Chapter 108.2
Isaac was tasked with arranging a garrison in the village of Grisea. Havel was acting as the director of work in the new settlement.
Narson and Zirconia were also preparing for their respective visit.
It seems that the Army dignitaries from Clairats had came, and some from the Isterian side as well, and there were other high-ranking military officers present besides Zirconia.
When Ichira took out the transaction materials with Gregorn territory, he looked at the import record.
“Well, salt, meat, dried fish… we import a lot of things.”
“Gregorn territory has good salt quality, and meat and skin are cheaper than other territories, so we buy a lot. There seem to be a lot of animals, and the quality is also good.”
“Is that so? If there are a lot of animals, are they focusing on livestock?”
“It seems that there are few large farms, but there are quite a lot of wild animals compared to other territories. Salted wild Kaf.u.ku meat is very popular. We also get some salted fish, but I think we get more dried fish from Clairats.”
According to the data, import demand of salted products is quite large.
It’s no wonder they focused on selling salt products.
“They’ve been making a lot of salt. If they can sell well in quality, they’ll make a lot of money, and so they’ve put a lot of effort into the production.”
“They trade not only high-quality salt but also inferior quality salt. High-quality salts are expensive, so the cheap and low-quality salts were often used for salted products. It seems that ma.s.s production did better for low-quality products.”
“I see, that sounds about right.”
While nodding, he looked at the material, and then set it on the printer for scanning.
Most of the supplies purchased from Gregorn territories, such as salt, meat, fish, and clothing, were groceries and daily necessities.
Above all, salt had been regularly supplied for decades, and price fluctuations seem to be very minimal.
The only big price fluctuation was probably the 20% discount from 4 years ago.
There were few grain trades, and in rare cases, small quant.i.ties come and go, except for free offers a.s.sociated with immigration policy.
The main exports from Istere were metals such as copper and tin, mineral resources such as marble and gypsum, and pigments.
“If the supply is stable all the time, but the bulk of transactions suddenly shrink, the market’s weather may be certainly bad.”
“I don’t know what the weather is like, but it seems like you can do something if you prepare to cut yourself, so there’s nothing you can’t do, right?”
“Hmm… That means that salt can be made regardless of the weather. Is it possible to make large-scale quant.i.ties of salt indoors?”
“Maybe they have some stockpiles. If there is a shortage of salt as soon as production stops, they’d be completely helpless in an emergency case.”
“I see.”
When Ichira nodded convincingly, Liese giggled.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s funny, I’ve been taught a lot so far, but today it’s strange that I’m the one teaching you.”
“It’s been about three months since I came to this country, but I don’t know much about the inside… for a while, you will be the teacher and I’ll be the student.”
“That’s right. Then I will teach you well.”
“Yeah, tell me everything. If possible, be kind and polite.”
“If you can do well, I’ll bake more cookies again. If you don’t do well, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Yeah… I like Eira-san or Marie-san’s homemade food.”
“…What was that?”
“Oh, yeah! It was delicious! Please do it again!!”
As he looked at the materials while tapping lightly, his eyes moved across the desk and landed on records from the milling territory and the royal capital.
Apparently, the main imports from the milling territory were grains, fruits, and fish.
The production of mineral resources seemed to be pretty low, and the Ister territory exports in large quant.i.ties.
Since rivers could be used for transportation, mutual transportation costs were low.
Goldsmiths, foreign goods, and clothes were often imported from the royal capital.
In addition, it seemed that slaves were also imported, but according to the report, some slaves were purchased for free.
The royal family appeared to have received regular donations, so were they one of the rewards?
“It seems that there are no drug transactions, what’s happening there?”
“Since all territories produce a small amount of medicine, they can only use it for own selves. The manufacturing method is monopolized by the magician union, and even if I tell them to ma.s.s-produce it, it seems that I cannot increase it so much.”
“Is that so? By the way, Mr. Isaac said before that he would make the material. Is it okay after that?”
After confirming the records of transactions with Clay Rats and Barber in the past, he moved to the military-related materials.
He picked up a bunch of materials and flipped through them.
This was to read the continuation of what he saw in the library.
“There is something I saw it a little while ago, but I couldn’t read the technical terms. Can you help me read it?”
“yes, OK”
When Liese received the material, she read it out in order from the top.
“Arcadia history: On May 12, 511, under the command of General Ixios Slan, an establishing unit was deployed along the river near the Barber border. Construction of a legionary fortress began. In addition, field fortifications were started in the nearby hills.”
“Is the legion fortress like a military facility that we saw the other day?”
“The scale will vary depending on the situation, but I think it’s pretty much the same.”
“What is field fortification?”
“It’s a defensive position created to prepare for battle. The structure changes from time to time, but I think it’s an image of building a fence or digging a pit to block the cavalry.”
“There is a pit or a stake at the bottom of the hole.”
“Oh yeah. Also, in order to reduce the rushing power of infantry and cavalry, they sometimes put up small stakes all over the place that are small enough to penetrate feet.”
“Ugh, my feet are itching just by imagining.”
Ichira didn’t know the exact shape, but it was probably something like a ninja’s iron knife or something like a nail or a sharp wooden stick sticking out of a board.
“As they grow in size, they build fortifications and defensive towers.”
“What’s a defensive base?”
“A groove or wall to slow down the enemy’s feet then attack with stones and arrows while the enemy is sluggish.”
“Huh”
Bases were earthworks and empty moats built to prevent the invasion of enemies.
Possibly a tower for arrows and stones could be built in front of the base.
Of course, it is more effective to build on slopes.
Things made by digging or piling up the soil would collapse when it rains, so they may be reinforced with stones for long-term use.
It is a defensive building that had been used since BC on the earth, and in Europe, what remained as an archaeological site was a tourist attraction.
As Ichira spoke, Liese began to read more.
“On May 15, the advance troops of the First Corps arrived at the fortress. Engaged in construction work and securing materials”
“On May 20, the temporary construction of the corps fortification and field fortification was completed. Start strengthening defense capabilities ”
“On May 28th, General Narson Istair’s 1st Corps, followed by General Narson Istair, arrived at the fortress.”
“On May 31, the advance party of the Second Corps under the command of General Zirconia Istair and General MacGregor Thrun arrived at the Legion Fortress. After replenishing supplies, both generals led the selected soldiers to the mountainous area and began crossing the mountains. Command of the remaining troops is transferred to General Ixios Slan. ”
“Zirconia, 10 years ago, I’m sure she was 16 years old. That year, she led the troops over the mountains … I mean, even though she’s a lordess, do I do that?”
“Since the start of the war, my mother has always been at the forefront of the fighting. But I don’t really understand the reason for crossing the mountains.”
He didn’t know what month Zirconia and Narson got married 10 years ago, but what was the intention of having his young girlfriend lead the troops over the mountains?
It seemed that another general accompanied Zirconia , so he may have been the actual commander.
“Are there any materials left?”
“I don’t think so. I’ve asked McGregor about it, but he didn’t tell me anything, so I think it’s something I shouldn’t ask.”
Ichira looked at Liese curiously, who said without any emotion.
“Doesn’t it bother you?”
“Well, I’m curious, but it’s hard to imagine a story in the middle of killing each other that couldn’t be recorded. That’s probably the case.”
Without worrying about Ichira, who is at a loss for words, Liese read on.
“On June 14, two corps of Barber troops approached the border and started building a camp”
“Oh? I’m sure Valletta said,’ Suddenly Barber attacked,’ but that wasn’t a surprise attack?”
Earlier I heard from Valletta that Arcadia was suddenly attacked by Barber and entered the war.
However, in reality, that is not the case, and it seems that Arcadia had time to prepare in advance and prepare the defense system.
Maybe Narson just foresaw the attack and prepared for defenses ahead of time.
“… Who is Valletta?”
“She’s the daughter of the mayor’s family who stayed in Grisea.”
“Hmm”
Liese returned her gaze from Ichira to the doc.u.ments and continues on.
“On June 16th, we received a declaration of war from the Barber army. Barber army’s attack started. Defeated in the afternoon. The enemy has been destroyed in the direct battle and pursuit. Destroyed enemy camps and requisition supplies. The damage to the 1st Corps is minimal.”
“On June 17, we crossed the border and started burning the farm villages on the Barber side. Hundreds of residents were captured on the first day and destroyed two villages. Requisition of supplies ”
“…… You’re doing everything you can to kick the enemy out of the way.”
The result of the battle was an almost complete victory against enemies who slightly exceeded their own army.
“I don’t know how it went, but the army of the Ister territory is probably excellent.”
Liese nodded to Ichiyoshi, who was surprised.
“Yeah, it seems that the opponent underestimated the strength of this country, and it seems that the battle went well right after the war started, though it became quite dangerous towards the end.”
He said “Huh” to encourages Liese to continue saying.
“On July 6, there was a report that a large force of the Barber army left the capital. The entire army withdrew to the corps fortress and reorganized the unit. Diplomats have reported that Clairats has also entered a state of war with Barber. “
“On July 7, a corps came from the Milling territory. Cavalry from Gregorn territory ”
“On July 8th, the withdrawal of the burning unit was completed. A total of seven villages were destroyed. Most of the inhabitants seem to have escaped. Captured an old man and 10 sick people. A legion came from the capital. Follow up the second legion has arrived. Narson Istair will continue to command the entire army.”
“The corps has gathered from all over the place. It’s a big decisive battle.”
“It’s an early war tournament.”
After that, he checked wartime materials for a while and also read about the diplomatic situation with other countries.
At the end of the day, he handed the cosmetics he brought as a souvenir to Liese, and she went back with a beaming face.