Part 3 – Chapter 014 (Chapter 351)
Troubling News
T/L: IonMan
Editor: Zioming
Raw Chapter: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9511bs/405/
T/L Notes: Sorry for the delays everyone. Between the editor’s and my own life draining issues causing delays, and they’re all catching up to us like tsunamis. Hell’s gate was wide open. With a few short breathers in between, I’ll translate more to provide better reading pleasures.
This is a rough editing cut, as our editor is still not feeling well. So please be patient with it.
ED: Edited.
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Year 7448, Month 9, Day 16
About a week ago, a notice came in about a build-up of troops on the border with Devas Kingdom. The contents were as follows:
・ In the middle of last month, the Devas Kingdom’s Army gathered what appears to be an invasion force in the town of Bondai [1] in the southwestern part of the Dirt Plains. Their deployment exercises have already started.
・ They number roughly 50 knights, 2000 infantrymen and a total of 1000 of various other types, about the same size as the previous invasion forces.
・ Based on their current deployment position, it’s expected for their target to be the territory of Count Riguru on the Rombert Kingdom’s side.
・ It is unknown who commands them.
・ Although the exact time of invasion is still unknown, based on the timing of their deployment, they are expected to cross the border and enter the territory of Count Riguru around the end of next month.
Toris turned white upon hearing this. It couldn’t be helped, as he was supposed to take charge of the Garhe Village in the southernmost part of my new territory.
“Al… what are you going to do? Can we even get to the village before they cross the border?“
Zenom whispered in a low voice.
Yeah. It should be possible if we use those horseshoes.
ED Reminder: They once got a bunch of magic horseshoes from the dungeon, that let horses run all day without getting tired.
“This is … Your Excellency, this is a huge deal.“
A Viscount, whose name was either Rayclain or Reirein [2], who I was just exchanging greetings with, chimed in with clear excitement in his voice.
“It appears so.“
While answering with a calm demeanour, my mind was already working at full speed, calculating the number of days it will take to select appropriate people and purchase the necessary supplies, and estimating the travel time.
Slaughterers will come no questions asked as long as the food is taken care of. No, they’ll probably complain if there are no fresh clothes as well. We could bring everyone… No, there’s also Toru’s group to take care of, so either Toris or Bell will have to sit this one out.
In any case, they couldn’t have picked a better time. It will be a perfect chance to show off our military power to the Devas side, no, to the Rombert side. Since in the previous skirmishes both sides would usually lose around a hundred men, wouldn’t it be great if we could show off enough strength to make them retreat, without taking any losses?
Nah, too much hassle.
We could easily secure the water supply by conjuring large blocks of ice and melting them with magic… I wonder if we could use that for defence. Except for the fields, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem if we spread some ice around, to make the ground all muddy and hard to traverse.
While I was strategising, I was suddenly summoned by the king.
Come on now, I’m already here.
Anyway, he will probably say something along the lines of: “Since it’s your land, and you have your own troops, go do something about it.“
Well, let’s look at it this way.
We’re not on the invading side. There are already troops protecting the territory, so we can pretty much do whatever we want.
…Yep, it’s an obvious lie. Did he even think I’d fall for that?
Rombert Kingdom’s national law states that “unless one receives a new order, they are to comply with the previous one”. Otherwise the troops could easily get confused, even more so during wartime. On top of that, battles tend to occur every few years or so in the Dirt Plains, so there’s no reason for them not to stay prepared.
The people under the command of Count Raulig [3], the one currently managing the territory of Count Riguru, are still stationed there.
They already heard that I’m going to be the next Count Riguru, with the preparations for assuming my position already underway, but I’ll officially take over the territory next year at the earliest, and it will probably take until the next spring, as originally planned, if things keep going this way. It’s impossible for a person to be entrusted with a territory half-way through the year, since the taxes are collected annually. By the way, I only know the current state of the territory based on the past years’ tax records.
But even if I did expect the next attack to target the territory of Count Riguru to some extent, isn’t this a little early? I was actually planing for it for the next year, since this one is almost over!
ED Note: In medieval times wars were mainly fought during autumn, since there were no professional armies and most landed nobles brought their own troops. As such, during spring everyone was busy planting crops, during summer there were harvests to take care of, and fighting during winter had its own set of challenges (just ask Napoleon).
Well, at least now I don’t have to worry about it any more and can just sit back and wait. I didn’t even need to do anything to make them come attack me!
Those Devas guys sure are aggressive, good grief!
In the first place, we don’t have any idea about the topography of the Dirt Plains’s border. The only map available is of pretty poor accuracy, and it wouldn’t be a laughing matter if a river, a forest or a plain turned out to be out of place.
If things continue like that, isn’t the only option we have right now, pushing them back with magic? I don’t really want to rely on it though, lest we damage the fields around the Garhe Village.
…Still, it might be a good idea for us to defeat their initial assault with a flashy spell to break their fighting spirit a bit. It would also decrease the losses on the Rombert Kingdom’s side. It might even earn me some favours with the Second Knight Group stationed there, as well as with the King.
I calmly entered the room where the King, the Ministers and the foreign diplomats have gathered.
“…Hmpf. You don’t seem to be startled at all. It’s a good impression to give.“
Although it was just reported that there were signs of an incoming invasion, the King stated while holding a light green wine glass (a luxury item!) in hand without showing any signs of panic.
“Ha…” (ED: It’s a for of acknowledgement when talking to royalty, he’s not laughing at the king’s words)
It doesn’t mean we should act like nothing’s happened either!
“Count Riguru. You should stay put this time around. If you rush in with your own men, you might get in the way of our troops.“
The king proclaimed while conveying a feeling of, “I wonder if he’ll listen.“
“By your will…“
No, I have no intention of interfering with the troops already stationed there, even if I were ordered to move…
“Your Majesty, Count Riguru is an excellent person as you have said. He will not deploy without an order, no matter how confident he is in his troops.“
It was Quasi-Noble Berters [4], who had just become a Minister last year. Being in his late forties, he was the youngest member of the cabinet. His father, the Duke, was also quite well-known among the nobles, as he owned a large territory.
ED Note: Quasi-Nobles are members of noble families who don’t hold their own titles, like children and siblings of the current head of the family. They are technically Commoners, but are still treated as members of a noble family.
His position as the Minister of Accounting was originally a part of the Ministry of Public Affairs, that handles general finances, and was only made separate about fifty years ago. Because the job of dealing with the Kingdom’s finances, such as the allocation of the national budget, was quite burdensome (especially the office work related to keeping track of expenditures), it was said that relatively young and excellent people often took up the post.
I exchanged a short greeting, in accordance with my new peerage, by bending at my hips and bowing to him, as, being a halfling, he was shorter than me.
“That may be so, but for the time being, he should just stay put.“
So that’s how it’s going to be. I actually got ahead of myself thinking they will make me defend my new territory.
Well, the attack would come before the end of the year, so it wouldn’t be reasonable to make me deal with it on such a short notice.
But is that all there is to it?
The Kingdom’s army is still stationed there, so it won’t fall so easily. Toris may be worried, but it might actually be better for him not to be a part of it, if Garhe Village actually were to fall into enemy hands.
Of course, we’d have to get it back and rebuild the village from scratch, but even though the fields might get damaged, the most laborious part is the land reclamation itself, which has already progressed considerably, plus, there’s also the twelve-year-long exemption from taxes on agriculture to consider.
One could even argue that it might be better to just start a new Village from scratch, since the soil in a virgin forest would by of a much better quality.
ED Note: Freshly deforested land makes for the best fields, because of the large amount of natural humus, though it takes a lot more work to develop it (cutting trees, getting rid of the stubs, roots and stones, ploughing, etc.). Well, I guess they have magic to rely on. Also, as one continues to farm the land, the quality of the soil degrades, as the growing crops suck in all the nutrients, hence in modern farming we use chemical fertilizers to replenish them, though that wasn’t really an option on a mass scale in medieval times, as the only fertilizer available was animal manure (and animals weren’t really wide spread in Rombert. MC’s village only had a couple horses for use in war), so a much better option was crop rotation.
“I will not indulge in my own delusions, unless it is Your Majesty’s order.“
I calmly answered, though internally it still put be on the defence! I think.
Were I to successfully route the Devas’ troops, I might be able to renegotiate on the amount of tax I’ll have to pay to the Kingdom, in exchange for their protection, in the future.
“Hmm, the Count doesn’t seem shaken at all.“
Looking like a Chinese character straight out of a manga, an old wolf-kin man with a slender beard in the shape of a C on both sides of his mouth (TL: Close enough: atozhairstyles.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/5-Waxed-Sideways.jpg) commented. He was Marquis Bijord [5] of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was actually pretty rare for his to chime in.
“No no, the war is certainly no laughing matter, however, the members of the Second Knight Group are already stationed there…“
Will I mainly negotiate with this person if I become independent in the near future?
No, looking at his current age, I feel like I’ll mostly be working with the next generation at that time.
“Ha ha ha! The Count and I have the same blood running through our veins. I’m not surprised for him to also be a person of such magnitude.“
Duke Sandak burst out laughing. Not to mention him being my uncle from my mother’s side, he was also one of the King’s closest advisors, as well as the Minister in charge of the development on new territories, making him quite a heavyweight in the Kingdom’s politics.
“I’m always grateful to receive your praise, Minister.“
He was also the one who purchased the large chandelier magic tool, (ED: Something Al’s party found in the dungeon), and he has also congratulated me on both the wyvern, and the dragon incidents in the past.
“Anyway, please look forward to our troops defending the territory this time around. It might make you more inclined to pay for our protection in the future.”
The king proclaimed in a good mood.
Oh, so that’s what this is all about.
The King obviously has a great deal of interest in the protection fees I’ll be paying to the Kingdom in the future. Even if I’ve already been bestowed with the title of Count Riguru, it won’t actually go into effect until I take over the territory next spring. As such, he is trying to show off the might of the Kingdom’s army before then. Even if the Devas Kingdom didn’t invade at this time, he was probably planing on attacking them instead before the end of the year.
Well, that’s that then.
The protection fee has already been set at 30% of the territory’s annual tax revenue during a meeting five months ago, but this could be said to be a demonstration of force in response to my dissatisfaction with that amount, as I continued to try and negotiate a further decrease. I mean, that may be the reason.
Since that’s the case, it makes sense for him to want to show off. But, I also have my own plans.
“But then, Your Majesty, isn’t it fine to have Count Riguru participate in the main battle? For him to even defeat that huge dragon, he’s already proven himself as a capable warrior.“
Duke Sandak suddenly threw me a lifeline. It’s true that I wanted to demonstrate my strength in an actual battle, but even more importantly, I wanted to learn about how wars were actually fought on Orth (ED: This world’s name). Incidentally, I was already getting a bit tired with constantly acting like a lord. Of course, I don’t dislike the role, but I wanted a little break from staying in character all of the time. It’s probably because I’m still in my twenties in this life.
“Indeed, as His Excellency Sandak just said, I would love to participate in this battle. Though, I wonder if I could actually contribute with the little strength I have…“
I tried to express my intention with a voice that focused on a certain past victory of mine.
“Hmpf, the Count is an adventurer who could even slaughter a dragon as his stepping stone. It’s a plausible discussion to have. Why not deploy an additional garrison and put it under His Excellency’s command.“
It was Count Mimiluze [6], a diplomat from the Kingdom of Kanbitt.
To celebrate the inauguration of a new Count, the Glanan Empire, the Bakuluni Kingdom, and the Kanbitt Kingdom each presented two war horses and two slaves. It was customary for the Rombert Kingdom and me to split the gift equally. I don’t know about the Rombert Kingdom, but I’ve been told that I should return a suitable gift made in my new territory within a year or two.
Ah, of course, the slaves were people with a proof of purchase from a domestic slave dealer, so that we don’t have to worry about them being foreign spies.
“Ho, if that’s the case, let’s give His Excellency another war horse.“
“Un. So then, I wonder if the Rombert Kingdom will give harnesses for five war horses.“
Diplomats from the Glanan Empire and the Bakuluni Kingdom both offered. (ED: They both added another war horse to their gifts.)
Fufu! I though I was going to get three war horses for free, but now it became five, and all with harnesses! This is great!
If nothing else, it’s a great opportunity to show off to other countries. I’m sure they also want to measure my worth as a military commander, as I’m going to be entrusted with a border territory of the Kingdom of Rombert.
“Hahaha. It’s great that you all seem so enthusiastic about this, but regretfully, we’ll still have to decline.“
Marquis Bijord of the Foreign Affairs gently interceded.
“Our Kingdom’s elite Second Knight Group is more that enough to push back the Devas Kingdom’s forces.”
Marquis Gumran [7], the Minister of Public Affairs, voiced out his opinion after being silent until now.
The Ministry of Public Affairs, similarly to the Ministry of Accounting, was in charge of Kingdom’s finances, specifically the collection of taxes from the underlying territories. The tax amounts for each royal territory, and the security costs to be paid by nobles owning major territories were all calculated by them. In that regard, it could be said that his position was only second to the Minister of the Left, the Secretary of State. I was also thoroughly educated by this person’s subordinates until a while ago.
ED Reminder: Nobles who owned their own territory, like the MC, or his older brother, Farne, who owned the Bakkudo Village, were obliged to annually pay a portion of taxes, calculated based on the previous year’s income from their territories, to their immediate superiors (in MC’s case that would be the King, in Farne’s, Marquis Webdoss), but, since a single person couldn’t manage an entire territory, most landed nobles had lesser nobles from their factions manage portions of their territory in their name, like the 1st Prince, the acting Duke of Ronbard, or Count Raulig, the acting Count of Riguru, both managing parts of the royal territories, owned directly by the King.
“Indeed. Minister of the Left, I am very pleased to see them continue to loyally serve His Majesty. They should all be commended.“
Count Bestor [8], the Minister of the Right, who oversaw the Kingdom’s military, also concurred. This person was in charge of both the army and the guards, although, as both of these forces had designated people responsible for directly managing them, it was more of an honorary position.
Even their budget was managed directly by the Ministry of Accounting, as, this being essentially a medieval-level society, the military spending was usually given top priority.
“Well, it seems that the number of enemy troops is as the same as last time, so it should be possible to repel them without any major problems. Right, Commander?”
The Minister of the Left, a dog-kin man, that appeared to be busy chowing down on a Baldoggie in the corner until now, the Duke of Basborn, the Secretary of State, called out to Viscount Gendail, the leader of the First Knight Group that was standing nearby, serving as the guard captain.
ED Note:
Duke Basborn – The Minister of the Left (Secretary of State)
Count Bestor – The Minister of the Right (Army Supervisor)
Viscount Gendail – Commander of the First Knight Group
“That’s correct. I’m planning to send over a dozen people from my First Knight Group, including Vested Knight Barkis, by the end of the day. The three battalions of the Second Knight Group should also be ready to depart tomorrow.”
Viscount Gendail replied with a stiff expression, that made him look as if he’d been made to swallow the kaszotto-filled Baldoggie, that Duke Basbon had eaten a while ago.
On that note, the first, second and third battalion of the Second Knight Group, each one consisting of 5 companies, were usually stationed in the capital. It varied between units, but each company numbered roughly 200 people. It’s been said that in total there were around 3,000 troops already garrisoned at the border (2,000 of them dispatched by other nobles). Of course not all of them were combatants, but most of the accompanying logistical units were members of the Fourth Knight Group so the proportion of combatants was still high.
ED Note: Not sure about this part, the numbers don’t add up. According to the author’s note at the end of the chapter, the 4th and 5th battalion of the Third Knight Group, already stationed in the Dirt Plains, count 3000 men in total, so if the 2000 men dispatched by the other nobles are counted toward those 3000, why are they considered a part of the Third Knight Group, and if they aren’t, why send another 2000 men on top of those 5000, against the invading 3000?
Going back, not only the king, but even Duke Basborn, the most important member of the cabinet, said that the interception battle will go fine without me.
I guess that’s that for Duke Sandak’s recommendation. All jokes aside, I’m probably better off backing off at this point.
Then again, being the new lord, if I happened to participate in the battle and get defeated, my reputation in the neighbouring countries would instantly get tarnished, so I guess it was a sensible decision on their part.
Duke Sandak was probably acting in his own self-interest anyway, trying to use my track record as an adventurer to let me, and by extension him, earn some extra merits.
“Ha-ha. Good call, Count Riguru. It’s good that you’re so proactive for your age, but you still have a lot to learn. Stand down for this time being.”
The king said with a smile and a laugh, though the look he gave me was practically daring me to disobey.
It can’t be helped. Looks like I’ll have to be the bigger man and back off this time around.
Ah, old man Tukerin is also here, eating a Baldoggie. Were you also invited as a foreign diplomat? (ED: The Dark Elf running the clinic in the capital)
…not a face I expected to see.
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Year 7448, Month 9, Day 17
The following day.
The Second Knight Group dispatched its first and third company in their entirety, for a total of 2,000 troops. A much larger number, than in the previous years, probably due to all the posturing they did in front of the foreign diplomats yesterday.
I waved at them, along with a slightly pale Toris, as we watched them depart. It was said that last night the First Knight Group’s unit under the command of Vested Knight Barkis had also departed ahead of them, so it should be an easy victory with so many troops on our side.
They’ll make it in time, right?
They’re on a tight schedule, considering the amount of people, but with the time it will take for the Devas army to cross the border, they should have some margin.
What’s more, there’s already a significant number of troops garrisoned in Riguru territory, so even if the Devas’ invasion force arrived a little earlier, Vested Knight Barkis should be able to manage somehow. If both sides happen to arrive at the same time, it will probably end with a couple-months-long staring contest though.
Just as expected.
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Author’s Notes:
Composition of Kingdom’s Knight Groups (excluding individual landed nobles’ troops):
ED Note: This next part was a total mess, so I extrapolated as much information as I could. Levels mentioned below represent military ranks, not actual body levels, since only people with “Appraisal” can see those, and go from 9 to 1 with 1 being the highest. A detailed level breakdown can be found in Part 2 Chapter 53 (Chapter 107).
- First Knight Group: (elite troops, members include the first prince and Al’s sister Mill)
- Composition:
- 100 knights (all called senior knights, 5th level and above)
- 50 scribes (including less than 20 cavalry, 6th level and above)
- Unit composition:
- 3 companies / less than 40 people each
- 2 platoons per company
- 6 training platoons / around 5 people each (scribes with levels too low to mount horses)
- 1 headquarter management platoon (including the group Commander and Sub-Commander)
- Logistical support (7th level and above)
- Composition:
- 10 knights
- 100 scribes
- Unit composition:
- 2 logistics companies / more than 50 people each
- Composition:
- Usually in charge of spearheading each attack and defence effort
- Composition:
- Second Knight Group: (core troops)
- Composition:
- 500 knights (6th level and above)
- 1,000 scribes (future knight candidates, 7th and 8th levels)
- 4,500 infantrymen (fixed-term volunteers, 8th level)
- Unit composition:
- 5 battalions
- 1st to 3rd battalion (stationed in the royal capital as quick response units)
- Composition:
- 100 knights
- 200 scribes
- 700 infantrymen
- Unit composition:
- 1st company (headquarters / reserve troops)
- ~5 knights
- ~30 scribes
- ~100 infantrymen
- 2nd-4th company (infantry / archer units)
- ~5 knights
- ~30 scribes
- ~200 infantrymen
- 5th company (cavalry units)
- ~80 knights
- ~80 scribes (carrying flags or spears / sometimes from other companies)
- 1st company (headquarters / reserve troops)
- Composition:
- 4th to 5th battalion (garrisoned in the Dirt Plains, handle patrol and covert reconnaissance during peacetime)
- Composition:
- 100 knights
- 200 scribes
- 1,200 infantrymen
- Unit Composition:
- 5 companies / roughly the same size
- 1 company stationed in each frontline development village
- 1 company often takes turns returning to the royal capital for training
- Composition:
- Logistical support
- 6th battalion (stationed in the Dirt Plains, 8th level and above)
- Composition:
- 20 knights
- 20 scribes
- 800 infantrymen
- Unit Composition:
- 5 logistics companies / roughly the same size
- Headquarters set up in a village slightly behind the front line, divided into platoons
- Regularly replenish troops stationed in frontline villages
- Composition:
- 6th battalion (stationed in the Dirt Plains, 8th level and above)
- Composition:
- Third Knight Group: (peacekeeping)
- Composition:
- 1000 knights (6th level and above)
- 2,000 scribes (future knight candidates, 7th and 8th levels)
- 3,000 infantrymen (fixed-term volunteers, 8th level)
- Unit composition:
- 5 battalions / roughly the same size
- 1st battalion garrison in the royal capital
- 2nd battalion guarding northern royal territory
- 3rd battalion guarding northeasters royal territory
- 4th battalion guarding eastern royal territory
- 5th battalion guarding southern and southeastern royal territory
- Composition (battalion):
- 200 knights (only some are mounted)
- 400 scribes
- 600 infantrymen
- Unit composition:
- Each battalion is divided into 5 companies
- Each company is divided into 10 platoons, each one further divided in half into two squads
- Composition (squad):
- 2 knights
- 4 scribes
- 6 infantrymen
- Battalion’s deployment location rotates roughly every 3 years
- 5 battalions / roughly the same size
- Composition:
- Fourth Knights Group: (facility maintenance, logistics, support, encampment construction, think military engineers)
- Composition:
- 500 knights (6th level and above)
- 500 scribes (future knight candidates, 7th and 8th levels)
- 7,000 infantrymen (fixed-term volunteers, 8th and 9th levels)
- Unit composition:
- 1 battalion maintaining the headquarters (garrison in the royal capital)
- 100 knights
- 100 scribes
- 1,000 infantrymen
- 40 companies (accompanying other units)
- 10 knights
- 10 scribes
- 150 infantrymen (9th level, about half are combat slaves)
- 1 battalion maintaining the headquarters (garrison in the royal capital)
- Composition:
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Footnotes:
[1] Bondai (ボンダイ – Bondai) – City in the Devas Kingdom, near the border with Riguru County
[2] Viscount Reirein (レイレイン子爵 – Reirein Shishaku) – Viscount in the Kingdom of Rombert
[3] Count Raulig (ラフリーグ伯爵 – Rafurīgu Hakushaku) – Count in the Kingdom of Rombert, managed the territory of Count Riguru on King’s behalf
[4] Quasi-Noble Berters (ベルタース准爵 – Berutāsu Jyunshaku) – Son of Duke Berters of the Kingdom of Rombert, Minister of Accounting
[5] Marquis Bijord (ビヨルド侯爵 – Biyorudo Kōshaku) – Marquis in the Kingdom of Rombert, Minister of Foreign Affairs
[6] Count Mimiluze (ミミルーゼ伯爵 – Mimirūze Hakushaku) – Count in the Kingdom of Kanbitt
[7] Marquis Gumran (グムラン侯爵 – Gumuran Kōshaku) – Marquis in the Kingdom of Rombert, Minister of Public Affairs
[8] Count Bestor (ベストール伯爵 – Besutōru Hakushaku) – Minister Minister of the Right (Army) in the Kingdom of Rombert