Armored Cavalry, survive in a world full of mods

"No one may leave the camp without orders."

The fully armored legionary soldiers blocked her path without hesitation with their halberds, and the massive camp gates and antlers showed no sign of opening, which immediately put her in a difficult position.

The empire's army has extremely strict discipline, which extends to every aspect of life. Soldiers are not allowed to leave their posts without permission, unlike soldiers in Western countries, whose camps are filled with all sorts of merchants and vendors, and even a considerable number of prostitutes... It could even be described as a marketplace within the military camp, and soldiers are not prohibited from leaving.

Since she had promised to abide by the rules of Tersolius, Karila would not go back on her word; otherwise, given her past nature, she would have already charged forward with her axe.

Although she didn't show it on her face, her mind was racing. One idea suddenly surfaced and quickly gained support and was put into action.

“I have received General Tersolius’s permission to go on important business.” — Keeping a promise is certainly important! Based on that alone, she cannot be considered lying.

"Bring me the military order and the token."

"Here."

A smile involuntarily crept onto her lips. Luckily, she had been careful and had Tersolius write a receipt in case the other party denied it.

With a piece of parchment bearing the legion commander's seal and a bit of quick wit, Karila managed to slip away—but he had to return before nightfall or he would be punished.

After examining the tracks on the main road again, they realized that the reconnaissance teams that had been coming and going had scrambled the tracks, making them harder to track now... but it wasn't impossible.

The tall woman moved her hands and feet – this was experience accumulated over many years in her hometown, knowing how to keep her body in the best condition before strenuous exercise.

After confirming the direction again, she immediately started running along the road, swinging her arms and stretching her legs forward. Each step was quite long, and her speed was astonishing.

........................

A middle-aged man with a full face was sticking his hand out over the fence, shouting loudly with an anxious expression:

"I am innocent! You esteemed and respectable officials must have made a mistake somewhere. I am sworn enemies with those rebels! Because of them, my business has been ruined. This must be a terrible misunderstanding! Please let me go out and explain myself properly!"

Before he could finish speaking, a middle-aged woman of similar age in the cell next to him also shouted at the top of her lungs:

"That's right, that's right! Kind sirs, please have pity on this wretched old woman! I've been doing good deeds all along in this city, please spare me for my sake!"

She was clearly in the prime of her life, yet this woman called herself an old hag without batting an eye, and at that moment she was crying and looking miserable and pitiful.

The middle-aged man who spoke first almost couldn't help but roll his eyes... Even among the people of Iris, the other party could be considered exceptionally shameless—this middle-aged woman was the city's largest slave trader, and she specialized in selling good-looking and healthy boys and girls to wealthy merchants and nobles.

These boys and girls were mostly obtained through despicable means, and most of the time they were the product of families being destroyed and people dying... This woman could be described as having blood on her hands, yet she could say without batting an eye that she was doing good deeds.

There are only five people in this prison, none of whom are simple. They all once possessed enormous wealth and even had a certain amount of power with the governor's tacit approval.

But now they have become the lowest of prisoners... and they were imprisoned so early that they didn't even know that the governor had committed suicide by poison and that the city was now completely under the control of the army.

So they still held onto hope, and after eating and drinking their fill each day, they would always stand at the door and make all sorts of noises outside, hoping to get some kind of turnaround.

But such ideas often fall through. No matter how hard they shout, or even deliberately make noise during their nighttime rest, the soldiers guarding outside are too lazy to come in and deal with them. They simply put food in wooden buckets in their cells every noon. Apart from that, the only people they can talk to are each other.

At first, they were always fiercely blaming each other, each accusing the other of making a mistake that led to the current situation.

But after a few days of arguing, they lost interest in continuing. They each occupied a corner, gradually becoming listless and exhausted.

While they weren't lacking in food each day, it was far inferior to the sumptuous meals they used to enjoy. How could these pampered fellows possibly adapt to such a diet? Naturally, they felt this was a hard life and longed for some change to free them from their current predicament.

They were all so eager for change that after hearing the cheers from the city a few days ago, they reverted to their old habits, making a ruckus here anytime and anywhere, hoping to attract the attention of important people.

And today, they have finally gotten what they asked for, and are experiencing a long-awaited change...

………………

As the heavy iron gate slowly opened, several people looked in that direction with expectant eyes—no matter who came in, as long as it was a powerful figure they could talk to, they were confident they could bribe them with benefits…

The first thing that caught the eye was the gleaming iron armor. The sound of the armor plates rubbing and colliding gradually became clearer and louder. A team of elite armored soldiers filed in and lined up on both sides of the prison. The five people held their breath even more, knowing that the truly distinguished person was about to appear.

When Thesolius slowly walked in, three of the five men immediately turned pale, unable to even stand, and sat down on the ground. The other two reacted a little slower, but quickly realized that something was wrong; cold sweat soaked their hair, and they collapsed completely.

Tersolius raised an eyebrow, confirming that these guys did indeed know him.

It's important to understand that information transmission was extremely limited and slow in this era. Even though he was renowned throughout the empire, very few people had actually seen his face or recognized him.

And yet, in distant Cerison, the fact that the five prisoners who were the ringleaders of the rebellion could accurately recognize his face speaks volumes.

Tersolius was always decisive and efficient, and didn't like using too many roundabout methods, so he spoke directly:

“I know that you people are hiding some secrets, which you dare not speak out of fear. The crimes you have committed are enough to make you suffer for dozens of days before dying in agony. But I can give you a little mercy now... as long as someone is willing to tell you without reservation right now.”

After he finished speaking, he paused slightly, and as expected, these guys wouldn't admit their mistakes until they were faced with a fatal error.

There were still those who loudly proclaimed their innocence, arguing that they were just honest and law-abiding merchants who could never have participated in the rebellion.

There were also those who stubbornly protested, citing imperial law to say that innocent people could not be imprisoned.

Even more rebellious figures dared to turn around and criticize him...

Tersolius shook his head, genuinely feeling sorry for them and a little relieved—sorry they had let go of one last precious opportunity, but also relieved that they had chosen to do so.

With a slight wave of his hand, the jailers in black robes filed in, their bronze faces covered with various scars. They were somewhat blackened, but the metallic sheen was still visible.

The five people immediately shut their mouths, panic and despair instantly engulfing them... Everyone knew the formidable reputation of these black-robed men. Anyone who fell into their hands, even a noble of high status in the empire, would never have a good end, let alone these men who had injured people.

These black-robed jailers are like ominous crows, bringing death and disaster whenever they appear. Many even refer to them with fear as "the emperor's crows." When they appear on the streets, even the most arrogant and domineering people will temporarily retreat, fearing to be tainted by the aura of death and calamity they carry.

“I have given you one last chance, but you did not choose. So I only have one choice left—to dig out everything they know. I allow you to use any means necessary.”

The last sentence was addressed to the jailers, and the men in black who had remained silent immediately began to act. After unlocking the iron locks with keys, they used clamp-like devices to clamp around the necks of each person and forcibly dragged them out.

At this point, even a complete fool would realize what was coming, let alone these shrewd businessmen. Although they hadn't shed a tear until they saw the coffin, once they did, their tears would fall faster than anyone else's...

"I'm willing to speak! Your Excellency, I'm willing to speak! Please spare my life, and I will tell you everything I know!"

The overweight middle-aged woman screamed at Thesolius in a panic, hoping to escape the terrible punishment that awaited her. But to her despair, Thesolius didn't even turn his head.

"It's too late to say that now... I'd rather know the wallet we've dug out of your mouths than be scared out of my wits in this situation."

In the face of utter despair and terror, the five men struggled desperately, but with their necks locked by the special long-handled iron clamps, they were powerless to exert any strength. They were dragged away like sacks towards the steel gate of the prison. The light they had longed for had now transformed into a deadly demon, causing them to let out heart-wrenching screams.

No matter how they pleaded, how they insulted, or how they went mad... they couldn't distract Thesolius for even a moment. He didn't need to be involved in the executions and interrogations; these jailers were professionals.

And there's no need to worry about a lack of torture instruments here—the large prisons in each provincial capital are fully equipped with these things, enough for them to enjoy themselves to the fullest.

Only after that did he become interested in hearing what these guys were confessing to…

146 Hidden Line (3)

The sharp, barbed ratchet would tear flesh from your skin if you touched it. No one dared approach this horrific weapon, but for those standing on it, they had no choice…

This was truly a grotesquely bizarre thing: a greasy hemp rope hung from the ceiling. The steel cage was extremely cramped; anyone inside could only stand, and to make matters worse, there were ratchet wheels with sharp steel barbs underfoot…

If it were merely a cage and thorns, it would simply be a bloody and terrifying instrument of torture. But the addition of a hemp rope compels the prisoner to involuntarily tighten the rope, desperately trying to escape the horrific instrument below. It offers the tortured a pitiful glimmer of hope.

Moreover, the rope was coated with grease, and it required all one's strength to barely grip it. The pull of one's own weight would exhaust every last bit of strength, and then, in despair, one would fall onto the ratchet that was rolling below.

The barbs on the ratchet would tear flesh and tendons out of the foot in the blink of an eye, turning the sole into a mass of rotten flesh. The unbearable pain would cause the victim to grab the rope again and pull themselves up until they had no strength left, at which point they could only let out a desperate scream and fall down again...

This blood-stained steel creation reveals the creator's intense malice; its purpose from the beginning has been quite clear—to torment people's bodies and minds.

Normal people would never want to be associated with this kind of thing; just one look at it would send chills down their spines. Yet now, a man from Iris is having close contact with it.

The veins on his hands, gripping the rope, were bulging, yet he couldn't stop himself from sliding downwards. The man let out a bloodcurdling scream, as if a venomous snake was crawling inside his crotch, desperately trying to move his hands upwards, hoping to elevate himself further.

However, human strength is ultimately limited. Before long, his hands were sore and numb that he could no longer feel them. Every skeletal muscle and every tendon was screaming in pain. His palms were clenched so tightly that they turned white, but his grip strength was still inevitably getting weaker and weaker...

Until the bare feet, stripped of their boots, stepped on the sharp, blood-stained spikes of the roller, a scream that seemed inhuman vibrated the eardrums of everyone around. The white tendons were pulled out of the soles of the feet by the curved barbs, and blood gushed out like a broken pipe.

To prevent him from bleeding to death too quickly, the jailers even tied his calves with leather ropes soaked in water. So the bleeding slowed down significantly after a while, giving the man new strength to continue pulling himself up...

After this process was repeated five times, the exhausted man was finally released. No matter how much he begged for mercy or said he was willing to confess, the silent jailers remained unmoved, as if they were there to torture him rather than to extract information.

The middle-aged woman next to me was having small pieces of skin peeled off from her shoulders and chest with a knife. The jailer's hand was very steady, and he didn't cut off any extra parts. Apart from causing terrible psychological torture and excruciating pain, he didn't even bleed much.

The older, wealthy merchant from Iris to his left had completely lost consciousness. A deliberately bristly iron skewer was slowly inserted into the gap between his fingernails, causing a terrible pain that could make one grit their teeth. The skewer pierced through the nail and bulged high under the skin, with dark blue bruises covering the entire back of his hand, making one feel as if worms were wriggling in their teeth just by looking at it.

………………

The horrific torture before them was unbearable even for the most vicious criminals, let alone these merchants who were used to living in luxury... But no matter how much they pleaded or agreed, they would not receive any forgiveness. The jailers precisely controlled the intensity, just to make them feel as much torture as possible.

He was released not because he was forgiven, but to allow him to rest for a while so he would have the energy to continue playing that horrible game...

They were subjected to this torture again and again, in different ways, and they suffered terribly. Being whipped with a leather whip soaked in salt water was the easiest of the tortures, and it could even be considered a kind of rest.

Amidst such horrific torment, the consciousness of the five individuals gradually weakened and blurred, their ability to think clearly diminished, and the despair of living a life worse than death left them without even the strength to scream in agony. They were like pigs being forced onto a table, at the mercy of others.

………………

Only when the ground was stained with a thin layer of blood did the warden nod slightly, confirming that the men's will to resist had been completely extinguished. He then waved his hand, instructing his men to lock them up in five heavy cells.

…………

As a bucket of cold water was poured over his head, the startled Iris man sat up abruptly and began to gasp for breath, his eyes filled with confusion and terror.

"your name."

"what?"

In just a moment's hesitation, the whip lashed across his cheek, tearing away a strip of skin. The searing pain caused him to scream in agony, clutching his face and curling up on the ground.

"your name."

"Halido Ils!"

The man from Iris, realizing what was happening, immediately said his name. Fearing another lash, he desperately retreated until he was huddled in a corner with nowhere left to go.

Your address.

"The fifth house on the left on the third street of the Iris neighborhood!"

"Your gender."

"?"

Another vicious lash struck his cheek, tearing his ear open slightly, just to punish him for that moment of confusion.

He had no room for resentment or anger; he was completely filled with fear, and dared not even look at the man holding the whip. He buried his face in the ground and gave a panicked answer:

"I'm a man, I'm a man!"

How many direct blood relatives do you have?

"There are 5, and 5 of them are still alive!"

…………

And so, as the questions were answered one after another, the man had completely learned to obey. No matter how boring or unnecessary the questions were, he would give his answer immediately, for fear that the whip would come down again at any moment.

As yet another tedious question ended, the prison guard in charge of the interrogation didn't even look up, and asked in his usual calm tone:

"Who instigated you to launch a rebellion?"

“It was Dorit, he said…”

The man suddenly realized what he had said, and paused in panic. The next instant, the whip lashed down, tearing open half of his eyelid, revealing bits of flesh and blood. The extreme pain made him disregard everything and continue speaking:

"He told us that the greatest war was about to break out in the south and north of the empire! The country itself was also going to fall into chaos! Soon the empire would cease to exist, and its territory would be divided up. This was the best opportunity for us, the people of Iris, to establish our own nation!"

"We heard that the Empire's most powerful General Tersolius has died in battle in the south, just as he told us, which is why we thought there was an opportunity to take advantage of the situation!..."

Even the usually impassive jailer's hand trembled slightly, as if he had heard something extraordinary. His legs even felt weak, and he could hardly believe his ears...

He had only intended to dig out some information about the rebellion, but he hadn't expected what this guy said to be so terrifying... He looked at his colleague next to him in a panic and found that his eyes under his bronze mask also showed a confused look. Both of them had an urge to cover their ears at the same time.

But the empire's harsh laws would not tolerate them doing so. Although they were the upholders of the dignity of the law, they were also bound by it... No matter how unbelievable or sensational what they heard, they had to record it honestly.

After swallowing hard beneath his mask, he tried to regain his composure and continued asking:

Where is Dorit?

"It's right here in Hariya's house! A tunnel and basement were dug beneath his house, connecting to the adjacent shops, and it can house hundreds of people!"

"How did he get in touch with you?"

"He approached us a few years ago to do business with us. He was the one who facilitated the sale of armor and weapons to the Kurist people! It made us a lot of money."

"What do you look like? Where are you from?"

“He’s from the south, an Assele! He has a long beard and green eyes, and three moles next to his eyebrows! Oh, and he’s bald, with only a ring of hair on the back of his head and at his sideburns! He’s easy to spot, I can take you to catch him!”

"Who else is with him?"

“He has dozens of agile servants! I suspect they are all his Mamluks! This man's identity is definitely not simple! I can lead the way for you, otherwise they will run away!”

How many entrances are there to the basement? Where are they located?

“There are three in total! One is next to Dorimos’s flower shop, where there’s a well, and the side of it has been dug out. Another one is behind Jasmine’s bakery, where there’s a dead tree, and the space under the dead tree is hollow. The last one is inside the house. In the third bedroom of the house, there’s a big bed. Move it aside, and there’s a hidden door underneath!”

…………