Ch.125125. War (1)

After somehow completing the recruitment of Knight Enerval Gatrang.

‘Next… is it time to annihilate that bastard?’

Readjusting my priorities, I placed the punishment of “that bastard”—Enerval’s former superior, Baron Lefante—as my top priority, considering him the root cause of all this trouble.

For someone who dared to rant about pushing through our Aleinos Forest and my estate, there was no mercy I could possibly grant.

And so, I immediately began questioning the newly recruited Enerval Gatrang, trying to extract more detailed information about Baron Lefante…

“…That’s all, sir.”

“Thank you, Sir Gatrang. Thanks to you, I now understand the current situation.”

Through the thorough interrogation conducted on our way back to the camp, I was able to gain more than expected from this man who was once Baron Lefante’s closest aide.

This wasn’t just obvious information like how Baron Lefante commands 1,000 men-at-arms (standing army) and over 300 mercenaries, or that he has 10 knights under his command.

What I gained was insider knowledge about Baron Lefante and the internal affairs of his barony—information only accessible to someone from his inner circle.

The internal political structure, large-scale projects connected to the war, and such things.

Particularly pleasing was the conquest war plan for the barony… I received crucial information containing invasion plans and supply routes.

Considering that Baron Lefante is now preparing for a full-scale conquest war, this confidential information alone would be enough to derail his plans.

Though Baron Lefante might appear quite formidable right now, in reality, his foundation is far more unstable than one might imagine.

First, from the very beginning stages of this conquest war, there was significant internal opposition, and although the Baron is forcing the war despite this, elements of instability still remain.

This opposition wasn’t merely for opposition’s sake—it came from administrators and retainers who had served the Lefante family for generations, whose concerns were ignored.

Additionally, Baron Lefante has consistently maintained a “take now, pay later” mindset, ruthlessly exploiting his territory to secure military funds.

All to pay salaries to 1,000 professional soldiers, hire 300 elite mercenaries, and accept 10 knights as his vassals.

From a ruler’s perspective, an army is, no joke, a “consumer group” akin to a money-eating hippo.

The national loss that occurs when able-bodied men join the military instead of becoming excellent laborers, and the costs of men-at-arms’ salaries and training are by no means negligible.

Even though soldiers are required to provide their own equipment, thereby outsourcing individual combat power and somewhat reducing losses, an army ultimately contributes to lowering productivity unless there are monsters to fight or a war-business to conduct.

The only consolation in this world is that soldiers are necessary for monster subjugation, and the byproducts from monster hunting somewhat ease the military budget burden.

Despite the approaching wheat harvest season, that lord has even conscripted thousands of subjects and serfs as supply troops.

Due to the labor shortage, they won’t be able to properly harvest the golden wheat, leading to food shortages. In the worst case, if famine strikes next year, they might face something close to destruction.

Thus, the grand authority they flaunt begins to reveal its rotting interior upon closer inspection…

“…Sigh.”

While I was organizing and summarizing the information he had provided… I suddenly realized we had returned to our camp.

But…

“”””Wahahahaha───!!!””””

“Cheers! Come on, cheers!!”

“””””””””Cheers!!!”””””””””

“Griffin, how is this?”

“Gurr (45 points)!! Gurr, rukurrr (too, salty)!!”

“””Hahahahahahaha!!!”””

“Pierre, I told you your cooking is terrible!”

“You fools! Who says that looks like a gesture for ‘terrible’?!”

“Gurrr, gu (No, I said it’s salty).”

“””Hahahahahahaha!!!”””

“”…??””

The previously silent camp had become so boisterous it felt like a festival was taking place, causing Enerval and me to look at each other with dumbfounded expressions.

Well, I had expected the tension to gradually ease and the atmosphere to lighten as time passed. But to this extent?

On one side, they were cooking with the food I had stocked up and the supplies that were here, having Gretel taste-test everything. On the other side, they were opening wooden barrels of what must have been the camp’s supply of alcohol, happily guzzling beer and wine.

From the perspective of a modern person from my previous life on Earth, it might seem strange for the military to supply alcohol, but in this era, it’s not unusual at all.

The western part of the Western Continent often has limestone mixed in the water, which makes it harsh to swallow and likely to cause stomach problems.

Additionally, finding clean water during war is practically impossible, so alcohol is supplied to boost soldiers’ morale and serve multiple purposes in emergencies…

“What a mess.”

“…Indeed.”

Faced with this situation, the two of us couldn’t hide our bewilderment as we blankly stared at the chaotic scene.

No matter how friendly the soldiers might be, who could have predicted things would get this out of hand?

…Or perhaps it was just the courage potion (alcohol) they drank that gave them this boldness.

※ ※ ※

Our bewilderment at the party scene in the camp didn’t last long.

“What do you think you’re doing─!!!”

“S-Sir Enerval Gatrang…! My deepest apologies!”

“Men-at-arms regiment commander! Is it acceptable for you to be sprawled out like that when you should be commanding your soldiers?!”

“I-I have no excuse…”

The soldiers who had been lounging around despite being in a combat situation that required vigilance were now being reprimanded by their commander Enerval, while I engaged in a brief conversation with Gretel, whose stomach was now full from eating so much.

“Did you have a good time, Gretel?”

[Yes. I had fun playing with those interesting fellows. …Though they’re terribly bad at cooking.]

“Really?”

[Yes! I’m telling you! To think they could make such tasteless food with such good meat! I couldn’t have imagined it!]

Despite her harsh words, Gretel’s voice carried a hint of joy and pleasure.

It felt more like she was taking playful jabs at them as close friends would, rather than genuinely disliking the soldiers.

“Hydra, have you been well?”

[Grr!]

Meanwhile, Hydra, known as a ferocious magical beast, was leisurely resting alone without mingling with the soldiers.

With 12 heads possessing similar yet slightly different consciousnesses, Hydra could satisfy its own social needs and desires, and as usual, was chomping on meat in a corner by itself.

Well, from my perspective, the decisive reason seemed to be that several magical beasts were terrified by Hydra’s intimidating appearance.

Anyway, as time passed, Enerval was now over there, passionately persuading the soldiers who could be considered his subordinates.

He explained that if they returned now, they and he would be held accountable for everything, and furthermore, they would be sent back to the battlefield to fight against me.

So instead, his proposal to join me and live with their families on my estate… surprisingly received agreement from quite a few soldiers.

‘…Huh?’

I was momentarily puzzled, unable to understand why, but upon reflection, it was a proposal I could understand, if not fully accept.

In any era, military soldiers are often recruited from the lower classes who have no other means of livelihood, and while men-at-arms might be different, ordinary conscripts are in a hopeless situation with no dreams or future.

And amidst all this, the offer I extended to them was truly a final chance at salvation.

Having successfully persuaded most of the soldiers, Enerval approached, and we began discussing plans to attack Baron Lefante’s domain…

“That might actually be possible!”

“Indeed. Quite possible, I’d say.”

Apparently convinced by the persuasiveness of my plan, I continued speaking calmly to an excited Enerval Gatrang.

And so, the conversation between two scheming men gradually intensified as they plotted together.