Chapter 139 – Eisenwald's Military Reconstruction
The skies over Eisenwald that morning were pale gray, yet beneath them the spirit of its people burned brightly. Since the great victory against the three barons, and Fenrir's elevation to Viscount by Emperor Aurelius Luminaria V, the once-isolated marshland was no longer seen as a backwater. It had become the focal point of the entire empire—and even lands far beyond its borders.
Fenrir stood atop a wooden platform while thousands of soldiers lined the main parade ground. Behind him stood his commanders: Kael Morgenstern, Lyra Nightshade, Garrik Stormhoof, Roland Ironarm, Mirae the new captain of archers, Arno Kruger who would lead the heavy infantry, and Varek—the newly appointed captain of the Cavalry Crossbow Division. At Fenrir's side were Darius Holt and Selene Aestra, both now serving as senior advisers.
The morning air was thick with the beat of war drums and the blare of horns. Fenrir raised his hand, and the sound ceased. Thousands of eyes turned to him.
"Eisenwald," Fenrir's voice rang loud, echoing across the square, "today we leave behind the old order. Our army has grown to eighteen thousand souls, and with that, we need a system not only strong, but modern—a war machine that can crush an enemy twice our size."
A roar erupted. Soldiers who once numbered only 3,500 now looked upon an endless sea of comrades, and pride flared in their chests. Lowering his hand, Fenrir called Arno Kruger forward.
-I. Heavy Infantry Corps – 7,000 Soldiers
Arno Kruger stepped forward—a broad-shouldered man nearly two meters tall from the northern provinces, known as the "Iron Hammer." He carried a massive longsword, almost as heavy as a battle axe. Now, he was entrusted as commander of the heavy infantry.
"The Heavy Infantry will be Eisenwald's backbone," Fenrir declared. "Seven thousand soldiers under Arno's command will hold the front line. They will drill in column formations, tight ranks, and heavy shields. They will be the wall that will not break, no matter how many crash against it."
Darius Holt stepped beside Arno, accepting the title of military adviser. Though he had lost in the dueling trials, Fenrir honored his promise: Darius's experience was too valuable to discard. "He is no longer merely a commander," Fenrir said, "but a teacher to the new generation of Eisenwald's infantry."
The cheers of the infantry rumbled like thunder as their shields were raised high.
-II. Light Infantry Corps – 3,000 Soldiers
Fenrir introduced Arno's deputy, who would lead the light infantry, a unit specializing in mobility. His name was Rudiger Vale, a young officer tested in the internal wars.
"The Light Infantry are the blade in the shadows," Fenrir said. "They will move swiftly, encircle the enemy, and strike at their weakest points. They are not a wall, but a spear that pierces the enemy's heart."
These three thousand wore lighter armor, armed with short spears, swords, and round shields. They trained to run in loose formations, striking and withdrawing before the enemy could counter.
-III. Cavalry Corps – 3,000 Soldiers
Garrik Stormhoof advanced with heavy steps, accompanied by the thunder of warhorses tethered at the flank of the field.
"The cavalry are our wings," Fenrir cried. "They will smash enemy flanks, crush reserves, and strike back with the speed of a storm. Garrik Stormhoof will lead three thousand riders, half of whom will carry crossbows on horseback."
But Fenrir lifted his hand again. "The Cavalry Crossbow Division will stand apart, a specialized force under Varek."
-IV. Archer Corps – 2,000 Soldiers
Mirae, a dark-haired woman with piercing eyes, stepped forward. Selene Aestra stood at her side, now serving as senior adviser.
"Eisenwald's archers will be our eyes at range," Fenrir said. "Mirae will command two thousand archers—a blend of longbowmen and standard crossbowmen. They will rain death upon the enemy before swords ever clash."
Bows and crossbows lifted skyward, their steel tips gleaming under the morning sun.
-V. Artillery Corps – 1,000 Soldiers
Roland Ironarm, his forged steel limb glinting, strode forward with Calder, the chief engineer.
"Artillery is lightning on the battlefield," Fenrir announced. "A thousand men, forty ballistae, and twenty newly forged trebuchets will stand under Roland and Calder. They will tear down walls, shatter formations, and carve open the path for our armies."
The engineers and crews roared in pride.
-VI. Recon & Infiltration Corps – 500 Soldiers
Lyra Nightshade advanced, her expression as calm as midnight. None had challenged her in the trials; her position was irreplaceable.
"Scouts are our eyes and ears," Fenrir declared. "Five hundred shadows, moving through forests, swamps, and mountains. They will bring us knowledge before the enemy even knows we are coming."
Their response was silent—a light tap over their chests, the secret code of Eisenwald's shadows.
-VII. Elite Division – Crimson Knights – 500 Knights
Kael Morgenstern strode forward, his faint black aura pressing on the air. Behind him, five hundred knights in crimson armor stood rigid, swords crossed against their chests.
"They are not just soldiers," Fenrir said. "They are Eisenwald's honor. The Crimson Knights will be the spear in times of crisis, the final strike that destroys our enemies."
The cheers shook the ground, the knights' restrained aura flickering like flame.
-VIII. Cavalry Crossbow Division – 1,000 Soldiers
At last, Fenrir called Varek forward. The blond youth who had lost his duel against Garrik was now entrusted with command of a new division.
"One thousand light cavalry with crossbows. They are neither ordinary archers nor ordinary cavalry. They are lightning on horseback, a moving rain of bolts that cannot be stopped. Varek will lead them."
A roar erupted—this new force would be the symbol of Eisenwald's military innovation.
Fenrir raised his sword high. "Behold the Eisenwald Corps Model! From this day forth, we are no longer a mere border garrison. We are a modern army—disciplined, lethal. We are the empire's wall and sword in the north!"
The ground shook as thousands of boots stomped and voices thundered together:
"Eisenwald! Eisenwald! Eisenwald!"
Fenrir's gaze was sharp. Within his heart, he carried the fire of those who inspired him: the relentlessness of Khalid ibn al-Walid, Napoleon's flashes of strategy, Caesar's daring, Alexander's boundless ambition, Alp Arslan's conviction, Salahuddin's steadfastness, Baudouin IV's unbroken spirit despite suffering, and Hannibal's genius. All of them burned within him.
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Quest System
Quest Completed – Forge the Future
Develop the Eisenwald Crossbow Division.
Train and arm at least 500 crossbowmen.
Reward: +5,000 EXP, [Crossbow Tactics Lv.1] Unlocked.
Quest Completed – Lightning on Horseback
Train and equip 500 Cavalry Crossbowmen.
Reward: +7,500 EXP, Hidden Skill Unlocked → [Mobile Volley Lv.1]: Cavalry crossbow units gain +15% accuracy and reload while moving.
Hidden Quest Completed – Army of the Crimson Wolf
Condition: Reach 18,000 soldiers under Eisenwald's banner.
Reward: +10,000 EXP, New Trait [Iron Banner]: All Eisenwald troops gain +5% stamina and resilience in prolonged battles.
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[Status Panel – Fenrir Eisenwald]
Name: Fenrir Eisenwald
Title: Crimson Wolf of Eisenwald, Viscount of the Northern Border
Age: 18
Level: 19 (UP)
EXP: 67,500 / 75,000
Aura: 290 (+20 reward)
Stamina: 280 (+30 reward)
Strength: 245 (+20 reward)
Cunning: 395 (+30 reward)
Charisma: 250 (+20 reward)
Mental Fortitude: 280 (+20 reward)
Skills:
[Aura Control Lv.4] – Refined manipulation.
[Swordsmanship Lv.4] – Adaptive strikes.
[Leadership Lv.6] – +35% morale boost.
[Tactical Instinct Lv.4] – High-level battlefield intuition.
[Passive – Legacy of Strategies]
[Crossbow Tactics Lv.1] – +10% accuracy & reload for crossbow troops.
[Mobile Volley Lv.1] – Cavalry crossbowmen gain +15% accuracy/reload while moving.
Traits:
[Wounds That Shape]
[Lord of the Marsh]
[Banner of Unity]
[Iron Banner]
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Fenrir closed the great assembly with a single sentence, one that echoed across the field:
> "Once, Eisenwald was nothing but a silent swamp. Now, we are the thunder that will shake the empire—and the world."
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