Empire of Shadows

Chapter 65: Return to Custer City

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In less than two days, the entire Kastark Empire army began to retreat in an orderly manner. First, the cavalry was fully armed and ready, and then all the infantry began to break camp and dismantle everything that could be taken away from the north and south camps. Those that could not be taken away were demolished and burned on the spot.

As the army with the most remaining supplies, I dismantled all the catapults and crossbows without leaving any. In addition to keeping the main parts together, I burned all the remaining supplies and ordered the soldiers to smash the residues after burning. As for the instant crossbows, I loaded them all onto the carriages and prepared to transport them back to the Flame Legion's base in the imperial capital.

After we set out, the three divisions of the Flame Legion and the two light cavalry divisions of the 103rd Legion, which were responsible for covering the rear, also joined the retreat and kept a distance of several kilometers ahead of us, covering the rear for our vanguard.

"This, this... Is this Custer City? How come it has become like this in just a few days?" As a key protected target, the division I belonged to was sandwiched between the Flame Legion's cavalry units and stationed in the city.

But the bustling scenes on both sides of the street made me feel like I was in another time and space again. The dazzling array of goods, the merchants shouting loudly on the street, and the merchants and pedestrians coming and going, it was simply a dream. Could it be that in such a short period of time, a lifeless city in the midst of war would become a border trade distribution center similar to the 21st century? The nerves of the people here are really strong.

"Sir, don't be surprised. Although this looks like a small border town, you should think that this is a distribution center for trade between the two countries. In the entire city, nearly half of the people actually make money from the trade between the two countries. When the war comes, they all hide in their homes, or even in their cellars. Once the war is over, those people will emerge in the shortest time and quickly make a fortune from the war. Look, those who are selling food, although the war is over, the price has been raised to at least 10 times the pre-war price. Do you think they will not emerge?"

Seeing the surprise on my face, Matthew immediately came up to explain to me. Think about it, after the war in Afghanistan and the Gulf War, although there were still sporadic wars and so many suicide bombings every day, businessmen from so many countries still swarmed in like a group of leeches smelling blood. Or as it is said in Das Kapital, 100% profit can make businessmen risk their heads to reach the top.

"Let's go for a walk! Matthew, come with me. Let the rest of the troops go back to the camp. Matthew, you go and make arrangements. Ask Commander Murray to help me look after my troops..." Looking at the bustling streets, I couldn't help but recall the scenes of strolling in pedestrian streets or street markets on Earth, which made me feel playful.

Under my order, Matthew immediately began to split the army. The ordinary troops followed the 4th Division of the Flame Legion back to the barracks, while my guards still followed me.

"Sir, please put this on." Matthew, who had just dispatched the troops, came back with a lot of black cloaks and handed me one.

"What is this for?" Although I asked, I still put on this thing that looks like a bicycle raincoat. However, if this cloak is covered on the head, not only can't you see your feet, but also a large part of your face is covered. If you walk with your head down, I guarantee that no one can see your face clearly.

"My lord, Lord Thacker asked me to ensure your safety, so I had no choice but to do this. Please forgive me!"

"Hey, Matthew, they don't need it anymore, do they? Hundreds of people are wearing this stuff, don't you think it's too eye-catching? And I think it's better to let most of the soldiers wait at both ends of the street, and we can go in with a few guards. Do you think we guys with crossbows will suffer? If a master comes, do you think you can protect me?" I took a smaller cloak from Matthew and put it on Yaruo, and I took the lead to walk to the street. Matthew, who listened to me, immediately assigned people according to my instructions, and then immediately brought 6 guards to follow.

Led by a guard who was familiar with Custer City, I was taken to a three-story wooden structure store with elegant decoration. Compared with the stores outside, this store must be a so-called boutique mall.

"Excuse me, what do you need? In addition to selling weapons and equipment, we also sell magic tools and various other items. As long as you can buy it in Custer City, we have everything here."

"Really? But I don't know if there is anything that can satisfy us. Just look at them one by one. As long as you can satisfy us, I think you can make a fortune today." After listening to the shop owner's words, I was moved. Although I can improve and manufacture some gadgets now, I have never seen or understood the situation of weapons and equipment in this world. I don't know what level I can be considered in his eyes.

"We will not disappoint you here. Please come this way..." Following the lead of the shop owner, we were brought to a row of long swords. "You must be officers, right? I know that the swords provided by the army are just ordinary standard swords, not as elite as those in our shop. The swords you see are all made by the best dwarves in our shop. Each one is a fine product. If worn by the adults, they will surely be able to fight against thousands of people on the battlefield..."

"That's enough. Just introduce it. I can tell the good from the bad." I stopped the guy casually and picked up a sword. The blade is 800mm long, the thickest part is about 8mm, the width is 50mm, there is no blood groove, and the edge is only simply sharpened. The surface roughness is also very unsatisfactory. Is this the so-called fine product

He held the sword upright, picked up a dagger beside him, and tapped the top of the sword with the handle of the dagger. . . . . (Damn, who suggested tapping the tip of the sword with your fingers? Is that cool? Wouldn’t it hurt? Pull him out and hack him to death...) The sword made a full-body vibration. . . . .