Steel, gunpowder, and spellcasters

Chapter 463 Rest Day (Part Two)

The "wolf riders" marched along the river, turned at the pool where the infantrymen washed their clothes, and sped towards the military camp.

The infantrymen looked enviously at the light cavalrymen's brand-new tunics, breeches, and boots, while they themselves were washing the coarse old clothes they had worn when they enlisted. Many of them even only had one set of old clothes, and once washed, they had nothing left to wear.

"Hey! See that? All new clothes and new riding breeches! Which company is so extravagant?"

The reply was lukewarm: "Which else could it be? Of course, it's the 'Wolf Riders.' Hmph, they wiped out six battalions of Midoriya in one go and made a fortune."

"But... weren't Midoriya's puppet troops defeated by us?" someone asked doubtfully. "Moreover, Lord Blood Wolf personally ordered that prisoners' clothes not be stripped off."

The person who answered punched their clothes hard and curled their lip in disdain: "What's the point of saying all this now? They're just getting a free ride! Pierre Michel's men are either Dussacs or mixed-race bastards. As soon as the war is over, they put on new clothes. Unlike us, who are so obedient..."

"Enough!" Lu Xirong stood up, his gaze lingering briefly on Company Commander Bunir, before he sternly rebuked, "What nonsense are you spouting? No one will think you're mute if you don't say anything!"

Then the others remembered: the company commander was still sitting nearby. Everyone shut up, and the only sound near the pool was the muffled thud of clothes being pounded.

Only Peter Bunier remained oblivious, still shirtless, engrossed in washing his only old shirt.

……

Following precedent, the Iron Peak County army camped outside the city of Artemis.

Because it had to accommodate three battalions of infantry, three companies of cavalry, and supply troops, the camp was larger than many towns, resembling a small city.

Pierre, Vahika, and the light cavalry dismounted at the third sentry post and led their mounts toward the main camp.

On the way, they ran into Li Wei, the company commander of the Seventh Company.

Livy was not one of the "centurions' old men" because he had not participated in the Battle of the Great Wilderness.

However, before the first army was established, Livy had followed the "Montagne garrison commander" in ambushing grain requisitioning teams, so he had a close relationship with Pierre.

Even from a distance, Levi greeted them enthusiastically in a loud voice: "Lieutenant Mitchell! Vasya!"

Pierre smiled and waved.

Li Wei gave a few instructions to the clerk beside him, then tucked the hardcover notebook under his arm and walked towards Pierre.

He glanced at Pierre's men, leaned back slightly, and exclaimed in exaggerated amazement, "Wow! It's only been a few days, and they've all changed into new clothes!"

Before Pierre could speak, Vahika interjected smugly, "That's right! When have we Dussac ever shortchanged ourselves?"

Li Wei grinned, shook his head helplessly, and changed the subject, asking, "How did the 'lassoing' go?"

“Of course it went smoothly.” Vashika pulled a leather bag out of his saddlebag as if by magic, proudly waving it in front of Levi: “Look at this!”

Pierre frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Put it away."

Vahika shrugged and obediently stuffed the bag back into the saddlebag.

Throughout the process, a constant clanging sound of metal clashing could be heard coming from inside the package.

"And you, Livy? What are you busy with again? Why aren't you resting?" Pierre's gaze swept over the hardcover notebook under Livy's arm, and he asked with slight disbelief, "From what I saw on the road, everyone has collapsed, they've lost the slightest bit of fighting spirit—does the tribunal allow this to happen?"

Li Wei listened with a smile and gently comforted them, "I understand what you mean, but we can't keep everyone on edge all the time! The soldiers are exhausted. They haven't had a single day of rest since leaving Revodan, and they even fought a major battle in between. It's only right that they take a shower now that we've finally returned to a safe place."

“Artemis is hardly safe—Rye County is just across the river.” Pierre frowned. “Besides, the war isn’t over yet.”

"That's something for you gentlemen to consider," Li Wei chuckled and said with a smile. "Don't worry about Leiqun County. There are people watching it. No matter what happens on the other side of the river, it won't escape your eyes. Besides, even if we have to continue fighting tomorrow, it won't be a problem to let everyone get a good rest today."

Pierre nodded slowly.

Li Wei subtly changed the subject, holding the hardcover notebook under his arm: "As for me? I'm busy treating you all."

Li Wei explained with a smile, "His Excellency has ordered that everyone eat better. But the supply wagons contain nothing but flour, dried meat, and gunpowder."

There was no other way but to buy things locally. But you have no idea how difficult it is to buy anything in a village. Often, before we even get into the village, everyone has already left.

Your Excellency taught me a method: set up a market next to the military camp, openly purchasing fruits, vegetables, cattle, and sheep, and waiting for nearby villagers to bring their goods over themselves.

"You said the centurion taught you..." Vasika was puzzled: "If you draw a circle on the ground and say it's a market, the farmers will obediently bring you their goods?"

"As long as the offer is attractive enough, it's fine." Li Wei patted the cover of the ledger.

"Wouldn't that still result in a huge loss?"

"Of course, the highest price is only offered on the first day, and then the price decreases with each subsequent offer. However, people who want to sell their goods will still come to sell because they have already trusted us."

Li Wei paused for a moment, then said meaningfully, "Of course, it would be most cost-effective to just rob it directly, but you are too soft-hearted to do such a thing."

Vahika chuckled: "The centurion has a soft heart?"

Pierre raised his hand to interrupt Vahika, pursed his lips, and nodded deeply to Levi: "Thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?" Li Wei smiled nonchalantly—this traveling merchant's son always had a cheerful look on his face: "It won't interfere with your reporting for duty. I'll come find you later."

After saying this, Li Wei nodded to Pierre and Vahika, then turned and left.

"Who's in charge of dividing up the camp areas now?" Pierre asked.

“Go find Rolf and have him arrange accommodations for you.” Levi turned around, comically backing away in a salute. “Make sure your men have room for you! Tonight we’re having beef stew with radishes. One pound of beef per person, and plenty of radishes!”

Pierre smiled and returned the greeting. Seeing his old friend brightened his mood.

"Let's go," Pierre ordered loudly. "Let's find a place to stay."

Continuing toward the barracks, passing through trenches, fences, a second trench, and walls, Pierre nodded slightly.

Although it was only a short-term stop, the camp had all the necessary defensive fortifications, showing no signs of laxity—indicating that the Iron Peak County Army was not as lax as it appeared.

Outside the main gate of the military camp, Pierre waited for Rolf, the commander of the 12th Company.

Upon learning that "Adjutant Mitchell" had returned to his post, Rolf jogged all the way to the main gate.

Without saying a word, Rolf immediately assigned four ready-made barracks to Pierre's men, and also enthusiastically provided them with hay, stables, and entry/exit tokens.

This saved Pierre a lot of effort, because his light cavalry carried neither tents nor cooking utensils, and all their equipment combined couldn't even fill two saddlebags.

Pierre thanked Rolf, but the 12th Company Commander just blushed and kept waving his hands.

“Lieutenant Mitchell,” Rolf said somewhat nervously, “you haven’t seen the centurion yet?”

“Not yet.” Pierre shook his head. “Then hurry up, hurry up!” Rolf urged kindly. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of your men. I guarantee the horses will be well-fed when you return.”

"What's wrong?" Pierre asked keenly. "Did something happen?"

Rolf did not answer, but urged, "Go see the centurion quickly, go now."

Pierre suppressed his doubts and calmly asked, "Is Your Excellency the Tribunal in the camp?"

"No, they're in the city. Once you leave the camp, head straight for Artemis. The First Battalion is guarding the city gates; they'll let you in directly."

"OK then."

Pierre untied the rope from the spare horse from the saddle and handed the spare horse's reins to Vasya.

“I’m not going with you.” Vashika took a leather bag out of his saddlebag and handed it to his friend, saying with a self-awareness, “If I go, I’ll definitely get a scolding.”

Pierre took the bag, nodded, then mounted his horse as if it were an extension of him, and galloped towards the city of Artemis.

After the first battle at Green Valley, Pierre broke away from Blood Wolf's direct command and led two squadrons of light cavalry on separate missions.

Commanding an army independently is undoubtedly a great honor. Apart from regular officers of the rank of Baominguan, there is no precedent for anyone else in the Tiefeng County Army to lead an army independently.

However, on the other hand, this arrangement also puts Pierre in a very vulnerable position.

Others might not agree with Pierre's view, but for the sensitive and meticulous Pierre, less than half a month after the division of troops, he could already sense a subtle estrangement among his comrades.

The military camp and the city wall are about a mile apart, which can be reached in the blink of an eye on horseback.

The company commander guarding the city gate recognized "Adjutant Mitchell," so he skipped the process of checking identification tags and directly ordered his men to remove the roadblocks.

Pierre thanked him and rode his horse into the city, where he ran into Andrea Cellini, who was about to leave the city.

Andrei was initially quite displeased, but upon seeing Pierre, he unexpectedly broke into a slight smile: "When did you get back?"

“Just now,” Pierre said with utmost humility, “Sir, what brings you here?”

Andrei snorted softly, "Let's go fishing."

Pierre's gaze passed over Tribunal Cellini's shoulder and landed on a young man carrying two fishing rods, following behind the tribunal. Pierre vaguely remembered that the man was also from Dussac, and his name was Nicolas? Or Alexander? He couldn't quite recall. So Pierre didn't call him by name, but simply nodded as a greeting.

The young man carrying the fishing rod immediately nodded politely in return.

Pierre asked the bailiff with a smile, "When did you develop a hobby of fishing?"

"Hobbies my ass!" Andrei spat. "He's just looking for a peaceful life!"

He explained impatiently, “The wealthy families in town want Winters to release the prisoners so their precious sons and grandsons can come home. But what happens? These bastards don’t dare to step forward themselves, so they push the farmers from nearby villages and towns to come out and have a bunch of old men petition… It’s so annoying to watch!”

"Is the Montagne tribunal receiving petitioners?" Pierre asked cautiously.

“Bard is dealing with them.” Andrei yawned, then realized, “You want to see Winters? Go straight to the garrison. Your centurion is even better at avoiding trouble than I am; why would he possibly be receiving some damn petitioners?”

Andrei burst into laughter, and Pierre chuckled a few times along with him.

Having laughed enough, Andrei reached out his large, bear-paw-like hand and patted Pierre on the shoulder with a hearty laugh: "You fought a brilliant battle in Midoriya. Don't worry about what others say, who cares? Winning is the most important thing!"

Having said that, Tribunal Andrea Cellini spurred his horse and rode off. Nicolas, carrying his fishing rod, saluted Pierre and hurriedly followed.

Pierre rubbed his aching shoulder and walked into Artemis's room.

There were no signs of battle left in the city; the streets had been cleaned thoroughly, and the shops along the streets had reopened.

The pedestrians on the street walked with a slightly hurried pace; men kept their heads down, and women wrapped their scarves around their necks, trying their best not to attract attention. Especially upon seeing Pierre, who was fully armed, everyone instinctively looked away.

Pierre arrived at the Vaughan garrison without any hindrance.

The layout of the Vogne County Garrison was similar to that of the Iron Peak County Garrison, consisting of a two-story building, a drill ground, and a surrounding wall.

As Pierre entered the stables, he saw a familiar figure humming a tune while brushing Longwind's mane. Not far away, Redmane was securely tied to a stable post.

Red Mane and Long Wind stared intently at each other, glaring angrily.

Pierre had no doubt that if they were released from their reins, the two uncastrated stallions would immediately fight to the death.

Hearing footsteps, the horse groom turned around and looked at Pierre, exclaiming in surprise, "Pierre!"

Pierre laughed genuinely: "Angloo."

Anglou dropped the brush and ran to Pierre. The two hugged tightly and kissed each other's cheeks repeatedly, following Dussac's tradition—but not on the lips, because that's something only old men do.

"Why are you here?" Pierre asked.

“I came with Tribunal Bard,” Anglu replied with a smile. “The Tribunal brought many people with him; this time, they are going to take over Vaughan County completely.”

Where is Bell?

"He was still wandering outside the border river, receiving surrendered Harts."

Pierre scrutinized Anglou; the former young horseman had shed his childishness and become capable and composed.

He didn't know what to say, so he hugged Anglu and kissed the latter's cheek hard.

The two chatted for a few minutes about their recent situations.

Anglu kept rambling on, "...Vorne County is a huge mess too. We need to measure the land as soon as possible and distribute the new batch of land grants. If we're lucky, we can catch the autumn planting season, which will greatly reduce our burden. If we miss the season, we'll have to wait until next year..."

Pierre listened patiently for a while, then suddenly asked, "You also think there won't be any more wars?"

“Who knows?” Anglu gave a wry smile, deliberately avoiding Pierre’s question. “All I know is that because the tribunal requisitioned too many horses, even lame horses are being used for plowing in Iron Peak County. Even if the war continues, the horses must regain some weight. Also, while the weather is still warm, the mare needs to be bred as soon as possible. Otherwise, in a few months, when the weather turns cold, the foals will only be born in the fall, and getting through the winter will be another difficult task…”

As they were talking, Anglou suddenly woke up, slapped his forehead, and asked Pierre, "You've come to see the centurion, haven't you?"

Pierre nodded, then shook his head: "No rush, I want to hear more about Iron Peak County from you."

"These things can be discussed at any time. You should go see the centurion first."

Anglu paused for a moment: "Blood Wolf is waiting for you."

[I've been quite busy with work lately, so the plot has progressed slowly. What should have been a single chapter has now been divided into three parts. Sorry, Orz]
[But there should still be three updates this week (＞人＜；)]