As I was napping with my head down on the desk in a room of the barracks, there was a knock on the door.
A voice called from the other side of the door.
“My lord. It’s Kurt.”
“Come in.”
After I answered, the door opened, and Kurt entered. He knelt before me.
I straightened up, stretching lightly. I hadn’t rested well from sleeping at the desk, so I still felt a bit tired, and my body made cracking sounds as I moved.
“Is something wrong?”
“Jakob from the Golden Sheep Trading Company has requested an audience.”
There were a few things I wanted to ask, so the timing was perfect.
I couldn’t have a meeting in a room filled with paperwork. Plus, there’s personal information involved.
I led him to a different, unused room. Kurt stood diagonally behind me, and Jakob and I sat facing each other on the sofa.
“You’ve been putting in a lot of effort.”
“Not at all. It’s nothing.”
Jakob shook his head, as if to deny my words.
“Actually, we’ve been quite helpful. Distributing maps, providing food, and procuring various supplies. These are all tasks that only the Golden Sheep Trading Company, with its long history and wealth of experience, can handle.”
At this point, it could be said that the Duchy has become dependent on the Golden Sheep Trading Company.
But that’s fine. By relying on them, they gain security as well.
I must be careful not to be discarded, but as long as we are profitable to them, they wouldn’t easily abandon us. After all, the current advantages exist because of me. If we were to lose, I doubt we would be exempt from taxes in the Duchy.
“By the way, I need to request additional food supplies. We’re giving food to the farmers we’ve rescued to send them to the capital, but it’s more than expected. There’s also the military’s share, so I’d like to ask for your help.”
“I see. I’ll take care of it.”
Jakob pulled out a notepad and quickly jotted down notes.
His attention to detail is highly appreciated.
“By the way, you probably have something you want to discuss, don’t you?”
Though I had been speaking freely, it was Jakob who requested the audience.
There must be something he wants to convey.
Jakob straightened his posture and looked at me.
“It seems that Count Kastaren may withdraw his troops.”
I crossed my arms and placed my hand on my chin, thinking.
In terms of military strength, he’s still conserving his forces, so there should still be the ability to fight.
But what’s crucial is…
“What’s the basis for that?”
When I asked, Jakob took a piece of paper from his pocket and placed it on the desk.
I picked it up. The contents were inventory and sales numbers. It appeared to be a list of items recently bought by the surrounding noble houses under siege.
“Our trading company is also accompanying Count Kastaren’s forces. This document details sales and such from that time.”
The concept of logistics in this world’s military is somewhat lacking. Of course, the army has food supplies, but they often resort to looting. When they run low, they turn to the food they’re carrying.
However, this is only possible when advancing through enemy territory after a victory. In situations like the current stalemate, acquiring new supplies becomes difficult.
Thus, they buy what they need, including luxuries, from the merchants accompanying the army.
“Has the food purchase dropped…?”
I asked, and Jakob nodded.
“Yes. I believe they’ve decided not to continue the war any further.”
If that’s the case, it seems the royalist faction’s nobles have won by outlasting the others.
Count Kastaren’s forces are still intact, so they remain a threat. Still, the royalist faction’s nobles are now weakened by this conflict, and for the time being, they will be unable to act.
Also, the nobles who attacked the royalist faction have been weakened as well. In the end, they’ll have to seek Count Kastaren’s protection to recover their national power and prevent a counterattack from the royalist faction.
As a result, Count Kastaren’s influence seems to have grown since his defeat.
This is troublesome…
Well, after this defeat and the current stalemate, I don’t think they’ll be able to recover enough to make any big moves. But I can’t let my guard down.
“I see. Thank you for the valuable information, Jakob.”
“It’s nothing. In the end, helping your grace benefits us as well.”
Jakob placed his hand on his chest, showing his respect.
“If anything comes up, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Of course. I will send word when necessary. For now, I will take my leave.”
With that, Jakob stood and left the room.
After Jakob left, I turned to Kurt, who had been standing diagonally behind me.
“Send a message to Herbert and Werner. Let them know that Count Kastaren may withdraw his troops. If he does, we will withdraw as well. The enemy won’t pursue us after that.”
“As you command, my lord.”
Kurt gave a slight bow and left the room to deliver the orders.
I stood up from the sofa and stretched.
Once the war ends, it will become harder for the farmers to escape. I wonder how many more farmers we can save…
With that thought, I left the room.
