Eastern Empire.
It could be said to be similar to the unstable northern region, but the East was on a different dimension.
It was a wild land that went beyond rejecting civilization, filled with numerous tribes constantly looking for opportunities to loot, and teeming with myths and monsters because it remained uncultivated. The ruler of such a rough land naturally had to be strong.
Duke Sigismund, the Elector who ruled the eastern border, was a powerful lord capable of raising a grand army of over ten thousand men, which was rare on the continent, and he was a very powerful knight himself.
What would happen if such a power was the Elector of the eastern part of the Empire, located right next to the Emperor's own family?
The family of the Holy Roman Emperor always sought to control Duke Sigismund and even attempted to reclaim their fiefs by questioning succession rights.
The relationship could not be good.
It was a stroke of luck that Duke Sigismund's interest was largely focused on the lands of the barbarians further east rather than on the Empire.
Further east lay the Empire of Byzantion, which claimed to be the descendant of the ancient empire despite its decline and possessed the most fertile land in the world, and nearby were the lands of pagan petty kingdoms containing numerous gold mines.
Since there was discord with the Emperor's family due to succession disputes, it was more effective for him to focus on those coveted lands rather than looking toward the Empire.
However, the words currently coming from his master, Joachim, meant that this existing power structure was completely collapsing.
‘It is even different from the future I know.’
In the period of war he remembered, the eastern Elector had declared neutrality and focused solely on expanding his territory to the east.
“Tsk tsk tsk. Disciple. Your face is quite a sight. You must have many worries huh?”
“Huh?”
“What do you mean 'huh'. You have already earned such merit by standing on the side opposite the Emperor. If the East is stabilized, the troops the Emperor can bring will be far more numerous than before. It will be a headache in many ways.”
It was true.
Master Joachim's words pierced exactly through the part Shatien was worried about.
If that strong eastern Elector participated in the war, especially if he joined on the Emperor's side, the probability was very high that the war would not flow according to the future Shatien knew.
“Hey. You should not speak as if it is someone else's business. Elder.”
“And why should I not? I have nothing to do with this war.”
“How can you say you have nothing to do with it? Your only disciple is entangled in it, and also, there is lovely me.”
“Hohoho.... This cheeky brat.”
-Thwack!
“Argh! Why did you hit me?”
It was like a sudden disaster in the middle of the night. Shatien screamed at the burning impact felt on his head. Master Joachim did not even look at Shatien and twitched the corners of his mouth.
“A couple should be of one mind. I cannot strike our fragile little one over here. You, who have a sturdy and strong body, should take the hit. Disciple.”
“...We are not even married, and that is a very unfair thing to say.”
“Tsk tsk. That knight has no romance. None. It is also part of chivalry to risk one's life for a noble lady.”
The master was saying nonsense, as if he had read courtly romances for fun while traveling. Shatien let out a sigh.
“Fine. I would rather die than complain. I should just prepare to respond to the information the master gave me. Ugh.”
He refused to simply be swept away by the trends. Since he had learned of the changed situation, he had to either try to overturn this board or utilize it to the fullest. In the past, it would have been impossible, but was he not now a power that could move a mercenary force of nearly ten thousand?
“Hmm. Why? Do you intend to go down already? To that... Sa... Sa...”
“It is the Sauerland Mercenary Office. Master.”
“Ah, right! To the Sauerland Mercenary Office? Even so, the troops your mercenary company can command will only be a handful in the grand scheme of things, will they not? Furthermore, are you not just mercenaries?”
Master Joachim mentioned the cold reality, but Shatien did not waver.
“Even if we are merely mercenaries, am I not a player on the board? If I only wait for the situation, I will simply be used by others.”
“Uhahahaha.”
Only then did Master Joachim laugh boisterously, looking pleased.
“You bastard, you got better. I was going to scold you harshly if you were just fidgeting without any thoughts.”
Joachim stopped laughing and looked at his disciple with pride.
“When you received teachings from me and went out to the battlefield, I actually had many worries. If the foundation of the family is weak, it is easy to be used here and there as one's fame grows. But seeing your actions today, I see there is no need for such worries.”
A knight and mercenary captain who had no foundation or anything else, only skill.
There was no target better for nobles to exploit than this. They would think he would jump into anything regardless of the cost to restore his family's prosperity and build fame.
Therefore, Joachim had been deeply worried when the news of Shatien's rising fame reached his ears.
He wondered if he was merely being used by them.
But looking at his disciple's reaction today, it seemed that was not the case.
Was he not struggling and making efforts to lead the board himself? Only then did Joachim feel a sense of relief as a master.
He felt the various studies he had taught before they parted had not gone to waste.
His disciple, Shatien.
He was now a dignified noble.
One who knew how to handle the situation.
‘Wonderful.’
Master Joachim was simply proud of this young disciple.
* * *
-Whoa whoa whoa!
Early morning.
The gate of Free City Loren was crowded with people for the first time in a while. It was because of the mercenary company led by Shatien and the group of elf knights, rather than ordinary citizens or merchant groups.
It was because they finally intended to leave Free City Loren today after a short break.
“Have a safe trip!”
“Yes, understood. I will see you soon. Branch Manager Marhen.”
Branch Manager Marhen's regretful face was vivid in his mind, but Shatien could not afford to care about such things right now.
If they stayed still, everyone from the merchant company to the Mercenary Office and Shatien himself could suffer a disaster from the Holy Emperor's wrath.
Fortunately, he was relieved that his master decided to stay by Branch Manager Marhen's side to protect her.
“Advance!”
Therefore, with a firmer expression than ever, Shatien quickly gave orders to his men and began the move south.
The destination was the Sauerland Mercenary Office.
The fortunate thing was that it was not very far from Free City Loren to Sauerland.
Shatien first selected one swift rider to send as a messenger to inform Captain Mordo and then convened the centurions while moving.
“Why are you in such a hurry? Shatien.”
“Quiet. Miles, you bastard. Our Captain must have thoughts of his own.”
“Dear me. How did Centurion Jenga become such a flatterer? Hmm? And strictly speaking, considering the connection with Shatien, do you not know that I am the Vice Captain here?”
“What did you just say?”
“…….”
The two were complete enemies. Shatien let out a sigh at the bickering of these pathetic men.
“The soldiers will see. Stop it. Please.”
“Argh! Old man Jenga. If it were not for our Shatien, I would have had a real bout today. Huh?”
“You should know that you were saved thanks to Captain Shatien.”
“Enough, enough! This is a warning. To both sides.”
“Ugh....”
“Understood.”
Only then did both calm down. Shatien looked at them and continued his words.
“When we enter Sauerland this time, I intend to reorganize the unit.”
“Reorganize?”
“Yes. Have we not already recruited three thousand new mercenaries in the North? Considering the existing two thousand mercenaries in the main unit, the one thousand mercenaries we are bringing now, and the number of mercenaries we will recruit further in the future, the current organization is not the answer.”
The chain of command was properly established in its own way, but the only unit capable of being active in large-scale battles in the future was the unit led by Shatien.
Most of them were gathered from various riffraff and were armed with clumsy short spears or clubs.
However, such armament was useless on the battlefields of the future.
When nobles began to cluster in large scales, the number of cavalry would be far greater than before, and it would be difficult to stop their charge simply by people huddling together. Therefore, to perform properly on the future battlefields, a proper pike unit had to be formed like the unit Shatien had led so far.
“Hmm, but will they accept it easily? The cost of producing pikes usable by mercenaries will not be small. Who will bear the burden? With the Mercenary Office's funds? Will everyone not oppose it?”
Miles, who was listening to the story, made a realistic point. The units he had managed so far were only a few hundred in number, so Shatien had provided equipment with his personal rewards (which were also an immense level), but it was impossible for Shatien to personally provide equipment for thousands, or even tens of thousands.
This was something where the financial power of a territory scale had to move.
“I must naturally persuade them. The people inside the Mercenary Office. After all, meetings are only possible for those at the executive level and above, right? I think I have obtained at least two votes of approval, though?”
“Y-Yeahhhh?”
“Well, that is true. Ahem. Ahem.”
However, Centurion Jenga questioned with a slightly stiff expression.
“But still, we need Captain Mordo's permission. Shatien. Captain Mordo's grip on the mercenary company is beyond imagination. Furthermore, if you push forward forcefully....”
And there was no need to hear the words after that. It meant no one would follow. He was saying that some might even think he was committing treason and try to oust Shatien.
There was no way there would only be those who praised and looked up to the merits he had achieved. There would certainly be those who were jealous and envious of Shatien's success.
“This guy, why are you saying such a concerning thing? So are you saying you will betray Shatien now? Like those other half-witted bastards?”
“That is not what I meant. You stupid fledgling.”
“How is it not. Hmph! Shatien, just say the word. I will crush all their heads.”
“Calm down. Haha....”
Shatien hurriedly calmed Miles down, fearing someone might hear.
“And Centurion Jenga. Don't worry. I know that problem well myself. In fact, I have finished all preparations to persuade Captain Mordo.”
“Ah, is that so? Then I suppose it’s fine.”
Wasn’t Captain Mordo also a man with an extremely strong desire for success? Considering the conversation he had with him in the past, it was certainly so.
If he stimulated that desire and suggested achieving it together, he would surely move.
Therefore, Shatien explained the future unit reorganization plan to Centurion Jenga and Miles and also laid out a thorough plan to persuade Captain Mordo.
However, not long after.
“Hohoho. It has been a while, Shatien.”
Shatien realized their worries were unnecessary. Sauerland, where he had arrived after a long time... had changed too much, and Captain Mordo had also not escaped the wind of that change.
The body of Captain Mordo, who spoke kindly....
“What? You want to reorganize the unit? Sounds good. Hm hm. Do as you wish. After all… our Mercenary Office is only going forward because we believe in you, yes? Now let’s go enjoy the banquet together, why don’t we? Now, now, now. Come this way.”
It was because he had become so obese that it was difficult even to walk.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter