Chapter 66 March forward (1/2)

Chapter 66 March forward

Translator: Tchu

Editor: Amaranth

Before the next dawn broke the 13th Army really set out. General Adrick personally led the first legion during the journey.

The third legion led by that silver-haired Butler was acting as a reconnaissance vanguard; they had already sent back a military report. They already fought two small scale battles on the northern part of Al Bacre plain with the scale of approximately hundred people and both sides won a single battle.

The location of the battle was about a dozen of miles south of the small forest where Shaar encountered an attack during the scouting mission.

It was very obvious that Odin’s army was slowly marching towards south as they gradually moved deeper into Al Bactre plain.

Being a member of the Praetorian Guards, Shaar put on his full cavalry set and marched together with the large force.

The only thing that gave Shaar a small disappointment was that he didn’t receive the fabulous “cavalry equipment” which Kato previously talked about: That up to four meters long lance, a great shield that had the height of half a person and not even was his horse was equipped with the horse armor….

The equipment that he obtained was the same ordinary light cavalry equipment he got during the scouting mission last time. A long double-edged infantry sword, a long shield and a long two-edged weapon used for cavalry battle – Shaar still chose the halberd.

Marching on the road, Shaar told his brothers-in-arms about the doubts in his heart and quickly received an explanation. The one who explained to him was the once top strongman of the Praetorian Guards Sarbar – of course after the last defeat in wrestling match against Shaar, he relegated to the second place.

This burly tall giant burst out laughing: “You were misled by that guy Kato. That rat Kato referred to the equipment used by the heavy cavalries of our precedents. Hmpf, with a complete set of heavy armor, a four meter long lance, a long shield that had the height of half a person and a horse equipped with full horse armor…… Think about it how heavy would this set of equipment be for a cavalryman? How can ordinary soldier bear this weight? Only strictly selected elite soldiers from the army can bear such a heavy armor in combat. An ordinary person like that rat Kato would probably fall on the ground, not being able to get up.”

Pausing for a moment this uncouthly man lowered his voice: “Also, think about it how much iron would be needed to forge such a heavy set of equipment? Furthermore, they had to breed a warhorse that can ride fast while carrying such a heavy load. This kind of heavy cavalry only exists in the fourth legion of our 13th Army. If you want become a heavy cavalry, you should wait for an opportunity to ask the general put release on you and put you in the fourth legion.”

Shaar was immediately appeased – troops such as heavy cavalry were indeed impossible to equip in huge numbers and he had the wrong idea before.

In fact, strictly speaking, the legion that Shaar followed right now was also not a cavalry unit in the true sense – the first legion of the 13th Cavalry Army was actually an infantry combat unit that rode horses. By definition, infantries riding horses as the name suggests, were infantry troops who used horses to enhance their mobility and speed. During a battle the infantry will dismount before going into formation.

After all, even though a cavalry was powerful it was impossible for them to individually form an force during a large scale battle and needed infantry to coordinate with. Generally speaking, a cavalry was unlikely to act as an independent force alone to directly carry a frontline assault (surprise attacks are an exception). With thousands of cavalrymen charging directly into the enemy’s infantry array was actually a rarely occurrence. The real tactical power of a cavalry unit was strength which they used on both two wings to outflank the enemy before hitting its flanks. Like peeling a potato, penetrating it layer by layer.

The 13th Cavalry Army acted as an independent army, but a part of them were infantrymen. In order to maintain the mobility of the Cavalry Army, they upgraded their infantry and gave them horses to ride. Moreover, during a siege battle,pure cavalrymen couldn’t be used and only infantry could be relied on.

The troops of first legion marched in order to provide assistance to the third legion which moved as vanguards few days ago.

Marching with the Praetorian Guards, Shaar listened as his brothers talked about some of fighting tactics used by the 13th Army. Although those Praetorian Guards might not necessarily understand everything, but as a Praetorian Guards they usually followed the general and could listen to the military conferences and reports. Influenced by the things they saw and heard, they had more experiences compare to ordinary soldiers.

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This was the first time for Shaar to march with an army which had over thousands of people. During the first day on the road, he listened to legendary stories which frequently told about wars of mighty forces. Although at this moment this legion had the scale of only 2000 people but this dense black mass riding through the plain showed a rigorous discipline displayed by the 13th Cavalry Army. Marching in a neat formation with a solemn silence, it created a bloodthirsty aura which made Shaar awestruck in his heart.

This was just from the troops from a legion. If the whole army was gathered, which would combine several legions, what an impact would that scene make in someone’s mind?

The formation didn’t even rest in the evening since the soldiers of 13th Army have been accustomed to marching without breaks. The soldiers didn’t eat, drink nor rest as they were riding with high speed until the next morning. Only when the sun started to rise, General Adrick allowed the large force to stop and take a break.

The Praetorian Guards were somewhat special since they were the only real cavalry in this horse riding unit everyone had a spare horse. During the break, Shaar would rotate next to General Adrick.

Kevin and Shaar with several other Praetorian Guards created a formation to escort Adrick. General Adrick was still in the same black fur robe which he wore during his first meeting with Shaar. His brows were twisted tightly and his eyes flashed in a way from time to time that could made people break out in cold sweat, resembling like a lion.

“Rookie.”

Just was Shaar took a quiet look at Adrick, this general suddenly tilted his head and looked at Shaar with a smile.

“Eh?” Shaar immediately straightened up his body.

“We will soon fight in a major battle, are you anxious?” Adrick made a strange happy expression with the corners of his mouth.

The Praetorian Guards nearby looked at Shaar since the general only questioned this rookie alone which made them was somewhat curious.

Thinking for a moment, Shaar shook his head: “Not too anxious.”

“Oh?”Adrick’s eyes looked somewhat satisfied: “Why?”

“Killing a beast is killing, killing a person is also killing. Since they want to kill us, we naturally we will have to kill them. There is no difference.” Shaar replied while not even needing the time to think.

“Haha! Interesting way of thinking.”Adrick stared at Shaar for a moment, suddenly shaking his head while saying:”You are a great kid and you remind me of a fellow I knew in the past. However, you are still not as strong as that guy. Do well this time. Since you are quite skilled in this war if you can render some meritorious achievement when we get back, I will make you a cavalry captain.”

The Praetorian Guards nearby immediately made an envying expression. Adrick looked at the bald man on other side: “and Kevin, if you can make it out alive this time, you should be able to lead a battalion.”