Ryntum Mansion, Bideford.
Riz wakes up from his nightmarish dream. He is sweating profusely. It is one of the memories that he wants to be buried deep inside his head. The day that changed his personality.
A sudden knock on the door interrupts his thought.
"Milord, it is time to wake up," said Charlotte. She opens the door without waiting for Riz's response.
"Milord, you ne-" Charlotte stops. "What's wrong, milord? You look a little bit pale. Are you sick?"
"Hmm? Aah..nothing, I just startle when you suddenly knock on the door." Riz lied before changing the topic, "What are you going to say again?"
Since her lord said he is fine, she decided not to pursue it any further. "Milord, you need to get ready and meet Lord Richard. He is going to march today."
"Okay, I will get ready now." Riz gets out of his large bed.
"Let me help you, milord," Charlotte said with an innocent smile on her face.
"Get out". Riz chased her, knowing her true ulterior motive.
He didn't take too long to get ready. Riz immediately heads toward the mansion armoury where Richard is.
Riz is standing not too far away watching Edward helping his father.
Richard wears his gothic-style armour piece by piece from the helmet at the top to the sollerets at the bottom which takes a lot of time. It is impossible to wear it on your own.
'That armour looks so uncomfortable' His father urged him to wear them before but then he removed most of the parts.
Realising that his son was behind him, Richard said without turning around, "Riz, I will leave the territory in your hand. Make sure to take care of it during my absence,"
"Don't worry, father. I have confidence in my ability."
"Hahaha, good, good. A young man should be confident and bold."
Richard is going to personally lead 8,000 men to the battlefield. He left the remaining 7,000 men in Bideford and ordered Riz to defend it. Riz is his heir so he cannot really put him in danger. If possible, Richard wants to prevent him from joining the battle at all costs. Unlike the war with Gyalcakes, they are in a defensive state and had a huge disadvantage in the number of soldiers.
As for Duke's army, he didn't worry too much for the time being. Baroks City is located in the south, specifically, it is the southernmost settlement in the Bagyarosia Kingdom. It took them a much longer time to reach Bideford. By then, Richard's force should have returned back.
He also brings together ten 12-pounder cannons, Riz's latest invention.
A group of soldiers has been trained to operate them. The only unfortunate thing is they don't have their own uniform yet unlike the arquebusiers.
Their harmonious scene was interrupted by William who seeks his audience.
"What is it?"
"Our soldiers have gathered and all preparation has been made."
Richard nodded. "Let's march quickly. I don't want the battle to happen near Bideford."
After seeing all his family members, Richard and William move to the outskirts of the town. The soldiers were already waiting for them there.
As Richard moves through the town centre, many citizens gather there. They wished for his success in war.
Riz stood still, watching his father's figure getting smaller as his father moved farther away from his sight.
....
25th May 300 Paign Era.
"How many days remain before we arrive at Bideford?" Niall asked the commander, Philip Tickner.
"Your Highness, we are four days away from Bideford," Philip replied. They are currently outside Manfura City, resting after a continuous march from the capital. Viscount Michael has emptied an area for them.
"Can't we just hurry up and rush there?" Niall complain. Even if the soldiers are tired, they still hold advantages over the enemy.
"I'm afraid the soldiers will be able to endure it. Rest is necessary." Philip said while looking at the soldiers setting up the camp.
"Tsk" Niall clicked his tongue. He really wants to finish this fast to prove his skill as a military commander. Though the skill he is talking about is just simply smashing the enemy with quantity.
Both Niall and Philip turn toward the entrance of the big tent.
"Your Highness, I come to give you a report." said the scout in front of the tent. He didn't dare to barge in without permission.
"What is it?"
"Our scouts reported that the Bideford army is moving here."
"Hahahaha, great! Now we just have to wait until they come." Niall is very pleased with the news. Now, he waits here, defeats them and returns as a hero.
Philip nodded. This is the best for them. Since they arrived here earlier, they have controlled all the good spots.
....
27th May 300 Paign Era.
After four days of marching, they finally entered the Manfura region in the evening.
"Milord, the enemy has control of all of the good locations. What are we going to do?" said William as he felt a little bit distressed.
"Let's make a camp at Manfura Lake. There is no rule in the war that says we need to make a camp near the enemy."
Although they need to walk an extra 20 kilometres, it is better than camping at a bad location.
Looking at the sun that was about to be set, Richard gave the order, "Prepare the dinner. Let the soldiers take a rest tonight and just leave some to watch at night."
"Milord, wouldn't we be in danger if we let our guard down?" William asked.
"Don't worry. The enemy won't attack us tonight because they are confident that they can win tomorrow."
That night, a group of soldiers are sitting around the burning campfire in the middle. They are the artillery team led by Duan who previously operated the trebuchets.
"Do you think we can win this war? said the new artillerist named Larry. The rest of the soldiers strained their ears to hear the answer from their leader.
"We will win this war. You have seen the performance of those cannons, right?"
Larry nodded and so did the other soldiers.
"If so, then stop talking. Do you really think those cavalry can escape that?" Duan stretches out both of his hands, trying to seek some warmth from the campfire.
The new cannon is much more devastating that the trebuchets. On top of that, it has a longer range. For this war, they bring hundreds of solid shots and tens of much deadlier ammunition, the spherical case shots. It was designed to explode above enemy troops and shower them with shrapnel. It was much harder to make than a solid shot but Riz made it anyway as a countermeasure against the advancing cavalry.
"Go to sleep, Larry and the rest of you as well. We have an important task tomorrow."