Chapter 45

Since the establishment of the war plans, the preparation period necessary to commence the conquest war roughly spans about three months.

Firstly, during the first month, officials are dispatched to all territories under the Count’s domain to assess the number of recruits available for conscription, purchasing necessary supplies accordingly.

These supplies obviously include weapons such as swords, spears, lances, shields, bows, arrows, crossbows, as well as food like flour, barley flour, salted meat, and even alcohol.

After identifying the supplies and conscription numbers, the next month is spent visiting various locations to conscript soldiers while ensuring that there are no issues regarding the situation in enemy territory and the planned routes, gathering the scattered armies of the barons near Count Nante’s castle.

Thus, even though it’s a total of three months, due to the enthusiastic urging of Count Schwabin to hurry along his barons and nobles…

We had to complete all preparations in just two months.

Fortunately, our Croilet had most of its soldiers as standing troops, making it easier to manage supplies, so there were no significant issues in matching the timeline…

However, the barons and nobles under the Count must have prepared like they were roasting beans on a lightning bolt.

Given that in this era’s military, even with ‘perfect preparation’, accidents could happen from the most unexpected places, it’s baffling that they were rushing like this when there was no urgency…

Unaware of my feelings, Schwabin, dressed in armor adorned with gold patterns, looked down at me and the soldiers from the highest tower of the castle and said,

“O brave warriors of the noble Count Nante’s domain, rejoice! For you shall achieve glorious victories in today’s first battle!! The goddess of victory is already smiling down upon us!!”

I had intentionally included details about how to inspire a monarch of such character by ‘encouraging them after the act in bed’ in my interactions with the women I had sent as spies…

But I never thought he would fall into such a level of self-delusion.

Regardless of whether the soldiers were listening, Count Schwabin planted his sword firmly into the ground before continuing his speech.

“O fortunate knights advancing to this victorious war with me, brave warriors!! Today, I pledge my name that after I, Schwabin von Nante, conquer the arrogant Count Helzman, I shall reward your merits sufficiently! Those who seek more land, more wealth, and more women, follow me!!!”

After finishing his words, Schwabin clenched his right fist tightly, raising it high.

In response, several soldiers who looked like cheerleaders erupted in cheers.

“Glory to the Count Nante family! Honor to Count Schwabin!”

“Long live Count Nante!!!”

“O great god, protect our lord as he wages a righteous war!!”

Before long, other soldiers began to join in the cheers as the atmosphere grew more vibrant.

When over ten thousand soldiers shouted in unison, the massive noise felt like the heavens themselves were shaking against my ears.

Then Count Schwabin smiled, raised both his arms to calm the soldiers, and shouted loudly,

“I, Schwabin von Nante, guarantee it! Villages that resist may be burned, and spoils may be taken. Fulfill your desires and hunger, your greed! All troops, advance!!!”

As per the earlier arrangements, I, tasked with leading the vanguard of Count Nante’s army, shouted the designated lines to mobilize the troops.

“O glorious warriors of Croilet, who take charge of the vanguard! Be grateful for the chance to uphold the noble will of Count Nante! All troops, advance!!”

All the soldiers, trained systematically, followed me on horseback, marching in orderly ranks and files as taught during drill and march training.

As a result, we managed to exit the castle gates as if we were a single entity.

As we passed through the castle gates, people pre-prepared by the Count began showering us with various flowers to boost the soldiers’ morale.

The bright expressions on the faces of the soldiers, experiencing such a welcome for the first time, contrasted with my frown at the luxurious event prepared by the Count.

Because to gather such a large quantity of flowers along our route, the serfs must have spent several nights digging in the mountains.

“How pathetic…”

Balt, riding beside me, looked at me and asked.

“Well, don’t soldiers like it?”

“Balt, the soldiers might, but… the serfs who gathered those flowers must have spent sleepless nights doing so. If it were our Croilet, we would provide ‘adequate compensation’ for such an event, but most lords…”

Hearing that, Balt’s expression twisted.

“They must have suffered for days without any compensation. They probably couldn’t do their farming during that time…”

“Exactly, and that would only lead to lost support from the populace. It’s madness.”

A moment of silence passed between Balt and me as we walked forward under the scattered shower of flowers…

When suddenly, a heavy paper flower bouquet flew towards me.

Seeing it, Balt smiled and said,

“A paper bouquet, huh? I’ve never seen one of these before. Whoever handed it to you must be a good friend… To throw a paper bouquet at the vanguard leader…”

I temporarily ignored his comment and searched for a letter hidden within the paper bouquet.

After a moment, I found the letter tucked inside.

As expected, it contained the names of the two maids I had sent to the Count, ‘Iine and Sylph.’

Hastily unfolding the contents, I found them filled with explicit details about the Count’s private life, more than I had wanted.

**

After completing our march, we relocated to ‘Bautman Area,’ located along the border of Count Nante and Count Helzman over a week.

Fortunately, even though we hurriedly prepared for departure, we did not face a situation of inadequate supplies of food or alcohol.

However, true to medieval armies, the Count’s troops and those of other barons began to experience the first signs of desertion.

Yesterday, at a strategic meeting held to discuss detailed war strategies, it was reported that around 1% of the total troops had deserted.

If 1% of the troops had deserted in modern warfare, commanders would consider it an ‘incredibly large number,’ recalculating morale and strategies accordingly…

But in this world, where it has become official that one out of every ten conscripted serfs will desert before they even face battle, this percentage is rather low.

Thus, Count Croilet had been quite worried about me until our departure, but now that he saw desertions were relatively few, he seemed relieved.

Honestly, had I been in the same situation, with no salary and unable to work on the fields for my livelihood, I would have wished to desert as well.

Moreover, desertion surveillance isn’t as thorough as in modern times, and without a proper registration system, there are no real consequences unless one is caught on-site…

Reflecting on this incomprehensible situation reminds me of something I heard in a certain famous documentary.

“Man, it feels medieval.”

Truly, the medieval era seems beyond understanding from a modern perspective.

As these thoughts swirled in my mind, I led my horse forward until we arrived at Bautman.

As we approached the border of Bautman, the bailiff overseeing the area and his subordinates were already waiting to greet us.

Upon seeing me, they quickly kneeled and lowered their heads to show respect.

“Are you Baron Siel von Croilet?”

“Yes.”

“As commanded, we have prepared 50 tons of flour, 50 tons of barley flour, 50 pigs, 1000 chickens, and supplies like beer from the storeroom. Additionally, we have gathered women from nearby villages and towns for entertainment for the nobles and soldiers. Please stamp this document.”

After saying this, the bailiff handed me the ‘document.’

Before stamping it, I took one last look at the bailiff from atop my horse and asked for confirmation.

“Is there no falsehood in this?”

The bailiff trembled in fear, evidently intimidated by my inquiry as a baron, and replied,

“Of course not, my lord…”

“Good, I shall choose to believe it.”

After saying that, I stamped the document the bailiff handed me.

**

A few hours later, the Count and other barons came looking for me at the vanguard.

While the soldiers set up the camp for their resting and impromptu banquet, we began to talk about ‘the future war’ and various trivial matters.

After chatting for several hours, a messenger entered with a report.

“I report that the preparations for the feast for the soldiers have been completed.”

Upon hearing this, the Count, who had been wearing a sullen expression, brightened.

“Is that so? Thank you for letting me know. Everyone, enjoy the last feast before we go into battle.”

With that command for everyone to leave, all the barons left the Count’s tent quickly.

As I prepared to exit, the Count grasped my shoulder and said,

“I trust you negotiated well with the bailiff. So while you’re in the vanguard, there’s no need to report on the supplies. However, do ensure that Baron Croilet conducts occasional inspections.”

“Yes, I understand.”

No matter how equitable Baron Croilet is as a guardian, given that he and I share a ‘father-son relationship,’ one never knows when we might conspire together…

Entrusting us with the supply management in this relationship could lead to us withholding ‘corrupted supplies’ and ‘poor quality food,’ resulting in non-combat losses like food poisoning and monetary losses…

Sure, although I might dislike the Count, I wouldn’t think to sell my conscience for such trivial benefits…

That guy really is a foolish idiot.

**

That day, the soldiers without pay and other nobles enjoyed a wild feast before entering enemy territory.

I quietly had a few drinks with Ela and… no, not quietly… rather vigorously…

In any case, I woke up without any incidents.

Then, we continued our march for a few days until we finally arrived at the battlefield of the Linz Plains.

As expected, the enemy had already set up camp with over ten thousand infantry and hundreds of knights.

When our vanguard encountered the enemy’s scouts, I, wanting to let them know we had arrived, ‘intentionally’ allowed a scout to escape and shouted towards our troops.

“Everyone, pick up the pace!! Our goal is Count Helzman’s castle and the city of Helzman! Move faster than the enemy and completely surround their city!”

The die was cast, and now Count Schwabin and Count Helzman will surely drag each other into the ‘mire.’