On the vast plain, wheels rolled ceaselessly.

Nearly a thousand soldiers of the Black Hat Army marched in four columns, moving forward at a steady pace.

Their leather boots trampled the ground, stirring up dust and gravel.

The long spears resting on their shoulders clinked against each other, emitting a crisp sound.

Behind them, nearly a thousand strong-armed laborers followed.

Sandwiched between the laborers and the Defensive Army were nearly a hundred wagons loaded with provisions and mortar.

These auxiliary troops crowded and jumbled behind the Black Hat Army, turning the previously orderly procession into an odd and unwieldy sight.

It was an unavoidable situation, as the saying goes, "an army marches on its stomach."

Despite Horn's attempts at streamlining, the ratio of military to non-military personnel remained at 5:2.

Which means a 500 strong army requires at least 200 support personnel to maintain logistics.

Horn added a large number of laborers, resulting in nearly 800 people trailing behind the 1000 strong two-legion force.

The enormous convoy advanced along the road like a flowing stream. Fortunately, at least so far, they had not faced any attacks from knights.

"Only five miles left." Juer Dan still shouted to those behind him.

The War Monk of the Fourth Legion complained formulaically, "You said it was only five miles since we left this morning."

But this time Juer Dan wasn't lying; there were truly just five miles left to Monkulus Manor from here.

The distance from Black Pottery Town to Monkulus Manor was about twenty miles, even with civilians, it could be covered in a day.

They could already see farmers working the lands belonging to the manor.

As for their master, about three days ago they left only the steward and a few servants in charge, then quickly disappeared without a trace.

The stream flowed gently, and among the golden wheat fields, occasionally a farmer would lift their head to gaze in this direction.

Yet, most of them just glanced and then fearfully lowered their heads, continuing with their tasks.

Even though the lord had fled, they still continued their farm work according to routine.

Despite the life-and-death battles between the Ibe Knight and the Salvation Army, for the farmers of Jinhe Town, it was merely "the lords' war."

The lords could be at each other's throats, but what did that have to do with their three thousand pounds of yearly harvest?

This perspective was slightly better in the Devout Special District, but it was particularly prevalent in the Holy War Special District and Jinhe Town.

With a stern face, Lauren strode to the roadside, stretched out a leg, and kicked a slacking laborer, making him wail in pain.

"Ri Shan..."

"Which team are you from? Were you given a break?"

The beaten laborer glared at him with resentment and fear, seeing Lauren reach for a whip, he hurriedly fled back to the ranks.

Fanning the air irritably with a handful of grass, Lauren complained to Juer Dan, "These laborers are untrained civilians. I don't see the use of taking them to the front lines."

"Weren't we civilians before?" Juer Dan didn't have any complaints, cheerfully continuing forward, "The new recruits weren't much better trained than they are."

"How can it be the same?" Lauren swatted away some flies, "They are untrained, it's hard to protect them on the battlefield."

"As if you weren't a new recruit yourself." Juer Dan playfully thumped his chest.

Lauren's face immediately flushed red.

After enlisting in the Black Hat Army, Lauren quickly experienced the blessing of divine favor, becoming a Holy Gunman.

Since most Holy Gunmen were veterans, he naturally considered himself a veteran too.

After the Battle of Pavia, many of the wounded, including some disabled veterans, developed symptoms of divine favor following infections.

These veterans joined the ranks of Holy Gunmen, while most of the new recruits added were Long Spearmen.

This resulted in a significantly higher number of veterans in the Holy Gunman ranks compared to Long Spearmen.

Noticing Lauren's embarrassment and repressed anger, Juer Dan couldn't help but shake his head.

Lauren was a tailor's apprentice, while Juer Dan was a cloth merchant's assistant; they'd known each other for a long time, but Lauren's nature was somewhat difficult to describe.

As opposed to the optimistic and easygoing Juer Dan, perhaps due to years of paternal beatings, Lauren was relatively sullen and sensitive, prone to conflicts.

Lauren had not made many friends within the legion.

Yet it was undeniable that Lauren was indeed smart and capable, excelling in every subject.

At the Saint Danji War Academy, he consistently ranked among the top five trainees with excellent scores.

However, the army reveres strength; as long as you can lead a victory, no matter how often you nap or have accidents in public, everyone is willing to turn a blind eye and follow your lead.

"You're pretty much a veteran yourself." Juer Dan wrapped an arm around Lauren's neck, "After this battle, you'll be a veteran too."

The deep red on Lauren's face gradually faded. Just as he was about to speak, he sharply turned his head.

"What's wrong?"

"I hear hoofbeats." Unhesitatingly, Lauren climbed onto a wagon, looking around and then pointing in a direction, "Over there!"

Juer Dan immediately blew his whistle, and several accompanying cuirassiers galloped in that direction.

The once peaceful convoy quieted down, each person nervously gripping whatever they could.

After all, they were marching in enemy territory; who knew what troubles might arise?

Soon though, a Beastman Cavalry returned to report: "Corps Commander, it's a representative of public opinion here to welcome us."

Upon hearing this, those around breathed a sigh of relief.

Though they spoke of public opinion representatives, they were actually the former stewards and estate managers of the manor.

Most of these people were sons of knights or Armed Farmers; within the Armed Farmers were both poor and rich strata, with the wealthy among them becoming these estate managers and stewards.

An average knight manor covered about 2000–3000 mu of land, comprising six or seven villages, which couldn't be directly managed by the knight.

Therefore, most of the time, the estates were managed by these managers and stewards as delegated, the knights rarely involving themselves in day-to-day production and life of the manor.

They spent the majority of their time on parades, arenas, and currying favor with the Noble Lords.

After Horn issued the Great Judgment order, on May 24, 1445, of the Imperial Calendar, Saint Jeanne led four Black Hat Army corps into Black Pottery Town.

Upon occupying Black Pottery Town, Jeanne's first order was for the Black Hat Fifth Corps to advance twelve miles further and occupy Monkulus Manor.

The Black Hat Fifth Corps faced no significant resistance, and the manor promptly surrendered.

The stewards and managers quickly recanted and converted, eagerly welcoming the new regime and attaching wooden gears to themselves, proclaiming "liberty and equality" at every turn.

"Liberty and equality! Your honors, the humble Decrama is at your service." Decrama, holding the reins of a nag, smiled ingratiatingly at the Black Hat War Monks, "Master Kolman sent me to welcome and guide you into the camp."

Clearly, the ones in white Shumitz shirts, black and red jodhpurs, gray trousers, and red sashes were indeed the masters here.

With a glance, Decrama recognized that cold, imposing spirit they had.

No matter which master it was, they could easily take lives, so Decrama naturally did not dare to be neglectful.

The Black Hat Army being mostly of poor origin, traditionally didn't take kindly to these managers and minor gentry.

Lauren wore his disgust on his face, merely grunting softly.

Juer Dan, though internally displeased, maintained a neutral expression, "We'll trouble you, then."

Grinning sycophantically, Decrama turned to lead the convoy forward.

"We still need them, otherwise these villages would fall into chaos."

"I want to ask why we suddenly need them to push ahead to the Monkulus Manor."

Juer Dan didn't have a chance to respond before a bloodcurdling scream pierced the air.

Looking to the back of the convoy, they saw Decrama gesturing towards Juer Dan, cursing fluently: "I've been watching you for a while now, always being lazy. Do you think I'm blind? Hurry up and move, don't delay the lords' liberty and equality!"

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