Chapter 166

The day after arriving at Champagne Castle, I immediately headed to the barracks where Duke Orleans was staying.

As I approached the entrance, two knight guards crossed their spears in front of me to block my way.

“Please stop for a moment. We need to check your schedule and identity.”

“I am Siel von Croilet, Marquess of the Eraline Empire and Vice Commander of the Eastern Expeditionary Force. I have an appointment to meet with the Expeditionary Force Commander, His Majesty, this morning.”

“I have confirmed your identity. Vice Commander, Your Excellency, you may enter. His Majesty is waiting for you.”

According to Colonel Samuel and Captain Short’s reports, this person was evaluated as having some degree of competence in both warfare and governance… regarding warfare, it seems I need to revise that assessment in a more favorable direction.

Because while those who are thorough in vigilance are not necessarily great commanders, it is said that all great commanders are thorough in vigilance… external surveillance is important.

Seeing a Marquess like myself subjected to such scrutiny within our own territory shows that at the very least, we will not be ambushed by the enemy and suffer crushing defeat.

It’s not to the extent that the operation needs a complete overhaul, but it could still be a variable to some degree.

After passing by the guarding knights, I quickly lowered my head and paid my respects to the Duke.

“Your Majesty, Duke Orleans, Vice Commander Siel von Croilet has arrived as ordered.”

“Ah, you’ve worked hard.”

“No, it is nothing. Originally, I should have reported immediately upon arriving last night… but thanks to Your Majesty’s consideration, I was able to rest well for a day, wasn’t I?

“Aren’t we working together for the Empire? If it’s for our Vice Commander, I can afford to do that. Now, please take a seat.”

On the surface, it seemed like a friendly exchange among high-ranking officials, but our relationship was merely a facade of camaraderie put on for the successful execution of the war.

Stripping away the facade visible between us, if one were to look at our true intentions, it might be perceived like this:

‘By any means necessary… I must ensure that that Siel von Croilet does not gain significant achievements in this war. No, if possible, I must crush that man’s army to the maximum extent… my position as the lord of the East is at risk.’

‘This Emperor’s expedition has a low probability of success, so much that even ordinary great commanders would raise their hands in surrender. Therefore, if I can stand at the rear of the retreating expeditionary force, under the pretext of defending Count Iris’s domain and defeat the enemy… I could significantly expand my territory.’

Even amongst our own forces, harboring different ulterior motives towards one another, isn’t this true noble politics?

And anyway, Duke and I must maintain a cooperative relationship until we enter Marquess Simon’s territory, so it’s best to keep holding hands for now.

As I sat in the chair prepared by the Duke, he spread out a map with a serious expression and said,

“As you already know, the troops mobilized for this expedition consist of 40,000 from our house, 30,000 from your house, 20,000 from Ilerias, and 15,000 from Izza. A total of 105,000 soldiers have been mobilized. And I believe the Franche Empire will mobilize a force similar in size to ours.”

“As you mentioned, they have to keep an eye on Italica, Cardinal Mathimus, and Spania… which means they cannot mobilize more troops than that.”

“However, as you know, this war is aimed at conquest. To be assured of victory, we would need at least three times that number, but we could only mobilize a mere 100,000 due to our circumstances. Thus, before I announce the strategy as the overall commander, I would like to hear your opinion, having achieved great victories in several battles.”

“Understood. Please wait a moment.”

Though I said that, the Duke must have already set his own expedition plan.

Nonetheless, asking for my opinion serves his purpose, intending to say during the upcoming military council that the deputy commander has already agreed to the strategy he has set, so there will be no challenge to it.

But, likely, His Majesty Orleans will eventually have no choice but to accept my opinion.

Because he will offer me a compelling bait that he cannot refuse, wanting to become the lord of the East.

For now, I placed a wooden horse symbolizing the expeditionary force on the Ilerias domain on the map and began to speak.

“First of all, our forces will proceed from Champagne Castle to the fortress of Count Architel.”

“That’s to be expected. That way, we can engage the enemy in Count Iris’s domain without worrying about the rear… and we can destroy and occupy the castles they own.”

“However, judging the situation coldly… I believe we will be able to occupy the territory of Count Architel without engaging in a single battle there.”

The Duke listened to those words and, with an excited expression, asked.

“But, if our army faces them, wouldn’t it be more advantageous for them to compel losses starting from Count Architel? Is that not so? When they fight against us, they can reduce our strength in Architel, conscript some of the serfs there, and fill their numbers, then it would be easier for them to fight in Iris or Simon…”

“Ordinarily, one might think so, but based on my research, Count Architel raised taxes right after suffering defeat at the Battle of Weine Plain to support the remaining vassals. As a result, the lives of the serfs have been devastated. In such a territory, it has become frequent for the serfs to flee to our Croilet Marquessate or to Count Ilerias, saying they can no longer live there.”

“Not just a one or two times, but often? If they are caught while fleeing, they may be sentenced to death or reduced to slavery. If such dangerous acts are happening frequently, then… it would mean public sentiment has completely bottomed out. If things go well, it might be possible to occupy Count Architel without bloodshed. Then…”

Surely, having revealed a strategy capable of occupying a single domain without bloodshed, he would want me to reveal what I want in return for its success.

If I were a mediocre noble with loyalty to the Empire, I would say something like this:

“I would like you, as the overall commander, to record my achievements personally and inform His Majesty in detail, and to place me in a good position for the next upcoming battle.”

But to prove my loyalty to the Empire and simultaneously play the part of an ambitious noble…

It’s most effective to present myself as caring both for my own interests while also considering the other nobles and the Empire.

“We will begin with the occupation of Count Architel, and then we will proceed to occupy Count Iris and Marquess Simon. In the meantime, there will be several plundering opportunities. While I won’t deny the utility of plunder, since we are launching an occupation campaign with forces fewer than the enemy’s… turning the serfs living in this land against us would be a dangerous act.”

“… You have a point. The serfs in the territories we occupy can either be killed or suitably punished if their numbers are overwhelming. Still, in the meantime, our soldiers might sustain some losses. Moreover, since Architel, Iris, and Simon will become our territory in the future… we shouldn’t harm the goose that lays the golden eggs.”

“That’s right. To be specific, I suggest prohibiting plunder and purchasing food for low prices even if we must pay with money. Doing so would significantly reduce the chances of revolt, assassination, and leaks of information due to collusion among the serfs in the territories we occupy. Also, if all these thoughts align with His Majesty the Commander’s intent…”

“My reputation will be lifted, and you, who will receive the territories we occupied, will obtain slightly more prosperous lands, correct?”

Outwardly, everything will be praised as the honorable action of the overall commander, but I will spread rumors that it was my proposal by releasing spies from Architel into the outside world.

At the same time, I will hire some local serfs to play the role of whisperers…

“Having spotted the scheme of the Eastern Expeditionary Commander, who intended to plunder this territory, the caring Marquess Croilet is using his personal funds to purchase food. Considering that Franche would requisition grains, he will take measures to prevent starvation through the merchants in Hamburg.”

By spreading such rumors, when our forces begin to struggle against the enemy, if I actually distribute the grains and food brought by the trading merchants to the serfs?

The serfs will likely follow the custom of “not killing unless they directly join the enemy,” rather than serving the great army of Franche, and they will not turn against us.

Moreover, some may inform us of shortcuts or terrains unknown to the enemy, and after defeating the enemy, they will obediently follow the governance of our family.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“The young ones these days are already reluctant to heed my words. If I personally occupy Architel without a single engagement, I’m sure they will start listening to me. This will certainly make the expedition easier.”

“Then, I believe we will likely engage at the Bridge Plain, which is the boundary between Iris and Architel. The army under the Croilet Marquessate will serve as the reserve at the rear, and while the subsequent battlegrounds are unpredictable… divulging the details after we occupy Count Architel won’t be too late, will it?”

“Let’s move on.”

**

The next day, the Duke unilaterally informed us of his strategy during the military council.

First, the arrangement was, as I had thought, that Duke Orleans’s army would take the vanguard, with Ilerias and Izza forming the left and right flanks, while the remaining barons had to align under the lords of the left and right due to the shortage of their soldiers.

Naturally, I was assigned to the rear as the reserve as per the Duke’s orders.

And the Duke asserted that we would be able to enter Count Architel’s territory without engaging in combat, crediting it all to the hints I had provided.

After the operation was announced, a week later… we entered the lands of Count Architel.

Upon entry, the Duke immediately ordered the soldiers.

“Spread out in units of thirty and assure the villagers in Architel that there will be no plundering, killing, or raping. At the same time, purchase food in appropriate quantities, ensuring to pay at least minimal costs.”