After the battle in Fordneria, I stayed in my quarters for a day and had a meeting with my chief advisors.


    "First of all, let me congratulate all of you on your successes in this war. It was a great achievement."


    They all looked very happy after the victory. Some of them are red-faced because they are allowed to drink after the victory. One of the Red Bear Corps members, Olks, has a red face to begin with, so I''m not sure if it''s because of alcohol or not.


    "Especially Noen was right on target in winning the first battle. Especially Noen won his first battle correctly. There were probably a lot fewer enemies to face."


    Noen also looks quite proud.


    "So, as for the treatment of the enemy family members who surrendered, I intend to execute them and their lords after confirming who the main warlords were. The rest of them will be organized into our army. The women and children will be moved to Serafina''s place and will be taken care of.


    The fact that he had chosen to stay in the castle meant that he had intended to fight a thorough war, so it would not be surprising if he did not allow it, but he would decide where to go from there based on the reaction of his vassals.


    The last one he fought was a small lord named Meisel Ujer, but he had some backbone compared to the other lords. If he can be used as a general, he can be used.


    "If anyone has an opinion, he is free to speak up."


    Captain Olks of the Red Bear Squadron raised his hand in the air and said, "Hey.


    "I saw some of the enemy moving well. Please add them to Red Bear Squad. They were well-trained.


    "Okay. You can fill in as you see fit."


    Noen was next to raise his hand.


    "With all due respect, Viscount Meisel is a man of some stature. With your permission, I would like to add him to my banner and use him as a general.


    "Well, in a way I''m glad you offered."


    It links in nicely with my plan.


    "Noen, you will be the commander of the castle of Kitagaoka, where Meisel Ujer was holed up."


    Kitagaoka Castle is a common name. It is so because the castle is located on a hill near the northern edge of the province. Looking north from the hill, the province of Nagouri can be seen at the bottom of the terrace.


    Noen looked a bit flustered, perhaps because it was a rather heavy task.


    "I don''t need to tell you that this is one of the most important places in our next battle, do I?　If we are to fight the Lentlands in the province of Nagouri, we must hold fast here. The enemy will surely attack in the near future. They must have realized the seriousness of the situation, since they have unified the provinces faster than we expected."


    Perhaps they thought that with the speed they had been going so far, they would be able to rescue the people in time even if they went slower. Or maybe they thought that the rescue would be pointless and decided to leave the victims to die from the beginning.


    Either way, the next battle will be against the Nagourish province.


    "So, we want to put our chief vassal in this Kitagaoka castle. But it''s not right to keep the SS Red Bear and Castle Eagle away from me, and Raviara has a child in her belly. Sivik, too..."


    "I may be old, but I can still move as well as the young. Compared to my days at Fort Nagrad, this land is like heaven.


    I chuckled when he said it first.


    "I know that, but, well, I don''t have parents of my own, and I want to show filial piety to my elders. I''m going to have to go off to war again anyway. Until then, you can rest in Maust."


    "Everything is in accordance with the Count."


    Sivik nodded stiffly.


    Incidentally, Sivik''s son, whom I call Little Sivik, is now in his thirties and works for me as well, but he seems to be put off by his father''s formalities.


    "So, Noen is in charge of these three counties for the time being. I want you to rule them with a firm hand and a whip. You''ll have to put on your armor before long.


    "I will do my best to live up to the Count''s trust. ......"


    Noen bowed deeply.


    It is a heavy responsibility, no doubt, but he will do his best to fulfill it.


    It is true that Sivik is getting old, and we want to increase the number of generals we can use for the future.


    "All right, then, since we''re at this point, let''s call Viscount Meisel Ujer as well.


    A few moments later, Meisel Ujer was brought out to the spot.


    He was younger than I had expected. He must have been in his mid-twenties. He had a mysterious expression on his face as he entered.


    "I am ready to die for defying the Count.


    "I''d like to ask you a question. I''d like to ask you a question. Why did you not surrender?　Or they could have fled to the province of Nagouri, as some other lords did."


    If the vassals of the lords are included, the number of those who fell to the Lentlands in the province of Nagouri is quite large.


    I have ruled this land for generations. I could not give it up without a battle. A lord is greater than his people because he defends his land with his life. It is a shame that a man who would run away so quickly was ruling over the people."


    I see. A man with a backbone, that''s for sure.


    "I like him. You will serve as general under Noen Laud there. I''ll take your title of viscount for now, but if you work hard, you could get more land than you''ve ever had.


    The man named Meisel had a surprising look on his face.


    "I thought that anyone who crossed us would naturally be killed. ....... I thought we were fighting that kind of battle on this expedition."


    "That depends on who you''re dealing with. If they are useful, we take them. If they are incompetent, we kill them. That''s all there is to it.


    --Yes, yes. We should use generals as long as they have value. Even though Hisahide Matsunaga betrayed us once, the High King forgave him. Well, Hisahide betrayed him once more. .......


    Also, Oda Nobunaga said something.


    --Araki Murashige was also going to forgive him, but he stubbornly refused to do so. ....... Why did he betray us like that? .......


    Hey, I''m not interested in your whining.


    --And anyway, use whoever you can. Otherwise, you can''t rule the territory that''s getting bigger.


    You''re right about that.


    Ma?tre d''h?tel ouge, I thank you for your hospitality and I will do my best.


    "It''s not warmth."


    I laughed and said. I''m not that naive.


    "I only use it because I think I can use it. That''s why it''s your turn to show your worth from now on. Make sure you have a reason for your existence."