Chapter 61

Viscount Koenitz's current lord, Arnold Koenitz, naturally had a grasp on the news that a large band of bandits was approaching the northwest of the kingdom.

And like other nobles, he was troubled by how to respond to the bandits' invasion.

According to the information he received from merchants, the bandits would likely reach his territory in about half a month.

The Koenitz Viscounty had a population of over 10,000, making it a fairly large domain. However, the size of the professional military, the domain army, was less than 200. Moreover, the land was peaceful, and it was difficult to call them well-trained.

If such a force were to clash head-on with a band of bandits made up of former mercenaries, it could even lead to total annihilation.

On the other hand, conscripting the peasants also posed a problem. If he pulled the male farmers away during this time when preparations for planting wheat were about to begin, it would delay agricultural work, leading to famine among the people and a significant reduction in the viscount's tax revenue next year.

It could be said that the bandits were approaching at the worst possible time.

"…There's no other way."

With a face as if he had bitten into a bitter bug, Arnold spoke these words.

"What will you do, my lord?"

"Have the merchants spread the rumor. 'To the west of the Koenitz Viscounty lies the Arquvist Barony, which has no decent military force and is sitting on a large amount of gold from its mines.' Spread the rumor thoroughly so that it reaches the bandits."

When asked by the elderly retainer standing by, Arnold gave these instructions.

"Is that all right? That means…"

Arnold's strategy was essentially to divert the bandits to the Arquvist Barony and leave the response to them. The retainer showed a hesitant expression at the order to put a friendly neighboring domain in a difficult situation.

"I understand, but there's no other choice. Besides, that young man won't be easily defeated by the bandits. If I send reinforcements and claim to have 'helped,' it will be fine."

Noein was smart. If it came to a defensive battle in the Bazel Great Forest, where he had the advantage of the terrain, he could probably drive back a band of 200 bandits.

If the Koenitz Viscounty army ambushed the bandits as they retreated, exhausted, they could claim to have cooperated in defeating the bandits while pushing the hardest part of the job onto the Arquvist Barony.

"It's a bitter pill to swallow, but this is the best, or at least the second-best, strategy to protect my domain's interests. There's not much time. Act immediately."

"Yes, I will inform the merchants right away."

With that, the retainer left the room.

(I'm sorry, Noein Arquvist. This is what it means to be a noble lord.)

While silently apologizing to his young neighbor, Arnold sighed deeply.

...

The rumor that "the Arquvist Barony is wealthy but poorly defended," which Arnold Koenitz had spread, quickly reached every corner of the Koenitz Viscounty and even the surrounding domains.

Thanks to the information network of small traveling merchants, the rumor reached even the smallest villages.

The rumor naturally spread in Letvik, a subordinate domain of Arnold, and reached the ears of Bart, who was responsible for transporting supplies to Letvik.

"…Until now, only people connected to us in Letvik knew about this, but suddenly it's being widely rumored."

"Yes, it can only be that someone is deliberately spreading it…"

While listening to Bart's urgent report, Noein had a bitter look on his face.

"The rumor about the approaching bandits is being spread at the same time as information that would make the bandits happy. Damn, that ungrateful old man."

Noein, unusually irritated, spoke harshly.

"Is it the Koenitz Viscount, as expected?"

"Definitely. But if we are destroyed by the bandits, the Koenitz Viscount, who has business with us, will suffer economically… Probably, he plans to jump in after we fight the bandits to the death and claim the 'final blow' as his achievement."

"What a frustrating story… So, what will you do?"

Yuri, who was present, asked Noein.

"There's no place to run, so we'll fight. It would be a joke to let the territory we've built up be ravaged."

Noein said this with a rare, evil smile.

"Fortunately, the crossbows are complete. If we mass-produce them and train the villagers, we can match the bandits in strength."

The population of the Arquvist Barony was about to reach 200. Of these, about 100 men could be mobilized for combat, plus Noein's two golems, and with a large number of crossbows, they could be a formidable force.

"But we don't have more than 20 crossbows yet. And the number of bolts is far from enough for actual combat."

"I'll assign as many of my slaves as possible to Damian and have them mass-produce them at full speed. I'll also recruit, no, conscript, manpower from the villagers."

"But it's the season when preparations for planting wheat are about to begin. The villagers might be reluctant to be conscripted."

"I'll reduce next year's taxes to compensate for the reduced harvest. Besides, we have potatoes. Even if the wheat planting is delayed a bit, there's no risk of famine."

"...Understood. I'll mobilize Yuri, Bart, and the other retainers to spread the instructions immediately."

"Thanks."

While watching Yuri and Bart hurry out, Noein muttered to himself that this was the first time he had been cornered like this.

...

"W-wait! Don't kill me! I have something to tell you! I'll tell you!"

The man from the village that had been occupied, whom Gossling was about to kill, pleaded desperately.

"Something to tell?"

"Yes! Something you'll surely be happy to hear! Please listen!"

"...Alright, go on."

With a suspicious look, Gossling listened, and the man began to speak rapidly.

"T-to the west of the Koenitz Viscounty, there's a place called Arquvist. I forget if it's a barony or a minor barony, but it's a tiny village that struck it rich with a gem mine."

"Damn, that story again. I've never heard of such a place. The northwest of the kingdom is supposed to end at the Koenitz Viscounty."

"It's a new domain that's been established in the past few years! That's why they don't have a proper army. But they have a lot of gold! If you attack there, you'll make a fortune!"

The man might be lying to save his life, but Gossling had heard the same story in the previous village. The details being the same suggested it was true.

"Are you lying?"

"R-really! I swear on my life!"

"...Alright, I believe you. Thanks for the information."

"Then, then, let me go, ughh!"

Gossling silenced the man by impaling his torso with a sword and decided to make the Arquvist Barony his next target.