Chapter 249: Just Accept It (1)
Chapter 249: Just Accept It (1)
Three days was indeed impossible.
However, by pushing themselves to the absolute limit, the army led by Patrick managed to reach their destination in just five days.
Latenov.
The capital of the Harbor Kingdom.
The outer walls of Latenov were incomparably higher and thicker than those of any ordinary castle.
When the first king of the Harbor Kingdom decided to establish the capital here, the outer walls were designed and constructed under the direct supervision of dwarves.
The durability of the walls was so immense that they could withstand even a dragon’s Breath at least once, and atop the battlements sat various siege defense engines crafted by the dwarves themselves.
It was truly an iron wall of defense. But…
“I don’t care how high the walls are.”
The Grenberg Fortress they had previously captured was also heavily fortified with sturdy walls.
Yet, the method of bringing it down was simple.
He had simply taken to the skies alongside the elves, who used wind spirits, and the magic swordsmen capable of flight.
All he had to do was tell them to drop him inside the fortress.
Once Patrick was inside, it became his personal stage.
He would charge to the gates, blow away any enemies blocking his path, and throw the doors wide open.
No matter how high or sturdy a gate was, conquering it wasn't difficult as long as one had a means of flight.
I don’t know what kind of nonsense that creepy old man is planning, but I’ll just crush it before he can act.
Strategists were, by nature, people who predicted an opponent’s moves and prepared traps accordingly.
In that case, wouldn't most schemes be thwarted if he simply struck them down so quickly they didn't have time to prepare?
That was why Patrick had urged his allies forward, determined to seize the capital by any means necessary.
And finally, arriving before the front of Latenov, Patrick saw it.
“What is this?”
“Is it a trap?”
The outer gates of Latenov were standing wide open.
His companions were flustered by this unprecedented situation. Patrick narrowed his eyes and spoke.
“Is this the Empty Fort Strategy?”
A tactic where one leaves a castle empty to make the enemy lower their guard, only to launch a pincer attack once they enter.
“Heh, I read a bit of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms back in the day.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a thing. A tragic novel where great heroes like Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao, Lu Bu, and Yuan Shu try to change the world but fail due to the conspiracies of three wicked brothers.”
Was that really what the Three Kingdoms was about?
It seemed the demon’s interpretation was on a completely different wavelength from that of ordinary people.
“Anyway, if that’s the Empty Fort Strategy, then a trap is waiting for us once we step inside.”
“What will you do?”
“Once you’ve figured out the enemy’s intent, breaking it is easy.”
Patrick clenched his fist and declared, “Alright, let’s charge straight in and smash them.”
“Didn't you say there’s a trap?”
“It’s fine as long as we know it’s there. We’ll just smash the trap along with them.”
“…….”
In the end, his approach remained unchanged. Sanson let out a deep sigh.
Regardless, even if there was a trap, they couldn't simply ignore the fact that the gates were open.
“We’re moving into enemy territory. Everyone, form two columns!”
“Yes, sir!”
Under Sanson’s command, the Double Dragon Knights lined up in two long columns.
Patrick smiled with satisfaction at the sight.
“Good. Shall we go, then?”
“Yes!”
“Don’t fall behind the Young Master!”
“Let’s go!”
The Double Dragon Knights took the lead, charging through the gates alongside Patrick.
And the moment the group reached the front and entered the gates…
“Uh…?”
“What is this?”
“Hah….”
Everyone wore a dazed expression.
What awaited them was not a trap.
It was merely a crowd of gaunt, haggard civilians.
Despite the enemy passing through the capital’s gates and entering the front, not a single soldier stood to oppose them.
The area was filled only with civilians who looked severely malnourished.
Even the mighty Patrick’s face hardened the moment he saw this scene. Then, an old man among the citizens stepped forward cautiously and spoke.
“Excuse me. Are you Young Master Patrick Schneider of the Atronia Kingdom?”
“Well, yes. Who are you?”
“I am a resident of this capital.”
“…….”
“Please… please save us.”
Patrick’s expression turned grim.
* * *
The forces led by Patrick quickly occupied Latenov.
Actually, it was hard to even call it an occupation.
There wasn't a single soldier in Latenov willing to stand and fight against Patrick.
They even stormed the royal palace, but it, too, was empty.
While some servants, maids, and low-level officials remained, not a single knight or soldier was to be found.
The enemy had handed over the capital without any resistance whatsoever.
“Isn't this… a good thing?”
“Right?”
“I mean, it was a completely bloodless entry.”
Listening to the knights’ chatter, Patrick’s expression grew serious.
“The storehouses… search the storehouses. Now.”
“Do you mean the treasure vaults?”
“Not those! The food storehouses!”
It was rare for Patrick to shout with such urgency.
The knights hurried toward the royal palace’s food storehouses.
A short while later.
“Young Master. The food storehouses are completely empty.”
“Damn it….”
Upon receiving the report, Patrick’s face crumpled.
The King of the Harbor Kingdom had taken all the food with him while retreating with the capital’s troops.
Without even touching the other treasure vaults, they had looted only the food storehouses as quickly as possible before fleeing.
And that wasn't all.
“Patrick, we have a problem.”
Matthew came running over, out of breath.
“What is it?”
“The citizens of the capital are clamoring for food.”
“…….”
Patrick’s face turned pale.
Hearing this, Sanson, who was standing nearby, shouted in an angry voice.
“What? It hasn't even been a day since we occupied the place, so why are they demanding food from us?”
“They say that’s what the Harbor Kingdom told them.”
“What?”
Matthew sighed and explained the situation.
* * *
Immediately after the communication with Patrick ended.
Duke Krupa hurriedly issued orders to all the defense forces in the capital.
“Empty out every single royal food storehouse. If you can’t move it, burn it.”
And as if that wasn't enough…
“Requisition all food from the citizens of the capital. Anyone who resists may be executed for high treason.”
“Your Grace, it will be difficult to handle the backlash from the people.”
“It’s fine. Deliver two commands while you requisition the food.”
“What commands, sir?”
“First: the Double Dragon is invading the capital. We are retreating because we do not wish to destroy the capital by fighting him. Tell the citizens they may surrender and open the gates peacefully.”
It was an order far removed from common sense.
Usually, when a nation’s capital is in danger, the officials and the people unite to fight the foreign enemy, but Duke Krupa was urging them to simply surrender. And then…
“Tell them we are taking the food so it doesn't fall into enemy hands. But tell them not to worry. The Schneider fief is one of the most famous granaries on the continent, and the Double Dragon is a great hero whose fame echoes across the land. Therefore…”
The corners of Duke Krupa’s mouth curled up.
“Naturally, he will take responsibility and look after the people of the occupied territory, will he not?”
“Ah….”
Only then did the knight understand Duke Krupa’s intention.
“I will carry out the orders immediately.”
The Royal Guard of the Harbor Kingdom was mobilized to forcibly requisition food from the citizens.
The citizens resisted fiercely, but their opposition softened somewhat once Duke Krupa’s message was delivered.
Rather than shedding blood to defend the capital, they accepted the idea that surrendering peacefully would lead to the Schneider family taking responsibility and caring for them.
In this way, Duke Krupa stripped the capital of its food, leaving behind only the people and the riches before departing.
* * *
“What a vicious man….”
Patrick clutched his head and let out a sigh.
This wasn't the Empty Fort Strategy; it was a Scorched Earth Tactic. But…
“Even so, to just leave a nation’s capital completely empty like this?”
There was a limit to being unconventional; this was something he truly hadn't expected. And…
“Young Master. The citizens are growing rowdy, demanding food immediately.”
Because it was unexpected, the effect was absolute.
Patrick held his head, deep in thought.
“Do we have any spare rations?”
“Young… Young Master, about that….”
“We don’t, do we?”
“We have a little, but if you’re asking if it’s enough to sustain the capital of a nation, it’s nowhere near enough.”
“This is driving me crazy.”
To begin with, Patrick had entered the Harbor Kingdom by crossing the sea with only a small force.
This meant they hadn't brought much food.
What little they did have, they had already given to the dwarves.
So where on earth was he supposed to find food to feed the citizens of Latenov?
“Young Master, what should we do?”
Patrick pondered Sanson’s question.
In truth, it wasn't that there were no options. The solution was a thorough, iron-fisted response.
Whether the citizens starved or not, he couldn't conjure food out of thin air.
And even if it was occupied territory, he wasn't necessarily obligated to feed the people of an enemy nation.
The citizens might protest or stage an armed uprising, but with the elite forces Patrick led, suppressing them by force wouldn't be difficult.
Yes. That was how he should respond.
Rather, it was the only solution. However, the problem was…
[Are you a villain? Or are you a hero?]
Duke Krupa’s question came back to Patrick.
“Damn it, this is why I hate dealing with strategists.”
If he suppressed the civilians of Latenov by force here, Patrick would become a villain.
Or, even if not a villain, he certainly wouldn't be a hero.
He didn't care.
He had never once thought he wanted to be a hero. But…
[Cheon-ah…]
“Haaa… I’m seriously going to lose it.”
He didn't care if everyone in the world pointed their fingers at him and called him a villain. But…
Master…
One could deceive the whole world, but one could never deceive oneself.
Suppressing starving civilians by force here would be an act that directly contradicted his Master’s teachings.
For Patrick, that was impossible.
It was simply not an option.
* * *
In a forest some distance away from Latenov.
A knight approached Duke Krupa, who had set up a formation there, and spoke.
“Your Grace. The Double Dragon is moving exactly as you predicted.”
“Give me a detailed report.”
“Yes. It is said he is soothing the citizens by distributing his own meager rations to them.”
“I see. So it turned out that way after all.”
The corners of Duke Krupa’s mouth turned up.
Currently, 70 percent of the Harbor Kingdom’s military power was being used to blockade the Iron Mountains.
With the remaining 30 percent scattered here and there, the capital’s strength was 10 percent at best.
Could such a force truly defeat the Double Dragon?
It would likely be difficult.
Even if winning were possible, the risk was too great.
That was why Duke Krupa chose a way to win without fighting.
“Winning through battle is a mediocre strategy at best, but winning without fighting is the ultimate masterstroke.”
No matter how strong the Double Dragon was, a person could not live by strength alone.
How could swordsmanship feed hungry people?
The moment he dumped the citizens—whose food had been stripped away—onto Patrick, the scheme had already begun.
In truth, Patrick should have made a swift decision here.
He should have coldly abandoned the starving people of the capital and pursued the King and Duke Krupa, who had fled with the army. But…
“You couldn't do that. Because you are a hero. A hero who cannot turn his back on the masses.”
A faint smile played on Duke Krupa’s lips.
He didn't know if the reason Patrick was acting that way was his own sense of heroism or a sense of duty born from being pushed by the public’s adoration.
But what was certain was that Patrick Schneider was a man who could not escape the shackles of being a hero.
“A young man living as a hero… from a distance, it’s quite admirable and wonderful. But it is an exhausting life that one cannot force upon oneself, let alone one’s children.”
Duke Krupa chuckled.
Heroes were more than enough if they only existed in stories.
* * *
Trapped in Latenov, Patrick faced his worst crisis yet.
He had distributed all the food he had to the citizens, but it was nowhere near enough.
Naturally, the citizens’ frustration reached its peak. And then, decisively…
“Everyone! Look at those treacherous invaders! Look at this reality where our families are starving to death because of them!”
Someone stepped out in front of the crowd and began to deliver a loud, impromptu speech.
“This never happened under the reign of His Majesty King Darius! But as soon as the invaders from the Atronia Kingdom invaded and conquered our land, our children are starving. Who is to blame for all of this?”
The crowd nodded as if agreeing with the man’s words.
In truth, it was King Darius who had requisitioned and taken the food, and Patrick hadn't even begun anything that could be called 'governing' yet. But…
“He’s right. That’s true.”
“Damn it, look at the state we’re in because of those Atronia bastards!”
“Filthy sons of bitches!”
What mattered to the crowd was their current reality.
And they needed a target for the hatred they wanted to pour out.
The man giving the speech clenched his fist and shouted, “Are you going to die like dogs and pigs? Or will you bravely rise up and—”
Phweeeeet!
It was then.
The sound of a whistle echoed from afar, and knights wearing twin swords came running.
“Stop! What do you think you’re doing?”
Oliver rushed over and apprehended the speaker.
“You are under arrest for inciting a riot and sowing discord.”
As Oliver ordered the arrest, the knights moved in and restrained the man.
In the process, the man struggled violently and screamed, “Let go of me, you invaders! Everyone! These bastards are trying to starve our children to death! They’re trying to take everything from us— mmmph!”
“Gag him first!”
Before Oliver could even give the order, the knights covered the man’s mouth. But it was of little use.
Oliver scanned the surroundings and frowned.
Damn it…
Resentment, hatred, fear, rejection….
These were looks he had never received in the Schneider fief.
The people of Latenov already viewed the Schneider army as hateful invaders.
We weren't the ones who took the food…
It was unfair, but there was nothing they could do.
Several times a day, people would emerge to deliver these surprise speeches and incite the citizens.
Given that the content was always similar, it was likely the enemy’s doing, but announcing that fact had no effect.
Oliver found the situation nothing but irritating and suffocating.
“This is driving me crazy. Please do something, Young Master.”