Chapter 73: The Lungell Duchy

Pahell's army, having passed through the Evelyn Gate, was deciding on the next location to take. Meanwhile, they drafted a hundred of the five hundred soldiers guarding the Evelyn Gate.

"There are four dukes in the Porcana Kingdom. One of them is Duke Harmatti. Each duke can muster about 2,000 troops, give or take depending on the duke. They must have already issued a conscription order," Phillion explained, unfolding a map and detailing the political situation in the Porcana Kingdom.

"It's better to strike quickly before the conscription is completed, Prince Varca," Ferzen remarked sharply.

A duke's conscription wouldn't be completed overnight. Gathering troops from lower nobility like counts and barons would take at least three to four days. Non-standing conscripted soldiers would take more than a week to arrive.

"Which duchy is closest?" Pahell asked Phillion.

"In terms of distance, it's Duke Lungell's territory, but since that requires crossing mountains, it would be faster to conquer Duke Vaskerling’s territory," Phillion replied.

Hearing the conversation, Ferzen frowned.

"Do we have to force every duchy to submit? This side will also suffer significant battle fatigue. The force we have isn't enough to conquer the kingdom through battle power alone. You know the emperor’s intent, don't you, Prince Varca?" Ferzen passed the conversation to Pahell.

"I am aware, General Ferzen. It's not just about the military; my political power is also necessary," Pahell said with a bitter smile.

The troops provided by the emperor were the bare minimum needed for conquering the kingdom. It wasn't enough to win against the entire kingdom. Thanks to the emperor's troops, Pahell was just barely able to put his name on the board of political tangle.

"Four dukes, and then the royal castle," Ferzen pondered, stroking his chin while looking at the map. He lifted his head as if he had made a decision.

"In my opinion, if we can sway just two dukes without battle, we can easily win this civil war. But who do the nobles of the territories directly under Porcana pledge loyalty to? It's hard to believe that the King's direct territories would betray the prince. And who do the troops stationed in the royal castle pledge allegiance to?" Ferzen poured out questions. Pahell looked at Phillion, flustered. Ferzen didn't miss a beat.

'Prince Varca is clever, but he knows nothing about domestic politics. There was a reason he was stripped of everything by his uncle.'

Ferzen couldn't understand how Pahell ended up being so politically incompetent.

'He has the makings of a king. Strange indeed. Do all the dukes of this country lack the eye for a king?'

Ferzen had seen many royals over the years. There were plenty who wore the crown simply because they were royalty. Pahell had more than enough potential to be a good king.

'He may lack a warrior's temperament, but he's calm and has good situational judgment. In fact, he's more suited for politics.'

Why Porcana Kingdom had deteriorated like this would be discovered later. Ferzen refocused on the meeting.

"I am still unsure... I'll send out some messengers first. There must be nobles willing to support me somewhere," Pahell hesitated, speaking. It was an irresponsible statement. There was no confidence anywhere in his statement.

'I don't know much about the other nobles. I never tried to learn. I thought the loyalty of nobles was a given thing.'

Phillion watched Pahell, who was in deep thought. He whispered into Pahell's ear.

"Duke Lungell might support you, my prince. He was close friends with your father."

"That very friend, Lungell, was the first to support Duke Harmatti," Pahell grimaced, knowing that Lungell was the first to join hands with his uncle, Duke Harmatti.

"Duke Lungell supported Duke Harmatti because he was convinced you wouldn't become king. He decided to prevent civil war. But now the story is different. Civil war is inevitable anyway. He might support you now since you have the backing of the empire. You may not know, my prince, but Duke Lungell and Duke Harmatti aren't on good terms. There was a dispute over a county. Duke Harmatti probably gained his support by agreeing to transfer the rights of that land. I will go as the messenger."

Pahell started picking up letters to send to the nobles. After pondering, he crumpled one.

"I will confront Duke Lungell myself. Phillion, as my representative, take Duke Vaskerling’s territory. I will join you again after gaining Lungell's support."

"Your Highness? It's too dangerous! Even if it's Duke Lungell, he's currently a supporter of Duke Harmatti!" Phillion objected. Pahell shook his head and extended his palm.

"It's better to be certain. If I don't obtain the duke's support, we have no chance in the civil war, anyway. I can't afford to be tentative in this situation. I've made my decision, and I will not take no for an answer from you."

Ferzen nodded, listening to the conversation.

"It's a sure way, Prince Varca. Quickly subdue Duke Vaskerling’s territory with force and win over Duke Lungell's support, and you'll be on equal footing with Duke Harmatti. Then, the smaller nobles will declare their support for the side that is backed by the empire, ohoho." Ferzen chuckled lightly.

‘He surely is a prince with political acumen. He knows how to take risks. Going to Duke Lungell's territory could be fatal and render everything pointless, but such gambles are necessary to turn a disadvantageous situation around.'

In Ferzen's mind, the chessboard became busy. Two kings, Varca and Harmatti, and three powerful knights, the dukes, and several smaller pawns. The first to gain two knights would seize the advantage.

"But..."

Phillion trailed off. It was risky for Pahell to personally act as the messenger.

"I trust your words, Sir Phillion, and made this decision based on that. I don't know much about Duke Lungell. But if your words are true, I will succeed."

Phillion couldn't object further. It was his master’s decision. Further dissent was presumptuous. It wouldn't look good to others.

'I can't demean the prince's dignity.'

Phillion looked around. Everyone agreed with Pahell's decision.

'I am proud but I am also worried.'

Phillion rubbed his chest. His dinner wasn’t going to sit well in his stomach tonight.

"I'll take about ten men from the mercenary group, including Urich, as my escort. Taking too many guards won't make it any safer. In fact, too many can be seen negatively. Showing my sincerity will be more important than ensuring my safety," Pahell looked at Urich as he spoke.

"I'll do the job of a hundred men. Don't worry." Urich casually spun a dagger in his hand, clearly bored with the meeting. There was nothing for Urich to contribute to such discussions.

"General Ferzen, lead the troops to Duke Vaskerling’s territory tomorrow. Time is of the essence. We can't afford to waste even a day."

Pahell folded the map. If time passed and troops gathered, only a full-scale war would remain. They had to gain as much support as possible before that and turn the table in their favor.

* * *

Urich and Bachman, among ten other mercenaries, were summoned as Pahell's escort. The rest of the mercenaries moved with the army.

Clop, clop

.

Only mercenaries skilled in horse riding were selected as escorts. As time was of the essence, all mercenaries traveled on horseback. In the middle of the procession were Pahell and two escort knights.

Urich rode Kylios up the mountain. He looked at Ferzen's army moving in the distance.

'It's better to stay away from Ferzen for a while.'

Urich had tasked Sven with monitoring Ferzen. In Urich's absence, Sven would keep an eye on Ferzen's movements.

"We're escorting someone who will be king in the future. Damn, it's finally sinking in," Bachman said excitedly.

"We've been escorting him this whole time. Why this reaction now?" Urich responded. Bachman seemed to be in a good mood.

"All the mercenaries were buzzing about it. What seemed like a pipe dream is now within reach. That young prince will finally become king!"

"You like that that much?" Seeing Bachman happy made Urich feel good too.

"Of course, you idiot! Think about how grand the king's rewards will be!" Bachman chattered away. Other mercenaries nodded along with his words.

"Certainly, we’re seeing success."

"With the support of the empire, it's going to be smooth sailing."

The mercenaries already considered it a won battle. The thinking of the command staff and the individual mercenaries was entirely different.

'With the empire backing us, how can he not become king?'

Even Bachman thought so. The empire's stature was that high.

The command staff saw the political situation more realistically. The emperor was not planning on providing any more support. If Pahell failed to secure the throne with the current military force, everything would be over. The mercenaries were unaware of these details.

'Thinking positively like this is good for morale.'

There was no need to dampen their high spirits with negative words. Urich didn't pour cold water on the mercenaries' conversation.

"I’ve always said that following you was the best decision of my life. No one from our hometown has outdone me, right?" Bachman was already celebrating his success as if Pahell had won.

"Oh, is that so? Congratulations on your success, Bachman." Urich playfully patted Bachman's back.

"You don't understand, Urich. I'm happy right now. Someone as strong as you wouldn't get it. You're a great warrior; you'd be treated well everywhere you go. But for people like us, it's a struggle to get such an opportunity even once."

A warrior with countless victory tales, Champion of the Hamel Jousting Tournament, and the leader of the mercenary squad Urich's Brotherhood. Urich was superior to others. He easily achieved the riches and honor that others would struggle their entire lives for. He could get everything he ever wanted.

'Urich won't understand us.'

Bachman felt a sense of alienation. Urich saw something different from the mercenaries. There was something that transcended earthly desires about Urich's actions.

'But the things that you easily achieve are our lifelong goals.'

Sometimes, Bachman envied Urich.

'If I were as strong as Urich, I'd be living luxuriously under some rich noble.'

But Urich didn't do that. He was a resolute warrior. He liked money but didn't covet more than necessary. Being able to eat, sleep, and be with women was enough for him.

"Hmm."

Urich couldn't say more.

As Bachman thought, Urich didn't understand him. Bachman obsessed over the king's rewards as a life achievement. To Urich, it was trivial.

"Urich, you're a great man. You are worthy of my respect not just as a warrior but in other aspects too."

Bachman smiled bitterly. Ordinary people couldn't understand the extraordinary. But the extraordinary couldn't understand the ordinary either.

It took a night to cross the mountains. Only the next day did they enter Duke Lungell's territory. As they passed several agricultural areas they saw farmers in leather clothes, carrying farming tools, lined up, walking somewhere.

"The local lords have issued a conscription order. War is imminent, so they're gathering their troops," Bachman noted, watching the conscripted farmers from a distance.

"They're not warriors. They’re just farmers."

Urich frowned. With his vision, he could see every detail of the farmers' attire. The level of conscripted soldiers was pitiful and only a few were properly armed.

"They need numbers, so they will fill it in any way they can. Common folks are the ones who suffer in the fights of the high and mighty. At least it's not the farming season. If this civil war had happened then, people would starve even after it ended."

Bachman always thought from the commoners' perspective. He too came from a poor fishing village.

"It's all my fault."

Pahell said as he watched the moving conscription line. A civil war causes great bloodshed. The people suffer, even though they are the ones who don't care who becomes king.

‘This is all happening because of my desire to be king.'

Pahell was tormented. He understood the consequences of his actions. His perspective broadened, and he matured. He recognized his responsibilities and duties.

'I carry the mission of Lou,'

Pahell muttered to himself. That was his only way of alleviating the guilt.

"Pahell, you want to be king, right? Then don't worry about it. When I raided the neighboring tribes, I didn't care if they starved in the next dry season. Would those peasants, if they were royalty, give up their throne worrying about people's suffering? They'd do the exact same thing as you are doing right now, if not worse. Everyone cares about themselves first. Don't think about others' pain. If you do, you won't be able to do anything. Just don't be ashamed of yourself," Urich joined Pahell, speaking beside him.

"Your words are somewhat comforting. Thanks, Urich." Pahell smiled and relaxed his shoulders.

'But I will remember their suffering.'

As they continued to move, Pahell glanced back at the conscription line again.