Chapter : 23

“You must not want an army centered on heavy cavalry, my lord?”

“Ahem. That’s right.”

To raise heavy cavalry, one had to train knights, and to train them, one had to grant them fiefs.

And those bound by vassal contracts could only be mobilized for a mere 60 days.

After 60 days, the knights were free from their combat obligations and could exercise their right to refuse at any time.

Despite giving them immense land and money for their employment, the actual time you could use them was very short.

‘From my perspective, it was horrendously inefficient.’

With that money, I could maintain dozens of professional soldiers.

That's why I planned to thoroughly switch to a professional military system centered on infantry.

Just like the standing army system that European nations operated in the late medieval and early modern periods.

“I'm going to form an army centered on infantry. But in a slightly different way than before.”

“A different way? What do you mean?”

“It’s quite difficult for the current soldiers to face heavy cavalry, isn't it?”

I said, pointing at the shieldmen in the main force up ahead.

“That’s only natural. Because of the shields, the soldiers’ spears are far too short compared to a cavalryman's lance.”

“That's why I propose we train soldiers who specialize in spears longer than lances, forgoing shields. We'll equip them with high-quality armor instead of shields. So, I will give you a thousand soldiers. How about trying to train them?”

At that, Chamberlain Hamil, who had been listening quietly, spoke with a cautious expression.

“Infantry wielding long spears have a major weakness. Although they would certainly be effective enough in dealing with heavy cavalry.”

“In short?”

“First, their mobility is lower than cavalry's, so they cannot choose the battlefield. This means they might have to fight on terrain advantageous to cavalry. Next, spearmen can only be the anvil, not the hammer. This means they can push back, but they cannot shatter the enemy.”

He had a point.

And in fact, this criticism was within my expectations.

“That's why I plan to maintain a minimal cavalry force. Don't we have to appease the young knights who will be dissatisfied with this reform? I plan to establish a cavalry unit directly under my domain. I'll use them to lure the enemy's heavy cavalry, block them with long spearmen, and then strike them with archers or crossbowmen.”

The so-called Pike and shot tactic.

It was an infantry tactic created in the mountainous regions of Spain in actual history when it became difficult to raise cavalry. Some called it the Tercio tactic, but in reality, Tercio was the name of the unit formation.

In any case, this tactic was highly effective and was the main reason heavy cavalry was retired from the European continent.

Thanks to it, the main protagonist of the battlefield returned from cavalry back to infantry.

Of course, to use this tactic properly, overwhelming firepower was needed—that is, firearms using gunpowder.

However, given the nature of [Pangea Universalise], where plate armor had not yet been fully introduced, even crossbows alone could deliver a significant blow.

At that, Chamberlain Hamil let out a cry of admiration.

“Oh-!”

It seemed it sounded plausible to Chamberlain Hamil as well.

As someone with military insight, he seemed to understand my words at once.

“If that is your plan for military reform, then there was certainly a reason for being stingy with granting fiefs. What you need, my lord, is strong command authority to operate troops and immense funds to maintain a large infantry force.”

“That's right. And I believe the battlefield will change like this in the future. Look at the King or the Grand Duke of Bourgogne. Are they not already operating massive infantry forces?”

“You are correct.”

As I keep saying, medieval people were not stupid.

They were simply making the best choices in the situations they were in.

In actual history too, as the economy and the scale of society developed, the medieval era saw the end of feudalism and the progression of centralization.

The world within [Pangea Universalise] was also right at that period.

The twilight of the Middle Ages.

“So, let's start training the long spearmen as soon as this is over.”

I said that and took hold of my horse's reins.

-Heeeeeigh!

-Halt-! Halt-!

While we were speaking, my army had already arrived at the border of the nearest territory, that of Viscount Tzente.

* * *

“This is a clear violation of the kingdom’s law. I have been sent to warn you that if you do not withdraw your army at once, Viscount Tzente will not stand by idly. Your Excellency the Count.”

The one who greeted me as soon as I arrived was an envoy from Viscount Tzente.

Startled by the report that my army was on the move, about 500 soldiers were already gathered in Viscount Tzente's territory across from us.

“Withdraw? And a violation of the law? We are merely passing the border to suppress the rebels. Isn't that right?”

“That is correct, my lord.”

“Of course. We're on the march.”

At the nonchalant replies, the expression of Viscount Tzente's envoy turned bright red.

“Are you joking right now! Isn't the City of Markel in a different direction from here? Coming here, doesn't that show your intention to attack our domain? If you persist, we will have no choice but to cooperate with the City of Markel and punish you.”

“Cooperate with the City of Markel?”

“What? Punish us?”

There was no need for me to step in. At the envoy's insolent words, the eyebrows of Chamberlain Hamil and Captain Konrad twitched.

“Well, the human envoy says something amusing!”

-Bang-!

Captain Konrad slammed his fist violently on the simple table. With a cracking sound, the table split in two.

“You-! You barbaric Dwarf! Your Excellency the Count. What in the world are you doing! Are you insulting an envoy?”

Seeing this, Viscount Tzente's envoy pointed his finger and flared up in anger.

Even for an envoy, his actions were excessive. There was no reason for Chamberlain Hamil to stand by.

With a hardened expression, Chamberlain Hamil gestured to Biden, who was standing behind him.

-Shing!

“How dare you! Point a finger at the lord.”

The sharp blade pressed against the envoy's neck as if to cut it.

“I…. I am an envoy.”

“Yes, you are an envoy, so I can't take your neck. But that finger of yours should be fine, right?”

At Chamberlain Hamil's words, Biden threw the envoy to the ground and stomped on his right hand with his foot.

Then he raised his sword.

“Please-! Y-.... Your Excellency the Count! No, Your Excellency the Margrave!”

Only then did the envoy's face turn pale as he realized his mistake.

I just watched the pleading envoy, and just as Biden's sword was about to move.

“Stop!”

I stopped him.

This much of a threat was enough. Harming the body of an envoy could also become a pretext for war.

“You said you will cooperate with the City of Markel? From what I hear, your lord is in the middle of earnest negotiations with the city council of Markel?”

“Ah.... Th-.... That is....”

At my words, the envoy was clearly flustered. That fact was a secret known to few. But I had already planted an informant in the Markel City council.

“To give me a justification first and now bark like a dog. How truly laughable.”

I clicked my tongue and gestured to Biden. Then Biden removed his stomping foot and helped the envoy up.

“However, I, the Count, am benevolent. I have no intention of causing trouble. My army will simply pass through without issue. So, envoy.”

“Yes, yes!”

“Go back and convey my intentions to Viscount Tzente. Understand?”

“Ah, I understand. Your Excellency the Count.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Viscount Tzente's envoy hastily left the camp. The way he scurried off, it was clear he would say all sorts of things.

“Will they believe you? My lord.”

Chamberlain Hamil, who had been watching silently, asked. His face was filled with worry. In truth, Chamberlain Hamil did not understand why the lord had led the soldiers here.

If a conflict arose by misstep, and the neighboring lords really sided with the City of Markel, wouldn't it be a huge problem?

“Believe? My words?”

At Chamberlain Hamil's question, I let out a dry laugh. Unless Viscount Tzente was a naive fool, how could he possibly believe those words?

“Look here, Chamberlain Hamil. Didn't I come here hoping they wouldn't believe me in the first place?”

“Pardon? What do you mean….”

“How long do you think they can keep that army assembled? I have no intention of attacking them. For your information.”

Gazing at Viscount Tzente's military camp across the way, I raised the corners of my mouth.

A flag engraved with a red cross, symbolizing the Viscount's house, fluttered in the wind.

And next to it, dozens of flags from vassal houses fluttered alongside it.

“Ah-! Indeed. I see. Human lord! Uhahahahat! You said you wouldn't go to war with them. That was exactly right.”

Captain Konrad, who understood my meaning, laughed heartily. It seemed Chamberlain Hamil had not yet caught on.

“Let's start here and move straight down. Along the border of each domain. It's not like the City of Markel is in a position to send out troops anyway, right?”

“Right! With such a large force nearby, they wouldn't dare try to come out. They'll just keep hiding inside like frightened turtles. The human lord is truly something else.”

“Alright then, let's try marching for about 40 days.”

As Captain Konrad and I exchanged words, it seemed Chamberlain Hamil finally realized it too. Laughing as heartily as Captain Konrad, he stated his resolve.

“Hahat. You're right. That's right, my lord. I will ensure the 40-day march is completed without a hitch. Please trust me with it.”

Listening to their laughter, I once again looked at Viscount Tzente's military camp.

I wonder how much loyalty the feudal vassals under the lords truly have?

Enough to willingly answer a summons for which they have no obligation.

And it wouldn't take very long to find out the answer to that.

* * *

From that day on, I sent a contingent of troops composed of feudal vassals to besiege the City of Markel, and the rest of my directly-commanded army moved along the borders of all adjacent domains, starting with Viscount Tzente's territory, then Count Bozen's territory, Baron Bianu's territory, and so on.

Each time, those bastards sent envoys saying the same thing, but I didn't even bat an eye.

I simply marched along the border.

I knew full well that their threats were just words. What lord would be crazy enough to attack me first?

It was a large army, numbering 5,000.

Not only would they not dare to fight me alone, but even if they did, they would surely suffer immense damage.

And if they took damage?

The neighboring lords, who were temporarily cooperating to observe the rebellion in the City of Markel, would immediately turn into enemies.

They'd rather let others suffer losses than suffer any themselves. This was the nature of feudal lords.

‘As long as I don't attack first, it's fine.’

I thought, looking at the other lords' armies beyond the border.

Composed mostly of knights, they were continuously trailing my marching army.

‘But that won’t last long either.’

It was already the 20th day of the march.

I had sent merchants as spies into each domain, and their condition was beyond words. The dissatisfaction of their feudal vassals was already sky-high.

They were demanding money from their respective lords as compensation for the summons, causing conflict.

I was initially taken aback by the news but soon understood.

Winter was coming soon.

In just a few months, the year would come to a close.

Come to think of it, there was no way the lords would have left their feudal vassals idle all this time. In other words, their obligatory summons were mostly fulfilled.

It was unintentional, but the timing of raising the army was exquisite.

‘Another month. After that, they’ll collapse on their own. This is good.’

The cost of knights, who train in martial arts and horsemanship their entire lives, is beyond imagination.

Even though they had just finished the harvest, it was a distant prospect for them to hold out.

On the other hand, my main force was infantry.

The cost of knights and the cost of regular infantry were worlds apart.

On top of that, the funds from selling the factory share certificates in the past were still overflowing.

Enough to maintain the troops for over a year without a single battle.

‘They would probably rather wish for a war. Since the costs can be extorted from the other side.’

But I had no intention of ever going to war. My plan was to slowly bleed them dry just by threatening them like this.