Chapter 256: Giving Out Orders
"Crossbow Cavalry?"
In the main camp at Dunmere, when Simon shared his idea, everyone looked confused, even Benjamin shook his head a little.
That’s because in the history of the Eldorian Empire, there had never been crossbow cavalry. People believed it was impossible to use a crossbow while riding a horse.
Simon knew they would react like this.
So he explained. "Back in the past, the army had a unit of crossbow cavalry. That cavalry helped defeat the great siege. So it’s not impossible."
In the system, there were notes about crossbow cavalry. The records weren’t very detailed, but they gave Simon some ideas.
He continued. "Crossbows are powerful and accurate. That’s their strength. The only problem on horseback is that it’s hard to reload. But I will give you a new kind of crossbow that is easy to pull. With this, the Squad Divincox won’t need to fear the reaver horse archers. Also, when they dismount, they can form a crossbow formation. Each soldier will also carry a sabre for close combat. Even in face-to-face battle, the reavers won’t have the upper hand."
"A new kind of crossbow?" Benjamin nodded in realisation. "I knew Your Highness wouldn’t speak without preparation. So you’ve planned this already. If it works, this is a great idea for now."
Lancelot laughed and said. "Haha! Then our army is getting another powerful weapon."
The soldiers of the Squad Divincox were excited. They were tired of always being attacked from a distance by the reaver archers.
Now that things in Dunmere were stable, Simon decided there was no need for him to stay. He said. "In the next two days, I’ll return to Brambleford and order the workshop to start making these pulley crossbows."
After the talk about the crossbows, Simon discussed the future of the cavalry.
He looked at Francis and said. "Francis, from now on, the Squad Divincox will stay in Dunmere. You’ll be in charge of constantly raiding the reavers on the grasslands. Do you have confidence in this job?"
"Yes, Your Highness, I do!" Francis answered firmly.
Simon added. "But once you’re on the grasslands, there’s something else you need to pay attention to."
"Please give the order, Your Highness." Said Francis.
Simon glanced at Benjamin and said. "Before the last battle at Dunmere, the reavers fought with their slave soldiers. That made me realize, some of those slave soldiers don’t want to serve the reavers. Especially in the old West Ham lands, many people live under their rule as slaves. When you go to the grasslands, try to reach out to these people. If they’re willing to join the Eldorian Empire, it would be our good fortune."
Francis nodded.
When he and Lancelot went deep into the grasslands, they found some towns still standing, with people from West Ham living there.
After the reavers took West Ham, many farmlands were turned into grasslands. But they didn’t kill all the people. Instead, they used a cruel system of rule.
Talking about it, Francis’s eyes turned red. He said. "According to prisoners we caught, the reavers call the people of West Ham ’two-legged sheep.’ Not the kind of sheep with four legs, but two-legged. And those towns? They are the sheep pens."
"The people living under reaver rule suffer terribly. They pay heavy taxes. Any boy older than twelve is taken as a slave by the reaver tribes. If someone refuses, they are killed. For girls, it’s even worse. Before they get married, they must be given to the tribe leaders for what the reaver calls a ’first night right.’ Many families even kill their first child, because they don’t want to bring a half-reaver baby into this world."
Hearing this, the soldiers of the Squad Divincox clenched their fists tightly. Their teeth made cracking sounds as they bit down in anger.
Simon said. "I feel ashamed. We’ve fought two big battles, but the ones we killed were our own people from the Eldorian Empire. The reavers haven’t suffered real losses. And we can only watch our people in West Ham live such terrible lives..."
"My Lord, don’t blame yourself too much." Said Benjamin. "The victory at Dunmere surely gave the West Ham people hope. As long as you stand strong, they will believe that freedom will come."
Francis nodded too. "Your Highness, right now, you’re the only one in the Eldorian Empire who can defeat the reavers. We believe in you. When we go to the grasslands, we’ll try to help those people escape."
Simon nodded. "But be careful. Some people may betray their roots. If you’re not completely sure about someone, don’t act rashly."
Francis nodded again.
With plans made for the Squad Divincox, Simon’s work in Dunmere was done.
The next day, he left Dunmere with Benjamin, Lancelot and Liam, heading toward Brambleford. Francis stayed behind. From now on, the grasslands would be his battlefield.
Five days later, the group returned to Brambleford City.
Almost two months had passed, and now it was winter. Ice had begun to form on the surface of the rivers in Brambleford.
Looking at the frozen river, Simon felt emotional. It had already been one year since he came to this world.
So much had happened. He had started with nothing. Now, he could stand against 100,000 reaver soldiers.
The pain and struggle, only he truly knew.
But it had all been worth it. At least now, he had his own territory and didn’t have to worry about dying at any moment.
"His Highness has returned! His Highness has returned!"
At the Prince’s Castle, a servant sweeping the gate saw Simon and happily ran inside, shouting the news.
Soon, Ysabeau and Joan came running out, wearing warm winter coats.
"My Lord!" They called out excitedly. Their voices were as bright and sweet as birds.
Simon smiled gently. In that moment, all the feelings of war and killing melted away like snow. He felt like he was home.
Yes, after one year, he now saw this castle as his home. The servants and maids were like his family.
"Did you miss me?" Simon got off his horse and laughed out loud.
Ysabeau and Joan both blushed. Why would His Highness say something so embarrassing in front of all the servants?
Seeing their shy faces, Simon laughed even more.
Then he noticed their coats, one purple, one green, and asked, "Are these from the textile workshop?"
"Yes! While you were gone these two months, the workshop made a lot of cloth. We used it to make our coats. We even made two for Your Highness. Do you want to see them?"
Simon felt warm inside. These two girls were so thoughtful.
"Alright, let’s go take a look." He said with a smile.