novelraw Book 2: Chapter 144: The Army Mobilizes
Book 2: Chapter 144: The Army Mobilizes
Vol 2 Chapter 144: The Army Mobilizes
Within the territory of Regas, at Split-Axe City.
Rough-hewn rocks were piled up to form city walls about thirty meters high. The terrain here was treacherous, built against a mountain, and it was also an important stronghold guarding the passage from central to southern Regas.
The city was bustling with people and horses, as one army after another of Anty people were being summoned from all directions, gathering here.
Inside the City Lord's mansion.
"Sir, we have found the core stronghold of the Hundred-Eyes Sect. It is a valley amidst the mountains, hidden and unknown." A spy dressed in a black-grey uniform quickly walked into the room to report.
"Are you certain? Report the specific details to me." Carkis, who had been pacing the room, turned around.
"Yes, Sir."
The spy then informed Carkis in detail about the location of this valley and the general situation inside it now.
"They seem to be preparing for something, perhaps another mysterious ritual is about to be held."Hearing the word 'ritual,' Carkis's eyes snapped open. A barely suppressed aura spread out, nearly suffocating the spy before him.
"I understand." Several seconds later, he retracted his aura and then replied.
"You notify the 'Mist Blade' squad, have them closely monitor that valley."
"Yes, but Sir, when we discovered that valley, we used the 'Golden-Eyed Eagles' bred by the army. If we send the Mist Blade squad in, they might be detected by the Eye Tyrants. Those creatures have exceptionally good vision; even if invisible, they might be discovered."
"That is indeed correct." Carkis, unusually humble at this moment, accepted his subordinate's suggestion.
"Have them wait in a hidden location outside the valley for now. You continue to deploy the 'Golden-Eyed Eagles' to observe the situation there. If there are any changes, notify the Mist Blade squad immediately. They know how to respond."
"Yes."
Immediately, the spy left.
In the room, Carkis marked that valley on the map, then summoned messengers and began issuing various orders.
After learning the specific locations of the Hundred-Eyes Sect and Prince Jabers, the Anty armies within Regas, like a waking giant beast, began to mobilize and gather. They first arrived at Split-Axe City for reorganization, then set out in batches.
The first few batches headed to different regions in southern Regas, putting on a show of searching for traces. The main force of the army slowly moved south. When they reached an area not far from the hidden valley, all units abruptly changed their marching direction, all converging and advancing towards the predetermined target. Like a tightening bag, they gradually surrounded the valley monitored by the Golden-Eyed Eagles.
Dark red banners fluttered one after another. Anty soldiers wearing pointed, round iron helmets stood ready. Under the command of messenger cavalry riding through the formations, the ranks advanced step by step. That vast, conquering army that had subdued Regas appeared on this land once more, two years later.
On a mountain peak, the leader of the Hundred-Eyes Sect looked down from afar at this scene, his body unmoving, his dark red robes fluttering in the cold wind.
"I underestimated that Anty man."
Because the Hundred-Eyes Sect had been preparing too eagerly, their movements were not as secretive as in the past. And Carkis was an Anty general skilled in tracking, scouting, and gathering intelligence, so he naturally discovered their traces.
"What do we do now, Sect Leader?" a high-ranking cultist beside him asked, bowing his head.
"Should we pause the ritual and break through to transfer immediately?" Most of them were of commoner origin; even after joining the sect, they still held an instinctive fear towards the nobility and that vast army.
"Pause? No, no." The leader's voice was gloomy as he refused.
"The time for the stars to align is not something we can afford to miss. Nor will we be given a second chance in the future."
He took a deep breath, as if resolving himself to something.
"Notify the branches at each stronghold, have them act immediately to seize control of the local towns and cities, and do so in the name of Prince Jabers."
"Previously, we already had Prince Jabers write over a hundred letters of appointment and proclamation, along with symbols of authority like seals and scepters. These things might be useless normally, but at a critical moment, they can stir up immense chaos."
"Since Carkis leaves us no way out, we need not leave him any retreat either. I want to see if this general can still return alive to the Kingdom of Ante after most of the territory within Regas rebels and declares independence."
"This... I understand." This cultist originally wanted to advise once more, but in the end, he did not speak.
Inciting rebellions across various places within Regas might seem like a good thing, but it also completely exposed the accumulated assets and hidden parts the Hundred-Eyes Sect had built up over centuries.
The reason a cult is called an evil cult is because it is not recognized by mainstream powers. Once exposed, what they would face in the future would not be merely the armies of the Anty people. But the current situation was critical; if they did not use these trump cards, they would not get a second chance.
Not every generation of the Hundred-Eyes Sect could encounter an era of national chaos where all sides were too preoccupied to pay attention, and it also had to coincide precisely with the third year of the Gale Season.
Thus, forced by these various conditions, even though they knew doing this was exceptionally dangerous, they had no better choice.
Tens of thousands of Anty troops marched across the plains. Their encampment stretched for nearly ten kilometers. Even at night, patrolling soldiers holding torches moved back and forth incessantly, making any spying forces dare not act rashly.
However, after this great army was mobilized and gathered, supplies also became a huge problem. Now they would not receive materials and provisions delivered from the Kingdom of Ante's homeland; they could only extract the stored goods from the various towns and villages along the way within Regas.
...
Outside a village, a tall, burly Anty quartermaster officer directed his men to surround the place, then ordered the villagers to gather in the square.
He sat atop a tall, reddish-brown warhorse, holding a leather whip and pointing it at the villagers before him.
"Listen well. Immediately bring all the grain, vegetables, and meat from the village to the square."
"I give you two hours to move it. After that, I will have soldiers check every house. Anyone found hiding and not surrendering supplies will be executed without mercy!" These last words exploded among the crowd like thunder.
The villagers stirred. Some wanted to argue, but soon a leather whip lashed down, splitting skin and flesh.
"Remember, this is not a negotiation, nor a request. It is an order to be absolutely obeyed!" He emphasized once more, his ice-blue, gloomy eyes chilling the hearts of every villager who thought to resist.
The mobilization of a great army was no child's play. If the supply line broke, the consequences would be unimaginable. They not only had to supply 100% of the required food but should prepare 200% of the grain provisions to have enough leeway to handle various emergencies.
Amidst silent cries and shouts, some villagers numbly returned to their homes and began moving grain. Meanwhile, some Anty soldiers rushed into the village, urging and supervising, continuously carrying discovered food in sack after sack onto carriages to be hauled out of the village.
Such a scene did not occur only in this first village but happened in various towns and villages across southern Regas.
During the process, some had felt it improper and reported it to their superiors.
"I am aware of your report, but proceed as usual. Do not harbor unnecessary mercy."
"Whether you take everything or take half, you will earn their hatred. Taking half and leaving half is the most laughable thing."
"Furthermore, you must believe that those people are not the fools and kind folk you imagine. They always have things hidden away, and they always find a way to survive. It is not for you or me to worry about their future."
"We are the army that conquered them. Everything we do is to seize what originally belonged to others. This is our mission. Do not be fooled by pedantic teachings."
"They too will accept this fact through repeated seizures, just as they once served the nobles of Regas and paid taxes. People are always willing to submit to a stronger existence, for it is through submission that the weak can draw a shred of security."