As the main force of the Northwest Legion advanced across the grasslands, a supply line stretching for hundreds of miles was quietly laid out behind them.
To ensure the supply of food, ammunition and medicine to the soldiers at the front, Logistics Minister Ron had formulated a detailed logistics plan before the expedition. A supply station was set up at regular intervals behind the main march route, like pearls strung together on the grassland, to continuously send resources from the rear to the front.
In addition to storing some supplies, the supply depot also provides a safe temporary resting place for the transport teams.
To keep pace with the advance, these supply stations were constructed in a very simple manner. However, simplicity did not mean fragility. Their walls consisted of a solid wood fence about two meters high, with each stake treated by fire to prevent rot and driven half a meter deep into the ground. The stakes were tightly bound together with thick hemp rope. The outside of the fence was surrounded by rings of barbed wire, which was covered with sharp barbs and gleamed coldly in the sunlight. The barbed wire effectively blocked wild animals and cavalry attacks from the grasslands.
Inside the supply depots, tents and supply storage areas were neatly divided. At the center was the commander's tent, surrounded by ammunition, food, and medical supply storage areas. Each supply depot was guarded by half an infantry company, who patrolled the fences and barbed wire during the day and lit campfires at night, vigilantly watching the dark grasslands to ensure the safety of supplies. The logistics corps' transport process was even more rigorous and orderly. Starting from the main supply depot in the Stonemason Clan territory, wagons and camel caravans loaded with supplies would first arrive at the nearest supply depot. After unloading and counting, the supplies were repackaged by the station's logistics personnel. Based on the demand lists from the front lines, ammunition, food, and medicine were distributed proportionally to the next supply convoy.
These transport convoys consisted of two hundred four-wheeled wagons, each pulled by four warhorses, and staffed with experienced coachmen and guides who could accurately locate supply depots even in adverse weather conditions. Security during transport between supply depots was handled by a dedicated escort force.
Escort units are usually composed of a battalion, equipped with cavalry squads. The cavalry are responsible for scouting ahead and guarding the flanks. They ride the fastest horses and send out two riders every five miles to scout the road ahead. If they find anything unusual, they immediately return to report. The infantry units follow on both sides of the transport team, ready to deal with any emergencies.
One early morning, a caravan slowly made its way along a path trodden by horses' hooves. Hundreds of wagons stretched across the grassland, the sound of wheels grinding against the grass mingling with the snorting of the horses, breaking the morning's tranquility. Unlike usual, this caravan included two special members— Olfina and Eileen.
Olfina was dressed in a logistics officer's uniform with a silver-trimmed belt around her waist. She still retained the sharp temperament she once had as a Royal Army general, but with an added touch of composure and competence.
Olfina came to the grasslands because the logistics department had assigned her to transport a batch of ether from Lakeheart Town to the front lines.
Just two weeks ago, Lakeheart Town mastered the technology for mass production of ether. Using rye straw as raw material, they extracted ethanol through distillation in sealed copper pots. The ethanol was then mixed with concentrated sulfuric acid in a specific ratio and heated. After two condensations, a transparent ether liquid was finally obtained. This liquid is stored in specially made glass jars, sealed with corks and wrapped in thick burlap to prevent impact. Tests showed that simply dripping a few drops of ether onto gauze and having the patient inhale it could alleviate pain during surgery and even induce unconsciousness. This is undoubtedly a life-saving resource for frontline medical workers treating critically injured soldiers.
In the battle against the orcs, the number of soldiers seriously wounded was increasing. With ether, the medics could perform amputations or ammunition removal surgeries more easily, reducing the soldiers ' suffering. Therefore, the logistics department quickly purchased a batch of ether and planned to send it to the front line.
Alda's army was disciplined; neither officers nor soldiers were allowed to bring their wives on campaigns. However, Olfina, now a logistics officer, readily accepted the escort mission, which was perfectly reasonable. As Paul's wife, this assignment also gave her a legitimate reason to visit her husband at the front— she hadn't seen Paul for three months since the Northwest Legion's departure. Among Paul's wives was Catherine, who held a military rank, but unfortunately, as a proper Marquis, she had to remain in Lakeheart Town while her husband was away.
On another horse, Eileen was curiously observing the grassland scenery. She was dressed in a light gray hunting outfit, her hair was simply tied up with a cloth, and her face still had a touch of childishness.
She secretly slipped out of Lakeheart Town. When she learned that Olfina was going to escort supplies to the front lines, she took advantage of everyone's inattention, grabbed a few simple bags, and ran to the roadside inns. When the transport team passed by, she pretended to have just run into them and stopped the convoy.
Having already traveled some distance, Olfina had no choice but to take her along. No one else could "escort" Erin back to Lakeheart Town, but going back herself would inevitably waste a lot of time.
Half a day into the journey, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from the rear of the column. The scout cavalry galloped away, shouting from afar, "An Orc Cavalry is heading this way from the east! There are about a thousand of them!"
The escorting officer yanked the reins back, his longsword instantly drawn. "Halt! Form a defensive formation!"
The carriages, which had been moving slowly, came to a sudden stop. The Coachmen skillfully turned the carriages around and linked them end to end, forming a huge circle on the grassland. The wheels and carriages formed a temporary fortification, and the gaps between the carriages were filled with wooden boxes brought by the soldiers, forming a circular defensive line.
The escorting infantrymen moved swiftly, pulling the bolts of their rifles open and quickly loading bullets from their waist pouches into the barrels. The clicking sound of loading echoed across the grassland, and everyone's face was tense, their eyes fixed on the eastern horizon.
Olfina grabbed a pistol and quickly walked to the edge of the defensive line, leaning forward slightly, ready for battle.
Eileen was startled by this sudden turn of events and followed closely behind Olfina, her face pale. Although she had received excellent swordsmanship training, she knew the dangers of battles between two armies.
The major in charge of the escort approached Olfina and said sternly, "Ladies, please retreat to the center of the vehicle formation immediately!"
Olfina frowned. "I served in the Royal Army and personally participated in many battles. My skills are still sharp. More people mean more strength."
The officer did not back down: "This is not a matter of strength, but of duty. This place has become a battlefield. It is my duty to set up defenses and command the battle. You are an officer of the logistics department. It is your task to protect yourself and important supplies. Even if you are Lord Glaeman's wife, you should obey military orders. Please trust my soldiers. We can hold the line."
He gestured for two soldiers to come over: "Escort the two ladies to the center of the caravan and ensure their safety." The two soldiers immediately stepped forward and respectfully but firmly gestured for Olfina to proceed.
Looking at the lieutenant colonel's unquestionable gaze, and then at Eileen beside her who was nervous but trying to appear calm, Olfina said, "Okay, I'll follow orders."
She turned to Eileen and said, "Let's go to the center first. I'm sure the lieutenant colonel and the soldiers can handle it."