Kapitel 8: Chapter 8: Planning and Preparing
After receiving approval from his father Victor wasted no time.
His second company of French Imperial Guard had arrived and escorted Victor and his two servants to the camp Corporal Junot had established. The camp wasn't too far away from the capital city of Hannover. In a nearby forest, a nice clearing made an ideal spot for an outpost.
In only one day there were some simple trenches and defensive spikes sprinkled around the camp's perimeter. With a row of tents set up for soldiers and some spare tents allocated for storage all the basic needs were met.
Once completing this quest Victor would be able to use his Military Outpost Starter Kit to develop this place even further and house more men. The current capacity was suitable for 30 soldiers maximum.
When Victor arrived at the head tent Corporal Junot approached from the side welcoming the newcomers to the settlement. With no time wasted Corporal ordered one of his senior privates to help assist their new comrades settle into their new base.
"It is an honour to have you here Lord," greeted Corporal Junot while giving a subtle bow.
"I'm pleased to see this much progress already Corporal. Hopefully, with more men, you will be able to expand and improve this place." Victor said in an upbeat tone.
"Certainly Lord, it may be crude now but with more time and the newly added manpower this place will grow to be a formidable outpost." Corporal Junot commented.
With the pleasantries out of the way, Corporal Junot showed Victor and his servants to the officer's tent where Victor would take up residence in the following days. With the day almost done Victor thought some rest for everyone would do them all good.
As the morning sun rose, the camp became lively as the soldiers were enjoying breakfast alongside their lord before returning to their duties.
Once breakfast had settled, Victor ordered a map of the Dukedom brought to his tent immediately. On a solidly crafted table of wood, a large map was sprawled out covering the entire surface.
The map showed a very detailed layout of the territory, which was almost trapezoid-like.
In the South lay the capital city Hannover which was positioned on the coast of the Bulgar Continent. Running from south to north was the Luxen Road, a pivotal road that was used by a flurry of merchants who wanted to trade inside and outside the continent.
A short distance north-west from the capital was the forest where Victor's military camp was stationed. If the bandits had set up camp nearby Victor's soldiers would've known about it. There was another large forest in north northeastern corner of the realm which was the most likely spot for the camp as the rest of the territory was grassy plains.
"It's clear that if there is a bandit camp set up in the territory it would be in the North-Eastern forest," stated Corporal Junot.
"Is there a chance the bandits are operating from any of the three neighbouring territories?" questioned Victor.
"To the left of your Dukedom is the Cruyff Dukedom, Duke Harold has been a lazy ruler so potentially they could have set up their. To your right, we have the Cassell Dukedome under your grandfather. He runs a tight ship in his territory so I doubt the bandits would set up there. And above you is the Grand Duchy of Maximillian. They have a territory the size of all the other territories combined but I doubt they'd be so relaxed around their border," reported Corporal Junot.
"The security of the Luxen Road is vital to the prosperity of not only our territory but our neighbours. They all use it as much as we do." Replied Victor.
"I agree Lord, however, the two probable places both have their own significant challenges. If the bandit camp is indeed in the North-Eastern forest we do not have the manpower to search such a vast forest. We'd be picked off one by one if we were spotted by them as well." the corporal stated
"Would more men be of help?"Questioned Victor
"Yes and no Lord. It'd certainly help in search and destroy tactics but depending on how long the search is we wouldn't be able to sustain a large amount of troops," answered the corporal.
"I see, what about the other probable location of the bandit camp?" Pondered Victor.
"The other probable location would be near the border in the Cruyff Dukedom. The border might not have a lot of spots to hide a camp but we can't aimlessly move troops into a neighbouring territory without permission. I doubt we would be allowed to as well given your relationship with your half-siblings and stepmother," Corporal Junot said in a deflated tone.
"Our only option is to catch the bandits while they are raiding a merchant convoy and get them to lead us back to their camp then right Corporal?" Said Victor.
"Correct Lord I figured as much and we found that the bandits have been raiding near the crossroads for all four territories. We could lay in wait and hope we catch something but it might be a waste of time," Replied the corporal.
"Very well. We do not know the size of their party so Corporal Junot your company will join me in dealing with the bandits. The second company will guard and develop the camp further."
"Understood lord I will begin preparation as soon as possible we will leave on the morrow," said Corporal Junot.
With their strategy meeting adjourned all Victor could do was pass the time before the next day. To fill in Victor's downtime, he spent time mingling with his soldiers and even practised his marksmanship. Trying to hone his skills further.
With the butt of the musket pressed against his cheek, Victor's gaze was locked on a tree 100 yards away. From his previous knowledge, he knew that even a high-end musket had a limit in terms of accurate range. With a short and sharp breath, Victor slowly squeezed the trigger, sending a bullet spiralling towards the tree. Unfortunately, he only managed to graze it but if it was his former self this was a serious improvement thanks to a low-level skill book.
Ever since accepting the task of eliminating the bandit a heavy internal struggle warred inside of Victor. Was he capable of taking a life if forced into a position to do so? This mission would surely lead to the loss of life of many bandits but could Victor pulled the trigger?
Hence the practising was to harden his resolve and show that he could shoot the musket even if it was at an inanimate target.
After a day of planning and preparation, Victor went to bed. A long march was ahead of them.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein