Chapter 96

When I asked the top student from my school, who I used to be close with, for a guaranteed method to win a fight, he replied like this.

“First, whether it’s one-on-one, two-on-one, or three-on-one, take down one person and crush them first. Then the others won’t dare to touch you. And then? You win.”

If this were put into action in war, it would be a case of isolating and defeating the enemy.

And now, to confront the great power of Romania, as the top student said, I must first crush Maxburg.

However, that’s easier said than done; the opponent possesses at least double the troops I do.

They won’t be like the foolish Schwabin I defeated, entering with their guard down; they will calculate every possible scenario before advancing.

No matter how superior the quality of my soldiers is, if a competent commander with double the forces comes against us…

Analyzing the situation coldly, while it’s true that our higher-quality troops have a strong chance of winning, achieving complete victory, which is my goal, will be difficult.

Then I might consider a defense strategy that could secure victory even against three times the enemy’s numbers, but if we allow our wealthy territory to be pillaged compared to others…

The desire for plunder among the enemy’s conscripts and mercenaries would rise, boosting their morale.

If those who are already attacking us with more than double the forces gain morale, the duke will surely use that to rally more ruffians from his territory.

Thus, the only strategy I can adopt is one.

“To eliminate any capability of the enemy to fight back at a speed that leaves them dazed.”

So, I finalized my operational plan one last time.

Damn, a war that pits our army against the enemy’s like Eslon or Stuttgart was simpler.

Given the situation, if we win this war, I’ll set up a military academy and reform the young officers with sharp minds as staff.

**

In a conference room filled with a huge wooden signboard, a long table, and many chairs,

My father and high-ranking commanders with titles above knights, including Count Walt, Count Frost, and Beerman, were gathered to discuss.

“There has never been an easy war we’ve fought, but to think we would fight the prince of Romania…”

“I can’t believe it; still, we will win, right?”

“We have already won until now, and with our 25,000 troops and 500 knights, not to mention 4,000 cavalry, we should be able to win unless a fool like Schwabin is in command! Right, Colonel Beerman?”

“Baron Frost’s Excellency is correct. With a count as the commander, we have nothing to worry about.”

Perhaps because we have shown overwhelming victories in the past two battles, the commanders were filled with confidence in our victory.

In this case, there would be no need for a long speech to boost morale before starting the meeting.

Then, I just needed to introduce our new ally, and we could proceed.

Next, I set up the map for the operational meeting and said to them in a light-hearted tone.

“A few months ago, the swine from Maxburg sent us some rats. So, I, Siel von Croilet, sent them a small merchant fleet to repay the favor. By now, I’m sure His Excellency the Duke of Maxburg is shedding tears of gratitude for my generosity.”

As soon as I finished speaking, laughter filled the conference room.

“Thus, the magnificent Duke of Maxburg is certainly preparing for war to repay us with dignity and grandeur. Though the invitation to the party hasn’t arrived, I’m sure he’ll invite you all. So, let’s start preparing for the banquet. Before that, Captain Brime! Please stand up.”

Hearing that, Brime, dressed in a uniform adorned with golden threads on a black background and a blue garment with golden embroidery, hesitated slightly before standing.

It seems being stared at by numerous nobles is somewhat burdensome for a peasant, or rather, a criminal who was a pirate.

However, he soon looked at me and introduced himself in a clear voice.

“I am Captain Brime of the Navy. I plundered merchant ships in the sea near Maxburg under the command of His Excellency and, as a result, became a soldier of Count Croilet. I look forward to your guidance.”

Once he finished speaking, everyone looked at Brime with a cautious gaze, but since he had successfully blocked coastal routes and plundered merchant ships near Maxburg, no one said much.

Although they might have some inner dissatisfaction, if he achieves merits in this war, he will soon be accepted as a member of our territory.

“Brime will play a very important role in this war, so I hope you won’t be too concerned about his past. Now, let’s start the meeting, Sebastian!”

Once I finished speaking, Sebastian handed me my baton.

I then pointed to Linzburg, the nearest city to us, and the capital of the Duke of Maxburg, Rothlingen.

“First, Baron Frost will organize 200 knights and 1,500 men-at-arms under his command. The Frost unit will plunder all villages near the coastlines of Linzburg and Rothlingen.”

After hearing my instructions, Frost seemed to think it was nonsensical, making a bewildered expression.

“However, if we only take knights and men-at-arms, the supply will not hold out. In that case, we would need to form wagons, but those men-at-arms won’t make themselves useful to carry cargo. Also, if we have to move wagons, our speed will inevitably decrease, which could lead to isolation in enemy territory.”

“Therefore, Baron Frost, your unit will board Brime’s ship to move. Brime will carry the supplies you require.”

“However, we cannot yet trust Brime. Just a few months ago, Captain Brime was a pirate, and he has only just begun to serve under Your Excellency. I cannot stake my life and that of my retainers on such a person.”

Although I have offered Brime stability, prosperity, and hope for the future, that is merely his matter.

As Frost stated, Brime could betray us whenever it suits him.

And in preparation for that, I had already devised a Plan B.

“If Brime does not follow the designated route at sea or betrays us, you may kill him immediately. Should he run away leaving you behind, consume the looted food and rejoin nearby troops.”

“Yes, understood. The situation is a bit unclear, but we definitely won’t lose to mere pirates… We should be able to find a way out.”

“Good, next is Baron Walt.”

Upon hearing that, Walt’s eyes sparkled as he spoke.

“I will follow the orders. Your Excellency!”

“Take a separate unit of 5,000 soldiers, 100 knights, and 700 men-at-arms to plunder around Salzburg. If circumstances allow, you may besiege or capture Salzburg.”

“Yes, Your Excellency. However, Salzburg is quite deep inland. In the worst case, supplies may be cut off…”

“Do not worry about that. Duke Maxburg would never think we’d split our forces. Therefore, the enemy…”

Then, I pinned a representation of a bird of prey holding the food symbolizing Maxburg into the plains near Hauzenburg.

“Duke Maxburg will surely not anticipate our split and will concentrate all his forces at Hauzenburg to repel us deep within his territory. If not, he will at least gather his troops near our territory.”

Hearing this, my father seemed skeptical of my strategy and asked, even though it wasn’t a conversation situation.

“If we advance first, Duke Maxburg, being no fool, will certainly return to attack us. Wouldn’t we risk being isolated and defeated with our smaller forces?”

“We are an elite army comprised solely of trained soldiers, and in the worst case, we can march to gather in company units. Therefore, we will move faster than their conscripted soldiers, who are often in groups of hundreds or thousands. Consequently, anyone should be able to gather quickly upon sighting the enemy’s retreat, with no unit more than 30 kilometers apart from one another.”

Upon hearing this, the nobles appeared relieved as if they no longer worried about being isolated without any countermeasures.

To reassure my subordinates, I also handed over the papers indicating the weaknesses I had identified to those in front of me.

The reactions of the nobles reading the papers I gave varied, but all rejoiced at the good news I provided.

“No, Your Excellency. Is this true?”

“Does that mean that the wretch from Maxburg has started facing pressure from his creditors and will become broke if he loses this war?”

“To think we can strip that pompous duke, who always acts high and mighty, of everything and take down the conniving duke of Romania… This truly feels wonderful.”

“Your Excellency had it all planned out!”

Thus, everyone enjoyed a brief cheerful moment, discussing the sight of the Duke of Romania suffering under creditor pressure.

To enliven the atmosphere, I clapped my hands and said.

“Thus, we will plunder every home, wealth, food, and property in the enemy’s villages and make them our own. With Duke Maxburg getting pressed, he will surely come rushing to attack us. Then we will…”

I placed the representation of Maxburg into the plains near Rothlingen.

“Completely annihilate them on the plains of Rothlingen and claim victory.”

**

After the meeting concluded, Lieutenant Short, who was in charge of intelligence, approached me and said.

“Your Excellency, the machine has finally been completed.”

“Really? I will reward those who built it generously. By the way, how are the new priests dispatched to the rural areas doing?”

“From what my reconnaissance team has found, it seems that the priests, who were once starving and poor serfs while wandering and preaching, are working hard. The serfs, moved by their dedication, have been bringing them food daily, and they are reportedly gaining weight.”

At the educational and welfare level, we had doubled the number of priests in the village from one to two, and both seem to be doing their jobs well.

So, I asked with a satisfied tone.

“Is the Bible distributed four copies in each village?”

“Already distributed, and the village heads often gather the serfs to read the Bible translated into Franche.”

“Perfect, thank you. Now let’s make 3 more machines, and for the 2 defective ones, we will just put them away in storage on the grounds of being slightly faulty.”

Hearing that, Short seemed to have some doubt but soon bowed his head and said.

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

Phew… If everything goes as I’ve set up, the Maxburg family might no longer be able to maintain their status as a prince.

Surely, Maxburg would be delighted to be demoted from a difficult prince to an ordinary lord?