Chapter 157 – 66 Expedition
“Having such morale immediately after assembly is impressive,” Admiral Zio said as he rode past the formation, speaking to Major General Antonio.
It had been ten years since the Third Legion had been at full strength.
This was also the first time that “Da Weineta” had fully assembled with all its equipment, standing in formation to be inspected by Admiral Zio and Major General Antonio.
A chief infantry battalion and nine infantry battalions, totaling over five thousand infantrymen, and two cavalry battalions with over six hundred cavalry—this was the entire fighting force of the Third Legion.
Among them, aside from the five infantry battalions consisting of temporarily conscripted reservists, the rest of the soldiers were all members of the Standing Army, drilled daily.
There was no artillery, as it would greatly slow down the marching speed, so the Venetian Republic’s auxiliary artillery units were formed into separate troops.
Winters, Bard, and Andre were now three junior officers-in-training within the chief infantry battalion. They could stand proudly at the front of the infantry lines, but they also had to humbly stand behind the official officers.
After the inspection, Admiral Zio did not waste words; he simply saluted Antonio solemnly.
With a grave expression, Antonio returned the salute and stepped into the ranks of the legion. At his command, Antonio led the entire legion out of the camp in formation, four columns abreast.
No one knew where they were going, but the atmosphere was somber, and no one dared to whisper. The soldiers mechanically followed the person ahead, and the officers did the same—only they were on horseback.
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The three junior officers also had no idea where they were headed, and based on Winters’s observations, several formal officers were also exchanging glances, evidently also in the dark.
Silently, the Third Legion left its station, bypassed Sea Blue City, and headed east.
As they marched further, Winters felt increasingly familiar with the road. He exchanged a knowing look with Andre, who had also recognized the route—it led to Haidong Port.
Eventually, the nearly six thousand officers and soldiers of the Third Legion arrived at the Haidong Port docks.
The battle had long since ended, but it would be a long time before Haidong Port’s wounds would heal. Everywhere one looked, there were charred ruins.
This military wharf had now essentially lost its function, and neither officers nor soldiers knew why Antonio had brought the Third Legion here.
Antonio leaped atop a high position where all the soldiers could see him.
He surveyed his troops and spoke loudly, “It was here that the Tanyria Confederacy launched a shameful sneak attack on us. They fought without declaration, they burned our warships, they massacred unarmed civilians. The despicable islanders thought they could scare off the Venetians, thought they could delay the judgment.”
With each sentence he uttered, the Spellcaster adjutant beside him would repeat it using a spell to amplify the voice, the augmented sounds echoing throughout Haidong Port.
The legion’s formation was deathly silent, all eyes focused on the figure of the legate on the platform.
“For this reason, I have gathered you, the bravest, the finest sons of Vineta. The Republic has trained you, transformed you from ignorant children into real men. And now, the Republic needs you; she anticipates that each one of you will fulfill your duty.”
The soldiers below could not help but grip their weapons tighter, and even Winters could not help but clutch the hilt of his sword.
Antonio paused for a moment before bellowing, “Today! This moment! I will lead you from here! To Tanyria for vengeance! Blood debts must be paid in blood; we will not forgive! The Tanyria Confederacy must be annihilated! Annihilate the Confederacy!”
“Annihilate the Confederacy!”
“Annihilate the Confederacy!”
“Annihilate the Confederacy!”
In the midst of thunderous cries, a colossal warship, flying the flag of Vineta’s navy, sailed into Haidong Bay, its sails unfurled like white clouds floating on the sea. Behind it, one after another, large ships followed the behemoth into Haidong Bay.
Antonio raised his hands downward, and the legion’s formation fell silent again.
Antonio issued his first command with a fierce tone, “No unnecessary burdens for a long voyage. The supply line is a matter of life and death for a cross-sea expedition! All surplus transport must be used for food and gunpowder. All officers, heed my command! Dismount!”
After speaking, Antonio was the first to leave the saddle, standing on the ground. Led by him, everyone in the Third Legion, from generals to warrant officers, dismounted.
“Officers’ warhorses will be cared for back at the station; we can still fight without mounts. The entire Third Legion is ordered! Except for weapons, ammunition, tents, and cookware, nothing else is to be brought. Everything else, leave it in Haidong Port!”
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Taking advantage of the rising tide in the afternoon, sailors staying behind in Haidong Port to cooperate with the army’s actions had moved out prepared planks and small boats, erecting two temporary floating bridges to enable the Third Legion to embark.
This was a joint operation of the army and navy, with the navy extending the utmost courtesy. They sent the flagship of the off-shore fleet—The Glorious. The presence of this ship at Haidong Port signified that the off-shore fleet commander had also arrived.
Besides The Glorious warship, there were also twenty-one other “volunteer conscripts” of large armed merchant ships to act as troop transports.
According to the plan, this detachement would first transport the Third Legion, and then the remaining warships of Vineta’s navy would join this detachement, ultimately forming a powerful fleet with more than thirty large sailing ships and over a dozen oared warships.