Translator: Cinder Translations
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However, what Giles did not expect was that while he and his vassals were still assembling their forces, the king's army had already begun marching south.
When his scouts brought news that the royal army had left Crystal Glare and arrived at Five Goats City, Giles was utterly shocked.
Although he had anticipated that the royal army would eventually head south, past experience suggested that there would usually be a buffer period between the decision-making and the actual mobilization of troops.
In fact, Giles had initially planned to gather his army before the royal forces could act, allowing him to take the initiative and attack the royal territories first.
After his initial shock, the grand duke reacted quickly, leading his available troops toward Rethufur.
Giles's surprise reflected the stark contrast between the kingdom's newly established military and traditional armies.
In past wars, when feudal lords decided to go to battle, it was almost impossible to keep it a secret. Typically, news of troop mobilization would spread quickly, either intentionally or unintentionally. Spies weren't even necessary—one could simply sit in a tavern and hear a flood of information pouring in from all directions.
Recruiting soldiers, stockpiling supplies—these cumbersome processes could drag on for a month or even several months.
By the time the army finally set off, it would have a long "tail" trailing behind it.
This "tail" consisted of numerous merchants who served the army. Every time war broke out, they swarmed like bees drawn to nectar, following the army wherever it went.
Their businesses were diverse—selling weapons, armor, food, and alcohol; lending money; handling war spoils. They didn't just cater to combat needs but covered all aspects of daily life.
There were also prostitutes. Soldiers, living with the constant threat of death, suffered immense psychological pressure and often sought ways to relieve their stress. As a result, the trade of flesh flourished around the army.
Additionally, there were the families of officers and soldiers. Not only did some soldiers bring their relatives along, but many career mercenaries lived with their entire families. High-ranking officers even brought along numerous servants to attend to their daily needs.
One could easily imagine how such an army performed in terms of marching speed and information security.
However, the new army established by Alden instructor for Rodney XVIII operated completely differently.
This army had a strict top-down confidentiality system—any unauthorized dissemination of information was strictly forbidden, and violators faced severe punishment.
The military was isolated from society, and entry and exit at military bases were strictly controlled. Soldiers needed approval to leave, requiring them to submit an application detailing their reason for leaving, destination, and expected return time. High-ranking officers had fewer restrictions but were still required to keep detailed records. Outsiders needed to register before entering and were accompanied by personnel at all times, with access to sensitive areas strictly forbidden.
Military supplies were managed by dedicated logistics departments. While they did purchase directly from the market, long-term contracts were also established with vetted merchants who underwent rigorous background checks. Unlike traditional armies, random traders were not allowed to swarm around.
This time, as the royal army moved south, the public speculated that the king was preparing to act against Giles. However, no information leaked before the troops actually departed.
The night before departure, all participating soldiers were already assembled at their bases, with their gear packed. They rested quietly for the night. The next morning, at dawn, they lined up in formation on the parade ground. With the official order given, each unit marched out in sequence, forming a long procession heading south.
During the march, the traditional practice of trailing family members, merchants, and camp followers was strictly prohibited. Any suspicious individuals attempting to follow the army were detained.
Without the burden of non-combatants and with a well-trained force of uniformly fit soldiers, the marching speed increased dramatically.
Although it was impossible to move completely unnoticed with an army of tens of thousands, Giles only received news of their departure when the royal army was already halfway to their destination.
By the time Giles hastily led his troops on the march, the royal army had already reached Thorn Fortress—just north of Giles's territory.
During the last war, this fortress had been the first target of Duke Greedy Wolf's invasion. The fortress commander, Duke Dodge, had barely managed to hold it with the support of Klein and Leicester. The royal forces had then pushed south, retaking Giles's lands. However, after a series of victories and losses, their momentum eventually faltered, forcing them to retreat and abandon the southern region to Giles.
Now, Aldor was determined to reclaim the kingdom's honor, beginning with Thorn Fortress.
Leading the royal army this time was Harrison Abbott, a young and ambitious commander who had no intention of waiting for Giles to arrive and engage in a gentlemanly duel.
He ordered the troops to continue marching south, officially entering Giles's domain.
Along the way, small lords ruling villages and towns, unable to resist the royal army and lacking time to seek aid from higher-ranking nobles, wisely chose to surrender.
The royal army continued its advance, even reaching the vast Fueral Plains—the site of the previous decisive battle against the rebels—before Giles's main force had even arrived.
As they pushed forward, they finally encountered their first real resistance.
Earl Zeck, the lord of Firewood Lands and one of Giles's most loyal vassals, had received orders from Five Goats City to mobilize his forces for Giles's use.
However, before he could even finish his preparations, the royal army was already approaching his territory.
After an initial moment of panic, the Earl quickly regained his composure. He withdrew his 2,000 soldiers into Firewood Fortress, determined to hold the stronghold and delay the northern troops for as long as possible. His goal was to buy Giles more time to gather reinforcements.
The royal army attempted to negotiate surrender, but Earl Zeck adamantly refused. Harrison, without hesitation, ordered an assault on the fortress.
Firewood Fortress was a well-equipped, strategically positioned stronghold. Under normal circumstances, even with only 2,000 defenders, it could have inflicted heavy losses on the attackers.
However, Zeck's soldiers had never encountered the now highly advanced gunpowder weaponry. More importantly, most of them had been mere farmers just days ago.
Harrison's cannons were lined up in a row and bombarded the fortress walls. Although the explosions killed only a few defenders, the blazing flames, thick smoke, and shrieking cannonballs terrified them.
After several rounds of bombardment, the royal troops scaled the walls with ladders, wielding short-barreled firearms. In close-quarters combat, they achieved near-perfect accuracy—Zeck's soldiers, unfamiliar with these weapons, did not even know how to evade them.
Though the guns were single-shot weapons requiring reloading, royal soldiers quickly switched to melee weapons after firing their shots. However, by then, the psychological impact of firearms had already shattered the defenders' morale.
The battle did not last long. The royal army swiftly captured the fortress.
(End of the Chapter)
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