"General, the governor of Bay Loducus and the commander of the garrison camp came to visit early in the morning. They've been waiting for almost an hour," Anders reported to Claude, who had just gotten out of bed and was still yawning.
"Huh? What are they doing here?" Claude asked, surprised.
Claude only closed his eyes at four last night. He found an empty tent in the camp and found a clean, single bed to sleep on.
Looking at the sky, it was almost 9 o 'clock. He asked Lieutenant Colonel Anders and got the answer that it was 9: 23.
That meant the people from Bay Loducus would be here at eight. What's the rush?
Claude wiped his face and drank the warm milk Anders had the orderlies bring over in one gulp.
He only asked where the milk came from after he finished it.
According to the captive, the Shiksan's main logistics base reared three hebeke cows for the high-ranking officers.
They drank too much at night and had stomachs upset in the morning, so they needed some milk to nourish themselves.
Claude was speechless. Were the high-ranking Shiksan officers here to fight or to travel? They even had cows specially raised for them in the camp.
As the first lieutenant-general of the war theatre, Claude had been eating rations for half a month since he set off from the northern mountains with Thundercrash, just like the other soldiers.
The only advantage he had was the unlimited supply of black tea. He could drink it as long as it was brewed during breaks.
Perhaps that was the difference between him and the high-ranking Shiksan officers who could only hide in Bay Loducus. Claude didn't think too much about it and finished the bread and dried meat in a few bites.
Then he rinsed his mouth, tidied up his uniform, and called Lieutenant Colonel Anders to take him to see the local administrators from Cape Loducus and the garrison battalion commander who was wise enough not to give him a reason to attack the city last night.
"By the way, have Colonel Moriad's 2nd and Colonel Dyavid's 3rd Line left yet?" Claude asked.
Lieutenant Colonel Anders replied, "Yes, at six in the morning, without alerting anyone in Cape Loducus."
Thunderbolt Regiment 1302 and the three battalions equipped with the new rifles didn't rest well in this logistics base before leaving. Their main purpose was to ambush the enemies who were likely to rush over to rescue them.
It was only after they had taken over the camp last night that they discovered that all the messenger eagles used for communication had been released by the communications soldiers who had stayed behind.
Even though he didn't know whether the dead signallers had sent a distress signal, he didn't dare to let his guard down. He decided to have Moriad's line 2 and Dyavid's line 3 set off early to set up an ambush.
Because the Kite Hawk flew in the air, it would only take half a day for it to reach the camps on the northern and eastern borders. It was very likely that the enemy would send reinforcements overnight.
The Cape Loducus Colony was a flat area with abundant water and soil. If they wanted to ambush the enemy, they needed a good ambush spot and a good disguise. Otherwise, it would be easy to fail if the enemy noticed them.
So, Claude could only have Moriad and Dyavid work a little harder to get to the designated spot earlier to prepare for the ambush so that they could wipe out another group of Shiksan reinforcements.
The visitors in the tent didn't feel anxious even after waiting for nearly an hour. Instead, they sipped on their red tea while observing the Thundercrash soldiers in the distance. They were secretly assessing the difference in combat ability between the Aueran soldiers and the Shiksan soldiers.
"They're very well-behaved. Look over there. Two of them are walking side by side. Their arm swings and strides are almost the same.
There are five of them standing alone. The distance between each soldier is almost the same.
"Gentlemen, this is their own camp. If it was the Shiksans, we would see them laughing and quarreling. That's the most common sight in most camps on the continent.
However, there wasn't a scene that we were used to seeing. Although this was the enemy's camp that they had captured last night, their expressions were relaxed. They didn't seem nervous or worried at all. It was obvious that the camp was completely under their control.
"That's why they're still able to behave like soldiers even under such circumstances. Long periods of training have instilled discipline and restraint into their bodies.
"I have to admit, this is the most disciplined unit I've ever seen. It's no wonder the Shiksan veterans we thought were so tough weren't a match for them."
A local administrator of Cape Loducus was somewhat dissatisfied with Lieutenant Colonel Lemando's praise for the soldiers of Thundercrash. He retorted, "They are only soldiers of the army. Compared to our kingdom's navy, their discipline and quality of soldiers are not worth mentioning."
In Fochs, the navy was always superior to the land forces. The so-called land forces were actually the local garrisons.
Lemand shook his head. "That's different. Our navy is the strongest in all of Freia. Half of that is due to our bloodline. We're the descendants of the sea.
The other half is the legacy of our ancestors.
"A thousand years ago, our ancestors sailed small ships across the seas and passed down all their knowledge to us. That's how we were able to build an invincible fleet.
The rules and regulations on the warships of the United Kingdom's maritime fleet are the most numerous and cumbersome. Whether it's clothing, food, housing, or transportation, there are clear rules on board.
"But there's no helping it. The dangers at sea are ever-changing and unpredictable. Be it apprentice sailors or captains, we all have to work together to deal with those dangers.
"The knowledge of our ancestors gave us enough experience and lessons to allow us to deal with all the dangers at sea.
"The sea is boundless, and a ship is only so big. There are only so many people. We have no choice but to adapt and obey those complicated rules and regulations.
Because we all know in our hearts that these rules and regulations are for us to return safely and see our families. This is also the reason why the discipline and quality of our Marines is the best. "
Everyone there knew about Lemand's background and the reason he was the commander of Cape Loducus' garrison, so none of them could refute his words. It was the truth.
Lieutenant Colonel Lemando shook his head and continued, "Compared to our navy, our army is like a plate of loose sand. Whether it's discipline or training, almost no one cares about it.
"The head of the army is just a retirement post. He doesn't even receive as much attention as a warship captain.
"To other countries, our army is just a local garrison force that only deals with thieves, drunkards and criminals.
"When we saw the Shiksan veterans, we thought they were the best of the best. But the night raid I saw last night completely overturned that impression.
"I never thought that the Shiksan army, which we thought had the best veterans, would be able to hold out for less than an hour before losing their entire supply base.
This was a real battle that we had witnessed with our own eyes. It was a real night raid that happened in front of me. It made me understand what it meant to be a true elite of the army.
"Now that I'm here, I finally realized the real reason.
The most respected Admiral of the United Kingdom, the Duke of Saubertarf, once said that strict military discipline means strong fighting power.
I believe that's a common saying in both the navy and the army.
"Compared to the Aueran soldiers, the seemingly tough Shiksan veterans really do look like a bunch of rabble."
"But Lieutenant-Colonel Lemando, didn't you notice? There aren't many Aueran war theatre soldiers in this camp," another official reminded him.
Lemand smiled bitterly. "I noticed it long ago. I reckon they only have two lines here. I don't know if they have more troops elsewhere.
We all know that the Shiksans left a folk of troops in this camp. If the Aueran soldiers really managed to wipe out that folk with just two lines, I'll only double their fighting power. "
Claude soon arrived at the tent. The administrators and the garrison commander stopped their whispering and welcomed him warmly and respectfully.
They loudly congratulated Claude for his extraordinary victory that would be recorded in the annals of war on Faslan.
Claude waved. "Sirs, I understand your neutral stance. That's why I ordered my soldiers not to offend the dignity of the Fochian Kingdom.
Please get straight to the point. I want to know the purpose of your visit. I'm really busy and I believe you can understand that.
After all, we've just taken over the Shiksan logistics base and there are many things I have to deal with. "
The officials from Cape Loducus came for three main reasons. First, they wanted to loosen the control over the roads outside the city. Many of the residents made their living outside the city.
Even though they lived in the city at night, they still had to tend to the farms and orchards during the day, as well as go fishing on the beach.
Thundercrash set up a checkpoint a few hundred metres away from the city gates, effectively locking the residents inside the city.
The second was that some of the townspeople were hired by the Shiksans as cooks and servants. They were usually busy in the camp and wanted to know if any of them were harmed in the attack last night. They asked if Claude could release the townspeople who were working for the Shiksans.
Lastly, the Shiksan logistics base used to be there. Some of the residents would set up stalls in the open space at the entrance of the camp so that the Shiksan soldiers who couldn't enter the city could buy and sell their wares there. Some even set up tents and business was quite good.
To the residents, they didn't care who occupied the camp. As long as there was demand, there would be business.
That was why the officials hoped that the new occupier wouldn't make things difficult for the peddlers who set up stalls at the entrance of the camp.
For Claude, the first matter was easily resolved. He agreed to the officials' request and loosened the control over the roads, allowing the residents to make their own living outside the city.
As for the second matter, Claude explained that the soldiers of Thundercrash were well-trained and wouldn't kill the innocent.
Even during night attacks, they only aimed at the enemies in Shiksan uniforms and wouldn't shoot on sight.
As for the last matter, Claude smiled and said that Thundercrash wasn't a Shiksan soldier, so he advised the peddlers and residents not to set up stalls outside the camp. He could guarantee that there wouldn't be much business.
Of course, setting up stalls was their own business, but Thundercrash was very disciplined and wouldn't do business outside the camp.
While the local officials of Cape Loducus didn't really believe Claude's words, they still praised Thundercrash's strict military discipline and called it a model for the military.
So, they presented a list of gifts to express their gratitude for the hard work they'd put in.
Apart from beef, lamb, fruits, flour, fruits and wine, there were also 20,000 crowns worth of gold keptons.
While it was said to be a reward, it was actually a public relations fee that everyone knew about.
Claude had set his sights on Bay Loducus last night for two reasons. First, the high-ranking Shiksan officers were in the city, and second, there was a sum of 2,000,000 gold keptons stored in the Union Bank in the city.
When they searched the finance department after taking over the camp, they found that there were only 400,000 gold keptons stored there.
Berklin grabbed one of the adjutants on duty and interrogated him. The adjutant immediately confessed that Shiks had stored the sum of 2,000,000 gold keptons in the Union Bank to pay for purchases and soldiers' salaries. That was safer than storing it in the warehouse. At the very least, it wouldn't inexplicably lose 10% of the money stored in the warehouse and the 1,000,000 gold keptons would be used as 900,000 gold keptons in the end.
So, Berklin came up with an idea to purposely let a few hundred captured Shiksan soldiers escape in hopes that Bay Loducus would accept them and let them enter the city.
That way, Thundercrash would be able to legitimately attack and occupy Bay Loducus. Apart from capturing the high-ranking Shiksan officers in the city, they would also be able to get their hands on the Shiksan military funds from the bank.
It was a pity that Lieutenant Colonel Lemando of Bay Loducus was wise enough to refuse to open the gates and prevent the city from falling.
Now, he was sending the 20,000 crowns for public relations. It was obvious that he hoped Claude wouldn't set his sights on Bay Loducus and turn a blind eye to some things.
Claude smiled and changed the twenty thousand crowns on the list to a hundred thousand. "Our Thundercrash Corps should be able to get at least one crown per soldier, right? Officers get even more depending on their rank, so I think this is a reasonable amount of money.
Of course, I'm not forcing you to pay the bounty. I know the high-ranking Shiksan officers are in the city and there's a huge amount of military funds in the bank.
Perhaps you can go back and discuss it with them. If they aren't willing to pay the bounty, just tell them that Bay Loducus can't have soldiers from either side due to your declaration of neutrality.
So, if they aren't willing to pay the bounty, you can send them out of the city. We'll wait for them outside.
As for how much they'll pay for them to stay in the city, that's none of my business. I only want that amount! "
All the local officials of Bay Loducus were flabbergasted. They stared at Claude blankly and thought, You took over the Shiksan camp and wiped out their troops, and now you want the Shiksans to pay to reward your soldiers?
However, some of the officials quickly understood what Claude meant. It was indeed a good opportunity to extort money. The high-ranking officers in the city were like fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered. It was a perfect opportunity for them to take a bite out of them.
After some whispering, the local officials agreed that they would try their best to convince the high-ranking Shiksan officers to take out some bounty from the bank to reward Thundercrash's soldiers. They wouldn't let the trip be in vain.
Since the secret deal had been negotiated, Lieutenant Colonel Anders came in to report. Colonel Berklin had also removed the city residents who worked in the camp from the captives.
The list of names matched up, but two unlucky bastards had been hit by stray bullets in the night raid last night. After initial treatment, their lives were not in danger, but they would have to suffer for two to three months, and they would have to spend money to buy medicine from the pharmacy …
As such, the local officials of Cape Loducus were about to leave. However, Claude stopped Lemando and asked him a question in front of everyone. He had seized a lot of Shiksan weapons and ammunition, so he wondered if the Fochian army would be interested in buying a batch of Shiksan weapons from him to replace their outdated ones.
That was what Claude saw through his monocular last night. The kingdom didn't really place much importance on its land forces. He noticed that the soldiers on the walls were armed with very outdated muskets, similar to the aubass mark 1 matchlock that Aueras used two to three decades ago. It was a very outdated weapon.
While Shiksan's matchlocks couldn't compare to the aubass mark 3 matchlocks, they were still advanced and accurate shooting weapons. They were one or two generations more advanced than the ones used by the garrison soldiers in Bay Loducus.
Shiksan weapons were useless in the war zone anyway, and Claude couldn't take them away, so he could only burn them down.
In the spirit of fighting with or without dates, Claude turned his attention to the local garrison camp of Cape Loducus Bay City …