Knight: Becoming King of the World

Boman and Fass stood atop Ximira Castle, their hearts filled with mixed feelings. When they first met Henry, he had been a bit green, but both of them had seen his ambition and determination.

Every noble from the academy was ambitious, but who would have thought he’d actually succeed?

They had thought the war against the Half-Beastmen was the peak of Henry’s life, that he was just a flash in the pan. They never imagined it was only the beginning. He had actually managed to carve out a place for himself in the Empire.

Look at those neatly arranged tents, listen to that rousing battle song...

It was the classic dilemma: you hate to see your brother struggle, but you’re also jealous when he strikes it rich. If Henry hadn’t done well, they certainly would have come to help. But as it stood, the kid was doing a little *too* well.

When he became a Baron, they had to admit they felt a little sour, though not overtly so. After all, becoming a Baron was something they considered within their own grasp—it was just a matter of time.

But this time, he was promoted to Count. The emperor had rewarded him with Dinars, military equipment, *and* people. HISSS... Now *that* made them green with envy.

It was only human.

As for Henry’s widespread fame, they weren’t particularly envious. They had graduated long ago; they were past the age of vying for the spotlight.

But now, seeing Henry’s armies, all thoughts of jealousy vanished completely.

’With an army, a fief, and battle honors like these, Henry *deserves* to be a Count!’

’What more was there to say? Nothing at all! We’re getting carried to victory! Coming here was absolutely the right decision!’

Boman and Fass exchanged a look, and each saw relief and good fortune reflected in the other’s eyes.

An army like this only appeared in academy textbooks—the ideal, the most powerful kind of force. As part of such an army, all they had to do was follow Henry’s command, and they would surely gain an advantageous position in this war.

Henry’s immense strength had already paved their path to victory. They no longer needed to worry about the choice they had made; they could simply assimilate into this mighty army with peace of mind.

Now, this massive army was an awakening behemoth, coiled and ready to unleash an earth-shattering storm upon the eastern grasslands.

And under Henry’s protection, Boman and Fass would also reap the rewards.

"Hey, what’s wrong? You two look like you’re ready to go back to your fiefs and start farming. Are you getting old on me?"

Boman just shook his head and smiled, not saying a word.

Fass, however, answered, "Haha, we were just thinking that all the money we’ve made from collecting protection fees and playing Bandits doesn’t even compare to what you earn from a single military mobilization.

So many caravans have passed through here these last few days. The merchants have a keen nose for opportunity. From supplying war materials to providing all sorts of goods for post-war reconstruction—grain, cloth, ironware, lumber—every step of the process holds immense profit.

They’re all planning to rake it in during this war. Good heavens, Henry, I can’t even imagine how many Dinars you’ll make from trade and transit taxes."

Henry laughed and waved his hand, seeming unconcerned with such trivial financial matters. "Someone else will worry about that. You two just need to manage your troops."

Henry’s expression then turned serious. "Tomorrow morning, the entire army moves out! Our target is the city of Odoche!"

Boman and Fass exchanged a look, their faces filled with shock.

Fass asked uncertainly, "Henry, are you planning to lay siege to Odoche City directly? That... That’s Count John’s capital! What about our supply lines? Won’t we need support from the baggage train?"

Henry gazed into the distance and said slowly, "I have my own plans. You just need to follow my orders. The goal of this expedition is to surround Odoche City as quickly as possible and catch Count John completely off guard!"

Boman gasped. ’This is bad! Surely Henry doesn’t intend to decide the whole war in a single battle? That’s too risky! What if...’

Henry cut off his train of thought. "War is inherently full of variables and risks. How can you achieve ultimate victory without the determination to take a few? I have considered this carefully. The plan is sound. You just need to trust me and give it your all."

Although Boman and Fass still had their doubts, they couldn’t help but nod as they met Henry’s gaze.

’Besides, the main force is Henry’s army. In a straightforward siege, the Grassland Warriors they’d brought would be of little use anyway.’

’They had to support Henry’s decision, no matter what. After all, his past performance proved he was worth the gamble.’

"Henry, give the order!"

Henry gave a firm nod. That night, he would issue battle orders to all his officers.

Time seems to accelerate when one is busy, flying by so fast there’s never enough of it.

The sun soon set. On a clear, starry night, the castle’s council hall was lit as bright as day by torches, candles, and oil lamps.

All of Henry’s current Attendants and officers were gathered here, along with Boman and Fass.

For ease of management, Henry had divided his forces into three parts. The first was the veteran army, the most powerful and battle-hardened of his troops.

The Personal Guard, commanded by Vasco, was expanded to five hundred men. Their armor, weapons, and provisions were on par with those of Imperial Legion infantry.

Three 120-man Elite Imperial Senior Infantry Teams, two 120-man Imperial Veteran Shooter Teams, six 40-man Grassland Rider teams, thirteen 120-man Imperial Senior Infantry Teams, two 80-man Imperial Skilled Shooter teams, and three 20-man Imperial Citizen Cavalry Teams.

The total combat personnel of the veteran army numbered 3,112!

The second army, and the largest, was the new army Henry had just finished training over the past two months.

Fifty-six 120-man Imperial New Recruit Teams, eight 80-man Imperial Shooter Teams, ten 40-man Grassland Warrior Teams, one 20-man Imperial Citizen Cavalry Team, and one 20-man Knight’s Squire Cavalry Team.

The total combat personnel of the new army numbered 7,800!

The third branch was the baggage train, with Claude as its overall commander.

Six 120-man Imperial Skilled Infantry Teams, two thousand Auxiliary Soldiers serving as logistics personnel who could be converted to standing auxiliaries if they proved trustworthy, and six thousand temporarily levied serfs.

The baggage train had 720 combat personnel, for a total of 8,720 people!

This was the entirety of the force Henry was deploying for this campaign: almost twenty thousand men! Any other noble, with this many professional soldiers, would have padded the numbers with tens of thousands of serfs to create some bloated, monstrous "army of eighty thousand."

Boman’s and Fass’s armies, put together, would add another ten thousand-plus men.

’Thirty thousand men, with such a high proportion of professional soldiers... A surprise lightning attack... And we can’t take Odoche in three days?’

Henry refused to believe it.

The council hall was silent. All eyes were on Henry. Boman and Fass, caught up in the atmosphere, also wore solemn expressions.

Looking out over the quiet hall, Henry began, "I’ll keep this brief. Here are the deployments. Claude, take notes.

Selas, you will take one Imperial Citizen Cavalry Team, one Knight’s Squire Cavalry Team, and six Grassland Rider teams. Depart at dawn. Your primary mission is to strike Count John’s patrols, supply convoys, and any merchant caravans.

Annihilate the patrols. As for the supply convoys, seize what you can and burn the rest. The merchant caravans are to be scattered. Kill any who refuse to be dissuaded.

Boman, you will lead your private army of eight hundred Grassland Warriors. Fass, you will lead your one thousand. You are to coordinate with Selas’s mission.

The three of you will advance as a united front. You must turn Odoche into an isolated city—a city under siege!"

"Yes, My Lord!"

"Yes, Count Henry!" chorused Boman and Fass.

Henry nodded, pointed to the map hanging behind him, and continued, "Roland, you will follow close behind them. Lead twenty Imperial New Recruit Teams and eight Imperial Shooter Teams in a light-armored, forced march. Assault all villages along the route and forage for supplies and fodder."

"Yes, My Lord!"

Henry then turned to Leon. "Leon, you will lead the remaining Imperial Citizen Cavalry Team, the Knight’s Squire Cavalry Team, and ten Grassland Warrior Teams. You are to plunder all the farmsteads in the Odoche region. Their serfs will become the first wave of ’sandbags’ to scale the walls when we attack the city."

"Yes, My Lord!"

Bain shot to his feet. "My Lord, what about me?"