Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Preparing to Part with the Pig (3)
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The count looked at me with a dumbfounded expression and asked,
"We're not just planning to set up camp a bit away and attack separately when we launch our assault—no, you're saying we'll go ahead first and encircle them? Isn't that completely against the basics of warfare?"
Just as he said, dividing our forces after entering enemy territory was utterly against common sense, something any commander should naturally avoid.
Even looking at it purely mathematically, Count Helsman's forces were about 10, while those of County Nant, including me, totaled around 20.
If I pulled out, we'd only have a 1.5 times advantage at best.
And naturally, I'd be heading to the vanguard against more than double our numbers, so I'd likely come back shattered...
But everything depended on my actions and the timing.
"You're right. As you said, in a standard battle, we'd face more than double our numbers and risk near-total annihilation. However... everyone, please look at the map."
With that, I took my command baton from my belt and moved the pieces symbolizing Count Nant's army and Count Helsman's forces to the spot where we'd clash: the Lints Plain. Then I continued.
"That's why our Kroitel forces will march together up to near the Lints Plain. And at the point where we face off against Count Helsman, the Kroitel army will detour separately toward Helsman City."
Finishing my words, I moved the knight piece symbolizing Baron Kroitel's army right in front of Helsman City.
The moment I placed the piece, Count Nant gave a glance to Baron Sercland, signaling him.
A moment later, Baron Sercland raised an objection.
"Not a bad plan. But won't we be splitting our main force within Count Helsman's territory? If I were Helsman, the instant I got word of that move, I'd wheel my army around and smash your forces. You have numbers, but most are infantry, aren't they? They wouldn't stand a chance against a knight charge."
A mounted knight's charge was devastating.
Against peasants without proper armor, a single lance could skewer up to three, and factoring in those trampled by the horses along the way...
A square formation of nothing but peasants hit by knights would lose roughly 2 to 5 per knight.
Of course, our unit was equipped with breastplates for all and had undergone proper military training, so we wouldn't drop like that...
Even in a fully formed pike square, we'd take massive casualties.
So I nodded, signaling agreement with Baron Crescent's point, and said,
"As you said, our infantry may be somewhat armed, but they can't withstand a knight charge. However, just as you mentioned, the chance of our Kroitel army facing their full, intact force is close to zero."
Hearing that, the count looked at me and asked,
"And what's the reason for that?"
"First, our marching speed is far faster than theirs. So even starting from similar positions, we can reach Helsman City much quicker. And unless Count Helsman is a fool, would he dare show his back to Your Excellency Count Nant's army, which holds a 1.5 times numerical superiority?"
In truth, the Kroitel army marched with portable rations like hardtack and salted meat, and since everyone was a 'trained standing army,' we could move much faster than a force made up of mere peasants.
Just a month ago, in that 40-kilometer march right before hitting Baron Celt and Baron Santoburg, we'd moved 1.5 times faster than a typical army of this era.
So if we started from comparable positions, we were bound to arrive at Helsman City first.
No, even if we marched much slower than them, attacking us would trap them in a pincer between Count Nant's army and our Kroitel forces...
They'd be caught in an inescapable snare.
A commander with any sense, like Count Helsman, wouldn't even consider it. He'd let the Kroitel baron's army go ahead to besiege his county capital, even if it meant that.
That way, he could commit his full strength to crushing Count Nant first, then deal with our halved remnants more easily.
To highlight the strengths of my devised tactic, I pressed on.
"And think about it. Even assuming no reinforcements from the city right away since the Lints Plain, our decisive battlefield, is about seven days from their base... they only need to hold out a week to get fresh reinforcements without expending any effort. But if I'm besieging their castle, they won't dare send out relief forces lightly."
I'd laid out an irrefutable plan, but now Baron Hyber stepped up in opposition.
"Helsman City has 10,000 citizens, and County Helsman alone has over 150,000 people! If they're in danger, they could conscript them for a counterattack! You'd be isolated then."
It sounded plausible at first glance, but it was nonsense.
Because if they'd already stripped every last baron under Count Helsman for 10,000 troops, the remaining manpower would all be 'too old or unfit for service' types.
And untrained soldiers? Even 5,000 of them, we'd beat them handily.
What's more...
I snorted at that, then pretended to be angry, ripping off my glove as if challenging him to a duel, and said,
"Enough! Even if you're a baron older than me, that's rude! Setting aside everything else, scraping together the city's 10,000 citizens and garrison gives you maybe 1,500 at most. Are you saying our Kroitel forces would lose to twice our number even while besieging them? And gathering all the peasants in County Helsman would take over a month at least—do you seriously doubt His Excellency the Count could win with 1.5 times their numbers even after that?!"
I said it that way, but if His Excellency the Count viewed war as some romantic tale from chivalric literature, coldly speaking, he might still lose even like this.
He pretended to heed the sensible advice from the barons around him now, but that type of lord always stepped in at crucial moments when he shouldn't, ruining everything.
In fact, this guy hadn't even shown up when I was declared war on—he'd extracted 3,000 gold coins based on a feudal contract I'd already lost any claim to.
After I shouted like that, a moment later Count Nant strode up to Baron Hyber and berated him loudly.
"Baron Kroitel's right! I can tolerate anything else, but are you saying you think I'll lose to some old count's army that's missing its right arm and outnumbered?! Baron Hyber! Are you daring to insult my honor?!"
I'd intended it, but he was so empty-headed it was easy to manipulate.
Hearing that, Baron Hyber dropped to his knees, begging the count's forgiveness.
"How could I ever insult Your Excellency's honor? I only said it out of care for you... Forgive me, Your Excellency."
The sight of a much older baron discarding his dignity and groveling under his authority must have pleased him greatly, as the count smirked and extended his right hand.
"I forgive you."
"I am deeply grateful, Your Excellency."
"Be more careful next time. This is my first campaign, true... but surely I'll do far better than my vassal Baron Kroitel's debut?"
He truly had no idea of his own place.
Sure, the 'first campaign' condition was the same for me and that pig, but our preparations were worlds apart.
I'd given my soldiers a year of training, good gear, high pay, ample food, and assured futures...
You, Schwein, are just a fledgling leading Nant's vassals into your first battle with no plan.
Still, being a count apparently carried weight, as Barons Hyber and Crescent swallowed it hook, line, and sinker, fawning over him.
"Is that so, Your Excellency? We look forward to it."
"If we win this battle, I trust you'll reward us handsomely. They say the villages in County Helsman are quite prosperous..."
"The battle hasn't even started, and you're already on appetizers! Don't you think that's putting pressure on me?"
He said it was pressure, but the count wore an expression like it was only natural.
The other barons, excluding those two, showed faint signs of exasperation at the reaction, but not a single one, including me, voiced it.
And so we spent two hours discussing who would take the vanguard and how supplies would work.
Count Nant only engaged seriously on the vanguard topic; he showed zero interest in the 'mundane' matters of supplies, marching, or soldier pay.
No, he even rubbed his eyes like he was sleepy.
Seeing that, I thought fighting that idiot might cost more losses than just battling Count Helsman with my Kroitel army alone.
If he ignored the fundamentals, the army wouldn't function properly.
I was so looking forward to how pathetic that pig would end up after this battle that I might not sleep tonight.
But on the other hand, thinking of the viscount who'd possessed Siel von Kroitel's body only a few days before I arrived, who'd trusted me enough to hand over his title despite barely knowing me, worrying and grieving...
It made my teeth grind in rage, but knowing this was the best option made it even sadder.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After the strategy meeting, I deliberately avoided the other barons and returned to my lodgings.
Today, I'd ask the servant waiting there to bring something so I could have a rare drink alone... and sleep.
With that in mind, as I headed back, Baldt was standing in front of my door as if he'd been waiting for me.
To shake off my gloom, I joked with him.
"Baldt, still up? Running low on cash for women? Can't be helped. It's pre-campaign spirits! Here's a gold coin. Take your guards and go have fun."
Baldt looked at me seriously and said,
"My lord, your expression looks poor... Is something troubling you?"
I waved it off casually, pretending nothing was wrong.
"Nah, I'm heading in to sleep. Tomorrow we rest, and the day after, I'll explain what we need to do."
With that, I forced a gold coin into Baldt's hand.
Baldt took it, said nothing, and quietly left, muttering to himself.
"I don't know what worries or thoughts you're having... but us vassals of Kroitel will follow whatever choice you make. So if you need us, just call."
In his mutter, I could feel his sincere heart.
After hearing that, I summoned a servant and ordered the finest bottle of wine and some cheese.
Then I locked the door and quietly drank, swallowing down the guilt over my actions.
At the same time, I steeled my resolve to carry out the plan I'd devised.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next day, after confirming Baldt and the other soldiers had gone out as I'd intended.
I then instructed a servant to prepare 20 gold coins and a letter to send to the two maids I'd placed as spies with Schwein.
The letter read:
[His Excellency Count Nant, facing his first campaign, must be anxious, so comfort him wholeheartedly in bed. And whisper in his ear at the bedside: 'Your Excellency will shine brighter than any knight in chivalric tales.' -Siel von Kroitel-]
With this, I would definitely pull Count Nant's teeth in this battle.