This Is What You Call Cavalry #2
"Ohhh!"
The training was going more smoothly than I had anticipated. It turned out the Lamias' intelligence was higher than I’d expected. They were executing my orders exactly as I gave them. I had thought they were a bit behind humans, but seeing this, I’d say they were about on par.
Actually, they say the intelligence of primitive people isn't that different from modern humans. Should I say it’s like that? They just happen to live in the jungle, but there doesn't seem to be a significant gap in intellect compared to humans.
"Alright, let's do it again! To your positions!"
"Kyaaa! To positions!"
"To positions! Move!"
—Swish!
As I gave the order, the Lamias, who had been charging up to 3 meters in front of the Goblin phalanx before stopping, retreated back to their starting positions.
"Ke, Keruk...!"
"Keruruk!"
"Keruk! Keruk!"
At the same time, the Goblins let out breaths of relief.
"Buril. How was it? Did your heart feel like it was going to burst?"
"Keruk! My King! This is insanely scary! Those, those, those things came charging at us all at once with spears... Keruk! I almost sat down and pissed myself!"
He must have been quite startled, as Buril was trembling, unable to hide his shock.
"You rascal. But you held your ground well, didn't you?"
They had witnessed the Lamia lancer cavalry, lined up in a row, performing a full-scale charge only to stop just 3 meters away.
Naturally, it was terrifying.
"But don't worry. It's just training. And Buril, there’s nothing better than this for building some guts."
"Keruruk! My heart is going to explode, my King!"
"Can't be helped. It's necessary training. Execute!"
"Keryaaaak!"
It was training that also happened to build up the Goblins' courage. While I was chatting away, the Lamias who had returned to the other side were already lining up again.
"Formation! All! Set!"
Sashunal reported.
They listened very well. As expected, sex is the most direct way to dominate female monsters. They are easier to handle than humans.
"Then, we shall conduct the training once more! Spears!"
—Clack!
At my command, the Lamias covered their upper bodies with their shields, tucked their long spears under their arms, and aimed forward!
"Keep in mind to stop at the designated position! Three! Two! One! Charge!"
And the moment I gave the order!
—Swish-swish-swish!
—Swish-swish-swish!
—Swish-swish-swish!
The Lamia lancer cavalry nimbly moved their snake lower bodies and executed a full-scale spear charge in unison.
"Ohhh...!"
I was truly satisfied with how they matched speeds with the Lamias on either side and moved with such precision. It was enough to give me chills. Plus, their upper bodies hidden behind shields and their spears aimed straight ahead...! This was the strongest cavalry!
"Stop!!!"
I watched them closely and gave the stop order at the perfect moment.
—Skrrrt!
Immediately, the Lamias performed an emergency brake and came to a halt.
"Kya! That's amazing!"
It was a truly perfect emergency stop.
It was on a different level from human cavalry. Unlike human cavalry, who have to train and control horses, Lamias can manipulate their own lower bodies at will. On top of that, their intelligence is similar to humans. Not only is changing direction free, but their emergency braking is also perfect.
To think I’d get my hands on such cavalry. Even if we were to clash with a human army, if I use the Lamias well, I could easily push them over.
"Keruk...!"
Anyway, they had stopped perfectly at a position about 3 to 4 meters in front of the Goblin phalanx.
"Good! You’ve completed it wonderfully! Lamias! Now, we shall move on to the next training!"
There was no time to do anything else today. I was going to focus solely on Lamia training.
"Julia. Please watch closely from the side. After I finish training them, you will have to train them based on this."
"Yes. After all, these are the warriors I lead. I will train them myself."
"Memorize it well. You must train them properly to subjugate other Lamia tribes."
"Fufufu, yes. Of course."
The next training was to bypass the phalanx and strike.
"Now! Julia! And everyone! Watch me closely! The training we will do now is a mobile flanking strike! If the enemy's phalanx is any tighter than it is now, it will be impossible to break through from the front!"
"We. Can break it."
Sashunal chimed in at my explanation. It was confidence befitting a seasoned warrior, but this woman really didn't know what a phalanx was.
"Then let's assume it’s a method to break it even more easily. Then, watch."
I moved to the opposite side of the phalanx and picked up a spear!
And!
"From now on, I am a Lamia! Please watch while imagining that!"
—Whoosh!
I dashed forward!
Of course, I didn't dash in a straight line toward the phalanx. I moved in a large curve, shifted to the flank of the phalanx, and then.
"Kuaaaaaa!"
I let out a war cry and ran toward the Goblin on the edge!
"Ke, Keruuuuk?!"
The startled Goblin let out a loud noise. If I had been an enemy, I would have turned my spear. That would be the beginning of the formation's collapse. Anyway, after approaching, I grabbed the Goblin's shoulder, shook it violently, and shouted.
"Like this! It's training to all go around to the side and strike together! Do you understand!"
"Understood!"
"Kyaaaa!"
"Kya!"
The Lamias immediately responded with war cries. Well, what could I do? We had to practice.
"Everyone to your positions! Ah, when moving, please move in a wedge shape."
"Wedge?"
"Like this."
As I drew the shape on the ground.
"Understood!"
The clever Lamias stood in a wedge shape.
"Then, execute the maneuver! Don't actually attack, just stop in front!"
"Kyaaaa!"
—Swish!
The Lamias immediately executed the flanking maneuver. Very skillfully in a wedge shape. They moved well, spacing themselves out so their tails wouldn't overlap. Since Lamias were used to group hunting, they could apply it right away.
The warriors of Mongolia were the same. Because they lived a nomadic life from a young age, they possessed transcendental horsemanship and cooperative skills. Making such people into warriors must have been very easy.
"Keryaaaaaak!"
Soon, the Lamias, having made a wide detour, stopped at the flank of the Goblin phalanx.
"Perfect...!"
If I have Lamias, I can do anything!
I spent the whole day training the Lamias. I’ll lead them myself until tomorrow, and from the day after, I’ll have Julia take over the training.
But really, it’s good that my military power has increased, but Lamias eat a hell of a lot. It’s not for nothing that people say cavalry is a money-eating hippo. The muscles and strength coming from that long snake lower body. They have to eat a lot to sustain that.
* * *
The next day, I started working on making something similar to straw bundles early in the morning. Since the area was full of plants, there were no material issues, so I could make them quickly. I installed the straw bundles I made in the jungle area where all sorts of plants were growing densely.
I turned the enemies entering the jungle into targets. Yesterday's training was in an open area near the dungeon, but today I would do it inside the jungle.
"Sashunal. The training for today is to knock down all the straw bundles installed in the jungle with your spears. Can you do it?"
"Of course."
Actually, for things like this, the senior warrior leading from the front is the most important.
"You just need to skillfully avoid the terrain features of the jungle, thrust your spears into the targets, and then pull out your swords to devastate them. It’s a kind of surprise attack."
Human cavalry that loses its charging power in a chaotic battle becomes a total pushover. Should I call them dismounted knights? In that case, the knights fight after getting off their horses.
But the Lamia is different.
Spear charge finished? They can pull out their swords right there and fight. Their tails are covered in scales, so they’re safe. Their bellies are exposed, but that can be solved by making a breastplate.
"The positions are over there, so take the Lamias yourself, check them out, and after finding the right position, attack. When it's all over, I'll go and check the state of the straw bundles. It's a tactic to crush enemies that appear in large numbers in an instant... so please take it as seriously as possible. That is how we can conquer this world."
"Trust. Only me."
As expected, since I injected the 'white stuff,' they listen well.
"Then find the straw bundles! You can start after I disappear completely!"
After saying that, I led a few of my subordinates to where I had installed the straw bundles. And together with Vanessa, I climbed up a tree to observe how the Lamias would act.
"Truly surprising."
"Yes? Vanessa?"
"I think you definitely have a talent for military affairs. Seeing how you think of such tactics and operational methods as if you had been waiting for the Lamias to appear."
Her face was genuinely impressed.
"You just know it when you see it. It's common sense."
It’s not that I have any particular talent. I just know a few things because I’m a modern person. And it’s because they are in a state of listening to my orders better due to the imprint and my dominance. If I were training against humans, I couldn't do it like this.
And my strategy and tactics only work because the enemy has no information about me, and because the enemies are total pushovers. If I were to fight between humans outside this jungle and participate as a commander to lead a unit? Then I don't think I could do anything. I might be able to lead a small unit, but if it goes beyond that, I’m done for.
"I really... think it might be possible to conquer the human world."
"I'm hoping for that. Of course, it would be good if you hoped for it too, Vanessa."
"..."
Vanessa didn't answer, but she seemed to agree. Anyway, she’s a demon. My success is also a benefit to her.
—Swish.
"Ah, they seem to be coming."
"I should engrave it clearly in my eyes."
I could feel the presence of Lamias in the surroundings. The Lamias who were scouting had found the enemy soldiers made of straw bundles. The Lamias who grasped the situation began to move secretly, and they moved here and there as if they intended to find the optimal attack route.
As I was looking around like that, the Lamias began to gather at a specific point.
And then.
"Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Along with Sashunal's shout, the Lamias aiming their spears executed a charge in unison. Their flexible and wriggling snake lower bodies skillfully overcame the jungle's terrain features, propelling their bodies forward, and like that.
—Boom-boom-boom-boom-boom!
—Boom-boom-boom-boom-boom!
—Boom-boom-boom-boom-boom!
The Lamia cavalry swept through the straw bundle zone. The straw bundles hit by the spears were literally smashed, pierced, or torn, flying into the sky.
"Kyaaaaaaa!"
—Cling!
At the same time, the Lamias, who had pulled out the iron swords of humans that I had provided, cut down the remaining straw bundles to clean them up. Swordplay executed after a spear charge. This would leave anyone unable to come to their senses.
"Very well done! Lamias!"
—Clap-clap-clap-clap!
I couldn't help but applaud in admiration.
Good.
Very good.
I don't know what might happen in the future. We are in a state where angels could invade. Therefore, I must expand my military power as quickly as possible and increase my influence.
It’s possible if I have the Lamia cavalry.
I can crush the Orcs living in the neighborhood right away, subjugate the tribes hiding in various parts of the jungle, and then just crush the Lamias or Dark Elves and rule over them myself.
That’s what this training is for.
"Best warriors! Lamias, you are the best warriors!"
As I climbed down from the tree and praised them while clapping vigorously.
"Kyaaa..."
The Lamias, who had been running wild just a moment ago, blushed and felt shy. Let's build up a little more training like this and then start the conquest war of the forest tribes.