After finishing the dinner, Shen Mu stayed here.
Bandak also arranged for a very soft bed and a quiet bedroom for Shen Mu, and even specially assigned Holy Tree Knights to stand guard at the door.
Of course, the Holy Tree Knights arranged were his own bodyguards, the 20 Holy Tree Knights who came with Shen Mu. Bandak had already prepared rooms for them for adequate rest.
After all, these Holy Tree Knights and Fatis needed good rest here; otherwise, how could they have enough energy the next day?
The night passed without incident.
By early morning the next day, the chirping of birds outside had already awakened Shen Mu, who was still asleep.
He sat up from the bed, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
At this moment, outside the door, a Holy Tree Knight, who was standing guard and observing the situation inside the room, heard Shen Mu stirring. He pushed the door open, bowed his head and placed his hand on his chest respectfully, saying, “Lord Shen Mu, Lord Bandak just informed me that breakfast has been prepared. If you are awake, I am to inform you to go for your meal. Do you wish to dine now?”
“Yes, alright, I’ll be down shortly.” Shen Mu nodded, sat up from the bed, and then said, “If possible, I’d prefer you prepare some clean water for bathing.”
“Understood, I will arrange it immediately.” The Holy Tree Knight nodded respectfully, then backed out.
Less than a quarter of an hour later, the Holy Tree Knight returned with four attendants.
Each held a wooden basin.
The wooden basins contained clear water, and there were also stacks of clean and tidy towels.
“Lord, here are four basins of clean water for you to cleanse yourself.” The Holy Tree Knight spoke respectfully, directing the attendants to place the wooden basins on the ground, then asked Shen Mu, “Do you need the attendants to help you wipe your body?”
“No, that won’t be necessary. You may withdraw, I’ll do it myself.” Shen Mu was not accustomed to having others see his body. Although he enjoyed his status as a superior, he was not used to being served by others, so he waved his hand, signaling them to withdraw.
And these attendants, who were clearly Swadian Light Infantry, and the Holy Tree Knight respectfully withdrew.
Of course, before leaving, the Holy Tree Knight still said, “If there is anything you need us to serve you with, Lord Shen Mu, please just speak, and we will be waiting outside the door for your summons.”
“Understood.” Shen Mu waved his hand, dismissing them completely.
However, Shen Mu was also quick in cleaning himself.
Finally, he splashed his face with cool well water, fully waking himself up from his initial groggy state.
He then changed into his clothes and put on his chainmail.
Once everything was ready, he pushed open the door and, accompanied by the Holy Tree Knights guarding the entrance and the attendants, proceeded to the castle hall.
Inside the castle hall, Bandak and Fatis were already waiting, conversing happily.
The two of them were already friends, both Generals from the righteous faction.
Not only had they become familiar with each other during their travels across Calradia, but they had also fought side-by-side many times, understood and affirmed each other's ideals, and thus became friends.
Moreover, after arriving in this Blue Star World, which was encroached upon by death spirit rules, they had fought side-by-side in Shen Mu's army for a long time.
Now, after being separated for a period, they were naturally very happy to meet again and chat.
Of course, upon seeing Shen Mu approach, they immediately came forward to greet him.
They respectfully bowed their heads and placed their hands on their chests: “Greetings, Respected Lord Shen Mu.”
“Hmm, no need for formalities.” Shen Mu raised a hand, signaling both of them to straighten up. Feeling his stomach rumbling, he gently sniffed the air, catching the aroma filling the castle hall, and couldn’t help but smile, saying, “I’m quite hungry now. What’s for breakfast? Mr. Bandak, if possible, let’s eat quickly.”
“Breakfast is very rich, Respected Lord Shen Mu, please take a seat at the dining table.” Bandak’s face also wore a humble smile as he nodded to Fatis beside him: “Please wait a moment, I will arrange for the chefs to bring out the food they have prepared.”
As Bandak beckoned to the attendants nearby, he also personally invited the three of them to sit down at the dining table.
Soon, attendants from the kitchen brought out the food he had personally arranged for this morning.
They placed the trays one by one in front of Shen Mu, Fatis, and Bandak.
“Oh, this is truly wonderful.”
Shen Mu looked down at the wooden bowl on the tray, which contained a thick, freshly cooked wheat porridge.
On the wooden plate beside it were toasted white bread slices, sizzling, oil-dripping dried meat and sausages from being heated, plus half a smoked fish.
And in the wooden bowl beside it, there was boiled cabbage.
The dishes were relatively simple.
All were common vegetables and meats.
However, the preparation was extremely meticulous; it was clear that the frying was done at precisely the right time, and the boiling was just right. Even the thick, fresh wheat porridge emanated the fresh fragrance of wheat.
To ensure the taste of the food, a small pinch of salt and a small spoonful of spices were additionally placed in a small wooden dish nearby.
To accompany the freshly roasted dried meat, sausages, and smoked fish.
“Mr. Bandak truly put thought into this.” Fatis nodded, seeing such carefully prepared dishes.
He had eaten the delicious food cooked by the Halflings in Deherim, and his palate had long become discerning.
While ordinary marching food could be swallowed, such food was merely for filling one's stomach.
Fatis was also a Knight from a high-ranking noble family.
He had lived a life of luxury since childhood.
He had eaten many delicious foods, and meat was never scarce. Even salt and spices, which were now available at every meal, were commonplace for him.
The breakfast Bandak had arranged to be served now reminded him of the abundant food he used to eat daily in his high-ranking noble family, which was enough to show that Bandak had indeed prepared their breakfast with great care.
“As long as Lord Shen Mu and Knight Fatis can eat well, then I am very happy.” Bandak still humbly bowed his head.
After all, absolute loyalty here meant absolute loyalty.
To receive praise from Shen Mu was, for Bandak, more gratifying and satisfying than achieving military merits.
So they began to feast with gusto.
After Shen Mu had half a bowl of porridge, two slices of bread, and the entire fried smoked fish, he finally appeased his hunger.
At the same time, he turned to Bandak beside him and said, “In that case, I will have the troops come over today. You will then arrange their quartering.”
“I understand, please rest assured, Lord Shen Mu, I will take this matter very seriously.” Bandak immediately put down the slice of bread he was holding, stood up very earnestly, and bowed his head as he replied to Shen Mu.
“Hmm, sit down, no need for such formalities.” Shen Mu gestured for Bandak to sit.
And after Bandak sat down, Shen Mu looked at Fatis beside him and instructed again, “Bandak will be responsible for the infantry and quartering issues, and you, Knight Fatis, you will command the cavalry in battle. Prepare yourself for command.”
“Understood.” Fatis also stood up, bowed his head, and thumped his chest with his hand, answering seriously.
“Hmm, you sit down too.” Shen Mu also gestured for Fatis to sit.
He actually understood why the two of them behaved in such a manner.
After all, etiquette represents order, and it represents hierarchy.
It is also a symbol of loyalty.
If you think about it, even in modern times or in this Blue Star World, etiquette represents a certain degree of respect, let alone in Calradia, which is set in the medieval feudal era.
Improper etiquette would signify a wavering of loyalty.
Of course, the reason Shen Mu didn't care about these things was that he himself represented the Mount & Blade System, and even the extended Mount & Blade Rules and these mount & blade units were merely subsidiaries.
This was the confidence he had in possessing the Mount & Blade System, and the reason he didn't need to care about the etiquette that outsiders had to respect.
“In that case, I will return to Deherim this morning and then assemble the troops to come to New Uxhall.”
Shen Mu made arrangements: “And this morning I will also meet with Zhang Bo, so he can decide on the candidates for the negotiation representatives to the Green Leaf Group. The rest will be arranged for Kujit as escorts to go with him, and incidentally to transmit messages and investigate the weak points in the Wood Elf Village's defenses within the Green Leaf Group, to facilitate our attack.”
“That’s excellent.” Bandak and Fatis nodded in praise.
So, this breakfast was quickly finished.
During the meal, the three of them also made detailed and thorough arrangements for the upcoming plan.
They also added some details.
And Fatis also suggested that Lezalit and Bestour be the frontline commanders.
“Why this suggestion?” Shen Mu was somewhat puzzled.
“Lord Shen Mu, I must say, Lezalit and Bestour are very skilled at ambush and surprise attacks,” Fatis honestly stated, “I will provide support from the rear, but entrusting the main assault to Lezalit and Bestour would be more beneficial for the plan.”
As he spoke, Fatis also looked at Bandak beside him: “Of course, Mr. Bandak also needs to act as a commander for the infantry attack.”
Fatis would oversee the overall situation, while Lezalit and Bestour would lead the main assault.
Bandak would command the infantry.
This seemed more scientific and reasonable.
“Very well, then let it be so.” Shen Mu agreed to Fatis’s request; this suggestion was indeed a good one.
After a few more instructions, he led the 20 Holy Tree Knights out of New Uxhall and quickly returned to Deherim.
After all, he still needed to arrange for Zhang Bo to form a peace negotiation team to go to the Green Leaf Group.
No matter what, Zhang Bo had to be appeased, especially not allowing him to have any suspicions, otherwise, the subsequent surprise attack would not succeed.
Shen Mu was very afraid of variables.
Especially knowing that the Green Leaf Group certainly had deep foundations, if his attack encountered those foundations, causing his soldiers to be injured or suffer heavy casualties.
That would be completely unacceptable to Shen Mu.
Then he returned to Deherim.
“Open the city gates, let Lord Shen Mu in.” From afar, the Lake Rat Gang Destroyers on the city walls had already spotted Shen Mu and the 20 Holy Tree Knights riding towards them.
They quickly urged their companions to swiftly raise the gate with the windlass and fully open the city gate.
With the sound of horse hooves, Shen Mu charged into the Town Area.
His warhorse’s speed only slightly decreased before he arrived at the noble mansion in the Town Area.
“Go inform Zhang Bo among the Blue Star Humans to come and report on the organization of negotiation personnel.” Shen Mu immediately dismounted, handing the reins directly to the Swadian Sergeant who came out to greet him from the noble mansion’s entrance.
And he immediately ordered: “Also, Zhang Caidong and Sun Zhiru, have them both come over.”
“Understood.” A Swadian Light Infantry acting as a messenger immediately responded loudly, without the slightest hesitation, and turned to walk towards the town residence that served as the Blue Star Humans' office.
In a moment.
Zhang Bo, Zhang Caidong, and Sun Zhiru had already arrived at the entrance of the noble mansion, requesting to report.
“Come in, Lord Shen Mu is waiting for you.” The Swadian Sergeant guarding the noble mansion looked at them coldly, and after confirming their identities, he waved his hand, signaling his companions behind him to drop their crossed heavy pikes, and reminded them: “Once inside, be honest, don’t look around, maintain your reverence, otherwise we will mercilessly teach you a lesson.”
They were mount & blade Human Clan, different from these Blue Star Humans.
Therefore, they were quite repulsed by these Blue Star Humans, who lacked the protection of Mount & Blade Rules and whose absolute loyalty to Shen Mu could not be guaranteed.
“Understood, understood, we all know, we understand the rules.” Zhang Bo, Zhang Caidong, and Sun Zhiru nodded repeatedly.
However, at this moment, they were also quite uncertain in their hearts. (End of Chapter)
