MTLNOVEL Chapter 407: Chapter 407: Ugor Mounted Archers
Detailed introductions about the Ugor people have been given before, so they won't be repeated here. Ryan sat on top of the Oliver Merchant Guild building, watching the performance of the Ugor Circus. He frowned, sighed lightly, and smiled wryly. "How are these Ugor goods selling?"
"Not very well. They are moving slowly." The imperial merchant Oliver, who sat opposite Ryan, replied with a subservient attitude. "No one expected these damned northerners to bring so many goods. I suspect there's a shadow of the Tsarina and the Empire behind this."
"Hahaha, Kislev has been resisting Chaos invasions for years. Let's be more forgiving; we're doing them a small favor." Armand, Ryan's bannerman and a Holy Grail Knight, appeared relaxed. He raised his large wooden cup, only to find it empty. A servant from the merchant guild immediately came to refill it.
This drink was Kislev's famous vodka, which tasted light and smooth, devoid of sweetness, bitterness, or astringency, but with a fiery kick. Armand was enjoying it with a plate of Bretonnia horse meat sausages.
Also present were Ryan's trusted subordinates, Kingdom Knights Olivier and Hex, as well as his newly appointed female courtier, Veronica. His other female courtier, Teresa, was still recuperating in the guest room of his castle, under the alternating care of Emilia and Olica.
As for his wife, Sulia... she was in the castle, playing with a brown bear cub.
The Ugor mounted archers had arrived at Ryan's territory two or three days ago. To avoid suspicion, Ryan had them start performing immediately. Upon their arrival, Ryan realized they had smuggled in over thirty carts of goods, including nearly all of Kislev's specialties: various minerals, animal hides, alcohol, handicrafts, and textiles.
Ryan quickly understood that this was a large-scale trade opportunity seized by the Kislevites. With the Empire acting as an intermediary and Ryan's reputation, this trade only required minimal customs fees (just the port tax at Poldro). The Kislev kingdom took advantage of this by having the mounted archers bring as much cargo as possible.
Ryan found it both amusing and annoying, but he couldn't complain much. Kislev was the first line of defense against Chaos for the forces of Order, especially the Ugor tribes, who had been fighting the northern barbarian tribes for nearly a thousand years. These nomadic tribes, skilled in archery and hunting, served as both sentinels and scouts. For survival, countless Ugor mounted archers spent their lives battling barbarians until death.
"Our sacrifices are so immense that the Tsarina constantly seeks to forget them."
—Ugor people of the Northern Linsk River
The leader of the Ugor mounted archers was Mikoyan Ivanovich Govorov. This Ugor captain had extensive experience being hired by various forces, having fought for the Empire, the Nord Kingdom, and even being employed by the dwarves of the World's Edge Mountains. Ryan appreciated the Empire's reliability; these mercenaries, used to being hired long-term, were disciplined and understood the rules, requiring little oversight from Ryan.
The reason they became mercenaries was quite sad. The Tazil Desert, where Kislev was located, was largely unsuitable for farming, and the food obtained through nomadism was very limited. When the vast lands couldn't sustain their people, mercenaries emerged.
"What's worse than your mother being a Garland Witch is your wife also being a Garland Witch." Veronica, dressed in a pale crystal blue and peach fishtail gown, said playfully. Her long black-brown hair was adorned with a blue bow, and she rested her sweet face in her hand, smiling mischievously. Her grey coat barely revealed a finger's width of her pink skirt, and her small, round ankles and pink feet were wrapped in flesh-colored stockings, complemented by fiery red lace-up high heels, a New Year's gift from Ryan.
This was a joke from Kislev nobles. After years of meticulous planning, the Ice Queen (self-proclaimed Tsarina) Katarin, an important member of the Garland Council, had effectively taken control of the northernmost order force in the world. Male nobles in Kislev often married Garland Witches or Ice Witches, and with the help of magic and pillow talk, Katarin and her ice-witch subordinates had taken over the military and political power of Kislev.
Ryan glared at Veronica, knowing she was mocking Teresa while indirectly mocking him for appointing an ice witch as his courtier.
As if she wasn't a Garland Witch herself.
"Does Ms. Veronica know much about the Ugor people?" Armand, the Holy Grail Knight, asked curiously. Given Veronica's official courtier status, the knightly nobles in the territory were polite to the two witches.
"Not really." Veronica shook her head. "I've had some contact before. Ugor mounted archers enjoy privileges within Kislev, such as demanding a sumptuous dinner and women from a village they pass through. If the villagers refuse, they can report them to the Tsarina for not fulfilling their obligations."
"How absurd!" Armand frowned. "Doesn't the Kislev royal court realize that granting such rights to these archers could lead to rampant looting and disrupt village life?"
The righteous Holy Grail Knight couldn't accept such excessive laws.
"The reason is simple: the Kislev royal court cannot afford to pay these mounted archers." Veronica shrugged. "They want the horse to run but don't want to feed it. So, the court grants the horses the right to find their own food."
"People need to eat." Olivier, from the Empire, took it lightly and laughed, earning glares from Hex and Armand.
"My lord, do you have any plans for hiring these mounted archers?" Hex asked Ryan. The mature and stable Kingdom Knight, now over thirty, had become somewhat rigid. "I think they'll just cause trouble."
"But we need a mobile long-range unit. Remember our battle against the northern barbarians outside Lyonnaise Castle?" Ryan frowned and continued. "If it weren't for the dwarf Thunderers' ambush volley, dealing with those marauder cavalry would have taken a lot more effort."
"The Ugor's combat effectiveness in mounted archery is unquestionable. Each Ugor learns to ride and shoot from birth, so we can rest assured on that point," Veronica emphasized.
Everyone agreed on this.
"Then we need to train our knights and infantry to coordinate with these mounted archers," Hex suggested, "Oh, and the dwarves too."
"Right. Attacking Blackstone Stronghold requires the dwarves' help." Ryan nodded. "Since the Ugor mounted archers are here, Hex, Olivier, Armand, it's up to you to train them to cooperate with our knights and infantry."
"Yes, sir!"
…
Thirty minutes later, the circus performance ended. Mikoyan Ivanovich Govorov approached Ryan, bowing deeply. "I offer you my respects, Count," he said in broken language.
This typical Kislev man had light skin, a very strong build, a narrow and high nose, and sharp facial features. He was tall and muscular, carrying a bow and an axe.
Ryan noticed his rough linen shirt, coarse wool coat, skinny trousers, leather boots, and well-groomed hair and accessories. He tried to be polite, though his manner was not standard for Bretonnia's court.
"Welcome to the Earl of Glamorgan, Mikoyan…" Ryan thought the name was long and hard to pronounce.
"Just call me Ivan." Ivanovich had little expression and raised his head. "You pay, we fight. It's just a transaction. We are mercenaries; you are the employer. It's that simple."
"Good. I like it simple." Ryan nodded. He didn't want to deal much with these Ugor people, as their customs, diet, religion, and living patterns were vastly different from Bretonnians. He didn't expect them to integrate well. "Who introduced you?"
"It was the Grand Duke of Ostermark, Elector Count Valmir von Zhukov." Ivan stood straight, resembling a big bear, with long whiskers hanging down his chest. "He recommended us here."
After speaking, the northerner stood rigidly, saying no more.
Ryan wanted to ask more but wasn't sure what to say.
"Alright, for now, Ivan, you can perform around the area,"
The sound of high heels hitting the wooden floor came from behind Ryan. Veronica whispered in his ear, "Ostermark and Kislev have a good relationship because they always face northern barbarian invasions together. Their armies can even switch defensive zones."
"I know that, Veronica. Remember Oleg? Elector Count Valmir's eldest son?" Ryan motioned for them to go downstairs, and Veronica linked her arm with his, pressing her soft fullness against him. "The Wolfen Baron who wore extravagant clothes and kept talking about wiping out the Norscans?"
"Yes, I heard Ice Queen Katarin gave him a magic scimitar, the Frostblade." Ryan collected himself and laughed. "It's certainly not as good as the Rune Fang, but it's a powerful weapon."
"Ice Queen Katarin is a legendary ice witch. After ascending the throne, she used her magic to turn the entire Bokha Palace into a massive ice fortress. Unlike her father Bokha, who loved leading the Kriegan Guard and Kislev Bear Cavalry into battle and died in the Troll Country, Katarin prefers to stay in the palace, appointing generals to solve problems. I heard the Norscans are too busy with their civil war after Egil's death, and their raids have significantly decreased," Veronica said mockingly. "These northerners
don't even thank you."
"Fighting Chaos is the best thanks," Ryan shrugged. Fighting Chaos was a duty, not something to boast about. Veronica, who didn't care much about fighting evil, preferred enjoying her time alone with Ryan and researching in her tower. Since her wizard tower was built, she had been quite content with her luxurious lifestyle.
"Well, you're a hero of the kingdom, the Lady's chosen champion. You have fame and fortune, while I, a little witch, am just your vassal, ready to be discarded… Ah!" Veronica pretended to be pitiful, but Ryan mischievously lifted her and placed her on his purebred elf warhorse, Grape. The horse, sensing it wasn't its master, pawed the ground impatiently.
Ryan patted Grape's mane, calming it down.
"Speaking of your wizard tower, I haven't visited it in a while. What's your workshop been making lately?" Ryan mounted the horse, holding Veronica's voluptuous body in his arms, signaling Grape to move.
The purebred elf warhorse, capable of remarkable loads, neighed in protest but began to move towards the castle.
"Recently? Besides making various potions, my workshop has been producing explosive bullets." Veronica thought for a moment. "Those magical bullets that explode upon hitting the target, used in dwarf muskets. Want to take a look?"
"Let's go see it. By the way, I have something for you." Ryan kissed her cheek and smiled. "Want to know what it is?"
"What?"
"A Light Magic Steed!"
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