Knight: Becoming King of the World

Chapter 116: Chapter 98: A Dismounted Knight is Still a Knight

As Henry’s army advanced along the main road out of Chaimudi Village, he sat atop his warhorse, observing the path ahead.

The main road was flanked by vast fields where waves of wheat swayed gently in the breeze, releasing a faint, sweet scent.

Farmers stopped their work to gaze from afar at the well-equipped and awe-inspiring army. They whispered amongst themselves, their discussions animated, but their eyes were filled with nothing but admiration and envy.

The high pay and excellent treatment in Henry’s army were no secret in Westwood Laine; everyone knew what kind of life his soldiers led.

Henry’s army was strictly disciplined. The soldiers maintained an orderly formation without a hint of chaos.

The Light Cavalry patrolled the flanks of the column, vigilant for any potential threats. The infantrymen gripped their weapons, their gazes fixed firmly ahead as they marched in neat ranks.

As the army marched on, they gradually left Chaimudi Village behind, and two days later, they safely reached the edge of Huge Valley.

Huge Valley was a stretch of fertile land surrounded by mountains, with a wide plain in the center. Its terrain was treacherous, easy to defend and difficult to assault, making it an ideal place for an ambush.

’Once I have the money,’ Henry thought, ’I’ll build an earthen fort here. It can serve as a stronghold and a supply point.’

Henry ordered the army to slow its advance and sent Scouts ahead to reconnoiter the situation.

This world was not a game; things didn’t just stop moving or rendering simply because Henry wasn’t there to observe them.

Several days had passed. It was highly likely the Mercenaries had already set an ambush within the valley, lying in wait for their arrival.

’I have to be careful. I can’t let my men fall into an enemy trap.’

The Scouts rode their swift horses and quickly disappeared into the valley ahead. Henry, meanwhile, led the army in a slow advance along the valley’s edge, ready to face any battle that might erupt.

As Henry’s army ventured deeper into Huge Valley, the Scouts began to return one by one, bringing two pieces of news.

The bad news was that they had found no trace of the Mercenaries in the valley. It seemed the Mercenaries had not set an ambush as Henry expected, which was quite a disappointment.

The good news was that, during their reconnaissance, the Scouts had unexpectedly discovered a bandit hideout. It was a pleasant surprise—an appetizer, so to speak.

The hideout was located in a secluded mountain hollow, surrounded by a dense forest, with only a single narrow path leading inside.

The bandits had clearly chosen this spot for their lair due to its seclusion and its defensible nature.

Upon receiving this intelligence, Henry immediately summoned his officers to confer. They faced a choice: continue with the original plan to intercept the main body of Mercenaries, or deal with this bandit den first to get a taste of combat.

Henry sat on his carriage as his officers gathered around a map nearby, discussing the next course of action.

"The Mercenaries haven’t appeared in the valley, but according to our merchants, they have left the city... The Grassland Warriors discovered a bandit hideout today and have already surrounded it."

Claude thought for a moment before suggesting, "My Lord, it would be a good thing to eliminate these bandits while we’re at it. They will hinder our trade."

Bain nodded. "My Lord, the Quartermaster is right. Besides, the army hasn’t seen a fight in half a year. We should get them blooded before a major battle."

"I agree with Attendant Bain’s assessment. Fighting the bandits will give your new recruits some real combat experience, and we can also seize their supplies. A little extra food is always good."

Vasco remained silent. He was currently the captain of Henry’s Personal Guard, and he inwardly hoped Henry would assign the task of exterminating the bandits to him.

At this point, Selas and the other four Knight’s Squires also offered their suggestions.

"My Lord, we could dispatch a small team to perform reconnaissance and get a detailed layout of the bandit hideout. Meanwhile, the main force can remain on high alert, ready for any surprise attack from the Mercenaries."

The other Knight’s Squires also voiced their opinions; some proposed an encirclement tactic, while others suggested a night raid.

They were desperate to prove themselves before Henry! Their proud Riding Spear charges seemed to hold little weight in Henry’s mind, which was a source of great frustration for them.

Henry listened to everyone’s opinions, then said after a moment of contemplation, "Claude, you’ll arrange for the army to make camp. Maintain high alert and be ready to respond to any movement from the Mercenaries.

Vasco, you will lead the Senior Infantry squad with Selas and his men to conduct reconnaissance and draw up a detailed attack plan."

Henry then looked to Bain and Philip, instructing them, "Take the Cavalry and spread out. I want an observation perimeter of at least three kilometers."

The officers accepted their orders and went their separate ways to carry out their tasks.

Henry’s army set up camp on the edge of Huge Valley. As evening fell, soldiers conversed in low voices around campfires, waiting for dinner.

Meanwhile, Henry was in his tent, repeatedly mulling over his strategy. Given the current situation, it was highly probable they would encounter the Mercenaries in the Salt Stone Mountain Range.

The area was once a prosperous village with a salt mine, but it was now uninhabited.

The terrain of the Salt Stone Mountain Range was complex, making it a perfect location for an encounter battle. The rocks and ruins could provide natural cover for an army, but they could just as easily become hiding places for the enemy.

Ailia waited nearby, ready to bring in dinner the moment Henry asked for it.

Having handmaids and cooks with the army only required two extra carriages and didn’t slow the army’s movement. Henry was thankful for the customs left behind by the imperial nobility, which allowed him to maintain his quality of life even while on the march.

Elsewhere, Vasco, Selas, and their men had already scouted the path to the bandit hideout and were beginning to don their armor in the darkness.

The armor was thick and sturdy, offering them maximum protection in battle. Once fully armored, they checked their weapons to ensure everything was ready.

The bandits hadn’t lit any torches. They had spotted the Grassland Warriors in the afternoon and were just about to flee when they discovered they were already surrounded.

The faint moonlight illuminated the outline of Salt Stone Mountain. Vasco led a small number of Senior Infantry, along with Skilled Infantry and new recruits! Selas and the other Knight’s Squires began their advance up the mountain, each step firm and cautious.

The bandits, too anxious to sleep, immediately spotted the enemy advancing up the mountain. From their hideout, they attempted to attack from a distance with bows and arrows.

However, the arrows only left shallow marks on the armor of the Senior Infantry and Knight’s Squires. Some even bounced right off upon impact, unable to penetrate the hard layer of protection.

The soldiers paid the attacks no mind. They took their Javelins in hand and hurled them with all their might.

The Javelins traced deadly arcs through the air. Some thudded into tree trunks, while others pierced straight through the bandits’ bodies, pinning them to the ground.

The bandits’ attack had given away their positions. Immediately, the Senior Infantry charged into their midst, swinging warhammers and One-Handed Staves.

Thanks to Henry’s ample food supplies, even his new recruits were far stronger than the untrained bandits. Every time a warhammer fell, bones were instantly shattered, leaving behind a mangled mess of flesh and blood.

Each strike from a One-Handed Staff was enough to crack a bandit’s skull, sending brains splattering.

In the heat of battle, the two Knight’s Squires, Selas and Roland, proved that even though they had lost their former noble glory, their knightly skills had not diminished in the slightest.

A Knight, even dismounted, is still a Knight.

Clad in their heirloom armor and wielding sharp Hand-Half Swords and sturdy shields, they demonstrated the valor and strength befitting a Knight.

Selas faced an assault from five or six bandits but showed not a flicker of fear. His footing was steady, his shield deflecting wave after wave of attacks, while his Hand-Half Sword sought opportunities to counter amidst his defense.

Whenever the bandits tried to break through his defense, Selas would always repel or kill them with precise and swift strikes of his sword.

’The weapons these bandits are holding are like children’s toys in my eyes,’ Selas thought, ’and they actually dare to attack me from all sides?’

Selas calmly pivoted, blocking an attack from the left with his shield while simultaneously thrusting his sword forward, piercing through one bandit’s chest.

His movements were fluid and precise, unerringly hitting his targets.

Roland’s performance, in contrast, belied his name. He was like a raging beast, charging into the throng of bandits and sweeping through them with his enormous battle-axe.

The bandits’ weapons seemed useless against Roland’s heavy armor, and his every swing sent them flying, some crashing to the ground, never to rise again.

He strode forward, his battle-axe carving an arc through the air and crashing down heavily on a bandit’s head, felling him instantly.

Then, using his superior strength, he swung the axe in a great circle, sending the surrounding bandits flying one by one.

When Selas was being attacked by several bandits at once, Roland rushed forward to relieve the pressure with his battle-axe. Months of living and training together had forged a bond of friendship and seamless teamwork between them.

This battle not only showcased Selas’s and Roland’s combat prowess as Knights but also further solidified their positions in Henry’s army.

After all, how could someone with no fighting ability serve as one of Henry’s Knight’s Squires?

The other three Knight’s Squires also performed well, but their efforts seemed less valiant when compared to the performance of Selas and Roland.

Amidst this relentless slaughter, the bandits gradually lost their will to resist. They began to scatter and flee, attempting to escape into the night.

But the Senior Infantry formed an iron-tight encirclement, leaving them no chance of escape.

The battle did not last long before the bandit hideout was completely cleared. After ensuring no enemies were left, the Senior Infantry began collecting the loot, preparing to return to camp.

Roland, shouldering his battle-axe and breathing heavily, looked up to see Vasco watching him. He walked over to greet him.

"Captain Vasco, your Swordsmanship is astounding. You look like a nobleman who’s been training since childhood."

Vasco glanced at the battle-axe on his shoulder and said, "I will report your performance truthfully to the Lord. This was your first battle. Even though the opponents were incredibly weak, it was still enough to demonstrate your strength."