novelraw Chapter 128 : Chapter 128
Chapter 128 : Chapter 128
Chapter : 128
The plan was simple.
Since the opponents were full of malice and itching to cause trouble, I would willingly give them an opening.
There was only one reason Juana and the feudal vassals could not move easily. Even though most were infantry, the number of soldiers I possessed was immense.
5,000 men.
This was a level that a few knights and some mercenary bands dared not even dream of facing.
Therefore, I intended to move this army elsewhere.
"Let's subjugate the Arhen Mountains. Didn't you say that monster attacks near the graphite mine have become frequent recently?"
"Hmm, that is true. Lord."
"Leave only the minimum number of guards and push everyone there. No, since we are doing it, let's proceed on a large scale. Hire more mercenary bands and ask Captain Konrad to request cooperation from the Canton Confederation as well."
"Yes? Then the city defense will be... Ah?"
Only then did Chamberlain Hamil seem to understand my words. Chamberlain Hamil, who had been flustered, chuckled, and his face became relaxed.
"Since we are doing it, we should do it while announcing it widely and on a grand scale?"
"Correct."
"Let's even hold a departure ceremony. So that we can completely attract people's attention. Lord."
"Oh... That's a pretty good idea."
As expected, Chamberlain Hamil was unlike a typical knight. He was already seasoned, but after his stats improved last time, he became even more meticulous.
"You must show it so that anyone can recognize that the army is leaving."
"Understood. Lord."
"Ah, and Viscount Avignon."
"Y-Yes. L... Lord."
Viscount Avignon spoke nervously. Since this friend was also a noble quick to grasp the situation, he seemed to have already read the atmosphere.
"Thinking it over carefully, simple financial support won't be enough."
"Then...?"
"Chamberlain Hamil, do we have some weapons that we are no longer using within our territory?"
"With the creation of the pikeman unit, existing weapons are all heading to the warehouse. Lord. We were planning to melt them all down and make new ones anyway."
At Chamberlain Hamil's words, I nodded with a satisfied expression.
"Good. Then Viscount Avignon. I will give you those old, outdated weapons. Sell them all to Juana and the feudal vassals. You keep half of the sales profit."
"Yes?! Is, is that alright?"
"My goodness. You are doing such dangerous work for me; shouldn't you receive definite compensation? You take all the sales profit."
I grinned and said that.
Disposing of remaining stock.
And emptying the coffers of Juana and the feudal vassals.
This is exactly killing two birds with one stone. Isn't it like eating the pheasant and its egg?
Ah, I also gained Viscount Avignon's loyalty, so is it killing three birds with one stone? At the thought that suddenly crossed my mind, I couldn't help but giggle.
* * *
Even though it was an idea conceived as bait, I had no intention of doing it half-heartedly.
The graphite mine in the Arhen Mountains is the core source of pencils, which became a specialty of the territory. Therefore, it was necessary to smooth out the supply. Also, is the Great Forest leading to the Arhen Mountains a bit large?
Although I had carried out large-scale development so far, what still occupied more than half of my territory was that dense forest area.
To make the territory richer and stronger, it was good to proceed with reclamation once again on this occasion.
Therefore, today as well, I called Treasurer Palmer after a long time and was diligently pressing him.
"Is the procurement plan proceeding properly? The report that came up seems to have many holes? Since there are more knights this time, you need to add feed for the horses as well."
"T-That part, I hadn't thought of it yet. I will correct it immediately. Lord."
Treasurer Palmer answered while sweating profusely. This was why subordinates had a hard time when the superior was meticulous and smart.
'Sob sob sob.'
Thanks to that, Treasurer Palmer cried tears of blood inwardly.
How did I end up getting my nose hooked like this and suffering like a dog! His once chubby back of the hand was now so thin that blood vessels were visible.
Of course, I just snorted at such an appearance of Treasurer Palmer.
'Hmph, whining now!'
I knew he was very excited after I established an institution for administrator education recently and had him select administrators under it as subordinates.
Our Treasurer Palmer had begun to learn the sweet taste of power in the bureaucratic system.
Although the body might be a bit weary.
"Has the reply come from the Canton Confederation? How is the schedule coordination proceeding accordingly?"
"Contact has been completed through Captain Konrad. The Canton Confederation is also positive about the subjugation of the Arhen Mountains and gave a definite answer that they would raise an army at the same time to join us."
"Hmm, good, good."
If even the Canton Confederation moved, it was clear that Juana and the feudal vassals would be completely fooled.
If there was no movement even after doing this much, I intended to pay respect to their patience and just invade and smash them as Chamberlain Hamil said.
"Are you handling the treatment of the knights who followed me recently well? Are there any particular complaints from them?"
"Yes, at first, there seemed to be some talk about the lack of fiefs, but it disappeared instantly at the mention that all equipment would be supplied by the territory. Moreover, since they receive a stable salary every month, some knights are rather happy about it. Lord."
A manor was the romance of knights who lived by the sword, but reality was not that easy. It was because maintaining a knight's armament with the revenue of a rat-tail-sized manor was quite difficult.
Had knights ever farmed, or had they ever received proper education on territory management?
In their heads, there was only combat. They were literally tin-can combat machines with nothing else.
Therefore, giving equipment, giving food, and giving money?
Except for not giving a manor, there was nothing bad at all for a poor knight.
"Ah, by the way.... Could you please pay a bit of attention to the elf knights?"
"What about them?"
Then Treasurer Palmer vented his frustration and said.
"No, these crazy bastards eat way too much! Leaving aside wheat bread, they devour a chicken and a sheep each per day! Even though Your Excellency said to give them as much as they want, this is a bit too much."
"......."
I knew well that they ate a lot, but to think it was that much. It was a gluttony that made one's mind feel dizzy.
Since meat was precious in this era, eating like that would naturally make a Treasurer managing finances go crazy.
"Khem, I will tell them to restrain themselves as much as possible for now."
"Thank you. Lord."
Of course, unlike Treasurer Palmer's thought, I would only say it.
How could I stop the gluttony of elves, famous in [Pangea Universalise]? Whether he knew this or not, Treasurer Palmer was beaming with a relieved expression as if a burden had been lifted.
'I feel sorry for no reason...?'
However, I ignored the guilt rising slowly and opened my mouth.
"Then is it finished if only that part is corrected and supplemented?"
"Yes, Lord. All preparations are finished; you just need to set the departure date."
"Is that so? Then I will decide quickly and let you know. Until then, please prepare the supplies perfectly."
Saying that, I secretly had someone send a message to Viscount Avignon.
-The bird leaves the nest.
It was the code name to start the conspiracy.
* * *
-DOOM DOOM DOOM.
The sound of drums resonates.
-WAAAAAA!
And at the same time, cheers burst out from all directions. Hundreds, thousands of soldiers were marching through the city in rows and columns.
-Form up!
-Match the speed. Do not stick out alone. Slowly. Move your body to the command.
Chamberlain Hamil's confident assertion that he would completely attract people's attention was indeed true.
Chamberlain Hamil made this departure ceremony into a festival. Like a splendid triumphal ceremony.
Mobilizing people to scatter flowers, informing the surroundings and inviting them, etc. Thanks to that, numerous people came to my territory to see this departure ceremony.
And among them.
"Hmm, as expected, the Margrave's power is formidable."
"Hmph, so what. He is turning all his forces to the outside. The Margrave will fall due to his own foolish greed."
"Right. Correct."
The feudal vassals who colluded with Juana, whom I wanted so much, were also included.
"By the way, how is Lady Juana? Viscount Avignon."
"Hmm, she said Count Bozen would move as promised."
"Oh-! Is that true?"
"Yes."
"That is truly fortunate!"
At Viscount Avignon's words, a look of relief spread across the faces of the feudal vassals.
If they moved by themselves, in fact, even if it was a surprise attack, victory or defeat could not be guaranteed.
Also, the aftermath issue was not easy. But if Count Bozen, a high noble in his own right, moved, it was a different story. Moreover, since he was Juana's older brother, there was also a justification for helping.
"If Count Bozen moves from the outside and we respond from the inside, the Margrave will also be helpless."
"That is correct. Even now, mercenaries are swarming inside the territory for the subjugation. It is truly a very good time to use soldiers."
Usually, mercenary bands could not enter inside the territory and camped nearby. But for some reason, the Margrave of Bellua allowed some of the mercenary bands to enter inside the city.
He said it was to comfort the hard work of the mercenary bands, but....
"Such carelessness eventually tightens his own leash."
A feudal vassal who heard the news smirked and said. To think he was acting stupidly like that without knowing they were sharpening their swords inside like this.
"When would be good to carry out the undertaking?"
"Since the army hasn't fully left yet.... We should move when the maximum number has left."
"I don't know about other things, but we must confirm that all those elf knight bastards leave before moving."
"That is correct. I heard the testimony of a knight who served in the southern heretic subjugation, and he said the combat power of the elf knight bastards really makes no sense. I heard they are strong as rumored."
"Ha, the Margrave managed to hire such elf knights, surprisingly."
The feudal vassals clicked their tongues.
Of all things, the extremely picky elf knights were swarming next to the Margrave of Bellua, showing his good knack.
"Then let us move considering the time the elf knight bastards leave. I will send a separate message to Count Bozen."
"Hmm, then is it just delivering the news to Lady Juana who is in the inner spire?"
"Probably so. Then I will contact her about that."
"Right, please take care of it. Viscount Avignon. You are working hard."
The feudal vassals patted Viscount Avignon's shoulder and praised him.
They did not think for a moment that they would lose. Their triumphant appearance was arrogant as if they had already ascended to the seat of power.
Although to Viscount Avignon, who knew the whole story of this affair, it was a sight that only brought a sigh.
'It is truly fortunate.... If I had been with them, truly.... Tsk.'
It was Viscount Avignon realizing once again that he held a proper card.