CHAPTER 202: CHAPTER 98: UNSTOPPABLE MOMENTUM! RESTORING MILITARY DISCIPLINE

Minstrel.

In Celtic tradition, minstrels enjoy certain privileges. They are the singers of poetry, praising tribal leaders, extolling heroic deeds, celebrating the enactment of laws, and so on. Celtic mythology even suggests that minstrels possess magic power. When they recite mythological epics and heroic songs, they can dispel evil and ill omens, inspiring morale and fighting spirit.

The prototype of the minstrel in Dungeons and Dragons comes from here, so it’s rumored they also know some simple spells.

In contrast.

In the Nordic region, they are called Northern Bards, meaning propagators of Nordic mythology, composing hymns for mortal heroes. No matter where the Northern Bards travel, chieftains and kings have to pay them well to entertain, so their fame and prestige can spread.

They are adept at getting food and drinks without contributing much.

Minstrels are an indispensable part of indigenous society.

And this year, as various rumors ferment, minstrels have spread Duncan’s accomplishments to other areas of Celtic belief, and even the distant Barbarians in Ireland have heard of Duncan’s tales. The Welsh regions have always had many minstrels, so recently, tales of King Uther have also spread widely.

Hereford.

Located between England and Wales, during the time when the Kingdom of Camelot reclaimed Cheshire, it also conquered the surrounding territories.

Duncan defeated the Kingdom of Kent, which also benefited King Uther, making it much easier to fight the Saxon pirates.

Lidbury is not a large settlement.

The main inhabitants here are the indigenous people of Britain, existing as a loose tribal alliance. During the time of Imperial rule, the area was divided into a Tribe Administrative Region, somewhat akin to the later ethnic autonomous regions, where nothing happens as long as taxes are paid on time.

A rapid series of horse hoofbeats sounded.

As a dozen riders galloped towards the outside of the tribe, soon a Celtic warrior with indigo-colored gear dismounted. This was a unique Highland Indigo Swordsman, an elite infantry class.

He rushed into the chieftain’s hall, and said with a panicked voice, "The British Legion has already captured Gloucester, and Chatwin surrendered without a fight."

"It’s said they have sixty thousand troops!"

Sitting on a bear-hide chair at the main seat of the chieftain’s hall, Gallard felt a pang in his heart upon hearing this. His tribe had only a little over six thousand people, even if all able-bodied men were conscripted, they could muster only over a thousand soldiers, of which real warriors accounted for perhaps three or four hundred.

How could they fight this battle?

Gallard hastily stood and said, "Where is Great Dragon Head - Uther?"

"Has his reinforcements arrived?"

The Highland Indigo Swordsman shook his head and said, "No. I heard that other tribes haven’t responded to his call."

"The enemy’s numbers are vast."

"King Uther doesn’t dare to engage in direct combat. He’ll likely retreat to the mountain fortresses, relying on Camelot’s walls for defense."

Sixty thousand soldiers.

Many places in the Kingdom of Camelot are mountainous, and the entire kingdom’s population is around two hundred thousand. Even with unregistered wildmen, it wouldn’t exceed three hundred thousand. On the whole of Great Britain, the most densely populated area is around London. Cornwall had recently completed a census, and a county only had a little over thirty thousand people.

Upon hearing this, Gallard slumped back into his chair, took a deep breath, and said, "What about the chieftains of the other tribes?"

"What are they planning?"

The Highland Indigo Swordsman was silent for a moment, and then slowly said, "The one negotiating surrender is Edmundson of Flint, they’ve probably already surrendered."

There’s simply no way to fight!

The indigenous tribes of Britain don’t have walled fortresses. Some still live in domed mud houses, not even iron-age buildings. The defense of their tribes is just a circle of wooden fences to prevent livestock from escaping.

The Celtic warriors nearby looked at each other, and one of them said in a deep voice, "Why don’t we surrender too?"

Sixty thousand might not be true.

But even if it’s thirty thousand, they couldn’t withstand it, and the army could almost sweep across the entire Kingdom of Camelot.

Gallard pondered for a moment, before finally gritting his teeth and saying, "Let’s surrender."

"This war."

"Was initiated by King Uther himself, we don’t need to die for him."

Upon hearing the chieftain’s decision, the Celtic warriors present let out a small sigh of relief, and the skilled Highland Indigo Swordsman said firmly, "That’s right!"

"He’s the one who lost his honor."

"Moreover, I’ve heard that the Emperor of the Roman Empire has already stripped him of his title as King of Camelot!"

The empire ruled the British Province for over four hundred years.

Even now, when the empire is faltering, a decree from Valentinian III carries significant weight, casting doubt among many lords and nobles in the Kingdom of Camelot on King Uther’s legitimacy.

Valentinian III’s staggering blow left not only King Uther but also the lords of the Kingdom of Camelot bewildered.

King Uther!

What heinous acts have you committed?

Why would the Emperor of the Empire issue a special decree to reprimand you? Stripping you of your title as King of Camelot?

The vast empire of several centuries still exerts its influence.

Align with Duncan.

And feel the world open up.

Chieftain Gallard was no longer anxious or trembling, he instructed the nearby Celtic warriors to send someone to welcome the arrival of the king’s forces, and also felt at ease enough to order a drink, saying solemnly, "Immediately select some livestock for military use, don’t give them an excuse to cause trouble."

Offer them food and wine, to welcome the royal forces.

The military discipline of this era is difficult to define, although Duncan’s troops are rumored to maintain good discipline, rumors may not always be true.