Chapter 110 - The One-Eyed and the Hawk II
Translator: r/isekaikenkokuki
“It is nice to meet you, King Rosyth. My name is Alexios. As is apparent, I am a Povenian. I am being hired by Lezzad to lead their army in this war.” (Alexios)
“So you’re Alexios. I have heard much of your exploits.” (Almus)
Alexios is the man who a few days seized a Belvedere fortress with barely any casualties.
Lezzad and Gehenna got a lot of slaves out of that so I’m sure they are happy about this result.
“King Rosyth, it is my belief that we should work together to obtain victory. However, that city would hinder our ability to coordinate with each other.” (Alexios)
Alexios points to a distant yet visible city.
It is a populous city protected by high walls.
It is the third largest city in Belvedere with about a 70% of its population having Cretian descent.
Instead of giving the city local autonomy, King Belvedere is collecting taxes from the city.
It would have been better to let the strongly free-spirited Cretian self-govern.
There are many cities like this in the Belvedere Kingdom.
“If we were to attack the castle there and attempt to take control of the city, It would take time. If this isn’t done well, it could take years before we would be able to take the castle. We obviously do not have the luxury of time for such an attack.” (Almus)
He’s right though, we need provide aid to Bartolo after all.
To provide supplies so he and his men don’t starve, we have to capture the city.
“So, what is it you had in mind?” (Almus)
“Your majesty, what we should capture is not the city but the hearts of its people.” (Alexios)
Alexios smiled with a grin.
He elaborates on his statement.
“Up until now, we have been able to advance our armies smoothly. Because of that, we have been able to consolidate our forces. Are you aware why this is?” (Alexios)
“King Belvedere has withdrawn most of his soldiers, this is because he has begun to lose defensive ground. They have left behind only the bare minimum of troops needed to guard their large villages and towns.” (Almus)
Well, I think this is a pretty safe strategy to go with.
The longer the front of their defensive line stretches, the more they need to stretch the line itself thin.
If they were to stretch thinly, there would be fear that we could easily destroy a part of the line somewhere.
Since this is the case then the best strategy would be to fallback, concentrate their defenses, and save their manpower.
The plains near the the Belvedere royal capital would be the deciding battle, so you would be smart to guard it.
At the very least for their country’s survival, the most likely winning strategy would be a costly.
After all, I definitely cannot afford to do that.
That kind of strategy would abandon many commoners and patricians.
Going through with that would mean support for the right to rule would be lost. Even if the country is saved, you would not be able to regain its former strength.
... Well it’s not like King Belvedere is an ambitious person like myself.
The king of Belvedere would never do what I have done.
It’s just a difference in values between myself and King Belvedere, not whether or not one way is superior or inferior.
So I look down on his actions.
“I understand what you want to say. Can we really make that city capitulate?” (Almus)
“That’s right.” (Alexios)
“However, that city has been under the Belvedere Kingdom’s rule for over 100 years. They should owe some kind of allegiance to King Belvedere. Would making them surrender really be that simple?” (Almus)
When I ask this, Alexios nods.
“We will use the Rosyth Kingdom’s weapon, the fire dust. We set off explosions late into the night. We do this every night... and make loud noises so the citizens will have trouble sleeping.” (Alexios)
Hm...
“This should continue for about three days. Afterwards, we will ask for the city to surrender. The Belvedere Kingdom collects a tenth of their total tax revenue. This is not that heavy of a tax but it isn’t an insignificant tax either. They also obligate the city’s people to service in the military too. If they are promised in some part lessened taxes then they will open the castle gates themselves.” (Alexios)
I see. It’s not a bad proposal.
However, there is one part about this plan that worries me.
“Is this fine? You were hired by Lezzad were you not? You should be seeking a.s.sistance from Ains not me.” (Almus)
“If the city is given to Lezzad, then it would upset the balance of powers cause a crisis with Gehenna and Nemes. There’s also the fact that this the northern part of the Belvedere Kingdom. It would be very difficult for Lezzad to maintain control over the land as it borders Belvedere’s south.” (Alexios)
I see. That reasoning makes sense.
“I understand. We’ll go through with your plan.” (Almus)
“My king! Is this really fine? To accept the advice of a foreigner is...”
One of the patricians raise their voice in protest.
The other patricians seem to hold the same opinion.
Well, I can understand why they would be negative about this...
“Time is something we cannot afford. This is best plan for a quick victory. Even if we fail here, we will have at least exhausted our opponents. It’s worth a try... do any of you want to suggest a better plan?” (Almus)
When I ask this, the patricians avert their eyes.
They think the plan is solid as well. The only reason they are against it is because it’s coming from a foreigner.
... Well, in my case I don’t particularly mind hearing the opinion of a foreigner.
I still think of myself as j.a.panese, so it makes no difference to me if someone is Aldernian, Cretian, or Povenian.
“What will the your majesty’s terms be for the city?” (Alexios)
“Let’s see... They must provide supplies to the army, a temporary base, be obligated to give service to the military, be given full autonomy excluding diplomacy and tariffs, a 2% tax... that should be good enough right?” (Almus)
“Is it fine to make such light demands?” (Rosyth Patrician)
A patrician once again raises their voice to protest.
The other patricians say they want the tax to be higher. Alexios also makes a face.
Hold on now, I also have an idea after all.
“If the city would be willing to switch sides from Belvedere to Rosyth, then who is to say they cannot switch from Rosyth to another country in the future? We must eliminate that possibility. If we give them a low tax it will lower the chance of them defecting.”
In the first place besides taxes, they will have to spend money on infrastructure and maintenance for the army.
Beside the 10% tax Belvedere is extorting from the city, the commoners are being made to pay an harsher tax.
The burden on them is not light.
In the first place, Cretians are not a people that like to be ruled over. Especially not by a king.
That’s why, the concept of regularly collecting taxes is not a concept the Cretians would even think of doing. [7]
That is why we are going to offer a low tax rate.
If we do this, hostility against our kingdom’s rule goes to zero.
Also, it’s not like this city is the only city with a significant Cretian population in the Belvedere Kingdom.
If we give them an great deal then things will go smoothly. [8]
It’s enough for them to just give us soldiers during times of war anyways.
Placing taxes will be seen like we are exploiting them while requesting military service will be seen as a necessity for mutual defense. They should be easily convinced by this.
Though to be honest, this is the best policy to go with. I’ve decided I want to lower the tax rate of our country .
I only need a modest amount of tax revenue. A hundred pennies make a dollar after all.
I also want to prepare for the difference between other cities. That’s why I think a 2% tax is perfect. [9]
The problem is that I’d have no land to give to the patricians, but I don’t think there’d be a city or village in the Belvedere Kingdom that wouldn’t rebel. Giving land around the cities will have to do.
I can also give some land directly under my control if it comes to that.
After this is...
“Of course, we will keep the current ruling cla.s.s in charge. It’s easier that way.” (Almus)
The most troublesome part of war is the post-war management.
If we keep the local government in place, we only need to ensure loyalty and there’d be no need to go through great lengths to manage the new territory.
“So, are there any objections?” (Almus)
There were no objections.
BOOM!!!
BOOM!!!
BOOM!!!
It has been three days since the enemy army began sieging the city.
“As usual they are making loud noises, just yelling. *Sigh*... there’s just no point to it.” (Belvedere Solider #1)
“The only ones who think that are us soldiers. ... The townsfolk are terrified as they are unfamiliar with what war is like. Just recently my wife told me that our child is crying everyday.” (Belvedere Soldier #2)
The soldiers overlook the enemy as they make noise.
When the Coalition Army began sieging the city, the soldiers were prepared to die.
The enemy has a large force while we have a small one. There is no way we could fight that.
Though central command is preparing to deploy reinforcements, we don’t know when they’ll arrive.
Even so, I am prepared to do anything to defend this place hype myself to do so.
Still, the enemy army have not really done anything.
I mean all they have been doing is loudly yelling and making noises as deafening as thunder.
Well, if this is all they’re doing then it should be fine.
Pretending to do a.s.sault at midnight, they hope to wear out the opponent. It’s a common tactic.
Us soldiers as well as the townsfolk were prepared for this.
However, I just can’t get used to that thunder-like sound.
While I say it’s a thunder-like sound, it’s not quite that either. It’s more like a roar that reverberates through your body to the stomach.
The sound has been causing problems for the city’s citizens.
Children and some of the more faint-hearted women cannot sleep at night and are crying, those cries are getting on the nerves of the others who are trying to sleep.
A majority of the people in the city are stressed out.
There’s also the fact that human excrements are falling from the sky everyday. (eww)
Even though we are doing our best to clean up, in the end what stinks will stink.
Whether or not the enemy general has bad aim or not is not really known as they tend to have bad accuracy during mealtime.
“Oh, by the way, did you hear about those letters being sent by arrows?” (Belvedere Soldier #1)
“I do; I actually have one on me.” (Belvedere Soldier #2)
Saying this, the soldiers show his coworker the letter from the arrow.
It reads:
[King Belvedere is gathering his soldiers inside the royal capital; there is no sign of them making any advances. That cowardly king has abandoned you. Reinforcements are not coming.]
“You think they’re telling the truth?” (Belvedere Soldier #1)
“At the least... we shouldn’t recklessly say anything about this. To avoid lowering morale any further, the higher-ups have put a gag rule on speaking about this.” (Belvedere Soldier #2)
“Then you shouldn’t be talking to me about this right?” (Belvedere Soldier #1)
The soldier’s colleague told him bluntly.
His colleague apologizes as he stares up to the stars and mutters.
“Why can’t we just surrender?” (Belvedere Soldier #1)
“What are you saying?!” (Belvedere Soldier #2)
“I mean it’s not like we owe anything to King Belvedere right? I mean we are supposed to be his subjects, but do we really need to fight for him with our lives on the line?”
This is a sentiment held by many of the soldiers who are from this city.
70% of the soldiers protecting the city were born there. The remaining were just some garrison King Belvedere left behind.
It’s obvious King Belvedere was only using the city to buy time.
That was the sole purpose of the city.
“Still though... they haven’t even demanded for us to surrender yet. Even if, let’s say, they did and we agreed to a surrender... do you think we’d be any better under the rule of someone else? Do you want to leave that kind of negative legacy for your children?” (Belvedere Soldier #2)
“But as this rate, we’ll just die in vain. Isn’t it important for us to stay alive? ...Well, it’s not like we can choose what to do anyways. The decisions are decided by our superiors anyways...”
The day after that.
King Rosyth proclaimed his terms for their surrender.
First, if you value your lives, put down your arms and open the gates. If this is done then of course we guarantee the lives of all citizens including the soldiers, and guarantee the right to maintain any property you own.
Second, allow our army to use the city as a base. You will be need to cover the maintenance cost of the army. The minimum in the form of food supplies and arrows is fine.
Third, this city shall become a territory under King Rosyth.
Fourth, the citizens are to obligated to military service.
Fifth, we give full autonomy with the exception of diplomacy and tariffs.
Sixth, under us you will need to pay a 2% tax.
The city’s top level government, the city council, spent half a day vigorously debating. They finally decided on a modified version of King Rosyth’s surrender terms.
First, if you value your lives, put down your arms and open the gates. If this is done then of course we guarantee the lives of all citizens including the soldiers, and guarantee the right to maintain any property you own.
Second, allow our army to use the city as a base. You will be need to cover the maintenance cost of the army. The minimum in the form of food supplies and arrows is fine.
Third, this city shall be tied to King Rosyth in “confederation”.
Fourth, when the city is at war with another country then King Rosyth must protect the city. When King Rosyth is at war with another country then the city will supply military forces.
Fifth, we give full autonomy with the exception of diplomacy and tariffs.
Sixth, under us you will need to pay a 2% tax.
Seventh, in any future battles between the Belvedere army and Coalition army, any soldiers from the originally from this city who become POWs are to not be made into slaves and are to be released freely.
“... The core of the demand has been changed by a lot hasn"t it? Jeez... They’ve got too much pride.” (Almus)
Almus gave his approval with a bitter smile.
Thus, the third most populous city in the Belvedere Kingdom surrenders in 4 days.
And so, the Coalition Army advance.
Then many cities heard rumours of what happened to the city that surrendered and so all decided to surrender to King Rosyth.
The Coalition Army get to the capital city much sooner than King Belvedere expected.