"They're here!" Gawain, who had been waiting for almost half the morning, sat on his saddle, a slight smile gracing his handsome and dashing face. It was a radiant smile, perhaps different from Kayal's gentle demeanor. This was a sunny and healthy smile, full of vitality and inspiring.
He instantly drew his sword and mounted his horse. It seemed that elite Knights, to demonstrate their distinction and martial prowess, almost none of them used the clumsy and heavy Knight's Lance.
Although the battlefield bonuses allowed them to wield them effortlessly, for greater agility, or rather, for more efficient killing, elite Knights disliked using spears, which offered no threat when wielded. They preferred heavy weapons that could sweep through an area.
For example, axes, greatswords, maces, and so on.
However, their inherent limitations ultimately led them to choose the Knight's Sword, a single-handed sword most suitable for mounted combat. These elite Knights were the most elite troops; of course, everything was custom-made, from the diameter of their hand's tiger's mouth to their height. The sword had to be flawless and complement their waist strength. This kind of treatment was not something every Knight could enjoy. If it weren't for Kayal, through the power of the state, specifically crafting such items for elite Knights with titles, in the past, only great nobles like Earls or Marquises would have been able to afford them through generations of inheritance and great expense, right?
Gawain carefully wiped his sword and adjusted the short sword at his waist. This was a small trick his father had taught him. As a warrior, especially a Knight, if your weapon is accidentally lost, you can't dismount to pick up someone else's weapon! At such times, having a rarely used but life-saving weapon on hand is the best choice! He kept his father's advice firmly in mind, but his father was no longer there due to his own greed. Gawain's gaze couldn't help but dim slightly, but he quickly cheered up.
After everything was in order, Gawain shouted, "Mount up." The three thousand Knights behind him simultaneously pulled their reins and mounted their horses.
After slowly advancing through the dense forest for a while, they suddenly emerged into the open, revealing the battlefield just ten kilometers away from them.
They began to ride towards the battlefield at a moderate speed. It wasn't that they didn't want to get to the battlefield quickly. With over ten years of heavy cavalry experience, their experience was far richer than that of Scotland's light cavalry.
Conserving horse power is the most important lesson for cavalry, a lesson ingrained in them through generations of the Knight's Page system.
And it wasn't just them; one to two Knights of the Round Table led forces in all eight directions around that plain. Gawain, being mature and powerful, led his own army in this sector alone.
It wasn't just an annihilation battle; they also had to guard against the Scottish army fleeing after learning of Camelot's invasion. Of course, the main target was the spiritual leader of all Scotland—the King of Scotland!
He absolutely must not be allowed to escape!
Otherwise, as the legitimate ruler and King of all Scotland, even if he couldn't rally a large army to oppose them, he could still hide among the populace and use his prestige to cause trouble for Camelot.
Although an increasingly better life would diminish his influence, it was precisely this time that Kayal needed, which is why the King of Scotland absolutely could not be let go.
Gawain silently recited the mission once more. It was his first time leading troops in such an annihilation battle, and he was a little nervous.
"Don't be afraid, kid," an old Knight patted Gawain on the shoulder.
This was no ordinary old Knight.
His gaze was sharp and steady, his hands broad and powerful, with interlocking knuckles that allowed him to grip the reins or his Knight's Sword more steadily.
His chin was angular but not sharp, much like the man himself.
He was a highly respected old Knight, with great prestige among the Knights. He had participated in King Uther's war against Rome but, due to insufficient merit, could only live as a noble candidate in Gawain's father's territory. With Camelot's reforms this time, he became an Earl (the fifth rank of nobility) and re-emerged, intending to secure a good future for his descendants.
It's worth mentioning that he was Gawain's master.
That is to say, Gawain had served as a Knight Marquis under him, and it was he who laid the solid foundation for Gawain's skills.
He was also the only person in the army who dared to directly pat Gawain's back.
His large hand made Gawain's back sting, even through his armor. Knowing his master's personality, Gawain could only offer a wry smile mixed with gratitude; his master was using this method to ease his tension.
He knew he should be fearless, calm, courageous, and analytical in the face of danger, as Kayal taught his students, but he was still a bit nervous facing the first major battle of his life.
This was a great war between nations!
It was different from the two or three hundred rebels after King Uther's demise. This was a grand battle involving tens of thousands of troops. Not to mention that his three thousand men were just a tiny pawn in it. He, a Knight of the Round Table with the thirteenth highest military rank, was a pawn in it. Even their King, Artoria, was just a pawn in that person's eyes, wasn't she?!
Gawain smiled bitterly, but then he brightened up. It was precisely because of this that he had to demonstrate his strength, his value.
Society operates on the principle of utilization and being utilized! If this pawn was useless, Gawain wondered what he would do with it?
Bait!
If you don't want to become bait or cannon fodder, then give your best to show your value, to show your strength! Demonstrate it, and you'll have a place on the grand plan, the grand strategy, the grand chessboard. Otherwise, if you're not cannon fodder, you'll be bait!
Gawain, of course, knew that his so-called cousin, despite appearing harmless to the people, was a cold-blooded killer on the battlefield (at this time, there were no machines, so the most apt description for a heartless person was a killer).
If there was enough benefit, he probably wouldn't mind swapping pieces! Because Kayal had the advantage of being able to see several moves ahead!
That's why Gawain was a little nervous.
He didn't know whether being chosen so young to lead an army independently and block a front line was considered bait.
Theoretically, he was too young! So young that he could be sacrificed at any time, replaced at any time. This was his disadvantage! Compared to Beowulf, who had fought a hundred battles, Bedivere, who could set a female example, and the other Knights of the Round Table who served as role models, did he, a rebellious son, even qualify as bait?
With such a subtle and contradictory mindset, the Knights led by Gawain put the final piece into place... Ten-sided ambush, one move to decide the universe... It was today!