episode_0041

November 15, 554. When Krusenstein’s army first entered the Duchy of Letlis, what we felt keenly was the fact that ‘we are glad they did not bring the entire army.’

The terrain of the Duchy of Letlis was quite rough. Most of the territory was mountainous, and most places where people could live were concentrated along the coast.

The Duchy of Torgenberg was also a natural fortress, but Letlis was to a different degree. While the Duchy of Torgenberg was surrounded by mountains and rivers where people could live, the County of Letlis simply had few places where people could live.

‘Because people live in places like this, they become a militant people… ‘

The people of the Duchy of Letlis have long had a strong image of being a fighting people. The image was that although poor, they would not lose if they fought. I wondered how that image was created, but when I saw the Duchy of Letless in person, I understood.

Moreover, the Letlis family’s defense strategy itself was quite difficult.

“Knowing that it would be difficult to lead a large army into the mountainous area, he pulled out all the troops from the fortress and drove them into the castle on the plains. In this case, it takes a lot of time to conquer one castle. Letlis knows very well. The fact that what they have to do is a long-term game.”

I nodded at Leona’s words. Our army’s financial situation was not good due to frequent wars. Although most wars were won, even winning wars cost a lot of money.

Therefore, the friendly forces could not prolong this war. Due to financial issues. The enemy was targeting that area and inducing a long-term war.

“Walter von Letlis. As expected, he is not someone worth looking down on.”

“That’s why we need to trample on it right now.”

“Before he increases his power further?”

“Yes.”

Walter is by no means a person to be looked down upon. That is why we must attack now. If he has a force equal to ours, it will be difficult to handle.

—–

The enemy’s strategy of pouring troops into a castle on the coast was extremely efficient. To prepare for the enemy’s strategy, our troops attacked several castles simultaneously.

Of course, in general, these operations were quite difficult. This was because there was a high possibility that the supply ship would be plundered.

In preparation for this, Leona had dual supply ships. There are land supply routes and sea supply routes.

In addition to the small navy it originally had, Leona commandeered merchant ships anchored in the port and used them as transport ships. The Letless family, which had no navy in the first place due to lack of money, was unable to fight against this.

Walter’s action skills clashed with Leona’s. When Leona attacked one move, Walter counterattacked with the next move.

With the psychological warfare continuing, our troops moved forward step by step. However, in the process of advancing, a slight anomaly occurred.

December 10, 554. About a month had passed since the start of the war.

“That’s strange. Progress is slower than expected. Why?”

Leona asked her subordinates in the temporary conference hall created in the military camp. It was Hakon who answered this.

“The enemy… I will not surrender.”

“Not surrendering?”

“Yes. Normally, in a siege war, you would surrender if you felt like the tide was turning, but the knights of the Letless family would not surrender even when the battle was low and would fight until the last man. ”

“Why?”

“I know it would be quicker if you heard it in person.”

Soon, Haakon’s men brought in Letlis’s tied knight. The knight frowned and closed his eyes as if in shame.

“If you want to kill, kill. However, if you are also nobles, do not insult me.”

“I have no intention of killing or humiliating you. I just want to know.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Why do the knights of the Letlis family refuse to surrender even when the tide is low? Isn’t life precious?”

Then the knight of the Letlis family chuckled.

“Cough! Collock. Even if I tell you the reason, the Krusenstein family will not be able to follow suit.”

“It doesn’t matter. Please let me know. It’s just curiosity.”

“In that case… ”

The article’s story was like this. It seemed that the lords and subjects of the Letless family had a relationship that had lasted for more than eight generations even before the turbulent times began.

Although it was a poor territory, the Letlis family, which had produced noble soldiers for generations, was deeply loyal to the nobles under it.

However, problems began during Walter’s father’s generation.

Walter’s father was so mad that he often killed his subjects, and because of this, he was apparently dethroned by his vassals.

Usually, if a lord was dethroned, the next lord would come in.

However, his son, Walter, was captured by the Krusenstein family, and none of the knights from families other than the Letlis family attempted to become a lord, wondering how they could take his lord’s place.

In that way, the lord lasted for about 8 years as the duke.

Because they were the Letless vassals who had endured the difficult times when the lord was a duke, they had extraordinary solidarity and loyalty to the family.

It is said that when Valentine von Krusenstein died and Walter was released, Letlis’s vassals gathered together and cried.

The normal relationship between a lord and a knight was a simple contractual relationship, but their relationship was like a family.

That’s why they never betray. That was the explanation of this article.

“Hmm… ”

A smile spread across Leona’s face, who had a serious expression just moments ago.

“When you say that… ”

Her eyes shined brightly.

“I want it.”

Franz Mayer sighed. Leona was sick. It was a talent disease where good talent could not be used if it was found.

—–

Soon winter passed and the sun changed. January 555, Imperial Calendar. When Leona and I turned 26 and Lucille turned 20.

Finally, all the castles in front were dropped.

It still snows occasionally, but the weather has cleared considerably. The climate here is not much hotter or colder than in Korea, so unless it is mid-winter or mid-summer, there is not much trouble with the weather.

At the end, we arrived at Letlis Castle. Letlis Castle was not big. It was natural. This was because the castle was built halfway up a mountain, and the Letless family itself did not have a lot of money.

It’s not flashy. It’s not beautiful. But I could tell just by looking. That was a practical castle built strictly for practical purposes.

The officers looked at Letlis Castle. Starting with Clemens, Haakon, Garcia and Adelheid von Ignati. Everyone looked at Letlis Castle and thought at the same time.

‘This has become a nuisance.’

Small but sturdy. It won’t be easy to drop this castle.

Our army first sent a messenger. Antonio, the fifth son of the Granada family and Garcia’s younger brother, went to the lion.

But something strange happened. Usually, when a lion goes in, it takes about a day before it comes out, but Antonio came out right away.

“Why are you coming out already? Were you kicked out?”

“No. I received this.”

“Did you write it right away and give it to me?”

“No. I think they knew I was coming and wrote it in advance.”

Antonio presented the surrender agreement. When Leona opened the surrender agreement, this was written:

[The Letlis family is subordinate to the Krusenstein family and receives orders from the Krusenstein family. However, the ownership of the territory and property of the Letlis family is maintained, and the right to autonomy is also maintained.]

In other words, they would surrender, but politics, internal affairs, diplomacy, etc. would continue as before.

To put it simply, surrender is surrender, but it can be seen as only half surrender.

Leona von Krusenstein laughed out loud when she saw that.

“Hahaha! They are interesting people.”

The power gap between Krusenstein and Letlis has now grown beyond repair.

But what about autonomy in a situation where there is such a large power gap? It was a truly interesting request.

“Do you not know the topic?”

It is true that Walter is an outstanding person. It is true that the solidarity of the Letless family is also outstanding.

But how can we talk about autonomy when there is such a difference in power?

“If not, are you confident?”

Are you saying that Walter von Letlis is confident that he can fend off 40,000 of Krusenstein’s most elite soldiers with only 20,000 of his souls?

Leona decided to test which one was correct.

“There is no autonomy. If you want to surrender, give up all your territory and property and leave the castle.”

I went through a lot of hardships to get here. For several months, they dropped the castles on the front line and commandeered a huge number of ships to provide supplies.

But now, the maintenance of territory and autonomy was a ridiculous demand. Leona laughed at Letlis’ request. That was the case until now.