Moving forward, the team quickly bypassed the city of Munich and embarked on the road to the north.
After five days of marching, the Knights of the Southern Cross have arrived at the last town in northern Lullian, Dusha Town.
After passing this small town, the front will be the boundless Lulian Northeast Gobi.
During these five days, the team never stopped for a moment.
There was no camping to rest, and no cooking pots were buried. We slept on the back of a horse, ate dry food, and the horse never stopped without leaving the saddle.
However, the team's speed is not very fast.
"The training started from the moment we left Munich."
These are the exact words Leng Jin said to the knights.
"In terms of energy and physique, we old bones are definitely not as good as you. Therefore, we have no other requirements. The only requirement is that you do what we do."
Leng Jin's words were an understatement.
At first, the knights didn't feel anything was wrong.
After all, everyone sees it - the youngest of these old knights is over fifty, and the oldest is over seventy.
At this age, perhaps the source of fighting energy and martial arts will not be reduced, but the energy and physical strength are far behind those of young people.
And these men in their prime, who have been mercenaries for so many years, have never suffered any hardships, and have not suffered any sins?
Although I don’t know how the old knights want to train themselves, when everyone thinks about it, since they treat themselves equally, this kind of request is not excessive at all and is completely reasonable.
However, no one expected that this would be the beginning of a nightmare.
The initial training is to train with the mount.
All knights are required to be in a state of releasing their battle rings to link their horses while marching.
Generally speaking, the knight will only release the battle ring to link the mount before charging, so that the mount will increase in size under the action of fighting spirit, greatly increase the strength and speed, and explode with the strongest impact.
On a normal march, even if everyone is not so relaxed that they should take a rest, they can save their fighting spirit as long as they can. Who would release the battle ring without any trouble?
But that’s exactly what the order was.
Even if they didn’t understand, they still did it.
Immediately afterwards, the old knights divided the team into twelve teams, each team was led by one of them.
They require that all knights must match their speed. Not only if they are fast, everyone must follow the speed, and if they are slow, everyone must follow the slowness. But also the starting time of the war horse, the rhythm of the pace, and even the amplitude of the body's fluctuations.
The direction of the horse's head and so on must be synchronized.
For everyone, this is actually not a difficult thing.
After all, those who can join the Knights of the Southern Cross must have at least the strength of a just knight.
Even though the fighting habits and methods of mercenaries and knights in the army are different, the knight training they received since childhood, especially the basic training such as riding, is exactly the same.
There are even many people whose riding skills are far better than those of the knights in the army.
No one thinks such training is difficult, or even necessary.
However, everyone soon discovered that they were wrong.
The rhythm of these old knights' horse control is extremely strange. Not only the speed is fast and slow, but the pace is even more varied.
Under their control, the war horses sometimes move forward in tiny steps with their hoofs in diagonal lines; sometimes they move at a medium speed with the front and rear hoofs rising and falling at the same time; sometimes they only see the horse's legs rising and falling, but they don't see them.
Moving forward is standing still; sometimes it is an instant ejection from stillness to rapid charge.
As they walked, their horses would turn sideways, moving sideways like a crab. Or they would make a 180-degree rotation with the front hoof as the center, throw the horse's butt in front, and then rotate again.
The horse's head turned back and continued to move forward.
As for moving forward in a diagonal direction, changing direction from left to right, controlling the horse to kick, jumping, etc., there are all kinds of tricks, and one will happen from time to time.
Many of the movements were as if the war horses were frightened.
The knights were going crazy.
In all our lives, we have never suffered such torture.
In order to keep up with the movements of the old knights, they even tried their best to suck milk, but they were still in a mess.
Especially when the fighting spirit arouses the war horse, the consumption is like running water. Normally, there is no problem for a few prayers, but now, after just one or two prayers, he is sweating profusely.
The formation was even more chaotic.
However, at this time, everyone kept their mouths shut, without any doubts or dissatisfaction.
Because everyone saw that the twelve old knights, including Luke, were all walking at the leading position on the right side of the team, slightly away from the team.
And when they changed their steps and movements, the twelve people, even if they were hundreds of meters apart, were as neat as twelve puppets held by a string.
Starting at the same time, turning around at the same time, stopping at the same time, changing the size of the horse's pace and rhythm at the same time...even the direction and angle of the horse's head and tail are exactly the same.
From the side, it is simply pleasing to the eye.
Moreover, all this is like the instinct in their bones, done so easily and freely. When they sit down, the horse completely becomes a part of their body, and the pace changes, as agile as a dancer dancing.
This made many knights dumbfounded at the time.
Although I have never been in the military, everyone still has this insight.
They could fully imagine how tacitly coordinated knights with such riding skills would be able to cooperate on the battlefield, how flexible they would be in advancing, retreating, and evading, and how terrifying a sudden combined attack would be.
At that moment, there was only one thought in everyone's mind: "Where did they come from? How could Sir Leo know such a powerful knight in the army?"
No one knows the answer.
If everyone was still suspicious of these old knights who suddenly appeared to train them, now, all they have left is awe.
And the only thing they can do is grit their teeth and try to keep up.
For a time, on the road leading to the north, thousands of knights were like toddlers in kindergarten, learning behind the twelve old knights of Farrington.
However, this is only the beginning of training.
From that day on, they never left their horses.
When you are hungry, you will eat a few mouthfuls of dry food with the water in the water bag. When you are tired, you will lie down on the horse and take a nap. When your energy is exhausted, you will ride on the horse to exercise and regulate your breath. When you recover a little, you will
Keep training.
Originally running at full speed, the journey of only one or two days took five days.
After five days, many young and strong knights had disheveled hair, unkempt beards, and haggard faces.
But the twelve old knights were still in high spirits, just like when they just set off from Munich. It was impossible to tell that they had spent five full days on horseback like everyone else.
Everyone even suspected that they would still be like this in ten or twenty days.
These tortures that no one has ever experienced before, to them, are as simple and natural as eating and drinking.
This time, even the most stubborn person lost his temper.
In this way, the team trained while walking. When they arrived at Dusha Town, the knights had unknowingly changed a lot from when they first left Munich.
The team is still the same team.
Even judging from their military appearance, the knights, who looked haggard and wore dirty clothes, were worse than before.
However, if you observe carefully, you will find that the current team is a little less loose. The distance between the knights, whether front or rear or left or right, is naturally maintained in a suitable position, and if it is slightly loose, it will
It will change back immediately.
It's like there are invisible ropes pulling on it.
At the same time, the movements of the knights became relaxed and natural, and their bodies seemed to be growing together with the horses. Whether they were marching or other movements, they seemed far more relaxed than before.
What's more important is that they have an aura that can't be touched or grasped, but can be clearly felt.
They just rode on like this.
Even if they are just walking at an ordinary medium speed, from the front to the end of the team, there are rows of figures rising and falling with the neat footsteps of the horses. The rhythm is like ocean waves and war drums.
Every step of the iron hoof gives people a surging feeling.
Listening to the sound of hoofbeats from a distance, it's like being stepped on in the heart, and you can't help but feel palpitations. It seems that as long as they gallop on horseback, with iron hoofs like thunder, their hearts will beat violently and uncontrollably, making them feel uncomfortable.
The blood rushes to the brain, and the whole body trembles uncontrollably.
Even my heart felt like it was jumping out of my throat.
…
…
"Roy, we've arrived at Dusha Town."
Leng Jin rode his horse back from the front of the team, reined in the horse beside Roy, and reported.
"Can we set up camp and rest?" Roy asked.
Seeing Roy's expectant eyes, Leng Jin, Luke and others next to him all laughed.
Leng Jin nodded and said: "We will stay in Musha Town today. The first stage of training is almost done at this level. Anyway, the journey is still far, and we have plenty of time."
Roy said in surprise: "Really? Then I'll tell them."
With that said, Roy hurriedly urged his horse and galloped towards Landero and others in the queue without waiting for Leng Jin's reply.
A moment later, the marching team burst into cheers that echoed through the sky.
Many knights roared and yelled at the top of their lungs. They looked like a group of prisoners who had finally regained their freedom. If it weren't for discipline, everyone would have jumped off their horses and lied on the ground by this time.
The old knights looked at Roy surrounded by knights with smiles, and they all looked at each other and smiled.
There is affection in the eyes, but also relief and pride.
"How's it going?" Luke asked with a smile, "I'm not bragging, my young master, am I?"
"Okay, okay," Leng Jin scolded with a smile, "How many times have you asked us this question? No bragging, no bragging, okay."
Everyone laughed and nodded.
You must know that as the future heir to the Principality of Farrington and the only bloodline of the Hanshan family, Roy's identity is extremely valuable in the minds of the old knights.
And even in this knighthood, he is the object of allegiance to everyone.
However, since leaving Munich, Roy has not enjoyed any special treatment based on his status.
When the hunters were walking on both sides of the team, when a group of dwarf warriors were smiling and looking strange, when the magicians were following behind in carriages, he was always riding a horse and walking among the knights, with everyone.
Get training.
If they had to choose the best student, Leng Jin and others would vote for their young master without hesitation.
Roy learns things very quickly.
The same action, the same requirement, it only took him one day to achieve it.
The long-haired, skinny horse he sat on seemed to have a mental connection with him. He could learn many steps once he was taught them. Moreover, the horse was more agile and weird, and even gave people the feeling of an elf hunter.
This is riding on a horse.
So much so that everyone doubted whether Roy had mastered similar skills before.
And even though he learned it quickly, Roy never got off his horse for five days.
He walked quietly on the side of the team, and sometimes joined the team to train with the knights, explaining and demonstrating the key points of the skills.
In this knight order, except for the three to four hundred high-level knights who once fought side by side with Roy in the abyss and had a life-and-death friendship, the rest of the knights are from various mercenary groups and are not familiar with Roy.
Half of the reason why they joined the Knights of the Southern Cross was because those high-ranking knights were their friends, brothers, captains, and even captains.
The other half, on the other hand, were more or less tempted by the magic costume.
As for Roy, no one has had direct contact with him.
Moreover, Roy left for a long time after the formation of the Knights of the Southern Cross. Therefore, many of them looked at the leader with a sense of observation and scrutiny.
But after a few days, no one retained that look. Everyone asked him for advice and joked with him during training, and their attitude was close and respectful.
These are all seen by the old knights.
I am extremely satisfied with my young master.
…
…
Musha Town is better said to be a small town than a town.
There are three roads from Lulian to the north. Crossing the Northeastern Gobi and diagonally cutting through the province of Saxony is the shortest route into the Imperial Capital Plain.
If they don't go here, the caravan coming from the northeast of the empire will have to make a large circle and pass through the noble alliance territory northwest of Lulian.
That would add nearly a month to the journey.
Therefore, the geographical location of Musha Town, located on the edge of the Gobi, is very important.
Whether they are leaving Lulian or coming from the north and entering Lulian through the vast Gobi desert, they will choose to rest and prepare here.
As time goes by, Musha Town has grown bigger and bigger.
Originally there were only a few hundred residents and a guard of less than a hundred people here, but now there are more than 3,000 permanent residents and a cavalry of 300 people.
Both sides of the town's streets are densely packed with hotels, restaurants and pubs.
In addition, there are car dealerships, auction houses, casinos, brothels, horse farms, warehouses... and even a small mission hall and a small church.
After all, this is Lulian's territory, so as soon as the Knights of the Southern Cross arrive, they are immediately greeted by the local garrison and arranged for food and accommodation.
Roy took a quick shower and had a hot meal before getting into the tent set up in the open space in the center of the town.
This is the temporary command post set up by Leng Jin and others.
In the tent, the old knights were gathered around the table, discussing something with the garrison officer of Dusha Town.
There is a sheepskin map spread on the table, with seven or eight red circles drawn on it.
"Roy, you're here just in time." Leng Jin saw Roy coming in and moved him to the table. He pointed at the map and said, "We just discussed it. Next, I'm afraid we will have to stay in Musha Town for more than ten days.
time."
"Ten days?" Roy was stunned.
He originally thought that the Knights would continue their journey after a short rest.
After all, the demon army is approaching Bandez day by day. If the time delay is too long, it is difficult to say what problems will occur by then. I can't wait so long.
"Why?" Roy asked.
"Suppress bandits!" Leng Jin said, "Knight training and actual combat are the whetstones. Our first stage of training is just to lay a foundation. We want these mercenaries to change their fighting habits and adapt to the way the army fights.
, it requires a lot of practical training.”
As he spoke, he turned and pointed at the garrison officer of Musha Town: "Just in time, the garrison officer told us that there are seven large bandit groups around Musha Town, and there are countless small groups of bandits deep in the Gobi. We
I just operated on them and it took half a month to sweep them all away."
Roy opened his mouth wide and turned to look. The defense officer waved his hands with a wry smile and said, "Your Excellency, this is not my suggestion."
This garrison officer's name is Hatton, he is slightly fat, and he is a low-level Lurian noble.
He has been serving as a garrison officer in Musha Town for three years and is very familiar with the surrounding situation. Therefore, he was called by Leng Jin and others for questioning.
As soon as he heard the question about the bandits nearby, Hatton felt a little nervous.
Obviously, these old knights are trying to get rid of the bandits, otherwise, why would they ask these questions?
I didn't expect that to be the case.
In fact, bandits are indeed a big problem for Hatton and Dusha Town.
These bandits are entrenched in the Gobi north of Musha Town, threatening the trade routes leading to the north at all times.
Over the years, countless caravans in Lulian have been buried in the vast Gobi desert, which has had a great impact on Lulian's economy.
Naturally, Archduke Adolf would not sit idly by and ignore this. In the early years, he had repeatedly sent people to suppress the bandits.
However, these bandits are no ordinary bandits.
Being able to live in the desolate Gobi Desert, survive in the scorching sun, drought, wind, sand and snowstorms for such a long time, not being killed, and survive conflicts with other gangs, and even become increasingly powerful, are all the most vicious ones.
of ruthless bandits.
Their riding skills are extraordinary, and they usually ride with two horses, coming and going like the wind. In the vast Gobi desert, it is common for them to fight for hundreds or thousands of kilometers.
They usually wander close to the caravan route. Once they find prey, they pounce on it like wolves. But if they find danger, they will flee thousands of miles away.
Not only are they familiar with the topography of the Gobi, they know every drinking point, and they are also very cunning.
What's even more troublesome is that these bandits are still connected to each other. Sometimes they will cooperate with each other when they encounter prey that they cannot take down by themselves.
On weekdays, news is exchanged. If there is any disturbance, not even a robber can be found within a hundred miles of safekeeping.
Because of this, the Lulian army that came to suppress the bandits spent a lot of money on military expenses and food, and only caught a few dozen bandits and executed them sporadically.
After the army left, less than a month later, the bandits were back again.
However, they were finally intimidated by the reputation of Archduke Adolf, especially Miss Sophia, and these bandits no longer dared to approach Musha Town. The area of activity was restricted to the Gobi in the north.
That place is no longer considered Lulian territory.
It has been stable for several years, but recently, Hatton discovered that the security situation around Musha Town seemed to be deteriorating.
Two years ago, the Fei Lie Empire invaded, and the number of bandits in the area increased a lot. Then the demons invaded, and Sophia went to the imperial capital to take charge of the Fire Phoenix Legion. Archduke Adolf had no time to take care of himself, and the number of bandits here increased explosively.
Especially in recent days, affected by the flow of refugees from the north, more and more people regard Lulian as the last safe fortress. Not only the nobles sent people south in advance, but also major business houses, chaebols and some wealthy people sent a large number of people to Lullian.
Lulian transfers assets and family.
Hatton even heard that even some civilians were beginning to get ideas from Lulian.
You must know that the thousands of miles of Gobi Desert has always been the biggest obstacle that prevents people from coming to Lulian. Without money, unable to buy a carriage ticket, or without the protection of an escort, if you want to cross the Gobi Desert, you are simply courting death.
But even so, Hatton also heard that a large number of civilians have gathered in the north of the Gobi. Some of them are organizing and trying to cross on foot.
The reason is simple, because people in other provinces have begun to starve to death.
Just like a herd of takin without water and grass, in order to survive, they can only move forward no matter whether it is a mountain or a big river, whether it is a lion or a crocodile.
Under such circumstances, the number of bandits on this road is expanding rapidly.
There are countless prey here for them to attack.
Hatton really hopes that someone can destroy all these bandit groups. However, this does not include this so-called knight group, which is said to have not even completed the most basic training.
Hatton was not afraid of any danger to them.
After all, when hundreds of Glory Knights come forward to call the Justice Knights, even if they are all mercenaries, they are still a terrifying force.
Hatton was only afraid that if these guys carried out a random sweep here, the bandits would not be able to hit him and he would leave, leaving Musha Town and the people around it to suffer.
.
.The ruling took several years to write and contained 3 million words, but it would not be a eunuch in any case. Although the double opening may seem distracting, for me, both working hours and efficiency are actually better than before.