Ugor Mounted Archers?!
François and Duke Bodrick's eyes lit up.
Brittany, the country of knights, had the number one heavy cavalry in the old world, and the power of these cavalry was needless to say.
However, since the national policy tree chose to use the country's power to raise knights, then other than the heavy cavalry, the combat power of the army was naturally low.
It didn't matter if the infantrymen weren't strong enough, because what determined the outcome of the war was still the charge of the knights.
In terms of light cavalry, Brittania had nomads who were promoted from the serf infantry regiments. These nomads often held privileged positions such as prison guards, patrol officers, and militia captains. Their status was equal to or even slightly higher than that of sergeants. They were the ultimate goal that serfs yearned for their entire lives. For a serf infantry soldier, it might take years of dedicated service, outstanding performance on the battlefield, and meeting a fair knight lord before they could be promoted.
These rangers were unlikely to have the opportunity to ride the fierce warhorses of the knights, but to be able to ride farm horses and gallop on the battlefield with the knights was a supreme honor. Many folklore said that rangers had been promoted to knights after years of outstanding service and bravery.
In fact, since the founding of Brittany a thousand years ago, only five serfs had been promoted to nobles, and only three had been promoted from serfs to nobles with the title of knights.
If a serf wanted to be promoted to a knight, there were two procedures. One was the king's order, and the other was the oracle of the fairy in the lake.
What really tempted Laing and the others was that even among the rangers, there were very few rangers who could shoot from horseback. In fact, other than Duke Fulcade of Montfort, who Laing knew had a ranger team that could shoot from horseback — the Montfort Watchers — no other duke in Brittany had a decent ranger team that could shoot from horseback.
(In theory, if given a short bow, anyone who could ride a horse could shoot from horseback, and this meant that they could guarantee a certain hit rate.)
In actual combat, having such a highly mobile mounted archer would provide a lot of convenience in the war.
Kislöw's Ugor mounted archers were such an army.
As previously mentioned, the Kingdom of Kislöw was located in the north of the Empire, bordering the Chaos Wasteland and the Northern Wasteland. Generally speaking, the northern border of Kislöw was the Linsk River, which was the line from Örengrád to Prague. However, many Mrs. Kiesler lived on the other side of the Linsk River. These people were known as Ugor's people.
The Ugor people were the first line of defense against the invasion of Chaos in the north. From the moment they were born, they had been fighting against the northern barbarian tribes who believed in Chaos. These brave and battle-savvy nomadic tribal warriors had learned equestrian archery, scimitar, and spear techniques from the moment they were born. They were one of the best light cavalry in the old world.
"The Empire is willing to let us, uh … use Ugor mounted archers?" François was interested. Duke Winford stroked his goatee and looked interested. "How can you persuade the Ugor people to work for us?"
Ivan the Griffin Duke and the great alchemist Galt looked at each other. They thought that Emperor Karl-franz was right. This condition could persuade the Brittany.
"Do you know the Kislöw Winged Cavalry Legion? This legion is now working for our emperor, "Ivan the Griffin Duke said. With his long black hair and beard, the Griffin Duke said proudly, "This Kislöw's strongest legion is now working for the emperor. Why does the Brittany think that we can't provide you with a team of Ugor mounted archers?"
"Hmm …" Laing lowered his head and thought about the cause and effect.
After the great Holy War, Kislöw was almost completely destroyed. Even the palace of Kislöw Tsar (no one acknowledged) was destroyed by the Chaos. Tsar Bokhar learned from the painful experience and knew that the army of Kislöw alone could not fight against the threat of the Chaos. He took out all the wealth of the House of Tsar (no one acknowledged) and spent a lot of money to import a large number of firearms from the Empire. He then hired engineers from the Empire with a high salary to train a firearms unit.
Bokhar's effort to build the firearms unit almost bankrupted the kingdom. The Kingdom of Kislöw could no longer afford to pay for a legendary legion with a long history — the Winged Cavalry Legion. The Winged Cavalry Legion, which was already semi-independent, was now completely independent. This elite troop of the Kingdom of Kislöw served the Empire for a long time and only swore to return to Kislöw when their homeland was under great threat and face the threat of the Chaos head-on.
"Even the Winged Cavalry Legion is working for the emperor. A team of Ugor mounted archers is nothing difficult. It's just a matter of a letter," Ivan the Griffin Duke said. Ivan, the Griffin Duke, said simply, "Many people are willing to fight, especially the Woogol tribes who don't have enough to eat in the north of the Linsk River. Fighting in exchange for food is a common occurrence for them.
"So this is the Empire's condition?" François seemed to be interested, but he was a bit hesitant. "According to what you said, we can also send someone to hire the Ugor mounted archers."
"No, I'm sorry, but I still have to tell you directly that hiring the Ugor mounted archers is not as easy as you think." Boris the White Wolf said solemnly, "You don't understand at all how undisciplined the Ugor mounted archers are. They like to break into the nearby villages and tribes to find women to vent their anger. Also, Kislöw has stipulated that they must be treated well wherever they go. They have no laws. Even if you go to Kislöw to hire the Ugor mounted archers, I think they will bring more trouble than benefits."
"Then, how can the Empire guarantee that we will get the Ugor mounted archers that we want?" Laing raised his doubts.
"Many provinces in the north of the Empire have experience in hiring the Ugor mounted archers. The Empire will select the obedient ones who are willing to abide by the contract and will not harass the villagers. If you are not satisfied, the Empire promises to replace them and return them. What do you think?" Ivan the Griffin Duke continued.
Laing had to admit that the Empire's offer was indeed tempting and persuasive. He was more or less tempted.
"That's all. Let's call it a day. We'll talk about the rest tomorrow." It was already late. François proposed to take a break and continue the discussion tomorrow.
"Alright. We've reached a lot of agreements today. We should have some time to digest them." The Empire agreed, too. They had indeed talked a lot today.
…
At night, in the garden of Helenhilde's castle.
François and Laing, who were wearing Brittany noble's silk robes, were walking in the garden. There were only two figures of the Grail Knights on the sturdy stone road. The two, who were about to become husband and son-in-law, were walking slowly one after the other.
It was already October. After nightfall, the temperature in Helenhilde was very low. In the withered garden, the cold wind blew past Laing and François's clothes.
"… Are you used to it? Laing, they're all here to attend your wedding. How did things turn out like this? " François said to Laing with a smile. His father-in-law did not turn around. He just kept walking forward. "Are you a little disappointed?"
"Not really. This is a rare opportunity for everyone to gather together and negotiate calmly." Laing shook his head and followed behind François. "I'm just a little disappointed."
"Disappointed?"
"Yes. I wanted to talk to Godfather about the Empire, but Godfather said that it was not convenient for him to meet me in private." Laing looked at the dark night sky. The bright moonlight shone in the courtyard. The thirty-year-old count sounded a little disappointed.
"You have to learn to enjoy this process." François did not seem surprised at all. "Chaos is eternal, and green skins are endless. In thousands of years, humans have long understood that stupid civil wars will only benefit evil. Therefore, everyone has learned to reach a consensus at the negotiation table. You know very well who is on our side, who is our friend, and who is our enemy."
François was implying that no matter how good the relationship between the Empire was, he was already a Brittany noble. It was good that he learned to avoid suspicion.
"Speaking of which, François, do you think the proposal of hiring Ugor archers is feasible?" Laing asked tentatively.
"Since the Empire can guarantee the quality of the soldiers and guarantee the return and replacement of the archers, why not?" Francois thought about the problem. "Anyway, the Woogol archers are much more powerful than our roaming cavalry. With these archers, it'll be easy for us to scout and harass them."
"But what about the Knight King?" Laing raised his concern.
Brittany's belief in the way of knights was deeply rooted. In this country, knights were more willing to use their own strength to eliminate strong enemies than to rely on external forces. Therefore, knights rarely hired mercenaries or mercenaries from other countries. The only thing allowed by the kingdom's law was the Empire's army. Of course, the excuse was not to hire them, but to cooperate in the name of cooperation. This was because the Knight King's Kingdom and the Empire were allies.
This time, Laing intended to hire Ugor's men. They weren't from the Empire, so it wasn't easy for him to find an excuse.
Laing and Richard didn't have a good relationship, so the King wouldn't be willing to let him take the lead.
"Didn't you learn anything from Seubard?" François looked solemn, but his eyes were smiling as he said, "This isn't like my smart and powerful son-in-law who knows how to exploit loopholes."
Laing couldn't help but laugh when he heard that.
Duke Seubard of Kakason's territory was located in the southernmost part of Brittany. It was connected to the western section of the Black Mountain Range, the Kingdom of Estalia, and the Kingdom of Tyrell in the south. It had the longest border and was constantly harassed by the Green Dwarfs, Ratmen, and Orcs. Kakason's army couldn't ensure that there were sufficient defenses along the long border. Seubard thought of a solution.
He ordered the serfs to graze sheep along the border of the Dukedom, forming a special occupation, the "Kakason Shepherds". These shepherds would act as a warning against possible invasions.
Then, he sent people disguised as shepherds to cross the southern border of Kakason and contact the mercenary groups of the Kingdom of Tyrell. He hired them to guard against the invasion of the Green Dwarfs, Ratmen, and Orcs.
However, the Kingdom of Knight King didn't allow nobles to hire mercenaries. How was he going to pay them?
Seubard used a clumsy but effective method.
One day, a group of Tyrell mercenaries passed by the border of Carcasson. At that moment, a shepherd accidentally came to the border while herding his sheep. In order to chase after his sheep, he accidentally dropped a pouch filled with gold crowns.
"Aiya, I accidentally dropped my money. How unlucky. Looks like I won't be able to get it back."
The Tyrell mercenaries received their payment and helped Duke Seubard guard the border.
"Lord Seubard's method isn't applicable to us." Laing said helplessly, "Kakason and Tyrell share a border, so Lord Seubard can do that. Ugor's Kislöw would take at least three to four months by boat. How could they appear here for no reason?"
"But I think you've already thought of an excuse." François stared at Laing.
"What do you think … Ugor's Circus? An Ugor's Circus from Kislöw accepted our invitation to perform in Brittany for a long time. They'll bring joy to the serfs and nobles. They'll get two dancing bears from Kislöw. How about that? " Sure enough, Ryan said with a smirk, "Everyone will like it. If we encounter an enemy attack, these righteous Wugorians will spontaneously fight to protect the circus's tour. I don't think anyone will have any objections!"
"Hahahahaha!" François laughed loudly. The duke was amused by Laing. "You're really something! Laing! "
"It's all because of these rules." Laing couldn't stop laughing.
After laughing, François said to Laing, "Julius, Jerrold, and I will go to your room later. Let's have a meal together as a family. Suria will come too. Let's order hot pot. I've already asked the chefs to prepare the ingredients."
Hot pot was a delicacy from the Empire. It was said to be a favorite food of the people of Aurora on the other side of the Roof of the World. After it spread to Brittany, it gradually entered the nobles' court and became a special food culture in autumn and winter.
"Uh … Didn't you say it's not good to meet before marriage?" Laing was looking forward to it, but he still had to be reserved on the surface.
"It doesn't matter. It's not like you haven't met before marriage." François was very open-minded about this. Duke Winford's words were full of humor, "I've already allowed Suria to stay at your place for a few times. Why would you care about this?"
"Okay then."
Half an hour later, in Laing's room in the duke's castle.
As the future husband of the young lady, Laing naturally received the best treatment. François specifically gave him a large suite. Now, in the middle of the dining room, there was a large copper hot pot lit with charcoal. The main ingredients of the hot pot were beef slices, ham, pork chops, shrimp, spinach, onions, butter, and all kinds of condiments. Of course, Winford's best wine, Lysalus, was on the table.
Marchioness Suria, who hadn't seen Laing for months, was wearing a standard Brittany noble dress and black boots. Sitting next to Laing, her long blonde curly hair was fixed by a beautiful hairband. There was a charming smile on her delicate face. The female knight had been separated from Laing for months and indeed missed him. Now that she had the chance to sit with Laing and eat hot pot as a family, she was very satisfied. Sitting shoulder to shoulder with Laing, there was an intoxicating blush on her pink face.
The dining room was shrouded in white steam from the hot pot.
"What a pity. Sir Norman didn't want to come. He said that he had already eaten." Jerrold was also very happy. He said with some regret, "I think he's still afraid of seeing the duke."
"Not confident … is that so?" Julius's face was very grim. He picked up his glass and drank.
"Actually, it's nothing." François was also very happy. The duke had always loved his daughter, and Laing was the best match in the country. He was very satisfied. "It's just a meal together. But since he doesn't want to come, forget it. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Our sudden invitation was indeed a bit abrupt."
"Okay." Laing picked up a piece of beef and was about to rinse it.
Knock, knock, knock. Just then, there was a knock on the door.
"I'll get the door!" Jerrold was sitting closest to the door. Wiping his mouth with a tissue, he got up to open the door.
"Laing … Tonight I … Huh?" When the person saw that it was Jerrold who opened the door, she was instantly stunned.
Jerrold himself was even more surprised than her. When the knight saw who it was, his mouth fell open.
"Mo … Princess Morgiana?"
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