novelraw Chapter 16: Noble’s Private Army
Chapter 16: Noble’s Private Army
In Henwil's view, Fabio teaching them battle formation techniques and combat methods was all wasted effort.
If he had that energy, he'd be better off teaching them how to recognize flag commands.
Henwil felt that training more in formation running might actually be somewhat useful on the battlefield.
At the very least, it would make them appear more organized and make enemy troops somewhat wary.
Or when running away, more people might survive.
Although he clearly understood these men were practically useless, Henwil didn't bother trying to persuade Fabio.
As the weather warmed, the Allied Forces indeed mobilized, systematically eliminating outposts between Fire Eye Town and Plains City.
Finally, in early March, the Allied Forces' troops arrived at the city walls.
A large portion of the Allied Forces soldiers were stationed in camps outside the city, confronting the enemy frontline.
Fabio also had to remain outside the city, leading those serf soldiers.He was quite dissatisfied with this arrangement, frequently venting his anger by punishing the serf soldiers.
Henwil actually thought it was better this way - being inside the city wasn't necessarily safer.
Even though everyone in the Allied Forces believed Plains City had tens of thousands of defenders and impregnable defenses.
No matter how the battle outside the city went, this strategic stronghold wouldn't be lost.
But Henwil wasn't that optimistic - they had used spies to trick open the city gates and capture this fortified city.
Why did they think the enemy couldn't do the same?
After all, this was a city belonging to the Ika Kingdom.
How many people in the city actually supported the Kingdom?
What contingency plans had the Kingdom left here?
The Allied Forces weren't sure about any of this!
Therefore, Henwil felt that city could easily become a trap.
Once trapped inside, escaping wouldn't be so easy.
Conversely, out in the open field, if things went wrong, there was still a chance to flee immediately.
The major battle wasn't so quick to begin. After both sides took positions, until March, there were only small-scale skirmishes.
During this time, Henwil witnessed quite a few spectacles.
Knight duels, warrior competitions...
Fabio also led the serf soldiers into battle once, with results that were equally matched on both sides.
After both sides suffered significant casualties among their serf soldiers, each declared victory and returned to camp.
What was both ridiculous and tragic was that the dead serf soldiers were all killed by the enemy's personal guards.
Both sides tacitly avoided clashing with each other's personal guards, instead targeting the opponent's serf soldiers.
Armored against unarmored - it was complete domination!
This wasn't battle at all!
It was clearly a competition to see who could kill serf soldiers faster!
Henwil didn't participate in the battle - after all, he was still a child!
If he had to fight too, then saving Fabio would have been a complete waste!
Henwil stepped forward to help Fabio remove his armor. Fabio shook blood from his gloves: "Little Henwil, did you see?
I fought through the enemy ranks twice, and no one could stop me! When my warhorse tired and fell, I dismounted and fought, still unmatched!"
Yes, yes, yes!
Such a hero!
Having a grand time killing those serfs with mismatched weapons!
And the warhorse "tired and fell"!
You clearly fell off your horse, and if not for the timely protection from your personal guards, you'd have been skewered by serfs with pitchforks by now!
During the battle, even when passing enemy personal guards, there wasn't the slightest intention to attack.
And he still brags about it!
Although he had a whole basket of complaints in his mind, Henwil still showed excited eyes.
Using an admiring tone, he said: "Lord Fabio, I saw! I saw very clearly!
You were extremely heroic, and the other noble lords were all praising your bravery!"
Fabio laughed heartily, patting Henwil's shoulder: "Go to logistics and request some alcohol! Tonight I'm hosting some friends!"
Henwil responded: "Don't worry! I'll handle it properly!"
That evening, Henwil was pulled by Fabio to drink one cup of wine before being allowed to leave.
Other nobles watching Henwil handle Fabio's affairs so methodically all thought Fabio had an excellent attendant.
Listening to the nobles boasting in the tent, Henwil put away his smile, sighed, and walked toward the serf soldiers' tent.
Henwil knew it wasn't just Fabio hosting banquets and boasting - that noble from the enemy side who fought today wasn't much better either.
After a while, Henwil arrived at the large serf soldiers' tent and raised his oil lamp.
He handed over the package in his hand: "All who were injured today, come here!"
Inside were medicines that Henwil had obtained in Fabio's name when he went to logistics to request alcohol and meat.
The Allied Forces did distribute medicines to wounded soldiers, but they were substandard materials with therapeutic effects that were barely better than nothing.
Asking about army doctors?
Both sides tacitly avoided clashing with each other's personal guards, instead targeting the opponent's serf soldiers.
But they're for treating soldiers!
Serf soldiers aren't people - why would they need treatment?!
This wasn't Henwil's malicious speculation, but actual words from the army doctors and logistics supervisors.
Now, Henwil had come to treat the serf soldiers.
He wasn't a doctor, but he knew basic wound cleaning and suturing.
On one hand, he genuinely didn't want to watch these people die like this.
In Henwil's eyes, these were living human beings!
If Henwil didn't care for them, these wounded soldiers would die within days at most.
On the other hand, Henwil wanted practical experience with the trauma treatment he had learned.
Finally, and most importantly, helping these wounded serf soldiers now was just a small effort for him.
But it could make the wounded soldiers deeply grateful to him, and if anything changed in the future.
These serf soldiers, whether because he could treat wounds or out of gratitude, might lend a helping hand.
Sometimes, the difference between life and death was just that one helping hand away.
Next, under the dim light of the oil lamp.
Enduring the strong smell of blood, Henwil suppressed his discomfort and began suturing those gruesome wounds.
It wasn't until daybreak that Henwil completed treating all the wounded.
Amidst their continuous thanks, Henwil dragged his exhausted body back to Fabio's tent.
He began cleaning up the mess there, then simply lay down beside Fabio's bed and fell asleep.
Fortunately, Fabio had drunk too much last night, and when he woke up, it was already afternoon.
Henwil woke earlier than him and had already prepared Fabio's washing supplies, with dry change clothes placed by his bedside.
Fabio held his aching head: "Little Henwil! Without your help, I can't imagine what I would have become.
You saw last night - Baron Vance, what a respectable man he used to be!
I bet he hasn't changed clothes for at least half a month based on his smell!"
Henwil smiled: "Perhaps Baron Vance has been exhaustively training his troops and didn't have time to attend to himself!"
Fabio laughed: "Hahaha... Henwil you're so amusing, him training troops? Last battle, he didn't even dare lead a charge!
Last night, he was even privately buying enemy heads from me?
Since the war began, besides civilians, he hasn't killed a single enemy soldier! Isn't it ridiculous? Isn't it pathetic?"