Knight: Becoming King of the World

Chapter 115: Chapter 97: Waves of Banners, Power on Full Display

Henry’s new army was sweating buckets on the training ground. Three teams of Grassland Warriors, clad in light leather armor and armed with scimitars and compound bows, specialized in rapid maneuvers and long-range attacks.

A month ago, these Warriors were shepherd slaves. Now, they were excellent "Bandits."

There were five teams of new imperial recruits. Although they lacked combat experience, their morale was high. These new recruits had undergone special training.

Henry had issued them weapons such as longspears, shields, and one-handed blades, forming a solid defensive line for the front.

To deal with Count John’s Private Army, Henry might have to pull in the armies of nobles like Edmund to fight alongside him.

But as for these three mercenary groups, Henry planned to swallow them whole himself! In his eyes, the Mercenaries were just a giant XP pack, and their armor and weapons would all become his spoils of war.

Henry stood on the training ground, inspecting his army.

Under their respective captains, the soldiers conducted mock battles. The Grassland Warriors displayed their superb Riding Skill and archery at the riding grounds, while the new imperial recruits practiced maintaining formation and coordinating their attacks in infantry phalanxes.

Nasu and Buer were very punctual, which pleased Henry. With the arrival of a new batch of arms and grain, the newly formed army was completely transformed.

The smithy’s artisans worked day and night, inspecting and repairing the weapons and armor in the armory, ensuring every piece of armor fit perfectly and every weapon was peerlessly sharp.

The troops that had been rented out also reached the end of their contracts, returning to Westwood Laine Castle with captured arms and spoils. As for the grain, it was sold to Edmund and Calvin in exchange for some carriages.

Just as Henry was giving orders to a Record Keeper to prepare grain for the expedition, he received a message from Bogdan at the imperial office. Bogdan had followed Henry’s orders and sent insulting letters to the mercenary groups in Odoche.

Henry gifted Bogdan a newly built house. It didn’t seem expensive at the moment, but when it came to real estate, everyone knew the deal.

The Minstrels, led by Jesmin, also began to sing satirical songs about the mercenary groups on every street corner.

The news spread quickly through Odoche, and the mercenary soldiers, accustomed to boasting about their own valor and adventures, were enraged.

They couldn’t tolerate such an insult. They demanded their commander dispatch troops immediately and launch an attack on Henry’s domain!

When Henry learned of this, a smile touched the corners of his lips. His plan was already halfway to success. Now, all he had to do was wait.

Wait for the mercenary soldiers to be blinded by rage, and then he would lead his new army to meet them in this long-awaited battle.

On the eve of the battle, Henry summoned his key personnel, including Minister of State Affairs Claude, Minister of Internal Affairs Tommy, Knight’s Squire Bain, Cavalry Officer Philip, Captain of the Personal Guard Vasco, and a team of more than ten clerks from the Record Keepers. They would be responsible for marching with the army to ensure the smooth operation of logistics and administration.

Inside Henry’s study, a large map was spread out on a long table, dotted with small flags representing the different units.

Henry stood before the map and said, "We are about to begin a battle. This battle itself won’t be difficult. The hard part is the war that comes after the battle is over."

"In this operation, logistics will be the key to our eventual success. Claude, I expect you to ensure that every detail is handled properly."

Claude nodded, his eyes revealing his serious dedication to the upcoming mission.

"My lord, we have already made detailed plans for the food supply... We will carry enough hard bread, dried meat, and oats. These rations are easy to preserve and provide sufficient energy."

"In addition, we’ve also prepared some dried fruits and nuts to supplement vitamins and minerals."

"Based on our marching speed, we estimate we’ll need nine hundred carriages to transport the grain and other supplies. Each carriage will be pulled by two horses to ensure we can advance quickly."

Henry turned to the Record Keepers. "Gentlemen, your task is to record our marching route, manage the distribution of grain and supplies, and ensure everything is allocated rationally."

"I need you to maintain the highest degree of precision and efficiency. If you perform well, there will be a bonus for you after this battle."

The Record Keepers all bowed. They were all from exiled noble families and were desperate for a chance to prove themselves before Henry.

’Every day it’s just supervising serfs on the farms, recording grain consumption in the villages, and noting down how much the soldiers eat in the barracks... None of that gets you noticed!’

"As for the route of march..."

Henry pointed to a red line on the map. "We will advance along the road northwest of Chaimudi Village, first passing through Huge Valley, and then entering the Salt Stone Mountain Range."

"This route avoids the wide main roads, allowing us to approach Odoche more safely and observe the movements of the three mercenary groups from there."

Claude and Tommy both stepped forward to examine the map closely. Bain and Philip both agreed it was an excellent position.

"My lord, if we choose to lie in ambush here, then we must set out in three days."

"This way, if the Mercenaries take the initiative and attack, we can force them into an encounter battle here. If they’re afraid of us and don’t attack, we can also use this route to slip through and plunder the farmlands in the Odoche region."

Henry nodded at Bain and said approvingly, "Exactly, Bain. You’re thinking the same thing I am. Count John opened up several passes in the mountains of the Odoche region. We can’t let them lead us by the nose. Instead, we’ll be the ones putting a rope through theirs."

Philip glanced at the others and spoke up. "My Lord, we’ll need to bring over two hundred and seventy tents, each of which can accommodate twelve people. This way, even if some tents get damaged, we can ensure everyone has shelter."

Henry nodded. ’At this time of year, the grasslands are windy and rainy, but the midday sun is scorching. We definitely need to bring extra tents.’

"Go and prepare. This time, we only need to draft two hundred serfs."

As Henry’s orders were issued, the entire team sprang into action.

The Record Keepers began to record detailed supply lists—millet, potatoes, dried meat, and so on, as well as fodder for the cavalry’s horses. Claude and Tommy split up to begin organizing the personnel and allocating supplies.

Grain from the warehouses was loaded onto carriages. Elite troops and new recruits ate together to build camaraderie. The Free People and merchants, seeing the army’s frequent movements, also sensed that war was coming.

On the day of departure, Henry sat astride his warhorse in the square before the barracks, clad in armor. His gaze, like a torch, swept over the neatly arrayed army.

Sunlight glinted off his armor, reflecting blinding points of light.

"Soldiers! You are the pride of Westwood Laine Castle, the bravest warriors in this land! Whether you are from the Senior Infantry teams or the Skilled Infantry Teams, your equipment is the finest, and your will is the strongest!"

As his words fell, the gazes of the spectating merchants and Free People turned to the soldiers, who were clearly a cut above the rest.

The Senior Infantry Team wore Iron Shoulder Armor and Chain Armor with a Chain Armor Skirt. They were armed with steel blades, Heavy Swords, and shields, with One-Handed Staves at their waists and a tube of short Javelins on their backs. They looked so imposing that a single glance was enough to know not to provoke them.

The Skilled Infantry Team was also equipped with fine Chain Armor or Zha Armor, along with longspears, Long Swords, Javelins, shields, and daggers. They exuded the calm composure of battlefield veterans.

"Grassland riders! Warriors! You are the children of the steppes, the mighty warriors born of this land! You will be your enemy’s nightmare!"

Over two hundred Light Cavalry, clad in light armor and carrying longbows, sat tall and straight on their strong grassland steeds.

The Light Cavalry urged their horses forward one step in unison. The sound of their hooves was like a war drum, shaking the soul of everyone present.

The spectating Free People felt the might of this army, their eyes filled with awe and pride.

Henry drew his Two-Handed Greatsword, pointed it at the sky, and shouted, "If the enemy’s weapons come at you, will you flee, or will you fight back!"

Bain, leading five fully armored Knights, immediately roared, "Fight back!"

"If the enemy resists stubbornly, trying to defeat you, will you falter, or will you attack!"

"Attack! Attack!"

The soldiers’ spirits were completely ignited. They raised their weapons, letting out a heaven-shaking roar. Even the spectating Free People raised their arms and shouted along with the soldiers.

"March out!" Henry yelled, swinging his sword and pointing forward.

"In the name of Westwood Laine Castle, we march to victory! Let those foolish enemies become stepping stones for our renown! Let their corpses become fertilizer for our lands!"

"Victory! Victory! Victory!"

At Henry’s command, the army began to move in an orderly fashion, accompanied by the sound of hooves, footsteps, and clashing weapons.

The merchants halted their caravans to avoid disturbing the departing army, while the Free People spontaneously came to see the soldiers off. The entirety of Westwood Laine Castle was immersed in a solemn and thrilling atmosphere.

The banners of the Bro Clan surged like a tide. Henry had equipped each unit with a family banner to make it easier for him to command them.

Banner after banner snapped in the wind, like the low roar of a war drum, inspiring the soldiers’ fighting spirit.

Embroidered on the banners was Henry’s family crest: a golden lion, chest puffed out proudly on a crimson field, symbolizing valor and indomitability.

Led by the banners, the soldiers marched forward with resolute steps. The Grassland Warriors held serrated spears and prairie longswords, with curved bows at their waists. Their eyes gleamed with a thirst for enemy heads.

’An enemy’s head means money and ale!’

The new imperial recruits gripped their spears and shields, marching in the middle and rear of the column with the skilled archers.

As the army advanced, the banners unfurled at the front and flanks of the column, creating a spectacular sight while also guiding the soldiers’ way.

The Light Cavalry galloped on the army’s wings, their presence making the entire force’s aura even sharper.

The merchants and Free People stood on the sides of the road, watching as the mighty army marched farther and farther into the distance.

Tommy immediately arranged for the three New Recruit Teams Henry had left behind to begin patrols and maintain order. As long as Henry didn’t lose, there would be no riots in the fief; they only needed to guard against petty theft.

Henry glanced back at his army, extremely satisfied.

’It’s a pity I can’t completely break with the empire’s nobility just yet. That means I can’t use Crossbow Arrows in internal conflicts. What a shame.’

Henry caressed his weapon. ’I’m finally back in my comfort zone.’