Way of Overlord
Chapter 102: Race Against Time

Chapter 102: Race Against Time

Belarion had a natural instinct for battle, able to seize opportunities and surprise the enemy with unexpected maneuvers.

In the midst of combat, he had a unique ability to perceive the path to victory, even when it seemed elusive to others.

His audacious approach often resulted in shocking the entire enemy army.

On the other hand, Mayeux excelled as a tactical strategist.

Before stepping onto the battlefield, he meticulously crafted his plans, considering various scenarios and preparing contingencies.

If one plan faltered, he swiftly adapted and switched to another.

However, when confronted with unforeseen challenges without ready countermeasures, Mayeux could become flustered and lose composure.

Mayeux’s cautious and stable approach to strategy suited disciplined armies like those of Yan and Roma.

However, the warriors of the Steppe possessed a different style of discipline, one that emphasized adaptability and improvisation.

This discrepancy in disciplinary methods made Mayeux sceptical of Aeryon plan to split the army into three.

Yet, Aeryon’s three points resonated with Mayeux and sparked a sense of admiration.

The idea of exploiting numerical advantage, creating chaos and confusion, and showcasing a strong deterrent appealed to Mayeux’s strategic sensibilities.

While initially sceptical, Mayeux began to see the potential effectiveness of Aeryon plan in the context of the Steppe warriors’ unique style of discipline.

Aeryon wanted a swift and decisive expansion of his tribe’s influence.

He look at Mayeux not far away from him slight distancing himself from him as he is ready to ride

Belarion is the same. The moment Aeryon gives the order, they would ride toward the three tribes.

Aeryon then look at his warriors behind him and shook his head

"I did not have the chance to implement the decimal system" Aeryon did think of reforming his army and implement the decimal system that Genghis Khan had did

The decimal system, as implemented by Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire, was a military organization system based on units of ten.

It aimed to streamline command and control, improve communication, and facilitate efficient coordination on the battlefield.

Aeryon had contemplated implementing a similar system but was unable to do so.

The implementation of the decimal system would involve organizing the army into units of ten soldiers, known as an "aravt."

Each aravt would be led by an arban, a leader responsible for the command and management of the ten soldiers.

Multiple arbans would then be grouped under a larger unit of ten arbans, forming a jagun, which would be led by a jaghutu, a higher-ranking officer.

This hierarchical structure would continue, with ten jaguns forming a Minghan, ten Minghans forming a Zuut, and so on.

In Genghis Khan military system, a tumen was recursively built from units of 10 (aravt), 100 (zuut) and 1,000 mingghan

Each with a leader reporting to the next higher level.

Tumens were considered a practical size, neither too small for an effective campaign nor too big for efficient transport and supply.

The military strategy was based on the use of tumens as a useful building block causing reasonable shock and attack.

A Mongol army usually consisted out of three tumen, but armies consisting of only one tumen were also deployed.

Regardless, tumen would often be understrength and the number of tumen deployed doesn’t provide an accurate number of combatants

Of course, right now, Aeryon did not even have the right number to support a Tumen

By implementing the decimal system, Aeryon could have achieved several advantages.

It would have enhanced the chain of command and facilitated efficient communication.

Each level of the hierarchy would be responsible for relaying orders and information from higher-ranking officers to the soldiers under their command, ensuring a clear flow of communication throughout the army.

It would have enabled greater flexibility and adaptability on the battlefield.

Smaller units of ten soldiers could operate independently, making quick decisions and adjusting tactics based on the evolving situation.

This decentralized approach would enhance the army’s ability to respond swiftly to changing circumstances, exploit opportunities, and address threats effectively.

And one of the most important advantage to him is that it would have simplified logistical management.

Each unit would have a clear numerical designation, making it easier to track and supply provisions, equipment, and reinforcements to specific units as needed.

This streamlined logistics would have contributed to the army’s overall effectiveness and sustainability during extended campaigns.

"But, for now, this is good enough for me to sweep the surrounding tribes" he mutters to himself.

Aeryon is a practical man. he acknowledges that his current army composition is still capable of achieving his objectives.

The existing organization, although not following the decimal system, provides him with enough strength to successfully conquer the surrounding tribes.

"I must be grateful with what I have. When I have tens of thousands of men under me, it would not be too late. Rashly implementing new things could create problems. And this great Steppe is not the Great Steppe of my world. Even though this world have some similarities with my original world, it is still fundamentally different. I must not look at it like I know everything." He mutters to himself

It is a way of him reminding himself not to be too overconfident. It is lucky that he had only victory since the moment he is in this world. But only he knows how nerve wrecking was it when he runs across hundreds of arrows flying towards him and spears and sword shooting and slashing towards him.

Be a little bit humble or someday you might be humbled by things you did not expect

Aeryon, seated atop his horse, look toward the distance and saw Belarion and he frowned a bit before nodding his head like he has made a decision on something

"Zunku" he called for one of his trusted messengers.

The messenger swiftly approached, his horse kicking up dust as he rode towards Aeryon side.

With a steady voice, Aeryon spoke his orders, carefully articulating each instruction.

He emphasized the importance of caution, urging Belarion to exercise restraint and consider all possible outcomes before taking action

The messenger, absorbing Aeryon words, absorbed every detail, ensuring he understood the gravity of the situation and Aeryon commands.

Once the message was delivered, the messenger turned his horse around, galloping towards the distant figure of Belarion, who stood tall and resolute, eagerly awaiting his instructions.

As the messenger approached, the wind carried Aeryon words to Belarion ears.

His gaze locked onto the messenger, his face a mask of determination.

A nod from Belarion signalled his acknowledgement and acceptance of the orders.

Aeryon returned Belarion nod with a mixture of relief and apprehension.

"I am only worried about him. Mayeux is sensible enough but Belarion needs to be constantly reminded. But he is a great warrior and a great asset in the battlefield" Aeryon mutters to himself.

The message that he had sent to Belarion was that do not attack rashly and remember to ask them to surrender first.

Aeryon is always concern about Belarion impulsiveness.

Belarion prowess as a warrior is acknowledged, but his tendency to act rashly requires constant reminders and guidance.

Aeryon understands the importance of approaching the conflict with caution and attempts to instil a diplomatic approach in Belarion actions

"If he could temper some of that rashness....he would be a great general in the future" This is the right time for Aeryon to cultivate talents that he knows are loyal to him

But loyalty is not enough. They also have to be able to do things competently.

The message sent to Belarion emphasizes the importance of seeking surrender before resorting to force.

Aeryon recognizes that even though Kanun is a smaller tribe, they still possess a significant number of warriors who may choose to resist rather than surrender willingly.

Therefore, Aeryon ensures that Belarion is prepared for any outcome and capable of decisively subduing Kanun tribe if necessary.

Belarion’ past performance in battles against Xewa and Ghar tribes is seen as a testament to his capabilities.

Aeryon believes that if Belarion can display the same skill, determination, and strategic thinking that he demonstrated in those previous conflicts, Kanun tribe will pose no significant challenge.

Belarion, with his contingent of seven hundred horse riders, would embark on a direct path towards the heart of the Kanun settlements, situated to the west.

His mission was clear—to bring the Kanun tribe under the authority of the Brolgadhr tribe.

Meanwhile, Aeryon charted his own course, riding northwest towards the territory of the Chagai tribe.

Aeryon had fostered a long-standing alliance with the Chagai tribe, built upon mutual respect and the agreement to ensure safe passages for each other.

This alliance was not to be jeopardized, and Aeryon had no intention of attacking the Chagai tribe.

As he rode towards Chagai, Aeryon carried with him a sense of reassurance, knowing that he had allies and friends

Aeryon did not mind making enemies.

But he also understood that in these early years, he also need to have some friends and allies.

And what better ally than an ally that have bene in an alliance with his tribe since the time of grandfather?

Mayeux, entrusted with the command of one thousand horse riders, embarked on his own mission to confront the Khulun tribe, positioned on the northern border.

Mayeux’s leadership skills and tactical acumen made him the perfect choice for this task.

The success of Aeryon plans hinged upon the coordinated actions of each faction, working in harmony to achieve a common goal.

If their strategy proved successful on this day, the Brolgadhr tribe would witness a significant expansion, transforming them into a formidable force in the Great Steppe.

His vision of establishing a secure base within the Southern Great Steppe would be one step closer to realization.

"Like a rolling snowball. Now, it is a race against time" he muttered to himself.

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