BXBX NOVEL 78 - Art. 78. The Enemy Is At Honno-Ji Temple
The northern steppe has been transformed into a granary. Rice, wheat, and fields... crops were growing as far as the eye could see."
"You don\'t think so, on such a useless piece of land? You weren\'t dreaming, were you?"
"Don\'t be silly! I saw it with my own eyes before I came here. I\'m sure of it."
"So, in addition to salt, the Krumfal domain also has the food card."
"But that\'s not all. Many people have gathered in Krumphal, mainly in the hotels that have been improved from the old pavilions. The population is growing by leaps and bounds. It is also rumored that many mercenaries have been recruited. This is not the Krumphal we know.
"d*mn it, you son of a b*tc*. All this because of that berserker!"
In a room of a luxury hotel in the Imperial City are Baron Jono, Deputy Commander of the Northern Army of Auche, and Baron Gragoleil. All three had been entrusted with the management of the Krumfal territory, but they all have one thing in common: they gave it up as soon as they learned of the current situation. In fact, these three were classmates at the Royal School, and were childhood friends.
They do not know it yet. They do not yet know that the Barthams have another card to play: fishing.
"If we leave Krumphal alone any longer, he\'s going to get into trouble.
No, we are already in trouble. People are constantly moving to Krumfal from our lands. If there is a further exodus of people, our lands will be pushed to the brink.
So laments Baron Glagorail. He has a territory just north of Krumfal, but half of it is covered by forests, and combined with its mountainous location, he lives with his people huddled together on the few plains that remain.
"It is true that it can be tough when the people run out in that small territory of Glagourail."
"...I have a good idea. There is a way to get rid of Barsam and get all the food in Krumfal. We can split the salt and crops of that territory among ourselves.
"That\'s my girl, Jono. You were thinking of that when you kept silent until now! You\'re as wise as ever!"
Ha ha ha! Auche laughs with amusement. The three of them had secret discussions throughout the night.
Three days later, Baron Glagourail visited Lafayence, Commander of the Imperial Guard Northern Legion, and Auchet, his deputy.
"This is unusual. I didn\'t expect you to come to visit me."
Three days ago, I was on my way to the capital when I was attacked by bandits in the woods. I managed to avoid the attack, but the day after tomorrow I must pass through the forest of the capital on my way back to my estate. I was wondering if I could ask the Knights to escort me. I don\'t ask you to escort me to my territory, but only to the area near Krumphal past the forest.
"Bandits? ... I\'ve never heard of such a thing?"
"Then find out. But my return the day after tomorrow cannot be changed. Baron Jono is coming to inspect our territory. He\'s coming with me to Glagourail. Normally I would have hired a guard but I have a guest with me. We cannot take any chances. That\'s why I\'ve come to ask the Imperial Guard. Can\'t you think about that and have a guard?
"Commander, I would like to ask you to do the same. There are more than a hundred bandits in Krumfal territory, and we were attacked when I was returning to the capital. They took out 40 strong imperial knights, so we must be on our guard. Some of them are probably hiding in the forests of the capital. We should send out an army to protect the baron while we search the forest.
"...Well, if it is to protect the baron and search for bandits, we can send out an army.
No, Commander, I would like to take 1,000 of my men if possible. It\'s a training exercise for my men. It would be a good training opportunity.
"...okay. But don\'t take too long. Three days at most. Do not search any longer than that.
"Ha."
"Thank you, Lord Commander, for your concern."
Thus, Auchet was given permission to move his troops.
Three days later, in the early afternoon, Auchet\'s army left the capital, accompanied by Baron Jono and Baron Gragoleil.
The march proceeded smoothly, and in the evening the march came to a halt in the forest, just short of the border with Krumphal territory. Auxhe ordered the whole army to encamp.
"So far so good," he said.
"My plan is flawless. I\'m sure that by noon tomorrow, Barsam\'s head and torso will be separated.
"That upstart aristocrat told me that I was incompetent as a commander. Now is the time to clear my name. I\'ll show him how I fight!
"Hey, hey, don\'t get too hot, okay?"
I know. I\'m always cool.
"I hope so. Let\'s have a final look at the plan. Under cover of night we will proceed through Krumphal territory. We will enter the forest before dawn and raid the house of Vasam. He is in the house. My scouts in Krumfal were seen returning to the house yesterday. I will kill him. And... kill everyone in the house! Then we\'ll return to the capital. Barsam\'s head and the bandit\'s head, and the bandit\'s head will be no problem since I\'ve picked out a random person from the slums of the capital. With them, we go to Commander Lafayence. On the way there, they are attacked by bandits and a battle ensues. The bandits fled to the house of Barsam. When we entered the house to capture them, the honorable Marquis defended the bandits and attacked us. We had no choice but to fight, and as a result of the melee, the people inside the house were also damaged. In fact, the mastermind behind the banditry was the Honorable Marquis de Berthaume.
Yes, I know.
"After all is said and done, I will come to His Majesty and ask him to allow me to take control of Krumfal along with Baron Glagorail. Then we will enter Krumphal and harvest all the crops and salt and divide it among us.
"But will it work that well? I don\'t think His Highness Weiras will keep quiet about this."
"It\'s going to work. Barsaam will be remembered by His Majesty. Many of the nobles don\'t like that. If Batham becomes a traitor, it will weaken the influence of his Highness Vyras who pushes him and, by extension, that of Prime Minister Gremont. That\'s why they support me.
"If it works, our Glagourail will be enriched and Aucher will have money for his career. And above all, Jono might get the Krumfal territory."
"By all means, I\'d like that. I\'d love to have the hotel and the view that His Majesty has been so fond of.
You\'ve always wanted to get your hands on such unusual things, even as a child.
"What are you talking about? You don\'t understand. You don\'t know the value of that hotel.
"Stop fighting, you two! I don\'t know why Master Auche here is always the mediator in your fights. It\'s not too late to start a fight after the mission is complete."
Indeed.
Yes.
"All right, it\'s time to call my men. I\'ll take it from here. I\'ll show you how I do it.
I\'m counting on you.
I\'m counting on you!
At midnight, breaking the silence, an urgent call came to the encamped Knights of the Empire. The well-trained soldiers were immediately ready and formed up. At the same time, Auchet stands before them.
"We will now conduct a night march. All of you, equip your swords! We\'re going to take out the bandits. The target is the house where the bandits are roosting. Kill all who are inside!
Auche drew his sword and pointed east with it.
"The ringleader of the bandits is Barsoom! The Honorary Marquis of the Empire, Berthaume! Go on!"
A thousand Imperial Knights began to march without a sound.