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 70

Chapter 70   Conquest of Net Castle

“Spirits of the wind, guide me to distant lands!”

I used one of the wind magic spells, a secret technique of instant teleportation, to visit and persuade various local lords on the enemy’s side.

“W-Who might you be?”

Dressed in my finest attire, newly tailored in the royal capital of Shampur, I humbly approached the local lord. One must never underestimate appearances. After all, people only see what’s on the surface…

“I am Rillburn, a marquis of the Owen Alliance Kingdom.”

“Gah!? Marquis Rillburn?”

The battle by sword had ended in the recent conflict. Now, what remained was the battle of hearts and minds.

There is no clear victory or defeat in this type of battle… I began to speak persuasively.

“So, you will guarantee my lands as they are?”

“Of course, we have no desire to confront Baron Lal. We sincerely hope you will side with us!”

After the recent battle, the enemy no longer had the power to protect their territories. Because of this, they listened earnestly to what I had to say. Indeed, a peaceful negotiation can be just as effective as a battle.

“I am most grateful! Please convey my regards to Her Majesty. The House of Baron Lal is willing to face any danger for Her Majesty!”

…The negotiation was successful. I received pleasing words.

However, it is also true that without our strength, they would not dare defy the Republic’s homeland. Should the tide of war change, these words may prove unreliable…

“I have received your words. Her Majesty will be pleased. We shall be allies in the next battlefield.”

“Indeed, I shall showcase the depth of my military strategy!”

Afterward, I accepted Baron Lal’s invitation, and we held a small banquet. A beautiful village girl danced, while delicious wine and a rare roasted pig were served.

“Come now, Lord Lilburn, drink to your heart’s content.”

“I’ve had more than enough, thank you.”

Honestly, the wine was incredibly delicious, but considering that I was in enemy territory just yesterday, I decided to pace myself. It was a real shame, as both the food and drink were excellent. I wished I could share this with Io.

…As the banquet reached its peak, the baron introduced his daughter to me. She was still very young and seemed frightened by my presence, hiding behind her mother’s back.

“Marquis, if it pleases you, might I humbly offer my daughter as a concubine to serve in your household?”

“…Well, I am quite drunk tonight, so let’s discuss this another time.”

It’s not easy to refuse without hurting the other person’s dignity. The baron was likely making a desperate attempt to secure his family’s survival…

After bidding farewell to the baron’s family, I used the secret technique of instant teleportation to head to the next noble’s residence. Thanks to this magic, I was able to save an impressive amount of time.

…The truth is, this magic requires a clear mental image of the destination to activate.

In other words, it generally can’t be used to go somewhere unfamiliar. However, my intended destination was Pokorina.

I had actually asked Pokorina to run through the night to the target noble’s territory. This allowed me to teleport instantly to wherever Pokorina had gone.

◇◇◇◇◇

Atago Great Plain, the central area of Net Castle.

In the castle’s administrative office, General Treiber was fuming with frustration.

“…Damn it! That cursed villain, Shinker!”

This general had been captured by the enemy kingdom’s forces, but thanks to a substantial ransom paid by Margrave Collins, he had been able to return. Consequently, the once-imposing presence he had over the local lords had diminished.

“But, General Treiber, what will we do if the enemy attacks this castle?”

Margrave Collins, the lord of Net Castle, asked this question.

“Of course, we will resist to the utmost! Margrave Collins, this castle is a stronghold. Even if the enemy advances with a large army, it won’t be easily taken!”

“However, our troops have scattered, and we have fewer than three thousand soldiers remaining.”

“That’s where you come in, Margrave Collins! If we can get the local lords to send troops, we should be fine!”

Just then, a messenger arrived.

“Baron Lal of the Eastern Plains and three other noble houses have defected to the enemy. Furthermore, the Hachiji Viscount family from the North and others are also joining the enemy!”

“…Nonsense!”

Both General Treiber and Margrave Collins were astonished by this report. The enemy’s maneuvering was happening too quickly.

The local lords had no prior acquaintance with the enemy’s Marquis Rillburn. The speed with which so many noble houses had defected was beyond comprehension.

“…Is he a monster rather than a man!?”

This is how Margrave Collins reacted in surprise, as recorded in his aide’s diary.

Seven days later, Net Castle was besieged by the army led by Marquis Rillburn.

Their numbers totaled an astonishing thirty-five thousand.

The result of local lords who had been allies until yesterday defecting to the enemy had led to this overwhelming force.

◇◇◇◇◇

“Open the gates! Open the gates!”

Just three days after the siege began, the large main gate of Net Castle opened.

Margrave Collins, the lord of the castle and said to be the leader of the Atago Plain, had surrendered without a fight to the attacking Marquis Rillburn.

Net Castle was fortified with deep moats and sturdy stone walls. It had ample food supplies and a plentiful stock of weapons and arrows. With its defenses, it could easily withstand a siege of around thirty thousand troops for six months.

However, seeing the flags of the local lords who had been allies until yesterday, the soldiers lost their will to fight. They began to scatter, and the situation quickly became untenable for a protracted defense.

“Lift your head.”

“Yes, sir.”

Marquis Rillburn treated the defeated general with courtesy. With a pleasant demeanor, he entered the castle alongside Margrave Collins.

As a result, the grim atmosphere inside the castle transformed. The streets within the walls were now filled with a welcoming mood for the Kingdom’s troops.