Chapter 44

The Count looked at me with a perplexed expression and asked,

“Are you saying that instead of attacking from a distance, we would just go ahead and lay siege? Isn’t that behavior outside the common sense of battle?”

As he mentioned, dividing troops on enemy territory is indeed irrational and should naturally be avoided by any commander.

Simply put, even from a mathematical perspective, Count Helzman’s forces number around 10, and with Count Nante’s forces, including myself, totaling about 20.

If I am absent, we would only have a mere advantage of 1.5 times.

And of course, I would be going into battle at the forefront against more than twice the enemy’s numbers and would already have been beaten back…

However, everything depends on my actions and the timing.

“That’s right. As you said, in a typical battle, we would be facing an enemy force that is more than double our numbers, so the likelihood of suffering near total defeat is high. However… everyone, please look at the map.”

After speaking those words, I moved my command staff, symbolizing Count Nante’s and Count Helzman’s armies, to the location where we would meet – the “Linz Plain,” and continued.

“For that reason, our Croilet forces will march together to near the Linz Plain. At the point where we confront Count Helzman, our Croilet troops will then separately maneuver towards Helzman City.”

After finishing my words, I moved my command staff again, placing the “piece” symbolizing Count Croilet’s army right in front of Helzman City.

The moment I moved it, Count Nante gestured with his eyes to Baron Circleland, sending a signal.

A moment later, Baron Circleland countered my proposal.

“It’s not a bad plan. However, dividing our main force in Count Helzman’s territory might be reckless. If I were Helzman, I would immediately turn my army to strike you the moment I got wind of such a move. While you may have the numbers, aren’t most of your troops infantry? I doubt they could withstand a cavalry charge.”

The charge of mounted knights is indeed very powerful.

If properly armored peasants are faced, a single lance could take out up to three of them, and if we consider the infantry trampled by horses…

When knights charge into a formation made solely of peasants, roughly each knight could take down 2 to 5 peasants.

Of course, our unit is equipped with breastplates and has undergone proper military training, so they wouldn’t fall so easily…

Even so, significant casualties would still be expected against a pike formation.

Thus, I nodded and sent a message of agreement to Baron Crescent’s statement.

“As you mentioned, while our infantry is somewhat equipped, they cannot withstand a cavalry charge. However, as you pointed out, the likelihood of our Croilet army having to face the enemy’s full force is practically zero.”

Upon hearing those words, the Count looked at me and asked.

“What is the reason?”

“Our marching speed is significantly faster than theirs. Therefore, if we start from similar locations, we would reach Helzman City far quicker than them. And unless Count Helzman is a fool, I doubt he would display his back to an army that holds a 1.5 times greater numerical advantage, would he?”

In reality, Croilet’s army packs only portable rations like hardtack and preserved meat, and since everyone is a ‘trained standing army,’ we can march much faster than an army composed of peasants.

Just a month ago, even before attacking Baron Celt and Baron Santoburke, during a 40-kilometer march, we could move 1.5 times faster than a typical army of this era.

Thus, if we set off from similar positions, it’s only natural that we will reach Helzman City ahead of them.

Even if we marched much slower than them, if they attacked us, they would find themselves ambushed by both Count Nante’s army and our Croilet forces…

In that case, they would fall into an inescapable trap.

There’s no way that Count Helzman, a commander grounded in logic, would consider such thoughts. He would undoubtedly send you, Baron Croilet’s army first to besiege his own capital city, even if it meant risking that.

This way, he could fully concentrate on defeating Count Nante, and then, with relatively less effort, attack what remains of us.

To highlight the advantages of my proposed tactics, I continued.

“And think about it. No matter how much Linz Plain, which we designate as the battlefield, is positioned about 7 days away from the enemy’s base, even if we assume reinforcements won’t arrive immediately from the city… they only need to hold out for a week to receive fresh, unspent reinforcements. However, if I am besieging their castle, they won’t dare send those reinforcements easily.”

I presented an unrefutable strategy, but this time, Baron Haiber opposed me.

“There are 10,000 citizens living in Helzman City, and over 150,000 people in Count Helzman’s territory! Therefore, if they find themselves in a crisis, they could conscript them and counterattack! In that case, you would be isolated!”

At first glance, that sounds plausible, but it’s nothing but nonsense.

If he had already scraped together 10,000 troops even from the Barons under Count Helzman, the remaining manpower resources would only be those that are ‘aged or otherwise unsuitable for military service.’

Moreover, if the reinforcements consist of untrained soldiers, even bringing 5,000 would likely be no match for us.

Furthermore…

I chuckled at his words and, feigning anger, tossed off my armor as if challenging him to a duel.

“Enough!! No matter how much older than me you are, isn’t this a bit rude? Setting aside everything else, even if you gather all the citizens and guards in the city, how many could you possibly muster? At most, it would be about 1,500. Are you suggesting that our Croilet forces would be beaten after surrounding them with a 2-fold advantage in soldiers? And if you want to conscript all the peasants in Count Helzman’s territory, it would take at least a month to prepare. Do you really believe Count Nante, leading an army 1.5 times larger, would fail by then?!!”

Although I said that, I feel like he would end up losing if he viewed war as a romantic story told in chivalric literature.

While he pretended to accept the common-sense advice of the Barons around him, such a ruler would inevitably mess up at the ‘crucial moment’ when he should actually not step in at all.

In fact, this fellow has already lost his justification, as he had taken 3000 gold coins from me without even coming to my aid when I was declared war upon.

After raising my voice like that, a moment later Count Nante walked up to Baron Haiber and chastised him loudly.

“Baron Croilet is correct! I can abide all other remarks, but do you really think I would lose to that aged Count, who has lost his right arm and has fewer men than us?!! Baron Haiber!!! Are you daring to insult my honor!!”

While I intended it, he really had no regrets in his head, making him easy to handle.

Hearing those words, Baron Haiber knelt and pleaded for forgiveness from the Count.

“I wouldn’t dare insult your honor, your Excellency! I merely… wished to cherish your honor, I beg your pardon, Excellency.”

Seeing a Baron far older than himself groveling in a way that disregards his own face was quite satisfying for the Count, who smirked and extended his right hand, saying,

“I forgive you.”

“Thank you very much, your Excellency.”

“Be a bit more cautious next time. While this is my first sortie, I suppose I will fare much better than Baron Croilet’s first one, wouldn’t I?”

Indeed, he doesn’t know his place.

While the conditions of ‘first battle’ are the same for both him and me, the level of preparation we’ve made is different.

I have provided a year of training, good equipment, ample pay, abundant food, and assured a future…

While you, Schwabin, without much thought, are merely leading the vassals of Nante into their first battle.

Nonetheless, perhaps because he is a Count, both Baron Haiber and Baron Crescent fell for that line and fawned over him.

“Is that so? Your Excellency… we are looking forward to it.”

“I believe you will reward us generously if we win this battle. They say Count Helzman’s territory is quite rich…”

“Although we have not yet started the battle, why are you already thinking about the appetizers? Does that not burden you?”

While he says it’s a burden, the Count displayed an expression of entitlement.

The other Barons, aside from those two, also showed subtle hints of distress in their expressions, but not a single person, including myself, voiced that sentiment.

For the next two hours, we discussed who would take the vanguard and how to handle supplies.

Count Nante only participated earnestly when it came to the topic of the vanguard, completely showing no interest in the seemingly mundane matters of supplies, marching, or the soldiers’ pay.

In fact, it seemed as if he was even rubbing his eyes due to drowsiness.

At that sight, I thought it might be less troublesome to fight with only Count Helzman and our Croilet forces than to deal with this idiot.

The army won’t function properly if they don’t even prioritize the basics.

I’m really looking forward to seeing how miserable that pig becomes after this battle.

Yet, on another note, even if I have only embodied Siel von Croilet for a few days and thus haven’t seen his face much, imagining the worry and sorrow on the face of the viscount who trusted me and passed on his title makes me…

Feel an overwhelming sense of frustration; however, this is for the best… which only adds to the sorrow.

**

After the strategy meeting, I deliberately avoided the other Barons and returned to my quarters.

Today, I had asked the servant waiting at my lodging to let me enjoy a drink in solitude for the first time in a while…

As I returned to my lodgings with that thought, Balt stood at my door, as if waiting for me.

So to lighten my gloomy heart, I made a joke at Balt.

“Balt, why are you still awake? Did you run out of money to meet a girl? It can’t be helped. It’s before a sortie, after all! Here, have a gold coin. Take the guards with you.”

Upon hearing that, Balt looked at me with a serious expression and said,

“Your Excellency, you do not seem to be in good spirits… Is there anything troubling you?”

I waved my hand dismissively, pretending as if nothing were wrong.

“No, just go to bed. Tomorrow will be a day off, and I will tell you what our actions will be the day after tomorrow.”

After saying this, I forced a gold coin into Balt’s hand.

Receiving the gold coin, Balt silently departed without saying another word, murmuring to himself.

“I’m not sure what thoughts or dilemmas you might have… but the vassals of Croilet will follow you no matter what choices you make. So, if you need us, please call.”

From Balt’s murmured words, I felt his genuine feelings.

After hearing those words, I summoned a servant and ordered a bottle of the finest wine and some cheese to be brought.

Then, I locked the door and quietly drank while swallowing the guilt over my actions.

At the same time, I steeled my resolve to put my plans into action.

**

The next day, confirming that Balt and the other soldiers had gone according to my intention.

I then ordered a servant to prepare 20 gold coins and a letter to send to the two maids who had become the concubines of Schwabin.

Inside the letter, I wrote:

[Your Excellency Count Nante must surely feel uneasy before his first sortie. Therefore, comfort him with all your strength in bed. Also, whisper in his ear at the head of the bed, “As a Count, you will be able to perform feats more splendid than those knights in chivalric literature.” -Siel von Croilet-]

With this extent of planning, I will surely extract Count Nante’s teeth in this battle.