Chapter 276

Chapter 276 - Military Reorganization

The guests inside the castle were also watching Eugene employing the prisoners. Since the Imperial army retreated to the Rhine River basin, the supply units to loot disappeared, so they were free.

"Looks like His Excellency the Count is going to use those bastards as they are?"

An army is a money-eating hippo, but while stationed, the expenses are low. Let alone Eugene, who could recover considerable costs through businesses inside the castle thanks to his unprecedented mobile base.

The mercenary captains all believed Eugene would hire more, so they enthusiastically pushed themselves forward.

-Our mercenary group, no one complains even if we are assigned external guard duty every time. We set up our signature high-altitude watchtowers outside the castle, so please take a look. If we keep watch from up there, we can see 3 times further than others.

-We have 40 hunters from Samur. If Your Excellency ever needs to camp, we will turn the vicinity into a minefield of traps.

The result was a polite rejection after polite listening.

"No, why did he refuse when we went?"

"I guess he was impressed by how they stood firm while everyone else ran away."

"We also held out well when surrounded!"

"You guys held out inside the castle."

"Whose side are you on anyway!"

The mercenary captains glared at those taking the side of the noble without camaraderie but soon lowered their heads.

Days of eating good food and sleeping in clean, warm ondol rooms. Enjoying the sauna and hot springs at the allied fOrces discount price, and enjoying performances by the circus and theater troupes picked up from Hesed.

-Sir Knight, put some more strength into it!

-Uwahahaha!

-Captain! Didn't you say you were confident even against a knight in bare-handed combat?

Strongman competitions and martial arts matches were also held, releasing the vigor of rough men and providing spectacle and prize money.

Some were saved from the pursuit of the Imperial faction, while others touched money by looting supply units.

Considering how nobles of this era treated mercenaries? It would be strange if good feelings towards House Mayer didn't arise.

Meanwhile, a sense of relief and anticipation lingered on the faces of the Lantzheim mercenaries.

"Your Excellency the Count. It's truly an honor to be accepted under your command, but will just us be okay?"

Hermann, the commander leading them, asked.

"What do you mean?"

"We conducted joint operations with the Imperial faction army during the civil war and have recently been stationed in the capital."

Because of that, they knew quite a lot about the Emperor's fOrces.

-Castellan. I acknowledge their loyalty and grit, but they are still mercenary bastards who mingled with the Emperor...

-In other words, it means they know the Emperor's fOrces that well. Is there any better informant who can provide timely advice while marching togAAether?

That part was also effective in persuading those who opposed their employment.

"Your Excellency's army is more powerful than any army we have seen. However, the Emperor's main fOrce is not to be underestimated. Furthermore, the upcoming battles will be on the scale of tens of thousands. You will need more infantry."

"That's why I took you guys in, didn't I?"

"Just us is not enough. The more people to stand in front and take spears and arrows as human shields, the better."

The upcoming battle will be a large-scale pitched battle clashing tens of thousands against tens of thousands. To Hermann, Eugene not hiring additional mercenaries seemed like a miscalculation of the enemy's strength.

"I am thinking very carefully about the Emperor's army, so do not worry. The reason I am not hiring additional troops is due to other reasons."

"Understood."

Hermann was extremely curious but didn't ask. If Eugene wasn't letting his guard down, that was enough.

Charge if told to charge.

Defend if told to defend.

Die if told to die.

That was the military spirit of Lantzheim. Anyway, the next day, they could understand why Eugene didn't hire additional troops.

* * *

"Attention!"

Chak!

"At ease!"

Chak!

"Attention!"

Chak!

At Eugene's command, the Lantzheim warriors moved simultaneously. It was a simple drill, but it was highly meaningful that 500 people moved with only a single sound of feet stomping.

"Forward! Quick march!"

Thud! Thud! Thud!

"Left foot! Left foot! Half step!"

Thud! Thud! Thud. Thud.

They handled sudden speed changes without prior notice effortlessly. They reacted to commands like changing direction, sudden stops, sudden starts, and moving backward while marching without anyone bumping into each other.

'Oho?'

'Look at these guys?'

Behind Eugene, his subordinates, who had been watching the new infantry with territorial gazes, widened their eyes a bit.

The Lantzheim Mercenary Group is extremely strict about drills. Because of that, the speed at which they learned the new drill movements Eugene taught was faster than imagined.

There was quite a bit of overlap with the drills they used, and they were veterans hardened by countless formation training and improvisation on the battlefield. They quickly learned unfamiliar drills as well.

"Halt!"

At Eugene's command, 500 people stopped in a formation as if measured by a ruler.

"Jumping jacks! Execute 20 repetitions! How many?"

"20 repetitions!"

"How many?"

"20 repetitions!"

"Execute 26 repetitions! The last count is omitted! Begin!"

The Dwarves and Dark Elves looked at Eugene as if looking at a monster. He should have just said 30, but calling an ambiguous number perfectly designed to confuse them.

"One!"

"Two!"

"Three!"

The jumping jacks Eugene taught in advance began. True to a warrior race living in the mountains, everyone's voices were incredibly loud.

Hoooom!

The shouts crashing against the Moving Castle in the front echoed, causing a reverberation like a mountain wind.

"23!"

"24!"

"25!"

"..."

Thud!

Surprisingly, no one fell for Eugene's trap. No matter how crazy they were about drills, with 500 people, at least one guy was bound to make a mistake.

"My goodness!"

"This is a scam!"

The Dwarves and Dark Elves had also been tricked by Eugene with that during ranger training.

"Hmm."

"Your Excellency! W-Why are you looking at us like that?"

"Castellan. Even in actual combat, it's noisy anyway so listening well to things like that isn't particularly goo..."

The subordinates mumbled, feeling unnecessarily guilty.

"Their loyalty and grit were verified in the previous battle, and their sharpness and concentration are perfect. It will be quick for them to adapt to our methods."

"I suppose so. With those friends, they won't hold us back or mess up operations."

The tactical doctrine employed by Eugene's army is far removed from the universal armies of this era.

That's the reason why he couldn't accept just any troops even if he was financially wealthy. Because they would just consume supplies and become a burden to the allies instead.

The Lantzheim unit was the group that best fit the army Eugene envisioned since the Blackhand Tribe and the Hammer Brothers.

* * *

That night, Hind returned with Jackal's cavalry.

"Your Excellency the Count. I have found the ones you ordered."

"You worked hard. Our Lantzheim friends were stamping their feet with worry, but they can rest easy now."

Along with Hind offering a mounted military salute, there were women in near rags behind him.

Women who accompany the Lantzheim unit and handle their non-combat support. The so-called Needle Maidens.

A name attached because they handle mending broken equipment, boots, and clothes, as well as stitching the wounds of injured warriors.

"Honey!"

"You were really alive!"

"Sister!"

The Lantzheim warriors waiting in front of the Moving Castle ran and embraced the women.

The Needle Maidens were mostly taken up by each warrior's lovers, wives, older sisters, and younger sisters. Like Eugene's existing subordinates, they were also a warrior group centered around blood ties.

"The Lantzheim scout in charge of guiding the way did a good job."

Hind received the wine Eugene offered and drank it. The chilled fine wine moistened his dry tongue.

"Kuhaah. The rescue targets had deviated from their original position and were hiding, but he accurately predicted their location."

"Because there's a pre-arranged code of conduct for such situations."

Since the vicinity was barren and supplying was difficult, the Needle Maidens were waiting separately. After his first interview with the Lantzheim prisoners, Eugene had urgently dispatched the cavalry to escort the women.

"Ouch!"

"Penny. Don't walk, get on my back."

Warriors everywhere picked up their wives with swollen soles. Since it was an area without a water source, they couldn't mobilize spare horses, so the women had to walk.

"We fOrced a march out of concern for ambushes, but everyone followed well without any stragglers."

"They are women who traveled the whole world following their husbands. I heard they sometimes walked more than 80km a day."

"I heard about it on the way. It was amazing how they followed with clenched teeth without a single whimper. Some even set traps while camping, caught moles, and boiled stew."

For Hind, who had braced himself for a difficult mission, things worked out much easier than expected.

"Honey! I'm over her..."

Thwack!

"Ugh!"

Lantzheim commander Hermann, who was running to his wife, was punched and sent flying.

"You idiot! How the hell did you fight to get captured as a group?"

"Against His Excellency the Count, this is an incredible defen..."

Hermann, who tried to protest as if wronged, immediately received a deep kiss from his wife holding both his cheeks. They were truly a strong people.

"We're l-living here?"

"Yeah! The inside is much more awesome than what you see from the outside!"

The warriors patted the backs of their wives, whose necks were arched high at the sky, and led them into the castle.

"Let's hurry to the bathhouse. Soaking in the hot springs will melt away your fatigue."

"Hot springs? Where?"

The warriors seemed unable to bear the amusement of seeing their wives' surprised reactions to every single word.

* * *

The next morning. In front of the Lantzheim infantry with pounding hearts, the armory opened.

"More pikes were snapped than I thought. At this rate, we can only give them to 60% of the total."

Of those, 10 to 20% were Eugene's doing. Unlike swords or axes, pikes are weapons that are hard to keep spares of, so they had to issue something else.

"Your Excellency. It doesn't necessarily have to be pikes, any kind of spear is fine."

Hermann tapped his chest and spoke confidently.

"If it's ordinary spears or shields, we have plenty of spares. Come to think of it, the javelins were very fierce too."

A small number of javelins flying from behind the pikemen were much more powerful than those of knights. Because it was a throw carrying the entire body weight after a running start of more than 5m. Just like Olympic athletes.

"In our hometown, we hold javelin throwing competitions every holiday."

"Like holding archery competitions in Britannia?"

"Yes. The king encourages it as a national sport, so not just commoners but even serfs can hold spears."

"There was such a culture."

No matter how barbaric the era, non-combat classes were not openly allowed to hold weapons like bows or spears. Tools like axes or pickaxes were merely recognized as exceptions.

As drafted or converted farmers weaponized the tools they were accustomed to, battle axes and military pickaxes appeared.

In Lantzheim, where the mercenary business is a national industry, there were no such restrictions.

"But I noticed only about 20 people holding javelins, is there a reason? It had the power to unhorse even knights, so if many had used it, it would have been quite threatening."

The pike formation splitting left and right in time with the javelin throwers' running start, and closing the gap immediately after throwing. That was a beautiful sight that everyone on the battlefield admired.

"Is it because it requires a lot of proficiency from both the throwers and the coordinating pikemen?"

"It's not a proficiency issue. Well, javelins are just too expensive."

"...It was a simple issue."

Soldiers of this era had to pay for their equipment out of pocket. Javelins, the most expensive of consumables, were naturally avoided.

1 javelin cost as much as 20 arrows, which was more expensive than a veteran warrior's daily wage. Throwing just 3 javelins was equivalent to throwing away a sword.

"I will reorganize some of those who don't receive pikes into a javelin unit. Under my command, I cover all consumables. Don't feel burdened and throw them from now on."

"...!"

Meanwhile, the quartermaster and Beastman servants were busily distributing equipment.

Helmets.

Breastplates covering the entire upper body.

General spears and shields.

The basic equipment distributed were the ones in good condition among those looted in past battles.

"I didn't know there would be so many spares like this."

"We looted good equipment from here and there, but we had no use for them. The sizes don't fit the Dwarves, and our Fairy race friends prefer leather lamellar armor since they are all ranged classes."

The warriors beamed with bright smiles hugging the much better armor than the worn-out ones they originally used.

"Save your rejoicing for later. There are a couple of things you need to check the fit for."

Eugene's army had many additional equipment besides basic armor. These were not looted items but internally manufactured goods.

First, greaves. When fighting in a dense formation, the first place enemy infantry in close combat aims for is near the thighs.

It's a weak point where arteries pass through, the core of human mobility, and it's hard to block or dodge while maintaining formation.

"These cover the sides and back of the legs too?"

"Because it's the most important place to protect in a dense formation."

The front part of the greaves was an iron plate, and the sides and back were in the form of chainmail covers wrapped halfway around and fastened with hooks.

"May we put them on now?"

"Of course. They're yours now."

The greaves used by the Lantzheim infantry were cheap ones that only protected the shins. The exposed thighs or calves all had at least one thick scar, which made Eugene sad.

The military boots were closed-type boots with thin iron plates inserted from the toes to the instep.

"I can't stand seeing my subordinates fight with their toes exposed."

Shoes that wrap the entire foot are more expensive than expected. Mercenaries and conscripts wearing sandals on bare feet to the battlefield were a common sight.

Knee pads containing sponge.

Wrist guards capable of securing up to 2 small shields.

Ergonomic helmet inner linings developed over 3 years.

Canteens applying Fairy race preservative wood technology.

Leather gloves applying anti-slip technology and with open sides to minimize sweating.

Small bags and belts capable of attaching consumables or mending tools.

A total of 17 personal items were distributed. Later on, the receivers even looked at Eugene with burdened eyes.

"W-We will use them carefully."

"We don't deduct it from your pay even if you break them, so don't tremble."

Eugene smiled in front of the sighing warriors.

"Because the risk burden is greatest for you guys in our army. Your stance is different from the Dwarves holding large shields individually and having low target points."

Everyone quietly nodded. Until recently, they were just people with the spirit to fight risking their lives. However, they realized that alone was not enough.

Since all troops in Eugene's army engage precisely togAAether, dying recklessly is also unacceptable.

"Use this workshop from now on."

"Thank you. My Lord."

A large workshop was provided for the Needle Maidens. The number of javelins stored in the castle wasn't large. However, since they were women who maintained the warriors' spears, they also knew how to make javelins.

"Can you start production right away?"

"No problem. Most women can make up to 4 a day. Although the young ones might be limited to 2 or 3."

A sturdy woman in her 40s smiled, showing off her thick forearms.

Materials were not a problem. There were many spearheads looted from battles, and production was easy. Wood, which was surprisingly a big hurdle, was also piled up in large quantities.

"The drying process is finished. You can use as much as you want."

"Ooh!"

The women with sparkling eyes knelt in front of the wood and sniffed.

Just as a veteran farmer tastes dirt to discern soil quality, they could grasp the quality of wood by smell. These were unquestionably top-grade.

The last place Eugene guided was the centurion unit, the most elite gathered among the 500. They were large, strong, had outstanding combat sense, and received double pay.

-Their rock-like skin cannot be pierced by any cold.

-They are ones who chase after mountain goats all day and break their horns.

-I heard they can cause avalanches if they all shout togAAether.

Tough guys living with vicious rumors in the snow-covered mountains. Along with the northern warriors of Britannia, they were heroes referred to as Highlanders.

"Weapons for you guys are here."

The place the Highlanders were guided to had numerous Zweihanders and full-body armor stored.

"This is..."

"Eastern Empire! Could these be from the Immortal Knights?"

True to those making a living off war, they recognized them immediately through the armor style.

"That's right. I annihilated those bastards in Sicily and looted them."

When Eugene spread open the banner of the Caliph with both hands, the Highlanders gulped.

They were shock infantry providing the breakthrough power lacking in pikemen. To maximize that power, they mainly used two-handed swords.

"So this is a Damascus sword."

"Such wave patterns."

They couldn't help but get excited in front of the equipment of the Immortal Knights, highly reputed as the best in this field.

"The inventory I've been piling up is finally finding its owners today."

Smiling, Eugene stepped aside, taking a posture like a butler.

"Thank you for the grace. We will definitely not disappoint you."

"Just give us the order! Wherever you point, we will run and mow it down cleanly!"

The Highlanders who rushed past grabbed the Zweihanders one by one. Liking the grip and weight, many of them even started dancing with their shoulders.

* * *

The Hammer Brothers immediately entered joint training with the pikemen.

"Just try stepping on my heels?! I'll completely wreck you!"

The Dwarves standing at the front holding large rectangular shields threatened them, but no such thing happened.

"These guys, their rhythm is really..."

"Did they only practice walking after eating?"

The pikemen perfectly coordinated with the movements of the Dwarves, who had a different stride length. Meanwhile, the pikemen were also admiring them.

"Thrust"

"Hoom!!!"

At Eugene's command, the dense pikes pierced the air simultaneously.

The Dwarves created good angles in time with the pikemen's thrusts. They didn't even need to look back to catch the air currents touching their beards.

"Two more times!"

"Hoom!!! Hoom!!!"

Until now, pikemen standing in the front ranks suffered from stress. Because they were exposed to attacks without shields, they always had to feel the fear of death.

But setting up shieldmen made the middle and lower parts of the pikes more vulnerable due to their nature.

-It would be perfect if the Dwarves protected our front.

What every mercenary dreamed of at least once became reality. With excitement entering the hands holding the pikes, the thrusts were even lighter.

A portion of the Hammer Brothers was reorganized into the engineer unit Eugene had envisioned for a long, long time.

"We are the true hammer!"

"Uwoh!"

Dwarves in work clothes holding sledgehammers shouted.

Constructing bases, installing anti-cavalry stakes and watchtowers, manufacturing siege weapons, laying rafts and bridges for river crossing, laying military traps on a unit scale, detecting groundwater, and excavating field wells.

Assisting the combat troops so they can perform only combat in top condition. That alone is their mission.

The final reorganization was the Dark Elf archer unit.

Stabilizers that maximize accuracy by absorbing vibrations when shooting bows.

Rests that help maintain shooting ability even in prolonged engagements.

The two auxiliary tools were now fully issued to all thousand members as standard equipment.

"Rangers!"

Thud!

The most special 40 shooters among them offered a salute to Eugene.

In an era dominated by cold weapons, they were those who reached the pinnacle of slaughter in a different direction from knights. The first ranger unit Eugene completed over 4 years to kill what is hard to kill.

They wear monsters and wield monsters.

The muscles, tendons, eyes, lungs, and bones of monsters and demonic creatures that fell before the name of Mayer wrapped around the rangers.

'The Red Queen never stops.'

To Eugene, this world itself is a competitor. To survive the storms of survival of the fittest, he had never stopped contemplating for a single moment.