Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Return to the Territory
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"What is the Empire's reaction?"
"All the northern castles have barred their gates, Great Khan."
There were no survivors from Habun Castle, which had fallen to the elves. Every living being had met its end beneath their blades. Instead, the news spread to every castle in the north through the caravans and mercenaries who had come to the fortress.
'The elves have captured Habun Castle!'
The northern castles all locked their gates tight upon hearing that the elves—whom they had thought capable only of raids and plundering—had seized a fortress. Couriers raced from each castle toward the capital. The fall of Habun Castle to the elves was that shocking.
"We proposed negotiations, and they barricade themselves..."
The Khan made no effort to hide his displeasure. He had sent envoys, only for those barbarians to cut off their noses and ears. They called us barbarians, but who was truly acting like savages?
Moreover, his daughter had nearly been captured by humans and sold into slavery. She had survived and returned alone by sheer luck. The Khan drummed his fingers on the table.
"So, what should we do now?"
One of the elves who had bowed his head stepped forward at the Khan's question.
"Great Khan, our steppes are suitable for raising livestock but fall short when it comes to farming enough to feed our people. The Empire has exploited that weakness to fill their own pockets and look down on us, so I doubt they'll negotiate with us."
The other elves nodded in agreement. In their minds, humans were no different from blood enemies. Hadn't those same kin divided their own people, sowing discord while extorting outrageous profits on grain?
That was why the elves had always lived in poverty. The hard years of selling their precious livestock and hides for pennies, only to buy grain at exorbitant prices. Their rage had deepened further when the granaries of conquered Habun Castle spilled forth their contents.
"Just look at what those ruthless humans did to Bazaar. Dialogue is hopeless anyway. We should press on and capture their emperor to bring them to heel."
The elves unanimously called for striking the Empire. The Khan fell into thought for a moment before raising his hand and extending his fingers.
"Ten days. We'll wait ten days. If they show no sign of wanting to talk by then... we'll march on the Empire."
Clop-clop-clop...
The sound of hooves echoed loudly. The rumble of carriage wheels and the tramp of soldiers' boots were mere bonuses. They had originally planned to linger in the capital for another three days to sightsee, but the sudden elf subjugation order had changed everything.
With a summons issued to every lord in the Empire, they couldn't just sit idle. They had to return to the territory, gather troops, and head back up.
"Elves invading?"
"Just barbarians at best. Probably nothing more than their usual raids."
Having overheard bits of the story, the soldiers chattered freely, spouting whatever nonsense they knew about elves. Things like how elves broke prisoners on wagon wheels—or killed them all if they were taller than the wheel.
"Halt! We'll rest here!"
As dusk began to settle, the order to rest sent the soldiers scrambling to pitch tents for the lady and knights while preparing camp.
I tied Merlin to a tree and watched the bustle when Lenia approached first.
"What do you think of this elf subjugation? Didn't you speak as if you knew them well from the first war?"
I wondered what she wanted, but it turned out she was curious about elves. Truth be told, the only time I'd seen them myself was last time—the first and last. I'd just assumed nomadic elves were like Mongols or Jurchens.
"I don't know much about elves either... but this campaign is far too dangerous."
"Dangerous?"
"Didn't they say elves seized a castle? A northern one, no less—well-seasoned against elves."
"True. What's the problem with that?"
"Take the last siege as an example. Sieges require at least ten times the defenders' numbers on the attacking side—and even then, success isn't guaranteed."
Lenia seemed to grasp my point.
"Northern troops who know elves better than anyone defended with walls... and still lost. That means the elves number not thousands or two, but at least ten thousand."
Dozens of them could already turn the tide against thousands. Tens of thousands facing us head-on? Suicide. I decided to advise her.
"For this campaign, take the minimal force required. Plenty of nobles will want to earn merits besides us."
What happens when an agrarian empire clashes with a nomadic one born in the saddle? Especially on their home turf? Extreme example, but Earth had a parallel.
'The Tumu Crisis.'
The Ming emperor marched on the Mongols, got crushed, and was captured. History shows nomads overwhelmingly beating farmers. Honestly, I didn't want to go on this expedition at all, but it was the emperor's order...
Since we had to, better save troops. Lenia nodded, finding it plausible.
"Fair point. No sense wounding valuable soldiers in a war with no gain. But too few might draw the emperor's ire, so we'll hire mercenaries."
"Ahem... surely you're not referring to ours."
"Hmm...?"
She narrowed her eyes, giving me a playful look.
"Mercenaries who are awfully picky about jobs. How much?"
"Can't waste my precious troops on a war that's obviously doomed."
"Oh? Sounds like you'd prioritize your men even if Cligrove were in peril."
The expedition talk wrapped up, and we bantered with jokes and laughs. Though we parted midway. Lenia worried about me traveling alone and offered to escort to the castle, but I didn't want to trouble her and declined.
Besides, with Merlin, we arrived almost flying. Good riding practice too.
"My lord!"
"Milord!"
The castle nobles rushed out as if they'd been waiting for my arrival.
"Why the rush?"
"Of course we run to greet you, my lord."
"Exactly! You're the ruler of this territory!"
Such flattery. Knowing what they wanted, I pulled the document from my bosom and showed them.
"His Majesty has granted this territory to me, so from now on, it's officially Lucas Territory, not Sarisa."
They exchanged glances briefly before raising their arms in cheers. Like it or not, they were stuck with me now. But the hurrahs died quickly.
"Such enthusiasm is heartening. His Majesty has summoned lords for the elf subjugation—and with loyal men like you, I worry less."
"......."
The nobles' mouths snapped shut at the mention of the emperor's summons for elves. Knights excepted. I smiled at those avoiding my eyes. I'd expected nothing and had no intention of taking them. Waste of talent.
I clapped the now-silent nobles' shoulders with a laugh.
"No worries. I won't take you. Need someone to mind the territory while I'm gone."
"Haha! Yes, the territory needs stewards."
"Trust us!"
Amusing how they revived from grim faces with one word, but I let it pass. Couldn't take none, though... I called Cutter.
"Milord!"
Cutter wore armor—unusual—and it was scratched up like never before, as if clawed by blades or spears.
"Anything happen while I was away?"
He launched into "of course," saying they'd been hired for a succession dispute against triple their numbers. The hiring noble hadn't warned them of the scale, nearly dooming them, he grumbled.
Thankfully, training and hasty tactics shredded the conscripts for a win.
"Pay was fat, though. Nearly two pounds per man... Doppeltoner boys got six each."
"Wherever that territory was, its foundations are uprooted."
All mercenaries at two pounds each? Over two hundred already. Add Doppeltoners and the rivals' hires, and a minor territory would be bankrupt.
"Prepaid. And the third son didn't blink—financial state must be solid."
"Is that so?"
As Cutter finished, I grinned thinking of the incoming funds. Around three hundred pounds total pay meant twenty percent fee was sixty pounds earned from my seat.
No wonder MLMs thrive. Money duplicates without lifting a finger.
And fighting three-to-one without fleeing? Demand for my mercenaries would skyrocket. Nobles and caravans prefer reliable ones, price be damned.
"How's the fee handled?"
"Stored in the office, but..."
Sixty pounds—buy more grain? Expand the unit?
Pondering what best grew the territory, I decided on expansion over other uses. If the Empire lost this expedition, security would collapse.
All territories would seek mercenaries for order. Victory wouldn't ruin my business either—caravans resuming northern trade would hire us.
"Use the fee for gear and expand the unit. Doesn't have to be ex-soldiers—screen them and hire if they seem solid."