"I don’t require you to march 40 li every day, I’m not a demon."

"But what does it mean when you’re getting slower and slower?"

"The first day was 40 li, the second 30 li, what will it be on the third day, 20 li?"

"As your instructor, I really must whip you, honestly!"

Holding a cork stick, Michelle, unlike her timid demeanor in front of Horn, appeared as stern as a bronze statue.

In front of him was the expressionless Defensive Army of Longbow Castle.

The obsolete saucershape brim helmets, obsolete half-plate armor, and inferior military boots and swords, all formerly discarded by the Holy Alliance, were neatly worn on them.

Yet under the autumn sun, the silver reflections wavered.

They gasped for breath, sweat running from their foreheads to their beards, their steps mechanical, with even a hint of sorrow at the corner of their eyes.

They had never marched like this before, at most going fifty li to attack a Knight Castle or some monastery around them.

This time, there was no sign when the originally kind and cheerful Lady Joan changed her face and insisted on them reaching the border of Devreland County in three days.

This was practically an impossible task; in the past, they would have rebelled long ago.

But to say they really want to revolt? Not quite.

The days were indeed arduous, enduring lashes and scoldings, filled with frustration.

But at night during encampment, not only did they have enough bread to eat, but also sausages and jam, with the military chaplain coming to soothe, treat, and bless them.

Their arrangements were just perfect; this Michelle instructor was just right, making rebellion not quite necessary but stifling without it.

In the morning, it was Mr. Michelle; at noon, the groove Michelle; in the afternoon, the lively Michelle; by dinner, it was the great Instructor Michelle.

This wasn’t Jeanne or Michelle intentionally tormenting them, but a necessary experience within the Holy Alliance army system.

One crucial indicator in the tactical system of the Holy Alliance army was marching speed.

In the past, the imperial army system had a cap on marching speed.

Even if forced marches broke this cap, it would still lead to a significant decline in combat effectiveness and a long period of recovery.

But the Holy Alliance was different, with more officers, more military chaplains, monetized logistics procurement, fully equipped service soldiers and mule transport...

This allowed the regular marching speed of the Holy Alliance to exceed normal imperial infantry by 20% to 30%, sometimes even faster.

Marching isn’t a simple matter of just walking.

How should the formation march? How to maintain morale? How do soldiers personally maintain combat effectiveness? 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

These all need adaptation and practice, which is why Jeanne said it wouldn’t be in vain.

After infernal, arduous marching, on the fifth day at noon, Jeanne and her party finally reached the border town of Hayaku in Devreland County.

The matters handled by Piasu were considered efficient, with over a thousand soldiers from Wonyu City arriving by the second day.

Aside from over five hundred mercenaries, the rest were mainly armed farmers and armed citizens gathered from various places.

Their combat strength might be weak, but safety and discretion were assured.

They stayed put, spending three days organizing these thousand soldiers into two reserve corps, deploying armaments, and Jeanne set off again on September 15.

Stepping into the territory of Waterwheel County, Jeanne marched under the banner of Wonyu City mercenaries.

They first traveled north by river, then disembarked to head toward Shovel Town.

But halfway through, new military intelligence came from Wonyu City.

Forced Jeanne, who initially went personally to investigate nearby enemy movements, to halt, hastily return.

"The Leia vanguard has already deployed at Sk Wolf Castle? Who’s the commanding officer? How many forces?"

Riding a red-brown warhorse, Jeanne burst into a chapel courtyard by the street, urgently asking before even dismounting.

Surrounded by Michelle and others, Bradak, who sat on a wooden box, immediately stood, clutching his chest and bowing, "They will arrive in two days, led by Kennard Mabola, with forces between three thousand and six thousand."

This information was passed to Jeanne by Falan, saying there are several hundred knights, several barons and counts, broadly estimating five to six thousand.

Due to the subdivided system within Leia, a count might be a lone commander, a knight might lead a dozen retainers, making the exact numbers hard to determine.

"What’s the background of this Kennard?"

"A Thorn Garden native, defrocked border knight, previously frequently engaged in skirmishes with ogres, centaurs, and vampires at the border.

He appears to have no notable victories or losses; otherwise, he wouldn’t be so obscure for even us to have no insight." Bradak quickly replied.

"What kinds of troops has he brought?"

"As for other vassal armies, it’s unknown, but the eight hundred plus border knights he personally brought are battle-hardened troops, not to be underestimated."

Dusting off the box, Jeanne spread a map across it, hands pressed on the sides, lost in thought.

On this expedition, if battle were inevitable, the main strategic objective was to find the opponent’s weak point and deliver a crushing blow.

Firstly, it was to establish confidence for the Piasu father and son, giving them leverage.

Secondly, to cause strategic misjudgment for Puzilio, creating confusion, buying more time for Longbow Castle.

As for training the troops, it merely came in handy.

However, Puzilio evidently was prudent, rallying five to six thousand on the road together, willing to bear the loss to prevent being attacked separately.

If Jeanne’s troops were all retired Holy Alliance veterans, this battle could be fought head-on; alas, with these motley recruits under her...

Sending the first and second infantry corps and cavalry corps to battle the same number of the Leia people, Jeanne believed she could surely win.

But involving the newly trained third infantry corps and the over a thousand troops from Wonyu City meant to mask and bait, the outcome was uncertain.

Especially as the Leia forces were twice their numbers, also fortified in strongholds, necessitating a field battle.

"Let’s have a military council." Jeanne seated herself at the head after pulling over a small stool, "Summon the corps commanders."

Soon, the six corps commanders and military chaplain hurried over, and after listening to Jeanne’s analysis of the situation, they began to speak chaotically as well.

One saying this, one saying that, making Bradak cover his itching ears.

"Didn’t we defeat the border knights before? Why not replicate the Little Mud Ditch Battle, holding high ground at the western hill of Shovel Town..."

"Otherwise, I believe we should emulate Lord Gallar’s rain-night assault, please look..."

"This early autumn in Waterwheel County is excessively dry, hotter than the South River Region, how do you launch a rain-night assault?"

"In that case, I think we should retreat..."

"I’ve got a plan. We put bottled lightning in a box, set up a small mechanism, and label the box ’To Kennard Mabola personally,’ so when he opens it, it’ll blow him up!"

"Do you think Kennard would act like you, not having it checked before opening?"

"Then you say something!"

The fifth corps commander from Waterwheel County confidently stated: "We move upstream from Sk Wolf Castle; I know a poison, one drop can kill a person.

By poisoning upstream from Sk Wolf Castle, though many innocents would perish, it could cause their defeat..."

"Hold on." Jeanne suddenly interrupted the chaotic discourse, "What did you just say?"

"Your Honor, just give me five tons of poison..."

"I wasn’t asking you." Jeanne glanced at the military chaplain who had opposed the rain-night idea, "You said Waterwheel County is dry in autumn?"

"To be precise, only the foot of the mountain is arid and hot, but it’s cool by the river and lakes."

"Isn’t Waterwheel County located more northward? I remember it to be especially cool, similar in climate to our Thousand River Valley Mountain County."

The chaplain replied honestly: "It’s said that beneath those western hills lies magma, dispersing geothermal heat, warming the cold northern breeze.

But the land there is infertile, unable to grow crops, even horses can’t be reared, only sheep."

"Take me to see." Pondering a moment, Jeanne grabbed the cavalry short cloak from the coat hook, pulled the chaplain along, mounted her horse and left.

Leaving the remaining corps commanders looking at each other, either returning to organize encampment or staying to continue discussions in the courtyard.

By evening, Jeanne returned to the courtyard.

This time, she wore a smile and, dismounting just past the entrance, shouted to the corps commanders: "For this battle, I know how to fight it!"