Realm of Power

In the black night, the bonfire at the post made a crackling sound in the wind, and the cavalry group swept through like a strong wind. With almost no effort, the officer who blocked the post was captured, along with the 24 soldiers in the entire post.

The Guards Cavalry drove these soldiers belonging to the Morhausk Area Guard Flag Regiment and gathered them on the square in front of the post.

The firelight from the outpost shone on the bodies of these soldiers curled up slightly in the night wind.

The Guards Cavalry stood side by side, their cold swords like a wall of murderous swords. These regional soldiers who had never been on the battlefield had never seen such a posture, and they were all a little frightened. They all carried their backs and looked around. The reflection on the sword, the pale face full of fear

"Find the guy who wanted to check me just now?"

The fat man rode over, his eyes sweeping across like lightning. There was a faint pressure in the air. The red general's cloak behind him hung from the shoulders to the horse. He clearly remembered that after he personally reviewed and promulgated the According to the imperial military regulations, the mobilization of regular troops falls within the scope of first-level military secrecy. If it is a general's mobilization, it is even more special. Assassins exist in this world. No matter how brave the general is, he cannot resist the assassins who are willing to shoot from the dark. Hidden arrow coming!

It is precisely because of this consideration that according to the imperial military regulations, only large fortresses serving as pass are qualified to check regular troops. Small local outposts like this are not qualified to ask for regular army documents. Otherwise, the internal mobilization of the imperial army will be tantamount to It was placed in front of the enemy's eyes. That's why Fatty was so angry when he heard that a local guard post dared to check his ID. This blatant violation of imperial military regulations gave him an ominous premonition.

After all, Moorhausk was once the home of the sworn enemy the Stian family. Because of that tragic royal war, more than 200,000 Moorhausk people died at the hands of the southern Samor army. Along the way, in addition to the beautiful lakes Outside, you can still see traces of villages that were burned down in the war. In the deep weeds, fragments of broken weapons can be vaguely seen.

Several years of peace can cover up the damage of the Moorhausk war, but the psychological trauma of the Moorhausk people is like the lakes that spread across the land. It is obviously not as peaceful as it looks on the outside.

After hearing His Majesty Falcon's order, several fierce guards walked over. Find out the evasive officer among the prisoners. After all, they are both officers of the empire. The guards are quite polite in their approach. Otherwise, they would have rushed up. No matter what, they would first kill this person who dared to check His Majesty's ID. The guy cracked the whip a few times. Beat him to death and then drag him out!

"You can't do this!"

The outpost officer was forcibly pulled out by the guards, and the prisoners around him quickly spread out. Seeing that he could not break free, the officer simply shouted, "You bold guys! I am an officer of the Moorhausk garrison flag regiment, you can't In this way, I am an officer of the Empire!"

"Shut him up!" The outpost officer's loud voice made the fat man grin unexpectedly, this guy. Why didn't you see it just now? He actually has such a specialty! But on a night like this, it sounded more like a howl. One of the guards took out the rag for wiping the stirrups and stuffed it in the officer's mouth. He could only make a whining sound.

"According to the imperial military regulations, what is the penalty for overstepping the authority of inspection?" The fat man played with the riding crop in his hand and asked the guard squadron leader behind him,

"The lightest punishment is fifty lashes! If it is confirmed that the other party is a spy, then he will be beheaded on the spot!" The Guards squadron leader hesitated for a moment before replying. His cold reply scared the officer almost on the spot. paralyzed on the ground

"Spy? It's probably difficult for such a stupid spy to get the identity of an officer! But I'm afraid it's not just a whim..." The fat man showed a hint of coldness at the corner of his mouth, and ordered the guard impatiently, "Pull on," Give him fifty lashes first, and then ask him to find the person behind it!'

"The person in charge?"

The Guards squadron leader next to him looked surprised for a moment. He thought this was just a coincidental misunderstanding, but if the whole thing was a premeditated military action as His Majesty Falcon said, then it would be a bit serious.

"Who would be so bored that they didn't rest in the middle of the night and stayed here specially, and even arranged a gun formation in a decent manner. It is definitely a premeditated military operation!" Thinking of this, the guard captain's face turned cold. If it was really aimed at hunting, His Majesty Eagle's military action is treason!

"Don't these idiots know that they are looking for death!"

The captain of the Guards squadron glared at the officer angrily. He was the guide for this northward march. Naturally, he was also a northerner from Vecia. To be precise, he was a Moorhausk, so he specially suggested to His Majesty Falcon. Taking a shortcut from Moorhausk saves two days compared to the regular route. Not all Moorhausk people have opinions about the empire. For most civilians who have lived through the war era, who is the king or the emperor? It's not important,

They are more concerned about living in peace and stability, without having to worry about their loved ones dying in the war, or being driven around. People who have not experienced the cruelty of war will never be able to imagine it. Every war has a negative impact on the region. The destruction and population decline are not just cold data, but shocking blood. In the five-year unification war, the Falcon Army dominated by Wikians swept across the continent, but countless soldiers were also killed by aliens. earth,

North of Vecchia, Moorhausk

The caravans that stayed by the lake during the day were slowly entering Moorhausk's thick and historic city gate. The huge gray-white stones were covered with spots eroded by the years. On the inside of the wall, there was a building located on the hill in the middle of the city. 's main castle,

The night is desolate. In the dark night, the huge round vault of the castle is like a giant standing on a high place overlooking the vast land below.

This is the famous Moorhausk, the most powerful city in the north.

The city of Moorhausk was first established a hundred and thirty years ago. At that time, it was just a wetland full of lakes. It was occupied by exiles, criminals, and smugglers. It was a battlefield where the Vekiya and the Kugit people fought for many times. The goods and materials obtained through unfair means were exchanged for gold coins. Finally, the nobles who were exiled here came forward to convene multi-party consultations in the three-chased land where various forces interacted, and decided to establish a neutral trade zone in a place called Moorhausk.

After hundreds of years of development, Moorhausk has evolved from a trade bazaar. It developed into a trading city and expanded outward three times in history. Together with the initial inner wall, a total of four walls were built, 20 years ago, 45 years ago, 74 years ago, and 113 years ago. Three of them were demolished by the occupying Falcon Army when the Stian family was defeated, leaving only a symbolic inner city wall. Without the constraints of the city wall, the city's area expanded rapidly.

At present, the entire city covers an area of ​​more than ten square kilometers and has a population of 120,000. A large city in the northern region of Vikia, the city was re-planned and divided into an inner city area, mainly inhabited by the nobles of Moorhausk, an outer city area for civilians and business areas, and a ring area for trade sites. caravans gathered there. Outside the city is a military camp. One thousand soldiers stationed in the local Moorhausk Flag Regiment are mainly responsible for local security.

As the carriage stopped in front of a mansion in the inner city, a girl wearing a white sand gauze skirt got off the carriage. Her complex eyes swept over the city wall not far away, and she frowned slightly. The last resistance of the Stian family was here. . A generation of northern tycoons, Duke Stian, and his son fought desperately on this city wall.

That war determined the ownership of the royal power, so it was destined to be a fight to the death. There was no compromise, no concession, only a fight to the end. The powerful Stian family in the north, which once had an army of 100,000, was finally broken through in many places and unable to hold on. The Duke himself retreated into the inner city with a hundred guards. He set fire to the mansion in the inner city, burning the century-old glory of the Stian family in Moorhausk, as well as countless treasures obtained from various places, along with him.

That night, the fire rolled over Moorhausk, illuminating the girl's sad face. Countless black-armored soldiers passed through the city gate like a tide. The battle flag of the Stian family was cut off from a high place, like the wind. The leaves in the pendulum are falling in the torrent of history. The girl has always believed that the city wall is old and mottled, but it is an indelible part of Moorhausk's glory. Moorhausk, the most powerful city in the north, will one day be reborn. Climb to the top of the earth

"Did you tell your father the news?"

The girl glanced at the carriage and walked towards the housekeeper who was waiting at the door. He was a middle-aged man with white hair, wearing a black swallowtail, standing respectfully at the door. The caravan was stopped by her in the ring city area. After a few days of rest, we will continue heading north to Aiqamo. Well, everyone knows that the Vekia Falcon will marry the prairie princess Felandunya in Aichemore. It will be a grand event. All the forces within the empire will send people to participate, even the distant northwest region of Obarro. Some countries also sent people to watch the ceremony.

For most people, it is a spectacular wedding, but for businessmen, it is a war that has already sounded the horn! And their weapons and troops are all kinds of goods loaded on carriages.

"What you sent me is so timely. Tomorrow at noon, the mayoral election will be held in the city hall. If we can make things big tonight, I will be sure of success tomorrow!" The housekeeper replied respectfully, "I said that this time Miss It was done beautifully, everyone got the stolen goods, but can it be punished? These soldiers are not important. What is important is to show the attitude of our Bourbon family to the entire Moorhausk. Even in the face of the military, our Bourbon family will protect everyone's safety. If we also go to Aichmore to obtain it! With huge benefits, the master must be the mayor of Moorhausk! "

In the military camp outside the city of Morehausk, Heng Ting, the leader of the local flag of Morehousk, was looking at an indictment from the wealthy Bourbon family in the city with some annoyance. Opposite him, a middle-aged man with a serious expression sat opposite him. The businessman, he is none other than Bourbonrad, a wealthy businessman in the city. The object of his so-called accusation is a group of imperial cavalry that is marching towards Morhosko. These cavalry are obviously outsiders, and they have entered the Bourbon family by the lake without permission. private lake land,

"What do you mean?" Heng Ting looked at Bourbonrad across from him unexpectedly, and asked puzzledly, "This kind of thing is nothing to begin with. It has happened before. As long as he is not caught on the spot, no one can do it." It’s hard to say anything, but this time it’s different. That team of imperial cavalry may have been really unlucky. They actually ran into your caravan, and they were also painted by you. The teacher drew the portrait! But even so, are you really prepared to confront the military? Do you know what this means? If you want to hold an imperial officer accountable just for polluting the lake, then there is no need. How long will it take before the order from the Imperial Military Affairs Ministry to relieve me of my duties will be delivered to me? Are you helping me or harming me?"

"Don't get me wrong, sir. Tomorrow is the day of the mayoral election. If the news spreads that I can't even protect my private property, it will be difficult to predict the outcome that has been decided." The middle-aged businessman seemed to have noticed his intention. Puzzled. He said with a serious look on his face

"So this matter must be dealt with immediately. In fact, I also know your lord's difficulties. The other party is a regular army, but as a flag commander of the empire, you can at least intervene. It is best to stop them for two days and let the entire Moorhausk knows that I, Bourbonrad, have the guts to take on the role of guardian! It’s just a show, there’s no need to be serious.”

"It's a big headache to stop the regular army! You have to know that those who can become the regular army are the elites of the empire. And from your description, the opponent is dressed very much like the empire's most elite Central Army cavalry. That is the emperor Your Majesty’s most trusted force!”

Hearing Bourbonrad's request, Hunting frowned with a headache. What he was considering was the origin of these imperial cavalry. The empire had just transferred tens of thousands of elite troops back from the Oparo area to rest. It was difficult to say that these cavalry would not be If the troops transferred back for rest belong to the elite army system of the empire, then his weight as the flag commander of the local army will be too light. The rank of the regular army is higher than that of the local army. The flag commander of the local army is only the squadron leader in the regular army.

The most important thing is that I offended someone in this matter, and the one who benefited was indeed Bourbonrad!

"Actually, it's not that difficult. Now that someone has filed a complaint, it should be possible to ask the other party to stay for two days in accordance with the procedures!"

Bourbonrad blinked. He glanced at Heng Ting, who was still hesitating, with a leisurely expression, and said, "The empire has promulgated a city mayor decree. All cities with a population of more than 100,000 can run for mayor, and the mayor has great power and can almost manage Throughout the city, I heard that this time the Imperial Military Ministry also issued a local The army's rest and reorganization order seems to be to transfer some unqualified and bloated local troops to fight overseas. For adults, this is also an excellent opportunity to perform. If the chamber of commerce in the city jointly retains them for evaluation, adults should. You can avoid the possibility of being transferred overseas! "

"Really? As simple as that?"

Heng Ting narrowed his eyes slightly. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, obviously tempted. The empire seemed to be victorious in overseas battlefields, and the benefits were huge and exciting, but that was only for regular troops with strong combat capabilities, and for local troops with almost peasant-soldier combat capabilities. , that was simply a disaster. This move by the Imperial Military Affairs Ministry was obviously to clean up the local garrison forces that had been recruited in large numbers in order to consolidate their rule, so as to reduce the empire's military expenditures.

Bourbon Ladd's proposal is quite tempting. Everyone gets what he needs. The empire focuses on commerce. One of the main responsibilities of the local garrison is to protect the smooth flow of local trade routes. This will be evaluated every year, as Bourbon Ladd said. He said that if the Morehausk Chamber of Commerce was willing to give itself an excellent rating, the Imperial Military Ministry would not consider it to be "relocated".

"It's really a weight that makes people unable to choose!" Hengting took a deep breath in depression. The empire is not so easy to fool in this regard. The Imperial Supervision Department has set up a number of points in each region. For the evaluation of local garrison, If the assessments of the Supervision Department and the Chamber of Commerce are different, it will be a very troublesome mistake.

"Bang bang" Just when Heng Ting was thinking, there was a rapid sound of riding boots outside the door, and then a rapid knock on the door, and the adjutant's voice came, "Sir, can I come in?"

"What's the matter, you're all in such a hurry, come in!" Heng Ting shouted with some displeasure. He had just given an order not to be disturbed, but the adjutant still chose to interrupt the conversation rudely. If he hadn't taken the order as a If you hear nothing, it means that the matter may be really urgent.

Sure enough, the adjutant opened the door and came in. The first thing he said when he looked at him was, "Something has happened. A combat message bonfire has been lit in the direction of the third post ten miles outside the city! Now that the message has reached here, what should we do?" manage?"

"What! Are the officers at the outpost crazy? They actually lit a messaging bonfire!" Hunting jumped up from his seat like a rabbit whose tail was stepped on. The messaging bonfire was placed on the top of the sentry tower. Once attacked, will be lit. On the combat border, there is one such signaling bonfire every five miles, and 20 is a hundred miles away. As long as one is lit, in just one hour, the enemy's troop dispatch information will be transmitted to It's a hundred miles away, but this is not a combat zone. The messaging bonfire is more like a decoration.

But tonight, the messenger bonfire is lit

"Come here, give the order to assemble!" Heng Ting did not bother to continue scolding, he roared loudly to the adjutant, "What are you still doing in a daze? According to the rules of the army, the lighting of the messenger bonfire is the signal for battle. All soldiers must be summoned immediately. The gathering will be completed within half an hour and go immediately to the place where the bonfire is lit! "