Knight: Becoming King of the World

Chapter 117: Chapter 99: Salt Stone Mountain Range Reconnaissance Outpost

The soldiers slowly returned to camp with their spoils, gathering around the campfires to share stories of the battle with those who hadn’t fought.

The spoils were stacked neatly to one side, ready to be tallied by the Record Keepers later.

Vasco went to Henry’s tent and reported the specific details of the battle, as well as the status of the five Knight’s Squires.

"Have the soldier who tripped over a tree root get some rest. That was careless. Send Selas and Roland in. I want to talk with them."

Vasco had just left when the two men walked in, dressed in their armor. Of course, they had already handed their weapons to the guards at the entrance.

"Selas, Roland, your performance tonight was outstanding. During the bandits’ assault, you displayed individual Bravery and demonstrated the power of teamwork."

Selas bowed slightly and replied humbly, "You flatter us, my lord. We were only fulfilling our duties as Knights. Your soldiers are in no way inferior to us."

Roland dusted himself off and said, "My lord, though we may have lost our former fiefs, our knightly skills and honor have never wavered. From the moment you bestowed upon us the title of Knight’s Squire, we shall be your most loyal swords."

Henry nodded. He could sense the resolve and courage of these two Knight’s Squires.

"Tonight, you have proven your abilities. In the battles to come, you must maintain this courage and Wisdom. These bandits are nothing more than a minor skirmish."

Selas and Roland immediately pledged to fight valiantly in the coming battles.

Afterward, Henry called his officers into the tent, and they gathered around a simple wooden table. With maps and a simple supper laid out, they discussed the plan ahead.

"The battle in the Salt Stone Mountain Range is crucial. The terrain there is complex, so we must be fully prepared. Victory is a must, but we need to minimize casualties, as there will be other battles to fight."

Selas stared at the map, contemplating potential tactics. "My lord, I believe we should use the mountain terrain to our advantage. Let the Cavalry go first to set up traps and ambush points. This will give us the upper hand in an encounter."

Roland offered his own opinion: "We actually need to strengthen our reconnaissance to understand the enemy’s movements. If we can find the Mercenaries’ position ahead of time, we can deploy our forces more effectively."

The other Knight’s Squires also put forward their own suggestions. The atmosphere inside the tent was lively and focused.

Henry listened attentively to everyone’s opinion, nodding from time to time in agreement. ’I never studied warfare before I transmigrated; I just focused on leveling up my combat skills after arriving. My study of tactics has been cursory at best, so more ideas and suggestions are always welcome.’

The discussion grew more intense as the night deepened. In the end, Henry summarized everyone’s opinions and formulated a detailed battle plan.

Tomorrow, Bain and Selas would lead the grassland riders and two units of Grassland Warriors. They would set out before dawn to scout deep into the Salt Stone Mountain Range, marking terrain features and potential ambush sites.

They were to pay special attention to narrow passes and blind spots, providing detailed terrain information for the main force that would follow.

Vasco and Roland would command the main infantry force—a full thirteen units at full strength—and advance steadily along the safe paths marked by Bain.

Philip would command the remaining Cavalry, using the information provided by Bain to find suitable opportunities and locations for a surprise attack within the mountains.

Once the battle began, the Cavalry would use their speed advantage to quickly break through the enemy’s ranged units and create chaos.

The archer units would establish positions on the high ground in the mountains, using the elevation to lay down suppressive fire on the enemy.

The archers would focus on the enemy’s movements and assembly points, weakening their combat effectiveness with ranged fire. If the archers couldn’t secure the high ground, they would have to launch a direct assault.

Henry stressed that all units, while executing the plan, must maintain a high degree of tactical flexibility and react quickly to changes on the battlefield.

Once the battle plan was finalized, Henry stood up and looked at each of his officers. "Gentlemen, I have faith in your abilities, and I have faith in our soldiers. Now, go and prepare. We’re going to show the enemy what we’re made of!"

The officers responded in unison and then quickly left the tent, each to prepare their own troops.

Henry, meanwhile, reviewed the map again, silently going over every tactical detail in his mind to ensure the plan was foolproof.

As the night grew deeper, the camp gradually fell quiet. The soldiers rested in their tents, preparing for the next day’s march.

The soldiers on night patrol would rest in the wagons during the day tomorrow.

And Henry, in his tent, continued to pore over his tactics until he was certain everything was ready.

"My lord, it’s getting late. You should eat a little something before you sleep."

Ailia advised softly. She held a tray with some simple food and a cup of warm water.

Although it was only some bread, cheese, and a few slices of roasted meat, on this lonely night, the food felt especially comforting.

Henry looked up from the map, only then realizing he had missed dinner. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling a touch of exhaustion and hunger.

"Thank you, Ailia." Henry smiled, took the tray, and sat down on a simple wooden chair to enjoy his late supper.

The food was simple, but Ailia’s skill brought out the best in every ingredient. The bread crust was lightly crisp, while the inside was soft and springy.

The cheese was rich without being greasy, a perfect match for the bread. There weren’t many slices of roasted meat, but each one was a choice cut, tender and juicy.

"Ailia, I can now tell the difference between your cooking and Orianna’s."

Henry continued to think about the next day’s battle as he ate.

Ailia stood quietly to the side, lips pressed together, occasionally refilling his cup with warm water to make sure he didn’t get cold.

"Ailia, you should get some sleep too."

"Yes, my lord. You should also rest soon."

Henry finished his supper, feeling his strength return. He stood up, handed the tray back to Ailia, and returned once more to the map.

Ailia cleared the dishes and left the tent on tiptoe, allowing Henry to continue his work in peace.

Outside the tent, the soldiers in the camp were already asleep. The only sounds were the occasional crackle of firewood and the distant footsteps of the patrolling sentries.

Henry once again examined every mark on the map, silently reviewing each tactical detail until he was sure everything was ready.

’I keep telling myself that micromanaging will only get my soldiers killed,’ Henry thought, ’but this isn’t some third-person command view, and I can’t just summon General Aivers for help.’

The night deepened. Henry finally put down his work and prepared to rest.

Ailia re-entered the tent and lay down on a pallet not far away. If the fire died down, she would need to add more wood.

Even on a summer night, it could get cold.

Henry lay on his cot, closed his eyes, and let his thoughts drift to the coming battle.

Soon, his breathing became even and deep as he drifted off to sleep. In his dreams, he saw cheers of victory and the smiling faces of his soldiers.

When Ailia got up, Henry also awoke from his dream. In the camp, the soldiers had already begun their preparations to depart. Some were organizing their gear, others were feeding the horses, and still others were inspecting their weapons.

Ailia came to his side, holding a basin of fresh water for Henry to wash up.

After washing up and eating breakfast, Henry left his tent and walked toward his officers, who had already gathered in the center of the camp, ready to break camp.

"Gentlemen, today we execute the plan we’ve prepared. Our objective is victory, but more importantly, we must protect our soldiers as much as possible."

Henry then confirmed the readiness of each unit one by one before giving the order to march out.

The soldiers assembled quickly and began to move out according to the established plan.

Bain and Selas led the scouting party out first. They would advance rapidly, heading deep into the mountains to provide crucial intelligence for the main army.

If they discovered the Mercenaries had already set an ambush, they could also return quickly to report it.

Vasco and Roland followed close behind, leading the main infantry force in a steady advance.

As the troops marched on, Henry’s thoughts rose and fell with the rhythm of his warhorse’s gait.

「A day later.」

Bain and Selas led the scouting party into the Salt Stone Mountain Range.

They rode their warhorses, their hooves splashing through the morning dew as they moved swiftly and steadily along the mountain paths.

Bain’s eyes constantly scanned the surrounding terrain, searching for any sign of a hidden enemy.

Selas followed close behind, his composure a stark contrast to Bain’s youthful energy.

"Squire Selas, keep an eye out for potential ambush points," Bain said in a low voice, pointing toward a wide mountain path ahead.

"If the enemy wants to set an ambush, that would be the perfect spot."

Selas nodded. "I understand, Squire Bain."

The two of them continued forward on horseback, exchanging scouting details and strategies as they rode.

As they went deeper into the mountains, the terrain grew more and more complex. Some areas were as wide as plains, while others were as rugged as the highlands of Battania.

From time to time, Bain and Selas would dismount to personally inspect the ground for any trace that the enemy had set an ambush.

Their movements were quick and cautious, every bend and every observation carried out with professionalism and care.

"Squire Bain, look here."

Selas pointed to some fresh animal tracks on the ground. "These tracks are fresh, which means an animal passed through here not long ago. These aren’t hoofprints from a horse, and their pattern shows normal movement, not a panicked run. This indicates there isn’t a large group of people in this area."

He quickly recorded this information, making a mark on the map.

Bain nodded. "Good. I’ll alert the teams behind us. Tell them to be on high alert so we can quickly get a message to the main force if we spot the enemy."

As the sun climbed higher, Bain and Selas led the scouting party deep into the core of the Salt Stone Mountain Range.

They began to move with even greater caution, each step deliberate and careful.

They knew the enemy could be nearby, and every piece of information they gathered would be crucial in deciding the outcome of the battle.

In a dense forest, Bain suddenly raised his hand, signaling the party to halt.

He and Selas exchanged a look, then both dismounted and crept silently toward a clearing ahead.

"What is it? Did you find something?"

Bain shook his head, frowning. "I didn’t find anything. It’s just that this forest is too dense. If there were an enemy here, we wouldn’t be able to react."

Selas nodded and followed behind Bain with the soldiers.