The Witcher World: The Path to Domination Begins in Velen

Chapter 107 Military Drills and Coordinated Operations

The next morning, just as the sun was rising.

Erwin, carrying the newly compiled reports, hurried into the main building lobby.

"Ron, our newly hired dwarven demolition master, Kazimir Bashir, is back."

Erwin unfolded the drawings on the table and pointed to several markings on them.

"This exploration trip was quite fruitful. We discovered two ore veins in the hilly area on the edge of our territory. The iron ore reserves are above average, enough to support our current needs."

He paused, his brow furrowing slightly. "However, once the waterworks are upgraded, consumption will increase dramatically, which will put us under some pressure. I suggest we finalize trade contracts with several suitable mines as an extra reserve. Mahakam was originally the most suitable option. We could sail east along the Embra River next to the manor, passing Lavaredi Castle, and rounding the Ismina River to reach the Mahakam Mountains. The entire route could be taken by water. But now Nilfgaard is stationed in Vizimar, and if we go to war, this route will be completely cut off."

Ron stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the expanding workshop area in the distance, and replied calmly.

"Don't rush things with Mahakam. We can look for suitable suppliers within Redania. Novigrad's port trade network covers half of the north, so we should be able to find some powerful ore merchants there."

He turned and walked to the long table. "I'll be going to Skellige soon to discuss maritime trade and the purchase of warships. Let's also talk about the ore trade. If we can reach an agreement, the ore issue will be resolved."

"Understood," Erwin nodded, preparing to put away the blueprints.

"Also," Ron interrupted him, "please ask this dwarf master to come here; I have some questions for him."

Before long, the hall door was pushed open, and Kazimierz Bash walked in. The dwarf master was stocky, with a dark brown beard braided into a neat plait.

He didn't bow, but instead patted his chest forcefully, his voice booming, "Sir, thank you for the job offer. Since you've hired me, I assure you in the name of my ancestors that I will not let you down. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Master Bashi," Ron looked at him. "I need your cooperation with my alchemists in a new experiment, a test of the power of gunpowder. This is related to my future plans."

"Gunpowder?" Bashir's eyebrows shot up. "Sir, what do you want to test? Explosion radius? Explosion efficiency?"

still...."

"I want them all." Ron's lips curled up slightly. "Erwin, call Henry along too. I've heard him mention it. He's experienced in this area. Give me the experimental report as soon as it's ready."

"I need to know the full potential of gunpowder. My alchemist and Henry will explain the details to you. The experimental site will be the abandoned quarry north of Raven's Nest."

"Don't worry, sir!" Bashir rubbed his hands together excitedly. "I'll take this job!"

Around noon, on the tree-lined path on the west side of the manor.

Kayla was holding Margarita's arm, followed by the recently recovered Siel and five or six sorceresses from Aretusa. They had just come out of Aina's infirmary and were heading to the main building when they were drawn to the commanding voices coming from afar.

Margarita stopped in her tracks. "That's... the direction of the training grounds?"

Kayla narrowed her eyes. "Hmm, let's go. If we're interested, we can go take a look. They won't mind."

As they crossed the courtyard, the sight before them took everyone's breath away.

On the training ground, thousands of fully armed regular army soldiers were lined up. The lamellar armor of the heavy infantrymen gleamed with a cool, matte light in the sunlight, their spears pointed straight to the sky, the robes of the light infantrymen fluttered in the wind, and the crossbowmen strung their heavy crossbows, the bolts gleaming coldly.

At the rear of the formation, the cavalry, armored cavalrymen lined up in a row, their full plate armor covering the knights and horses from head to toe, their huge lances held upright at their sides, and their squires following closely behind. The entire army stood silently on the training ground.

Ron emerged from the rear of the formation, clad in full iron plate armor, helmetless, his heavy two-handed greatsword resting on the ground, its tip embedded in the earth. Sunlight streamed onto his profile, casting a cold, hard shadow.

"I am Ron Arenicos, your lord, your commander, and the one who will fight alongside you in the future."

""

Ron's voice was deep and resolute, clearly resonating throughout the entire training ground, carrying an unquestionable authority.

"Some of you know me, and some are meeting me for the first time today, but that doesn't matter. You only need to remember one thing: follow the direction my sword tip points, and let me crush any enemy who dares to stand in our way. Now, let me see the results of your training!"

Ron mounted his horse, and the black warhorse let out a long neigh, carrying Ron into the center of the formation, its hooves pounding heavily on the rammed earth.

"Armor and shield formation to deter cavalry!"

With a roar from Ron, the front-line heavy infantry slammed their shields into the ground with a resounding crash.

Their bodies pressed firmly against the shields, their spears planted on the ground at an angle forward. The soldiers in the rear held their spears horizontally, forming a perfect cross angle with the spear formation in front. In less than half a breath, the entire training ground transformed into a deadly steel matrix, with the spear tips pointing forward.

Kayla crossed her arms, her gaze never leaving Ron's back. Margarita stood beside Kayla, her hands folded in front of her, her eyes quickly scanning the army formation, seemingly counting something, probably calculating the size of the army.

"Prepare your javelins!"

The soldier in the center of the formation drew his javelin from behind, held it against his shoulder, his muscles tense, ready to throw it at any moment.

"put!"

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Hundreds of javelins shot into the sky with a whistling sound as they tore through the air, paused briefly at their highest point, and then slammed into the target area in front of them. The straw targets were instantly pierced by the javelins, raising clouds of dust. Some of the wooden frames were smashed, and the straw targets flew out and rolled several times before coming to a stop.

"Royal Guards Archers! Crossbowmen Sergeants! Flanking ranged suppression!"

The archers in the formation quickly spread out to the left and right flanks, forming an open fan-shaped angle. The longbowmen drew their bows to the fullest extent, and the crossbowmen used a three-stage firing technique, with arrows raining down on the target in front of them with almost no gaps. The arrows and crossbow bolts intersected in the air, creating a shadow.

After several salvos, the target area was scattered beyond recognition, and even the wooden stakes buried in the ground were pierced.

Xi'er's gaze fell on the crossbowmen. She had seen countless volleys on the battlefield, but this was the first time she had ever seen a unit where not a single soldier deviated from the rhythm throughout the entire process.

"Cavalry! Wedge formation! Set up your guns!"

Thirty fully armed cavalrymen formed an arrowhead shape, with their massive lances held at their sides, the tips of the lances aligned in a line. Their squires followed closely behind, and they surged forward like a massive torrent. As the wedge formation charged, the infantry formation instantly dispersed to the sides, clearing a path for the charge without the slightest confusion.

The moment the lance struck the wooden stake, it was torn apart by the enormous impact, sending wood chips flying into the air. The squire followed, his longsword slashing at the remaining target, leaving only scattered wood fragments where the horses' hooves had trampled.

Margarita couldn't help but gasp, whispering, "These...these are his soldiers? If I remember correctly, he's just a warlord, right? Or does he have some identity I don't know about?"

Kayla's lips curved into a smile, and she nudged Margarita lightly with her elbow. "How was it? Not bad, right?"

Margarita glanced at her, a smile playing on her lips. "Are you referring to his military talent, or something else?"

A mischievous glint flashed in Kayla's eyes. "Yes, in every sense of the word..."

'

Margarita didn't ask any further questions, but simply turned her gaze back to the training ground.

"So what are your lord's plans? What role does he need warlocks to play on the battlefield?"

"I haven't heard him mention it, but he's going to Skellige soon to discuss some things. Before that, I suggest you talk to him."

"Now, let's go take a look at your new lab; it's all cleaned up now."

Margarita smiled gently. "Okay, then lead the way."

On the training field, Ron dismounted from his horse, and Carl was walking briskly towards him from the direction of the formation. Ron nodded to him.

"Not bad. We'll give the soldiers an extra meal tonight and tell them that their pay will double this month. Starting tomorrow, all battalion-level units will begin mixed training according to the new organizational structure."

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