Translator: AkazaTL
Pr/Ed: Sol IX
***
Chapter 56 : War Clouds
-Reichart has raised a rebellion against the Zodiac Royal Court.
It did not take long for the news of the civil war that broke out in Zodiac to spread throughout the entire northwest of the continent.
Zodiac was rely a small country in the northern part of the continent, but since Reichart and Redin had quite the reputation, the suddenly erupted civil war beca the talk of the town among gossipers.
-Duke Reichart attempted to assassinate the King.
-The Duke, who failed the assassination attempt, fled to his territory while wounded, and a large-scale Subjugation Force will soon depart for the Reichart territory.
Regardless of the truth, rumors surrounding Zodiac and Reichart spread rapidly.
People's eyes turned toward the Zodiac Kingdom, where war clouds were gathering.
***
“So, how are the people of the territory doing?”
“Of course, the people of the territory do not doubt the Family Head’s innocence in the slightest. However, given the rumors…….”
“You an they are anxious.”
Looking at Larmus, who trailed off, I, Hein Reichart, nodded with an indifferent expression.
This much was fully expected.
No matter how thick the Family Head’s trust was, they beca residents of a territory that committed treason overnight, so it is natural for the people to be anxious.
“Are there any people anxious about not seeing Father?”
“It is not that there are no such people at all. However, since the Young Master has shown such an outstanding appearance recently, the agitation of the territory’s people is not great.”
“That is a fortune amidst misfortune. Sir Werner, how is the stockpiling of supplies going?”
“That is, to be honest, it is not going smoothly. Since the nobles of the capital are pressuring rchants of neighboring countries, supply procurent is not easy.”
At my question, a middle-aged man with a short stature and a stylishly grown mustache answered with a stiff expression.
The man’s na was ‘Werner Almo’.
He was a figure who supported Reichart, not Vispon, which was rare among officials, and he was currently overseeing the territory’s finances.
“How much food have we currently secured?”
“I am ashad to say that we have only secured about half of the amount you ordered, Young Master. I apologize.”
“No. How could that be your fault, Sir?”
I waved my hand lightly toward Werner, who was bowing his head.
The first thing the nobles of Abysin did after the civil war broke out was to block all trade goods entering the Reichart territory.
This brought a fatal impact to Reichart, which relied on the outside for more than half of its food because the territory was so barren.
Of course, I, having anticipated this fact, attempted to procure food from neighboring countries.
However…….
‘The kings of neighboring countries were always jealous of Zodiac possessing Reichart. Still, birds of a feather flock together, is that it?’
Neighboring countries, having received requests from the nobles, also pressured their own rchants to block food trade.
‘Perhaps they decided to break the famous sword of Zodiac, which they always envied, on this occasion.’
Thanks to that, a red light had turned on for food procurent within the territory.
Since there were stockpiles to begin with, a crisis would not co imdiately, though.
If the disruption in food supply continues like this, it is as clear as fire that the people will be agitated.
“If the regular import routes are blocked, we have no choice but to use other thods. Sir Werner, I will double the budget allocated to you. Use that to attempt negotiations again. If you say you will pay double the price, there will surely be those who agree to smuggling.”
“Young Master! Did you just say smuggling?”
“Yes. It may not be a righteous act, but we cannot just let the people of the territory starve.”
I nodded with a determined expression toward Werner, who was looking at with a surprised face.
“I will talk to Sir Bolpar, so if you visit Sir Bolpar within tomorrow, he will give you the budget.”
Despite saying I would ensure his work proceeds without a hitch, Werner’s expression did not brighten.
Larmus, who was watching this scene, asked in a cautious tone.
“It is not that I do not know the Young Master’s heart wishing to prevent the agitation of the people. However, is it alright to execute the budget this boldly?”
“It is fine. Are you not also well aware of the assets confiscated from the Vispon remnants, Sir? Thanks to them leaving behind a lot of assets, even if we use it like this, there will be no problems for about a year or two in the future.”
“A year or two…… Do you think this situation will be concluded within that ti, Young Master?”
Although the assets Vispon left behind were a massive amount corresponding to several years of peaceti finance, no one knew when the civil war that had just started would end.
“Sir Werner, please conduct additional rationing to the people as soon as the primary target food amount is secured. I will always allocate sufficient budget to you, so ensure there is absolutely no case where food going to the territory’s people and soldiers is insufficient. If it is for this, as I said a little while ago, you may mobilize all ans, whether it be smuggling or whatever.”
I did not stop at additional budget allocation but unsparingly played an even bolder move called additional food rationing.
“Since preventing the agitation of the territory’s people is the top priority above all else right now, I hope you Sirs will please always keep that fact in mind.”
“Young Master, it is a big problem!”
Just then, the door of the eting room opened, and a ssenger with an urgent expression entered and knelt before .
“Young Master, it is a ssage from Sir Vasa, who is defending Webas Fortress.”
“Sir Vasa?”
I slowly read down the letter the ssenger brought.
‘Vasa’ was a figure serving as the Vice-Commander of the Hels Knight Order, and he had received a mission to guard the defensive fortress ‘Webas’ located in the southwest of the territory and was currently dispatched there.
“Young Master, did sothing happen to Sir Vasa?”
Surprised by the news that contact ca from his Vice-Commander, Larmus urged for my answer.
“It says Count Bourdain has led the forces under his command and approached near Webas Fortress.”
I conveyed the news the ssenger brought in a calm tone.
Count Bourdain, who has a base near the Reichart territory, had a sowhat ambiguous stance, but he was basically Pro-Noble Faction.
And he was known to command quite a large number of troops under him.
“If Bourdain has marched, then isn’t this a big problem!”
“Although Count Bourdain’s territory is not large, their forces are elite soldiers with quite abundant combat experience.”
“It is not that I do not trust Sir Vasa’s ability, but if by chance Count Bourdain has led all forces within his territory, defense might be difficult with only the soldiers of the fortress.”
“Young Master, please send . I will go and support Sir Vasa.”
Since Webas Fortress was not big but was a major strategic point located in a key area, the retainers competed to volunteer to go for support.
“Well. Let us watch the situation for a few more days for now. And it will be fine to discuss dispatching reinforcents again at that ti.”
However, unlike the retainers with urgent expressions, my expression was still calm.
No, it was not at the level of being calm; I was talking about postponing support.
“Young Master! It is a situation where every second counts. If support is late and Webas falls into Bourdain’s hands, it will be an irreversible blow!”
Hearing the news that his direct subordinate was in crisis, Larmus raised his voice unlike his usual self and urged .
“Sir Larmus, it is not that I do not know your heart, but please calm down.”
But I rely shook my head with a still calm expression.
“Young Master!”
“Bourdain ca too fast.”
I cald the excited Larmus with a tone filled with certainty.
“It was five days ago that we purged Vispon and brought Father. It was midnight three days ago that the capital proclaid Reichart as a public enemy. But it is early morning today that Bourdain arrived near Webas Fortress. Is it not strange?”
“…….”
Hearing my words, Larmus fell into thought.
I continued speaking in a composed tone.
“Unless Bourdain’s forces are entirely made up of cavalry, it would have taken a full day for soldiers to march from his territory to Webas Fortress. Then that ans Bourdain departed his territory at dawn the day after the capital’s public enemy proclamation ca out.”
“……!”
Only then did Larmus realize the situation and opened his eyes wide.
The ti given to Bourdain was rely a day.
Unless Bourdain was a wizard, it was impossible to perfectly prepare supplies for war in just a single day.
That ans…….
“If Bourdain had really decided to side with the capital and attack the fortress alone, he shouldn't have co this quickly. At least three days would be needed to prepare equipnt necessary for siege warfare and supply materials. No matter how fast, Bourdain’s arrival should have been the day after tomorrow.”
Not only Larmus but other retainers also nodded repeatedly as if they now understood my intentions.
“Bourdain probably thought forces would depart from the capital imdiately. He rushed out to attack Webas in ti for when the capital’s forces struck the territory. He probably intended to rely on the capital’s forces for supplies and equipnt. So he has neither the will nor the ability to attack us alone.”
What Bourdain had in mind from the start was not whether he could really capture Webas Fortress.
The only thing important to him was shouting to the nobles of the capital and the King, ‘Look! I have mobilized in such a hurry to defeat the enemies of Your Majesty and everyone!’
However, for so reason, the Subjugation Force was not dispatched imdiately from the capital.
Thus, only Bourdain’s forces arrived near the fortress all alone.
“Sir Larmus, convey to Sir Vasa. Tell him to avoid engagent and focus on guarding the fortress as the top priority unless the enemy attacks first.”
“I will obey the order, Young Master!”
“If we do that, Bourdain’s forces will retreat before long or struggle without receiving supplies, only scrambling to stay stationed. Whichever it becos, it is not a bad thing for us.”
I asserted. The retainers nodded repeatedly with expressions of admiration for my insight in judging the situation in an instant.
Three days had passed since then.
“Young Master! They say Bourdain’s forces are retreating!”
Bourdain, just as I guessed, retreated from the fortress while panting in a shabby state.
Of course, the capital’s Subjugation Force was not dispatched during that ti either.
***
“Ismael, if you were the Commander-in-Chief controlling the situation in the capital, what thod would you have used in this situation?”
“Hmm, well. Since it is a difficult question, I think it will be hard to give an answer right away.”
“If it were , I would have mobilized every soldier I could mobilize right now and waged an all-out war imdiately.”
Late at night, I was having a strategy eting with Ismael with the map of the territory spread out.
“Since it has co to this anyway, their goal is our complete annihilation. Then there is no need to waste ti in vain. Although we have problems with long-term supply, failing to subjugate a rebellion and neglecting it is a very burdenso thing for them too.”
I lifted the baton and pointed toward the direction of the capital Abysin as I continued the conversation.
“Even if our forces do not reach the level of the capital bastards, it is a considerable scale. If we wage an all-out war, they must also endure so damage. However, considering the objective power difference between them and us and the situation, an all-out war is much faster and simpler than a clumsy wheel battle. Especially considering the tendency of those bastards who consider soldiers’ lives as nothing but flies’ lives, even more so.”
I lifted the baton that was pointing at the map, tapped my other palm, and smiled beamingly.
“Then a question here. Why are they dragging ti instead of doing this?”
“Haha, I do not know well. Commander.”
Ismael shook his head with an awkward smile this ti as well.
I opened my mouth with a slightly deeper smile than before.
“Ismael, what do you think is the biggest characteristic of incompetent people?”
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