Armored Cavalry, survive in a world full of mods

A fair arm, smoother and more delicate than the finest white jade, was lifted from the pool. A maid immediately stepped forward and poured the rich, blood-like wine from the carved silver pot into a golden cup, releasing a fragrant aroma.

She picked up the exquisitely carved, ornate gold cup, brought it to her pink lips, and drank it all in one gulp, leaving not a drop. Then, she naturally put the cup back down, and as the bright red wine dripped down, she refilled it.

She drank cup after cup until her fair and pretty face was flushed, then the emperor stopped, still wanting more. The smile on her lips and the way she gently tapped the tiles showed her good mood.

Whether emperor or commoner, people in the empire always enjoyed spending time in the baths, served with fine wine and food by maids, to escape the summer heat and ward off the winter cold.

Public bathhouses that have been in use for a long time pose a risk of spreading diseases—something that the Empire's scholars had figured out long ago. Several plague outbreaks in cities had taught them a bloody lesson, and since then, any bathhouse that is even slightly reputable has had its water changed every day and workers hired at night to clean the bathhouse grounds.

No one else was allowed to tamper with the Emperor's bathroom. Anyone who dared to approach it would be imprisoned at best. The layout and furnishings exuded grandeur and magnificence, whether majestic or graceful, but the exquisite sculptures were everywhere, each a masterpiece, leaving no room for error.

This time had gone by far too long; even the sun had begun to set in the west and was no longer as hot as before. The emperor finally grew bored with the bath and walked up the marble steps.

Warm water flowed down her curvaceous body, gliding over her smooth, porcelain-like skin, leaving only glistening droplets.

Claudia calmly allowed the maids to wipe her body and change her into exquisite and gorgeous clothes. She looked as natural as a noblewoman who had been served since birth, and did not feel uncomfortable with such meticulous care.

Of course, this cannot be done from the beginning...

When Claudia first arrived in this great city, she had no friends she spent every day with, no familiar hometown, nothing she knew... Everything was strange, and everything could potentially be malicious.

At that time, she didn't want to be served meticulously, and she didn't even want any strangers to get too close. Under terrible pressure, she made one decision after another with great care, and every step she took was like walking on thin ice.

Without the support of her friends, Clautina knew very well that she would only be a puppet emperor and would never have any chance to gain power... Knowing how difficult the journey had been, she would never waver and would never allow herself to lose anything more.

Tersolius's messenger arrived this morning, conveying the news of his impending return to the entire city. A frenzy was brewing, and this was destined to be a momentous event worthy of being recorded in history.

At this time, she also appropriately demonstrated her generosity—within three days of the legion's return, everyone in the city, whether commoner or beggar, merchant or peddler, could enjoy the food and wine provided and revel in unrestrained revelry.

The cheers of "Long live the Emperor!" echoed throughout the city, causing many nobles in the nursing home to freeze in shock, unable to even maintain their usual smiles, like a flock of chickens with their throats choked.

Thinking of those guys' disgraceful behavior, the emperor's expression grew even happier—this was a tremendous victory the empire hadn't seen in decades, and no one could allow such glory to be tarnished in the slightest; their prestige was already at its zenith.

Of course, she couldn't be too coercive, as that could easily cause trouble. It was up to her to find the right balance... But things that used to require such caution were now handled with more ease, and she no longer had to be so meticulous.

With all these good things happening, Christina's mood became increasingly cheerful. After letting the servants take care of everything for her, she walked out of the bathroom and let the evening breeze in the sunset dry her hair.

"Let's get started on the preparations. I want to liven up the whole city by tomorrow night."

A female official nodded and bowed, then turned to convey the emperor's instructions.

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

Amidst deafening cheers, the black double-headed eagle banner was once again planted in the center of the camp. The soldiers, who had been away for half a year, returned to their permanent camp and to the center of the empire once more.

Every soldier gained a great deal from this expedition, earning numerous merits and honors. They couldn't wait to return to their hometowns and let everyone know what a glorious war they had participated in.

Of course, before that, they would travel to the capital to participate in a grand military parade, to boast of their achievements in the largest city of the empire. This was a coveted honor for any soldier and general, one that would be remembered by their families for generations.

Afterwards, they would take turns returning to their hometowns for vacation under strict arrangements, in order to relax their tense nerves from the war and reunite with their families.

In this situation, even the veterans in the legion who could face a cavalry charge without flinching couldn't help but feel extremely excited. It was just that due to the strict discipline of the army, they dared not make a sound, but whenever they had the chance, they couldn't help but whisper among themselves and discuss their plans with their comrades.

However, Tersolius, their legionary commander, did not intend to linger in the camp. After settling his legion in, he led his personal guards and Talina on horseback out of the camp gate and soon disappeared at the end of the road.

Most of the veterans were already very familiar with everything in the camp, but there were quite a few newcomers among them, and they had never seen such a large and imposing military camp before...

Each squad was assigned a spacious barracks. These houses, built with sturdy beams and rammed earth walls, and with exquisite red tiles on the roof, looked respectable and comfortable. Even wealthy townspeople might not be able to afford them, yet now they stood one after another, neatly arranged in a straight line across the vast camp that stretched for miles. The roads in the middle were also neatly rammed and wide enough for carriages and horses to pass through.

When the mountain people first arrived, they had to build their own barracks, but the new recruits didn't have that opportunity—the Imperial engineering corps had already built enough houses here for the newly recruited members of the legion to live in, and they were much sturdier and more durable than those built by the mountain people—this made Kochkin and his men complain for a while before they could barely calm themselves down.

As a centurion directly under the legion's command, Karila was naturally assigned a separate barracks to live in—just like other armies in the world, the Imperial officers were well-paid, far exceeding the average soldier, and this was reflected in every aspect of their lives.

To the surprise of her subordinates, these battle-hardened slaves, who had originally wanted to help their commander arrange the rooms and furnish them, were all driven out by the enthusiastic Karila, who declared that everything here was up to them to solve.

Accustomed to obeying orders, the slaves naturally returned to their barracks without even asking a question.

Karila calmed her breathing. This wild, fearless Rigut girl felt dizzy at this moment, and an indescribable sense of happiness almost overwhelmed her.

Looking at the sturdy and neat house in front of her, she even had the urge to sing a song.

The Riguts are known for their tenacity, ferocity, and cunning – a common perception among all people on this continent. This savage people is the most notorious presence in the entire north. They will not miss any opportunity to plunder anything, and they are fearless and tenacious, constantly harassing the northwestern and western coastal regions of the empire.

The people of Western countries were terrified of these raiders who harassed and plundered them, and even called these raiders who came from the sea in long ships "sea monsters" to describe their elusiveness and ferocity.

Many people know why the Rigut people are so fearless, resilient, and fierce – their extremely harsh living environment forces them to rely on plunder for survival, especially those struggling to survive on islands without even trees. Besides fishing, this is their only way to live.

Karila had never lived in a sturdy house on her barren island home. Precious timber was used to build and repair longboats for raiding and fishing, and a large portion of valuable oil was also used to waterproof the boats. The boats were their land of survival, their very lifeblood.

The only place they could live was a shack dug out of the ground, and even her father was treated the same way. The cold, damp shack and the two sturdy black iron axes accompanied her throughout her childhood... The tribes on the wealthy islands could live in sturdy, warm houses and spend the whole winter hiding inside, without having to fight like they did.

Because of the lack of fuel, she often had to eat the fish raw after catching them. To make it easier to tear the raw meat, she even deliberately chiseled her teeth into a serrated shape like a shark's.

At the time, I didn't think much of this painful life, since I had never experienced a good life and had no concept of a comfortable life. Being a slave didn't improve things either. I still had to sleep in a cold and damp place, and the food was just the same, not even as good as the raw fish I used to eat, which at least was fresh.

If possible, everyone would naturally want to live more comfortably, and she was no exception. The house in front of her was even more extravagant than her most beautiful dream. She was willing to bet that even the princes on Ritos Island would envy her!

And the other person was the one she envied most when she was a child—after all, being able to live in a sturdy, warm longhouse, with everything done for her, and not even having to fish herself, was exactly the life she dreamed of.

Comparing her current situation with her past expectations, she became even more excited and began tidying up the room with great enthusiasm.

The house is very spacious, more than enough for one person. There is even a sturdy wooden bed in one corner near the window, where you can sleep comfortably with just a mattress on it.

The two windows were the right size, providing good lighting. The interior walls of the house were plastered with a layer of lime, which not only prevented insects and moisture but also made the house look bright and clean.

Even the ground was tamped down, with not a single weed left. Stepping on it felt no different from stepping on stone slabs. It was also treated with lime to prevent insects from growing.

Beside her was a cabinet made of thin wooden planks, which, though only two-tiered, was large enough to hold all her clothes and bedding—all of which had been obtained from the quartermaster. She herself only had a set of tattered clothes, which had long since been thrown into the fire by Tersolius.

With great enthusiasm, I put all my things away, then moved the furniture around to my liking. Then, I eagerly jumped onto the bed and lay down, stretching my limbs like a turtle, letting out comfortable moans.

"Ah! Ha! ... I feel like my bones are going to give way. I guess only a truly brave warrior would have the courage to climb up from there..."

Under the warm autumn sun, the soft bedding beneath her emitted a cozy scent that lulled her to sleep. A feeling of weariness washed over her, and soon she closed her eyes, breathing evenly.

In the bright sunlight, countless dust particles swirled and collided. The shouts used to announce the time in the military camp rang out continuously, and time flew by. Until the sun set and the golden sunlight turned into a blazing red, she was still sleeping soundly, showing no sign of waking up.

This posture was extremely rare for her... after all, she had never truly been safe before, so it was impossible for her to fall into a deep sleep so defenseless.

But the beautiful dream didn't last. A loud knock on the door startled Karila, who jumped out of bed, rubbing her sleepy eyes, and stormed out.

Colin, dressed in a beautiful silk robe, stood outside the door, his face showing anxiety and tension.

"Get ready quickly, the emperor wants to see us!"

"ah?!!…………"

192 Celebration (2)

Unexpected events and pleasant surprises may come one after another, but everyone will experience both in their life. In some cases, they may arrive at the same time, catching people off guard.

For any citizen of the empire, being summoned by the emperor is an immense honor and an unimaginable opportunity. If one can perform exceptionally well in this process and win his favor, it is a golden opportunity to rise to the top in one step.

Even if someone performs poorly and doesn't stand out to attract the emperor's attention, the emperor generally won't hesitate to show his generosity, and they'll always receive a reward.

In general, as long as one is not a person with ill intentions or too foolish and incompetent, being summoned by the emperor is always a good thing, and one will not suffer any loss no matter what.

But Colin and Carilla hadn't expected this. The sudden summons left them bewildered and confused. They couldn't understand why the most esteemed person in this powerful nation, the one who could be General Tesolius's boss, would want to see them, two insignificant figures.

But no matter what, despite my confusion, the preparations began in earnest. After being rushed to the capital by fast horse, before I could even marvel at the magnificent and splendid golden palace or grumble about how they used gold to pave the roof, I was sent into a steaming bath. Before I could even react, a group of beautiful maids dressed in fine clothes had already entered.

Before they could even say a few words, after the greetings, the maids immediately gave them a thorough evaluation, and then busily and meticulously groomed them from head to toe, even carefully trimming their eyebrows with a sharp knife and sprinkling fragrant powder on their hair.

He carefully and meticulously put on the gorgeous and elaborate robe, the gleaming leather boots, and the exquisite belt, achieving perfection in every detail.

The two of them are no longer the carefree people they were before. If their true nature weren't revealed, at first glance, anyone would have to admit that they are two very decent and well-mannered young people.

After this dizzying and disorienting process, the two, who were once formidable warriors on the battlefield, were now completely disoriented, their senses clouded. They felt as if they were enveloped in something soft and fragrant. When they came to their senses, they looked at each other in surprise, unable to recognize who was standing in front of them...

The biggest change was to Karila. Her once wild and unruly long hair was now neatly styled, with the hair at her temples braided into an exquisite plait and gathered at the back of her head. The rest of her hair was also neatly tied up, revealing her slender and fair neck.

The Nicot girl was originally wild and unrestrained. Although she was very beautiful, at first glance people would always forget her female identity and treat her as a powerful warrior.

But now, after being carefully dressed up, as long as she doesn't open her mouth to speak or show her sharp teeth, the girl actually looks somewhat gentle and quiet, which makes it easy for her to attract men's favor.

After this period of training, Colin has developed a certain military bearing and orderliness. She looks quite professional at the moment, and her behavior makes one subconsciously think of the military.

Even that still somewhat youthful face did not diminish its imposing presence; on the contrary, it exuded a unique allure.

They weren't allowed to stare at each other for long, or even have a chance to tease each other. The maids swarmed around them and escorted them out of the spacious bathroom, ready to move on to the next part of the process.

…………

"It's not something you're used to, is it?"

Just as they left the bathroom and were walking among the intricate, towering pillars, a cheerful voice suddenly rang out from the side. The familiar, sharp tone made them both turn their heads instinctively.

"Lord Tersolius."

The two female officials leading the group immediately realized what was happening and took the lead in bowing. It was Tersolius who came out from the corridor next to them.

At this moment, he was wearing a black robe, on which intricate and elaborate patterns were embroidered with gold thread, and the edges of the robe were inlaid with gold and silver, making it extremely luxurious.

The hem of the robe reached mid-calf, so it wouldn't restrict movement. The slightly wide sleeves were securely fastened with two-piece steel bracers with intricate carvings. The belt at the waist was inlaid with gold plates and gemstones, and five or six copper-studded leather strips hung down with swords. The boots on the feet had steel toes and horn-shaped heels, and were also decorated with gold and silver carvings, making them both ornate and sturdy.

Add to that his neatly trimmed, slicked-back black hair, his sharp, defined face, his piercing eyes like those of a hawk, his broad shoulders, his slender waist, and his straight back—every part of him was impeccably clean and striking, attracting all eyes like a magnet and radiating a powerful presence.

Both of them were taken aback, seemingly surprised and somewhat bewildered. They didn't react for a moment, nor did they even greet each other. Tersolius didn't seem to mind, simply smiling and waving his hand.

“There’s something even more I’m not used to… Mosali, it’s up to you now.”

The leading female official, with blue hair and a solemn expression, bowed to him.

"Her Majesty wishes to meet with you all alone, so I cannot accompany you. She will now teach you basic etiquette. Don't be so careless. I don't expect you to be perfect, but at least don't cause any trouble. Alright, go now, time is limited."

Without exchanging a single word, the two were once again surrounded and driven away, like two silly bulls being led away by a pack of wolves, their limbs stiff.

Tersolius turned and left with a smile—he too had to go through this process before. It wasn't the emperor's request, but rather a deeply ingrained tradition passed down through generations in this magnificent golden palace. Even to maintain the dignity of the state, this procedure was unavoidable.

As for what the emperor wanted to say to them, Tesolius had a pretty good idea—it was only natural that the emperor would be interested after he had emphasized these talents, so there was no need to worry too much. He could take advantage of this free time to visit Natamus and Christina...

………………

The soft silk dress is a unique style of clothing for women in the Empire. On Talina, it generously shows off her slender, white legs, delicate and long neck, and fair, jade-like arms, making her look elegant, dignified, and poised.

She wore sandals secured to her calves with thin leather straps. This outfit was well-suited to the hot and noisy climate of the big city, and she wouldn't be bothered by the summer heat.

Of course, such an outfit was definitely not suitable for labor, and even running quickly after putting it on would be troublesome, making Tarina quite uncomfortable as she tugged and pulled at it, feeling as if her whole body was bound by the tough silk.

"You'll get used to it. These clothes are really pretty. You should try them on. You're so beautiful, it would be a shame not to show them off."

The beautiful, dark-haired woman held the girl's hand, speaking to her with a gentle smile. The courtyard was still brightly lit at night, with a soft, translucent light everywhere, and a gentle breeze rustled in the pavilion. On the stone table were grapes and apples glistening with dew, and a silver pot held crimson wine.

Tarina kept stammering and giving vague answers to Christina's questions, her fair and soft cheeks occasionally flushing red, but it was difficult for others to hear their conversation.

"Madam, please forgive my bluntness, but you should no longer drink alcohol, as it is not good for the fetus in your womb."

Her gaze inadvertently swept over the wine pot. The girl, who had just been somewhat shy and timid, suddenly changed her expression and said with a hint of anxiety.

"Want a drink? I'm a little hesitant to drink right now. This was specially prepared for you... It's not cheap. I didn't even give it to that guy Natamus."

Christina's smile remained unchanged as she reached out and stroked her already quite large belly, her expression softening as she gestured to the lady-in-waiting beside her to pour wine for her guest.

Talina quickly tried to dissuade her:

"No need, madam. I don't drink alcohol and would only waste such fine things. Let's leave it to someone who can appreciate fine wine."

"That's a real shame... Let's enjoy it together after my child is born, and then we can invite everyone over for a proper get-together."

A look of regret appeared briefly, then vanished in an instant. Christina looked at the girl before her with curiosity, carefully shifting her position, causing the surrounding maids to nervously gather around. She, however, simply and slowly leaned her head towards Talina.

"Doctor, did the emperor speak to you alone with you then? What did she say to you? Let me hear it!"

Tarina's expression suddenly became very hesitant. She opened her mouth but didn't know what to say, and seemed somewhat confused.

"Nathamus isn't here. Has he gone to his own legion again?"

A voice they all knew well appeared in the courtyard. They had come here unimpeded without being stopped by the guards, and the servants were going about their business as usual. This allowed Tersolius to arrive in the backyard almost without making a sound and catch them off guard.

"Why are you so easily startled? Didn't you know to give prior notice?"

Christina laughed, grabbed an apple, and tossed it to Terthorius. He caught it steadily, took a bite of the still-dewy fruit, and let the sweet and crisp flavor spread through his mouth.

"I don't need any notification to come here. Who would stop me or prevent me from coming?... It was definitely the right decision to send the doctor here first. Judging from your appearance, you probably don't have more than two days left, right?"

"Talina just checked me out, and it's basically confirmed that it's this month. I haven't done anything for the past year, and I'm almost bored to death. Once the baby is born, I'm definitely going to treat myself properly."

"Let's wait until it's born first. I don't know if it's a boy or a girl, so I can prepare a gift in advance."

Thesolius rushed into the pavilion, found a smooth stone bench to sit on, and casually tossed the apple in his hand, which he had already gnawed down to just a core, into the pit next to him.

"Is there any difference? Did you prepare this time with extra care?"

"Of course, if it's a boy, he'll definitely need a good knife... Look at this, the handle is wrapped in sea bream skin, the guard is made of brass, and the scabbard is made of sharkskin. He can use it when he's ten years old."

"What if it's a girl?"