Episode 153: Isn’t the situation a bit uncomfortable? (2)
Claude dug his ear with his little finger and asked again.
“War? You mean that thing where people fight in groups with swords and shields?”
“Yeah, that’s it. It’s time to start preparing for war. Oh, and of course, we have to keep developing the territory. As fast as possible. You know? We don’t have much time.”
Claude was so dumbfounded that he just opened his mouth.
This is nonsense. War preparation is not child’s play. How can you develop territory and prepare for war at the same time?
Still, I had to ask why he was suddenly saying such crazy things.
“Why are you suddenly preparing for war? Why don’t you have time?”
Jiselle sighed inwardly.
‘Oh, how should I explain this?’
If I said I knew the future, I would be treated like a crazy person.
So, I had no choice but to raise topics one by one to attract attention.
First, the closest and most certain danger.
“As you all know, Count Desmond is after us.”
At those words, the faces of the people who had passed away darkened.
Those who are here also have a rough idea of the circumstances surrounding the war that took place in Ferdium.
It was inevitable that he would be worried, as he was in a tense standoff with the Earl of Desmond, the great lord.
But Claude, who had joined the territory after the war, shook his head without showing any sign of worry.
“I thought the same thing, but things are a little different now.”
“What’s the matter?”
“We are now part of the royalist faction. It would be burdensome to attack even when we are at full strength, so why would we pick a fight when we are at half strength? That is absolutely ridiculous.”
As Claude continued to speak passionately, the expressions on the vassals’ faces brightened.
The hope that the royalist faction could also build up its strength while Earl Desmond was recovering his power spread rapidly.
But Giselle just smiled and shook her head.
“If Earl Desmond ignores the royalist faction and attacks with all his remaining forces right now, can we stop him?”
Claude answered with an uneasy expression.
“You can’t… … stop it, right?”
I won last time because Jiselle had set a trap. The same move won’t work twice, so if we fight again, we’re sure to lose.
From the beginning, if you look at the difference in power, it was like a fight between a child and an adult.
“Yeah, I can’t stop it. But what if they act crazy and barge in?”
Claude answered confidently.
“If we were to invade here, we would have to gather all the remaining troops in the territory, and then the other high lord, Earl Leipold, would attack after them. Earl Desmond is not stupid enough not to know that. So we have plenty of time to build up our forces.”
Claude’s judgment was logical.
If Count Desmond started a war out of spite, the greedy Count Leipold would not sit idly by.
But that’s just the surface. Claude still doesn’t know what’s really going on.
Jiselle crossed her arms and glanced around at the others.
“Well, I have something else to say about that. Lowell, bring it.”
Lowell, who had been observing the situation, hurriedly brought out a bundle of documents.
Giselle said, handing the papers over to Claude.
“Before I left for the capital, I asked Lowell to check on Desmond’s movements. Check it out.”
Claude quickly checked the documents.
It was still difficult to know the detailed situation with the information gathering capabilities of the Fenris Territory.
The documents Lowell brought were also mostly information gathered from rumors among the upper class and ordinary residents who frequented Desmond.
But that alone was enough to detect Desmond’s movements.
Because the movements were so blatant.
“Mass recruitment and training… … . Mass purchase of herbs… … . Bows and arrows… … . Recruitment of free knights… … .”
There were more than a few strange aspects to Desmond’s money flow, but one in particular stood out.
There was information that a large quantity of iron ore was being purchased from the Cavaldi County between Fenris and Desmond.
“This much iron ore?”
The iron ore of the County of Cavaldi is famous for its high quality. As such, it is considered a strategic resource and is not easily obtained even if you have money.
But such precious resources were flowing into Desmond in huge quantities.
“Why on earth are there so many… … .”
Claude’s mind became complicated.
The most important materials for preparing for war are food and weapons. Iron ore is an essential resource needed to make and maintain weapons.
It was too much to replenish the lost power.
Other measures were also excessive. Pouring so much money and manpower into the territory would have made it difficult to properly run the territory.
“Really… …you’re going to go to war?”
It was clear that they were preparing for war. I didn’t know exactly where their target was, but I couldn’t let my guard down.
Since he already had a grudge with Desmond, there was a very high chance that this would be his target.
Giselle asked, checking Claude’s face, which was gradually hardening.
“How is it? Is the situation a bit uncomfortable?”
Claude nodded obediently.
Even if Jiselle joins the royalist faction, it will be difficult for reinforcements to arrive as soon as the war breaks out.
And we can’t just rely on the support of the pro-prince faction. If we pretend to be crazy and sweep this place away and then come to negotiations, it will be difficult for the pro-prince faction to do anything.
“I see. There really might be a war.”
At those words, the other people’s faces darkened.
In this damn territory, something bad happens almost every single day.
‘Oh my, I’d rather fail than be defeated. If I fail, I won’t end up like this!’
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Seeing the depressed people, Jiselle clicked her tongue inwardly. Isn’t this the kind of thing that leads to defeat before even starting a war?
Even in such a gloomy atmosphere, Claude Mann did not give in and expressed his opinion.
“The settlers will be arriving soon, so we need to stabilize the territory as much as possible before they do. If we prepare for war with limited funds and manpower, development will inevitably be delayed.”
Although he is now bound to Fenris by a favor and slave contract received from Giselle, he was originally a scholar at the Academy.
Whether he would become a scholar or a politician, it was not the job of an academic to miss out on the opportunity to build a reputation and achieve success.
For Claude, the Fenris estate was not only a place to live his entire life, but also a means to achieve his own ambitions.
‘If we make this land of nothing into a great land… … we can leave our names in history.’
That is why Claude seriously thought about how to benefit the Fenris Estate.
“How about stationing Marquis Branford’s soldiers here? It doesn’t matter how many there are. It’s important to show that this is Marquis Branford’s territory. Then, Earl Desmond won’t be able to attack here easily.”
The people nodded their heads in admiration at Claude’s clever plan.
If the Marquis of Branford’s men were stationed here, it would be a great help in suppressing the war.
For to attack where his soldiers were stationed would be tantamount to attacking the Marquis of Branford himself.
Claude continued.
“It would be humiliating to have another lord’s army stationed in your territory, but Marquis Branford is an exception. He is your lord’s guardian, so he has ample justification and it would not be much of a stain on your honor.”
Other people kept nodding their heads.
After hearing it, it seemed like there was no better way.
Because safety is guaranteed without major damage, you can focus solely on developing your territory.
Even Belinda and Kaor, who usually opposed for the sake of opposition, seemed to agree this time and kept their mouths shut.
Jiselle looked around at everyone and smiled bitterly.
‘Perhaps other lords would follow Claude’s words if they were in the same situation as me.’
Because it was the most sensible, least burdensome, and safest method.
The problem is that behind Desmond is the Duke of Delphine, the most powerful man in the kingdom.
‘I can’t keep it hidden forever.’
I had been hiding it so as not to cause unnecessary anxiety, but now I couldn’t do that.
From now on, we must become one and run toward a bigger goal. Even if they don’t believe it, we must at least instill a sense of crisis and doubt.
Jiselle, who had gathered her thoughts, opened her mouth with a serious expression.
“Count Desmond is not alone.”
“Oh, yes. He got married. The countess is rumored to be beautiful. As expected, you have to see the power in a person.”
“… … That’s not it. Behind Desmond is the Duke of Delphine. Desmond’s will is the will of the Duke of Delphine.”
The faces of Claude, who was babbling nonsense, and his retainers who were listening from the side turned pale.
The Duke of Delphine, the most powerful man in the kingdom, so cruel and ruthless that even his name is feared to be spoken.
If what Jiselle said was true, then this territory was already finished.
The attendants shouted in surprise.
“No way! Why would someone as great as the Northern Lord bow down to the Southern Duke’s family?”
“Do you have any evidence to support your opinion?”
While Giselle was wondering how to persuade her, Claude muttered with a blank expression as if he had realized something.
“Ah… … . But what you say, my lord, may be true. If Earl Desmond is pretending to be a neutral noble, as a free-spirited horse in place of the Duke’s family… … .”
Jiselle blushed and quickly responded.
“Yeah, you’re making sense? That’s a trick that the Delphine Dukes have been preparing for a long time. Man, I was wondering how to explain this. As expected, you’re a well-educated person.”
Claude felt a chill for a moment and looked through the papers again.
Count Cavaldi is a nobleman belonging to the Duke’s faction.
No matter how much Desmond claims to be neutral, it makes no sense to sell such a large amount of iron ore to a territory that isn’t even part of the same faction.
On top of that, this amount… … If it had been bought at the regular price, it would have been difficult for even the wealthiest of families to afford.
‘Are you really saying that the Duke is supporting Desmond from behind the scenes?’
If there really is a duke behind Earl Desmond, stationing Marquis Branford’s troops there will be of little use.
If the Duke intervenes in the future and mediates with an appropriate justification and compensation, the prince’s faction will have no choice but to accept it.
This place is not yet an important enough territory for the prince’s faction to risk war with the duke’s family to protect.
“It’s hard to believe… … but if it’s true, we have no choice but to protect ourselves for now.”
It’s not certain. It’s hard to believe. But that risk can’t be ruled out.
At Claude’s words, the faces of the men died down and became even darker.
Jiselle spoke briskly to lighten the mood.
“Now, whatever the Duke is doing is not important right now. The problem is that we have to fight Desmond soon. Everyone understands that war is inevitable, right? Then let’s think of a way to stop it now.”
No one said anything. How could Fenris, which barely had any soldiers, let alone knights, stop Desmond?
Claude asked on behalf of everyone.
“When do you expect it to be, Your Majesty?”
“It will take at least six months for Count Desmond to move. After all, it’s true that I beat him to a pulp at Ferdium. It’ll take some time to regroup.”
Losing troops is a problem, but since things are messed up on the Ferdium side, they will definitely be more concerned about Amelia’s rebellion.
And as far as Giselle knows, something really troublesome is going to happen in a few months, so it will be difficult to move right away even after six months.
But there was no need to say something like this to ease people’s tension.
Claude, who heard the word six months, suddenly looked at Giselle timidly and spoke.
“You won’t be able to win the war with just half a year of preparation. You won’t even finish basic training.”
“so?”
“If Earl Desmond starts a war while ignoring even the royalist faction… … then run away.”
“what?”
Before Giselle could say anything, Belinda, who had been silent, stepped forward.
“I agree that it’s better to run away when war breaks out. But there’s no need to do that now.”
Everyone looked at her in wonder.
Didn’t the lord and the general just say that war was likely to break out? So there’s no need to run away?
As the attention focused on her, Belinda spoke with a haughty air.
“Isn’t it okay if I just cut off the heads of Count Desmond and Count Almond? I’m good at that. I’ll be back in a jiffy.”
Giselle felt a little sad knowing what Belinda meant by those words.
If the opponent was an ordinary noble, she would be able to successfully assassinate him without any problems, since her skills were also quite outstanding.
But Earl Desmond, the high lord, is different.
Finding him in the heavily guarded Yeongju Castle is no easy task.
Even if you are lucky enough to find and kill them, it will be even more difficult to escape from the castle.
Even someone as skilled as Belinda would have to die.
“Sometimes assassination is the most effective and fastest method… … but it’s too dangerous.”
“Well, it might be difficult if I were alone. But if Kaor and the mercenaries go together, we can succeed.”
Kaor, who had been yawning and listening as if it was none of his business, whether it was land development or war preparations, suddenly looked startled and made a face as if asking what was going on.
“What? Me? Why me?”
“You take a few mercenaries and cause a ruckus in front of the castle. While you’re distracted, I’ll come back and cut off the Count’s head.”
“Are you crazy? You’re telling us to die there!”
“If you can stop the war with your life, it’s a worthwhile sacrifice! You like fighting!”
“You don’t want to fight a dogfight like that?”
“All fights are the same! What are you arguing about?”
“Ah! You go!”
While the two were bickering and fighting, this time Gillian came forward with a solemn expression on her face.
“My lord, if war cannot be avoided, please leave the mercenaries to me for the time being. I will delay the war as much as possible. In the meantime, expand your forces as much as possible and ask for help from the royalist faction.”
“What are you going to do?”
“We will attack the merchants who supply war supplies. First of all, since the supply of supplies will be cut off, preparations will be delayed, and if you take away manpower to capture me, preparations will inevitably be delayed by that much. Please leave it to me.”
At those words, Giselle smiled brightly.
He used to use that kind of method in his previous life. He was very similar in this way, so people might say he was a mercenary.
“That method is not bad, but… … If we do that, Gillian will be treated as a bandit. I do not intend to give that kind of notoriety to someone who serves me.”
Jiselle shrugged and continued.
“I understand that you two are thinking of Yeongji, but… … Just accept the feelings.”
The reasons were different, but both Belinda and Gillian were willing to risk their lives for the sake of the estate. That was commendable.
Jiselle asked Kaor, who seemed to have no particular thoughts, unlike the other two.
“Kaoru, do you have any other opinions?”
“If they invade, why don’t you just go out and fight? I’ll be the first to take the lead. But you’ll have to give me more allowance.”
“Oh my, this sturdy little guy.”
At her confident and simple attitude, Jiselle laughed in vain and shook her head.
Claude asked again, seeing the four men who seemed to have no intention of avoiding a fight.
“Are you really not thinking of running away?”
“None.”
“Ah, that’s just my fate. Then I think it would be better to mobilize all resources and prepare for the construction from now on.”
“A blessing… … Are you saying we should go to Su-seong-jeon?”
“Yes. The greatest advantage of our territory is the enormous food production. If we build a fortress and hold out, we will be able to hold out until the reinforcements of the royalist faction arrive.”
Gillian asked, her brows furrowed.
“Even if you build a castle, you’ll need a certain number of combat personnel. Won’t you be short on troops?”
“You can request the soldiers and knights you are currently lacking from Ferdium. Let’s also try to use the conscripts a bit more. If you don’t want to die, you have to do something.”
The guests all nodded. It was the safest and most realistic plan among the ideas presented so far.
Jiselle nodded and said.
“Okay, let’s do that for now. Let’s stockpile supplies from now on so we can respond to enemy attacks at any time.”
On the surface, he seemed to accept Claude’s opinion, but his feelings were completely different.
‘It seems like everyone is feeling a bit tense. I guess we’ll have to keep things this way for the time being.’
Claude’s opinion was the most realistic and certain way to deal with the current situation.
But that alone isn’t enough to deal with the Duke.
We had to move in a way that surpassed the enemy’s imagination and that the enemy could never predict.
No matter what method you use, if you fail you will die in the end. So the only way to survive was to increase the possibility of success even a little.
‘This time, I’ll move first.’
Jiselle had no intention of waiting quietly for her enemies.
A good opportunity would come soon. I planned to use that opportunity to strike Count Desmond hard and inflict great damage on him.
