Synopsis and Starting Chapter Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33 - Ruins
Chapter 34 - Discovery
Chapter 35 - Dancing With A Python
Chapter 36 - The Perfect Excuse
Chapter 37 - Shaliun Gold Coins
Chapter 38 - Return Trip
Chapter 39 - Shocking The Town
Chapter 40 - Splitting The Spoils
Chapter 41 - Treating In The Tavern
Chapter 42 - Bookstore
Chapter 43 - Household Turmoil
Chapter 44 - Making Noodles
Chapter 45 - Disappointment And Gift
Chapter 46 - Choice For The Future
Chapter 47 - Father'S Plans
Chapter 48 - Buying Bullets And Gunpowder
Chapter 49 - Flipper
Chapter 50 - Eriksson'S Little Fishing Boat Dream
Chapter 51 - Shooting Practice
Chapter 52 - Target And Sight
Chapter 53 - Pointless Trivia
Chapter 54 - Three-Dot Sight
Chapter 55 - A Disappointing Hunt
Chapter 56 - Hare Hunting
Chapter 57 - Chain Snare Catches
Chapter 58 - Secret Concoction
Chapter 59 - Lardor Snowhound
Chapter 60 - Claude The Confused
Chapter 61 - Magus Landes'S Diary (1)
Chapter 62 - Magus Landes'S Diary (2)
Chapter 63 - Magus Landes'S Diary (3)
Chapter 64 - Surprise In The Diary
Chapter 65 - The Decision To Learn Magic
Chapter 66 - Claude On The Roof
Chapter 67 - Repercussions
Chapter 68 - Preparatory Work
Chapter 69 - Nighttime Cruise And Fishing Net
Chapter 70 - Night Fishing
Chapter 71 - Hunting Water Birds
Chapter 72 - Crocodile Struggle
Chapter 73 - Limping Home
Chapter 74 - At The Jetty
Chapter 75 - Father'S Decision
Chapter 76 - Two Pieces Of Bad News
Chapter 77 - The Second Diary
Chapter 78 - Basic Spells
Chapter 79 - Claude'S Dilemma
Chapter 80 - Throughout The Year-End Vacation
Chapter 81 - Whale Meat And Tradition
Chapter 82 - New Year'S Eve
Chapter 83 - Half A Cup Of Milk Tea
Chapter 84 - Becoming A One-Ring Rune Magus
Chapter 85 - Mental Shock And Animal Trials
Chapter 86 - The Lady'S Spell
Chapter 87 - Lady Maria
Chapter 88 - I'Ve Been Learning Forbidden Spells?
Chapter 89 - Harmless Spells
Chapter 90 - Black Magic Market
Chapter 91 - Claude'S Request
Chapter 92 - Hunting Wild Boars
Chapter 93 - Magic Tomes And Scrolls
Chapter 94 - Visit From An Honoured Guest
Chapter 95 - You Should Be A Chef
Chapter 96 - Difference
Chapter 97 - Wood Supervisor
Chapter 98 - The Small Hut
Chapter 99 - The Old Street At Night
Chapter 100 - Hurian The Fat Old Man
Chapter 101 - High Prices
Chapter 102 - Magic Crossbow
Chapter 103 - Confrontation On The Road
Chapter 104 - Taking Action
Chapter 105 - Weapons And Spells
Chapter 106 - Wrapped Up And Dealth With
Chapter 107 - Discussion
Chapter 108 - Excuse For Lateness
Chapter 109 - Two Spell Scrolls
Chapter 110 - Ambush And Pursuit
Chapter 111 - Spellbane Dagger
Chapter 112 - Imposter
Chapter 113 - Featherfall
Chapter 114 - Preparation Before Setup
Chapter 115 - Success!
Chapter 116 - Asking For Money
Chapter 117 - Familial Conflict
Chapter 118 - Going Out To Sea
Chapter 119 - Search
Chapter 120 - Discovery
Chapter 121 - Burning Coal
Chapter 122 - Time To Make Some Money
Chapter 123 - Graduation
Chapter 124 - Martial Law
Chapter 125 - Crime
Chapter 126 - Garrison
Chapter 127 - Mayor Robert'S Plan
Chapter 128 - Tricked Veterans
Chapter 129 - Arbeit The Fraud
Chapter 130 - Arbeit'S Whereabouts
Chapter 131 - Search
Chapter 132 - Den
Chapter 133 - Taking Action
Chapter 134 - Encounter
Chapter 135 - Bidlir Blanche
Chapter 136 - Lady Maria'S Reply
Chapter 137 - Turmoil In Court
Chapter 138 - Two Matters
Chapter 139 - Arbeit'S Intent
Chapter 140 - Filling Pockets
Chapter 141 - Wasted Trip
Chapter 142 - The Magus That Robs
Chapter 143 - Battle In The Yard
Chapter 144 - Robbery Complete
Chapter 145 - Jerad'S Thoughts
Chapter 146 - Auction
Chapter 147 - Father-And-Son Talk
Chapter 148 - The Nightmare Comes
Chapter 149 - Modification And Rumours
Chapter 150 - In Debt
Chapter 151 - Despair
Chapter 152 - Turmoil
Chapter 153 - Act Of Creditors
Chapter 154 - Guarantee
Chapter 155 - Move
Chapter 156 - Kefnie'S Confession
Chapter 157 - Lady Maria'S Gift
Chapter 158 - Property Development
Chapter 159 - Angelina'S Secret
Chapter 160 - Angelina Wants To Learn Magic
Chapter 161 - Whitestag In The Fifth Month
Chapter 162 - Confusion And Change
Chapter 163 - Mayor Felidos
Chapter 164 - Doing Wrong With Good Intentions
Chapter 165 - Conscription Order
Chapter 166 - Have Some Whiskey
Chapter 167 - Explanation
Chapter 168 - Urgent Document
Chapter 169 - Execution
Chapter 170 - Detective
Chapter 171 - Suspicion
Chapter 172 - Dispelling Doubt
Chapter 173 - Repurcussions
Chapter 174 - Eve Of Departure
Chapter 175 - En Route
Chapter 176 - Doghunt Tavern
Chapter 177 - City Of Whitewood
Chapter 178 - Whiteroot Powder
Chapter 179 - Shocking Turn
Chapter 180 - Misunderstanding
Chapter 181 - City Lockdown
Chapter 182 - Blunder
Chapter 183 - Reporting For Duty
Chapter 184 - The Four Of Noble Blood
Chapter 185 - Beatdown
Chapter 186 - Infirmary
Chapter 187 - The Whole Story
Chapter 188 - Punishment
Chapter 189 - Confinement
Chapter 190 - Training
Chapter 191 - Training Ongoing
Chapter 192 - Three Day Break
Chapter 193 - Surprising Tentsman Pick
Chapter 194 - Combat Training
Chapter 195 - The Final Counterattack
Chapter 196 - Causing Trouble
Chapter 197 - Settlement
Chapter 198 - Worry And Puzzlement
Chapter 199 - Wonderful News
Chapter 200 - Letters
Chapter 201 - New Recruits
Chapter 202 - Kink-Necks
Chapter 203 - Marksmanship Training
Chapter 204 - Combat Simulation
Chapter 205 - Glory Or Embarrassment
Chapter 206 - The Breakout Of War
Chapter 207 - Arrival Of The Prince
Chapter 208 - The Prince'S Summons
Chapter 209 - Refusal
Chapter 210 - In The Heat Of The Matter
Chapter 211 - Initial Signs Of Danger
Chapter 212 - Nosedive
Chapter 213 - Conclusion Of Battle
Chapter 214 - The Keeper Band Worth Two Bottles Of Wine
Chapter 215 - Prince Hansbach
Chapter 216 - Rangers
Chapter 217 - Lieutenant-Colonel Rosley
Chapter 218 - Ambush
Chapter 219 - Casualties
Chapter 220 - The Battle Reignites
Chapter 221 - On The Frontlines
Chapter 222 - Wilf Stronghold
Chapter 223 - Marching In Line
Chapter 224 - Suppressive Attack
Chapter 225 - Visit
Chapter 226 - Returning For Duty
Chapter 227 - Blackmaple Castle
Chapter 228 - Deployment Strategy
Chapter 229 - Squirrel Village
Chapter 230 - Questioning
Chapter 231 - The Baroness’ Complaint
Chapter 232 - Charm
Chapter 233 - Discussion And Inspiration
Chapter 234 - Major Lederfanc’S Inspection
Chapter 235 - Secret
Chapter 236 - Black Wolf
Chapter 237 - Wolf And The Maiden
Chapter 238 - The Shack Beneath The Rubber Tree
Chapter 239 - With In The Forest
Chapter 240 - Finally Speaking
Chapter 241 - Howling Wolf
Chapter 242 - Rainy Night
Chapter 243 - Skinning
Chapter 244 - Sheila
Chapter 245 - Nature Spells
Chapter 246 - Kindle And Fireball
Chapter 247 - Martial God Asur247
Chapter 248 - Nineteen Magic Scrolls
Chapter 249 - Spell Study
Chapter 250 - Construction Of The Wooden House
Chapter 251 - Enemy Movements
Chapter 252 - Preparations
Chapter 253 - The Battle Begins
Chapter 254 - Night Attack
Chapter 255 - Armies Gathering
Chapter 256 - Pursuing Soldiers
Chapter 257 - Attack And Defence
Chapter 258 - Cannon Bombardment
Chapter 259 - The Camp As Tough As A Fortress
Chapter 260 - Strategy
Chapter 261 - Splendid Victory
Chapter 262 - Triumphant Report
Chapter 263 - Background
Chapter 264 - Leisurely Time
Chapter 265 - Joint Investigation Committee
Chapter 266 - Knighthood
Chapter 267 - Role Reassignment
Chapter 268 - Grand Gathering
Chapter 269 - Coincidental Reunion
Chapter 270 - News From Welikro
Chapter 271 - Explosive Shot
Chapter 272 - Mission
Chapter 273 - Dominion Of Death
Chapter 274 - Castle Landes
Chapter 275 - Remaining A Deadbeat
Chapter 276 - Supply Difficulties
Chapter 277 - Fall Of Rimodra
Chapter 278 - Mistake
Chapter 279 - Withdrawal
Chapter 280 - Siege
Chapter 281 - Shootout
Chapter 282 - Grassland Goldeagle
Chapter 283 - Siege Tower
Chapter 284 - Clash On The Walls
Chapter 285 - Siege Towers Destroyed
Chapter 286 - Escape Route
Chapter 287 - Withdrawal
Chapter 288 - Noble And Peasant Officers
Chapter 289 - The Brash First Prince
Chapter 290 - No Limit To Imbecility
Chapter 291 - Imposters
Chapter 292 - First Lieutenant Perengue
Chapter 293 - A Life Lost
Chapter 294 - Countermeasures
Chapter 295 - Judiciary Investigation Committee
Chapter 296 - Investigation Ongoing
Chapter 297 - Investigation Concluded
Chapter 298 - Train Of Thought
Chapter 299 - The Dust Has Settled
Chapter 300 - Family Visit Break
Chapter 301 - Efenasburg'S Black Market
Chapter 302 - Bandits
Chapter 303 - Bandit Encounter
Chapter 304 - Return Home
Chapter 305 - Mother, Sister, Brother, And Pluto
Chapter 306 - Sister And Spells
Chapter 307 - Lady Maria'S Deliberations
Chapter 308 - Buying Woodland
Chapter 309 - Myriad Changes
Chapter 310 - Kills And Magic Accessories
Chapter 311 - Visits
Chapter 312
Chapter 313 - Peddler Donoby
Chapter 314 - Lieutenant Manrique
Chapter 315
Chapter 316 - Home Stay And Eloping
Chapter 317 - The Sounds Upstairs
Chapter 318 - Laundry Chaos
Chapter 319 - Trash Novel
Chapter 320 - Arrival In The Royal Capital
Chapter 321 - Visit
Chapter 322 - Village Chief Chenova
Chapter 323 - Advanced Strategy Class
Chapter 324 - Rainy Season
Chapter 325 - The Hole Under The Bed
Chapter 326 - Inadequacies
Chapter 327 - Family Correspondence
Chapter 328 - Special Independent Tribe
Chapter 329 - Personnel And Organisation
Chapter 330 - Military Discipline And Healer Transfer
Chapter 331 - Long Distance Training
Chapter 332 - Two New Developments
Chapter 333 - Training Exercise
Chapter 334 - Another War
Chapter 335 - Arrival On Nubissia
Chapter 336 - Port Cobius
Chapter 337 - The High-Commissioner’S Problem
Chapter 338 - Planning
Chapter 339 - Encounter
Chapter 340 - Claude Defence Line
Chapter 341 - Night Attack! Night Attack!
Chapter 342 - Operation Burn
Chapter 343 - Push And Pull
Chapter 344 - Burning Mordo
Chapter 345 - Siblings' Arrival
Chapter 346 - Angelina'S Marriage Matters
Chapter 347 - Victory And Expansion
Chapter 348 - Theatre Of War
Chapter 349 - Great Battle’S Eve
Chapter 350 - Bait And Massacre
Chapter 351 - Battle Of Balingana (1)
Chapter 352 - Battle Of Balingana (2)
Chapter 353 - Battle Of Balingana (3)
Chapter 354 - The General'S Mistake
Chapter 355 - State Of Turmoil
Chapter 356 - Military Budget Debacle
Chapter 357 - Changes In The Corps
Chapter 358 - Truth And Excavation
Chapter 359 - General Fansnik
Chapter 360 - Field Marshal Of The Theatre
Chapter 361 - Problem Solved
Chapter 362 - Spending And Promotion
Chapter 363 - Mister Weyblon
Chapter 364 - Drivick
Chapter 365 - Explosives And Ignition Powder
Chapter 366 - New Theatre Preparation Meeting
Chapter 367 - Sudden Incident
Chapter 368 - Reuniting With An Old Friend
Chapter 369 - Matters Settled
Chapter 370 - Work Horses, Donkeys, Mine, And Factory
Chapter 371 - Monster And Power
Chapter 372 - Hot Air Engine
Chapter 373 - Borkal'S Mission
Chapter 374 - Bull Hunting
Chapter 375 - Dawn Attack
Chapter 376 - The Second Encampment
Chapter 377 - Battle Back And Forth
Chapter 378 - Trade
Chapter 379 - Third Victory
Chapter 380 - General Eiblont
Chapter 381 - Conquest Of Wickhamsburg
Chapter 382 - Strike
Chapter 383 - The Nikancha Call For Help
Chapter 384 - Great Deal For The Nikancha
Chapter 385 - Position Shift
Chapter 386
Chapter 387 - Majid Iii'S Plans
Chapter 388 - Word Of Mouth
Chapter 389 - Sixty Percent
Chapter 390 - Reunion After A Long Parting
Chapter 391 - Father-Daughter Magi
Chapter 392 - Revolver Test: Success!
Chapter 393 - Recruitment
Chapter 394 - General Aljess
Chapter 395 - Attack Drill
Chapter 396 - Gunshots At Midnight
Chapter 397 - Ambushed
Chapter 398 - Assassination
Chapter 399 - Loss
Chapter 400 - Greytower Magi And Countermeasures
Chapter 401 - Thoughts And Self-Preservation
Chapter 402 - The Royal Capital'S Response
Chapter 403
Chapter 404 - Humbling Oneself
Chapter 405 - Discharge Problem
Chapter 406 - Problem Solved
Chapter 407 - Rapidly Changing World
Chapter 408 - War Orphans
Chapter 409 - Civil War And Waves Of Immigrants
Chapter 410 - Conclusive Year-End Report
Chapter 411
Chapter 412 - Downsizing And Shocking News
Chapter 413 - Restructuring And Huge Bombshell
Chapter 414 - Reasoning
Chapter 415 - Rubbish Defence
Chapter 416 - Absorbed Into The Theatre
Chapter 417 - Viscount Godic
Chapter 418 - Averting Trouble
Chapter 419
Chapter 420 - Borkal’S Legendary Exploits
Chapter 421 - Military Industrial Equipment
Chapter 422 - The Purge
Chapter 423 - New Rifle
Chapter 424 - News From Smugglers
Chapter 425 - Western Coast
Chapter 426 - Loan
Chapter 427 - Fundraising
Chapter 428 - Lease
Chapter 429
Chapter 430
Chapter 431 - Claude’S Countermeasures
Chapter 432 - Operation Leak
Chapter 433 - Opinion
Chapter 434
Chapter 435 - Negotiations (1)
Chapter 436 - Negotiations (2)
Chapter 437 - Shiksan Arrival
Chapter 438 - Pre-War Business
Chapter 439 - Defence Line
Chapter 440 - Reason For Loss
Chapter 441 - Night Attack And Ambush
Chapter 442 - Solving The Root Of The Problem
Chapter 443 - Wolffang Band
Chapter 444
Chapter 445
Chapter 446 - Unexpected Developments
Chapter 447 - Attack Mishap
Chapter 448 - Heated Battle At Camp
Chapter 449 - Bloody Clash
Chapter 450 - Merit, Lesson, And The Foolish Nikancha
Chapter 451 - The Wondrous Nikancha
Chapter 452 - Conclusions
Chapter 453 - Meeting And Decisions
Chapter 454 - New Research
Chapter 455 - Tobacco Business
Chapter 456 - Rumours And Going Off-Topic
Chapter 457 - The Nikancha’S Offer
Chapter 458 - Suggestions Laced With Threats
Chapter 459 - Idle Chat And Arrival
Chapter 460 - Nikancha Camp-Flight Incident
Chapter 461
Chapter 462
Chapter 463 - Tricks And Countermeasures
Chapter 464 - Crossing The Floating Bridge
Chapter 465 - Meeting And Surprise Attack
Chapter 466 - Thundercrash’S Assault
Chapter 467 - Surprise Attack Planning
Chapter 468 - At Sea
Chapter 469 - The Grand Push
Chapter 470 - Cleanup After The Great Battle
Chapter 471 - Borkal’S Experiences
Chapter 472 - Private Conversation
Chapter 473 - Blacksail And Eriksson
Chapter 474 - Rebuke
Chapter 475 - Ambassador’S Arrival
Chapter 476 - Piglet Capture Conflict
Chapter 477 - Shock At The Banquet
Chapter 478 - Ambassadors’ Night Meeting
Chapter 479 - Blinded By Greed
Chapter 480 - Aftermath And Self-Governance
Chapter 481 - Deploying On The Mainland
Chapter 482 - Sacred Light Era Year 595
Chapter 483 - The Union Rises
Chapter 484 - Request And Reply
Chapter 485 - Troubling Household Matters
Chapter 486 - The Hunt
Chapter 487 - Tracking
Chapter 488 - Train
Chapter 489 - Blackwind, Stop Licking!
Chapter 490 - Sheila’S Experiences
Chapter 491 - Catching Up
Chapter 492 - Busywork And Misfortune
Chapter 493 - Family Troubles
Chapter 494 - Splitting Family Assets
Chapter 495 - Aid
Chapter 496 - Ironclad And Stahlhelm
Chapter 497 - Declaration Of War
Chapter 498 - Chasing Ambassador’S Away And Maria’S Arrival
Chapter 499 - Conversation On The Train
Chapter 500 - Deciding To Deploy
Chapter 501 - Goals
Chapter 502 - Operation Crescent Moon
Chapter 503 - Arrival And Impersonation
Chapter 504 - War On Two Fronts
Chapter 505 - Triumph Of Ambruiz
Chapter 506 - Station And Choice
Chapter 507 - En Route To Polyvisia
Chapter 508 - Butcher Of Polyvisia
Chapter 509 - Saint Lusk Naval Battle
Chapter 510 - Severe Circumstances
Chapter 511 - Choosing To Fight Or Leave
Chapter 512 - Prelude To Battle
Chapter 513 - Clash In Polyvisia (1)
Chapter 514 - Clash In Polyvisia (2)
Chapter 515 - Clash In Polyvisia (3)
Chapter 516 - Clash In Polyvisia (4)
Chapter 517 - Good News And Lies
Chapter 518 - Appointment And Delegation
Chapter 519 - Captives And Expansion
Chapter 520 - Disassembly And Diversion
Chapter 521 - Prime Minister’S Two Proposals
Chapter 522 - The King'S Scheme
Chapter 523 - Elevation Fee
Chapter 524 - Choice And Solidarity
Chapter 525 - The Council'S Three Demands
Chapter 526 - Solidarity Of Victors
Chapter 527 - Fief Picks
Chapter 528 - Bandit Extermination
Chapter 529 - Really A Misunderstanding?
Chapter 530 - Deploying Troops
Chapter 531 - Prime Minister’S Reception
Chapter 532 - Sharp Negotiations
Chapter 533 - Reparations Negotiations And Arms Deal
Chapter 534 - Two Bits Of Bad News
Chapter 535 - Analysis And Response
Chapter 536 - Ironclad Deal
Chapter 537 - Operation Wildfire
Chapter 538 - Shiksan Captives
Chapter 539 - Tesoray'S Future
Chapter 540 - Family Matters
Chapter 541 - Reorganisation And Voluntary Folk
Chapter 542 - Escort And Transport
Chapter 543 - Court Case Of The Wood
Chapter 544 - Pamigar Revolt
Chapter 545 - Battle Report
Chapter 546 - Looming Threat
Chapter 547 - General Skri'S Secret Message
Chapter 548 - Western Coast Incident Of 603
Chapter 549 - Death Of The Great Chieftain
Chapter 550 - Return Of General Birkin
Chapter 551 - Cape Lodocus'S Handover
Chapter 552 - Homecoming Shiksans
Chapter 553 - To The Mainland
Chapter 554 - Blancarte'S Intentions
Chapter 555 - Worrying Household Matters
Chapter 556 - Clueless Mother
Chapter 557 - Avitelli I Of Bleyotte
Chapter 558 - Fate Of Mambamark
Chapter 559 - Strategic Lies
Chapter 560 - 9Th Month Of Year 604
Chapter 561 - Attacking First
Chapter 562 - The Great Demise
Chapter 563 - Strategic Analysis And Delegation
Chapter 564 - Blancarte'S Suggestion
Chapter 565 - Change Of The Homecoming Shiksans
Chapter 566 - Claude’S Headache
Chapter 567 - National Defence Force And Useless Allies
Chapter 568 - Wolves Abroad, Hyenas At Home
Chapter 569 - Middle Of The 9Th Month
Chapter 570 - Lease And The Court’S Three Requests
Chapter 571 - Refused Requests
Chapter 572 - Arbeit’S Past
Chapter 573 - Two Letters And The National Preservation Fund
Chapter 574 - Reply And Captives
Chapter 575 - General Siegfeld’S Development Plan
Chapter 576 - Official Notice And Lawsuit
Chapter 577 - Awkward Court Case
Chapter 578 - Meanwhile, On The Western Coast
Chapter 579 - Potential For Sheila To Advance
Chapter 580 - Borkal And Eriksson
Chapter 581 - Myjack Joins The Household
Chapter 582 - Borkal’S Failure
Chapter 583 - Visitation
Chapter 584 - The Royal Family’S Ironclads
Chapter 585 - Three Main Intelligence Agencies
Chapter 586 - Royal Navy Scandal
Chapter 587 - Trivialities
Chapter 588 - Attack On Port Wades
Chapter 589 - Battle Of Nubari Islands
Chapter 590 - Dawn Of The Age Of The Ironclad
Chapter 591 - The Western Coast Of Rapid Change
Chapter 592 - Intervention
Categories Genre: Action, Adventure, All, Drama, Fantasy, Ongoing, School Life, Slice of Life, Tragedy Status: Ongoing Alternative names: BIG, 重生之黑铁的荣耀, ______
Total Chapters in book: 593
Estimated words: 1391110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 6956(@200wpm)___ 5564(@250wpm)___ 4637(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 1391110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 6956(@200wpm)___ 5564(@250wpm)___ 4637(@300wpm)
______
LIST OF LAST 10 CHAPTERS:
Page No. 593 Page No. 592 Page No. 591 Page No. 590 Page No. 589 Page No. 588 Page No. 587 Page No. 586 Page No. 585 Page No. 584 Page No. 583 Chapter 301 - Efenasburg'S Black Market
Efenasburg’s Black Market
This time, Claude didn’t use the temporary pass through Pikleit Mountains to go to Efenasburg. He, instead, travelled along Rimodra’s main road. If he had gone home by sea he could have saved an additional couple days, but the port cities in Askilin and Rimodra lay in ruins.
The war was over, but the two dutchies’ navies hadn’t accepted the peace and returned home. They’d instead either become pirates or pledged themselves to Canas. While this meant Aueras’ navy was the only cohesive force in the region, its ships had been badly battered in the many battles, and its crews were exhausted. It would take months for the crews to be cycled through leave and recuperate, and years for the ships to rotate through drydock for repairs. The pirate bands would thus go unopposed for the foreseeable future, and the ocean, the coast, and any islands in the region were impossibly dangerous.
The little band thus had no choice but to travel on land. No one would come out well at the other end of an engagement with pirates, but three Aueran soldiers, one of whom being a commissioned officer, would fare even worse. Claude was not strapped for funds, however, so he purchased three fit horses and the three set off at a brisk pace.
Claude had hoped to take his Canasian war horse, but while it was his property within the military, it was still ultimately military property. He could not use it when he was on leave. It would have been a different matter if he were a major. Majors and above were entitled to fully private spoils from the war, even items that would normally only nominally be theirs, such as war horses, could be truly theirs, if they were willing to purchase the full rights.
The roads were full for days. Tens of thousands of men were marching away from the front. Men split off at every junction as various units returned to their disparate headquarters. Despite the evident exhaustion and war weariness on their faces, the men were in general high spirits. Dozens of different folk songs in any number of accents and dialects could be heard jostling for dominance among the men. Particularly popular were the songs of various male conquests in the bedroom, and in various other rooms in the house, and on various items of furniture.
One song silenced every other one at one point, however. It wasn’t a particularly happy song, nor was it sad per se. The song was about a lone, tired soldier marching home at the end of a nondescript war. He sang about his trials and tribulations, but mostly, the song was about everything he missed from home. About his little brother and sister who used to play in the backyard of his small townhouse. He wondered if they’d grown up well because he’d been away from home for so long. It was about his mother, always cooking, washing, or cleaning. He wondered if she’d turned grey in the years he’d been gone, about what food she would prepare for him once he got home. How he longed for her to hold him as she had when he was a little boy. It was about his father, how he’d always been so hard working, distant from, though not cold to, his children. He reminisced on the warm pride and serious worry in his father’s eyes when he’d bid him goodbye on the docks. It was about his sweetheart. He sang a short verse about her beauty, how he’d explored it all that final, sweet evening before his departure. But more he sang about how he wondered if she would still be waiting for him after all this time, and how he longed to hold her in his arms again.
The song reverberated like thunder up and down the column of men. Dozens broke into silent tears as they walked, overs sniffed secretly. A couple openly wiped the tears from their eyes. The men were proud of what they’d accomplished, but more than anything, they were tired. Tired of fighting, and tired of dying. They wanted to go home, to hug their children, kiss their wives, and eat with their parents. There was much glory to be had in war, but there was far more sorry that had to be paid, and these men had paid their share twice over and twice again.
Claude had wanted to buy Rimodran specialties for home, but there were none to be found. The towns were either entirely abandoned, or the people were too busy struggling to find enough food to feed themselves to worry about making trinkets and delicacies for their conquerors.
He couldn’t even find a single open tavern. He asked Myjack how they’d fed themselves at one point, and the boy told him they’d had to eat bread and drink water. They only had warm food when they stopped over at military camps, for which they had to pay. The current sorry state only continued back to the old border, however. The entire war had been fought on enemy territory, so the old territories were still wholly intact.
Claude’s little band carried themselves with the gate of soldiers, so everyone knew what they were, but they wore civilian clothing, which made what they were doing equally obvious. The men stared envious daggers at them as they passed. When they stopped for a quick lunch on the last Rimodran leg of their trip, a couple officers from the local irregular corps told them they had to stop in Efenasburg. It had developed the kingdom’s largest black market. Claude wasn’t against the idea, since he had yet to find something valuable to take home.
The most senior of the irregulars, a captain, told him that he’d gone to the market the last time he’d been in the city. He’d seen stuff on the stall shelves he’d never seen before. He’d been unable to figure out what a couple even were. One of the peddlers told him he was selling wares pilfered from the houses of a couple nobles further north. He’d bought most of them from soldiers who’d smuggled them back from the front lines. One of the items was a beautiful vase with intricate gold and silver lacing. He recognised the name engraved on it as the famous gold and silverware craftsman Evanson. He so wished he had the money for it. He was certain he could convince several of his hometown’s most beautiful girls to marry him just to be able to say they lived in the house with that vase. He didn’t, however, so he could only watch as a fat noblewoman bought it for a seventh of its true worth.
Efensaburg was Sidins’ old capital. It was no longer a capital, but it did at least still serve as the headquarters of the portion of the army under Prince Hansbach’s command. It was also still serving as the main supply centre for most of the forces in the west. As the duchy’s capital, it had been the most prosperous city in the duchy, but now, it had been reduced to a large way station for withdrawing troops.
Many of the soldiers chose to sell their smuggled spoils there. Coins were far more practical, and far less suspicious, than various objects. Men who’d failed to bag something themselves bought them in turn with which to brag at home. Technically the spoils belonged to the royal family, so their sale and purchase was illegal, hence it being a black market. Everyone knew controlling the many thousands of men trying to buy and sell, and the many hundreds of merchants looking to make their fortunes in the back alleys and ruins in the city was impossible, so the army settled for collecting a little side charge to leave the merchants alone.
The setup intrigued Claude quite a bit. He’d not gotten much in the way of spoils during the war. The only real thing he’d gotten was a set of cutlery and crockery. He’d taken it from one of the noble manors around Count Krilaus’ castle, but he’d left it behind with Sheila. He had also gotten a beautiful ceremonial sword after one of the battles around Squirrel, but Sheila had claimed it immediately. The only other things were six bottles of rare vintage wine he’d also taken from that manor. They were already spoken for by various people back home.
He had nothing to keep for himself as proof of his exploits, so he supposed now was as good a time as any to buy himself something, hopefully something unusual, or something that would fit well into one of his many war stories.
He thanked the captain and saw him off. Myjack and Gum decided to accompany him. They’d not gone by Efenasburg last time since it was out of the way to the capital, so they were also curious to see what it had become. It would also be a good chance for Claude to visit Borkal.
The three set off again after finishing their lunch, and saw Efenasburg’s lights on the horizon just as the last rays of sun were fading into night. They asked around near the gate and settled on a high-class inn near the old commercial quarter. Claude treated them to a grand feast of a dinner, then turned in for the night after a thorough scrubbing in the bath.
Claude was awoken by the clatter of wares and the shouted chants of various merchants leaking in through his room’s window which overlooked the large avenue in front of the inn. The street, all but deserted when they’d arrived the previous evening, was beyond crowded. The avenue, one of the largest in the city, could handle six carriages abreast one another, but there was hardly space to sneeze at the moment.
The moon hadn’t even climbed a third of the way up into the sky, but some people were already drinking. Myjack and Gum were already up and were having breakfast downstairs. Claude joined them just as the inn’s proprietor was explaining that the streets usually looked like that.
The three finished breakfast and Myjack and Claude read a couple newspapers. Gum pretended to read, but he mostly just mouthed the letters he recognised, which weren’t many. After they finished the three headed to the logistics headquarters and asked around for Borkal. Claude had met up with Welikro during the award ceremony the year before and he’d mentioned that he’d run into Borkal in Efenasbrug. Two years had passed since then, and there was no telling if he was still there.
The three headed to the office on foot rather than on horseback. The street was too crowded for horses. The proprietor had told them it would be a bad idea. He’d seen a lieutenant-colonel forced to pay almost all his savings for the things his horse broke when it turned and pushed over a stall’s shelves.
None of the staff knew where there Banjilia keepers were. They’d been moved long before any of the current staff started their stint in the city.
The local keepers sent to the frontlines were used mainly as garrison forces. Their old names were thus often replaced with just a code. It was done to keep them safe from reprisals from old enemies when they were moved to new locations since they were often used to quell civilian uprisings.
A serial murderer had struck in a particular city several hundred years earlier. He killed off everyone in more than ten households. The investigation revealed that they were all the families of a particular keeper unit’s men. The unit had put down an uprising in a newly occupied territory most cruelly a couple years earlier.
One of the children orphaned by their actions took matters into his own hands and started killing their families. He’d made friends with many of the then-retired soldiers while he’d found out everything he could about them. He’d struck started his killing spree on the 25th anniversary of the massacre they’d conducted on his hometown.
The kingdom was so shocked. When he was finally caught and put on trial, he said he didn’t feel a single morsel of remorse over his actions. He only regretted that he couldn’t kill more, or inflict more pain on the bastards who’d massacred his entire town, and made him watch as they first raped, then tortured, and finally killed his entire family.
The kingdom responded by giving their keepers numbers when they were moved into troubled areas so they could remain anonymous and wouldn’t face similar retribution for their cruelty. Duriaulo’s tribe, for example, was the Leist Keepery, but when they were moved to the newly occupied territory, they were given the designation KT0378, Keeper Tribe 378.
No one knew what code Banjilia Keepery had been given.
Thus unable to track down his old friend, he could only pray for him as he returned to the central plaza.
That night, Claude met a number of officers from irregular corps there to buy some spoils from the black market just like him. The officers had complained that the goods’ prices rose by a third, possibly due to the sudden influx of traffic thanks to the mass retreat of the forces. The merchants wouldn’t miss the chance to overcharge the masses of soldiers during this rare event.
What was worse was the increasing number of counterfeit products in the black market. Many items alleged to have come from noble families were actually forgeries. The merchants would try their best to fabricate an interesting and moving story to market their products as genuine and earn their customers’ confidence.
One officer said that he saw more than fifty obsidian smoke pipes there. All the hawkers said that theirs was the one used by Duke Sidins himself and the officer could recite seven different accounts of how the pipe made its way into said hawker’s hand, each one unique and plausible.
Claude recalled that someone tried to sell him one such pipe, but he wasn’t interested in the slightest. If his father was still alive, he might’ve considered buying one. Now, he could only get gifts for his mother and siblings.
Claude spent two days shopping in the black market and bought quite a lot, all worth more than five hundred crowns in total. Myjack had to remind him to stop, or they would have too much luggage to travel. The goods we all stuffed in the carriage before they resumed their journey.
Total Chapters in book: 593
Estimated words: 1391110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 6956(@200wpm)___ 5564(@250wpm)___ 4637(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 1391110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 6956(@200wpm)___ 5564(@250wpm)___ 4637(@300wpm)
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