Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 518 The 3000-strong elite army is achieved; the fantastical army of the Black Forest Territory.

To Su Li and Fandral's astonishment, Oliver stepped forward and began to explain clearly the source of his confidence behind this seemingly unbelievable speed:
"First and foremost, there is the foundation of our own territory. As I previously reported to you, our plan to expand our army and modernize our forces was quietly launched as early as the autumn harvest season. The core principle is to 'accumulate resources and train troops,' gradually replacing the armed squires who were previously used as a supplement to the main force with true elite knights. Currently, this plan is very effective, and the number of elite knights trained and recruited by our territory has steadily exceeded 1,500 and continues to grow."

"Secondly, the fresh troops who have just returned from the expedition." Oliver held up a second finger. "The five thousand soldiers who went to Mount Oka to participate in the Holy Expedition were not on a sightseeing trip. They gained the most effective training in the brutal battles against the Greenskins, the Undead, and even the remnants of Chaos. Among them, nearly a thousand warriors broke through their limits in the baptism of blood and fire, and in terms of strength, equipment adaptability, and combat experience, they have reached the level of elite knights! They are a ready-made, battle-tested elite force!"

He clasped his hands together, making a crisp sound: "My lord, let's do a quick calculation: our current force of over 1,500, plus the nearly 1,000 returning from the expedition, has easily surpassed 2,500! We're just one step away from 3,000. We'll then select the best to make up the remaining few hundred. Three days is not an exaggeration."

At this point, Oliver straightened his back, a pride and vigor belonging to frontier pioneers that was completely different from the nobles of the empire's interior appeared on his face: "However, Lord, Steward Fandall, we must clearly recognize one thing: our Hessian territory is completely different from those traditional nobles within the empire who guard their ancestral property and follow the established order!"

His voice became firm and powerful: "We are situated in the border princely territory, a place fraught with danger yet also full of opportunities. We are backed by the mysterious and rich Black Forest foothills, adjacent to the Grey Mountains, our dwarf allies, and facing the vast and unknown Black Pine Forest! Our army is destined to be more diverse and stronger than theirs!"

"Our 'elite force' isn't just made up of traditional human knights!" Oliver's eyes gleamed. "We also have the heavily armored, assault-skilled Ironbreakers, acquired through our alliance with the Gray Mountain Dwarves! We have halflings, fantastical creatures, and exceptionally capable special units! And, when necessary, we can even get help from those giant stags, behemoths, and other fantastical beings who have recognized our order!"

“Therefore,” he concluded, his tone brimming with confidence, “when we say ‘three thousand elite knights,’ the actual combat power they embody is far beyond what three thousand human knights in an ordinary count’s territory within the empire can match. We have assembled a truly formidable border army in just three days, an army that would make any enemy, including those arrogant nobles of the interior, take notice! This is the kind of military expansion that is commensurate with the status and current situation of our Black Forest Territory!”

Su Li immediately understood Oliver's plan. There was no doubt that the 3000 elite infantry and cavalry of the Black Forest Territory did not need to be all elite knights like the Empire, but rather had a more fantastical borderland feel.

Su Li nodded approvingly and asked, "What is the composition ratio of these fantasy troops?"

Oliver nodded slightly, having anticipated Su Li's question, and explained in detail as if reciting a familiar story:
"First and foremost, there is the solid strength provided by our dwarven allies. In addition to the two squadrons of Thunder Musketeers already integrated into the standing army, we also possess three full squadrons of Ironbreaker Warriors." He emphasized this point. "The Ironbreaker Warriors are the true elite heavy infantry of the dwarven clans, the bedrock of the front lines. In terms of resilience and defensive capabilities in brutal close combat, few units in the Old World can rival them. If compared to the Imperial military system, their battlefield value is comparable to the precious half-griffin knights, and even if they are slightly inferior, they are definitely among the best of the elite knightly orders, a pillar we can rely on."

“But that’s far from all,” Oliver said, shifting his focus to the deeper potential of the war effort. “Our alliance with the Grey Mountain Dwarves, and the provincial council’s heavy investment in the Holy Industrial Alliance and its core—the Bauhinia Holy Flame Foundry and the Blackwood Gun Academy—are continuously producing powerful war machines. From relatively lightweight mortars and mobile war wagons to powerful cannons and even sophisticated dwarven helicopters, our production lines are fully operational.”

Su Li nodded in satisfaction and pressed for key data: "What is the exact number of these war machines currently?"

“Reporting to you, sir,” Oliver replied smoothly, “we currently have 18 mortars, which can accompany the troops on their movements; 12 war vehicles designed specifically for field operations; 4 cannons as heavy firepower; and the most agile air force—the Warhammer helicopters—has been organized into 3 squadrons, totaling 12 aircraft, responsible for reconnaissance and assault.”

He then explained: "The key to limiting the scale of our military's war machine is not production capacity, but two core elements: qualified operators and continuous logistical support."

He first held up one finger: "Firstly, there's manpower. Even the most basic mortar requires at least two experienced dwarven gunners to operate effectively. And for complex machinery like cannons and helicopters, the technical personnel needed are even more valuable. While large-scale recruitment of dwarven craftsmen and technicians can quickly build more artillery squadrons, it will inevitably severely impact our own military production and territory development. At the same time, the logistical support requirements for these technical personnel are far higher than those for ordinary infantry, which will greatly increase our supply burden."

Then, he extended a second finger, his expression becoming even more grave: "The second, and most critical, constraint is gunpowder and special ammunition. The Imperial Engineering Academy's improved 'cavity explosive shell' is incredibly powerful, capable of concentrating and spraying flame energy, but it has extremely high requirements for production processes, resulting in limited output. To provide sufficient ammunition for the existing eighteen mortars, four cannons, and the helicopter squadron's bombs, our foundries, especially the 'Bauhinia Holy Flame Foundry,' need to operate at full capacity. Otherwise, a high-intensity battle would be enough to deplete our reserves for several months."

Oliver concluded by saying, “My lord, what I just reported refers to field troops available for mobile warfare. In fact, within the permanent fortifications of our major towns, especially Blacksin and Flashspear, there are also a considerable number of defensive artillery pieces permanently deployed, such as six heavy mortars and a large number of vengeful catapults in each town. They are also the cornerstone of protecting the territory, but they also consume precious gunpowder reserves. Therefore, when planning military operations, we must consider the ammunition consumption of the entire territory as a whole.”

This intelligence was undoubtedly very encouraging. Su Li's eyes brightened as he continued to ask, "Besides the dwarves, what's the situation with the other troops?"

Oliver smiled proudly, clearly having planned this in detail: "My lord, the real highlight, without a doubt, is our Amethyst Ironclad Army!"

His voice rose a few decibels, filled with anticipation for this new force: "Under the personal supervision of Crimson Dragon Morkana, the construction of the Amethyst Ironclad Army is progressing at full speed. Currently, our goal is to prioritize the formation and completion of the training and equipment distribution of four full-strength squadrons! These warriors are destroyers who ride the winds of death, and their long-range strike capabilities are among the best in our territory and even the entire border princely territory."

Su Li quickly did the mental calculations: four squadrons, each with a standard strength of 120 men, that's nearly five hundred men. A look of delight appeared on his face, and he clapped his hands, exclaiming, "My dean, you were absolutely right! By that calculation, our true 'elite' force has already surpassed three thousand!"

Unable to contain his excitement, he continued his analysis: "The volley fire of the Amethyst Ironclad Army is far more powerful than ordinary arrows. It's an energy shock driven by the winds of death; the explosive force of a single volley is comparable to the magical breath of a dragon! Imagine that scene—"

Su Li seemed to have already seen the battlefield of the future. When the Chaos Warriors' formation, the beastmen's horde, and even the thick-skinned trolls, the raging minotaurs, and even the twisted and mutated Chaos Eggs launched their charge... what awaited them was a net of destruction woven by the Amethyst Ironclad Army.

The terrifying scene would be incredibly impactful, with corrosive purple energy beams raining down on the monster horde like a storm. The trolls' prized regenerative abilities would become meaningless under the corrosive power of the death winds, their flesh and blood withering and disintegrating instantly. The minotaurs' thick plate armor and tough skin would be easily pierced, their massive bodies falling in rows. Even the shapeless and difficult-to-kill Chaos Eggs would emit painful screams under the continuous energy bombardment, eventually disintegrating into a pool of writhing debris.

As long as the Black Forest Territory's front line can hold, giving the Amethyst Ironclad Army time to fire a volley, any enemy attempting to charge head-on into the Black Forest Territory's army formation will pay an unbearable price before even getting close!
Su Li finally concluded with absolute certainty: "Such a strategic ranged force is far more valuable than an equal number of ordinary knights. Including them, our three thousand elite troops are truly three thousand elite troops, brimming with deadly killing intent!"

Oliver's eyes gleamed even brighter as he nodded vigorously, his voice filled with the fervor of someone displaying a precious treasure: "My lord, our fantastical army is far more than this! Please do not underestimate the halfling forces of our territory—especially our meticulously assembled 'Black Swan Knights'!"

He was well aware of the limitations of halflings in traditional thinking, and immediately emphasized their unique value: "Admittedly, when it comes to the courage and strength of fighting in formation and charging head-on, halflings may not be able to compare with human knights or dwarf warriors. But they have unique advantages in flank patrolling, reconnaissance, harassment, and support on the battlefield that are difficult for any other race to match!"

“Therefore,” Oliver solemnly announced, “our Hessian territory has invested resources to form an entire squadron of Black Swan Knights. Please note, my lord, these are not the free militias or fiefdom militias composed of farmers, equipped with a motley collection of weapons, and only fit for guarding towns. The Black Swan Knights are a true elite mobile force!” He described in detail the significance of this special unit: “They wear top-grade leather armor tanned by skilled halfling craftsmen using special materials and techniques, which grants them near-perfect invisibility! Unless the enemy gets extremely close, they are completely undetectable to the naked eye. Imagine the scene of two armies facing off: the opposing soldiers will only see deadly arrows suddenly appearing out of thin air from very close range, like invisible reapers reaping lives, but they will never find the archers' location—because they are riding trained black swans, silently hovering above the battlefield!”

After listening, Su Li quickly found a suitable analogy: "This fighting style is quite similar to the troublesome 'gutter rats' of the ratmen. Those filthy creatures can also remain invisible from a distance, hiding behind a dense sea of ​​slave rats, specifically hunting down lightly armored units, archers, and even important clergy of other races. They are enemies that many troops hate and fear."

“Your analogy is very accurate, sir!” Oliver agreed, further pointing out the upgrades of the Black Swan Knights: “But our Swan Knights have an even greater advantage. They possess mobility unmatched by gutter rats, allowing them to shift firing positions at any time, always making the enemy's shields and defenses a step behind. More importantly, they are irreplaceable top-tier reconnaissance units. In the vast battlefields or complex mountainous terrain, the intelligence value that a squad of invisible aerial cavalry can obtain is unimaginable for ground scouts. It is difficult, if not almost impossible, for the enemy to detect the ‘eyes’ above their heads.”

Oliver concluded, "Therefore, this Black Swan Knights squadron may not be used for decisive frontal assaults, but they will be the enemy's nightmare, our army's most sensitive tentacles and most concealed stingers. Their presence will greatly enhance our army's battlefield awareness and tactical flexibility."

"Moreover, my lord, the existence of the Black Swan Knight gives us a unique advantage over most other forces in the Old World—because it is well known that halflings always have a way of 'getting along' with ogres, and can even become their reliable partners and employers."

"Therefore, these halflings used their 'superior negotiation skills' to recruit and maintain a top-tier mercenary force of 120 Ogre Iron Stomach warriors—the Ogre Iron Stomach Force."

Iron Stomach Army!

The mere mention of this name caused Vandal to change color and marvel!

While there may still be debate about whether the Ironbreaker is the top-tier unit of the dwarves, no one would dare to question or shake the status of the Iron Stomach!

The Ironstomach Ogres are the highest-ranking and best-equipped ogres of any tribe mentioned. They charge into battle armed with massive two-handed weapons, ranging from enormous crescent-shaped scimitars to boulders strapped to tree trunks, or oversized versions of traditional ogre maces. The Ironstomach Ogres display their elite status with massive, adorned stomach shields and cover their thick arms and stone-like heads with heavy armor pieced together from years of accumulated spoils.

Although the Iron Stomachs were not far superior in strength to their kin, they still deserved their status because they were often personally selected by the tyrant. Therefore, a squad of Iron Stomachs might include the tyrant's direct relatives, while the others might be his favorite drinking companions. That is to say, for most extremely powerful tribes, there were indeed squads composed of Iron Stomachs. This was especially true of wealthy or powerful tribes, as they could easily afford the expensive weaponry required for a squad of Iron Stomachs.

Almost no one could withstand the onslaught of a formidable Iron Stomach corps. Any enemy soldier not felled by this attack was subsequently crushed, trampled, and hacked to pieces by the massive weapons wielded by the Iron Stomachs. Those who survived this brutal assault risked being trampled to death by the Iron Stomachs' massive, iron-booted feet.

Iron Stomach units are often used to launch a major offensive, maintain the front line, or are kept as backup by certain tyrants. There's a traditional ogre proverb to describe things going badly: "All in, every last Iron Stomach." No matter when or where they are deployed, no matter their numerical disadvantage, this rock-solid force can always find an opportunity to carve a bloody path to victory.

As a result, they achieved too many glorious victories in the Old World!
In the Battle of the Lava River, the ogre Stonebreaker tribe was ambushed by a massive Skaven tribe. The ogre force was completely surrounded and outnumbered by a hundred times, and they were slowly driven back to the river filled with red-hot lava—the place from which the battle took its name.

Just when defeat seemed inevitable, the Iron Stomachs of this unit launched a fierce charge, tearing a gap in the Skaven lines. The Iron Stomachs swung their weapons wildly through the swarm of rats, widening the breach and splattering blood and carcasses everywhere. Realizing their core had been utterly destroyed by the Iron Stomachs' onslaught, the entire Skaven army was terrified and fled in panic. This secured a great victory and the ensuing Skaven barbecue feast.

When the ogres discovered a dwarven mine atop Spikes Peak, it was a squad of Iron Stomachs that broke through the gates; during the War of Blood and Ice, it was a squad of Iron Stomachs that held the line and ultimately defeated the black-armored Chaos Warriors, driving out the tribes of the North who had never seen the light of day. Perhaps it is because of these achievements that the Iron Stomach is represented by the unwavering belief within its own strengths.

This stems not only from the Iron Stomachs' undeniable superior combat skills in battle, but also from the gluttony competitions they participated in to prove themselves. These feats served as both a primitive initiation celebration for the Iron Stomachs and an opportunity to showcase themselves to the rest of the tribe at a feast.

Oliver smiled knowingly at Fandral's astonishment, then further explained to Su Li how to use this precious force: "My lord, the Iron Stomach Warriors are indeed incredibly powerful, but precisely because of their enormous size and the need to wield giant weapons, if they were to be arrayed in dense formations like ordinary infantry, it would be a waste and a constraint on their strength."

He used a precise analogy: "Therefore, our use of them is more similar to the Empire's strategy towards the half-griffin knights—deploying them into small, elite battle groups. Twenty-four Iron Stomach warriors can form a powerful battle group capable of shaking the front lines. Although we nominally only have one squadron of Iron Stomach, in reality, this means we can flexibly deploy five such devastating battle groups."

"Twenty-four Iron Stomach warriors can form a battle group..." Su Li repeated the number in a low voice, his eyes filled with undisguised shock. He quickly compared it in his mind: "You know, even our elite knights need sixty men to form a standard combat unit. This means that a twenty-four-man Iron Stomach battle group's battlefield impact and defensive capabilities are probably enough to directly confront or even suppress the charge of a sixty-man elite knight battle group!"

"Of course, if facing the Empire's elite half-griffin knights, Iron Stomach might be at a disadvantage. Half-griffin knights, with their mounts' anti-large creature bonuses and their unparalleled melee skills, are indeed the bane of heavy units. But we must recognize that half-griffin knights are the pinnacle of the Empire's military power, the cream of the crop. The fact that Iron Stomach warriors, with only twenty-four men, are qualified to contend with or even fight against a squad of half-griffin knights already fully demonstrates their terrifying level of strength!"

Thinking of this, Su Li's gaze swept over Oliver, his tone filled with admiration and affirmation: "And we have 120 such powerful Iron Stomach Warriors under our command! This means that in crucial battles, we can deploy five of these steel hammers at any time, enough to create a decisive breakthrough at any point on the front line. The Ogre race truly deserves to be the mercenaries favored by all races of the Old World. No wonder they had the power to carry out genocide against the entire Titan race back then."

He took a deep breath, surveying the vast armory. He could already see the formidable military force it represented, rapidly taking shape: "The immovable bulwark of the Ironbreaker Warriors, the death net woven by the Amethyst Ironclad Army, the invisible blades provided by the Black Swan Knights, and the indestructible hammer of the Iron Stomach Warriors… complemented by dwarven engineering-engineered war machines and a human elite soon to expand to three thousand. My Dean, what you have envisioned for me is a truly resilient, cunning, and destructive frontier army! The framework of our army is complete, and it is far more powerful and…exciting than I imagined!"

Soon, the entire border princely territory will feel the unparalleled power of the Black Forest Territory, which was personally created by Su Li.

After farming for so long, we've finally built up this elite and fantastical army. It's time to go out and crush our opponents!

At least until the intervention of dukes or even electors, no force in the northern border princely territories can stop his advance. The vast lands between Hessian Territory and Maleburg are about to fall entirely into his control.

(End of this chapter)