Ch.134Expansion (6)

“…Hmph.”

When a messenger arrived early in the morning with an urgent look, I learned that the Duke of Provence had led his army to launch a surprise attack on Charlieu, a southern border city.

Judging by the reports that this force is larger than any army Provence has ever mobilized before, it seems he’s gathered every soldier he could possibly muster…

“So… there’s no need to worry?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. According to reports from the field, they have sufficient supplies and sturdy walls that can withstand a siege for a generous two years, so there’s no need to hastily organize a relief force.”

Why on earth would he do this? He has absolutely no reason to attack me.

If he had just stayed quietly holed up in his domain, controlling his vassals and fellow nobles of his faction, I wouldn’t have dared to touch him rashly. Yet he chooses to attack me first?

Moreover, the south is full of hills, making it difficult for a large army to maneuver. The fact that he’s gathering all his forces to attack from that direction… hmm…

…No, I mustn’t let my guard down.

“Isn’t there a possibility that the Provence army might surround Charlieu Castle with a detachment while sending the rest of their forces up here?”

“That’s correct, Your Majesty. Although their intentions aren’t yet clear, whatever they’re after, they won’t just continue besieging Charlieu indefinitely.”

“Good, since you think so too, it’s certain they’ll be coming. Then, roughly how large is the Provence army? Since we can’t completely withdraw our forces fighting Neustria, we’ll need to mobilize reserves and mercenaries to deal with them.”

“About 20,000 men, they say.”

“…Tsk.”

20,000, that’s quite a lot. He’s definitely scraped together everything he could find.

They probably aren’t all heavily armored like Lotharing’s main force, but as the army of a duke who was responsible for Caroling’s borders, they’re certainly not just soldiers with nothing but numbers to their name.

“…Send letters to the pro-Lotharing nobles. Tell them to attack the Duke of Provence.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I’d prefer to handle this alone since I’ll have to give something in return for the help of the pro-Lotharing nobles afterward, but I have no choice.

Even Lotharing can’t fight on two fronts. And the enemy force is 20,000 strong.

For compensation, I can just carve out some of the Duke of Provence’s territory to give them. As for those who aren’t satisfied with that… I’ll think about it later.

……….

“…Damn it.”

The Duke of Provence was in a foul mood.

While his bold entry into the Kingdom of Lotharing had gone well, everything afterward had turned into a complete mess.

It was all because of that castle, Charlieu.

Though small in size, this actually meant that only a few soldiers could attempt to besiege it. Worse, it was situated on a hill with such steep terrain that even constructing trebuchets was difficult.

[Why not just bypass it?]

[…That would leave our rear vulnerable.]

[How many soldiers could possibly be in that tiny castle? If you’re still worried, we could detach some troops to surround it.]

“Ngh…”

The Duke of Provence couldn’t rebuke the general’s attitude, which could be considered disrespectful.

While he couldn’t afford to antagonize the military during wartime, what the general said was absolutely correct.

There was no absolute need to capture the castle before advancing. Of course, soldiers could suddenly emerge from an uncaptured castle and strike from behind, but given Charlieu Castle’s small size, that wouldn’t amount to much.

In the end, the Duke accepted the general’s suggestion and moved forward, leaving only minimal forces behind. However, failing to completely take the castle was extremely displeasing to him.

Since leaving the castle behind, the Duke had been in such a bad mood that the attendants around him dared not act rashly.

If they were to be blamed for anything, they would become mere punching bags for their lord to vent his anger upon.

“Your Grace!! The next castle is in sight!!”

“Excellent!!”

‘Haaa…’

The attendants inwardly sighed with great relief as they saw their lord’s mood dramatically improve at the news of the next castle.

Had they been delayed just a little longer, surely someone would have become the target of his frustration.

“A wide plain, a decently large castle, and there’s even a forest over there. Perfect!”

“Truly an optimal environment for a siege, Your Grace.”

“What’s the name of that castle?”

“It’s Charle, Your Grace.”

“Charle! Even the name is beautiful.”

But regardless of his attendants’ relief, the Duke paid them no attention whatsoever.

He was simply gleefully devising all sorts of strategies in his head for how best to attack the newly appeared castle.

“Yes, this is how it should be! I was right to listen to your advice!”

“I’m glad, Your Grace. For the deployment of troops— Wait, someone is coming.”

The general, half-listening to the Duke’s excited chatter while trying to establish a base, notices a procession coming from the castle.

Naturally, the general wasn’t the only one to spot this procession, and the atmosphere instantly changed.

It wasn’t a military response… There were some armed personnel, but too few in number, clearly just escorts. With such numbers, an attack would be impossible.

Moreover, the procession included a large wagon. It was more likely a simple delegation rather than a military response.

……….

“The reason… Ha, do you really need to ask?”

Really, now.

They know perfectly well, so why are they even asking?

Just in case they might surrender, I had them thoroughly searched to remove all weapons before giving them a grand welcome, but the result was utterly ridiculous.

A declaration that this is Lotharing territory and we should leave immediately, a cute threat that we would regret attacking, and finally, a foolish question about why we’re doing this. Not a single word from this envoy pleased me.

*CLANG!*

“Because your lord Claude has not only usurped the rightful throne but is also oppressing my people.”

“…I see.”

As I drew my sword and thrust it into the dirt, the envoy bowed deeply and replied thus.

Too frightened to even make proper eye contact… Tsk, tsk. An envoy should have some dignity without being disrespectful. Indeed, when the superior lacks class, the subordinate becomes servile.

“Then please at least consider our sincerity.”

“Sincerity? Why should I consider your sincerity when you won’t even surrender?”

“We have our honor too, don’t we? We’ll offer you a modest gift, so please be lenient with excessive requisitions after the siege ends.”

“Hmm…”

Well, surrendering without a fight would indeed be somewhat disgraceful.

Even a country wench with no sense of honor would brandish the dagger in her bosom when faced with an enemy, wouldn’t she?

“What is this gift?”

“A ceremonial longsword made of gold, silver, and jewels. It’s in the wagon we brought. Would you like to see it yourself?”

“That sounds good.”

The soldiers who checked the wagon’s contents are signaling that the envoy’s words are true.

I was quite skeptical given their foolish behavior thus far, but they’re unexpectedly accommodating in this regard.

If they had simply brought gold and treasures, I would have just accepted it without much thought, but to fashion those treasures into a sword? I can’t help but want to see it.

*CREEAK*

“Ohhh…”

As the lid of the box on the wagon is opened, the sunlight pouring through the gap is perfectly utilized by the longsword inside.

The dazzling light bursting out of the box is beautiful enough to blind the Duke.

The blade is made of silver with gold thread patterns, while the handle and pommel are adorned with various jewels.

“To give such an item, your sincerity is truly admirable!”

“…How is it? Isn’t it beautiful? Despite appearances, it’s extremely light and easy to wield.”

“Is that so? Let me try holding it.”

*Click*

As the Duke picks up the ceremonial sword, a clicking sound echoes.

The Provence side thinks nothing of it, assuming it’s just the sound of the sword leaving its stand, but the Lotharing side closes their eyes tightly, as if in prayer.

*Swish*

“Hmm, it’s definitely lighter than a real sword. Yes, after receiving such a fine item, I can’t go back on my word. I’ll make sure to look after you well, so let’s have a good fight without fearing defeat.”

“…Our Father in heaven, watch over us.”

“Heh, suddenly praying? You don’t need to be so afraid—”

*BOOOM!!*

The Duke’s words are cut short.

A massive explosion erupts from the wagon, turning the wooden cart into sharp fragments that shoot in all directions.

Those nearby are pierced by these wooden shards, suffering horrific injuries, while the Duke, standing right in front of the wagon, has his body pierced or severed by wooden pieces and suffers severe burns all over.

“Ugh… What is… Your Grace!!”

Those who were far enough from the blast center to suffer only minor injuries soon regain their senses and rush to check on the Duke’s condition, but even without medical knowledge, they instinctively realize that his injuries are beyond treatment by anyone. He will certainly die soon.

The soldiers immediately draw their swords and point them at the envoys, but those envoys have also been killed or fatally injured in the explosion, making it pointless to strike them down.