Warhammer Divine Throne

”Mother.” Drinking the meat soup, Remon also had tears in his eyes. He said softly, ”The Count is different from other Lords; he understands the hardships of the peasants. We’ll have a good life. Choosing to become runaway slaves really was the right decision. Today, the sergeants were still issuing orders, saying the Count has already reached an agreement with His Majesty the King. As long as we work hard, we can truly stay here!”

”That’s wonderful news!” The elderly mother couldn’t help but wipe away her tears. ”If your father were still alive, he would surely be very happy.”

”Mother...” Remon put down the bowl and wiped his tears forcefully. ”Mother, today I participated in new recruit training as a new soldier. His Excellency the Count says he wants to recruit a Long Halberd Battalion of four hundred. This battalion recruits from all the inhabitants of the domain, and I want to give it a try. Mr. Delong, the Dwarf Master, said this army will be equipped with a full set of Dwarf Breastplates and long halberds, and they say you get to eat meat once every three days!”

”Ah?! Is... is there such a good thing?” The elderly mother was visibly shocked. ”Then will you become a soldier of the Count?”

”Not yet, first everyone must take turns training. The Master Knight and the sergeants will select suitable candidates from among us... Mother, at my age, it’s already a bit late to be a carpenter. I’m almost eighteen, and it’s increasingly difficult to improve. I... I want to send Thomas to be an apprentice to the Dwarf Master. I want to join the army!” Remon hesitated as he expressed his plans to his mother.

”Hmm~~~”

......

”I need to recruit a Long Halberd Corps from the peasants and free people; initially, the number is set between three hundred to five hundred. These people will train three days a week, allowing three days for their own farming or rest. Pay half the salary during peacetime and full salary during wartime, with meat once a week and a beer ration.”

Simultaneously, in the meeting room of the Count’s castle, Laine was also discussing the formation of the Long Halberd Corps with his courtiers and knights. His courtiers and knights gathered around the long table to discuss the creation of a new army with the Count.

”Up to three hundred and fifty people, my Count,” Tax Officer Gaspardon rushed to say, quickly addressing Laine: ”Any more, and the finances won’t support it.”

”Then just three hundred people,” Laine nodded, ”Peasant conscripts have proven unfit for the task. To a Knight, it’s a matter of a charge; we need a force like this.”

Holy Grail Knight Armand nodded, the Aquitaine Sword at his waist gleaming. The Count’s Standard Bearer was contemplating, and Armand was weighing the pros and cons of Laine’s idea.

Ever since coming to Laine’s domain, Armand’s experiences had made him feel rejuvenated, sensing a vitality here, a long-missed vitality of the Knight Kingdom.

This stagnant pool was infused with life by Laine. Chaos’s minions were slaughtered in the forests; long-vanished settlements were reestablished. Vast farmlands were cultivated, peasants gained more motivation, and knights became entranced by Count Laine’s achievements, unable to extricate themselves, imitating Laine’s every move.

”My Count, there’s naturally no problem training a three hundred strong Long Halberd Corps, but with this money, why not recruit more knights?” The Kingdom Knight Olivier said. ”Knights are the foundation of warfare.”

”Indeed! Knights are the essence of warfare.”

”My Count, the infantry wouldn’t solve the problems.”

”Count, there are still more than thirty vacancies for Ranger Knights in the domain!”

The attending knights spoke in a flurry of voices. Compared to establishing a Long Halberd Infantry Battalion, they preferred to structure and recruit more Knight Corps.

”Knights are the most important combat force in warfare, but they are not everything, gentlemen.” Laine said with a smile. ”When knights charge on the battlefield, we need a force to protect our artillery and crossbowmen. Therefore, my opinion is that forming such a Long Halberd Army is imperative.” Laine spoke calmly.

Indeed, whether in the Empire or Brittania, the decisive factor for victory is the knights’ group charge. However, cavalry is dynamic and requires an excellent Infantry Corps to withstand enemy charges, guaranteeing ample space for their ranged forces to output.

”The Count’s meaning... is this a Dwarf request?” The knights seemed to misunderstand something, with Kingdom Knight Hex first asking.

This knight from Le Anglong had turned thirty this year, his presence increasingly steady. Many of the domain’s troops were under his charge for training.

Hex supported Laine’s idea of establishing a Long Halberd Battalion.

As Count Glamorgan, Laine could create three Baron Titles for his subordinates, but he hadn’t activated any yet, meaning he currently held direct control over all his domain alone.

Everyone longed for these three baron titles, Hex included. He always believed his family’s revival required reclaiming a title.

But he couldn’t directly propose it, for one, it wasn’t aligned with Knight Class interests. Secondly, Laine’s attitude was crucial.

A baron is a military noble; to become a baron, lineage is secondary. The primary requirement is prowess, exceeding martial valor.

Then the question arose: was anyone in the domain mightier than Laine? Even Laine’s brother, Angerong, was just a Kingdom Knight. What courage did these Kingdom Knights have to demand they be granted baron titles?

Hex pondered and realized he needed a point to cut into.

That point was the Dwarves.

With Hex’s mention, people were deep in thought. The Dwarves’ involvement and presence had brought instant changes to the knights’ equipment and weapons. The Dwarves’ masterwork plate armor and various fine weapons were produced quickly and well, cost-effective, highly favored by the knights.

”If we say so, we do need to send people to protect our Dwarven friends and their artillery.” Lops first spoke, this knight from the Nord Kingdom initially supporting Laine’s proposal: ”I think it’s feasible.”

”I also think it’s feasible,” Hex followed. The Kingdom Knight nodded: ”I can train these soldiers; the standards can be slightly lowered, similar to Escorts.”

”Alright,” Olivier no longer insisted once he heard the force was for protecting the Dwarves.

Laine was somewhat surprised by what the knights focused on, but since everyone agreed, his goal was achieved. The Count turned to his steward Kasenberg, saying: ”Then... implement under these conditions; ensure new camps are nutritionally supported and well-trained. Our Dwarven friends will equip them with long halberds or sword and shield, wearing iron breastplates and helmets.”

”Understood, my Count.” Kasenberg bowed, the tall steward nodding.

”For training, it’ll be up to brother Angerong and Hex.” Laine again addressed Angerong and Hex.

Angerong and Hex both nodded; training was certainly Hex’s expertise. As for Angerong, he could provide guidance. In fact, recently, Ranger Knights’ training involved Angerong’s participation.

The meeting continued, structuring a semi-professional army distinct from previous Infantry Corps, discussing specific arrangements. For Brittania’s knights, such a situation arose for the first time.

”By the way, my Count, the fifty military horses you previously procured have arrived. We can select some people from the sergeants to make them Rangers.” Kasenberg continued.

”Great.” Laine nodded, intending to say more when the conference room door suddenly burst open.

Lucian, the Ranger Knight from Winford, rushed in through the doorway: ”Count, something’s wrong!”

”What’s the matter?” Laine lifted his head.

”Something major happened in the north. The peasants previously suppressed in rebellion in Leonais have gathered, launched a rebellion, killed the Lord of Barimonte Castle, and publicly declared independence! They even issued a slogan: ’Whoever sows, reaps!’”

”What?!”