Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Even a Treacherous Subject Has His Uses
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With the overall plan now decided, the next crucial step was to determine which route each force would take for their advance.
However, even in a war where the overarching objective is aligned, internal politics and scheming begin to seep in. Duke Cremel, using his authority as the commander-in-chief, assigned Count Valderian the route that involved breaking through the territories offering the fiercest resistance. It was a blatant attempt to force him to deplete his knights and soldiers.
'I wish they'd just focus on the war itself.'
"Is it too much to ask?"
"No, it's possible. However, our march might be somewhat slower."
"It's a feint anyway, so just make it a war of attrition. But don't forget to come when the rallying messenger calls."
'...If the march is slower, won't we arrive later? Are they planning to pin the blame for any potential failure of the war on me?'
He felt a surge of anger and wanted to pick apart the logic, but Count Valderian decided to let it go for now. With a primary objective in place, causing internal strife here and now wouldn't do any good. Besides, if things played out this way, it gave him a perfect excuse to fight cautiously and conserve his own strength. Count Valderian concealed his true intentions.
"Good. Now that the routes are set, let's depart. May the Goddess's blessing be with you all."
"Yes!"
"Understood."
The war had finally begun in earnest. It was now an irreversible civil war. The Imperial army split into three and began their advance in full force.
Their movements were relayed to the Barony of Vanilo through scouts, messengers, carrier birds, and signal fires.
Baron Vanilo was still spending dreamlike days with his beautiful wife, having delegated full authority to Prime Minister Neumel. Therefore, it was she who sat in the seat at the head of the table.
"T-trouble! It seems the army sent by the Emperor has finally begun its advance. They've split their forces into three, apparently intent on a full-scale suppression. Judging by the banner crests, the armies appear to be from the Cremel family, the Valderian family, and the Imperial Capital Guard—three in total."
"Damn it! Did the threat to burn the grain not work? And... the Valderian and Cremel families?!"
"Hmm, it seems they're prepared to bear the cost. In any case, we must respond, mustn't we?"
"Of course we must intercept! Isn't that right? They're entering our lands! If we do nothing, the damage will be immense!"
What noble families fear most is the destruction of their territories and the extinction of their house. Therefore, some families had already surrendered to the Imperial side, cooperating by clearing the way or providing soldiers and provisions. Other families were currently watching the situation very carefully.
However, there were inevitably families that could not surrender—those closely tied to the Barony of Vanilo or those deeply indebted to them.
"What is the estimated troop size?"
"Approximately 80,000 combined! Estimated at 30,000 from Duke Cremel's house, 25,000 from the Imperial Capital Guard, and 25,000 from the Valderian family. On our side... even if we scrape together every last man we can conscript, the limit is 50,000."
Previously, it was said the Barony of Vanilo could mobilize 100,000 troops with a single command, but that number was only achievable by pooling the forces of vassals and allied nobles for an offensive or expedition. Alone, the barony's limit was 50,000.
While 50,000 might seem like a lot, the armies of the Valderian family, the Imperial Capital Guard, and Duke Cremel's house were all properly equipped, battle-hardened units that had been defending the borders. They had to leave reserves behind, hence the 80,000 figure. In contrast, the Barony of Vanilo's 50,000 were essentially peasant soldiers—all able-bodied men conscripted after leaving only the bare minimum needed to maintain villages and territory, simply handed weapons.
"Of course, if we push further and conscript middle-aged men, the elderly... even women... the number could increase, but..."
"In any case, devise a strategy to respond as best you can. After all, I am ultimately an outsider. Hehehe."
"Ah, understood. That's only natural. Anyway, as initially planned, we'll first burn half of all food supplies... then send reinforcements to the territories where the three armies are heading to intercept..."
'Hehehe, how foolish~ They have no idea of the enemy's numbers? Well, I suppose it can't be helped for humans who prioritize their territory and family.'
Prime Minister Neumel smiled as she watched the foolishly reacting vassals of the Barony of Vanilo. Regardless of whose pawn she was, she had already discerned the enemy's tactics.
Clearly, the Emperor currently desired a 'short war.' Splitting the army like this forced the nobles, who feared their lands being ravaged, to intercept. It was a scheme to draw the army out of the baron's castle.
'...And once they come out, they'll probably split and merge their forces like ghosts and push straight for the baron's castle, right?'
Even if it was obvious, if the opponent had no choice but to fall for it, it was a good strategy. However, what Duke Cremel overlooked was that when using such a blatant method, he failed to account for other variables that could twist his strategy.
Prime Minister Neumel smiled as if everything was going according to plan and decided to wait for the right moment.
Day 1 of the War.
The three armies, having split up for their advance, arrived at territories under the Barony of Vanilo's command.
Duke Cremel and the Imperial Capital Guard entered territories that had preemptively agreed to surrender, achieving bloodless entries. However, the Valderian family, from the very start, faced fierce resistance and had to conduct a siege.
"Kyaaaaah!"
"Don't fall back! Climb! Climb, I said!"
"So this is the air of real battle, Father. Hoo..."
"Indeed, Cedron. This is the scene a warrior who wields a sword will gaze upon for a lifetime."
The head of the Valderian family, the Count, stood side by side with his son and heir, Cedron, watching the soldiers and knights conducting the siege. Cedron keenly felt how utterly foul the air of an actual battlefield was as he watched archers shooting from the walls, battering rams and siege engines pounding the gates, and soldiers climbing ladders only to die in fierce combat.
"Anyway... the resistance is fierce, but they have few knights, and it's not a castle we can't breach. It's just a matter of time. By the way, tell me more about that... relic story. That Beonald fellow broke the seal on the relic as soon as he arrived, you said?"
Although the war was in full swing, from the perspective of Count Valderian, who had long been on battlefields, the outcome was already estimated. While waiting for news of victory, he began conversing with his son about family matters, as they hadn't had a proper chance to discuss this issue amidst the war preparations and organization.
"Yes, Father. He did it right before my eyes. He said it was difficult, but... he proceeded surprisingly smoothly. It was almost as if he knew in advance."
"That's truly an astonishing story. If it's true, he is undoubtedly a talent we must not let slip away. Hmm~ We should definitely take him as a son-in-law, right?"
"Yes. While there are issues with his lineage, if he's this exceptional, it actually balances out perfectly."
"Exactly! To think that having lowborn blood mixed in is actually a reassuring factor... it's utterly baffling!"
If he were that outstanding and had good lineage, one might worry he could plot rebellion. However, the fact that mercenary blood was mixed in, making his lineage 'poor,' alleviated that concern. With lineage like that, he couldn't gain support from other nobles or form a faction easily, making him a worry-free candidate for a son-in-law.
"However, the burden on you will be great, Cedron. There's no guarantee that fellow will hold loyalty to our family. You must always be wary."
"Yes, Father."
"By the way, I'm worried about who to marry him to. Hmm~ All my daughters are already betrothed."
"That's one thing, but first... aren't you worried whether he'll even accept? He already has numerous women with him."
"Hmm, that's surprisingly simple. We just need to attach an offer he absolutely cannot refuse. For instance... grant him a baron's title and territory, wouldn't that do?"
"Oh... Truly a brilliant plan. Ah... The castle gates are opening, Father!"
"Hmm, they surrendered faster than expected. Let's go."
Thus, the Valderian army succeeded in capturing the castle despite fierce resistance. As the family head needed to negotiate with the noble inside, he cut the conversation short and proceeded forward.
Day 2 of the War.
Fatigued from the long march and the first siege, the Valderian army decided to rest for a day in the captured castle. The Cremel army and the Imperial Capital Guard continued their advance, arriving at a resisting castle and commencing a siege.
At this time, the support troops organized by the Barony of Vanilo's three armies departed, and the war truly intensified.
Cremel Army Headquarters.
Originally, the route taken by the Cremel army was composed of territories whose lords had surrendered in advance via messengers. The first territory went as predicted, and this one should have too. However, the damned lord had deceived Duke Cremel with a ruse, luring part of their army inside the castle walls, then ambushing them, inflicting significant casualties.
"Damn it! Had I known this, I would have sent that Valderian bastard this way!"
"A ruse... And wasn't the lord's son over there... a 3rd-circle mage or something?"
"That's why I'm even angrier! He probably thought of that! Pointless loss of troops... Utterly displeasing. The moment that castle falls, I'll bury the lord and all his family members alive!"
"Your Grace, you must not forget our original strategy."
"Right. I was so angry I forgot myself for a moment. Anyway, remember that castle! Once we eliminate Baron Vanilo, we'll also wipe out that castle's lord and all his kin!"
Thus, with Duke Cremel's anger over the setback, their army continued the siege. As the sun set and evening came, the light cavalry scouts sent ahead to Baron Vanilo's castle returned, bringing news that a large number of reinforcements had finally departed from the Barony of Vanilo.
"Good, just as planned. Then we too shall split our forces and depart as planned! Inform the other armies of this fact and order them to act according to the plan."
Sensing that things were proceeding as planned, Duke Cremel split his forces. He left a small contingent behind to feign continuation of the siege, pretending it was a night attack, while secretly withdrawing the main army and marching straight for Baron Vanilo's castle.
Similarly, upon receiving the news, the Imperial Capital Guard and the Valderian army also quickly divided their forces, withdrew, and began their march towards Baron Vanilo's castle.
Day 3 of the War.
The Imperial armies marched cautiously, taking detours to avoid any encounter with Baron Vanilo's forces. Since the support troops sent by the baron's vassals were bound to take the fastest route, there was no encounter; only the feigned sieges were conducted and concluded.
Day 4 of the War.
Duke Cremel's army and the Imperial Capital Guard arrived first at Baron Vanilo's castle. The Valderian army, having taken a detour, ended up entering the territory of a fiercely resisting noble, getting caught up in their ambush and a field battle. They sent a messenger ahead to inform they would likely be delayed.
Duke Cremel, thinking they too had no choice since they'd also fallen for a ruse once, surveyed the plains surrounding Baron Vanilo's castle.
"I wondered if it was possible... They really burned half of it. That madman! Grrr..."
The plains showed wheat fields turning a golden hue. However, half of that area was charred black, scattering dark ash, presenting a desolate sight. They had seen smoke and fire on the way, but Duke Cremel never imagined they would actually burn half the grain just before harvest. He let out a low groan and ordered the soldiers and knights to prepare for the siege.
"From here on, it's a race against time! Hurry! We must decide the outcome before the enemy reinforcements return!"
At Duke Cremel's command, the soldiers moved in unison, assembling battering rams and siege engines, while the knights dismounted and prepared to scale the walls.
Having fallen perfectly for the decoy, the Barony of Vanilo, now with critically few troops, watched this spectacle in a state of mental collapse. The forces remaining in the castle numbered a mere 2,000 at most. In contrast, the opposing forces appeared to number at least 50,000.
They had sent out as much support as possible to prevent their territories from being overwhelmed, precisely because their own forces were thin. Having been completely outmaneuvered, the baron's vassals could only look at each other with helpless expressions.
Prime Minister Neumel, thinking the time had finally come for her to step in, rose from the baron's chair and opened her mouth.