Scout Cavalry Operations

The soldiers were not wearing heavy armor; their protective gear, made of iron plates and leather, was carefully packed and placed on the wagons of the supply convoy.

Although regular training includes cross-country runs with full gear, that's a requirement for extreme situations.

During normal marches, preserving the soldiers' physical strength is the top priority.

Otherwise, by the time they reach the battlefield, they'll be exhausted, their armor will be too loose to even stay on, and they won't be able to fight.

However, this also means that an army on the march is most vulnerable.

The soldiers traveled light, carrying most of their weapons on their shoulders or backs to save effort, and their formation was stretched out due to the narrow roads.

Once ambushed, especially if the enemy attacks from the side or the middle where there is a weak point, the enemy can easily be divided, unable to defend both ends, and collapse instantly.

Throughout history, countless armies have perished while on the march.

Karl was well aware of this; the reason he dared to proceed in this manner was because of the cavalry scouts who moved around the column like a swarm of bees.

Every now and then, Light Cavalry would gallop back from the woods at the front or flanks, reporting the situation to their officers in hushed tones.

"There is nothing unusual in the valley three miles ahead."

Fresh animal tracks were found on the left hillside, but no human remains were observed.

"A flock of birds has taken flight from the opposite bank of the stream on the right wing; a small team has been dispatched across the river to investigate."

The information was quickly compiled and relayed to Karl, Brendan, and others.

It was this constant feedback that wove together a relatively secure information network, giving Karl some peace of mind.

The Sauron may be familiar with the mountains and forests, but it would be no easy task for them to make large-scale movements without being detected by these elite cavalry.

At the end of the column was a long supply train.

Fifty sturdy freight wagons provided by Mr. Grimm, along with Carnford's own vehicles and two hundred handcarts, formed a rather spectacular transport line.

The wagon was loaded with sacks of grain, bundles of arrows, spare weapons, medicine, tents, and of course, the armor that the soldiers had temporarily removed.

The conscripted laborers followed beside the carts or pushed small carts; although their faces were tired, their steps were still firm.

They were all refugees or farmers from Carnford, accustomed to a hard life, and although the long journey was arduous, it was still within their tolerance.

Moreover, with a large army guarding them in front and imposing cavalry patrolling their flanks, they felt incredibly safe and worked with even more enthusiasm.

Karl's gaze swept over the marching column. Although the soldiers' faces showed signs of fatigue from the march, most of their eyes were resolute. No one complained, and there was no sign of panic.

The officers vigilantly observed their surroundings and the condition of their soldiers. The entire unit exuded a calm and orderly aura. Their fighting spirit was not diminished by the long march and harsh environment. On the contrary, as they approached the expected battlefield, there was a subtle sense of anticipation, like sharpening their knives.

"Morale is good," Karl thought to himself.

While equipment and training are important for an army's combat effectiveness, high morale and unwavering confidence are equally indispensable cornerstones.

Seeing that the new army he had built up could maintain such discipline and morale on its first field march and deep into unfamiliar enemy territory, Karl felt even more confident about the battles to come.

Of course, he wasn't blindly optimistic; the real test was yet to come.

Are the Sauron in Gray Wolf Valley already on high alert? Will other Sauron Tribe come to their aid? Are there still unknown dangers lurking in the mountains and forests? All these questions will soon be answered.

What he needs to do now is lead this army safely and in top condition to the designated battlefield, and then, as they have practiced countless times, deliver a fatal blow to the enemy.

The wind in the forest whistled through the bare branches.

On the morning of the fourth day, the forest was shrouded in a thin layer of cold mist, and the air was filled with the smell of soil and decaying leaves.

With a long, deep blast of a brass horn piercing the silence, the camp at Carnford quickly awoke from its slumber.

Under the officers' orders, the soldiers quickly packed up their tents and belongings, trying to erase as much of the trace of their previous night's camping as possible.

Several cavalry scouts had already quietly left the camp before the bugle sounded, like morning mist blending into the forest, stealthily scouting in the predetermined direction; they were the most sensitive antennae of the entire army.

The army set off again, continuing its journey northeastward along the road it had painstakingly cleared the previous day.

Before long, a scout galloped back and reported to Karl, "Sir, the outline of Gray Wolf Valley can be seen five miles ahead! No large-scale gathering or unusual mobilization has been detected."

Five kilometers is less than an hour's journey for infantry.

A tense atmosphere, like invisible ripples, began to spread through the ranks.

The soldiers instinctively gripped their spears or muskets tighter, walked even more quietly, and their conversations almost ceased.

After traveling a while longer, the simple fence and scattered wooden houses of Gray Wolf Valley, half-hidden by trees and built along the mountainside, began to appear faintly at the edge of the horizon, like a gray beast lurking in the jungle.

At that moment, a sudden change occurred!

"Bang! Bang bang!"

Suddenly, from deep within the dense forest ahead, the crisp, abrupt sound of musket fire rang out! This was followed by several short, fierce shouts of battle, the clashing of weapons, and the neighing of warhorses!

"Halt! Halt the advance! All troops!" Karl immediately shouted.

The orders were transmitted swiftly, like ripples, through the slogans and gestures of officers at all levels.

The long procession, which was moving forward, slowed down gradually, starting from the front, and eventually came to a complete stop, as if a rein had been suddenly pulled.

The soldiers looked at each other, their faces showing tension and unease. They craned their necks to look ahead, but the dense trees blocked their view.