The training ground in the castle of Kursk is a large one with a capacity of around 300 people, not as large as the Neverwinter castle though. I move the training location for archers. There are four sections to practice: 50m, 100m, 175m, and 300 m. I have been training with bows and arrows since I was 5 under the lessons of Sir George and Charlie. With the condition of my legs, I have many difficulties in practicing with swords so I devote most of my time to study archery.
Okay, easy target first, aim at the training dummy 50 meters from the shooting position. I adjust my stance, take 5 arrows from the bag and shoot constantly. The arrows struck the dummy at the head perfectly. Practice makes perfect, I assume. Let's try the 100 meters target, similarly, my archery skill proves its' worth and the dummy's head is torn off by arrows. I perform well the same while trying the 175 meters target. Haha, maybe even Robin Hood's skill can not be compared with mine.
An idea appears in my mind. Now I have an extraordinary cavalry unit, the Demon Rider, and the infantry unit, the Samurai. But I don't have any special archer and assassin unit. Why don't mix them all? an assassin unit using bows and arrows to kill. However, I'll need their skills to be as well as Robin Hood in terms of parkour, stealth, and archery to working effectively. So next year I'll choose a book about training assassins. For now, I can choose talented soldiers and train them to fire multiple arrows at once along working with their accuracy and endurance.
Seeing the three wolves are playing with each other not far, I think of a new training method. I ask them to attack me, they look confused when I ask them to do so. I intend to train my dodging ability along with my slow-time ability in close combat but seems like the wolves can't help in this situation, they don't want to attack me. Mandred Pyrell is a very strong fighter as the rumors say, so by the time he gets here, I have to gain some experience in close combat in case he manages to get close to me. I hail a guard and order him:
- Summon Sir Mushashi to me, immediately.
- Yes, Milord.
After 15 minutes, Mushashi arrive, he bows lightly to greet me:
- Milord, I'm ready to be commanded.
I observe him, he used to be a gladiator from a faraway kingdom. He showed his talents with swords in the recruitment 6 months ago. 32 years old, serious face and well-train body along with many experiences from bloody battle in the arena. He was quickly noticed and I appointed him as the commander of the samurais. Different from others, his armour is similar to mine, which is designed specifically for generals. Wearing a demon mask and a 3-horn helmet, 1 more than a normal one, he delivers extreme fear to his enemies. Calmly, I tell him my intention:
- I want to train in close combat a little, so I think that you'll be a good trainer in terms of this skill.
- Milord, I don't expect it, I've never trained anyone.
- It's fine, you just have to fight with me.
- But...
- No more 'but', Mushashi. Every time you succeed to hit me, your salary will be raised.
He stops talking and takes a wooden training sword and gets in a fighting stance. I take one too and synchronize his stance. Narrow his eyes, he moves forward to attack and the fight begins.
Activate my slow-time skill immediately, I adjust my body to dodge his attack. His sword misses my shoulder and acceleration makes it continue to go further. Use my sword, I try to deal a blow to him, I think that he'll dodge my attack, however, he changes the orbit of his sword skillfully and transverse it. Before my sword hits him, his sword touches my stomach, which means the fight is over.
I go back few steps, adjust my stance and say:
- Again.
********
Lord Alfred Rosewood, the house head of house Rosewood is marching his army on the longest and largest river in the Alleinstein Kingdom, Quintus. He is 35 years old in this year. Also, he is not well-known for his martial skill, but his skill as an admiral is extraordinary even if compared to normal people. He is called Alfred the Black Ship. His fleet's target is Summervalley, where the beautiful riverside castle of house Aetherwolf, Veronica locates. One of his sons, Harry Rosewood gets to his side and speak:
- I still don't understand why do you choose to support house Fortuna, father. Obviously, in this war, they're at disadvantage.
- You forget our saying? Our fleets are to protect our families. Ivar is your cousin and he has Rosewood blood in his veins. And the king has acted wrong, William IX has served the kingdom more loyalty than everyone. I can't let him to die like a traitor.
- We have only 6000 men, father. And house Aetherwolf has 3000 soldiers defending Veronica. House Crayton is sending 4000 men to aid them too, father. We can't match them in a field battle, father.
Alfred takes out a letter from his coat and hands it to Harry:
- This is a letter from Ivar, he says he has ordered 1200 cavalries under the command of the Blue Viper to aid us.
- The Blue Viper? He is said to kill a minotaur in just 5 seconds.
- Yes, Ivar sends him here, which means he really wants to take Veronica. As you can see in the letter, he wants to reach a peace treaty with the Royal Family with a payment from them and the region of Meath. He has taken Kursk and Ostrovic from house Pyrell, so he has some valuable hostages now.
- It's impossible, it has just been 2 weeks since the news of the Fortunian army entered Meath. It takes months to besieged a well-defenced city.
- That's another reason why I support him, he shows an unimaginable skill as a commander. Now, we'll spread up our ships and attack Veronica, if house Crayton falls and the Royal army is defeated, the Royal Family will no doubt beg for peace.
- So the keys of this war are whether we can take Veronica and Ivar can defeat the Royal Army or not?
- Yes, so ask the soldiers ready to fight. If the wind favors us, we'll reach Veronica this night before house Crayton and if lucky, we can take the castle before their reinforcement come.
******
(Change POV)
Exhausted, I stop the training with Mushashi. We sit on the training ground, my breath is much heavier than him. Although we have fought with each other for more than 5 hours, he doesn't seem tired. What a monster!
In the last duel, I manage to touch him with my sword, so my objective today is completed. At least, I will not become a salted fish in close combat. Kruger has sent a letter to me that he has already been in Summervalley and is trying to catch up with house Rosewood's army. The Royal Army is only several days march from Kursk now, and there are 15000 men in total.
Haizz, so many odds that need to be cared about. However, I will not back down, they'll have to pay for dishonoring and executing my father.
A Fortuna never forgives.