dark magic metal.

In the middle of the box, surrounded by luxurious velvet, a simple gem ring lay in the middle.