Chapter 61

Thank you for the horse's name.

I am a bit surprised to receive so many comments and messages, more than I imagined.

I will take them into consideration.

I cannot respond to all the comments and messages, but I have read through all of them.

Thank you, and I look forward to your continued support.

"Allow me to introduce myself again, King Equus. I am Yuria Rosais, representing King Rosais. This is Almus As, the lord of the As territory."

"I am Almus As. I have come to serve as Yuria's guard and advisor."

Yuria and I bowed to King Equus.

This is my first time meeting a king other than King Rosais.

"Welcome. I am the chieftain of the Equus tribe, or as King Rosais would say, King Equus. First, I must thank you for helping my wife."

King Equus expressed his gratitude to Yuria.

Not a bad start.

"Regarding the alliance with your country... I find it somewhat lacking in appeal. Our tribe is poor. Therefore, the grain from King Rosais' country is very helpful. However, it is too cheap a price to risk our lives for. Additionally, there is the risk of making King Dorgal's country an enemy. We have a long-standing enemy, the Lupus tribe, who have repeatedly invaded our territory since subjugating the Aries tribe. If they ally with King Dorgal's country, it would pose a significant threat."

Hmm, the reasons for opposition are as Mutius mentioned.

"That is true. I have a proposal... How about a mutual alliance? If King Dorgal's country attacks, the Equus tribe will fight alongside us. If the Lupus tribe attacks the Equus tribe, we will fight alongside the Equus tribe."

Yuria proposed to King Equus.

This is not a bad deal. King Rosais' country, though primarily composed of infantry, has more troops than the Lupus tribe.

I have heard that the Equus tribe has a population of about 30,000, the Aries tribe about 10,000, and the Lupus tribe about 30,000.

The Aries tribe is already under the control of the Lupus tribe, so the enemy population is 40,000.

Since the cavalry has a large military force relative to its population... let's say 70%, which is 28,000.

The Equus tribe can mobilize 21,000.

We are short by 7,000.

However, King Rosais' country can theoretically gather more than 8,000 troops.

Even if they do not directly participate in the battle, their presence will serve as a significant deterrent.

King Equus showed a slightly troubled expression at Yuria's proposal.

But...

"Indeed, that is appealing. However, the benefits and risks must be balanced. There must be a tilt towards the benefits for the alliance to be accepted."

That is true.

But this response was expected.

Yuria and I had discussed this.

"King Equus, may I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

King Equus looked puzzled.

"Is your eldest son, Prince Methil, the next king?"

I am asking this to set the stage, not because I don't know.

King Equus has designated Methil as the next successor.

This is to confirm the basic premise of the conversation.

"Yes, but... what does that have to do with anything?"

"What if we inscribe Prince Methil's name in the treaty?"

This means that King Rosais' country will recognize Prince Methil's ascension to the throne.

Of course, King Rosais' country has no right or obligation to interfere in the Equus tribe's succession issues.

But this is a significant deterrent.

"I also want the names of your second son, Prince Mutius, and third son, Prince Redus, to be included."

Naturally, as princes.

In other words, it will be a form of making Mutius and Redus recognize Methil's ascension.

They cannot refuse, as the head of the household's orders are absolute in the Equus tribe's customary law.

Reducing the possibility of internal strife would be a significant benefit.

Moreover, this also serves as a deterrent, depending on whether the third wife was consulted or not...

It implies, "Our country knows about your succession issues, a weakness."

"Hmm... not bad. But there is one problem. King Rosais is critically ill. If the next generation does not inherit the alliance, our country will be the one to shed blood."

"That is not a problem. The next candidate for King Rosais has also agreed to the alliance. I cannot specify who it is, though."

Yuria replied.

But King Equus shook his head.

"Just words. I want it in writing. Lord Almus As, I want your signature."

Alright, I understand. If I sign... what!?

Hey, how did you know!?

"From your reaction, it seems true. Let me give you a piece of advice: kissing should be done where the rats can't see. And, Yuria, you should practice hiding your expressions before becoming king."

Shit...

If I had hidden my expression, it would have just been a simple affair...

Alright, from now on, I will only kiss in safe places.

"Um, about this matter..."

"Rest assured. I do not repay kindness with enmity. The third wife, Yuria, showed great consideration. I will keep silent."

In other words, if you want me to keep quiet, you must also keep quiet about the curse.

I have been countered.

"I want the signature of Lord Almus As, not as the next king or the lord of the As territory, but as an individual. Is that acceptable?"

In other words, "If you are no longer a lord but a king, this treaty will be invalid" is not allowed.

Well, I had no intention of doing such a thing anyway.

"Understood. I will sign."

"Then let's have a feast tonight. After that, we will sign."

---

"Feast, huh. I wonder what kind of food it will be. I'm looking forward to it, brother."

"Yeah... probably lamb and horse milk wine. And some cheese."

I'm not very hopeful.

The food is much poorer in King Equus' country.

But just as the feast was about to begin, a hawk message arrived.

"King Dorgal is gathering troops. The number is over 10,000. Hasten the alliance. If it cannot be concluded by tomorrow, return immediately. A new strategy will be needed. King Rosais"

Well, no feast then.

"I apologize, King Equus. You prepared such a feast for us..."

"Please stand up. If it is a crisis in your homeland, it cannot be helped. I will select soldiers to accompany you by morning. How many do you need?"

"About 300. Can we ask Prince Mutius to be the commander? And can we borrow horses? We need them for the supply wagons to carry the spoils of war."

I answered for Yuria.

King Equus responded with a good mood.

"Thinking about the spoils of war before winning. You seem quite confident. No, I am not being sarcastic. I am praising you. You can have as many horses as you need. They are free to borrow, but you must return them alive. Now, Mutius!! You will head to King Rosais' country tomorrow morning!!"

Mutius knelt and replied.

"Yes! We will make the name of the Equus tribe resound in King Dorgal's country and King Rosais' country!"

Preparations for the battle were hastily made.

---

"King Rosais! We have returned."

"Welcome back. It is a day earlier than expected. This is the mobility of cavalry..."

King Rosais looked surprised and exclaimed.

I bowed to King Rosais, with Mutius beside me.

"I am Mutius Equus Nudias, the second son of the chieftain of the Equus tribe. I have come to lead 300 Equus cavalry."

"I am grateful for the reinforcements. Mutius, you will join Almus' command and fight. Let's immediately hold a strategy meeting... no, a confirmation. After that, Almus, return to the As territory and organize your troops."

All the nobles except Almus As were present.

It was immediately announced that Almus As would be the commander-in-chief.

The As faction, who knew in advance, tried to suppress their laughter and cheered.

The As faction, who did not know, were confused but cheered.

The neutral faction was puzzled and expressed their confusion.

The Diber faction raised their voices in anger.

Nobles other than the royal family can also attend the noble council.

Therefore, the votes were slightly in favor, and Almus As was successfully appointed as the commander-in-chief.

Rigal Diber protested against not being appointed as the commander-in-chief.

King Rosais ignored him completely.

Rigal Diber assigned 100 troops each to three subordinates, totaling 300, under Almus As' command. He then declared that he would secure the border with King Dorgal's country to prevent being taken from behind, and would stay in his territory with 500 troops.

Almus As smiled and acknowledged this, offering to fight together.

Rigal Diber pushed his hand away and left silently.

The old man who usually accompanied him was not seen...

Next time, before the war... there will be intrigue.

The war starts from chapter 64.