Chapter 306: Chapter 305: One More is Needed (1)


    ?


    Returning to his office, Raul shot a cold look at his advisors and said,


    "Update all intelligence on Fenris immediately. Contact Amelia and let her know we''ll provide the necessary support. Tell her to rally the northern lords again."


    The advisors responded with reluctant expressions.


    "Amelia''s abilities are unproven. Until recently, she was just a noblewoman sipping tea in elegance."


    "The northern lords will never recognize her authority."


    "Wouldn''t it be better to choose another figure? She hasn''t even subdued Baron Valois''s rebellion yet."


    "Even if she did defeat the Northern Allied Army, they were all ipetent. Wasn''t it all thanks to the military forces left behind by the former Count Rayfold?"


    At their objections, Raul frowned and retorted.


    "So, do you have another option? We don''t need Amelia herself; we need what she has. As you just mentioned, it''s the military power of Rayfold. None of the northern rabble can muster such a force anymore."


    The advisors fell silent. Though they opposed the idea, Raul was correct-they had no viable alternative.


    Although Amelia''s rebellion had tarnished her reputation, Rayfold still stood as a rival to Desmond in terms of military might. That strength was still among the best in the north.


    As Raul said, it wasn''t about trusting Amelia, but rather about relying on Rayfold''s forces. Still, their concerns hadn''t entirely vanished.


    "It may not be an issue now since it''s only been a short time, but Amelia might ruin Rayfold in the long term. Or worse, she could incite rebellions across the territory, just like Baron Valois."


    "That''s why we can''t leave her unchecked. Assign someone to monitor Amelia and ensure she moves ording to our ns. Make sure she doesn''t act on her own, like Harold did."


    At Raul''s directive, the advisors nodded in agreement.


    Thete Count Desmond had been far too independent to control. Assigning people to monitor him was often futile, as the process was left in his hands.


    But Amelia was new to her position as a lord. She was likely struggling just to maintain order within her own territory. Assigning the right person to oversee her could ensure she followed the Duke''s will.


    The advisors, knowing little about Amelia, assumed she wouldply easily.


    Raul, however, didn''t underestimate her as much as his advisors did.


    ''Indeed... Harold requested someone capable of dealing with Jürgen to be assigned to Amelia. But before we could send anyone, she handled Jürgen herself and seeded in her rebellion.''


    Whatever methods she used, she had been capable of eliminating the Northern Continent''s finest sword. That alone made her a noteworthy figure, especially for a woman.


    Raul gathered his thoughts and spoke in an icy tone.


    "In any case, Harold was a potential liability we were considering removing, so this situation has worked out well. We''ll restructure the north using our assigned figure and Rayfold''s forces. Once that''s settled, we''ll deal with this Ghiin."


    Raul had little time to waste on the northern matters.


    Ghiin defeating Harold was impressive, but the kingdom had many greater lords far stronger than Harold.


    The real conflict between the Duchy and the pro-royalist faction was only just beginning. Lords more powerful than Desmond were targeting one another.


    Looking around at his advisors, Raul continued.


    "We''ll give Marquis Branford onest chance."


    "Ast chance?"


    "Let him know that if he steps down peacefully, the transfer of royal power will proceed without conflict."


    The advisors exchanged uneasy nces and shook their heads.


    "Marquis Branford won''t agree."


    "He''s the type who would rather break than bend, isn''t he?"


    "Whatever we offer, it will likely be in vain."


    Raul nodded at their remarks. Marquis Branford''s reputation for unyielding resolve was well known throughout the kingdom.


    "I know that. But since His Grace seems a bit displeased right now, we should at least issue a warning."


    "A warning, you say...?"


    Raul''s serpent-like eyes gleamed as he gave a cruel smile.


    "That we''ll drown the royal family and the pro-royalist faction in a river of blood."


    ***


    When Ghiin gathered his vassals and dered it was time to begin their next endeavor,


    ude questioned him.


    "What exactly are we doing?"


    There was already a mountain of work to handle. Resettling the disced residents of Desmond, consolidating viges, training new recruits-these were still ongoing tasks.


    Before Ghiin could answer, ude, exasperated, shouted,


    "We''re already repeating everything we''ve done back in our territory here, aren''t we? We need to build residences, workshops, and farnds, construct roads, produce more weapons, build casinos! We also need to recruit more administrators, fill the gaps in security, and do this, do that-ugh, why is there so much work?"


    ude''s rant seemed endless. Those around him, hearing everything they''d aplished listed out, grew pale.


    All of this required immense manpower and funds. With increased poption and territory, the scale of operations had grown exponentially. The workload was immense.


    And now, starting a new project on top of it?


    It felt easier to let thete Count Desmond kill them instead.


    As ude raged on, Ghiin chuckled and waved a hand dismissively.


    "Rx. It''s not asplicated as you think. This is something we can start thanks to taking


    over Desmond''s territory."


    "What is it?"


    "Let''s review our ultimate goal. You all know who we''ll be fighting next, don''t you?"


    ""


    At his words, silence fell over the group. Everyone knew the Duchy was behind Count Desmond. It was no longer a secret.


    They had also seized Count Cabaldi''s territory after defeating him, who had been an official ally of the Duchy.


    The Duchy wouldn''t take this lightly. The only reason they hadn''t struck yet was likely due to the pro-royalist faction''s interference.


    Without that, they might have already been annihted when they attacked Count Cabaldi.


    Simr thoughts passed through everyone''s minds.


    "This isn''t going to end well.''


    ''We''re really going to fight them?''


    ''How did ite to this?''


    Being dragged along by Ghiin''s ns had left them overwhelmed, and now they faced an


    unbelievable reality.


    They had taken down Desmond, the strongest force in the north, and reced him. But now,


    they had to face the Duchy. It was almost too much toprehend.


    In truth, they had achieved something to be proud of. Against anyone else, they would have


    felt no fear and might have even grown arrogant.


    But knowing their next opponent humbled them.


    Seeing his vassals humbled even in victory, Ghiin smiled.


    "That''s the right attitude. Humility keeps you from bingcent."


    "


    The vassals remained silent. They had never seen Ghiin himself disy any humility.


    "We will inevitably sh with the Duchy. This means the stage of our battles may shift from


    the north to the entire kingdom."


    Fenris alone could not stand against the Duchy. They would have to ally with the pro-royalist faction, and that would mean frequent movement across the kingdom.


    To support various fronts andunch surprise attacks on ducal lords, readiness was


    paramount. Remaining defensive in one ce would only lead to eventual ruin.


    The group understood this much.


    Unfolding a map, Ghiin pointed to a specific location.


    "Our next target is here."


    The vassals looked at the spot he indicated and swallowed hard.


    ''Huh! There?''


    ''Is he really thinking of attacking that ce?''


    ''Surely, he doesn''t mean we''ll attack it ourselves?''


    The location Ghiin pointed to was the territory of Marquis Rodrick, a ducal ally, located in


    the western kingdom.


    Though ssified as part of the western region, Marquis Rodrick''s territory was positioned


    closer to the center when one looks at the entire kingdom.


    The vast territory of Rodrick was a key transportation hub, connecting almost every region of


    the kingdom except the east.


    Ghiin''s expression lit up with excitement.


    "You know this ce is filthy rich, right? Once we take it, we''ll wake up every morning to


    money rolling in."


    As a vital crossroads, the Rodrick territory boasted unparalleledmercial development, amassing enormous wealth over generations.


    This abundance allowed it to grow into one of the kingdom''s most powerful territories.


    Even the pro-royalist faction had stationed royal forces near this region, given its proximity to the capital. In the event of a civil war, it posed the greatest threat.


    If this area were captured, the Fenris army could expand its influence in all directions. "With the east firmly under Marquis Branford and the pro-royalist faction, we don''t need to


    worry about that. But if we take this ce, we can strike at any part of the duke faction. Our operational range would expand immensely, and the ducal nobles wouldn''t dare move carelessly. They''d always fear a strike from us."


    ude scratched his head with a grim expression. As always, Ghiin made it sound so


    simple. "My lord, Marquis Rodrick is a historically powerful noble and the Commander-in-chief of the Western Army. Even the duke and pro-royalist factions tread carefully around him."


    Ghiin motioned for ude to continue, smirking as if encouraging him to speak further. With a sigh, ude obliged.


    "On top of that, they''re incredibly strong. If even Desmond, a rtively poor northern count,


    was that formidable, Rodrick''s wealth and strength make Desmond look insignificant."


    "Don''t you know me? Have I ever lost?"


    "... How many wins is that again?"


    ude wanted to say that Ghiin had only seeded because Gillian held the line, and


    reinforcements arrived in time. But everyone knew that Ghiin had single-handedly crushed his enemies, leaving no room for rebuttal.


    "Alright, let''s say we do capture it. Do you think the Duchy would let us hold such a strategic


    point? They''d attack us endlessly from every direction."


    "Then we''ll crush them all." ude thought to himself, "... Fine. Do whatever you want. It''s not like you''ve ever done


    anything differently."


    "What?"


    "Nothing."


    ude no longer wanted to argue. It was pointless. If the lord decided to take something,


    they''d inevitably find a way to go after it.


    Of course, Ghiin wasn''t targeting the Rodrick Marquisate simply because it seemed


    appealing.


    "That guy is the leader of the west.''


    Just as Count Desmond had unified the north, Marquis Rodrickmanded the west, as oneN?v(el)B\\jnn


    of the kingdom''s most powerful lords.


    He already held sway over all the western nobles. In his previous life, Marquis Rodrick had


    been the first to upy the capital.


    If they could strike him down in a preemptive surprise attack, there would be no one left capable of uniting the western nobles.


    Ghiin had no intention of wasting resources in a prolonged war of attrition, fighting minor


    lords one by one.


    "I''m not saying we attack immediately. We''re preparing to target this ce. At this point, it''s


    no longer just about territorial skirmishes. If civil war breaks out, battles will erupt all over the kingdom."


    "Hmm, you''re aiming to capitalize on that opportunity," ude nodded. Indeed, a direct confrontation with the Marquis in a one-on-one fight would be risky. But


    with the pro-royalist faction coborating, and Rodrick possibly dispersing his forces or leaving his territory vulnerable, the odds would improve.


    "Exactly. Many nobles will move, and battles for strategic superiority will be constant. If we


    exploit that chaos, we''ll have a chance."


    "How do you n to prepare?"


    "There''s plenty to prepare. First and foremost, we need to maximize our mobility—that''s our


    greatest advantage."


    "Mobility?"


    "Yes. Our soldiers are already training to ride horses, and we''re issuing lightweight Galbanium armor. In this kingdom, no one else has cavalry thatbines defense and speed


    like ours." That was true. Heavy cavalry was slow and poorly suited for long distances, while light


    cavalry was fast but vulnerable, easily felled by archers.


    ude understood what Ghiin wanted.


    "Then we need to expedite road construction."


    "Exactly. Once roads connect our territories, we''ll move even faster. But there''s one more


    thing we need."


    "What else?"


    "Think about it. What''s the most critical aspect when moving from ce to ce?"


    "Supplies?"


    "Right. Even if supply lines are functioning normally, they can be cut off or be too


    distant. We need contingencies for those situations. We might need to move very quickly at times."


    "If we''re short, we''ll just raid for supplies."


    "I don''t stoop to something as shameful as raiding."


    The former Raider King said this withplete confidence.


    Raiding for supplies was, in fact, not a sustainable strategy. It was ast resort and rarely used


    under normal circumstances.


    It was also vulnerable to scorched-earth tactics and took time to execute. Worse, it


    antagonized local poptions, increasing the risk of failure.


    ude knew this but couldn''t resist side-eyeing Ghiin, who had once proudly dered


    himself a plundering king. He sighed and replied.


    "Don''t we already produce a lot of biscuits? We''re also starting to make chicken jerky. Isn''t


    that enough?"


    "Of course not. That won''t sustain us for long."


    In this era, there weren''t many portable, longsting food options. Most were limited to


    dried meat and hardtack.


    But even those weren''t enough for prolonged campaigns. They were bulky and could only


    provide a few days'' worth of sustenance if supply lines were cut.


    Without steady supplies, their range of movement would shrink. That would hinder their


    primary advantage: mobility.


    That was something Ghiin couldn''t tolerate.


    This time, he intended to address the issue.


    "We''ll create a new type of field ration-something easy to carry and with an extremely long


    shelf life."


    A confident smile spread across Ghiin''s face.


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