Chapter 176

After the battle, when Count Ilerias, who burned down the enemy’s headquarters, and Count Izza, who destroyed the supply lines and provisions, returned, Duke Orleans immediately ordered the military merchants to start a banquet.

Normally, upon receiving such an order, one might think that we should wait to mourn the fallen and tidy up the battlefield before celebrating, but…

In a scenario where every soldier apart from our army fought valiantly in a desperate situation, commanding a cleanup of the battlefield instead of allowing the soldiers to relax at the banquet would surely demoralize them.

Especially in formations mainly composed of serfs, who have no experience or preparedness for war, the fear from the first day of battle could lead to PTSD if not washed away by the strength of wine and women.

Additionally, if they are already exhausted from the fight, doing the labor of cleaning up corpses could lead to exhaustion and possibly death.

If that happens, unnecessary non-combat losses would occur, so it would be far better to simply rest as Duke Orleans commanded on the first day.

Even though there was a risk that high-quality goods such as armor and weapons worn by our side or the enemy could be stolen by looters, or that hygiene issues might lead to an outbreak of disease.

For this reason, the Duke quickly discussed the post-war policy briefly with the nobles, including me, and then eagerly began the banquet on the battlefield.

Rather than enjoying the banquet in our barracks at this time, I set out to meet Count Izza and Count Ilerias, who had made significant contributions in this war, to lay the groundwork for the future.

**

Inside the tent, with walls and ceilings made of thick cloth, Count Ilerias had placed his armor and sword from the recent battle in one corner, accompanied by a luxurious wooden desk and chair.

If it weren’t for the cloth walls and ceiling, the interior could have been mistaken for a modestly decorated room in a mansion.

Normally, or at least until this battle broke out, there was a notable divide between a Marquis and a Count, making casual conversations difficult…

However, thanks to the strategy I shared, the two key players of this battle had developed a friendly attitude towards me, and since it would be beneficial for my future to get along well with them, I made an effort to appear friendly.

As a result, Count Izza, Count Ilerias, and I could converse comfortably within that barrack, as if we were brothers just a few years apart in age.

“Right, Count Izza. When I, Ilerias, was about to invade the main camp of Marquis Simon, that Baron Delphin said this: ‘No, when knights charge, we must gather as many as possible for a single blow… why divide into two?’”

“Under normal circumstances, that statement would be correct. When I was young, my father taught me that if you ever become a Baron, you must never split your knights to charge.”

“But this time, it was a surprise attack, wasn’t it? So I, Ilerias, said: ‘We are much fewer than the enemy, so it’s more important to create confusion. Therefore, lead the soldiers to strike the opposite side as I commanded.’ And of course, thanks to the success of this operation, I was able to personally take down Baron Defe, who was guarding the main camp. Naturally, I also burned down the supplies and tents!”

“Well done, Count. So did you receive a ‘token of apology’ from that poor unfortunate soul whose mistaken advice was proven wrong?”

At that remark, Count Ilerias laughed as he brought over a chunk of ham from the corner of the tent.

“Baron Delphin acknowledged that my strategy was correct and brought me a preserved ham he had saved.”

“From the seal attached to the ham, it looks like it’s a top-quality product made in the Marquis line…”

“Then, wouldn’t that mean the Baron intended to keep it all to himself without sharing it with his subordinates?”

Baron Delphin, serving under Duke Orleans, was over 40 years old, so it’s hard to believe he would secretly stash away a ham for himself…

Yet, I responded with a poorly-timed joke to keep the atmosphere light.

“I noticed the width of his armor seemed 1.5 times mine. I thought it was all muscle, but it must have been fat from sneaking food. Quite a surprise… I underestimated people like that.”

“Isn’t that why we get to enjoy such delicious ham today? Your Excellency, Marquis.”

“Ilerias, why don’t you slice some for us? Now it’s time for my story… Your Excellency Croilet, is that alright?”

“I am just an old man who hasn’t done much in this war. So, I must listen to your stories.”

“You and I are merely two or three years apart, are we not? Alright… then when I burned the supply lines…”

Thus, Count Izza and Count Ilerias bragged for over an hour, or rather two, about how they contributed to this war.

When I shared that they almost got caught by the enemies, their eyes widened in focus, and when Baron Delphin spoke nonsensically and disobeyed orders, I made it clear that I was stressed.

As a result, perhaps because of the subject of admiration and reverence I represented, they gradually began to let down their guard.

As I kept pouring them glasses of wine made from grapes from Architel territory…

Eventually, whether due to the effects of the alcohol or not, they appeared to have completely dropped any resistance toward me.

Seizing that opportunity, I said to them,

“Here today, you can see me not as Your Excellency Marquis but just as a brother. The age difference is slight, and we are all in this together, are we not? Furthermore, thanks to your diligent actions, I too have been able to achieve a decent contribution. I hope we can be friendly moving forward, as I will be relying on you.”

With that, they relaxed completely, drunkenly abandoning any formalities, though they still didn’t call me “brother” in the manner typical of Korean gatherings.

Eventually, it seemed they had run out of things to brag about, and they began to excitedly share nostalgic tales of each other’s past.

“Ilerias, I still remember when we fought together under Count River. Back when I wasn’t yet Count Izza… You bragged about being Baron Ilerias and when you were ordered to charge the enemy, you… just laughable… I never imagined you would end up striking yourself with a mace, leading to your transport retreating. That totally blindsided me.”

“To say such things in front of Your Excellency Marquis… didn’t you also ask to be sent to the back when the knights of the territory were standing at the forefront during your first battle?”

“Then you… though it was a marriage arranged by strategy, weren’t you also worried about your wife’s happiness? You went into the mountains to pick pomegranates, which Iris loved, and got seriously injured. What was it you said then…”

If they were openly sharing such old stories in front of me, it certainly signified they had entirely let down their guard.

Of course, I had earned their trust by bestowing on them the immense credit for cutting off the enemy’s main camp and supply lines, thus being seen as a “trustworthy ally.”

Now, my task was to continue listening to their stories while empathetically elevating their pride.

“Isn’t that true for everyone? From the start of my participation in battles, I have consistently won, yet there were countless moments of fear. In particular, fighting with Count Architel in the Wainé Plains was genuinely terrifying. Facing that dreadfully strong Duke’s knightly order head-on frankly made me want to flee.”

While others might be fearsome, witnessing the elderly Duke, still vigorous at over 70, leading 6,000 knights through the battlefield is a sight I wish never to recall.

Seeing the knights behind that aging man become emboldened by his charge towards the enemy made them recklessly brave.

“However, you all stood unwaveringly before my reckless strategy, succeeding in blocking and destroying the enemy headquarters and supply lines without a flicker of fear… the greatest bravery a knight, or indeed any noble, could demonstrate. If you triumph in this war, your achievements, being younger than me, will surely spread among the minstrels.”

My words were not a lie.

They truly displayed courage, even deserving of songs sung by poets for their honorable attack on the enemy’s headquarters and supply routes.

Moreover, if they succeeded in capturing the territory of Marquis Simon, they would acquire an amount of fame beyond what I possessed, as intended by the Emperor to create rivals that could oppose me.

Thus, all I said was the truth, under the condition that this war would end safely.

So, I feigned a look of regret and said,

“However, how could I be envious of you, who are younger and favored by His Majesty? All I hope is that you both, Count Ilerias and Count Izza, meet those expectations of the Emperor. And I believe you will perform excellently. Now, I must take my leave, Counts who will become the pillars of the Empire.”

Under ordinary circumstances, it would raise suspicion to speak in such a manner, even with close acquaintances, but these two were already tipsy and in a daze.

Thus, they listened to me and imagined themselves gaining ‘renown surpassing mine,’ smiling in happiness.

The next day, I commanded the soldiers to embark on a campaign to capture this territory more easily.

“Gather the serfs of Count Iris’s territory and provide them with appropriate wages and meals, and order them to tidy up the battlefield.”