Translator: Wuxia Dog Editor: Wuxia Dog
The oath-taking rally finally convened. There were a total of eight cavalry brigades and twenty-two infantry brigades in the Riptide Regiment, among which six cavalry brigades and fifteen infantry brigades had come to the Ninth Town, accounting for more than two-thirds of the total military force of the regiment. As for the others, if they hadn’t arrived by now, there was no point waiting.
Ronning, the most popular general, made a mobilization speech. He first condemned the crimes of the vampires, and then directed their spearhead at Black Raven City, the base of Zaganide. Beitman had never initiated any wars against foreign territories since its fracture, nor had any foreign territories launched any wars against it. At this point, the vampire attacks irritated the entirety Beitman, and Ronning’s speech brought upon thunderous applause and cheers.
Han Jin observed the scene from a distance and concluded that Knight Conrad might not have been not as naive as people thought… He gave power to the leaders of the brigades before his death and decentralized the whole regiment, stationing the brigades in different places, which made it difficult for the generals to gather military power. Now, even though years had passed, Reg still easily summoned most of the troops to Ninth Town thanks to Conrad’s strategy of breaking up the whole into parts.
The power of the leaders of each brigade was granted by Knight Conrad. If they wanted to maintain their legitimacy and keep their power, they must maintain their loyalty to Knight Conrad. As long as their loyalty to Knight Conrad held true, their power would hold and their cause would be justified, at least right in the eyes of the soldiers. What’s more, the scattered troops also enabled the leaders to use their power to the fullest.
Therefore, when Reg issued a call, no matter what they were thinking, they must come! To betray Reg would be like betraying Conrad, which would cause them to lose their own legitimacy. They would rather come to Ninth Town to chance their luck than await their doom—being forced to hand over their rights in the future.
Of course, Han Jin’s theory was quite cynical. Most of the generals were straightforward people who would not think so much. They came with their subordinates as soon as they received Reg’s call.
As the old saying goes, it was easy to invite a tiger into your house, but hard to drive it out. The four castellans had just invited the two tigers, Reg and Ronning, into their home. Now, Reg had established his own force and would become an unstable factor sooner or later if he stayed in Beitman. Thus, the four castellans all supported the decision. Dispatching Reg and Ronning to attack Black Raven City was killing two birds with one stone, as it not only put pressure on Zaganide, but also relieved internal strife.
In fact, the oath-taking rally was just a superficial form. The four castellans had already prepared plenty of military materials for them, which was the best proof that consensus or compromise had already been reached—this speech made no changes.
At noon, the army finally departed from Ninth Town. Ronning took the lead at the forefront with the four cavalry brigades. The infantry brigade followed in the middle. The rear was brought up by two cavalry brigades and two infantry brigades escorting their supplies. When an army exceeded tens of thousands, it was hard to see the end of the march. Though Ronning and his leading cavalry had walked for more than 3 miles, their supplies were still in the town.
Around twenty days later, the troops finally approached the border of Black Raven City. Out of caution, Ronning commanded his troops to station near the border. He also sent several hundred knights to sneak into Black Raven City for scouting.
Han Jin and his friends stopped beside the woods. They didn’t march alongside the troops for that they neither wanted to be bound by military disciplines nor cause embarrassment to Ronning for disobeying his orders. Anyway, they were going to war, not a sightseeing tour. The military disciplines could make the camp like hell in the eyes of Han Jin and the others. The soldiers could only stay in their own tents after dinner. Any random walk in the camp would be deemed as a violation of military discipline.
Michelle jumped off the giant turtle, beginning to look around for dried firewood. He had become their full-time cook. Steelberg helped him for a while and hid somewhere after everything had been done, closing his eyes and starting to regain mental composure.
He had been showing unprecedented enthusiasm lately. As long as he had time, he would hide in a corner and sit down in a strange posture to meditate.
“What happened to him?” Sunier couldn’t help but ask curiously. Though this question should be directed toward Han Jin, she still didn’t want to talk to him after their argument a few days ago.
“You should ask Raphael,” Moxinke winked and said.
Sunier felt embarrassed. She gave him a cold stare, “It’s none of your business!”
Han Jin wanted to laugh but knew it would be inappropriate. He didn’t know Sunier could be this stubborn.
“Raphael is teaching Steelberg some of his magic. Didn’t you know that?” Cessacioun replied and acted as a peacemaker immediately to avoid annoying Sunier even more.
She couldn’t help looking at Han Jin. Different experiences made different perspectives. In the view of Moxinke and Cessacioun, Steelberg was just a lucky guy who had the chance to learn the miraculous magic from Han Jin.
However, as a former commander of a troop, Sunier had realized the importance of this. If an ordinary person like Steelberg could learn such magic, then how terrifying would it be if someone created an army from these special magic wielders?
“Can anyone learn your magic, Raphael?” She finally broke their silence.
“No.” Han Jin shook his head quickly. Even in his former world, there were restrictions on who was qualified to be taught the Daoist Arts, let alone this one.
“What a pity.” Sunier sighed.
“Pity for what? Do you want to learn his magic too?” Moxinke asked.
Suddenly, Han Jin said with a smile, “You want to show yourself, or should I?”
They were all puzzled, however, a moment later, Reg’s figure gradually materialized in thin air. “How did you find me?” He asked surprisingly.
“Look back.”
Reg really looked back and saw the grass which he had trod on. He shrugged.
“Reg, you are the commander in chief! What are you doing here?” Moxinke exclaimed.
“It’s so boring there. Since I am the commander in chief, I must be an example for them. It’s driving me crazy,” Reg said with a bitter smile. “By the way, I have something to discuss with you.”
“What is it?”
“Ronning has targeted Nuremberg as the first battlefield,” this said, Reg took out a map and put it on the ground. “This is Nuremberg, the third-largest city in the territory of Zaganide. It is around twenty-five kilometers away from us and we would secure a great advantage if we can occupy it! Zaganide is notorious for his brutality, and although the soldiers followed us willingly, they still feel fear in their hearts. We must find a way to improve their morale.”
“You want us to attack Nuremberg?” Moxinke exclaimed.
“No. I’m not crazy.” Reg smiled, “We just need to scout it out.”
“I saw a number of knights going northward just now. Aren’t they going to scout?”
“The knights have no way to enter into Nuremberg.” Reg shook his head.
“Ronning has agreed to let you take this risk?” Han Jin asked curiously.
“He can’t order me around.” Reg smiled, “And I don’t think it’s dangerous. The most formidable enemy in Black Raven City is Zaganide, and the second-most are the two vampire kings, King Caroline and King Betty. Fortunately, they are all absent and won’t pose threats to us.”
“It has been over twenty days since we left Ninth Town, hasn’t it?” Cessacioun said, “Zaganide must have already gotten news of this. Will he take no action?”
“I agree with Reg in this regard. Even if Zaganide wants to do something, he can’t. His sole goal right now would be to protect the Underground City,” Sunier said.
“No. I don’t think so.” Cessacioun shook his head, “Zaganide is not as forgiving as you think! In my opinion, he will at least try to defend his nest! Ever since he became the lord of his territory, he has always been the one to launch wars, and no one to date had posed a real threat to his Black Raven City. Are you sure he has no other hidden force?”
“War is war, not some kind of legend,” Sunier said, “if Zaganide really had other troops, he would have used them earlier. Why hide them?”
“But… but…” Cessacioun still wanted to argue.
“Both arguments are reasonable.” Reg stopped them immediately. “That’s why we should sneak into Nuremberg first and find it out before we make the final decision.”
“Well…” Han Jin said slowly. “All of you stay here. Give me the map. I will make a trip to Nuremberg tonight and be back before dusk tomorrow.”
“No… You can’t go there alone!” Reg said worriedly. If he really agreed to let Han Jin go alone, would they consider that he came for this especially?
“Why not?”
“We go together!” Moxinke added.
“Do you think I am going to a bar?” Han Jin gave him a side glance, “Whatever happens, I can take care of myself. But if you all go with me, I am not sure I can protect all of you.”
Moxinke went silent. Han Jin was right. If they all go, they would have to fight if anything happened. But if Han Jin was alone, he would be much more free; at least he could flee by using his special magic.
“Raphael, I’m the thief here. You are… really hurting my self-esteem,” Reg said with a wry smile.
“Well… please stop arguing and wait for me.” Han Jin smiled.
