The rumbling sound of horse hooves rang out incessantly. Amidst the flying dust, a group of black silhouettes charged out of the dust and smoke while maintaining a uniform speed, bringing with them a momentum that could topple mountains and overturn seas. The only difference between their formation and that of the Flying Tiger Cavalry was that their formation was not as densely packed. The distance between each side was about two meters, and their charging speed was much faster.
A sharp whistle suddenly sounded, and a torrent of crossbow bolts shot out from the hands of the black silhouettes. They continued to nock and fire, and countless crossbow bolts shot towards their targets from over a hundred meters away.
With another whistle, the black silhouettes at the front suddenly split into two sides, while the ones behind them continued to charge forward, firing bolts and splitting left and right, repeating the process.
"Your Highness, this is the marksmanship training I've devised. If the enemy is ambushed like this while marching, there is a high chance that they will be completely wiped out. Of course, if they are in formation in the middle of a field battle, the effects of this kind of attack might be different. After all, this kind of long-range attack while charging on horseback can deal the greatest damage to an unprepared enemy. "Josk proudly introduced his tactics to Loriste.
Because the crossbow had to be kept a secret, and outsiders couldn't know that the Norton Family's armed forces were already equipped with this kind of personal long-range weapon, Loriste went to the Hunter Corps' encampment two days later to observe a marksmanship training session.
"How did you come up with this idea?" Loriste asked.
"There's nothing strange about it," Josk replied. "Your Highness, the most elite light cavalry are light cavalry scouts. They investigate the movements of the enemy, monitor their paths, and kill the enemy's scouts. Their fighting style is to dismount and use long-range attacks, then mount and engage in close combat. Only a few with special talents are able to use long-range weapons on horseback. Among them, throwing axes and javelins can only be considered short-range weapons. If you want to attack from a distance, you usually have to use a longbow.
Even the famous Border Rangers of the Fisablon Family, known as the most elite light cavalry of the former Empire, their performance was no different from what I had described. Back then, when our Hunting Cavalry Corps suffered a great defeat in Muyeyuan Province, the grassland barbarian cavalry that attacked us used nothing more than stalking us, monitoring us from outside the firing range of our war chariots and steel ballistae, luring our light cavalry to rashly attack without the protection of the steel ballistae. When we fell into the trap, they only had an extra shield car to cover for us. They relied on their superior numbers to defeat us.
If we had this Crossbow at that time, we wouldn't have suffered such a huge defeat! We will turn the tables on them and annihilate their light cavalry scouts on the plains. During the chase, we won't even need to get off our horses to annihilate them with long-range attacks. Even if we are surrounded by enemies, we don't need to dismount and get into formation. There is no enemy that can block our long-range attacks while marching or charging. That way, the mobility and agility of the light cavalry can be maximized … "
Jose rambled on and on about a bunch of useless stuff, but Lollister understood what he was getting at. Currently, the main task of the light cavalry was to scout and trap the enemy. Due to the lack of long-range attacks, the most powerful long-range attack of the light cavalry was to dismount from their horses and form a formation, using their longbows to deal damage to the enemy. However, dismounting meant that the light cavalry would lose mobility, and the threat they posed to defending enemies in the field would be greatly reduced. The gains would not make up for the losses if the light cavalry charged into the enemy's formation. In close combat, the attack and defense of the light cavalry couldn't compare to the enemy's heavily armored infantry, unless the enemy fled in defeat.
With this Crossbow that could be fired from horseback, not only would it increase their attack power, it wouldn't affect their mobility and agility either. Even if the enemy's formation was tight, the light cavalry could still rely on their mobility to move to the enemy's weak rear or split up to attack, tearing apart the enemy's weakness and using a storm of long-range attacks to overwhelm the enemy, avoiding a head-on confrontation. From this aspect, the appearance of the Crossbow gave the light cavalry the foundation to defeat the enemy in field battles.
Lollister took the Crossbow from Joske and examined it closely. To be more precise, this was a crossbow. It was very different from the ballistae, ballistae, hunting ballistae, and other crossbows in the Galinthia Continent. It seemed like Sid had borrowed some of the advantages of Lollister's special musket. The Crossbow had a butt and handle, which made it easier for the rider to aim and shoot from horseback. At the same time, the existence of the butt and handle allowed the crossbow to be reloaded after firing, making it much easier and faster to use.
"Your Highness, we sent a hundred light cavalry to assist Sid in testing this Crossbow for a year and a half before it was finalized. From the looks of it, this is the perfect long-range weapon for light cavalry. Once it appears on the battlefield, the Norton Family will create a storm of light cavalry … "Joske said proudly.
"Don't tell me this Crossbow doesn't have any flaws?" Lollister waved the Crossbow in his hand.
"Uh …" Joske paused for a moment, "There is only one flaw, Your Highness. The Crossbow is unable to bear the burden of Impetus, and the strength of the shot mainly depends on the crossbow's arm and mechanism. "
When a longbowman's Impetus reached the Silver rank, he would be able to infuse his Impetus into the arrow, allowing it to shoot faster, further, and more accurately. He would also be able to form a small sword at the tip of the arrowhead, able to pierce through shields and armor with unparalleled sharpness. Joske was such a godly archer. With a green bone bow in hand, even a Great Swordsman would have to dodge his arrows.
However, godly archers like Joske, who had the talent to shoot from both sides on horseback, were extremely rare. Lollister would not be able to select such a group of soldiers to form a cavalry archery unit. Looking at the current situation, the Crossbow was indeed the best choice for light cavalry to carry out long-range attacks on horseback. A small flaw like not being able to bear the burden of Impetus was not a big problem, and could be completely ignored.
… …
"Are you ready? I'm going to start the attack. "Lollister smiled at Schwald, who was standing in front of him.
Shihuard nodded and assumed a defensive posture: "Your Highness, come."
The longsword in Lollister's hand moved like lightning, cutting through the air in an instant. Shi Huade did not show any weakness. His long sword turned into a net, blocking in front of him. Not even a drop of water could get through. The master and disciple began to fight.
Redi and Genolio stood at the side, watching. Genolio had a look of envy on his face.
Redi laughed, "Genolio, if you want to learn the sword, you will have to endure hardship. Schwald was taught a terrible lesson by me when he was learning the sword."
Genolio nodded solemnly, "Senior, I can endure hardship. No matter how hard or tiring it is, I will earnestly learn from you."
Redi's lips curled into a strange smile, "Very well, I can find a time to plead with His Highness. However, the foundation of our sect's swordsmanship is dynamic vision. If His Highness agrees, Schwald and I will help you train this ability. "
"Is that so?" Genolio was very happy, "Thank you, senior."
"You're welcome. Who told you to be my junior?" Redi laughed evilly, thinking about who he should find to watch the show. Perhaps he could use this opportunity to open a bet or something. He could bet on how long Genolio could last on the big disc without fainting …
Clang … Lollister's longsword accurately knocked Schwald's sword away.
"Not bad. I didn't expect you to be able to withstand more than twenty moves." Lollister was a little surprised. As expected of Bofinger's son. Back then, Bofinger had sparred with him in the arena. Bofinger's defense was very stable and thorough, leaving a deep impression on him. He didn't expect Schwald to be even better now. He really was Bofinger's son. His defense was even better than Bofinger's back then. Although Lollister had shown mercy, Schwald had surpassed the level of a third-rank swordsman and was close to the level of a Sword Saint. It was surprising that Schwald could withstand more than twenty moves.
"No wonder Redi said that he only won after exchanging nearly a hundred moves with you when he went to fetch you. He wasn't convinced and sparred with you for a few more days with the same result. That's why the two of you came back so late." Lollister passed the sword in his hand to Schwald and asked him to put it away. He said thoughtfully, "Your swordsmanship is different from Redi's. Redi relies on his innate divine strength. He walks the path of great power and ferocious attacks. His attacks are faster than his sword.
You're completely different from him. Your swordsmanship is very similar to your father's. It can be said that you've inherited your father's talent. Your swordsmanship is very experienced, and you can find the enemy's weakness in a tight defense before counterattacking and killing them in one blow. That's why I let Redi travel after he came out of seclusion to increase his knowledge. You don't need to do that. If you want to practice swordsmanship, go to the guard camp. Let more people attack, and you can focus on defense. "
"Yes. Thank you for your guidance, Teacher," Schwald said.
"Haha …" Laurist rubbed his head. "But before that, I have to settle your wedding with Katerina first so that your father-in-law won't stop complaining."
… …
"Manager Hansk, I'm very disappointed in you." Lollister said to Hansk, who was standing in front of him. In order to express his dissatisfaction, he did not even invite Hansk to sit down for a chat.
"Your Highness, you can't blame me for this. It's mainly because the mountain barbarian labourers did not listen to me …" Hansk argued with a livid face. In his heart, he thought that he had done his best to help his family endure the hardships of the northern wilderness. He had tried his best to make the project progress. However, the mountain barbarian labourers were too unruly, and they refused to submit no matter how much he tried to kill them. Now that Lollister was blaming him, how could he accept it?
"Manager Hansk, it seems like you still haven't realized your mistake. As the person in charge of the renovation of the northern roads and transportation facilities, your responsibility is to manage and ensure the progress of the project and the implementation of the plan. That's why you're in charge of the budget and the progress of the project. You just need to follow the plan and implement it step by step. Please tell me, why did you extend the working hours of the mountain barbarian labourers, reduce their benefits, and disrupt all the plans, causing the mountain barbarians to riot and drag out the work … "Lollister was a little angry.
"Your Highness, please don't forget that the mountain barbarians are the enemies of the Norton family. Your father and countless ancestors of the Norton family died in the mountain barbarians' invasion of our territory. You shouldn't have treated these mountain barbarians as laborers. Not only did you give them wine, but you also provided them with meat. Are you treating these mountain barbarians as guests of the Norton family? "Manager Hansk shouted loudly.
"Haha …" Lollister was so angry that he laughed. "So you took away all their wine and meat? Two fist-sized flatbreads made from moldy grain every day? And then forced them to work day and night? Do you think this is loyalty to the family? Is this how I take revenge for my father and the ancestors of the Norton family? Idiot! "
Laurist slammed his palm on the desk. Not only did the loud noise startle Manager Hansk, even Schwader, who was outside the study room, opened the door a little and poked his head out to see what was going on.
"In order to build the road from the Golden Mountains to Moon Spring Town, we had to open a path through the forest. We killed at least seven thousand of the thirty thousand mountain barbarian labourers to build this road, which was filled with blood and death. On both sides of the road are the heads of the mountain barbarian captives who were chased back. After killing so many people, our family found a way to make the mountain barbarian labourers work peacefully. That was to provide them with wine and meat. After twelve hours of toil every day, they would receive the wine and meat as a reward. This was also the reason why these mountain barbarian labourers were willing to work so diligently. They treated the wine and meat we provided as a reward for a day's hard work …
Then, you treated the mountain barbarians who worked for my family as the murderers and enemies of my father and the ancestors of the Norton family. Not only did you cancel the meat and wine provided to them, but you also extended their working hours by four hours. You really have the ability. Do you think you can subdue these mountain barbarian labourers? They rioted, and you had Berunik lead the guards to suppress them. You killed more than ten thousand mountain barbarian labourers in one go. Do you think they would be afraid of you and submit to you like this? But what about the project? The project has almost completely stopped!
I very much regret entrusting you with this project that concerns the fate of the Norton family for the next hundred years. You have betrayed my trust. You want to say that the mountain barbarians are our family's enemies. Yes, that is correct, but this does not mean that all the mountain barbarians have to be killed. These seventy thousand mountain barbarian labourers are all young and strong. When they work peacefully in our family's territory, do you understand how much wealth they will bring to our family? Do you know how much the family lacks these young and strong labourers that don't need to be paid? Now, after what you did, there are less than sixty thousand mountain barbarian labourers left. The family will have to pay an even greater price to appease them … "
Laurist smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Manager Hansk, you have really disappointed me. Considering that you have also made great contributions to the family, I don't want to pursue the more mistakes you have made. There are some things that you should understand in your heart. Didn't you overstep your duty as a retainer and stretch your hand a little too far? Forget it, I can forgive you this once. Go back to your Baron's territory in Delamuk and reflect on yourself. "
Manager Hansk's face was pale, and his lips trembled. He turned around and walked towards the door of the study. He knew that this was exile. His power in the Norton family had disappeared, and he no longer had the right to call the shots. However, Laurist still remembered their past friendship and did not strip him of his territory and title.
Manager Hansk, who had walked to the door, stopped. After a moment of silence, he walked back to Laurist with an agitated expression. "Your Highness, I can leave, but there is something that I hope Your Highness will consider."
"Speak …"
"Your Highness, please appoint a young master as soon as possible to pacify the hearts of the millions of people in the family." Manager Hansk's expression was solemn.
"Heh, then tell me, who should I appoint?" Laurist asked playfully.
"Of course it should be Young Master Lescott. He is already thirteen years old and is about to become an adult …"
Lescott was the first son of Laurist and Elina. He had a tyrannical personality, mainly because he lived in Maple Villa when he was young and was spoiled by Elina to the point where he became a little tyrant. When he was eight years old, Laurist placed him in the care of Mrs. Malek, and Mrs. Malek was in charge of him. He had just entered Nicole Academy last year.
"Do you think that I will die young?" Laurist's question was a bit harsh.
"Your Highness, it is better to be prepared. Back then, your father thought the same. He forced himself to fight against the invading mountain barbarian cavalry despite his illness, and the result …" Manager Hansk was still nagging.
"Get out!" Laurist was furious. He grabbed the folder on the table and threw it at Manager Hansk.
…
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