SWDnovel #402 - The march was hindered, but the impact was not great
#402 - The march was hindered, but the impact was not great
The harsh sunlight shone on the bushes, fields, and beeches, the light reflecting off the helmets dancing with the movement of the vehicles.
Puddles reflected the clear blue sky, the air exceptionally crisp after the rain.
But the next second, a short boot extended and stomped into the puddle.
The originally clear rainwater was instantly churned into mud, and before it could settle again, pairs of large feet in short boots, riding boots, or straw sandals stepped into the puddle one after another.
Among scattered villages, estates, and weeds, the eight legions of the Black Hat Army, acting as the vanguard, marched forward in five columns.
Each legion was the same, with lines of Holy Gunners at the front and rear, and lines of spearmen in the middle.
This way, if they encountered enemy troops, the Holy Gunners could quickly change from columns to lines and stand on both sides, while the spearmen in the middle could advance, forming the most basic battle formation.
Khaki-colored coarse linen trousers rubbed together as countless strong, powerful legs moved alternately.
Each time a thick foot landed, mud splattered on the leggings and boots, and before long, a good pair of cloth shoes was on the verge of rotting.
Those who felt sorry for their shoes would tie them together with rope and hang them around their necks, following along in their woven straw sandals.
The ground was like a sponge soaked with water, and every step submerged the feet in mud, while the heavy armor-laden supply vehicles and Horn war chariots sank to their hubs.
Mosquitoes followed the horses and people, and dragonflies flew over the heads of the war monks.
"Why does it have to rain at a time like this?" Jeschka complained, watching the infantry square advance at an extraordinary speed.
Beside him, Horn, riding his warhorse Grape, frowned as he looked at the advancing army, his brows furrowed in concern.
The previous few days had seen thunderstorms for two days, mostly heavy rain at night and light rain during the day, which had significantly slowed the Savior Army's march.
The problem wasn't the rain hindering the march, but the damage the rain caused to the roads.
After several rainstorms, the rain had softened the entire road, severely slowing the Savior Army's march.
The Savior Army had quickened its pace, but it could only maintain a speed that was barely even at 25 kilometers per day.
"King's Road, more like King's Intestine," Kohler grumbled, pulling his sweaty foot out of the mud as he passed by.
The King's Road from Langsand County to Kasha County was in disrepair. Unlike the King's Road in Munde, it was basically a compacted dirt road, which turned into a muddy mess with a little rain.
But if it didn't rain, it would be a cloud of dust.
But for Horn, he'd rather eat more dust than be delayed on the road like this.
They had set off on the morning of July 12th, and today was already noon on July 17th.
Although they were already half a day late, they still hadn't reached Little Pool City, and were at least ten miles away.
Horn was confident that with Jeanne's abilities and the power of the witches, defending a small Little Pool City would be no problem.
But the real problem was that although the noble coalition only numbered three thousand, they still possessed extraordinary power.
Being half a day late here, and allowing the noble coalition to delay them further, would probably mean being a whole day or more late, and if things continued like this, Ripple City might be breached.
"Everyone, be vigilant," Horn shouted to the child soldier beside him who was relaying orders. "Tell them to hurry up. Little Pool City is surrounded by the noble coalition and is in the most dangerous situation. We are their hope."
"Ooh!" As the order was given, shouts of various sizes rang out from the ranks, and the entire team visibly sped up.
"Let the Norse knights scout nearby. We'll set up camp about five miles from Little Pool City, try to figure out their details before nightfall, and contact Little Pool City by the way."
Orders were issued one after another, and the Norse knights in black armor scattered in all directions.
When Jeanne left, she said she was taking all the cavalry, but she only took all the Savior Army's cavalry.
The Norse Mountain Boar Knights led by Mura, for example, remained in Black Mountain Fortress.
After all, Jinhe Township had just surrendered, and if anything happened, they could suppress it.
The agreement Horn signed with the Ibe noble group before returning to Jeanneburg was that the other party would provide at least two hundred knights to help in the battle.
Of these, at least thirty were banner knights, and no more than half were squire knights.
Leading this group would be two old acquaintances of Horn's—Perryni, the defeated opponent number one, and Domenico, the defeated opponent number two.
The Arco family could be considered a meritorious family of the Savior Army government. Three earls of this family participated in every battle of the Savior Army in Langsand.
In every battle they were in, the Savior Army was invincible.
After the intelligence about Little Pool City and Ripple City spread, the old grandmother did not betray them, but instead kept her word.
She delivered two hundred and six "Kush Knights," including thirty-five banner knights, seventy-two squire knights, and ninety-nine page knights, to Black Mountain Fortress on time.
The main reason they were called "Kush Knights" was that the bloodline of these nobles was probably lower than that of the Duke of Danner they spoke of.
Not to mention one-sixteenth, it might not even be one-sixtieth.
One-third of these two hundred knights were mixed-race nobles from other places and local Kush nobles.
They mostly changed into Kush's traditional half-sleeved robes and claimed to be Kush people.
As for those nobles who came in the first generation or were unwilling to change, don't blame the old grandmother for being ruthless.
It's hard to find a three-legged toad, but there are plenty of people who want to be knights.
Which butler, squire knight, or even mercenary knight and wandering knight doesn't want a manor as a fief?
Horn's hand stroking his chin paused slightly.
Perhaps the old grandmother's claim to be trustworthy was false, and her real purpose was to integrate the knightly forces within Jinhe Township?
"Who's there?" A commotion suddenly came from the front of the line.
"The one hiding in the bushes, stand up."
"Hands above your head, don't move!"
"Captain, don't fire the gun, it's me!"
"Hü!" Giving the command to run quickly, Grape, his mount, snorted in annoyance and ran towards the front of the line.
Mud splashed as he braked sharply in front of a bush.
Ignoring the mud spots on his clothes, Horn jumped off the saddle.
On the side of Victor's Black Hat First Legion, a merchant and several attendants were lying on the ground with bruised noses and swollen faces, looking disheveled.
A merchant in a silk robe was pinned in the middle, Victor kneeling on his neck, pressing the man's entire face into the mud.
Obviously, this method used by the guards to suppress rioters was very common in the current empire.
After all, this method can inhibit breathing and suppress any extraordinary people who may be present.
"I, I can't breathe..." the merchant cried out in a hoarse voice.
"Who are you?" Horn gestured to both sides, signaling Victor to release him for the time being. "Why were you spying on our march?"
"Cough, cough, cough, I am Hasurian, a councilor from Little Pool City." Spitting out the mud-filled saliva, the city councilor managed to force a smile.
Jeschka immediately stepped forward and grabbed his collar: "Why are you here? Has Little Pool City been captured?"
"No, no." Hasurian said with a weeping face, but still had to force a smile, "The Holy Maiden, broke seven camps in one night, the siege of Little Pool City has been lifted."
"What?"