Logan had a keen fondness for crossbows, stemming from his past life where his home brimmed with a collection of seven or eight different types. Nestled in the rural expanses of his grandfather's farm, Logan spent his holidays in the farm, where he honed his skills by hunting pheasants and hares with his trusty crossbows.
However, the crossbow he toyed with now was no ordinary piece; it was a military-grade beast, equipped with a rotary mechanism capable of holding five bolts simultaneously.
Its design mirrored the functionality of the Nagant M1895 revolver, allowing each bolt to automatically rotate into position after a shot was fired, streamlining the process to merely pulling the firing string for each subsequent shot.
Logan deftly loaded five short arrows into the crossbow, his movements swift and practiced.
Crowe and the others observed Logan with a mix of curiosity and intrigue. While they were no strangers to archery, the complexity of this particular device puzzled them.
With a confident grip, Logan raised the crossbow, aiming at a distant wooden stake marked by a javelin. He pulled the trigger.
A sharp "Whoosh..." sliced through the air, a testament to the crossbow's formidable power.
"It's incredibly strong!" Tyton exclaimed, visibly shaken. As seasoned archers, they didn't need to see the impact, the sound alone told them the immense force behind the shot.
The group murmured in awe as Logan, without pausing, reloaded and fired again, repeating the action four more times.
Five more short arrows now adorned the wooden stake afar.
"This contraption is known as the Crossbow," Logan began, capturing everyone's attention with his explanation. "It's a compact version of a bow. Lighter, yes, and its range falls short of three hundred meters, but it boasts remarkable short-range penetration."
"The range is less than 300 meters?" Crowe interjected, his enthusiasm waning slightly. The beastmen archers in his clan could easily hit targets beyond four hundred meters; this sophisticated device seemed somewhat limited in comparison.
Noticing Crowe's reaction, Logan smiled and added, "This tool is designed for cavalry engaging at close quarters. For infantry or longer distances, traditional bows remain superior." His explanation laid bare the strategic utility of the crossbow, positioning it as a specialized yet powerful weapon in their arsenal.
"I believe this device, despite its compact size, carries remarkable lethality and portability, making it ideal for assassins," Tyton commented while expertly handling the crossbow, quickly grasping its operational principle.
"All I can say is that its designer must be extraordinarily clever! It may not be fit for sprawling battlefield engagements, but for an assassin's purposes, it's a dream," he added with admiration.
"Assassin?" someone echoed curiously.
Soon, the field cleared, leaving only Logan, Crowe, and Lotts, two of the tribe's commanders.
"Come, commanders, walk with me," Logan invited with a warm smile.
"Lead the way, Lord Chief," Crowe and Lotts replied, bowing slightly in respect.
The two commanders exchanged knowing glances, sensing the young chief had more on his mind.
With a smile hinting at deeper plans, Logan led them forward. After only a few steps, he revealed, "I will personally lead the Second Beastmen Cavalry Brigade to Kasros Canyon tomorrow." His announcement, casual yet, hinted at the strategic moves yet to unfold.
"Are you planning to go there yourself?" Crowe asked with concern.
"Sir Chief, that might not be wise. Kasros Canyon is now notorious for its rigorous crackdown on thieves; it's practically deserted by them," Bagan added quickly, his surprise evident. Both were evidently worried, knowing full well the dangers that lurked in such an endeavor.
Plundering in Kasros Canyon? That was tantamount to courting death. Over centuries, countless bands of brigands had been quashed there, making it a veritable graveyard for criminals.
"Who said anything about becoming a thief?" Logan replied with a slight chuckle, dismissing their assumptions.
"This trip is about securing our tribe's future. You both know we're running low on provisions, and we won't last till July without new sources," he explained, his tone serious as he outlined the urgency of their situation.
"I'm not considering any harebrained schemes about bandits. Rest assured, I have a viable plan in mind," he continued, shaking his head to reassure his anxious compatriots.
Pausing, he turned to face Crowe and Lotts, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "I expect I'll be away for anywhere between half a month to a month. I'll need you both to shoulder some extra responsibilities in my absence."
"You can't let up on military training," Logan instructed firmly. "With the integration of the four other tribes, it's crucial we win their loyalty. I suggest recruiting some of the young beastmen from these tribes into our ranks."
This was a strategy Logan had mulled over for quite some time. Initially, warriors from the merged tribes were returned to civilian life rather than being absorbed directly into their military.
"However," he continued, his voice carrying a note of strategic caution, "we mustn't cluster them by their original tribes. They need to be integrated with our own soldiers to foster unity."
"We understand, Chief!" Crowe and Lotts nodded, grasping the depth of Logan's plan after a moment of reflection. They recognized the wisdom in weaving the new recruits seamlessly into their existing forces, building trust and cohesion among the diverse groups.