Dragon Knight Chronicles ~ From a mere mercenary, rise to success through tactics! A small harem with the princess and the lord's daughter!? I'll also develop my territory! ~ - Chapter 142

Chapter 142   The King of Harem

In the late August year 569 of the Unified Calendar――

A large-scale rebellion led by the House of Duke Rillburn erupted. The scale was the largest in history, causing the royal palace to fall into a state of terror, with chaos spreading within the castle.

“Reporting! The forces of Duke Chad have invaded the Sork region! It is said that the Duke himself is leading a large army through the Bon Gorge!”

Reports, almost resembling screams, kept pouring in to Sauer, the Chamberlain of the Imperial Household, who was holding a counter-rebellion meeting at the Chancellor’s office.

“What!? It is also reported that Grand Duke Owen’s forces from the south have raised the banner of rebellion. How are we supposed to overcome this crisis?”

The elder statesmen were shaken, and their anxiety spread to the younger nobles.

“Chancellor! Isn’t it time to consult His Majesty about this?”

“Indeed, we can’t keep this under wraps forever. We must report to His Majesty!”

Although Sauer, the Chamberlain, had been handling almost all state affairs at the Chancellor’s office, he could no longer keep the situation from the king.

“Hmm… Yes, you’re right. I’ll go and consult His Majesty. Please wait here.”

“Understood.”

Hurrying out of the Chancellor’s office, Chancellor Sauer headed to the inner palace, where the king resided.

Lately, King Clock had been entrusting nearly all state matters to the Chancellor, spending most of his time secluded in the inner palace.

“No one is allowed beyond this point, even for the Chancellor!”

“Fool! This is a matter of great urgency! Step aside!”

The entrance to the inner palace was guarded by a female knight clad in resplendent red armor, but Sauer, the Chamberlain, pushed his way through.

Since the time of the Owen family, the royal family’s inner palace had been a vast household, with over a thousand female attendants.

The Chamberlain pushed past the beautiful attendants, ran through the corridor, and entered the king’s room.

“Your Majesty, it is I, Sauer. I request an urgent audience!”

“Enter!”

“Yes, sire.”

Though the sun was already high in the sky, the king was still in his nightclothes, accompanied by two beautiful women draped in thin silk.

This was as it usually was, something that the Chamberlain had arranged…

“Chancellor, what is it?”

“Your Majesty, a large-scale rebellion has broken out. Rebel forces are pressing in from both the east and the west.”

“What!? Explain the details!”

The Chamberlain, Sauer, reported in detail, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he bowed his head, waiting for the king’s decision.

“Hmm… Is it not possible to split the royal army into two and address the situation?”

“Probably…”

“Very well. Establish peace with one side and thoroughly crush the other. I leave the method to the Chancellor!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Surprisingly, the king made a pragmatic judgment. If he had demanded armor at this moment, morale might have increased, but he did not go that far.

If that were to happen, the king’s prestige would rise, and the Chancellor might lose his ability to act freely. For Sauer, King Clock needed to remain a good puppet.

Sauer hurriedly retraced his steps back to the Chancellor’s office.

◇◇◇◇◇

Unlike the modest Chancellor’s office during the Owen era, the current one was lavishly adorned with red carpets and opulent furnishings embellished with gold and silver.

Sauer conveyed the king’s strategy to the vassals gathered in the Chancellor’s office.

“I see! We will deal with only one side and fight with all our might?”

“As expected of His Majesty, well-versed in military strategy.”

The direct vassals of the Clock royal family nodded vigorously. However, the summoned local nobles wore anxious expressions.

Some were lords governing the west, while others controlled the east. If the royal army did not come to their respective territories, their lands would be at risk of being ravaged by the rebel forces.

“…So, to which direction shall we send our army?”

General Alcock quietly asked the assembled vassals.

“First, we should focus on the east. Let’s negotiate a favorable peace treaty with Duke Chad in the west and hold a ceasefire!”

“Indeed, the eastern rebels are closer to the royal capital of Shampur. We must eradicate the eastern traitors first!”

The council decided to send the army to the east. However, General Alcock, who had strong ties to the Grand Duke’s family, was dismissed. The rebel suppression army would be led directly by Sauer, the Chamberlain.

◇◇◇◇◇

In the September of the Unified Calendar 569――

The rebel forces and the suppression army faced each other in a vast grassland three days’ walk east of the royal capital, Shampur.

It was the peak season for harvesting Ishtar wheat, and the number of mercenaries, whose main occupation was agriculture, was minimal on both sides. As a result, the main forces of both armies were primarily composed of professional warriors, leading to a relatively low troop count.

However, the royal army, which concentrated its strength on one side, managed to gather 12,000 troops, while the rebel forces, primarily composed of the Rillburn and Grand Duke’s families, could barely muster 6,000.

“Heavy infantry, advance!”

On both sides, heavily armored infantry clad in black iron spread thinly to the sides, forming a battle line with their shields raised. Right behind them stood archers with longbows at the ready.

“Commence firing!”

Countless arrows flew from both sides. However, most of them were deflected by the large shields held by the infantry.

“Advance the line!”

The royal army struck the gongs and beat the war drums, rallying the infantry at the front to march forward.

“…Hmm?”

From a high vantage point in the back, Sauer, the Chamberlain, noticed something amiss. There were front-line units advancing as ordered and others that were not.

“What are you doing!? Advance the entire army!”

“Yes, my lord!”

The royal army was already known for its high level of training, and it was nearly impossible for them to fail basic marching maneuvers. Furthermore, with few mercenaries this time, high levels of control were to be expected…