What Kind of Teacher Raised This Madman? (1)

The other three were startled by Henry's fervent fighting spirit, wondering whether they should stay farther away from him on the battlefield.

It would be far too unfair if they survived the Half-Orcs only to be accidentally injured by Henry.

Boman asked, "Henry, do you like using this kind of Long-handled Crescent Blade?"

"Of course. The wooden-shafted ones are disposable. They're fine for the Arena, but using them against Half-Orcs? Isn't that asking for death?

"And with an iron Steppe Noble Cavalry Lance, I'd be worried about a Minotaur or Centaur grabbing it and pulling me right off my horse."

The Long-handled Crescent Blade in Henry's hands, blade and shaft combined, was over five meters long and glinted with a chilling light that hurt the eyes. It was the standard weapon of the King's Steppe Guard, formerly the Khan Guard left behind by Kusait.

Thrusting, stabbing, vertical chopping, sweeping slashes—nothing could stand against it on the battlefield. It was a formidable weapon for mounted combat.

Lances were for fighting humans. Against Half-Orcs, it was better to use a weapon that could better display his strength.

Boman and Fas both used Steppe Noble Cavalry Lances, while Glen chose a long War Razor, much like Henry's choice.

"Crossbowmen, forward."

At Glen's command, fifty crossbowmen from the Joint Force, along with forty Serfs who could use crossbows, immediately stepped forward and formed up.

Against these Half-Orcs, crossbowmen were far more cost-effective than archers. At the very least, they trained quickly, and no one would mourn them if they died.

"Serfs, form up and press forward. Veteran Spearmen and Veteran Skirmisher on the flanks. Infantry... New Recruit Squad, supervise them in Shield Formation. Split the Heavy Cavalry in two. Boman and Fas, lead your respective Retainers and Cavalry to pressure the left flank."

The three hundred and ten Serfs had been given long wooden spears, pitchforks, logging axes, hoes, sickles, and other tools. No matter how many died, Glen would not feel bad.

These Serfs could form a long formation with tremendous depth, enough to disrupt the Half-Orcs' offensive tempo.

If they managed to kill even one Half-Orc, it would be a huge profit. Besides, most of the Serfs had been brought by him, and the others had no right to object.

Besides, Glen had treated Henry well enough. Henry's main Soldiers were all stationed on the flanks and at the rear.

"Henry, take your own Retainers and thirty Heavy Cavalrymen and charge their formation! Take out the Centaurs and Minotaurs. Can you do it?"

"Of course. I was afraid you'd steal my money."

Glen smiled. The bounties paid by the legion for the heads of these different Half-Orc races differed, and the prices were not much different from selling them outside.

A Minotaur's head was worth sixteen Denar. Tiger-man and Bear-person heads were worth twenty to thirty Denar, while Centaurs, Goatmen, Gnolls, Kobolds, and the like were worth only four Denar.

Their value had nothing to do with their strength. It depended on whether they looked good and imposing.

"Advance!"

"Advance!"

The army formation advanced toward the valley step by step, and they soon saw the Half-Orcs gathering there.

Although Henry and the others had always looked down on Half-Orcs verbally, that did not mean the Half-Orcs were truly useless.

The moment the Scouts discovered the Half-Orcs, the Half-Orcs had already discovered the approaching humans.

Suddenly, a roar came from the Half-Orcs' direction. More than a hundred Kobolds came surging forward in a dark mass.

These Kobolds carried short swords and wooden shields, wore only a thin layer of leather clothing, and charged while baring their teeth and shrieking wildly.

"Bows and Crossbows, prepare!"

The Kobolds drew closer and closer, their speed increasing. The Soldiers could even smell a foul stench. They could smell it from this far away? No, it was just an illusion.

As the Kobolds continued advancing, the distance between the two sides shrank.

"Prepare!"

Two hundred paces, one hundred paces, eighty paces...

Glen had originally intended to let them get closer, but seeing the trembling Serfs, he could only helplessly order, "Crossbowmen, fire!"

A chorus of air-splitting sounds rang out as ninety crossbowmen pulled their triggers at once, bolts punching straight through the Kobolds' chests!

At least fifty Kobolds were knocked to the ground. The charging Kobolds were nearly cut in half at once! Only the frightened, trembling Serfs had missed.

The most accurate shooters were Henry's Veteran Shielded Crossbowmen!

Don't underestimate crossbows, Half-Orcs! Unfortunately, these stupidest of Kobolds had not fled.

"Crossbowmen, fall back! Serfs, forward!"

Holding all manner of farm tools, the Serfs could only charge at the Kobolds with disordered cries under the coercion of the other troops around them. The two sides clashed in close combat and began a fierce melee.

One moment, a Kobold had its waist and belly cut open by a Serf. The next, a Serf was stabbed to death by a Kobold's sword. The scent of blood spread through the air, and the battle was exceptionally brutal.

The Kobolds were numerous, but the Serfs had an even greater numerical advantage!

However, the scales of battle did not tilt much toward the humans, because the Gnolls and the remaining Kobolds were about to rush into the battlefield!

The Gnolls carried battleaxes, with iron plates protecting their shoulders, arms, chests, and thighs as they launched a frenzied charge.

More than a dozen javelins flew out, piercing more than a dozen Serfs!

"Crossbowmen! Fire!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The crossbowmen, who had just reloaded, fired at nearly point-blank range this time, instantly taking down another batch of Gnolls and Kobolds.

Unfortunately, most of these crossbowmen were Serfs and had not received much training. Otherwise, they might even have managed three volleys.

This time, the two sides collided like crashing waves, instantly causing heavy Serf casualties.

The Serfs at the rear tried to flee, only to be cut down by Henry's New Recruit Squad as soon as they turned around. Some Serfs tried to attack the New Recruit Squad, but they could not inflict any damage on the shielded formation.

What a joke. These were elites wearing Cotton Armor and carrying shields, swords, and blades!

Were Serfs supposed to be able to fight them? Did they have that kind of strength?

Henry looked toward the Minotaurs and Centaurs, who were about to charge, then glanced at Glen.

"Boman, Fas! Charge the Gnolls and Kobolds!"

"Henry, charge!"

Henry swung his Long-handled Crescent Blade and shouted, "For Empire Glory, for Denar, charge!"

"Kill!"

"Kill these ugly bastards!"

The riders shouted as they followed behind, charging straight toward the Centaurs.

Cunning Tactics Skill triggered: ① Fearless Encounter, ③ Orderly Formation

The Heavy Cavalry spread out in a line, spacing themselves front to back, ten men per row and three rows in total. This charge had to wipe out every Centaur!

The sound of hooves changed from sparse raindrops to a torrential downpour, exploding beside every Heavy Cavalryman's ears as their heartbeats quickened!

They were no longer afraid. Not even a little. Come on! Let's see who the real Warriors were!

The Centaurs fired several arrows, one piercing a Heavy Cavalryman's armor and sending him straight off his horse.

Henry turned and saw that it was one of his own men!

"Die, damn you!"

Endurance Riding Skill triggered: ① Gallop, ② Warhorse Agility, ③ Natural Cavalry (Polearm Skill +1)

The Centaur facing Henry held a spear in one hand and a shield in the other, intending to skewer Henry with a braced lance charge.

Unfortunately, Henry lightly squeezed his horse's flanks, dodged the sharp spear tip, then swung the Long-handled Crescent Blade and cleaved the Centaur's upper body, along with its Iron-Clad Shield, into two pieces!

Vigor One-Handed Skill triggered: ③ Iron Wrist (Control +1), ④ Innate Arm Strength (Endurance +1)

Vigor Two-Handed Skill triggered: ① Mighty Strength (Your upper-body muscles have been enhanced, Vitality +1), ③ Ripper (Enemy shields are no match for you)