Chapter 269
Chapter 269: It’ll Get Faster Soon. (2)
In the territory, soldiers were being recruited continuously, and this time, there was an announcement for large-scale recruitment, but the increase in troops was slower than expected.
It was due to the perspective of the territory residents regarding the army.
“Aren’t there enough soldiers in our territory?”
“Who needs to be a soldier when living is easy?”
“There’s no need to go to dangerous places, right?”
If you work hard, you get a good wage. The cost of food is ridiculously cheap compared to other places.
In the past, basic necessities were quite scarce, but that’s no longer the case. Various merchant groups have come to obtain food and released a lot of goods.
Of course, it’s not a carefree life like the nobles or wealthy people, but those who had lived in poverty were sufficiently satisfied with the current state.
Furthermore, with criminals being caught and thrown into the ‘Labor Assault Corps’, public order was quite good.
The territory continued to develop. Therefore, there was plenty of work. Because the pay was high, many would earn moderately and play around, then work when their money ran out.
Everyone had become too satisfied with this state.
“They say the pay for soldier service is good.”
“Eh, but it’s still hard. I’m fine with this. Just think back to the old days.”
“True, the house is clean and nice, and we aren’t starving, so there’s no need to be greedy. Anyway, if a war starts, we’ll all be conscripted.”
With everyone thinking this way, no matter how large and populated the territory was, troop reinforcements were slow.
Claude was scratching his head. Considering the future wars, they would need much more troops than now. But with the reinforcements being slower than expected, he couldn’t help but feel frustrated.
“People just don’t get the seriousness of the situation. We have to fight Desmond and deal with the Duke Faction. Raybold is in the same boat. Enemies are surrounding us.”
The territory residents were unaware of the political issues. They didn’t even properly understand who they would have to fight in the future.
At least everyone knew that Ghislaine was part of the Crown Prince Faction. Claude had been spreading that tidbit everywhere.
The fact that the royal family was on their side also contributed to reducing people’s anxiety.
Claude actively promoted that he would provide more benefits to the soldiers using the power of the Chief Officer.
[Penris Territory Army Recruitment! Tax exemption during service! Free full plate armor and the latest armaments provided!]
The promotional material even depicted Claude pointing forward with his finger.
[Brave warriors! Enlist for the honor of guarding the territory!]
[Let’s head to the battlefield together! The glory of victory and rewards await you!]
[Once you come, the war begins!]
When he offered the tax exemption, the number of recruits increased significantly compared to before. However, it was still far from Ghislaine’s target numbers.
The goal was to fill at least 10,000 men, but at this rate, it would take years.
Claude went to find Ghislaine.
“It seems we will need some form of forced conscription.”
“Before that, get rid of those promotional posters with your face on them. They make me more embarrassed every time I see them.”
“……Yes.”
“Is the mandatory military training being carried out properly?”
“Yes, that shouldn’t be a big problem. After all, everyone is expecting it anyway.”
Typically, territory residents received basic military training for a few days each year in preparation for conscription.
This was no different in other territories, and in Penris, everyone was getting a bit of military training.
Ghislaine had set up proper training camps everywhere to organize this a little more systematically.
But that was still just minimal training, and to actually engage in war, they needed a lot more properly serving soldiers, so a solution had to be found.
After a moment of thought, Ghislaine smiled slyly and said to Claude.
“Isn’t this all because people are too comfortable now? They don’t even know who they’re fighting.”
“That’s true. At least eating and sleeping are no longer a problem.”
“But they aren’t living like the wealthy commoners of other territories, are they? There are still many inconveniences.”
“Since they lived in such poverty before, everyone seems satisfied with just this. As long as it’s not taken away, they’re happy. They were practically all exploited territory residents or the poor.”
“Right, which means we need to instill some tension. If they’re comfortable thinking it’s not going to be taken away, then we need to take it from them.”
“Are you… deciding to become a wicked lord now? Well, that suits you. Given your personality, you’ve endured well so far… Agh!”
Claude, hit with mana, rubbed his forehead with a sulky expression. It wasn’t entirely incorrect, but it felt unfair to be hit for it.
Ghislaine continued speaking while looking at Claude.
“If we forcibly take and conscript, morale will inevitably drop. Our territory’s army must always maintain high morale. Only then can we actively engage in training.”
“So how will you raise the tension?”
“I have it all planned out. First, let’s spread some ominous rumors.”
They’re having too easy a time, huh? Then let’s create a problem.
Ghislaine’s sly smile remained.
*
“Count Desmond is coming to invade here soon?”
“Isn’t that the territory known as the strongest in the North?”
“They say they’ve already sent reconnaissance troops near our territory.”
These days, whenever territory residents gathered, they whispered anxiously among themselves. The topic of conversation was the rumor that Desmond, known as the strongest in the North, was about to attack.
The key figures of the territory had known this fact for a long time. However, the residents had been so focused on developing the area that they hadn’t properly realized it.
One reason for this was that they intentionally didn’t inform the residents right after the occupation to stabilize the atmosphere.
Even when they heard hints that a war might break out, everyone thought it was just nonsense. For them, survival was more important.
But hearing that war was looming, they couldn’t afford to remain calm.
“Our lord is associated with the Crown Prince Faction, right? They said the royal family would protect us!”
“Count Desmond is from the Duke Faction. Don’t you know the duke is stronger? He’s incredibly famous.”
“What are you talking about! The king is the strongest! That’s why we have a king! Do you not know what a king is, you ignorant fool!”
“What? Who are you calling ignorant? You can’t even read!”
As anxiety rose, petty squabbles became frequent. Yet people tried to alleviate their worries by recalling Ghislaine’s past achievements.
“Our lord is supposed to be an incredible fighter, right? So wouldn’t he be able to stop them?”
“Yeah, our lord easily defeated Count Cabaldy and took this place, didn’t he?”
“Hold on, Count Desmond is on a completely different level than Count Cabaldy. That’s why it’s known as the strongest in the North.”
People’s opinions began to divide. Some were certain they would lose if they fought, while others were vaguely optimistic that their lord would manage to handle things.
Nevertheless, many held the belief that it would be fine for now.
That’s human nature. In times of peace, it’s hard to feel the urgency.
To that end, the intelligence officer, Lowell, intensified the rumors. He kept inciting and stimulating people’s anxieties.
Previously, he had hidden the news to keep the residents calm, but now, it was necessary to actively inform them to generate tension in their previously relaxed minds.
“The reconnaissance troops of Desmond’s army have already appeared near the territory!”
“They say a battle has already occurred! The lord barely pushed them back!”
“That’s not the issue right now! The northern lords are forming an alliance to take this place!”
In reality, some of the northern lords were indeed gathering to form an allied army. However, they were moving to attack somewhere other than Penris.
Lowell deliberately mixed a lie in with the truth and spread the distorted rumors.
The people became even more anxious. They knew better than anyone that there were no other territories as prosperous as Penris.
The anxiety and tension among the people began to grow.
“I don’t want to live like before, being taken all the time. We need to protect what’s ours.”
“I’m sick and tired of starving. If another lord takes this place, we’ll starve again.”
“I’ve only been working in construction anyway, so I might as well just enlist as a soldier.”
Healthy and strong individuals started to volunteer for enlistment.
Though many laborers began to leave, there were so many territory residents that recruiting new laborers was not an issue.
In fact, if there was a shortage of workers, the soldiers would also be thrown into construction in Penris territory. There was no problem at all.
While the number of enlistees had increased significantly compared to before, Ghislaine was still not satisfied.
There were still many residents who hesitated.
“We don’t all need to go, do we?”
“Y-Yeah. It would be dangerous if a real war breaks out.”
“Isn’t it better to just wait and be conscripted later?”
There will always be people who hope others will fight for them and sacrifice for them.
They couldn’t be blamed for that. It’s admirable for someone to step up, but not stepping up isn’t bad either.
Of course, if the territory ends up being destroyed, they’ll have to figure out how to survive.
During this time, new rumors began to spread as if to spur on those who were hesitating.
“Raiders! Raiders have appeared!”
“What? Where? We have soldiers in our territory, so how could raiders be roaming around?”
“They say they are lacking soldiers to defend the territory because they’re busy holding back other lords’ armies!”
“Some villages have already been devastated! They’ve lost everything, and refugees are flooding in!”
“W-What about the vigilante group? They’ve been trained slightly in every village, right?”
“Many have either died or fled! The stationed soldiers are too few and can only retreat!”
Ominous rumors struck the territory. People were in shock.
They thought things would remain peaceful forever. But that was a mistake. There’s no way others would let a territory with such abundant food and iron just sit idly by.
It’s a time when one can take whatever they want if they have the power, whether they be other nobles or bands of thieves. They would see Penris territory as a delectable feast.
You must protect what is yours. Under the lord’s comfortable protection, they had forgotten this fact.
Realizing the truth about the raiders led the territory residents to further volunteer, and the number of recruits increased dramatically. Those raiders, too, were growing more notorious by the day.
“Another village has been attacked! Those guys are rampaging within the territory!”
“How many of them are there that we can’t stop them? What is our territory army doing!”
“They say their armed force exceeds 500! We can’t stop them in small villages! Everyone is fleeing to nearby fortresses or cities!”
“Where did they come from? Did the northern bandits all join forces?”
“No idea! Rumor has it they’re calling themselves the ‘Plunder King of the North!'”
And so, the man proclaiming himself the ‘Plunder King of the North’ was overlooking a village from a low hill, wearing a mask.
“Hey, this time it’s that village, right?”
“Yes, my lord… it’s a village we’ll soon start relocating.”
“Ugh, don’t call me my lord. Call me leader. What if someone hears? We’re a band of thieves, not nobles.”
“…Understood.”
The identity of the Plunder King was Ghislaine. And the person next to him was Claude. The two were currently leading 40 knights to raid a village.
The 500 was merely an exaggerated rumor. To avoid being noticed, they needed to move with just a few capable members.
“How about it? We need to keep it close to the actual situation to create tension. People are getting tense these days, you know?”
“…Yes.”
‘You’re really insane… where else has a lord been robbing their own territory…’
Ghislaine and the knights were breaking down the village and plundering food. It was a bit ridiculous to actually be raiding, but the effect was undeniable.
In truth, there wasn’t a single casualty. Ghislaine’s group only knocked out anyone who tried to resist. That way, the people would scream and flee on their own.
Anyway, Penris territory was in the process of integrating all villages into major fortresses and cities. This would enable an expedited relocation process for the people.
They didn’t burn things to prevent those who had fled from coming back for their precious belongings. It was surprisingly delicate work that required a lot of attention.
“Quickly prepare houses for those who relocate and compensate for lost food and property.”
“I made sure to inform the administrators of each territory to handle it first.”
“Good, that’ll push them to grit their teeth and give it their all.”
Since the relocation plan was already underway, houses had been prepared according to the population. The only issue was compensating for lost food and property.
If anything, that boosted people’s morale even more. Having personally experienced a major event, they were even more determined to protect their territory.
With villages destroyed and real ‘refugees’ emerging, the rumors gained credibility and spread even further.
“Nearby troops have all retreated, right?”
“Yes, they have already received orders to do so. They will focus solely on protecting the relocating populace.”
The nearby stationed troops had been ordered not to engage in combat and to withdraw. The soldiers, confused, were busy retreating.
Now, as Ghislaine became the Plunder King, she asked the knights beside her.
“Before, when the barbarians were raiding villages, what were they shouting?”
“Um… kill the women and rape the men…”
“Let’s skip that.”
“Yeah, that’s honestly a bit embarrassing.”
“Then just shout something. Let’s go!”
“Waaaaah!”
The Plunder King and the 40 thieves began to raid another village once again.
