Chapter 100
Chapter 100
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Maxburg Reeducation (3)
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"This is a report sent by the guild master of the Black Bats who infiltrated Rothringen."
"He's already sent a report? I thought it would take at least two more days."
Lieutenant Short whispered to me in a low voice, even though there was no one around.
"Due to the intense clashes between citizens and soldiers in Rothringen City, it's become much easier to slip in and out."
If the castle's guard captain wasn't a fool, he'd be doing everything possible to maintain security around the castle. For him to report that entry and exit had become easier despite that...
The operation could already be considered a success.
⚙ Report from Black Bat Guild Master ⚙ The serfs harbor great resentment toward the guard captain and soldiers who failed to protect them. The nobles, distrusting the refugees, have reduced food rations to them. As a result, some serfs, declaring that death by soldiers or starvation was all the same, took up pitchforks and farm tools in protest and were executed days later. Such incidents continue, making internal control of the city increasingly difficult. Moreover, the city guard forces no longer fully trust each other. Finally, some troublemakers excluding our guild members were too zealous in their actions, got branded as rioters, and were hanged. It was infuriating news from Maxburg's perspective, but from mine, it was the best possible outcome.
First off, the guard captain could no longer conscript serfs into his defensive forces if I attacked the castle.
Even if he personally set aside his suspicions of the serfs, the other soldiers wouldn't trust them.
That meant losing about 60% of his available troops in practice.
And even now, before I'd closed in, those poor soldiers would be tormented by the fear of assassination and the physical exhaustion from constant duty.
A few months of siege like this, assuming no relief force arrived, and the gates would open without bloodshed.
However, we needed to lure Maxburg's forces to the desired location and crush them decisively...
So, I'd deliberately leak this information to make Maxburg rush in haste.
"Excellent. Lieutenant Short, have one of your subordinates ensure this letter reaches Duke Maxburg safely."
"Yes, sir."
Lieutenant Short left my tent immediately to summon one of his men.
Not long after, my adjutant, Major Frost, entered.
"Well done, Frost. Any word from your father or Baron Baldt?"
"Baron Frost reports he can arrive at the plains near Rothringen as early as tomorrow afternoon, or latest the morning after. Baron Baldt is marching in company units and should arrive the morning after."
"Perfect. Too perfect... No incidents?"
Frost continued his report in a calm voice.
"Baron Baldt attempted to besiege Salzburg, but the castle's guard captain, Sir Loengrin, was so thorough that even encircling it proved difficult. Plundering was impossible too, as Sir Loengrin had his men gather all goods and people beforehand..."
"So they passed by without gains. I wanted to strip their key trade city of Salzburg, but no helping it."
"Also, some soldiers under Baron Frost ignored orders to always mix beer with cold water, drank them separately, got sick, and collapsed."
"Trained them that thoroughly, and still... No helping it. Losses under 2% during march is a success anyway. I'll hear the full report when we meet. Thank you. With war imminent, limit soldiers to two cups of beer and one of wine per meal. Drunkards will be severely punished regardless of rank or title."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The day after I set up camp near Rothringen Plain to meet the enemy, Barons Baldt and Frost arrived and pitched theirs in response.
To commend their and their men's efforts, I distributed cattle, pigs, lamb, and a bit of alcohol for a feast.
Exaggerating slightly, there was so much meat that soldiers complained of meat breath, but alcohol was just enough to wet their whistles.
We couldn't bring camp followers this far, so no favorite girls either.
The next day, I gathered Baron Frost, Baldt, and their majors and above in my largest command tent for a briefing.
"Scout Major Valentine reporting as ordered. Duke Maxburg and his 40,000 troops are not at Hausenburg but near Helsman Castle at Mern. They've likely just passed Braunheim, and full assembly will take about seven days."
"Understood. Enemy's food and supplies?"
"Estimated at similar levels to ours. However, rank-and-file lack weapons and armor; only centurions and above seem issued with our territory's breastplates and helmets."
"Enemy morale?"
"High, thanks to generous merchant support and better rations. But nobles are deeply anxious about Rothringen possibly falling."
"Dismissed."
Major Valentine returned to his seat. I pointed to the map and continued.
"We'll fight decisively at Rothheim Plain, one kilometer left of here, and fortify this position to meet the enemy."
"Fortifications like wooden stakes or trenches to hinder knight charges?"
"Listen. We'll camp along this road linking Rothheim Plain and Rothringen. Here, we'll repel the enemy coming to relieve Rothringen."
The commanders nodded and spoke up.
"If Maxburg avoids battle here, he'd abandon his duty to protect his people. No one would follow him then."
"Exactly. Duke Maxburg has no choice but to clash with us. If those fools ignore Rothringen, the citizens will surrender to us outright. We'd take the Rothringen area bloodlessly. He won't allow that..."
As most commanders voiced approval, Baron Frost asked me gravely.
"But if we gain even a slight disadvantage, the enemy guard captain will lead soldiers and serfs to hit our rear. We'd be pincered. Your plan?"
As Frost pointed out, they'd strike our rear swiftly if they sensed weakness.
But if I didn't fight here, Duke Maxburg would surely maneuver us into an even worse position.
I addressed them firmly.
"Maxburg differs from the idiots we've faced. He's not complacent like young Baron Santoburg, nor dim like Schwein. Without these disadvantages, he'd... invade our territory outright."
"Even so... taking such risks..."
"The moment our lands are plundered, those low-morale serf soldiers' spirits rise with loot and rapine. Before long, elite troops emerge. You know it."
Of course, high morale alone doesn't make elites, but fresh conscripts who taste plunder see morale soar.
Concrete hope of gains, thrill of dominating the weak—it overrides fear of death, birthing plunder as the goal.
Desertion drops; their bearing in battle hardens, making them tougher foes.
Exaggerating, one plunder-tasted serf scares more than two untasted.
The commanders and knights, agreeing, nodded.
"As you say."
"For this battle, fearing spies or Maxburg preempting, I've hidden a secret weapon till now. Baron Frost, did you bring the black soil from Brime's hold last?"
"Yes, sir. But why order soil specifically?"
I replied playfully.
"You'll see. Something fun."
Soon, a soldier brought the black soil.
I placed a bit on a white saucer in view of all.
Then dropped an ember on it.
Bang! The soil and saucer exploded.
The knights and commanders, stunned by the unforeseen boom—like thunder—rotten stench, and black smoke, froze wide-eyed.
Baldt quipped,
"Sounds just like thunder, sir."
Pretending nonchalance, but shocked enough for formal 'yo' speech in official setting.
I grinned.
"We'll fight with Rothringen gates at our back, stakes and trenches only to the rear. Leave the phalanx's weakest left flank open. All knights dismount, prepare as heavy infantry reserves. Dismissed. No objections? Construction starts tomorrow."