Way of Overlord
Chapter 143: The First Step Outside

Chapter 143: The First Step Outside

In the frozen heart of the Southern Great Steppe, where winter’s icy grip had transformed the land into a vast, snow-covered expanse, the warriors of the Brolgadhr tribe is preparing for a daring raid.

These were no ordinary preparations, but a meticulously orchestrated means of survival, warfare, and tradition that had been perfected over countless generations.

The warriors, their breath visible in the frigid air, moved with a sense of purpose that belied the harsh conditions.

Their horses, stout and sturdy, were as much a part of this war party as the riders themselves.

Each animal is adorned with expertly crafted leather barding, emblazoned with the tribal insignia—a fierce, snarling wolf.

Aeryon did not yet formalized his own banner but for now, he uses the wolf as his symbols.

The weapons of these warriors were their lifelines.

Bows, made from the strong limbs of yew trees, were strung with sinew, their quivers filled with arrows fletched with the feathers of eagles.

The warriors checked the draw of their bows, ensuring that they would strike true when the moment of battle arrived.

Swords, long and curved, were sharpened with meticulous care.

Their edges gleamed wickedly in the pale winter sunlight.

Axes, handed down from one generation to the next, were examined and re-honed. The handles, carved with intricate patterns, bore witness to countless campaigns.

The Brolgadhr tribe had hones themselves in battle the past month and they have battle experience.

But these axes belongs to the warriors that Aeryon tribe had subjugated.

Now, under one banner, they all fought for the same tribe. The accumulation of these people experience would help the tribe become even stronger in the future.

As the warriors made their final preparations, they adorned themselves with their attire.

Thick fur-lined coats, fashioned from the pelts of the creatures that roamed these vast steppes, offered protection against the biting cold.

Their boots, crafted from the supple hides of mountain goats, provided both warmth and mobility.

In their belts, they secured daggers—small yet deadly, meant for close-quarters combat.

These were not merely tools of war but symbols of their warrior ethos, an ethos that had defined their people for generations.

Behind these seasoned fighters came a younger generation, eager to prove their mettle and follow in the footsteps of their forebears.

They are the future of the tribe, the inheritors of its traditions and the guardians of its future.

They watched, wide-eyed and eager, as the warriors went about their preparations, hoping to glean some wisdom from the veterans.

Once the warriors were fully equipped and ready, their horses were brought forth.

Each animal was as much a partner in this endeavour as their rider.

These were steeds bred and raised on the Great Steppe, their endurance and agility honed through a life of grazing on these vast plains.

The raiding party, now assembled, formed a formidable sight.

Their tribal banners, emblazoned with the snarling wolf, billowed in the wind.

The warriors, their faces concealed by fur-lined hoods, cast steely glances at the horizon.

They were ready to ride out into the unforgiving wilderness, where danger and opportunity awaited in equal measure.

Under the bleak winter sky, Mayeux surveyed the assembly of warriors with a satisfied smile.

Five thousand horse riders, a formidable force, had been meticulously gathered at Aeryon command.

Their discipline and unity were evident as they stood mounted on their steeds, forming a powerful and cohesive army.

In the unforgiving cold of winter, their determination remained unwavering.

Each warrior is a formidable sight, their presence exuding an air of confidence and readiness for battle.

On their backs, they carried the tools of war, with bows slung over their shoulders and swords hanging at their hips, glinting menacingly in the pale winter light.

Leading this stalwart assembly toward the ancient walls of Nurshira was none other than Belarion.

His reputation as a warrior of unparalleled strength and skill preceded him, and his presence alone inspired confidence and respect among his fellow warriors.

Mayeux, filled with pride at the sight before him, knew that these warriors were prepared to embark on a perilous journey, despite the harsh winter conditions.

The news of the impending raid on Nurshira by their tribe spread like wildfire, and shock and confusion rippled through the community.

"What!" one of the Elders shouted in shock prompting immediate action as messengers is dispatched to summon all the Elders to the sacred Elder Tent.

The Elders, venerable figures in the tribe, had been caught off guard by the sudden announcement of their chief audacious plan.

They struggled to comprehend the motive behind such a bold move. In their eyes, the Yan Empire is vast, an immense power that could not be trifled with.

However, Aeryon possessed knowledge and insights that eluded the Elders.

He understood that the Yan Empire is currently in a state of internal strife, with formidable warlords and aspiring warlords converging on the Central Plains to challenge the rule of Zhou Bufan.

This critical division of power meant that the north is left relatively vulnerable, without the protective presence of the empire’s most influential figures.

Aeryon saw an opportunity where others perceived only peril.

The absence of the Yan Empire’s major players in the northern territories offered a rare chance to strike, a chance to seize resources, strengthen their own position, and further his vision for the unity of the Great Steppe.

As the Elders gathered in the sacred Elder Tent, they were about to confront their chief and seek answers to the pressing questions that had arisen.

Why now, and what was the true purpose behind this daring raid on Nurshira?

Unbeknownst to the Elders and most of the tribe, Nurshira is not as impregnable as it might seem.

Aeryon during his western campaign on the Southern Great Steppe also had done something else

He deployed spies into the land of Nurshira.

Their covert operations had revealed a crucial weakness in the region defense.

The fortifications that once guarded against raids and attacks still stood, a reminder to the turbulent history of the area.

However, these structures had been left bereft of defenders.

The majority of Nurshira military forces consisted of private soldiers loyal to noble families, who were primarily concerned with their own interests and reluctant to risk their lives for the common people.

Furthermore, the leadership of Nurshira had fallen into disarray.

The Ji family, which had previously ruled the region, had departed for the Central Plains amid the ongoing turmoil within the Yan Empire.

In their absence, a hasty election had chosen a new supervisor to oversee Nurshira affairs.

This supervisor, ill-prepared and inexperienced, now faced the looming threat of Aeryon raiding party.

One more reason fuelled Aeryon confidence in the success of his impending raid: complacency.

Years of peace and stability in the region had lulled Nurshira into a false sense of security.

They had grown accustomed to a state of peace, shielded from the threats that loomed beyond their walls.

Aeryon recognized this vulnerability, and it played a pivotal role in his decision to target Nurshira at this particular juncture.

The city’s proximity to Bingzhou, a territory controlled by the powerful Dugu Yi, held strategic significance.

However, Aeryon is confident that Dugu Yi had also set his sights on the Central Plains, aligning with Zhou Bufan in pursuit of greater power.

This left Bingzhou, and by extension, Nurshira, in a vulnerable position.

Throughout his rise to power and his campaigns across the western expanses of the Southern Great Steppe, Aeryon had consistently kept a watchful eye on Nurshira.

He understood the city’s geopolitical importance and had meticulously calculated the opportune moment to strike.

It is a calculated risk, but one he was willing to take to further strengthen his tribe during this rare window of opportunity in the Yan Empire’s turbulent history.

Bingzhou in Yan dynasty is not the same as Bingzhou in his world. The geography is different and the people are also different

Outside Aeryon tent, the anticipation among the warriors is palpable.

They are poised for action, ready to embark on the raid of Nurshira.

As they awaited the order to march, Aeryon remained active, sending out more commands.

This time, however, there is a noticeable shift in his plans – he would not be orchestrating the raid from a distance; instead, he would be leading the warriors himself.

Mayeux, taken aback by this unexpected change, inquired about Aeryon decision.

In response, Aeryon issued the attack orders without divulging the reason for his direct involvement.

His directive is clear and concise: bypass the sentry posts and launch a direct assault on Nurshira.

The objective is equally straightforward – seize the city, appropriate all available livestock, acquire food stores, and take captives.

Essentially, everything they could lay their hands on was to be claimed.

Aeryon emphasized to Mayeux that Mayeux primary focus should be the villages surrounding Nurshira rather than the city itself.

For the forthcoming invasion of the city, Aeryon and Belarion would lead the vanguard, spearheading the assault.

Meanwhile, Mayeux soldiers is instructed to prioritize the nearby villages and take people and all the resources they could.

However, if they encountered an opportunity, they were also authorized to seize the city.

As Mayeux sat atop his horse, contemplating the unfolding events, another order arrived from Aeryon via a messenger.

"This is the perfect opportunity" Mayeux said to himself as he got the order from the messenger.

Mayeux accepted the directive with a resolute nod, recognizing that this raid presented an ideal chance to implement some of Aeryon innovative strategies.

Slowly but surely, Mayeux began to grasp the broader intentions of Aeryon plan, seeing how it all fit together into a grand design

As Mayeux sat atop his horse, with a contingent of warriors behind him and supplies ready for their raid, his thoughts returned to the extensive plans that Aeryon had shared with him, plans that seemed distant and challenging when they were first discussed.

"Aeryon is really not lying to me" he mutters with a smile on his face.

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