Chapter 60: Murder Incident in Caravan Accompanying the Army (13)

That night, Keir stayed in the guest room of a local knight's mansion.

And Knight Anvina asked his men to pick up the knight's armor that he had not worn for a long time overnight.

The heavy armor was taken out from the warehouse under the house by the soldiers, and each piece had to be dragged by a strong soldier to move it. Kil leaned against the window of the spacious guest room, looking at the soldiers in the courtyard of the mansion who were busy under the command of Knight Anvina.

The fat and tall knight was not as foolish and stupid as he seemed. On the contrary, Knight Anvina deliberately closed several doors of the mansion and sent extra soldiers to patrol the outer walls of the mansion like a small castle, cutting off possible snoop.

No one outside knew that the Knights of Anwena had already planned to deal with the Yisi Blade Head Gang established by outsiders the next day.

The soldiers who were on duty and off duty tonight were all given leave, and under the leadership of the soldier captain, they conducted drills overnight. The soldiers in Caoshu Town are generally taller than the militiamen from the Northwest Province, which may also be related to the local diet.

They gathered together and deliberately did not shout loudly to prevent outsiders from spying on the big action tomorrow.

The soldiers stood in a row, silently wielding their leather shields and swords. Since it was not a war, the team was divided into small groups, but in groups of three or five, they gathered into small fan-shaped formations with their shields facing outward.

The sharp blade of the sword went in and out from the gaps in the shield from time to time, emitting dangerous reflections under the firelight.

And following the gestures of the soldier captain, each combat team lined up in front of several wooden dolls that served as targets.

Several soldiers held up their shields and rushed forward quickly. The assisting soldiers standing behind the wooden dolls used their headless spears to stab the group of soldiers who were charging straight, but they were all knocked away by the tilted shields.

Then he assisted the soldiers in raising the headless spear and smashing it down.

The two soldiers at the outermost edge of the small fan-shaped formation raised their shields and placed them on their companions' heads, blocking the falling spears in one fell swoop.

As the distance approached, the attacking soldiers moved away the shields blocking the way, and slashed out their sharp sabers and swords neatly, leaving wounds on the wooden dolls made of solid wood.

The soldier captain waved and told the group of soldiers to leave at an angle, and then the next group of soldiers rushed over holding leather shields.

Kiel found it interesting that the local soldiers were very different from the soldiers trained by the Crow Knights in combat.

Not only the quality of the soldiers themselves, but also the weapons and equipment they carry with them to fight, and more importantly, their formation and fighting methods.

Kiel, who had actual combat cooperation with the Kendall militiamen in Pine Needles Town and Dead Leaf Village, was very impressed.

The Kendall people work in groups of ten, while the local Grass Rat Town soldiers work in groups of three or five. The specific number of people in a group mainly depends on the cooperation and combat effectiveness of the soldiers.

The stronger the individual's combat effectiveness, the more soldiers tend to team up with fewer people. Soldiers with average level will be in groups of five.

Not only that, Kiel also saw that there were also strong teams that were also formed into groups of five.

It seems that these are the most powerful people among the soldiers. These people must be used for the team's sharp attack.

Keir thought about it and felt that the formation of the two was different, and the place of response was also related.

The soldiers of Grass Rat Town are mainly responsible for maintaining law and order in the town, maintaining the rule of the lords, and incidentally dealing with horse bandits who are not many in number but are said to be particularly ferocious and powerful.

Therefore, the number of people in the group is small, and the combination is flexible. You don't need to look at it to know that this small battle formation is arranged to deal with one person at a time.

Using more against fewer has always been the most important part of gaining an advantage in battle.

A stalemate in numbers will only lead to a stalemate in the situation. If this is the case, it is better to resolve it without using force.

As for the Kendal people, Kiel had long recognized that this was an army specially formed and trained to fight large-scale wars.

Not only does a team of ten have an advantage in terms of numbers, but the long-range crossbows and marching formations each person is equipped with are specially prepared and trained to function on a battlefield with a large number of people.

It's not like these soldiers in Grass Rat Town can't play a role on battlefields with larger numbers of people, but compared to Kendall's militia, they are much worse.

Just the crossbow can make them suffer.

Tired of watching the soldiers' repeated training, Kil looked in the direction of the Anvina Knight in the same courtyard.

The knight was directing his men to clean up his knight's armor that had not been used for a long time.

Several blacksmiths from the town who had been called overnight were using small hammers to knock off the rusted parts. Then they used hard-bristled brushes to vigorously brush the rusted parts of the armor.

From time to time, they also wiped the armor with grease, and it was quickly dried and preserved. Only the rust on the surface of the knight's armor was cleaned up.

The blacksmiths wiped off excess surface oil with a dry cloth, and then used small grinding stones to polish the armor surface until it was shiny.

Knight Anvina stood aside. He changed out of the luxurious clothes he was wearing before and put on strong, flexible and tight cloth clothes. After every piece of armor was packed away, he put it on directly.

The blacksmiths finished the breastplate first, and the knight put on the half-breastplate, and then with the help of the servants, buckled the fixed belt buckle.

Then came the thick armor on the shoulders, then the neck armor, the elbow armor, and the arm armor.

This was followed by crotch armor that connected to the breastplate, thigh armor, knee and calf armor, and finally a pair of metal boots with padding on the inside.

As pieces of armor were put on, the originally fat and tall Anvina knight disappeared.

Only a seemingly ruthless killing machine appeared on the spot.

Kil looked enviously at the Anvina knight wearing armor. The thick armor could withstand most attacks. He also noticed that although they were both knights from the Western Province, the armor of the Anvina knight was very similar to the armor of the Crow knight. On the contrary, it was different from the Ika knight who guarded the Angry South Pass before.

Kil thought of the origins of the two knights, and they seemed to be related to the army.

It seems that most knights who come from the army like to wear this kind of extra heavy steel armor, and the Ika knights who come from a knight family, although the armor on their bodies is also thick, it is only thicker than the armor worn by ordinary people, and it is not as good as before. This set is strong.

Reminiscent of the fact that although Knight Ika was young, his skills were impressive, Geer guessed that although he was a knight, his skills and positioning were probably very different.

From this point of view, I wonder if we will encounter knights who wear low protection but rely on skill and flexibility to fight in the future?

-

The next morning, before dawn, Kil patted his cheek and woke up.

In fact, he did not take off his hard cowhide armor when he went to bed last night, and his weapons were not left behind. He just put the clean bedding on the wooden bed in the guest room on the wooden floor, lay on the ground and slept hastily for a few hours.

As soon as we got up, we could hear the gathering command of the soldiers in the yard outside.

He stretched his head over to take a look and found that the Knight of Anwena might not have slept last night. At this time, he was fully dressed, walking around his own yard like a two-meter-long steel killing machine.

The dirt floor that had been trampled by countless people had left clear footprints as he moved around. It was shocking to see, and one didn't know how heavy the knight's body was.

The huge and heavy double ax is hanging on the metal belt around the waist of the Anvina Knight. It weighs about two hundred kilograms, but the Anvina Knight seems relaxed and indifferent.

After last night's assault training, the soldiers rested for a few hours and regrouped, and the Anvina Knight happened to arrive in front of dozens of Grass Rat Town soldiers.

The knight deliberately lowered his voice. This time he really lowered his voice. At least Kiel couldn't hear what he said.

Judging from the knight's actions and the soldiers' reactions, it seems that the soldiers were informed of the mission of this battle at this time.

The soldiers were a little confused. It was obvious that the Yisi Blade Gang was unknown to them who patrolled the streets all day long. It seems that the thief named Yi Si who organized this gang of thieves is quite capable.

The soldiers were at a loss. Seeing that the knight lord attached so much importance to this operation, the soldiers even picked up the knight's armor that they had not worn for many years and put it on for the first time. Their expressions were very excited at this time.

"Sir! Promise to destroy them!"

The soldiers responded in unison.

Knight Anvina was very satisfied with the state of his soldiers. Then he waved to the butler who was waiting not far away. The servants immediately brought out the long dining table and the breakfast prepared in the middle of the night under the command of the chef.

The yard is spacious and it is easy to place these things. Bowls and piles of hot broth and freshly baked wheat cakes.

Under the leadership of the Anvina Knight, all the soldiers who participated in the battle today walked over to enjoy it.

After all, we are fighting on our own turf, so not only do the weapons and equipment fit well, but the food is also unambiguous.

Not afraid of finishing the meal, just afraid of not being able to eat anymore.

At this time, Keir also put the wet cloth for wiping his face back into the leather bag on his waist and came over to have breakfast.

As soon as the sky became slightly brighter, the courtyard of the knight's mansion was bustling with activity. Seeing Kil's figure, Knight Anvina waved to Kil and called him over.

Kil walked over and found Mr. Pavey sitting next to the knight, wearing a leather jacket and armor slightly better than that of a soldier.

"I thought you wouldn't participate in this battle. After all, I didn't see you being very good at fighting yesterday." Kil teased Mr. Pavey. Mr. Pavey smiled, glanced at his uncle, and whispered. He said to Kil: "Before the clam shell is opened, it is difficult to distinguish the pearl. Just because I didn't take action yesterday doesn't mean I can't fight."

Knight Anvina smiled, put the wheat cake rolled with barbecue into his mouth, chewed it carefully and said: "Although little Pawei is not as good as my sons in fighting, he is also very attentive. I taught him personally. He will take a while, don’t worry Kiel, he won’t hold him back.”

Upon hearing this, Pawei patted the sword on his waist and the leather shield on his back.

But it was probably too risky to be safe, so Knight Anvina carefully removed a gem necklace from his neck, put it on the table and pushed it to Pavel.

"Put it on, just in case. Who knows what traps those thieves will have."

Pawei looked surprised and did not dare to take the necklace.

A gemstone in the center of the necklace shone brightly. Kil knew that this thing must contain magic or divine power. Combined with the knight's words, it was obvious that this thing could provide supernatural protection to the wearer.

"Take it, I've never used it since I got it from my commander."

Clang, Knight Anvina tapped the thick armor on his body with his fingers: "It protects me. You are still young and need it more than I do."

"Thank you, uncle." Pawei stopped delaying and picked up the gem necklace on the dining table and put it around his neck.

"Oh, by the way. Pawei." Knight Anvina continued: "If you perform well this time, I will give it to you, how about it?"

"This? Let's forget it. It should be inherited by my brother and your son. It's not appropriate to give it to me." Pawei wanted to take off the gem necklace around his neck, but was stopped by the Knight of Anvina.

"They have their own life experiences and their own wealth to acquire, just like when I was young. This thing is not theirs, but mine, do you understand? If I want to give it to you, just take it. Behave well. , show me the merits of getting it."

Knight Anvina said exactly what he said, and then ignored the matter.

Keir shrugged. He would not say anything or get involved in other people's family affairs.

The soldiers quickly ate and drank, and then lined up to organize their weapons and equipment.

Kil was stopped by the Knights of Anvina and asked Kil to go out of the city to contact the Kendal people. Naturally, the incident was caused by the murder of the Kendal merchants, so the Kendal people were also indispensable to solve the murderous Isi Knifehead Gang. .

Kil didn't understand the meaning behind Knight Anvina, but he asked you to lead people, so this matter naturally suits Kil's wishes.

So Kiel took the order and set off to find their people first.

It was agreed to meet in the central square of the town.

Then Knight Anvina called the soldier captain and arranged for the captain to inform the two gates of the town that no scattered people would be allowed to leave Grass Rat Town until the battle ended today. They were allowed in but not allowed out.

The entire town can only be entered and exited by vehicles and personnel from large caravans and large chambers of commerce. Vehicles and personnel entering and exiting the town must be carefully inspected. Non-commercial and caravan personnel are not allowed to be mixed in, and all vehicles and goods must be opened and inspected. , to prevent someone from sneaking away.

Later, the Anvina Knight also asked the soldier captain responsible for patrolling the town's outer wall to step up patrols and prevent any non-soldiers from boarding the wall and sneaking over the town wall.

Others also called the town management personnel to inform them to appease the people of the town and the chamber of commerce and shops, but did not tell them what was going on.

Apparently he was afraid that the news would leak out.

After finishing the preparations and about to set off, several wives of the Knights of Anvina also came to see him off.

Although they are fighting in the town and not traveling far away to participate in the war, similar customs still exist.

Including the lady who was attacked by a monster and aged prematurely, several wives of the Knight of Anvina gave the knight ornaments that they had made together with their maids overnight.

Red ornaments soaked in their blood.

They are a cloth bracelet, two fur balls hanging on the axe, and a leather pendant buckled on the belt.

There is also a red cloak that they have prepared.

I thought I wouldn't use this cloak, but I still used it today.

The metal buckles of the cloak were buckled on both sides of the shoulder armor. The knight gently pinched it with his metal-gloved fingers, and the buckles were tightly fixed to the armor.

The red cloak was dyed red by them intermittently with their own blood, which not only represented their blood-like longing, but also represented the hope that their husbands would go on an expedition to have a prosperous military fortune and win every enemy.

After looking at the neat soldiers, Knight Anvina called Pawi to follow him. He came to the soldiers and said in a voice that was not too loud for everyone: "Come with me and defeat the enemy."

"Defeat the enemy!"

"Defeat the enemy!"

"Defeat the enemy!"

All the soldiers shouted in unison, but the volume was not as loud as the lowered volume of the Anvina Knight.

-

On the other side, after Kil came out of the knight's mansion, he trotted towards the northwest gate of the town.

There are not many pedestrians on the road. After all, it is not a place mainly based on agriculture. There are not many farmers engaged in farming, so naturally not many people come and go in the morning.

However, in the shops and hotels on both sides of the street, the neighing of horses and the shouts of caravan guys could be heard one after another. These are caravans that are ready to set off early after dawn.

Some shops also opened their doors early. The waiter who opened the door was sitting listlessly on the steps in front of the shop, chewing a piece of dry and hard black bread mechanically.

Maybe paired with a glass of water, that would be great!

Yesterday, Mr. Pavey told the soldiers at the gate, so it was very easy for Kiel to leave the city gate. After the soldier at the gate recognized Kiel's attire, he went out without checking.

The outside of the town wall is not all grassland. A small number of farmers in the town have cultivated small farmland near the roots outside the wall. What they grow is not food, but crops that are used every day in the town. Vegetables and legumes.

Of course, not everyone lives in the town. There are still a few shops open on the outer commercial road near the town gate.

However, this is not a place where the town soldiers are responsible for public security. Fights and fights will not be ignored. Please deal with murder and robbery by yourself.

Therefore, some shops here that are unwilling to pay taxes or want to be the first to do business with business travelers have thick walls and very thick wooden doors.

There is even only one door for entry and exit, and the lighting does not rely on windows opened in the walls, but on the patio on the roof.

However, few business travelers come in to trade goods. Instead, these places have become good places for selling and trading some illegal goods.

Not far away is where the Kendall County army and its caravan were stationed.

There are no traces of where the army originally camped, leaving only a large open space without weeds, and where the army caravans were, there was a lot of garbage left.

There were several tents standing near the trade road.

From a distance, Keir saw Lubis and others waiting at the campfire in the center of the tent, ready to go.

"Hey!" Kil greeted loudly and trotted over.

He then shouted: "Pack up everything, put it all away. Everyone is ready to fight with me!"

The members of the Nightingale Militia Squad knew Kiel and immediately called everyone's attention.

After Kil came over, they all asked about how the communication with the local knight lord last night went.

"Very good, that Knight of Anvina will even lead people to take part in wiping out the Yisi Bladehead Gang. There are many of them, but they are the main force. As for us." Kil looked around everyone, the baron's personal guard Lubis, the town guard Kayan and Zambirus, the scribe Ymor, the businessman Ouluobi, Fanny who was controlled to sit on the ground, ten nightingale militia teams, and the corpse of the murdered businessman wrapped in cloth.

Keir made some arrangements.

"Nightingale team leaves two people to guard the body. In addition, you, Ouluobi, don't participate in the battle. I will wait until the battle is over before I ask you to enter the town. Everyone else will follow me. The mission is to fight in Fang." Under Ni's identification, while the Knights of Anwena lead the soldiers to destroy the Yisi Knifehead Gang, assist them and arrest alive the thieves who killed our Kendall merchants."

Lubis nodded, approving Kiel's arrangement.

"In addition, be prepared to fight. Don't get injured or die. It's not worth it. Protect yourself. I will lead everyone to catch up with the army. Yimol, especially you, just follow behind."

Keir arranged it this way.

Clerk Imore touched his arm and didn't want to go, but the baron's personal guard Lubis stared at him. It was obvious that he would go if he didn't want to. After all, this was the mission given to him by Baron Kendall.