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 68

Chapter 68   The Local Lords of the Atago Plains

Unified Year 566, April—

At Net Castle, the administrative center of the Fletcher Republic’s Atago Plains, the atmosphere was tense.

General Treiber, the Field Marshal dispatched from the Republic’s homeland, was increasingly frustrated with Margrave Collins, the castle’s lord. Margave Collins, a local notable, was also the leader of the surrounding regional lords.

“Margrave! The enemy kingdom’s army is fewer than five thousand! We must march out and crush them immediately!”

“But our main forces have already been sent to Caliburn Castle in the homeland. The troops we have now are mostly conscripted farmers. It’s unreasonable to order them into battle…”

“Those conscripted farmers number ten thousand! In war, numbers are everything. Besides, the enemy has invaded from a great distance. How can you call yourself a noble if you let them go unchallenged!?”

In the Republic, the consul, elected by the people, held absolute authority. Denying the opinion of Treiber, the consul’s appointed Field Marshal, would cast doubt on one’s loyalty to the Republic.

“Understood. I will order the regional lords to march out.”

“Good! Now that’s the spirit of a noble of the Republic! Let’s drive the enemy away!”

Thus, the Republic’s forces in the Atago region, leaving three thousand soldiers to defend the castle, combined with the troops of the regional lords to form an army of twelve thousand. They set out toward the kingdom’s forces, stationed at the border.

◇◇◇◇◇

Three days after their departure from Net Castle, the 12,000 troops led by Margrave Collins set up camp on a certain high ground.

“Margrave, wouldn’t it be better for us to remain fortified in the castle until the main forces from the homeland defeat the kingdom’s army?”

“Indeed, indeed. Once the main forces clash and defeat the enemy, their morale will plummet. That’s when we should strike all at once!”

“The main army, with its 80,000 troops drawn from our best soldiers, is facing only 15,000 of the enemy. There’s no way they can lose!”

The regional lords of the Atago Plains all echoed the same sentiment, urging Margrave Collins not to engage in battle. These lords, being far from the Republic’s homeland, were highly autonomous nobles.

“Very well, very well. We shall stay here on this high ground until the outcome of the main battle is decided. Rest assured, everyone.”

“We’re counting on you!”

Margrave Collins was a man well-liked by the regional lords for his virtue and kindness, but this amiable nature made him less of a bold and daring commander.

The following day, Field Marshal Treiber arrived.

“The enemy has only 5,000 troops, a third of our number! Why, then, are we cowering on this high ground instead of facing them?”

“Well, you see, Lord Treiber, remain calm. I’ve sent a skilled assassin after the enemy’s commander, this Shinker fellow. Once they lose their leader, the enemy will surely flee, and we can then strike with certainty!”

“Is that so? Make sure you defeat them swiftly, won’t you? My career depends on it. I’m counting on you!”

“Leave it to me.”

While the Republic’s homeland flourished, it was largely due to the heavy taxes levied annually on regions like the Atago Plains. This situation caused severe war-weariness among the local troops, and Margrave Collins had to carefully manage his forces to prevent desertions by soldiers worried about their farms.

For the lower-ranking local nobles, it hardly mattered whether the kingdom or the Republic prevailed—they were indifferent to the point of desperation.

◇◇◇◇◇

At the kingdom’s military camp near the border, in the headquarters of House Rillburn, a red-haired assassin was brought before me.

“What is your name?”

“…Eclair.”

To my surprise, the assassin revealed her name. It could be a fake, but still…

“Who ordered you to attack me?”

“I can’t say, not even if it costs me my life!”

“…I figured as much.”

If I were in her position, I’d do the same. Revealing the employer could endanger one’s own loved ones.

“Were you hired for money?”

“…Yes.”

In my mercenary days, I was also motivated by money. If you don’t eat, honor means nothing.

“Then, how much would it take for you to work for me?”

“…What?”

The female assassin looked bewildered. Assassins are usually killed when caught, so my offer likely surprised her.

“How much do you want?”

“Fifty gold coins per month.”

This response shocked both me and Adelheid, who was standing nearby. I’ve never hired an assassin before, but that price seemed exorbitant. It was roughly equivalent to 5 million yen per month in modern Japanese currency.

“Are you a fool? You should be grateful just to be kept alive! If you anger my lord now, you could be killed!”

Adelheid questioned her harshly.

“Impossible! My village is stricken by the Arbatta disease. If those who can work don’t earn enough, the entire village will starve to death!”

“…!?”

Arbatta disease—a condition that causes one’s face to be hideously disfigured from birth. Due to its appearance, those afflicted are deeply despised and often abandoned in hidden villages.

The disease is rumored to be caused by a curse or magical forces. As it progresses, it deteriorates the muscles and organs, eventually rendering the afflicted bedridden—a truly terrifying ailment.

“So, you need that amount to support everyone’s living expenses?”

“Exactly.”

The female assassin spat out those words, then hung her head as if to say, “Do as you wish.”

“I understand. I will pay you fifty gold coins per month. Serve the House of Rillburn well!”

“…A-Are you serious!?”

My response surprised not only the female assassin but also Adelheid. …Uh oh, I think I’ve just made an enemy of our house’s treasurer again.

But this is a battlefield. I quickly refocused my thoughts.

“…Now then, Eclair, your first task begins immediately. Scout the enemy’s situation in the surrounding area at once!”

“Understood!”

Without a sound, the female assassin disappeared from my sight.