Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Swish, swish, swish!
The 120 archers of the Thorn Corps loosed a volley, signal arrows whistling through the air in a ceaseless hum.
Thwack!
Thwack!
Thwack!
Thwack!
Thwack!
Thwack!
A black rain of arrows fell from the sky.
Charging Wildlings were pierced through one after another, collapsing into a chorus of agony.
Their chiefs had never witnessed such long-range volley fire.
Overwhelmed by fear, they roared louder, frantically urging their people forward.
Ser Marston stared at the killing zone over a hundred meters ahead created by the Thorn Corps’ volley fire, secretly stunned.
After rapid continuous volleys, Green noticed the Thorn Corps’ fire rate beginning to slow.
Over two hundred Wildlings lay dead in the sustained volley fire.
Chaos broke out in their ranks, and a small faction ignored their chiefs’ roars and fled backward.
When dozens more fell, the Wildlings broke into a full rout.
Green decisively ordered his archers to hold their fire.
Ser Marston commanded the 200 Crabb house troops holding the line—armed mainly with shields, longswords, and spears—to advance upon the fleeing Wildlings.
The Crabb house troops marched forward in huge strides to rhythmic chants, their momentum irresistible.
On average, these soldiers had served for over ten years; every single one was a battle-hardened veteran.
These veterans were elites who had survived over a decade of constant warfare against the mountain Wildlings, a legacy begun during the time of Green’s mother.
They were the true foundation of House Crabb.
As the Crabb troops advanced with steady chants and sweeping strides, the terrified Wildlings dissolved into even greater panic and confusion.
Occasionally, a chief gathered a few men to charge the Crabb formation, only to be instantly swallowed up by the shield wall.
To Green, these Wildlings waiting to be captured or surrender were reserves of future smallfolk.
Judging by today’s performance, they certainly lived up to the name “Wildlings.” If he wanted to govern them later, the only method Green could think of was strict, unyielding law.
He sighed inwardly; it might even have to be so detailed as to dictate which foot they stepped out of the door with first.
The game of thrones was about to begin, and military force was his true trump card.
To achieve results quickly, the Crabb domain had to be transformed into a giant military encampment encompassing every single subject.
Having confirmed the path suitable for his territory’s development, Green hesitated no longer.
*** The Thorn Corps had only been established a few days ago.
To achieve continuous volleys today was an astonishing feat, proving Emparo’s talent for commanding troops.
During their rest break, some spearwives simply…
which triggered a chain reaction.
Green didn’t know how to describe it—perhaps it was too hot, so they stripped to the waist?
It was a sea of bare flesh, giving Green a direct impression of the spearwives’ physiques in the Crabb domain: sturdy and large.
Following Green’s gaze, Emparo, who stood beside him with a stern face, realized what was happening.
Her cheeks flushed dark red, though what had crossed her mind was anyone’s guess.
Some spearwives noticed Green looking and unceremoniously stared back, boldly puffing out their chests.
In his past life, Green might have blown a whistle and given a thumbs-up.
However, a lord had to maintain his dignity—a lesson ingrained in his memory by his predecessor’s mother.
Green agreed completely.
Besides, in Westeros, a raised thumb didn’t mean approval.
Unfamiliar gestures were easily misunderstood; men in the Crabb domain needed to learn to protect themselves when stepping outside!
Green merely offered a faint smile and shifted his gaze elsewhere naturally.
Explaining why soldiers needed to care about decorum wasn’t something he could easily get through to them, nor was this the right occasion.
Green noted that he should add personal appearance and conduct to future military drills.
Given time, they would get used to it.
After resting briefly, the Thorn Corps, under Green’s orders, joined the house troops in pursuing the fleeing Wildlings.
*** Ser Pere’s Recon Corps had already taken down a settlement.
The initial battle was a resounding success; launched as a surprise attack, it had resulted in only a few minor injuries and zero casualties.
The Recon Corps captured nearly three hundred people in the first fallen settlement.
The mountain Wildlings lived by hunting and gathering wild fruits, so the spoils consisted mainly of pelts and dried meat.
The Recon Corps only found a small pouch of Gold Dragons in the chief’s lodge—fewer than twenty coins in total.
The captives were made to carry the spoils themselves.
Ser Pere ordered the dwellings burned to the ground.
When some prisoners rebelled upon seeing their home set ablaze, they were executed on the spot.
Ser Pere detached twenty men from the Recon Corps to escort the prisoners back to the territory first.
Ser Pere instructed the squad leader: “Someone near the border will receive the captives.
If you get hungry, chew on dried meat, but do not stop.
Once handed over, join up with me immediately.
Be careful on the road.
I’ll be waiting for you at the second settlement.” “If the prisoners make any suspicious move on the road, kill them directly without hesitation.” After delivering his instructions, Ser Pere patted the captain’s shoulder and concluded, “Go on.” By nightfall, Ser Pere had eliminated three large settlements.
The Recon Corps rested at the third settlement and returned to the territory at daybreak the following morning, driving captives and spoils before them.
On their return journey, the Recon Corps encountered several scattered groups of Wildlings, taking several dozen more prisoners.
In their debut battle, the Recon Corps lost 23 men.
*** After two days of brief rest and reorganization, the Crabb soldiers formed squads of 30 to 50 men and launched systematic strikes against the remaining smaller settlements.
All captives were marched back to the Crabb domain, and every Wildling dwelling was put to the torch.
Ser Marston personally escorted the final batch of prisoners back to Whispers Castle.
Upon arrival, he caught sight of Steward Hershel standing outside the storehouse door, beaming with his round belly sticking out.
In high spirits himself, Ser Marston joked, “Old friend, you seem in quite a good mood.” Steward Hershel replied with a grin, “Good day, Ser Marston.
The storehouse is nearly bursting with pelts.
It’s been a long time since we’ve had such abundance.” Ser Marston sighed in awe.
“Indeed.
It is as if the Lord was born for war.
Before the Wildlings could even reach us, the volley from the Thorn Corps broke them entirely.
We’ve never suffered such light casualties before.” “Hershel, I no longer harbor the slightest doubt about my lord’s decision to reclaim the ancient Crabb lands.
I am filled with confidence.” “Yes, Ser, as am I.
House Crabb will reclaim its lost lands at last!” “Ser, step inside and get ready.
Surana and I have been preparing for tonight’s victory feast for days.
It will be grand indeed—a fine night for a drink.” *** Inside the lord’s study at Whispers Castle.
Green, Maester Al, and Callaia had roughly tallied the spoils and outcomes of the campaign.
The total number of captives came to over 2,500, with nearly 700 elders and children among them.
Of the remaining 1,800, women accounted for 1,200—an overwhelming female majority.
To prevent the captives from conspiring together, they had to be broken up completely, ensuring that almost everyone was surrounded by people from unfamiliar tribes.
To integrate this population smoothly, careful planning was required; it could not be rushed, as stability came first.
Once broken up, they would be distributed in batches across the domain for labor.
In the early stages, the various corps would need to assist the constables in oversight and deterrence.
Green leaned back against his chair, feeling a trace of exhaustion.
Exhausted as he was, his mood was exultant.
With prisoners to handle the manual labor, the Crabb domain could free up most of its able-bodied manpower.
They could immediately launch a second recruitment drive.
For now, Green’s main source of happiness was building up his forces.
Pumping out troops brought him joy!