Chapter : 24

As long as there was a difference in weight class and efficiency, the outcome of this war-that-wasn't-a-war was obvious.

While I marched along the border, the neighboring lords were breaking their backs funding their armies.

Everything was rolling along according to plan.

However, there was something else that had been worrying me lately.

It was the training status of the soldiers.

‘Having never operated such a large army for a long period of time, problems are constantly erupting.’

At first, it was fine.

The soldiers moved well as commanded. But it didn't take long to realize that was an illusion.

The first incident occurred on the third day of the march.

When crossing a mountain valley, some soldiers from the rear broke away. It turned out they had misread a flag signal and moved to a different location.

The fifth day of the march was even worse.

While forming a square formation and conducting maneuver drills on a plain, two units got tangled up, creating a total mess.

Besides these, countless problems arose during the 20-day march.

Chamberlain Hamil and Captain Konrad moved about trying to sort things out, but it wasn't easy.

‘Well, it's gotten much better than the first day.’

Still, now they showed signs of marching in a reasonably orderly fashion.

With more time, problems like these would surely disappear completely. I nodded my head, thinking somewhat positively.

“Chamberlain Hamil, Captain Konrad. You two have worked very hard. I know it's difficult, but I'll have to ask for a bit more from you.”

Riding up to them on horseback, I offered them praise.

“Ahem.... It was nothing.”

“Hmph, we only did what was natural! Human lord.”

At my words, Chamberlain Hamil and Captain Konrad coughed repeatedly.

They probably felt ashamed. After all, they had told me that they had trained the soldiers well.

But I actually thought they were commanding well.

The problem was less their fault and more a product of the situation in [Pangea Universalise].

“I mean it sincerely, so don't be embarrassed.”

In this day and age, who would lead a large number of soldiers on a long march and command them? This wasn't the era of the great ancient empires.

The pretend-play of mediocre lords.

That was what war was like now.

Both soldiers and commanders were only accustomed to small-scale battles.

No matter what commander came, the situation would have been the same.

“By the way, shouldn't we start preparing to make camp soon? We'll be able to sleep in decent quarters today, right?”

I made a subtle joke to the embarrassed men. The affable Captain Konrad was the first to react.

“Hahat-! Don't you worry, human lord! I'll make sure you sleep in a warm tent today!”

“Ahem. What do you mean, a tent? I will ensure you spend the night in the barracks, my lord.”

Not to be outdone, Chamberlain Hamil added a word as well. I watched them and smiled faintly.

I could see that the lords adjacent to me were gradually reaching their limit.

Recently, perhaps due to a lack of funds, the number of their flags had been decreasing.

There would be a move from them soon.

* * *

It has always been said that a fight without a just cause is difficult to sustain for long.

A fight where there is no trust among the members was even more difficult.

As the tedious standoff, which couldn't even be called a war, dragged on, the nobles' patience was hitting rock bottom.

Yet, the army I had brought was too massive for them to have a go at a proper fight.

In the end, there was only one choice the neighboring lords could make.

Peace.

“I am here before the benevolent and great Margrave.

Our Viscount Tzente wishes to free himself from the wicked schemes of the City of Markel and withdraw from this conflict.”

It began with Viscount Tzente.

They brought various works of art and crafts as gifts, seeking to pull out of this war.

Naturally, I had no reason to refuse.

In fact, I granted the Viscount's merchant guild the right to participate in the free market.

Although there had been a dispute, I needed to forget that and make him my ally.

As if this news had spread, the neighboring domains immediately began to withdraw their soldiers and send envoys.

The situation was effectively over.

-Tiriring.

[You have subjugated the neighboring lords without war.

The neighboring lords will admire your generous proposal, and your achievement will be widely known throughout the

kingdom. Remember. Sometimes, the pen is mightier than the sword.]

[Notification: Prestige increases by 20.]

[Notification: The disputes with neighboring lords disappear.]

[Notification: The morale of the City of Markel drops by 40.]

Just as I expected.

The system notified me of this. I scanned the status window and grinned. Now, only one thing remained.

“I just need to deal with the City of Markel.”

Thinking that, I immediately sent a messenger to the army of feudal vassals besieging the City of Markel.

To prepare in advance, as the main army was coming.

I planned to ride this momentum to capture the City of Markel at once and conclude the situation.

However, when I arrived near the City of Markel with my army.

“Aigoo….”

“I'm dying. It hurts so much, aigoo.”

What greeted me was not an intact army, but defeated soldiers, half-shattered and collapsed on the ground.

* * *

“What is the meaning of this?”

“We have no excuse, my lord.”

“Is this a situation you can just talk your way out of? I'm asking how on earth you lost so many soldiers.”

“We... we attacked the city to gain merits and....”

At the words of the feudal vassals, my head throbbed.

I had clearly ordered them only to besiege the City of Markel, yet they engaged in battle?

If they had won, I wouldn't have been this angry.

They would have disobeyed my order, but at least they would have captured the city.

But having been thoroughly defeated somewhere, the force of 2,000 was gone, and only about 1,000 soldiers remained. And even half of them were lying collapsed on the ground.

To lose the battle and a large number of troops!

It only served to boost the morale of those city bastards.

‘Damn it, this medieval era is really-!’

I just couldn't understand the mentality of the nobles of this era.

I couldn't control them at all, they were so self-willed. How could their own merits come before orders?

A sigh escaped me, but I forced it back.

Let's think as positively as possible.

It seemed better to use this as an excuse to seize their command authority.

“From now on, I am stripping the command authority from you who have disobeyed my orders. Your soldiers will all be under the command of Chamberlain Hamil.”

“No-! Those are soldiers we hired.”

“That's right. How can you...”

The feudal vassals protested. But I scoffed.

“So, can they conduct combat operations independently right now? It looks like they've already been cut in half.”

“Th-that's....”

“Stop with the nonsense and obey my words. If I had my way, I'd want to have you beheaded for disobeying an order!”

As I gave my stern warning, the feudal vassals finally tucked their tails between their legs.

They too were well aware of the crime they had committed. If they had pushed further, their heads might have rolled, just as the lord said.

‘Hoo….’

I sighed inwardly and surveyed the battlefield before me.

The City of Markel, as befitting a city, had high walls.

Moreover, since the walls were made of stone, they looked sturdy enough to withstand most attacks. It seemed difficult to assault it easily without siege equipment.

I could understand why the feudal vassals had suffered such great losses earlier.

“It's not an easy city.”

“Is there any way?”

“If we go with a frontal assault, we will suffer great losses like in the previous battle. Of course, since we have many troops, if we keep pushing, we can capture it, but....”

Chamberlain Hamil trailed off mid-sentence.

I understood at once what Hamil wanted to say.

That there would be immense losses.

‘If I had gunpowder weapons, I could at least build a cannon and fire it.’

I licked my lips in regret.

If only I had cannons, I could easily bring down those damn walls.

But since I didn't have any now, there was only one option I could take for the moment.

“Right. A frontal assault would result in great losses. For now, send an envoy. Isn't the best way to make them surrender without shedding blood?”

“That is correct, my lord.”

“Right. Human lord. It has always been said that cities should be brought down through negotiation. Frankly, it's not cost-effective.”

Since Chamberlain Hamil and Captain Konrad also chimed in, there was no one to oppose. I immediately sent an envoy to the city to advise them to surrender.

The neighboring lords had made peace with me and withdrawn, and if they surrendered, I would overlook this whole affair and let them participate in the concession business. It was a truly generous offer, mixed with a bit of a threat.

However, the response from these bastards was beyond imagination.

“Huh? Are they crazy?”

They had shaved the head of the envoy I sent, insulted him, and sent him back.

‘Now I think I understand why the Mongols thoroughly annihilated the Khwarazmian dynasty.’

The history of the Khwarazmian Empire, which was destroyed by the wrath of Genghis Khan after killing and insulting a Mongolian peace envoy, was a very famous story.

At the time, I thought the Mongols were quite barbaric, but now that it happened to me, I think I understand why they did it.

Looking at the insulted envoy, the back of my neck began to ache.

“What on earth happened.”

Calming my anger, I asked the envoy.

The envoy then spoke to me, his voice choked with tears.

“As soon as I entered the city, they killed the soldiers who went with me, then seized me and shaved my head like this.

Then they trampled on Your Excellency's honor and insulted you.

They said that the City of Markel would never surrender to a wicked lord.”

“Was there anything else?”

“Ah, there is.”

With that, the envoy brought a square box from behind him.

A perfectly square box.Seeing the envoy it, it looked quite heavy. An ominous thought then crossed my mind.

‘Don't tell me?’

And that thought was spot on.

“The man called the Chairman of the City of Markel sent this, telling me to be sure to show it to Your Excellency.”

When the envoy opened the box, there was a human head inside.

“Ugh.”

“How dare they-!”

“What is this!!!”

The vassals cried out in shock.

But I clicked my tongue in pity when I saw it.

Because the owner of that severed head was the Head of the Hopfen merchant guild, who had been helping me.

He had hidden well until now, but it seems he was discovered as the war dragged on.

He was a rather quick-witted and clever man, but you can never know what lies ahead for a person.

“We absolutely cannot let this stand.”

“We must thoroughly punish the officials of the City of Markel who dared to violate custom. My lord!”

The vassals, having grasped the situation, flew into a rage.

To wound an envoy and present a head as a gift!

This was an act that went against medieval custom.

While an individual's honor was important, the honor of the lord one followed was also important.

Me being insulted was no different from saying they would disregard my vassals.

‘So this is how you want to play it? Fine, I'll move just as you bastards want.’

Having finished my thought, I rose from my seat.

And I looked over the assembly and said resolutely.

“Prepare for a siege. I will show the City of Markel the price for insulting our honor.”