YM778.TV Chapter 38: Assassination Equipment!
Its design mirrored the functionality of the Nagant M1895 revolver, allowing each bolt to automatically rotate into position after a shot was fired, streamlining the process to merely pulling the firing string for each subsequent shot.
Logan deftly loaded five short arrows into the crossbow, his movements swift and practiced.
Crowe and the others observed Logan with a mix of curiosity and intrigue. While they were no strangers to archery, the complexity of this particular device puzzled them.
With a confident grip, Logan raised the crossbow, aiming at a distant wooden stake marked by a javelin. He pulled the trigger.
A sharp "Whoosh..." sliced through the air, a testament to the crossbow\'s formidable power.
"It\'s incredibly strong!" Tyton exclaimed, visibly shaken. As seasoned archers, they didn\'t need to see the impact, the sound alone told them the immense force behind the shot.
The group murmured in awe as Logan, without pausing, reloaded and fired again, repeating the action four more times.
Five more short arrows now adorned the wooden stake afar.
"This contraption is known as the Crossbow," Logan began, capturing everyone\'s attention with his explanation. "It\'s a compact version of a bow. Lighter, yes, and its range falls short of three hundred meters, but it boasts remarkable short-range penetration."
"The range is less than 300 meters?" Crowe interjected, his enthusiasm waning slightly. The beastmen archers in his clan could easily hit targets beyond four hundred meters; this sophisticated device seemed somewhat limited in comparison.
Noticing Crowe\'s reaction, Logan smiled and added, "This tool is designed for cavalry engaging at close quarters. For infantry or longer distances, traditional bows remain superior." His explanation laid bare the strategic utility of the crossbow, positioning it as a specialized yet powerful weapon in their arsenal.
"I believe this device, despite its compact size, carries remarkable lethality and portability, making it ideal for assassins," Tyton commented while expertly handling the crossbow, quickly grasping its operational principle.
"All I can say is that its designer must be extraordinarily clever! It may not be fit for sprawling battlefield engagements, but for an assassin\'s purposes, it\'s a dream," he added with admiration.
"Assassin?" someone echoed curiously.
"Indeed, it\'s perfectly suited for stealth operations," Logan affirmed, nodding in agreement with Tyton\'s assessment.
He continued, explaining the strategic allocation of the weapon: "This crossbow is handy and unobtrusive. We won\'t make it a mainstay but will start by equipping it to the Second Beastmen Cavalry Brigade. Whether it will see wider use among the cavalry can be a matter for future discussions."
"The major advantage of this weapon lies in its simplicity and rapid operation. It can be managed single-handedly and is capable of discharging five arrows in quick succession. Personally, I believe a 200-meter range is quite sufficient," Logan elaborated.
"Considering the swift advance of a Beastman Warrior, a 200-meter distance can be covered in under fifteen seconds. In contrast, a traditional bow might manage only a single shot in that time, but with this repeating crossbow, a skilled user could potentially unleash all five bolts," he explained, outlining the tactical reasoning behind his endorsement of the crossbow.
Even if traditional bows can achieve ranges over 400 meters in the hands of a beastman, they aren\'t ideal for beast cavalry. A beast steed could close a 400-meter gap in just thirty seconds, during which a bowman might only manage two shots, assuming exceptional prowess.
"Otherwise, it would be down to hand-to-hand combat after just one arrow," he added.
"I think while it might not suit infantry, it\'s still a superb choice for cavalry," Cardia chimed in as she skillfully loaded and fired the crossbow at a distant wooden stake, then observed the result before nodding in satisfaction.
"Very well, if it proves effective, let\'s have the Second Beastmen Cavalry Brigade trial it first. Should the results be favorable, we might even consider standardizing it within our cavalry units," Logan decided.
Upon hearing his proposal, the assembly nodded in agreement, ready to see how the new weapon would perform in the hands of their cavalry.
"There\'s no need for a lengthy briefing. Cardia and Tyton, you two are tasked with arming the Second Beastmen Cavalry Brigade with these new weapons immediately. Ensure they dedicate enough time to master their use efficiently."
"Yes, sir!" both Cardia and Tyton responded in unison, nodding earnestly. They understood the urgency, deployment was set for the following day, and preparations had to be swift.
They quickly rallied a few beastmen warriors and rolled away five carts laden with the new arms.
Turning his attention to another matter, Logan approached the seasoned blacksmith, Grandpa Bastos. "Grandpa Bastos, since our infantry units also require javelins, please continue their production. Also, we need to scale up the forging of weapons and armor. If manpower is short, ask my uncle Begon to bring in more hands," he instructed confidently.
Though the tribe\'s armory was not yet brimming with thousands of sets of armor and weapons, Logan knew the Silvermane tribe\'s ambitions were far from modest, they would seize every chance to expand and integrate other tribes.
"As the old saying goes, \'To expand an army, you must first forge its weapons.\' The more we have, the better prepared we\'ll be to swiftly bolster our forces when needed," Logan emphasized.
"Yes!" Grandpa Bastos replied, his aged eyes gleaming with the vigor of youth. This was a moment he had long anticipated. As a blacksmith, the honor of forging an increasing number of weapons was his greatest pride.
Soon, the field cleared, leaving only Logan, Crowe, and Lotts, two of the tribe\'s commanders.
"Come, commanders, walk with me," Logan invited with a warm smile.
"Lead the way, Lord Chief," Crowe and Lotts replied, bowing slightly in respect.
The two commanders exchanged knowing glances, sensing the young chief had more on his mind.
With a smile hinting at deeper plans, Logan led them forward. After only a few steps, he revealed, "I will personally lead the Second Beastmen Cavalry Brigade to Kasros Canyon tomorrow." His announcement, casual yet, hinted at the strategic moves yet to unfold.
"Are you planning to go there yourself?" Crowe asked with concern.
"Sir Chief, that might not be wise. Kasros Canyon is now notorious for its rigorous crackdown on thieves; it\'s practically deserted by them," Bagan added quickly, his surprise evident. Both were evidently worried, knowing full well the dangers that lurked in such an endeavor.
Plundering in Kasros Canyon? That was tantamount to courting death. Over centuries, countless bands of brigands had been quashed there, making it a veritable graveyard for criminals.
"Who said anything about becoming a thief?" Logan replied with a slight chuckle, dismissing their assumptions.
"This trip is about securing our tribe\'s future. You both know we\'re running low on provisions, and we won\'t last till July without new sources," he explained, his tone serious as he outlined the urgency of their situation.
"I\'m not considering any harebrained schemes about bandits. Rest assured, I have a viable plan in mind," he continued, shaking his head to reassure his anxious compatriots.
Pausing, he turned to face Crowe and Lotts, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "I expect I\'ll be away for anywhere between half a month to a month. I\'ll need you both to shoulder some extra responsibilities in my absence."
"You can\'t let up on military training," Logan instructed firmly. "With the integration of the four other tribes, it\'s crucial we win their loyalty. I suggest recruiting some of the young beastmen from these tribes into our ranks."
This was a strategy Logan had mulled over for quite some time. Initially, warriors from the merged tribes were returned to civilian life rather than being absorbed directly into their military.
"However," he continued, his voice carrying a note of strategic caution, "we mustn\'t cluster them by their original tribes. They need to be integrated with our own soldiers to foster unity."
"We understand, Chief!" Crowe and Lotts nodded, grasping the depth of Logan\'s plan after a moment of reflection. They recognized the wisdom in weaving the new recruits seamlessly into their existing forces, building trust and cohesion among the diverse groups.