Chapter 71

The surge of the monstrous flood had drastically altered the power dynamics of the northern countries. The Kingdom of Creist, which had significantly expanded its territory in the last great war, gained the people and land to form the foundation of a nation, but it also inherited numerous problems. The lavish feast that exceeded the capacity of the state's stomach led to indigestion. One of the distortions that came with such territorial expansion was the provisional border with the Duchy of Mayard.

The endlessly expanding territory reached the Duchy of Mayard, and the flaws became apparent. The existing fortresses and cities, which had been prepared over decades or even a century, were likely to be excellent as individual defensive facilities. However, they were all located within the old territory, and no matter how they were patched up, they were unsuitable for external defense. The constraints of distance and position sometimes rendered even the best fortresses useless. The demolition of unnecessary fortresses and the construction of new ones along the provisional border was an inevitable outcome.

Nevertheless, even if the transportation routes to the provisional border, which served as the front line, were hastily improved, the villages that served as relay points had been destroyed by the monstrous flood. The population that could produce goods and support troops was left with a gaping void. The country, which placed a heavy emphasis on military officials, had even fewer civil servants, who were already scarce, and they were further burdened with additional labor. They scrutinized maps, selected sites, ran around the area, and racked their brains to see if it was feasible with the limited national resources. After such arduous efforts, they promoted settlement in the relay areas and hurriedly constructed fortifications along the provisional border.

There was a certain degree of success. Otherwise, a surprise attack on Mayard would have been impossible. According to the civil servants who were involved in the work, the fortifications were makeshift, to put it bluntly. Even with a two-year preparation period, it was impossible to construct fortifications that could control the entire border with Mayard.

Mountain and hill fortresses that utilized natural strongholds were abandoned due to the difficulty of construction and the limited preparation time. The result of successive compromises was a flatland fortress with slight elevation. The attached defensive facilities were simple earthen ramparts with little depth, prioritizing temporary accommodation for large forces.

The various elements that made up the fortress were also makeshift. The main hall was drafty, the granaries were mostly empty, and the barracks were far from sufficient to accommodate the troops. The list of shortcomings was endless. While it was suitable as a base for launching a large army, it was difficult to remain there for long. The provisional border, with the flatland fortress at its core and multiple fortresses functionally integrated, sounded impressive, but the main fortress was in a sorry state. The surrounding fortresses were in even worse condition.

After the partial destruction of the field army and the retreat from the Celta Peninsula, the Rehazen Knights were forced to face these grim realities. From a distance, it was a chaotic mess, like a farce. After much trial and error, they understood the situation and dispersed their main forces behind the provisional border. This was not due to any strategic advantage but out of necessity.

The Kingdom of Creist's military, which had gained more people and land than its national strength could support due to the monstrous flood, lacked the foundation to sustain a large army for a long time. The remote enemy territory and the weak supply lines were only viable for short-term decisive battles and plunder. The contents of the granaries, which even rats avoided, had been scattered during the retreat. Concentrating the army, which would burden the logistics, was already a pipe dream.

"Everything is lacking. Nothing is enough."

Johanna was unaware of the words that slipped out unconsciously. She muttered to herself over the haphazardly spread maps and conversed with the military and civil officials who came to report. Offensive strategies were no longer discussed; the focus was solely on maintaining the current situation. Troops were stationed in cities and villages that could serve as supply bases, and if Mayard launched a counterattack, they would gather forces from various locations to resist.

"The supply of provisions to Sero is delayed. This is partly due to the loss of some wagons and carts, but soldiers who have left the army are turning into bandits."

"The militia that was supposed to be stationed at Bunker Castle is in the square. It seems they got lost."

Johanna swallowed the anger that rose to her throat. In peacetime, such blunders would be unthinkable. Without enough officers, the troops lost control, and without enough non-commissioned officers, the troops became a disorganized mob. Even the squires and attendants, the hands and feet of the knights, were running out. There was no additional manpower, and the Rehazen Knights were forced to deal with the situation by diluting their ranks with field promotions. Changing titles wouldn't change their abilities.

"Assign several veteran squires to the bandit hunts. Tell them that the vacant knight positions are not out of reach if they perform well."

The squires, who were often left out due to insufficient skills or equipment, were eager to become knights. Many lacked a step in personal combat or command ability, but if you only looked at their strengths, some were on par with regular knights.

"It will be dark in a few hours... Give the militia diluted barley porridge and urge them to head for Bunker at dawn. Send a letter to Senior Knight Olof, who is stationed at Bunker, explaining the situation."

"Milady Johanna, isn't this too lenient on the soldiers?"

"In peacetime, it would not be allowed, but now it is wartime. Under these circumstances, sending them at night would be dangerous, and you know what could happen."

The exhausted morale and the darkness of night. How many soldiers would disappear into the night before they reached their destination? Even rough barley porridge with a bit of flavor and moisture would help fill their stomachs. A good night's rest for their legs and heads would reduce the number of deserters.

"...Yes, I understand."

The knight's response was hesitant. He did not fully agree with the lenient order but showed a certain level of understanding. Johanna, who had made a calculated decision due to the war, was interrupted by a report she could not ignore.

"The lord of Laymat has lodged a protest about soldiers causing trouble among the citizens."

"What exactly did they do?"

"It seems they stole and assaulted people."

"Have them whipped, one lash for each stolen item and each assault."

"Some will receive too many lashes—"

Johanna fully understood what the knight was trying to say.

"Let them bear the punishment if they can. If they cannot, then... display what remains of them."

"Should it be in the center of the city?"

It was an appropriate place to vent the anger of the citizens and the lord. However, Johanna saw another use for it.

"No, on the road to Bunker."

The sight of the bodies of their own kind would be instinctively repulsive. It was a tactic used to warn intelligent monsters and harmful beasts. In this case, it was aimed at the unreliable militia.

"Resorting to such a despicable method. This is no different from the imperial soldiers. I'm sure Captain Gran is laughing in the afterlife."

In peacetime, Johanna would be praised for her straightforward and caring nature towards the young. However, the battlefield changed people. Her expression had lost its flexibility and became as solid as a rock.

Under the command of Deputy Commander Rash, the kingdom's army managed to avoid a fatal blow by a swift retreat. The problem was the abandonment of many supplies in enemy territory. Rations were delayed, and the looting of their own territory by hungry soldiers became rampant. Law and order deteriorated rapidly, and the morale of the troops plummeted. The situation was not improving but worsening.

"A unit of the militia ordered to gather in Laymat is missing."

"Did they fall behind during the retreat?"

"No, it's a unit of a hundred. They probably—"

The civil servant hesitated, but Johanna understood what had happened.

"An organized mutiny?"

The reluctant retreat had produced deserters who became bandits. While bandits would flee after plundering, the problem was with those who did not run. The fallen Kingdom of Ferius, along with the Liberato Commercial Federation, was a powerful nation in the northern countries. Even without the framework of a state, the pride they harbored was significant and strong.

Feudal obligations and community duties no longer applied to them. They had lost the ties of family and village, and the common obligations that bound them. They had no assets to stop and bind them. The standing army, which had played a coercive role, was half-destroyed, and the depletion of the knight class, especially the officers, was fatal. Thus, the former commanders and nobles of the Kingdom of Ferius revealed their hidden ambitions.

"I remember that communication with some of the fortresses and villages near the provisional border was cut off."

"Are they trying to offer themselves to the highest bidder with some gifts?"

There were no optimists left who clung to the hope of a misunderstanding caused by the chaos during the retreat.

"Have they taken full advantage of their position?"

"Should we send troops to search and suppress them?"

"Endure for now. We can no longer afford the luxury of moving troops. It would be easy to order them to be crushed, but we must consider the risks. The priority is to put out fires. Deputy Commander Rash has emphasized this. If we act rashly and suffer further damage, we might lose more than just fingers; we might lose entire arms. We must untangle the tangled command structure and reorganize the army into its optimal form."

Creist had fallen into the Great Swamp in an attempt to outpace the Liberato Commercial Federation and consider the bigger picture. The curse of hegemony, the envy-like admiration for the three major powers, had led them astray. A gloomy atmosphere filled the command post. The door was suddenly thrown open, as if to blow away the settled mud.

"Milady Johanna, urgent news!"

A call announcing an emergency. But in this place, such words were already commonplace. She paused her thoughts and imagined the contents of the urgent report. Another mutiny, or perhaps a Mayardian force advancing from the provisional border?

"Calm down. What happened?"

As the soldier explained, the previously noisy command post fell silent. Everyone stopped their work and strained to understand the words. Even Johanna was no exception.

"A giant shadow in Lake Celta, a red light rising from the depths—"

The mutilated corpse of a lake dragon, a red flame that burned even water, an unreasonable disaster that defied logic. Johanna was certain, but she could not definitively say it was correct. No, the situation of the country did not allow it.

"Prohibit all those who witnessed it or know about it from speaking. There are no exceptions. Breaking this order will cost them their heads. Enforce it strictly."

Johanna's gaze swept the room, putting pressure on everyone in the command post.

"Send a fast horse to Deputy Commander Rash in Sero and to the capital. We must inform His Majesty as soon as possible."

Death had been lurking right under their feet. How foolish to wage war in such a place. Johanna felt a wave of despair and wanted to laugh, but her position and character did not allow it.

"Strengthen the surveillance of the lakeshore. Officially, it's to guard against the Mayardian navy—"

She braced herself and fought against her emotions. Having lost her trusted leader, Johanna struggled to maintain control. That was why she overlooked something. She had given information that should have been protected to a girl who needed it.

Chapter 3 - End

I apologize for the delay, but "What Do Turbid Eyes Wish For? The Haiselk War Chronicles" has ranked 8th in the Next Light Novel Grand Prize 2023, in the single-volume category. Great job!

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