Chapter 81
Translator: Leyy
Editor: Arya
Chapter 81 . One step faster
‘Starting a war right now…’
“Why do you think that?”
“We won’t make it pa.s.s the winter’
“Milord, the scale of our farmland is small . Even if we do harvest by this winter it would be very bad for us . Sir Timothy and I have concluded that more than 1,200 people will live up to late winter, and when winter comes, the other 300 will die from hunger . ”
This was something that Kang Chul-in had already known .
At present the Laputa territory had received 756 people(256 men/500 women) from the Tempaman Territory, and the population increased by more than half . This was why it was impossible to go through winter with their crop yields . So Kang Chul-in wasn’t trying to raise an army right after harvest .
“Must it be right now?”
“Yes, it is best to do it today”
“The reason is?”
“The problem of food shortages is the same now and after harvest . So why not plunder the farmland of the enemy early and procure the scarce food quickly?”
What Kwak-jung was suggesting was an extreme way .
Invading the enemy-> plundering food -> feeding the army with the plundered food -> moving the remaining food to the territory . This was an easy concept .
…but it was easier said than done .
This strategy was simple, but also very difficult to pull off .
“So, do you have any plans?”
Kang Chul-In did not ignore Kwak-jung’s opinion . He knew that there was a reason for Kwak-Jung to suggest this sort of method .
“Of course, milord . ”
Kwak-Jung smiled coldly .
“And what is it?”
“The Laputa territory will use you, milord, to win in this war . ”
Although some Lords might feel uncomfortable if their subordinate said that they would use them to win, Kang Chul-In instead had a satisfied smile on his face .
‘It seems like he has worked out how Pangaea works . ’
“Use me?”
“Yes . ”
“Explain?”
“Huh?”
“I want to know why you decided to use your brain, and decided that I was the best way to win the war . ”
“W-Well…”
Kwak Jung seemed to be ashamed of himself, and tried to avoid explaining it to Kang Chul-In himself .
“Well, speak . Or do you want to get some mental edu…”
Kang Chul-in tried to refer to “mental education” .
“Oh no, milord!”
Kwak-jung was surprised .
“Hmm, okay … I’ll tell you . ”
Kwak Jung’s face was red .
“This is neither the middle, nor the modern ages of Earth . Here, you will only lose blood if you try using the tactics normally used back there . ”
“And the reason for that is?”
“Because of people like you, milord . ”
Kwak Jung pinpointed the point .
“A strong monarch, a strong adventurer, is like a strategic weapon . What can a flock of poor lambs do if you unleash a lion upon them?”
Indeed, Kang Chul-in was right . Kwak-Jung had understood how Pangaea worked within a few days .
“You are right . ”
Kang Chul-In nodded his head .
“So, how do you plan to use me?”
“Foremost is Lucia, Lieutenant James, Captain Michael, Chief Sorcerer Nilus . These 4 will be the ones that go up and beat them up…not . I mean—-”
“General . ”
“… Yes, four generals take charge . ”
Kwak-Jung blushed, due to the fact that he had subconsciously reverted back to his ‘old way’ of speaking .
“Anyway, this is the battle for the forefront of the battle, and — you can take charge of the supply forces . ”
Kwak Jung said that the Kang Chul-In should direct the supply forces, which would be the major targets of the enemy . I told them to hang their guns .
“Do you want to be the target of the enemy?”
Kang jung-smiled and said .
“Yes . ”
Kwak Jung-il replied coldly .
“Ho … to take over the command of the supply troops most enemies to the monarch alone . I’m going to die . ”
Kang Chul-in said playfully .
“Oh, no!”
Kwak Jung hit his hands in amazement .
“… We need a supply unit that won’t fall… Solid enough to handle a long supply line . Isn’t your majesty the strongest man in the whole of the territory? Well, it isn’t an overstatement to say that the whole plan is dependant on you, milord . ”
“Are you sure? ”
“Yes, your majesty . For your enemy, majesty is the most delicious rice cake and also the best trap . Your majesty will crush every single enemy, no matter how many enemies come…”
Basically, Kang Chul-In would support and defend the supply unit, and attract the enemy forces .
It was a bait .
Since he was the strongest member of the army, Kang Chul-In would be the one that would take the brunt of the enemy forces .
“It doesn’t really matter whether we win or lose the war, as long as we manage to take some food from them . ”
“Is it profitable to just plunder food?”
“The purpose of this war is food procurement . Even if we don’t occupy the plains, if we have food for the winter, wouldn’t it be difficult for the winter of the enemy? And wouldn’t we have a favorable war against the hungry enemies in the winter when spring comes? “
Kwak-Jung’s words were correct .
It was a bit of a mess, but it was also the most efficient way .
All except for one fatal flaw .
“What if I fall?”
Kang jung-il thought of that question .
“Then… we’re screwed!” Kwak Jung replied .
“You still have to do it, you have to do it . ”
And he cheered Kang Chul-In up .
“Our estate is poorer than other estates . We really do need the food to get back into business, and start pulling ahead of the other territories . Although we do have the rich Dorado territory as our allies, they just restarted their territory, and still need time to stabilize themselves . If we ask from them, I’m afraid that it would be too much of a burden . ” Kwak-Jung said .
And although the word poor made Kang Chul-In’s veins throb, it was also true .
“And not only that, milord also has the epic item in order to summon 50 spectre knights . ”
“If it is milord with 50 spectre knights, I’m sure that no squad in Pangaea would be able to stand up against it right now . ”
“Fine . ”
Kang Chul-In nodded his head .
“Although I would say it is only a 40 point answer, it’s okay . ”
He only gave it the measly 40 points because the strategy was heavily reliant on him .
It was a good strategy for someone that had been a gangster just a couple of days ago . And not only this, Kang Chul-In, as a Lord who liked to go into the battlefield himself, was willing to take the risk .
‘Not bad, considering it is his first time’ . Was Kang Chul-In’s conclusion with the strategy .
“Well, we’ll go like this . We will increase the population size, and the ones that join us will stay at…”
“The burrow lands are currently empty, milord . ”
“Oh, right . We can use that guy’s land . ”
Kang Chul-In nodded his head, as if he understood .
“Oh by the way, where is that guy? I heard from Podolski that he ran away, before being caught again and being thrown inside the prison . ”
“Oh, you haven’t heard? Kimura is currently helping the Ants in the construction . ”
“Oh, is that so? Well, I’ll have to see his face sometime soon . ”
Kang Chul-In added 1500 people to his populace, along with 3 magic cannons, as well as 6 musketeers to help in shooting them .
And he also added 4 Battle Ogres, and 8 Troll s.h.i.+eldmen .
And after increasing the size of his population, he created an army .
1000 humans, 4 Battle Ogres, 8 Troll s.h.i.+eldmen, 3 Magic Cannons, and 6 musketeers . Along with… Billy Halford, and the 30 other adventurers .
Although it wasn’t a truly big army, this was still the full size of it, due to the fact that they had basically took all the fit men in Laputa .
‘If we win in this war, we’ll have some breathing room, and we’ll also have some time to create and build an even greater army . ’
Just like Kwak-Jung had said, Kang Chul-In was aware of the fact that the fate of the Laputa territory, as well as his future was dependant on the upcoming war .
Although he could buy people, items, and weapons with gold, he couldn’t buy food with gold .
And thanks to this, taking other people’s territories was something that was absolutely important and vital to all the fights in Pangaea .
Three days later .
While putting his army on hold and using cosmic force, he scouted the nearby area . As a result, he could see that there was another territory around 50km eastward of Laputa, with a farm there . It was decided . This would be the first target .
“Podolski, are you proficient with a bow?”
Along with the White Lion Knights, he would bring Podolski with him, to go scout their enemy territory .
“Well, although I’m no Hou Yi (G.o.dly archer in chinese mythology), I have to say I am pretty decent in using one . ”
It seemed that Podolski was capable with all types of weapons, being the ‘perfect’ human that he was .
“Well, follow me . ”
“Yes, milord . But… a bow? Are we going to go hunting?”
“I’m planning to shoot some Scouting Hawks down if I see them .
“Oh…”
Scouting Hawks were quite annoying, due to the fact that they could not be touched by any close combat style weapons . That was why despite the fact that Kang Chul-In himself also knew how to use a bow, he had brought someone else that could also use mana with the bow efficiently .
“Yes sir . I will follow you . ”
Sometimes, there were battles that started coincidentally, and without any plan .
That was the same with Kang Chul-In’s battle right now .
While going scouting in enemy territory along with his White Lion Knights, Kang Chul-In met the opposing territory’s scouts due to pure coincidence, the reason being that the time that they had gone to scout overlapped .
“Who is it! State who you are immediately!”
The enemy’s captain shouted boldly, along with his 200 or so soldiers standing next to them .
“I am the Lord of the Laputa territory, Kang Chul-In . ”
“The Laputa Territory? Laputa… isn’t that the territory located within the westernmost area of this region? What is someone near the western borders doing here in OUR territory?”
“Scouting . ”
Kang Chul-In answered boldly .
“Scouting?”
The captain snorted as if his reply was ridiculous .
“So a Lord has just brought a measly knight squadron along with him to come ‘scout’? Deep into our territory nonetheless?”
“What, am I not allowed to?”
Kang Chul-In retorted .
“How dare you!!”
The enemy captain tried to snarl at them, but…
THWAK!
Blood splattered everywhere .
“C-C-Captain?!”
“CAPTAIN!!!”
Looking at their Captain’s head that was separated from his body, the enemy forces were all petrified from fear .
Thump .
Roll… .
And their captain’s head just rolled on the floor, lifelessly .
‘Sigh, what bad luck . ’
Kang Chul-In’s expression, who had just killed the enemy’s captain wasn’t great . He was planning on launching a sneak attack on the enemy after scouting the enemy territory, but since he had met the enemy on the way there, there was no way past this .
‘Well, I guess we’ll just have to…”
“KILL THEM ALL!” Kang Chul-In said, steeling his heart .
“How dare you do that to our Captain!”
Kang Chul-In stared at the enemy soldiers who were rus.h.i.+ng in without consequence for their lives, enraged by the death of their Captain .
A battle of 32 against 200 .
In terms of numbers, the enemy forces were far more superior .
“Kill them all . ”
Kang Chul-In once again ordered the White Lion Knights, as well as Podolski . And…
“Go . ”
He used the Epic Item: Owner of the Ghosts .
SWIs.h.!.+
Along with some black, ominous looking wind currents appearing out of nowhere…
50 Spectre Knights that were of Level 40 showed themselves .