Berserk, Total War: Second Son of Nobles

In the autumn of 1461, a military fortress on the border of the Holy Kingdom of Helderland's Det Province was carrying out its daily duties in an orderly manner.

Leaden clouds hung low over the top of the watchtower, making the stone walls of the fortress even more gloomy.

At this time, in a barracks, Corporal Adel was sitting on the edge of the bed, tapping his knees with his rough fingers, repeating to three soldiers the precautions that he had already said countless times.

"Everyone, cheer up! Today is the day when the first batch of new recruits in the country will be assigned to the camp, and our five-man team will also be assigned one."

Corporal Adel's voice was like sandpaper scraping against rusty iron. He had just been promoted because of his participation in the battle against the Yoda Empire, and at this moment he was trying to show the dignity of a veteran.

The three soldiers on the beds exchanged glances - they were all transferred from the second-line militia and were no longer surprised by this routine.

"Corporal Adel, you've said it eight times."

The soldier by the window rolled his eyes.

"Do you have to teach me how to take care of new soldiers? Back then, I just reported in with my bag, and I didn't see you taking care of me at all."

"The higher-ups are now emphasizing systematic training."

Adel scratched his matted hair irritably.

"What's the point of an old soldier leading a new soldier? Anyway, when that kid comes, we have to keep an eye on him, eat, drink, defecate and urinate. Just take him around the camp a few more times."

"It's almost noon, why haven't they arrived yet?"

Another soldier took out an empty lunch box.

"If you're any later you won't be able to catch lunch."

Before he finished speaking, a loud shout suddenly rang out from outside the fortress:

"All new recruits, head to the designated barracks immediately! The sergeant will check in and take them to the mess hall!"

"Finally here!"

Adel jumped off the bed with a somersault, and the wooden bed legs made a harsh sound as they scraped against the stone floor.

The three soldiers quickly stood in a line, their eyes fixed on the creaking door.

The heavy footsteps came from far away and the sound of armor colliding and leather creaking gradually became clearer.

When soldiers fully armed and carrying huge bags appeared at the door, four pairs of eyes narrowed at the same time - the recruits were standing awkwardly at this time, sweat sliding down their brows and condensing into crystal clear beads on their dusty chins.

"New recruit Rebel... come forward and report!"

Rebel's voice trembled noticeably, as if every syllable was struggling with tense nerves.

"This kid is a bit stupid."

The soldier in the corner pouted.

Adel cleared his throat and stepped forward:

"Profession?"

"The Helderland regular army stationed in the border field regiment of Deite Province has the 2000th Squadron, the 100th Squadron, the 50th Squadron, and the 25th Squadron of Sword and Shield Soldiers!"

Rebel answered quickly, as if reciting scriptures, his breastplate rising and falling with his rapid breathing.

"Where did you receive training before?"

"The Helmingen Regiment will arrive here by carriage after thirty days of training."

"Oh, Master Soldier."

Adel raised his eyebrows. He had been a guerrilla fighter outside the city during the Battle of Niland. He had been to Helmingen once, but at that time it was called the Count's Castle and there were ruins everywhere.

But I heard that Helmingen is quite prosperous nowadays. However, Adel is worried that the new recruits in such a favorable environment cannot adapt to the current environment.

"Well, what's your address?"

"what?"

Rebel was stunned.

"Are you still asking this?"

"Of course, how did you memorize the military regulations?"

Adel shouted.

"Yes! No. 251, Weiguo Road, Rongjunyuan District."

Rebel yelled.

This sentence was like a huge rock dropped into a quiet pond. Adel and his three subordinates gasped at the same time. The Invalides was a residence specially set up for veterans of the Battle of Helmingen and the families of martyrs. The families who could live there were either knights who had made military achievements or officers above the rank of centurion.

Although Adel himself participated in the battle, he did not participate in the defense of the city and did not make any outstanding contributions. He was only promoted one level. Any person from the Invalides could crush him.

"Um, let's not talk about this. This is your bed. Clean it up and I'll take you to eat first."

Corporal Adel pointed to a bed in the corner, trying to change the subject and ease the slightly awkward atmosphere.

Rebel's movements were astonishingly fast. He unbuckled his belt neatly, placed his sword neatly on the bedside, and folded the lining armor into small square pieces.

Then he suddenly took out four pieces of sausages wrapped in oil paper from his arms and stuffed them into everyone's hands.

"This is Helminger sausage. Try it."

After finishing their meal, the five of them joined the training together. As they had new recruits joining them, today’s task was very easy. They basically walked around the fortress to help the new recruits get familiar with the environment, and went straight to bed after the horn was blown at night.

As night fell, the fortress fell into silence, and the moonlight filtered through the narrow windows, casting mottled shadows of the trees on the stone walls.

Rebel tossed and turned on the hard bed. Just when he was about to fall asleep, a horn sounded outside the barracks, waking him up again.

"The Yodas are breaking into the card again!"

A long roar cut through the night sky.

Adel immediately asked the other four to get up and put on their armor, his movements were quick and decisive.

Rebel asked as he put on his armor:

"Corporal, are the Yodas attacking?"

There was a hint of nervousness in his voice, and he was clearly worried about the upcoming battle.

"That's not the case. They had enough of me when they fought me two years ago. But this time it's considered an emergency. Even the troops patrolling the border today couldn't hold it. It seems that they have a lot of people."

Adel explained as he tied his belt, a serious look in his eyes.

Afterwards, several people came to the training ground. After all the hundred-man teams had gathered, the centurion immediately said:

"Everyone, check your weapons and equipment. The mission location is the southern section of the border of Deite Province. Move out!"

The voice was loud and powerful, echoing on the training ground.

The group trotted out of the fortress. Since there were no clouds tonight, they could see the road clearly under the moonlight.

The moonlight sprinkled on the ground like water, stretching their shadows long.

"Stand at attention! Spread out the formation!"

The centurion's command echoed in the night sky, his voice firm and powerful.

After running for an unknown amount of time, the team in front stopped. Adel and his men followed suit and formed a formation, with the veterans in front and the new recruits in the back. Although Rebel was at the back, he could still see the situation in front through the gap.

There was a barricade in front of the team, and it was pitch black ahead and nothing could be seen. All one could hear was a noisy sound, as if countless people were surging in the darkness, which made people feel creepy.

"Everyone, don't let a Yoda cross the border!"

The centurion's voice echoed through the ranks.

"What is Yoda doing?"

Rebel couldn't help but ask, a hint of curiosity and fear in his voice.

"They sneaked over here. The people on the other side couldn't survive in Yoda anymore. They saw there was food here so they wanted to come over."

The veteran in front explained, with a hint of helplessness and sympathy in his tone.

"That's true. It's not pleasant to be hungry."

As Rebel spoke, he recalled the days when he and his family fled to the countryside in the Forest Territory due to the invasion of Yoda's army. Those days were full of hardships and sufferings, which he still cannot forget.

"Your situation is nothing. At most, you have to farm and feed yourself. Didn't the country provide relief food at that time? Their situation is different. They can't even eat the food they grow. I heard that they have to endure beatings from the nobles over there."

"Then what should we do, should we still beat them?"

"Of course we have to fight. We'll fight anyone who comes. If they don't have a good life, then don't disturb our lives. If you don't work hard, no one will give you charity!"