Steel, gunpowder, and spellcasters

Chapter 58 East Camp

A man rushed into the hall, shouting, "We've been attacked!"

"The guilty party is accusing the innocent first?!" Winters was furious when he heard someone shout that they had been attacked, and strode toward the person who had shouted.

Lieutenant Colonel Contel and Andrei, unaware of what was going on, followed behind.

When Winters was only a few steps away from the man, he realized that the man in front of him was not the assassin with the injured chin who had run away. The newcomer was wearing a field officer's uniform, while the assassin was dressed in a dark green hunting outfit.

Colonel Bozukhov reached the uninvited guest first, handed him a glass of wine, and gently said while holding his arm, "Don't rush, tell me slowly, what attack happened?"

The man, his hair matted with sweat, grabbed his glass and downed a full glass of sweet beer in one gulp. Only after finishing the beer did he recover. His eyes wide and he gasped for breath as he told Bozukhov, "Naval dock! Duckbill Fortress has fallen! General Cio has ordered all officers who have received the news to immediately assemble at the Eastern Camp."

Several gasps of surprise rippled through the crowd gathered around, and one woman nearly fainted.

Colonel Bozukhov gripped the man's shoulders tightly and demanded sharply, "Who attacked us?"

"I don't know!" the messenger shouted back, repeating, "General Cio's password: All army officers and soldiers who hear this password, assemble immediately at the East Camp! No mistakes allowed!"

Bozuhoff released the man who had brought the message, scanned the crowd, and asked loudly, "Who can confirm this gentleman's identity?"

“He was my classmate, from the 13th Artillery class, in the Ordnance Department. Everyone from the 13th class should know him.” Another man stepped forward.

Having confirmed the man's identity, Bozukhov nodded to the man who had stepped forward and loudly addressed everyone: "The naval dock has been attacked, the fortifications have fallen, and the enemy situation is unknown. Gentlemen not serving in the army, please take care of the ladies present. Gentlemen with army ranks, please follow me to the East Camp!"

The entire hall erupted in commotion. Officers ran around searching for their coats and swords, while ladies frantically asked those around them what had happened.

"By the Holy Sacrament, this is fucking damn bad." Contel cursed and strode toward the door. "Come with me, let's get the horses first."

Andrei followed Lieutenant Colonel Contel without hesitation. Winters had returned to the hall to look for the assassin, but suddenly received an emergency assembly order, leaving him momentarily at a loss.

After hesitating for a few seconds, Winters kicked a nearby stone pillar hard and cursed angrily, "That bastard got off easy!" He then quickly caught up with Contel and Andrei.

The small stables at Bozukhov's villa were now packed with people, and officers had to crane their necks over other people's shoulders to identify their own warhorses. The stable entrance was completely blocked, with people leading their horses out and others trying to get in.

The neighing of horses mingled with the shouting of people, making one's head spin. Every now and then, one could hear the question, "Why are you leading my horse?"

In a foul mood, Winters simply kicked open a fence, created a side door to the stable, and took a different route to lead Strong out.

Many people were already waiting in the front yard, chatting in small groups. Bozukhov sat on a tall blue horse with a gloomy expression, chewing tobacco with his jaw moving as he silently counted the number of people in his mind.

He rode his spirited warhorse, his mind in tune with his master's, and at that moment he was impatiently pawing at the lawn with his front hooves.

Bozukhov spat the sticky chewing tobacco residue on the ground. The colonel couldn't wait any longer and said to the officers who were ready to leave, "We're leaving now. The rest of you can catch up from behind."

With that, he took the lead and rushed out of the courtyard. Winters and Andrei exchanged a glance and followed the others out.

————Cut————

Outside the eastern suburbs of Hailan City, the army camp commonly known as "Dongdaying" was also in chaos, with the camp gates wide open.

Colonel Bozukhov, without slowing his pace, led the officers directly through the camp gate. Charging through the camp gate on horseback was a serious offense punishable by fifteen lashes, but clearly now was not the time to pursue that matter.

Dongdaying was a standard army camp that could accommodate six to seven thousand people, exactly the size of a full-strength corps plus auxiliary cavalry.

The camp is rectangular in shape, with a three-meter-high outer wall and a ditch surrounding it. Inside, two main roads, one horizontal and one vertical, intersect perpendicularly, and the four main gates are located at the intersection of the main roads and the walls.

The buildings closer to the center of the military camp are the most important. The outermost ring near the outer wall consists of soldiers' barracks, followed by stables and officers' barracks. At the very center where the two roads intersect are the residences of high-ranking officers, warehouses, the military council hall, and the legion's treasury.

The East Camp is the garrison of the Fourth "Florence [City of Flowers]" Legion, but the Fourth Legion is currently facing off against the United Provinces to the north, and there are no soldiers left in the camp except for a small number of maintenance personnel.

Bozukhov rode without stopping, heading straight for the center of the camp. At this moment, only this one place in the camp was lit; the other barracks were pitch black.

An elderly soldier with gray hair, dressed in a general's uniform, stood prominently at the crossroads on horseback, accompanied by several guards. Further back, many officers had arrived upon hearing the news, and the crossroads were filled with shouts and the neighing of horses.

Bozukhov stepped forward, saluted, and the two exchanged a few words. Then, Bozukhov returned and loudly told the officers who had come with him, "Go to the back and find your superiors, and assemble according to your assigned departments."

The officers dispersed, and Winters searched around in the chaos when someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and saw it was Lieutenant Colonel Field.

The lieutenant colonel nodded to him, then turned and led him to the back of the military council hall, where most of the Army Headquarters personnel rested. The officers were gathered in small groups by department, some sitting, some standing, smoking and talking in hushed tones.

Winters followed Field to the eaves, where a man sat on the ground, leaning against the wall, his face covered by a hat, dozing. Judging by his build, it was undoubtedly Major Moritz.

All three members of the military police were present. Field moved a rock and sat down, asking Winters, "You received orders too?"

“Someone ran to the Bozuhoff estate to deliver the message.” Winters also sat down on the ground: “The item has been retrieved; it’s in my saddlebag.”

Upon hearing this, Lieutenant Colonel Field stood up, opened Qiangyun's saddlebag, pulled out the documents inside, and exclaimed, "How much did you take?" "I took out everything that might be useful," Winters said, scratching his head sheepishly.

"I'll take a look at it tomorrow." The lieutenant colonel shoved the documents back into his hand and sized up Winters. "You didn't bring a weapon?"

“I came directly from the Duelist Club without any weapons.”

“Come with me to get it.” Lieutenant Colonel Field walked ahead. “I reckon Zio is waiting for two battalions from the Third Army Corps. We’ll set off as soon as those two battalions arrive.”

"Who attacked the naval docks? We haven't been at war with anyone, have we?" Winters said, following behind the lieutenant colonel. "I ran into an assassin from the docks at the Duelists' Club tonight..."

"What?" Field stopped in surprise and turned around.

“I ran into an assassin from the docks in the stables.”

Field frowned and asked, "Are you sure you didn't see wrong?"

“His build and physique are very similar to that assassin’s, and he even has a wound on his chin. I tested him a bit, and he immediately attacked me.” Winters gritted his teeth and said, “Unfortunately, he got away. That bastard used dirty tricks, throwing dirt and grass clippings in my face, which got into my eyes.”

"You met him at the Bozuhoff Villa?"

"Yes."

"Sure?"

“I’m sure!” Winters said decisively.

Field patted Winters on the shoulder: "It's alright if they ran away. Since they showed up at Bozuhoff Villa, it means they have a strong connection with the Duelists Club, which means we're on the right track. But remember, if you run into them again, don't act rashly on your own. They really will fight you to the death, so be careful."

"That assassin would never have been able to beat me if he hadn't resorted to underhanded tactics," Winters said, still seething with indignation.

Field sighed, turned around and continued walking, saying slowly and deliberately, "Porcelain doesn't mix with pottery, understand?"

Winters gave a defiant "Oh" and followed the lieutenant colonel.

The key to the armory door at the East Camp was taken away by the armorer of the Fourth Army Corps, so the three iron locks on it were pried open.

Because most officers received emergency assembly orders suddenly and arrived at the East Camp unarmed on horseback, a senior officer with a few men took over the area and distributed weapons and armor to officers who needed them.

Winters received a breastplate, a helmet, and a saber, only then realizing that bloodshed might truly be brewing tonight.

He hurriedly asked Lieutenant Colonel Field, "Who exactly attacked the naval dock... What's at the naval dock? There's no money there."

"I don't know. I was called here by a knock on the door, and they didn't say anything to me." The lieutenant colonel kicked the sleeping major Moritz awake: "Wake up, put on your armor."

Major Moritz yawned, stretched his shoulders, and then stood up and slowly moved all his joints.

Field was furious at the major's lazy demeanor. He kicked the major again: "Stop dawdling."

After Winters helped Lieutenant Colonel Field and Major Moritz fasten their breastplates, the lieutenant colonel picked up Winters' breastplate and gestured for Winters to stand in front of him.

Squires would help knights put on their armor, and lower-ranking officers would help higher-ranking officers. However, it was a matter of tradition that those of higher rank would not help those of lower rank put on their armor.

Winters was somewhat flattered: "I can wear it myself."

"Stop talking nonsense." Lieutenant Colonel Field roughly pulled Warrant Officer Montagne to his side, and while putting the breastplate on Winters, he said, "There are too many officers and too few soldiers in Hailan City. Right now, there are only two battalions of the Third Army Corps, and they are stationed in the west of the city. I don't know when they will be able to come. I am worried that Zio will not be able to wait and will just use us as common soldiers."

"How come the Third Army Corps arrived slower than us?"

Lieutenant Colonel Field scoffed, "Who told the officers to all have warhorses? They rode over as soon as they heard the news. Well, now you infantrymen will be dragoons tonight."

The lieutenant colonel quickly helped Winters put on his breastplate and then carefully checked all the belt buckles. After confirming that they were all securely fastened, he patted the metal plate on Winters' back: "Alright, move around a bit and see if anything feels uncomfortable... How's your slashing practice going?"

“Not very good,” Winters answered honestly. “The infantry department no longer has courses on immediate chopping.”

"Just aim for the head." Lieutenant Colonel Field mounted his horse and demonstrated a few slashes: "Keep your legs tight, and after the slash, bring the blade back to its original position from your side in small circles. Don't linger in the fight; you're a cavalryman now, you have four legs, so if you can't win, just run."

Another rider galloped into the camp gate and raced all the way to the crossroads. The horse reared up, and the rider jumped off and strode over to the old soldier in the general's uniform, the chairman of the thirteen-member council, a member of the five-member council, and the governor, General Zio, and reported to him in a low voice.

Five minutes later, all officers in the East Camp received orders to immediately advance towards the naval dock and recapture the Duckbeak Fortress.

Thank you to all the readers who voted for the book before, and thank you to readers 烟云散 and 20181013204343295 for your votes. Thank you everyone.

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(End of this chapter)