161 It’s hard to be too stupid
Pong, pung, every time the mortar spews fire, the tightly closed gates are broken. Several mortars pounded around the gate, and eventually the entrance to the city disappeared without a trace.
The same goes for the walls surrounding the gate. The soaring stone wall collapsed leaving only its roots, turning into a heap of stones.
In front of the magic weaponry of the Imperial Army, the invincible fortress city that Kania boasted of collapsed so easily. The resistance was fierce, but the mind alone cannot handle weapons.
“Yeongju-gun forward!”
When Rudy gave a signal, the soldier holding the flag waved a red flag.
signal to attack
The lord’s army, which had been organized as an attacking force for the fortified city, rushed towards the gate with a loud cry.
“Magic troops, support the lord’s army! Don’t let our allies die.”
As Rudy shouted, several groups from the magic unit ran forward.
They are snipers.
They did not mix with the lord’s army. We rode a horse on the outskirts of Yeongju-gun at some distance.
The sniper’s mission is not hand-to-hand combat. to deal with the enemy commanders. Since it had already been repeated many times, the lord’s army and the snipers fought at appropriate intervals without invading each other’s position.
Rudy watched the battle from the top of the hill while controlling the excitement of the dark horse.
It’s already been several months since I crossed the border of Cania. The hot summer has passed and it is autumn. However, the imperial army did not hurry and advanced slowly.
This war is different from Dicoquaria. The Kingdom of Cania, which was occupying Dicoquaria, had a place to return to even if they were pushed out of there. When they go to their home country, the base of life remains the same. They did not have to risk their lives in a no-win battle.
The reason why he was able to take over Dicoquaria without a fair fight was because, in addition to the overwhelming difference in skill, the enemy had such a loose mind.
But here in Cania, things are different. The people who live here have nowhere to go if they are kicked out. This land was their hometown and the place where they rooted and lived.
Besides, being occupied by a foreign enemy is different from a civil war. Wives and children are trampled upon, and some are sold into slavery. You may never see your family again. Naturally, the lord and soldiers of Cania also became desperate.
A cornered mouse bites a cat. Even if he won in the end, there was a risk of making useless sacrifices. Rather than rushing forward and overdoing it, Rudy chose to take his time slowly and drive the enemy away.
First, use a large army to surround the city and block the inflow of goods. After creating anxiety by tying hands and feet like that, mortars were fired into the castle or witches’ crows were used to frighten them.
Even so, the food situation in Cania is not good. If you block the inflow of the outside, you will quickly run out of food. If food was scarce in the castle and the overwhelming difference in force was displayed, the enemy would lose their fighting spirit in an instant.
If that happens, they will destroy the walls and gates at high speed and invade.
It takes more time than destroying the castle from the beginning, but the sacrifice of allies is considerably less.
The same goes for this battle. Since it was a city where troops were stationed, resistance was fierce, but the fall was swift.
From nob le mt l dot com
Dung-dung-dung-dung, from far away from the city, the sound of drums could be heard mixed with the loud shouts. It is a drum announcing that the Empire has won.
Rudy sent a follow-up unit into the city. After the city is occupied, the follow-up unit goes in and checks everywhere to find hidden soldiers.
Rudy finally disarmed after the victory or defeat was completely decided.
After the battle, the next order is obvious.
The lord’s army and follow-up troops who occupied the city shouted a victory cry, and looting began in the city. Screams can be heard from all over the castle.
Rudy flinched.
For the next few days, screams will continue to reverberate through the city.
Once a city is occupied, it no longer kills people. It was forbidden. But none of the cities escaped the horrors that followed the fall.
Looting is not a crime in this world. It is simply the right of the victor. And now the city was overflowing with soldiers trying to exercise that right.
‘I’m probably going to hell when I die.’
After muttering to himself, Rudy headed to the outskirts where the merchants were pitching their tents.
The group of merchants chasing after the imperial army numbered in the thousands, including the women of the Changgwan they were with. It was the largest among the recently formed war merchants.
Servants and slaves were busily moving here and there. It seems to be getting ready to receive guests. Upon discovering Rudy’s figure, everyone stopped working and hurriedly fell on the floor.
The merchants here were all those who paid a certain amount of money and received permission from the empire.
Like a circus troupe, the circular tent had a tag to prove it.
A merchant without a ticket cannot set up a tent and do business here. In the rare case, if it is discovered that he received a soldier as a guest with a fake ticket, he will be sentenced to death. Since the punishment was strict, fake tickets were not circulated.
After passing several tents, I quickly saw the place I was aiming for.
A tent that sells food. Flour and beef jerky were sold there.
Rudy buys flour from merchants whenever he captures a city. Purchased flour was given to residents who cooperated with the Imperial Army. In particular, in the case of women with children, they close their eyes slightly even when they come two or three times.
Could it be crocodile tears? It was a self-satisfying act, but since the food shortage was so severe, the resistance of the occupied city was considerably reduced by providing a little flour.
It wasn’t something like that, but the situation in Kania wasn’t good. It was rather bittersweet for Rudy.
At first, some people whispered that the provision of food such as flour was too benevolent. However, as the effect came out unexpectedly, such complaints do not come out now. Yeongju-gun seemed to think that all of this was the emperor’s ruse.
“…”
From inside the grocery tent, a vendor and a supply corps captain stepped out. It seems that I was just buying something.
The supply unit captain, who was talking with the merchant, spotted Rudy and smiled happily and bowed his head.
“Your Majesty, are you here?”
The merchant also bowed deeply as if he was embarrassed.
Rudy nodded and looked at the items the servants were diligently bringing to the front of the tent. Bags of flour were loaded into each cart.
“Make sure to buy enough so that you don’t run out of things.”
At Rudy’s words, the supply unit commander grinned.
“Yes, Your Majesty, don’t worry too much. I’m taking care to distribute it properly, especially to women with children.”
Unlike the lord’s army, it seems that all of Rudy’s feelings have been found out by the soldiers who accompanied him. A little embarrassed for some reason, Rudy turned his head slightly.
“…”
The supply unit captain went around to buy goods from other merchants besides this merchant.
Supplies also come from the Empire, but most of what can be obtained locally is purchased through the merchants that follow them. It’s a bit pricey, but considering the time and effort, it’s cheap. Besides, it was only natural to return benefits to merchants who paid for tickets.
Rudy wandered among the merchants’ tents for a while and had light conversations with familiar faces.
And naturally, I went into a tent selling alcohol.
“Welcome, Your Majesty. Good wine just arrived. I was preparing it to present it as a product that Your Majesty would enjoy.”
The merchant greeted Rudy with a fuss.
A bitter smile appeared on Rudy’s face. I see it every time, but I don’t know if it’s so clever.
This tent is used as a contact point for spies. They actually sell alcohol, but what the vendors here really do is relay the contacts of the spies to Rudy and his aide.
“Now, this way.”
The merchant escorted Rudy and the following aide inside. Servants all over the tent checked outside and nodded.
Seeing the signal from the servants, the merchant came closer to Rudy.
“Any news?”
When Rudy asked, the merchant grinned.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Information about the war situation has arrived from all over the world. The Kingdom of York is quick-witted. Not too long ago, it seemed that they were willing to go to war with the Empire, but as soon as they realized that the Imperial Army was approaching, they began to withdraw. “
The Kingdom of York had heard that they had plundered the border area with Chania little by little and then went deep into the interior. However, as the Empire approached, it seems that they quickly changed their strategy.
“They’re not just going away. The Yorkists are going round and round choosing areas they haven’t pillaged yet. They’re making quite a lot of money. They’re clever.”
I don’t know who the commander is, but it’s really nasty. Rudy laughed bitterly.
“How about Eina?”
“They have been determined from the beginning and have brought troops, so there is no sign of retreating yet. I don’t know what will happen.”
Unlike York, Eina Kingdom crossed the border with a considerable army. Although a significant portion of it is covered by looting, licensed merchants are also catching up there. I won’t back down easily.
“Well, that’s okay, how is Kania doing? Do you see any signs of unity?”
“Kania has been pathetic from the beginning until now. It’s amazing how the country has been established so far.”
The merchant shrugged and smiled.
It seems that Kania is finally trying to unite with each other in preparation for the invasion of the Imperial Army.
It was the Margrave of Fitz who was moving in almost the opposite direction from the Imperial Army who was leading the situation most actively.
However, it seems that opinions do not come together easily.
First of all, the 2nd Prince and Count Bibo, who occupy the royal capital, are not cooperative with the Margrave. It seemed that the feud with the royal enemy Count Bibo was having a big impact.
The crown prince is on good terms with the Margrave of Fitz, but he is at odds with the second prince. Of course, he was reluctant to join forces with the 2 Prince faction.
As the three groups with teeth that didn’t mesh together creaked and fought, the nobles with the weakest power were floating around without being able to attach anywhere.
Rudy clicked his tongue.
“It’s pitiful.”
It is easier to work when they gather in one place. I’m advancing more slowly to give it time, but the enemy is too ragtag.
‘If things don’t go well, I have no choice but to split the troops.’
Rudy was lost in thought, but the merchant lowered his voice a bit.
“There is another reason why things are not going well. It seems that King Chania, who was in the hands of the Margrave of Fitz, died some time ago. They are still hiding it, but they say that the amount of food that goes into what appears to be the King’s quarters has decreased. It appears that new food no longer enters the quarters.”
“The already tough Marquess’ position will be weakened.”
“That’s right.”
If anyone had a head, he would have joined hands with the Marquis of Fitz first. Of the four factions in Cania right now, the Marquis has the strongest military power.
However, there was a tendency in Kania to treat those who entered the central court more favorably and highly.
It is a country in which a court count without a territory believes in the king’s favor and wields more power than a Margrave. If the king was not in hand, there was a high probability that the Margrave of Fitz would be ignored by others.
Well, I can’t help it. If any of them had been smart and capable in the first place, the Empire wouldn’t have created such a chance to invade.
Rudy let out a small sigh. If the enemy is too incompetent, it makes things difficult.
“How is the situation in the royal capital?”
“The food situation is still good, but prices are rising without end. With the start of the war, you have to pay silver coins for a piece of bread. I think it will continue to rise, so it will be a living hell.”
A merchant handed out a letter.
“And this is from Levin-sama. Levin-sama says he’s settled in well at court. He really seems to be well-suited to being a bard. He’s said to get information in one night that spies would struggle for months to find out. Everyone is sticking out their tongues.”
“…”
Somehow I didn’t want to hear that.
Rudy opened Levin’s letter and read through it. The letter contained information such as the number of soldiers commanded by the 2nd prince and Count Bibo, and where the forces of the royal capital were concentrated.
‘Really, how did you find out about this?’
Recalling Levin as a boy who smiled brightly, Rudy shook his head slightly. It seems that Boris has completely ruined the naive young man.
“Tell Levin to be careful. Be careful not to dig too deep into witches and put yourself in danger.”
“Yes, I understand. Let’s tell the spy that way.”
After hearing a few more stories, Rudy left the tent. Suddenly, time passed. The sun will set in a little while now.
Most of the surrounding tents had their entrances rolled up to make it easier for guests to come in. The torches at the entrance began to light one by one.
A voice calls for an early guest from the tent where the women are gathered.
Rudy left those sounds behind and walked away. On a night like this, I especially miss Ririsha. Looking at the innocent eyes that knew nothing, I felt that even my own heart was cleansed.
After the war with Cania, Crete is there. Even if the war is over, if you divide the territory with the rewards of the lords and clean up, you will not be able to return to the empire for the next few years.
‘If we go back and meet each other, will Lilitha be an adult too?’
It seems like yesterday when I was a crying baby, but next time I see it, I am an adult woman. Somehow I felt strange.
