Chapter 98 - Chapter 1: Miscalculation
Perhaps because of the several heavy snowfalls this winter, hardly anything moving can be seen in the farmland that has become a snowy field under the cloudy sky. Livestock huddled together in one place to ward off the cold only move slightly every now and then. From the watchtower of the royal castle of the Kingdom of Engrio, it looked like nothing but a gray world stretching out.
"Servetus. Things aren't going quite as planned, are they?"
"As you say, my lord."
"I never thought Primordia would surrender so easily."
"They must have sensed our movements."
"Are you saying they decided from the beginning to surrender as soon as we invaded?"
"Most likely. Just as your wisdom suggests."
The midwinter wind blew mercilessly, fluttering the clothes of the two men. Amidst this, Seldic wore a gentle smile, and Servetus seemed completely unbothered by the whiteness of his breath.
About a month ago, the Engrio army had put most of the forces gathered in the west onto ships, intending to land them in the western part near the royal capital of Primordia, bypassing the mountainous border region.
This was to force them to allow the use of the ports that Primordia had been refusing. The nations occupying the northern coast of the island do not allow Engrio's warships to enter their ports. In particular, Primordia's ports were considered necessary for waiting for favorable winds or seeking shelter from storms when heading to the northern coast via the western tip of the island. They were even forced to travel by land when participating in the support for the subjugation of the Demon Lord's army that had been revived in Sertoria. This was retaliation for that.
Primordia's military forces are dispersed in three locations: the western coast, the center, and the west of the eastern mountainous border region. They were positioned so that no matter where the enemy landed, they could be semi-encircled by advancing from the western and central locations.
Also, the forts in the west of the mountainous region, which are buried in snow during the winter, could not possibly be reached from Engrio; conversely, they could serve as an ambush to strike the flank and rear of an advancing enemy.
Naturally, Engrio expected the battles after landing to be fierce.
This time, the difference in military strength was roughly fivefold. However, the geographical advantage lay with Primordia, and if the local farmers joined in, the simple difference in military strength would only be about twofold. For the opponent, as long as one unit devoted itself to defense somewhere, reinforcements would surely appear on our flank.
In midwinter, the sea has high waves and many accidents. The expeditionary force, which had no communication route with the home country other than the sea, was supposed to proceed with the war while securing a landing point, all while suffering from food shortages in midwinter when looting was hardly possible.
Of course, the nobles who owned land along the border were all opposed. However, the King told them not to worry and to annihilate the enemy because a special corps organized for winter warfare would break through the mountainous region. No one had ever heard of the existence of such a corps. Everyone went off to war half-doubting.
Among the nobles who went to war, some even entrusted their affairs after death to their young eldest sons, passing on various duties as lords.
However, by the time the landing forces approached the shore, messengers from the Primordia side were already prepared, and surrender negotiations suddenly began.
The noble who became the commander was overjoyed, thinking it was a miracle from God. Although the King's instruction was to annihilate the enemy, attacking an enemy that surrenders in a submissive manner goes against chivalry. He immediately entered negotiations, secured exclusive use of part of the port in the Primordia capital, the stationing of the Engrio army, and the cession of the mountainous region, and returned to Engrio in triumph.
However, unbeknownst to the commander of the advanced Engrio army, by that time the forts in the mountainous region had already been attacked by a swarm of gargoyles and annihilated, with every single person killed. And about ten scouts who had been watching the situation from a distance had already finished reporting to the King of Primordia.
"Just like with the north, I don't understand why they can surrender so easily."
Surrender is an important strategy for the weak. As long as the holy bloodline, which they proclaim was bestowed by the Goddess, can survive, the possibility of restoration remains. Preserving the bloodline is the greatest goal of the weak. This was true even if they lost their country. If they can submit to the king of a powerful nation and preserve their family name even as one of the nobles, they might make a comeback given the chance. The blood of the royal family is not so cheap as to bet everything on a single battle.
"Since Your Majesty is a strong one, you need not understand the heart of the weak. It is enough to gradually increase those who submit and expand your territory."
Servetus himself is a survivor of the strategy of the weak. He had predicted Primordia's choice to some extent. However, even so, it was too fast.
"They may have been detected by Sertoria."
"Are you talking about your followers?"
"Indeed."
Seldic placed both hands on the edge of the watchtower and looked at his territory, dyed in winter gray. He was looking north, and far beyond lay the Kingdom of Sertoria.
"As I thought, was the experiment in the Eastern Plains too flashy? If we were going to be found out, perhaps it would have been better not to experiment."
It was Seldic's idea to have gargoyles advance into the Eastern Plains and carry orcs to the positions guarded by the Jaeger units. A mischievous spirit had arisen to test Roberts, the King's younger brother of Sertoria, who was highly reputed as the strongest in history.
"I humbly suggest that there is no problem even if it is known."
"Is that so? You too are testing various things in Sertoria, like the Revenants and Subordination."
Servetus quietly bowed his head.
"Your Majesty. Which country on this island do you wary of the most?"
"Medioland. The country is wealthy and has many troops. Neither the King nor the Crown Prince is a fool."
"Then, you must never make any poor provocations toward Medioland alone."
"I know. We shall decide the winner at the very end."
Medioland's national power is about two-thirds of Engrio's, but if they fought head-on, Engrio's losses would not be negligible. If a large number of soldiers are killed, he might lose the support of their families and have the rug pulled out from under him in a trivial way.
"Then, the next country to be wary of?"
"Sertoria."
"May I hear the reason? Excluding our country and Medioland, Sertoria is merely one of the average countries on this island."
At this, Seldic laughed as if he were truly enjoying himself. However, his eyes, which had been looking far to the north, were now looking directly at Servetus.
"That country is strong. Not in national power. If we invaded by normal means, most of that country's citizens would likely resist the invaders until they died."
They won't be swayed by interests. In other words, negotiations won't work.
"If so, how would you attack if you were to do so?"
"Use every possible means to break their spirit. Even then, those who resist must be slaughtered."
"I, too, feel the same way."
At this point, the gentle smile returned to Seldic.
"What do you intend to do?"
"I shall let them think of countermeasures after showing some of our hand. Then we can crush them."
"And then, proclaim it to the remaining countries. To make them understand what happens if they resist."
As expected, this King is extraordinary. He knows how to manipulate people's hearts in the palm of his hand. A war can be decided by numbers. However, one cannot rule a country just by winning a war. After thoroughly grinding one country to dust, he will extend a hand of relief to other countries that submit. He naturally switches between cruelty and tolerance as if breathing in and out without any emotional fluctuation, and if he is not found out, he will remain in history as a wise ruler. Servetus thought so.
"Then, will you continue the experiments?"
"To some extent."
"I'm sorry. I've caused you concern."
The 'concern' likely referred to Servetus saying it wasn't a waste that Sertoria had seen through the technique of controlling monsters due to Seldic's mischief.
"By the way, what next? I expected that if Regnentes joined the battle against Primordia from the sea, we could potentially crush both countries together, but it didn't go that way."
"The reserve forces have run low. It would be wise to refrain from active military expeditions for a year. After that, it will depend on Medioland."
"Will they invade Gram?"
"Who knows. In any case, you should respond to requests for reinforcements from any country. However, even if you dispatch troops, do not engage in combat with Medioland alone."
"Umu. I think so too. The time will likely be early summer."
"I also..."
"...think so," Servetus replied, and the meeting between the two ended.