Free Web NovelChapter 62: Chapter 53: Soslan’s Combat Mission! The Elite Imperial Army
Soslan nodded in approval at the battle-hungry Henry. ’Just what you’d expect from a young noble of the Royal Capital Academy.’
"Henry, now that we’ve met tonight, I’m preparing a combat mission for you. It will be formally assigned tomorrow.
You are very capable, so I will assign you a main role on one of the battlefronts. If you perform exceptionally, I will give you priority in the distribution of spoils, as well as a large bounty!"
Henry responded righteously, "For Caladia! For our great King!"
Returning to their camp, Henry and Fass both felt a sense of security. The Half-Beastman attack from the day before yesterday had left them quite exhausted.
In the barracks, soldiers gathered around a stove. Flames licked slowly at the bottom of a pot, providing a trace of warmth. The pot of boiling grain bubbled, GURGLE GURGLE, sending plumes of white steam rising into the cold winter air.
Henry found the temporary Quartermaster, Claude, and instructed, "Make sure they eat and drink their fill. Give them extra meat. We don’t know who will survive the battlefield." frёeωebɳovel.com
This wasn’t Henry being merciful; it was the duty of a commander. He couldn’t have his men risking their lives on an empty stomach.
After acknowledging the order, Claude turned and left, heading for the logistics’ kitchen, the place responsible for preparing the soldiers’ food.
Upon entering the kitchen, Claude spoke with the grunts serving as cooks. When they learned everyone would be getting meat today, they were all ecstatic.
Military rations weren’t about gourmet flavor, but about being filling and providing sustenance. Thus, these grunts were perfectly capable of handling the important duty of getting the food cooked.
Claude walked around for a bit, then began to inspect the quality and freshness of the provisions. He carefully selected the various meats, vegetables, and grains, ensuring no spoiled or unsanitary food would reach the soldiers’ mouths.
’It really takes an old, established local noble like Count John to be this rich,’ Claude thought, stunned by the sheer amount of logistical supplies and reserve rations.
After arranging the meals, Claude returned to Henry’s tent to report on his progress.
"Claude, I have faith in your abilities. Go on, eat a good meal tonight. You’re going to be busy again for the next few days."
Claude thought for a moment, then smiled. "My lord will surely be victorious. It will be my honor to tally the spoils."
Henry smiled and looked down, then had Claude summon Bain, who was feeding the horses. He also sent word to Orianna, telling her and Ailia to join them all for dinner.
One was the head chef, the other the head maid; they were members of the household, not ordinary employees.
Fass had already left. He had his own army and attendants, and couldn’t just keep freeloading off Henry.
Before long, Orianna and Ailia, along with two other female cooks and two maids, arrived carrying serving trays.
"Dinner is served. Cheers!"
Henry sat at the dining table, ready to enjoy his dinner. The table was laden with all sorts of delicacies, exuding an inviting aroma.
With a battle imminent, he had to eat well. A full stomach meant strength and good morale.
In front of Henry was a steak, roasted to a golden-brown crisp and drizzled with a rich sauce. He picked up his knife and fork and gently sliced into it, revealing the tender, juicy meat within.
He placed a piece of steak in his mouth, savoring its rich, meaty flavor and delicate texture.
On a plate to the side was a colorful vegetable salad. Fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots were mixed together, looking quite appetizing. Its crisp texture and the fresh scent of the vegetables brought him great satisfaction.
In addition, the table held a serving of roasted potatoes and another of roasted corn.
Henry slowly savored his dinner, enjoying the pleasure the food brought him. From time to time, he raised his glass and took a sip of wine with the others, letting the mellow flavor spread through his mouth.
「The next day」
The grand army set out. The march was smooth and uneventful, and they didn’t stop to make camp until the afternoon.
According to a message from a Legion courier, the Legion’s scouts had already clashed with Centaurs. They had reached the borders of the Tianyin Plains, and a major battle could break out at any moment.
Soslan summoned the nobles whose private armies were of decent quality to assign them their missions. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
Soslan pointed to a massive map, which marked mountains, frozen rivers, forests, and the approximate army deployments for both the Empire and the Half-Beastmen.
The combat mission Henry received was to the southwest of the Tianyin Plains. There, he would face an enemy force consisting of approximately three hundred lightly armored Centaurs, one hundred Heavy-Armored Tiger People, over a thousand medium-armored (double-layered armor) Gnolls, and three to four thousand Lightly Armored Dogmen, with the possible addition of several hundred Fox People and Rabbit People.
Henry was assigned two battalions—a total of one thousand soldiers from the Professional Imperial Army—and three thousand serfs. He was to depart immediately!
This one-thousand-man imperial force consisted of one hundred Elite Armored Cavalry, two hundred Heavy Cavalry, two hundred Northern Heavy Array-Breaking Warriors, two hundred Northern Heavy Axe Soldiers, and three hundred Imperial Guard Archers.
Henry had no objections to Soslan’s arrangements. He took the combat directive and went to the barracks to gather his men.
Thanks to the combat directive and Soslan’s prior arrangements, the handover of Henry’s troops was completed very quickly.
Fass stared at the elite soldiers, his breathing becoming a little ragged. He exclaimed, "Henry, it truly is my honor to fight alongside you! That punk Boman will definitely be kicking himself in regret!"
There was no other reason; the sight before him was simply too thrilling!
The Elite Armored Cavalry wore visored basinets, iron pauldrons over their shoulders, imperial Scale Armor, and heavy vambraces, while their warhorses were clad head-to-toe in scale barding!
They carried Lameen Steel Blades at their waists and were equipped with reinforced Fan-shaped Knight Shields. In addition to a standard imperial Riding Spear, they also carried an enormous, disposable five-meter-long lance!
’Damn, couldn’t that skewer a Minotaur outright?’
There was no need to elaborate on the Heavy Cavalry. The Northern Heavy Axe Soldiers, however, were derived from the elite legions of distant Stegia. They lacked a flashy appearance, having instead imposing, powerful physiques and terrifying strength!
They were equipped with thick, large round shields and Northern battle-axes. The axes in their hands were brutally efficient at killing, and they would mercilessly chop off their enemies’ heads!
The advantage of the Heavy Axe Soldiers’ battle-axes was that they were short and powerful. They were terrifying in a melee, capable of quickly shredding enemy shields to open a path for other soldiers to charge.
Furthermore, they were also equipped with five Northern throwing axes. Compared to a javelin, a sudden throwing axe attack when the enemy was closing in could result in an instant kill! Imagine it: you’re just about to engage in close combat, and suddenly an axe flies into your forehead!
Shifting focus to the other side were the Heavy Array-Breaking Warriors. Their armor was identical to the Heavy Axe Soldiers, but the difference was that they sacrificed the thick, large round shield to wield Drilling Two-Handed Axes! Nothing more needed to be said—these were certified meat grinders!
And Henry had a full four hundred of these Heavy Infantry!
"This is so damn rich! This trip was more than worth it!"
