Chapter 305: Another One Needed (1)
Raul, having returned to his office, addressed the strategists who followed him with a cold expression.
“Immediately update the information on Fenris. Then, make contact with Amelia. Inform her that we’ll provide the necessary support so she can rally the northern lords again.”
The strategists exchanged uneasy glances before responding hesitantly.
“Amelia is still an unproven woman. Until recently, she was just a noble lady elegantly sipping tea.”
“The northern lords will not acknowledge Amelia.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to select someone else? She hasn’t even suppressed Baron Valois’ rebellion yet.”
“Even if she defeated the Northern Allied Forces, they were all incompetent. Wasn’t it thanks to the military power left behind by the former Count Raypold?”
Frowning at the opposition, Raul replied sharply.
“So, do you have any other alternatives? What we need isn’t Amelia herself. As I just said, it’s Raypold’s military strength. Among the beggars of the north, there’s no one left with such power.”
The strategists fell silent. Though they voiced objections, they had no viable alternatives to offer, just as Raul had said.
Despite the blow to her reputation caused by the rebellion, Raypold was still a force that had once rivaled Count Desmond. That military strength was still among the best in the north. As Raul said, it wasn’t about trusting Amelia but relying on Raypold’s forces.
Still, concerns lingered.
“For now, it hasn’t been long since she took over, but Amelia could easily ruin Raypold. She might face rebellions everywhere, like Baron Valois.”
“That’s why we can’t sit idle. Assign someone to keep a close watch on Amelia so she operates as we wish. Don’t let her act freely, like Harold did.”
The strategists nodded at Raul’s words.
Count Desmond had been someone who couldn’t be easily controlled just by assigning people to monitor him. Thus, even when commands were issued, the processes had to be entrusted to him.
Amelia, however, was a novice lord. She was likely still struggling to establish internal control, making her easier to manage. A suitable individual could be appointed to ensure she followed the Ducal Family’s will.
The strategists assumed Amelia would comply, simply because they didn’t know her well.
Raul, however, did not underestimate Amelia as much as they did.
‘Harold clearly requested someone capable of dealing with Yurgen, and he mentioned attaching that person to Amelia. Yet, before we could send anyone, she killed Yurgen and succeeded in her rebellion.’
Whatever means she used, it implied she had the ability to eliminate the Sword of the North. That alone made her a rather competent individual, especially for a woman.
Organizing his thoughts, Raul spoke in a chilling voice.
“In any case, Harold was someone we were debating cutting off, so consider this a fortunate turn of events. We’ll reorganize the north with the individual we send and Raypold’s forces as the cornerstone. After that, we’ll deal with that man named Ghislain.”
Raul was a very busy man. He couldn’t afford to focus solely on the insignificant north.
It was true that Ghislain defeating Harold was impressive, but this kingdom boasted many great lords far stronger than him.
The real battle between the Ducal Family and the Royal Faction was just beginning. Far more powerful lords than Desmond were already setting their sights on each other.
Raul glanced at the strategists and issued another command.
“Give Marquis Branford one last chance.”
“A last chance, you say?”
“Tell him that if he steps down willingly, we’ll peacefully transfer royal authority to him.”
The strategists frowned and shook their heads.
“Marquis Branford will never accept.”
“He is a man who would rather break than bend.”
“No matter what we offer, it will be meaningless.”
Raul nodded at their words. Marquis Branford’s steadfast nature was well-known across the kingdom.
“I know. But since His Majesty seems a bit displeased at the moment, a warning must still be delivered.”
“A warning, you say…”
Raul’s snake-like eyes gleamed as a cruel smile spread across his face.
“Tell him we’ll turn both the Royal Family and the Royal Faction into rivers of blood.”
When Ghislain gathered his retainers and declared his intent to proceed with their next task, Claude questioned him.
“What task?”
There was already plenty to do. They needed to relocate the commoners from Desmond’s lands, integrate the villages, and train the new recruits.
Before Ghislain could respond, Claude exclaimed in disbelief.
“We’ll have to do the same work here that we did back in our own territory? Settlements, workshops, farmland, roads, weapons manufacturing, a gambling hall, more administrators… filling the gaps in public security… this and that… Damn it, why is there so much work?”
Claude’s tirade showed no sign of stopping. The others around him, listening once again to the sheer amount of work they’d already done, turned pale.
All of this required immense manpower and funding. With the increased population and territory, the scale had grown even larger than before. It would take tireless effort to manage it all.
And now, they were talking about taking on a new task?
Some felt it might be better to die at the hands of the resurrected Count Desmond than face this overwhelming burden.
As Claude’s agitation reached its peak, Ghislain let out a soft chuckle and waved his hand dismissively.
“Come on, it’s not as hard as it sounds. It’s something we can start thanks to taking over Desmond’s territory.”
“What is it?”
“Let’s remind ourselves of our goal. Who do you think we’ll be fighting from now on?”
“……”
At his words, the room fell silent. Everyone knew by now that the Ducal Family was backing Count Desmond.
On top of that, they had officially struck Count Cabaldi, a known member of the Ducal Faction, and seized his lands.
It was obvious that the Ducal Family wouldn’t let this go unanswered. Truthfully, the only reason they’d held out this long was thanks to the Royal Faction’s interference.
Without that, they might have been wiped out back when they struck Count Cabaldi in Fenris.
Similar thoughts passed through everyone’s minds.
‘This doesn’t seem right.’
‘Are we really going to fight them?’
‘How did it even come to this?’
They’d been swept along by Ghislain’s relentless plans, and now they were staring at an unbelievable reality.
They had defeated Count Desmond, the so-called strongest in the north, and taken his place. That alone was hard to believe. But now, they were expected to face the Ducal Family. That was something they simply didn’t want to accept.
In truth, their achievements were worthy of immense pride. If their opponent weren’t the Ducal Family, they would have felt no fear perhaps even arrogance.
But knowing the strength of their next adversary kept their newfound humility intact.
Watching his retainers, who had grown humbler despite their great victory, Ghislain smirked.
“I like that attitude. It’s good to stay humble. Keeps you from getting complacent.”
“……”
The retainers remained silent. After all, the one preaching humility had never been known for it himself.
“We have no choice, but to clash with the Ducal Family eventually. The battlefield won’t be confined to the north anymore. It could spread across the entire kingdom.”
Fenris alone couldn’t take on the Ducal Family. In the end, they would have to ally with the Royal Faction. Such an alliance would mean constant movement traveling to provide support or launching surprise attacks against Ducal lords.
Focusing only on defending this place would guarantee their demise.
This much, at least, was clear to everyone.
Ghislain unfolded a map and pointed to a specific location.
“Our next target is here.”
The retainers looked at the spot he indicated and swallowed hard.
“What the…? There?”
“Are we seriously attacking that place?”
“Surely he doesn’t mean we’ll take it ourselves?”
The place Ghislain pointed to was none other than the territory of Marquis Roderick, a prominent member of the Ducal Faction located in the kingdom’s western region.
While categorized as part of the western region based on proximity to the capital, Marquis Roderick’s territory was geographically central to the kingdom as a whole.
Roderick’s vast domain was a major transportation hub, connecting nearly all parts of the kingdom except the eastern region.
With an expression of excitement, Ghislain spoke.
“You all know how filthy rich they are, right? Once we take it, money will roll in like clockwork every morning.”
Due to its central location and developed trade, Marquis Roderick’s territory had amassed incredible wealth over generations. That financial power had elevated the Marquis into a formidable great lord.
The Royal Faction kept a close watch on this territory, stationing royal troops nearby. Being so close to the capital, the Marquis’ domain posed the greatest threat in the event of a civil war.
If they seized this place, the Fenris forces would gain the ability to strike in any direction.
“With the eastern region firmly under the control of Marquis Branford and the Royal Faction, we don’t have to worry about it. Just by taking this territory, we’ll be able to pressure the Ducal Faction from all sides. Our range of operations will expand immensely. Plus, the Ducal nobles will have to think twice before making a move. They’ll never know when I might strike from behind.”
Claude scratched his head with a salty expression. It always felt like Giselle made everything sound so simple.
“Lord? The Marquis of Roderick is one of the kingdom’s most venerable great lords and the Supreme Commander of the Western Army. Even the Ducal Faction and the Royal Faction don’t dare treat him lightly.”
Ghislain gestured with his chin, signaling for Claude to continue. With a sigh, Claude went on.
“Besides, that place is unbelievably strong. Even Count Desmond from the impoverished north was formidable, but Roderick’s domain is wealthier and far stronger than Desmond’s, not even comparable.”
“Don’t you know me? Have I ever lost?”
“…How many wins was that again?”
He wanted to point out that it was only thanks to Gillian’s resilience and the timely arrival of reinforcements that they’d managed to win by a stroke of luck last time. But listening to this conversation, it seemed like Ghislain had been wrecking everything singlehandedly back then.
There wasn’t much he could say to argue.
“Fine, let’s say we somehow take that territory. Do you think the Ducal Faction would just let such a critical strategic position slip? They’d be attacking us non-stop from all sides.”
“Then we’ll crush them all too.”
Claude couldn’t help but think to himself.
“…Fine, do whatever you want. Not like it’s ever been any different.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
He no longer even wanted to try persuading him. It never worked anyway. If the lord decided to seize something, he would do whatever it took to make it happen.
Of course, Ghislain wasn’t planning to seize the Marquis of Roderick’s territory simply because it looked appetizing.
‘That man is the Western Overlord.’
Just as Count Desmond oversaw the north, Marquis Roderick controlled the west. It was natural for such a powerful great lord to hold that position.
He already commanded all the western nobles. In his previous life, it was Roderick who had been the first to capture the capital.
If he could take out Roderick with a surprise attack, there would be no one left capable of properly leading the western nobles.
Ghislain had no intention of engaging in a war of attrition, breaking through every small faction one by one.
“I’m not saying we’ll attack right away. I’m saying we prepare with that as our goal. Anyway, this isn’t just a simple territorial war anymore. Once a civil war breaks out, battles will erupt all across the kingdom.”
“Ah, so you’re planning to seize the opportunity,” Claude said, nodding. That way, the risks would be somewhat reduced compared to a one-on-one confrontation.
They could cooperate with the Royal Faction for a joint assault, or Marquis Roderick might be forced to split his forces or even leave his domain defenseless.
“Yes, many lords will start moving, and battles for strategic advantages will be endless. If we use those moments wisely, we’ll have a solid chance at victory.”
“Then, how do you plan to prepare?”
“There’s a lot to prepare. But the first thing is to enhance our mobility that’s our greatest strength.”
“Mobility?”
“We’re already training all soldiers to ride horses, aren’t we? And we’re distributing lightweight galvanium armor. In this kingdom, no cavalry unit can match us in both defense and mobility.”
That much was true. Heavy cavalry were slow and struggled over long distances. Light cavalry were fast but lacked the defense to withstand even an archer’s assault.
Claude understood what Ghislain intended.
“In that case, we’ll need to finish building the roads quickly.”
“Exactly. Once the roads connect all the domains, we’ll be able to move even faster. But we’ll need one more thing.”
“What else?”
“Supply lines. If we’re going to be darting around everywhere, supplies are the most important factor, right?”
“Supplies?”
“Yes. Even if we receive regular provisions, supply routes might get blocked or become too far to access. We need to be prepared for those situations. We might need to move very quickly depending on the circumstances.”
“We’re going there to fight anyway. If we’re short, we’ll just loot and make do.”
“I won’t stoop to the embarrassment of looting.”
The former Plunder King declared confidently.
In truth, looting couldn’t sustain an army for long. It was a measure of last resort and had its limits.
Moreover, it left them vulnerable to scorched-earth tactics, took time, and often antagonized the occupied population, increasing the chances of failure.
Claude was well aware of this, though he couldn’t help but glance sideways at Ghislain, who once proudly called himself the Plunder King. Ignoring that, he continued.
“Aren’t we already producing a lot of biscuits? And now we’re starting to make chicken jerky too. Isn’t that enough?”
“Of course not. That’s nowhere near enough.”
In this era, portable, long-lasting rations were limited to only a few types: jerky and dried bread for the most part.
Even these couldn’t sustain an army for long. Despite being compact, they were surprisingly bulky. Even if soldiers carried them in backpacks to prepare for supply shortages, they wouldn’t last more than a few days.
If supply lines faltered, their range of movement would be restricted. And if movement was restricted, they couldn’t fully leverage their mobility Ghislain’s key advantage.
That wasn’t acceptable to him.
This time, he intended to address that issue.
“We’re going to develop a new kind of combat ration. Something that’s easy to carry and lasts for a very long time.”
A confident smile spread across Ghislain’s face.