Chapter 698 - Richard's Campaign
The river flowing through almost the center of the Duchy of Roland represents the western continent, both in terms of the length of its basin and the width of the river in its lower reaches. Near the mouth of that river, a plain with an elevation so low it could be called wetlands spreads out. From there, a bit upstream, the terrain becomes what could be called grasslands, and sheep grazing using that terrain is popular.
Engrio is a country founded by the descendants of warriors who crossed to the White Island as mercenaries from the current Duchy of Roland territory, were active, and gained territory, eventually expanding their influence. Therefore, the people of the Duchy of Roland territory felt more affinity for Engrio than for the Kingdom of East Liber, which was the conqueror. Even more so because they were a different tribe from the Liber people who founded the giant Kingdom of Liber, although it has now split into three countries. As the history of having raised rebellions many times in the past tells, the differences in culture such as language, customs, and manners were large, and even more so the difference in religion. However, as time passed, conversion progressed, and as Engrio advanced marriage diplomacy with East Liber, it had been considerably mitigated. However, that was only for the interactions between the noble classes, and there was still a gap between the ruling class and the general populace. Also, those were unrelated in the area on the west side of the river, which was the former Kingdom of West Liber territory. The land Richard made into the Duchy territory has that kind of historical background.
On the other hand, Richard was the first to work on countermeasures against the spread of the disease in the coastal areas of West Liber, which was one of the causes for interrupting the previous war. Because he knew the effect of magic water. In that respect, his response was clearly different from the West Liber side, which was unfamiliar with magic and didn't even know well how to use magic water. As a result, the populace treated Richard, who shared the same ancestors, drove out the ruling class of other tribes, and actively worked on disease countermeasures for the populace, like a local hero, and his popularity was immense. In the late autumn of last year, when the nobles of southwestern East Liber raised a rebellion against the royal family, the populace saw off Richard, who was trying to go up the river together with the Engrio Kingdom army led by King Seldic, with cheers. And when he returned in triumph after solving it within the year in a state with almost no damage, they welcomed him with even louder cheers.
Into the river port of that Duchy of Roland territory, the Engrio army sent in warships one after another. It was in cooperation with the main East Liber army and the allied forces with various nobles of the southwest. The enemy is West Liber, and it is expected that the King of West Liber will likely lead them directly. Partly because the spread of the disease is heading toward an end, it was predicted that it would be a large battle.
Engrio's dispatch of troops this time is, of course, by the instruction of King Seldic. However, King Seldic himself remains in the country doing Demon Lord's army countermeasures. And the military heavyweight, Margrave Mortimer, is staying behind with the home guard unit. It is clear that Richard, the Duke of Roland, will take command of the soldiers. Even more so, the people of the land on the west side of the river... that is, the land that was former West Liber territory, hate the West Liber nobles who oppressed them during the West Liber era... just like in the previous war, they expected Richard to be active and kick the West Liber army around.
"Richard-sama, it seems the entry of the Engrio army into the camp is mostly finished."
When the Duchy Chancellor spoke upon receiving the report, Richard, the Duke of Roland, was in the hall of a fort along the river. In this conflict between East and West Liber, he will lead about thirty thousand Roland-Engrio allied forces.
"I see. Then, I suppose everyone will gather soon."
"Precisely. Shall we hold a military council immediately?"
"Right. I have to at least remember everyone's faces and names."
"Precisely. Because this time, many people who are unfamiliar, including those directly under King Seldic, are participating. If they know that Richard-sama remembers their names and faces, they will be inspired."
"Well, I can manage somehow even if the names and faces don't match, though."
"Richard-sama!"
"It's a joke. A joke."
The soldiers who came from Engrio were mostly composed of the army directly under King Seldic, Margrave Mortimer's army, and many mercenary groups organized within Engrio as a result of the increase in nobles who paid money instead of military service. Of course, several well-known nobles have come leading soldiers, but for Richard, who had been leading the soldiers of eastern Engrio, they were people he was not very familiar with.
Among some East Liber nobles who knew that reality, there were those who whispered behind his back that it was a ragtag group, but Richard was unconcerned.
(Now, with nearly thirty thousand soldiers, it's difficult to keep the soldiers together and maintain morale. I have to have them move according to my instructions. For that, it's a matter of where I'll increase their gains.)
A campaign... Drawing in the West Liber army, and if possible, splitting it in two. For that, where to pass through, where to raid, and where to have the decisive battle.
Richard's own thoughts were already settled. After that, it would be a matter of whether the executives of the Engrio army would accept.
"Richard-sama, I understand well what you have said, but is it not a bit dangerous?"
A great noble who had come leading the Engrio army voiced an objection to the operation Richard explained. The one best at war in Engrio is King Seldic, and the next is said to be Margrave Mortimer. Although he tended to be hidden in the shadow of those two, the great noble who spoke was a man with a reputation for steady warfare. He doesn't collapse easily. For that reason, he was cautious.
"Dangerous?"
Richard asked while smiling. Because he should draw out all of the other party's opinions once.
"Yes. As for why..."
Richard's operation was to advance west while raiding near the northern coastal area of West Liber, further north than the route he took for the campaign in the previous war, and at the end of that is the West Liber capital. It was a route where the enemy's main army might come out to intercept. Richard's plan was that if the enemy's forces came toward them, he would intentionally have them pursue and conduct an interception battle somewhere. Especially if the opponent is the main army, he would coordinate with the East Liber army and lure them to a place advantageous for his allies. He included the role as a decoy unit in the maneuver. That would be viable in its own way. However, the great noble who came from Engrio as reinforcements... that is, not wanting to suffer much damage... said it would be better to maneuver to the side and rear to cut off the rear of the West Liber army when the main East and West Liber armies faced each other. It was likely a sound argument. Because it was steady, it could be called an effective tactic with little damage.
"However, with that, there is little to loot. What about food?"
"Let us supplement it using the convenience of the river."
"It is impossible with our country's navy. Because the original number of soldiers is different. It cannot possibly provide for everyone."
Going by the ratio of the number of soldiers this time, Roland has about ten thousand in the whole army, so if they leave garrison soldiers, the expeditionary force will be about seven or eight thousand. Of course, there are not enough ships to carry everything. Originally, because the tribes were different, the number of vessels for the expeditionary force was small.
"Richard-sama, the Engrio navy is not just for carrying soldiers here."
"Can I have them undertake the transport of logistics?"
"Naturally, we have received instructions from King Seldic to be of help to Richard-sama. Even more so, Richard-sama is the Crown Prince of Engrio. What need is there for any hesitation?"
"Then, how do you think it is best to maneuver? In my opinion, it would be more effective as a feint if we move before the main East Liber army."
"Precisely. Then, if I may be so bold..."
Saying so, the great noble who was dispatched showed not a maneuver along the coastal area, but a maneuver toward the inland instead. After leaving the Duchy of Roland, they would campaign in a large counter-clockwise circle toward the southwest, change course midway, and return to the starting point as is. Even if the main West Liber army sent a large force, if they ran straight east, they would cross the border and come to the river. Since that river is the river flowing through the middle of the Duchy of Roland territory, the transport capacity of the Engrio navy could be utilized.
Actually, this route was similar to the route Richard first thought of. It's the same as during the previous war. The difference is that last time they maneuvered in a long oval shape toward the southwest inland and returned to the starting point, but this time they would maneuver in a long oval from the coastal area toward the southwest. That much, they would be further from the main West Liber army. The problem is that because it's a rural area, the gains are small. Food can be obtained, but the soldiers' war-weariness tends to increase. Richard pointed that out again. It was an open fact that soldiers obtained temporary bonuses by looting, and this was especially prominent among mercenaries.
"These do not seem like words from Richard-sama. Our army indeed has many mercenaries due to the change in the military system. However, even they were legitimate knights before the military system was changed. Their discipline is correct."
Richard inwardly chuckled at the great noble who spoke indignantly. With this, the reinforcements have no choice but to accept the small gains they dislike. Morale would be raised by stacking victory upon victory, but he had confidence in that point. After all, the enemy's military strength was not much.
"I am sorry. It seems my eyes were clouded. I apologize."
"If you understand. Then, is the maneuver I mentioned earlier acceptable?"
"Yeah, let's do that. However, I want to correct the starting point and the latter half."
"The starting point and the latter half?"
"Right. I want the starting point to be after going a bit upstream using the transport capacity of the Engrio navy."
"Will the starting point not be in the middle of the forest?"
The border region is one of the leading forest areas even in the western continental region.
"To be precise, it's the northern edge of the forest. There's a highway, though it's narrow. Since we can also hide our military strength, I want to use it for transporting logistics. Because there are no magic beasts in this forest. It's safe."
"I see. And the latter half is within the range to be in time for the decisive battle between East and West."
"Exactly. In other words, the whole army will not return to the original place. This time, there is a high possibility that the main East and West Liber armies will face each other. In preparation for that, I want our army to be positioned north of the West Liber army as a mobile force."
"Intending to participate in the decisive battle altogether."
"Right. If possible, I want to play a decisive role and contribute to the victory of the King of East Liber. For that, it's necessary for the whole army to move as one. I need the command of the Engrio army."
Hmm, the great noble thought.
Richard, the Duke of Roland, showed splendid skill in the previous war between East and West Liber and in the joint operation with King Seldic last autumn. Now, he is gaining a reputation that he might surpass his father the King in terms of warfare. If he pointlessly refuses here and the war ends with just looting, it will be rumored that he held him back. The talk about military discipline was likely just to confirm our internal situation. If so, it's fine as long as his opinion regarding the first half was taken. If the decisive battle ends in a loss for the East, that's the responsibility of the King of East Liber. If they win and we haven't participated in the decisive battle, he might receive the slur of cowardice from both friend and foe. Moreover, as Richard-sama says, a mobile force needs unified movement. In Richard-sama's argument, since the east side is a forest area and there are several small forests in the surrounding area, it's easy to place ambushes. In other words, they can fight even if inferior in number of soldiers. Should I leave it to Richard-sama, who is good at war?
After thinking that far, he looked at Richard's face.
"Understood."
"Will you leave the command of the Engrio army to me?"
"Yes. I leave it to you."
"I'm in your debt."
In this way, Richard gained the command of the Engrio army while preserving the face of the man who would be the second-in-command leading the reinforcements.
In the middle of June, Richard, leading nearly thirty thousand troops including the Engrio army, set out. It was a departure by ship from the port near the river mouth. Upon the departure, the residents along the river flocked in large numbers.
"It was the same last autumn, but this is a splendid sight this time as well."
The great noble of the Engrio army, who was appointed as the second-in-command, looked at the cheering crowd with a good mood. Richard is next to him. In other words, as the second-in-command, it was like a public appearance to the residents. The majority of the cheers were calling Richard's name, but occasionally, the great noble's name was called. They were telling him to look after Richard.
"You've also become famous."
"No, it's a bit embarrassing."
"This land is the land of my royal family, and of your ancestors."
"Yes. Receiving such cheers, I am deeply moved."
Is it a plant? The great noble also thought so, but he didn't put it into words; even if it were, if Richard had been so considerate, then it was worth coming for that alone. After all, Richard is the next King of Engrio. There's no way his consideration for him would work unfavorably.
"In this battle, I want to somehow make the King of East Liber win."
"Precisely."
If realized, the name of Richard, the Duke of Roland, will thunder, and at the same time, Engrio will be able to receive even stronger support from East Liber than now. Unfortunately, in northern Engrio, there are two geniuses of war in the small country of Sertoria, although they are elderly. In fact, while they were able to expand territory to the east, they have been made to drink bitter water many times in the north. The contemporary King and the King's younger brother are also not to be underestimated. The Crown Princes of various countries including James, who have formed a bond with those two, are also the same. Engrio needs a backer like East Liber. The great noble thought so.
"Lend me your strength."
"Please do not hesitate."
"I'm counting on you."
Richard was grateful that his father, King Seldic, had chosen this man as the general to lead the Engrio army. At first, he thought Margrave Mortimer would come. However, that wasn't the case. When he heard the name, he really had no memory of it. He even asked the Duchy Chancellor, "Who is this?"
"Gramps, who is this guy?"
"'This guy' is a bit disrespectful."
"Sorry, sorry. I really have no memory of him."
Gramps let out a massive sigh.
"Sir Boltz is from a prestigious family that draws the blood of those who followed the First King of Engrio."
"Was that so?"
"Yes, he's from a branch family, so he doesn't stand out, but... he is one of the generals that King Seldic has a special eye on, having participated in the two northern campaigns led by King Seldic."
"Ho, ho. There was such a man."
"Yes. In the reform of the military system after the previous war, he was plucked from the direct-control army and became a general of an army. He is, at any rate, steady. He was even entrusted with the rearguard during the defeat at Regnentes."
"He did well to survive."
"He is a veteran war expert. He will surely be of help in this battle as well."
"Understood. I'll remember that well."
A general raised by my father, eh? Let's see what he can do.
Richard thought so, looking at the profile of Sir Boltz, who was waving his hand toward the residents with slightly flushed cheeks.