Warhammer Divine Throne

In the Arden Forest, Marquis Angxi’s grand army was also advancing through the woods.

Unlike the Right Army, this force of over thirty thousand was led by a large number of Scouts and Rangers to explore and keep watch, followed by about three thousand Peasant soldiers. They held Long Spears or Longswords, attentively watching the surroundings. At the very forefront were the Peasant Archers, who held the lowest status.

In the Central Army were a large group of Peasant Infantry and regular soldiers, with Ranger Knights and Kingdom Knights at the back, protecting Marquis Angxi and other Great Nobles, while numerous Infantry units flanked the Knights.

The entire formation stretched several kilometers.

The Knights were not fully equipped; most wore formal attire and uniforms, armed with sword and shield.

During expeditions, Knights don full armor only when facing the enemy. During marches or rest, they do not wear armor as it is a heavy burden for both horses and Knights alike.

Combat stretches can exhaust Knights.

Only a Knight like the Holy Grail Knight can wear full plate armor from dawn till dusk without tiring, but Holy Grail Knights are very rare, and this Knightly War had only Laine as a participating Holy Grail Knight.

A standard Brittania warhorse, armored, can charge five to eight times before becoming fatigued, greatly reducing its effectiveness. Therefore, during marches or in camp, Knights avoid wearing armor to prevent undo exhaustion.

Most ordinary Ranger Knights cannot afford full plate armor. They are equipped with chain armor, a kite helmet, and tunic. Only a few noble-born Ranger Knights can afford plate armor.

Thus, a Knight typically sets out with three horses: a warhorse for combat, a regular horse for everyday riding, and a packhorse for gear. They also need at least two Knight’s Squires to assist with armoring and mounting before battle.

Behind the Knights trailed a vast assembly of auxiliary and logistical personnel, along with a convoy of wagons carrying the Knights’ gear.

”My Marquis, Yulsen Castle is just ahead.” This suggestion came from the experienced Deputy General, Baron Pierre, an excellent Kingdom Knight: ”We haven’t faced much resistance, but I believe we should remain cautious.”

”Yes, I’m aware. Beastmen are indeed cunning, so we must be vigilant.” Marquis Angxi, despite his pride, was a general of academic provenance, receiving solid military training from a young age. He knew he could not afford carelessness.

Your Majesty Richard had painstakingly secured this opportunity for his grandnephew, and he intended to seize it well.

Meanwhile, the Marquis was slightly agitated, having been in the forest for three days, facing constant harassment and minor raids from Beastmen. Scouts and Rangers had sustained heavy casualties, yet the Beastmen never dared to launch a full-scale assault on the army.

Among the Ranger Knights, some began to grumble, feeling the Beastmen were not formidable, and that the Marquis was overly cautious. These Beastmen did nothing but launch ambushes and avoid the Knights, truly a bunch of cowards.

Marquis Angxi warned the Knights to remain vigilant against Beastmen ambushes.

However, where had the Beastmen gone? Marquis Angxi pondered, as these creatures had long remained unseen, much to the Knights’ frustration.

The army was about twenty kilometers from Yulsen Castle when the unexpected occurred.

Several wounded Rangers burst out from the forest: ”Enemy attack! It’s Beastmen!”

”It’s Beastmen!” the furious cries traveled from the front line to the back, taking some time. The several-kilometer-long army was slow to react, as the Peasants on alert at the front formed several rows, raising their weapons. Knights quickly sought out their Squires to dawn armor and prepare for battle.

In the dark forest, hundreds of Beastmen emerged, with malevolent faces, mostly wielding Long Spears and large axes.

”Archers, ready to fire!” commanded the Sergeants in the front line. The Peasants promptly obeyed, raising their wooden bows.

A volley of arrows rained down on the approaching Beastmen, hitting many Inferior Horned Beasts and Chaos War Dogs. Even though the Peasant Archers’ accuracy was appalling, the flimsy and frail Inferior Horned Beasts and Chaos War Dogs could easily be killed by simple arrows.

However, the Beastman army did not consist solely of the frail Inferior Horned Beasts and Chaos War Dogs.

”It’s the Horned Beast Group!” many Sergeants shouted: ”Defend against the javelins!”

Just then, the Horned Beasts raised the javelins behind them, launching them at the disorganized Brittania Army formation.

A dense rain of javelins streaked through the sky, whistling towards the Peasant Infantry. Many fell, struck by javelins, collapsing headlong.

The Infantry formation began to wobble and fall into disarray. Several Knights executed deserters on the spot to stabilize morale. The Peasant Archers, initially frightened into retreat by the javelins, realized that the javelins’ accuracy was as poor as their arrows. Under the severe glare of the Master Knights, they returned to their positions.