Chapter 13 13. Strike a Heavy Punch
"Ryan."
"grown ups."
"Just now, why was there laughter outside?"
When this was mentioned, Ryan's face turned black and he gritted his teeth and said, "Sir, these peasants are humiliating me."
Dacius leaned against the tent's support pillar, folding his arms. He nodded nonchalantly and spoke loudly in Bretonnian: "In Bretonnian land, a peasant insults a noble. According to local law, what should be done?"
Flannais sauntered out of the tent and spoke in Bretonnian, equally nonchalantly, "The lord will announce the verdict and punishment."
Joniwa began to struggle violently, as if he wanted to say something, but the Black Ark pirate next to him punched him directly in the face, and then punched the nerve under his armpit again. The poor knight lay on the ground on his side, twitching like a shrimp, while Bassetin knelt on the ground with a dead heart, as if praying to his goddess.
The Druki's long lifespan and social customs have made them more knowledgeable about the human body than any other race in the world. Once, while wandering the decks, Dacus spotted a Black Ark pirate on his shift, holding a book in one hand and gesturing with the other. Many medical books circulated among the Druki people, such as "Shocking! Secrets of the Human Body," "Some Tips on Human Anatomy," and "My Insights on the Structure of the Human Body," which seamlessly integrated theory with practical application.
Seeing Joniva's miserable state, Daquus felt pity. After all, they had just had dinner together. He looked up at the pale green moonlight of Morsrib, waved his hand and said, "I am a powerful and kind person, and I can't bear to see this. Tonight is a good day. Sacrifice them to Kane."
The fate of these thirty or so unemployed peasants was casually decided by Dacius. Mounted squire was undoubtedly the most coveted position for the peasants, as it offered them the opportunity to serve as warden and sergeant. Starting as an unemployed soldier and climbing to this rank took several years, and only through valor and bravery on the battlefield could one achieve this position.
Every foot soldier dreams of becoming a squire, largely due to Bretonnian folktales of squires rising to the rank of knight through bravery in battle. However, in reality, no peasant is ever promoted to this rank, as Bretonnian nobles would not sully their status by associating with such peasants.
The smell of blood filled the air, and the cold lizard in the cage roared excitedly when it smelled it.
Next, three squads of Druzy soldiers, led by their captain and Edmund, knelt in front of the tent.
Dacus looked at them coldly and asked in a cold voice, "According to Druzy's military law, how should such a thing be handled?"
These three squads were responsible for the perimeter security this afternoon, so it was outrageous that they allowed a cavalry unit in. Edmund was a centurion, and although he had been on board to coordinate the evening landing, he also had responsibilities. This was the nature of Druzy society.
Hearing Dacus' question, the Druzis present banged their weapons and shields, shouting in unison: "Kill! Kill! Kill!"
The soldier kneeling on the ground did not argue or beg for mercy, but just lay on the ground waiting for the next judgment.
Dacus began to ponder: "Should we kill them all? Or should we kill the captain and take 50% of the soldiers out of 10? That's not right. There won't be many soldiers left. Don't worry about a car accident later."
Ryan, who was standing two swords away from Daquus, seemed to have noticed something. He hesitated for a long time but still didn't say anything.
Darkeus said, "Kane's sacrifice is sufficient. Each man will receive fifty lashes, and the distribution of spoils will be cancelled. Before returning to Clar Kalond, you must be the vanguard in every battle! After returning to Clar Kalond, no past will be punished."
The scene was momentarily stagnant, everyone surprised by the decision. These Duruchi soldiers, eager to watch the action, had clearly made a bet. Several captains were still waiting for promotion. Although centurion was the pinnacle of rank for commoners in Duruchi, unless they achieved extraordinary feats or were recognized and promoted by a powerful figure, there were still plenty of Duruchi commoners eager to take the position.
Daxus heard the soldiers kneeling on the ground heave a sigh of relief. Edmund, who was also lying on the ground, turned to look at the captains who were standing.
Ryan immediately said, "What are you standing there for? Why don't you thank the master?"
The Black Ark pirates executed him on the spot, whipping him on the back. Fifty lashes were no small pain for Druzy. A skilled player could deliver fifty lashes to the same point on the spine, crippling him and paralyzing him. Of course, these Black Ark pirates weren't so low-minded.
A Scourgerunner chariot quickly arrived. Its design was striking, its single, wide, and sturdy wheel capable of withstanding the turbulence of the terrain, allowing it to roam through wilderness, swamps, forests, and caves in search of suitable prey. Its hull was constructed of black pine wood clad in steel, with a hollowed-out frame and swept-back wings clad in bronze and steel. Equipped with a barbed net and a hunting spear with a steel chain, it could accommodate one driver and two beastmasters armed with harpoon crossbows.
After being tortured, Edmund walked up to the three captains and slapped each of them. After that, Edmund began to give orders.
The soldiers began applying a special potion, which gave off a slightly unpleasant odor. The cold lizards would mistake the odor for their own kind. Of course, prolonged application of this potion would impair their sense of smell and taste, but sovereign could cure this.
Ryan had just been in charge of supporting outside and was now taking the time to eat. Three cages containing cold lizards and a box containing armor were pushed over.
In Naggaroth, the most renowned cavalry unit is the Ebon Claws, the Cold One Dread Knights of Clar Karond. Composed entirely of the sons of the Duruchi nobility, they serve as the war vanguard of the Witch-King Malekith. They comprise standing, rotating, and reserve units. Every nobleman is required to provide his own armor and a Cold One. During wartime, all noblemen without military service are called upon to join the order. A noble family in Clar Karond without even a Cold One and armor is considered completely impoverished.
After confirming that all the Druzis, including the two knights, had been coated with the potion, the three cages were opened, and three cold lizards came out restlessly, hissing.
The Bretonnian warhorses and nags were terrified at the sight of the cold lizards. Darkius frowned, snapped his fingers, and pointed at the horses, saying, "Improve the slaves' food. Tell the crew to come over and move it."
Each of the three cold lizards is a massive beast weighing over two tons. Most of its weight rests on its powerful hind legs. With its long, powerful tail, the cold lizard can run and even leap at the rider's command. Its smaller forelimbs come in handy for walking, trotting, or catching larger prey. It uses these forelimbs to pin its prey, then tears it apart with its razor-sharp teeth.
They hunt in packs and are particularly adept at taking on prey several times their size. Once they notice their prey, a large group of cold lizards swarms, some charging directly forward to attack, while others flank the prey from both sides. If the prey is surrounded by them, it's doomed. There are northern and southern cold lizards. The southern ones roam the jungles of Lustria, their scales are a dark gray-green, and they lack horns on their heads and chins. The northern ones, found in the underground mines of Hag Graef, have dark bluish-purple scales and horns on their heads and chins.
In a nutshell: A rideable velociraptor.