Armored Cavalry, survive in a world full of mods

Having led his people all the way here and settled down, he certainly couldn't be a fool... so he wouldn't think that all the generals of the empire were so kind and patient as to carefully distinguish who was innocent. The most likely scenario was that they would sweep through the entire area and kill all the suspicious people, and his village might be caught in the crossfire without even realizing it.

If it weren't for his daughter becoming an officer under this important figure, if it weren't for his mark being discovered by those guys, if it weren't for this important figure actually coming here in person... he couldn't even imagine what would happen next, and cold sweat instantly soaked his shirt.

"So, as someone who has lived here for a while, Mr. Saratag, you might know something, so don't overlook anything suspicious and tell me everything."

Seeing his daughter constantly giving him meaningful glances, the man realized that this was a crucial moment. Whether they would eat meat or gnaw on tree bark depended on this, so he quickly perked up and began to think carefully.

"To be honest, sir, we rarely go to other places because the resources here are so abundant that we don't need to cross mountains and valleys to get enough prey. We can also trade with others at the nearby market, so there is no need to travel far."

"And as you said, that forest is indeed teeming with bandits. We've driven away several groups over the past few weeks, but we're still not completely at ease, so basically no one goes there anymore."

“I heard from others that there is a notorious bandit there. Although the others may seem scattered, they all have to obey his orders, and half of all the looted wealth must be given to him. No one here dares to mess with him.”

"So I'm a little worried that he's targeting our village, and he's telling the villagers not to go out unless necessary. If it weren't for the marks I left, it would be very difficult for anyone to find this place, so we don't know much about him either."

“I heard some bad rumors a while ago, so I sent a few young men over there to keep an eye on things, but they haven’t sent any news back for several days. I was just about to go and check on them today.”

…………

Tesorus nodded, having essentially obtained the information he wanted, so he didn't say anything unnecessary.

"Then there's nothing to worry about here... Next, I'll send out troops to thoroughly clear this area. I'll need you to be my guides for this. Call back those young men we sent out; they should know the terrain best in the area."

"I don't expect to wipe out all the bandits this time, but at least I want to reduce their numbers to a reasonable level, instead of them being so rampant now, so that we won't have to deal with them so frequently in the future."

"You stay here to help your father. These 150 people are also for you. More people will come later. I don't need to tell you what they're supposed to do, right?"

"Understood, I will handle this well."

The blonde mountain girl nodded firmly, stood up, picked up the helmet from the table, said hello, and turned to leave, not forgetting to drag her dim-witted old father along before she left.

"Alright, we should head back now. Let's just wait for the results. I believe the Emperor's Black Crow won't disappoint me... Then we'll finally see what this audacious and foolish guy is really like."

As the morning sun rose, Thesolius stood up, stretched his muscles, and straightened his back as he watched the smoke rising from the camp.

Talina had already begun packing up the maps and books on the table, while soldiers throughout the camp were packing up their tents, preparing to return to the city.

This camp will be left to those who come after it, and it will become more and more solid and complete until it becomes a permanent military camp. New settlements and buildings will also emerge around it until it becomes a prosperous town.

------------------

Tension can disrupt a person's state of mind. The more you focus on this emotion, the stronger it becomes. In extreme cases, it can even cause sleepless nights and loss of appetite, leading to lethargy.

The scene in the large rooms of this hotel particularly confirms this statement—many of these young men looked unwell, even though they had gone to bed early after dinner the day before and should have been well-rested.

Because this matter is so important, many people tossed and turned all night last night. Although their minds were full of things to do, they did not want to bother others, which is why they looked unwell.

Especially after realizing that the important selection they were going to participate in after breakfast was just around the corner, many people fell into a state of anxiety and frustration, already showing signs of defeat before even participating.

Fortunately, they had Caledo, a natural leader among them, who used some tactics to prevent his companions from continuing to be dejected and managed to cheer them up.

They heated up the leftovers from last night on the stove outside, and after eating until they were about 80% full, they began packing their belongings to prepare for their departure to participate in the legion's selection.

There's really nothing to pack, since the weapons they brought won't be needed this time. Just make sure you're presentable and don't let them down at the crucial moment.

After doing all this, Caledo walked to the front, with Barea standing silently behind him. The group gathered at the door but then stopped for a moment. After hesitating for a second, Caledo stepped forward and pushed open the door, letting the sunlight shine into the room and bringing a golden glow to everyone's faces.

"let's go."

………………

The eligible young men from Mr. Miles and Cerison gathered in a wide open space, a dense, dark mass, divided into different teams according to their respective towns, and entered the military camp in batches under the watchful eyes of the five hundred-man teams.

The elite legionary soldiers were silent and grim. Even though it was a day for the army to replenish its ranks with fresh blood, they showed no joy, their presence as cold and awe-inspiring as walls of steel.

Under their watchful eyes, even the most unruly young people would lower their heads like little ducks, obediently line up in a queue, and dare not rush or make a fuss.

Especially when they saw that the soldiers had their knives and axes in their hands, the gleaming blades reflecting the cold sunlight, some of them even became a little apprehensive.

“Did you see that, Batalius? Did you see how tall that sergeant is? I bet his arms are thicker than your legs! He could take down all three of us with one hand!”

Caledo whispered excitedly in his companion's ear, and his companion immediately responded by rolling his eyes at him.

“Look closely at Kalido, don’t get too excited. He’s a centurion of a legion, and he commands an entire hundred-man squad. He’s a very important figure to us. Don’t point fingers at him.”

The two men were discussing a tall, burly man. This centurion wore light chainmail with a long red jacket underneath, and carried a long-handled crescent-bladed axe. Even when he was still, his imposing presence was undeniable.

It is worth mentioning that this centurion had distinctly Rigut features. He had a head of shiny, white-gold hair, a sharply defined nose, deep-set eyes, and a thick beard that covered his lips, leaving only a fuzzy tuft visible.

The two of them quickly noticed this as well—the excited young people had been curious about almost everything along the way, and would have a good discussion about any unusual person or thing they saw.

"How did a Riggut end up here? And even become a centurion?"

Baria chimed in with some confusion. This honest and simple rural youth also had a straightforward speaking habit, especially in front of his friends, where he was completely unreserved and would ask questions directly whenever he thought of something.

“This is nothing unusual, Baria,” Caledo explained, finding everything new and exciting. “Our army isn’t just made up of Imperials; there are also Asher, Rigut, Kurist, and Western mercenaries among us. It’s hardly surprising.”

“The Kurist people are born on horseback, and they are the best candidates for light cavalry. No matter how much we train, we can hardly compare to them. In addition, the legion offers generous benefits, so many people from there come to us every year.”

"But no matter what ethnicity they were before, as long as they join the army and fight alongside us, they are imperial citizens. You can't just say things like that anymore, or you'll get yourself into trouble."

Baria nodded seriously:

"I understand……"

"Alright, the line is moving forward again, let's hurry up and catch up! Don't let anyone cut in line!"

173 Fallen (1)

"Line up, everyone, and take your clothes off!"

As the officer shouted, the young men took off their clothes, leaving only white underwear, revealing their pale skin, and lined up in a long queue, entering the tent one by one.

Once they go inside, someone will check their physical condition to prevent those with concealed disabilities, infectious diseases, or those whose physical condition is too poor from meeting the requirements.

Many people were eliminated in just this first step, making the others even more nervous. Watching those who left dejectedly through the side door, Kalido and his group also became somewhat uneasy.

They were all confident in their physical condition, but who knew just how high the requirements of this renowned legion were? Perhaps, with their skill level, they wouldn't even be able to reach that threshold…

As the group continued to advance, many people, despite being completely naked, were still sweating profusely with nervousness. It was as if they had been exposed to the scorching sun in the Assele desert.

Balia was behind Caledo in line, and the three of them were coincidentally called in together.

The curtain was pushed open, revealing a young man wearing a white apron, white headscarf, and white mask. Upon seeing them enter, he gestured for them to come over.

Besides the doctor, there were three soldiers guarding the tent, scrutinizing everyone who entered with cold and suspicious eyes, making the three young men's skin crawl and making them even more hesitant.

As expected, after a thorough check, they were confirmed to have no additional disabilities or infectious diseases and to be in good health, so they easily passed this stage, were able to put on their clothes, and proceed to the next area to face the next test.

The only thing that puzzled and surprised them was a fresh twig that the other party had somehow found... It looked like a tender twig that had just been broken off a tree, still with some leaves on it, but when the twig struck them, it emitted bursts of green light, like fireflies gathering on grass on a summer night, which amazed them.

After being driven away from the tent and dressed, they arrived at a wide training ground where their basic skills and abilities would be tested, and only the best would have the opportunity to win that honor.

…………

"Bariscal's Torridon is unqualified!"

With the officer's cold declaration, a disheveled young man scrambled to his feet. He had just exerted all his strength to lift the stone ball from the ground, only to lose his footing and fall flat on his face. The only saving grace was that the large stone had been restrained by a nearby soldier, preventing it from breaking his leg.

He was about to leave dejectedly when he suddenly felt dizzy. He reached up and touched his nose, only to find that it was bleeding from it...

He haphazardly reached out and wiped it a few times, but the more he wiped, the more it flowed, and he couldn't get it clean no matter what he did. Just as he was starting to panic, he heard the officer next to him calling him, so he quickly turned around to look at him.

"You used too much force, go over there and rest for a bit."

He then noticed two large tents next to the training ground, where many dejected young people like himself were resting.

This opportunity was truly rare, and everyone gave it their all. However, some people, like him, overestimated their limits and even caused their eyes to become bloodshot. They were so exhausted that they couldn't move, which is why they had to rest there.

The young man walked towards the tent somewhat awkwardly, only then realizing that his legs had completely lost their strength and were trembling in waves.

The next candidate stepped forward, and it was the simple and honest Baria. He stood in front of the heavy stone ball, and after being given permission, he bent down and reached out to find a point of leverage where he could exert force effectively.

Just by reaching out and touching it, he understood why it seemed so difficult for many people before... There was absolutely nothing to grip on this smooth stone ball; he could only rely on his own strength and endurance to drag it up and place it on the curved base in front of him.

Baria gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, lowered his center of gravity, and used the strength of his legs and waist to lift the heavy rock in front of him, just like when he helped his father carry goods.

His arms were pulled down by the enormous weight, and the terrifying force made him clench his teeth instantly, straining his waist and shoulder muscles with all his might to slowly straighten his legs.

This is a strong young man. This step is relatively easy, but the next step is to place the stone ball on the chest-high base. He will have to lift it up with his own arms to do so, which is the most difficult part.

Most of the previous challenge failures also ended up exhausting themselves at this stage.

This step requires unwavering determination; if one's mind relaxes, one's hands will go weak... Baria knew this very well. He took a final breath, then roared, putting all his strength into his shoulders and forcefully pushing the stone ball upwards.

With a dull thud, the massive, round stone sphere landed firmly on its base, and a serene, heavenly sound emanated from the side:

"You've passed. Now move to the right."

The young people smiled from the bottom of their hearts, their steps light and quick as they chased after their companions.

This assessment was incredibly rigorous. Aside from the initial basic physical examination, failing even two of the other tests would result in immediate elimination, forfeiting this precious opportunity.

As far as he knew, half of his companions who came from the village had already been eliminated... He wondered how many would actually make it through tonight...

Caledo finished before him; although he was less strong, he barely made it through. The next test would be endurance…

…………

Donning the full heavy armor of an elite legion soldier, and carrying a considerable amount of supplies on their backs, they had to run laps around the huge training ground, completing the prescribed number of laps to pass.

It didn't sound too difficult, but once these young men started running, they began to complain endlessly.

Although it was already the cool autumn season, the sun's temperature was still considerable. Add to that the heavy armor, and the burden of carrying weapons and supplies... after just one or two laps, some were already panting and sweating profusely.

Accompanied by the rustling sound of the armor plates, the three young men had no time to feel the joy of their fine and heavy armor before they were already overwhelmed by the heavy burden.

This was entirely to select the most outstanding individuals from among them, because even the legionary soldiers nearby were only wearing light chainmail in such weather...

On the 7th lap, Caledo, who was in slightly worse shape, suddenly collapsed to the ground. The other two stopped and tried to help him up.

But by now, they were exhausted. When they bent over, they found their legs were weak and their lungs felt like they were on fire, constantly convulsing. If they stopped for even a moment, they would be unable to move. A deep longing made them want to lie on the ground and gasp for breath.

Caledo's face had turned pale, and sweat soaked through his jacket and hair, making his hair stick tightly to his forehead. He looked like he might faint at any moment, but he still gritted his teeth and tried to get up from the ground.

The other two had no intention of giving up on him either. The three of them pulled and tugged at each other, stumbling and struggling, until they finally stood up straight and embarked on this final journey once again.

It felt like they were inhaling boiling water, not air. Each breath made their lungs feel like they were being cut by a knife, and their throats were parched and sore.

With each pulse in their legs, the pain and numbness intensified. The tendons in their legs seemed to be twisted into a knot, writhing like a live snake, bringing a terrible tingling and pain that urged them to stop immediately.

Their desire for the finish line was so strong that they had no other thoughts; they mechanically counted the number of laps in their minds and measured the circumference of the land with their own legs.

Later, they didn't even have the energy to count the laps anymore; their minds went completely blank. They were only able to keep moving forward with a terrifying willpower until they finally couldn't hold on any longer and fell heavily to the ground.

They weren't seriously injured by the fall because they were wearing heavy armor, but they no longer had the strength to get up. They lay on the ground, panting heavily, looking almost dazed.

"Alright, you've passed. Go over there and have some water and rest."

The three of them breathed a sigh of relief. After lying on the ground for a while, they helped each other up and struggled to get up and walk towards the tent next to them, where there was warm salt water and shade from the sun.

………………

With a roar, he thrust his spear forward. The tip pierced the target precisely, causing the embedded wooden block to fall off. Then he sheathed the spear and thrust again, each strike requiring precision to hit the loose wooden block, no bigger than an orange.

This is not only a test of their precision, but also a test of their will and mentality. If their will falters even slightly, they will pierce the wooden board next to them.

The entire training ground was operating in a lively atmosphere, with every space being fully utilized to test the martial arts skills and techniques of the candidates.

Everywhere there were cheers and lamentations. Batch after batch of unsuccessful candidates were sent out of the military camp, and those who remained became increasingly nervous and cautious.

After being tested on his spear skills, he will next choose one of three weapons to be tested: bow and arrow, crossbow, or javelin. Once he passes, he can go back and wait for the results.

Baria naturally chose his best weapon: the javelin, something he had learned during training in his hometown. He had used his height and long reach to his advantage, and it had worked well in the fight against the bandits in the previous two days.

"Take this and stand in that circle drawn with lime. There are two targets here, one near and one far. You need to hit the closer target at least five times and the farther one at least three times. Got it?"

Baria nodded nervously, reached out, took the long, leather-bound spear tube, secured it to his back with the leather straps, took a deep breath, and stepped into the circle.

As the command was given, he subconsciously reached behind his head, his fingers touching the hard, cold steel. With a deft hook and pull, he pulled it out and held it in his hand.

He focused his gaze on the nearby target, a human-shaped target made of tough but not hard wood that would not damage the arrowheads and spear blades.

A certain intuition welled up within him, prompting him to act decisively. His strong, long arms propelled the sharp javelin through the air as it flew toward the wooden target. With a trembling sound from the shaft, the barbed spearhead sank deep into the wood, requiring considerable effort to pull it out.

Having hit the target on his first shot, he no longer hesitated. Using the feeling he had just gotten, he threw his javelin repeatedly. The trembling, sharp spearheads accurately struck the target's head and chest, the vital areas, without missing a single shot.

His performance up close was quite good, which relieved him, and he turned his attention back to the target in the distance...

To hit a distant target, a javelin with a shorter range must be thrown at a higher angle to strike the target at the end of its parabola. Even a slight miscalculation in the force applied will cause the javelin to deviate from its intended trajectory.

Unlike his fellow countrymen, once Baria made up his mind, he would not hesitate for a moment. Even if it meant gritting his teeth, he would grit his teeth and finish the job. So he showed no fear. He picked up a new javelin, estimated the angle, and threw it again.

………………

As the sun set and darkness fell, an exhausted Baria emerged from the camp, instinctively looking up to search for his comrades.