Chapter 498 Mercenary
Chapter 498 Mercenary
?Bosiden suggested a direct and unambiguous course of action: Howard should pay the mercenaries to confront Mibo. Such a strategy promised a swift and decisive end to the conflict, leaving no room for uncertainty.
Throughout his discourse, Bosiden repeatedly mentioned Duke Ferald, citing several of the Duke’s illustrious battles to underscore his point.
If they did not employ mercenaries, Bosiden intimated, the stability of their campaign could not be guaranteed.
Seeking another perspective, Howard summoned Vettel.
Vettel echoed Bosiden’s sentiment.
While acknowledging the benefits of fortifying their castle, he pointed out the immediate ineffectiveness of such an endeavor.
Upgrading buildings was a time-consuming process, requiring many days of laborious work by numerous workers.
Even after enhancing the barracks, there would not be an immediate substantial increase in their military strength.
Howard then turned to Resarite for his opinion.
After considering the situation, Resarite acknowledged that while hiring thousands of mercenaries might offer immediate gratification, upgrading the barracks would provide a lasting foundation for future conflicts.
Conscripted soldiers, he noted, were a cost-free resource, whereas mercenaries were a financial drain.
Conscription could be sustained indefinitely, but the employment of mercenaries was not financially feasible in the long term.
Inquiring further, Howard asked Resarite for his specific recommendation.
Resarite explained that Mibo, holding nearly all the knightly titles, had minimal territorial holdings outside a single village in Mambaton.
If Mibo wasn’t considering long-term strategy, his forces would temporarily exceed the standard strength of a baron.
However, having previously defeated Mibo, they were well-acquainted with his tactical abilities and military arrangements, which did not pose a significant threat.
The critical factor was his ducal relative, whose efficiency and swiftness in previous military engagements were noteworthy.
Resarite paused at this juncture, seemingly hesitant to continue.
His words hung in the air, leaving an unspoken implication of the gravity and complexity of their decision.
Bosiden addressed Howard with a tone of finality, “You see, even the Minister of War agrees. We should hire mercenaries.”
Vettel, sharing this sentiment, nodded gently at Howard, his expression one of earnest plea.
In a quiet corner of the room, Anna had been sitting, attentively observing the discussion.
At this juncture, she stood up and addressed Howard, “Howard, I must remind you of the treaty you signed with my cousin.
It may appear to be an alliance treaty, but I’m certain he won’t assist your offensive.
Also, the treaty you have with my father is a mutual defense pact, and he definitely won’t send troops to aid you.
You need to think this through carefully.”
Howard acknowledged her point, aware of the implications of both treaties.
He then turned to Anna, “And what is your opinion on hiring mercenaries?”
Anna’s response was straightforward, “Why not hire them? You’re facing someone who deliberately hoards an excessive number of titles and maintains a high level of troops. Are you really going to wear down your conscripted soldiers against him? It’s not worth it.”
“Lord Howard, I know you’re frugal. Some, upon becoming earls, start squandering, but not you. You have a plan for your economy. “
“But economic resources aren’t always best kept in hand; they need to be utilized when necessary. Clinging to your wealth without spending it is akin to Mibo hoarding his knightly titles without distributing them. Isn’t it the same principle?”
Howard muttered in response, “However much money I have, it’s not excessive. But with him, it’s titles, and holding too many can lead to excess. If there’s no penalty for excess, isn’t it better to keep them?”
Anna expressed her disagreement, prompting Howard to continue, “When your cousin Edward last visited to discuss the alliance, he inquired about my war funds. This shows that as a noble, it’s prudent to always have some money set aside.”
Anna glanced at Bosiden and Vettel, both of whom favored hiring mercenaries.
However, it was evident that they were reluctant to speak their minds in front of Howard, fearing that too direct a statement might provoke him.
Anna decided to take responsibility for this matter and addressed Howard, “Howard, you need to understand what your advantage is over Mibo.”
Howard, puzzled, asked, “Is my advantage over him that I am willing to spend money?”
“Don’t jump to conclusions,” Anna replied.
“In this situation, he’s exceeded his title limit, and his economy has already collapsed. Once his conscripted soldiers are spent, he’ll definitely lack the funds to hire mercenaries.”
“But you’re different; you have the resources to hire mercenaries now. Your advantage over him is precisely that you can afford mercenaries. Why engage directly with someone who’s exceeded his title limit and holds a baron’s land, plus four or five knight’s fiefs?”
“The attrition would be too great. Wouldn’t it be simpler to just hire mercenaries?”
Howard countered, “It’s too expensive.”
Anna suggested, “Hire them just for a while, until you win a decisive battle, then dismiss them. That way, you can minimize the expenditure.”
Howard then turned to Resarite, his Minister of War, “Why are you so quiet? This is a military council, and your input is crucial. Please offer your advice.”
Resarite spoke gravely, “Facing a duke like Ferald, it is exceedingly difficult for an incomplete earldom to win a war. I once led the armies of three earldoms to victory over Duke William’s forces, aiding my lord, the Earl of Vancouver, in ascending to the dukedom of York. But that war involved the full might of three earldoms.”
“In our current situation, we can’t even muster a complete army from one earldom, let alone from Nok. Furthermore, Gokasu’s troops are not only unavailable to us, but they are also our adversaries.”
Howard, looking intently at Resarite, asked, “Is there truly no other way?”
Resarite suggested, “Let’s do this: it will take some time for the duke’s forces to reach Nok. In these days, let’s hold off on hiring mercenaries. Once we have confirmed news of the duke’s troops’ arrival, we’ll hire them. This way, we can save on a few days’ expenses.”
Resigned, Howard instructed Resarite, “Over the next few days, accompany Bosiden to survey the nearby mercenary groups and see if we can negotiate a lower price.”
Resarite inwardly doubted the feasibility of this but agreed verbally.
He exchanged a knowing glance with Bosiden, each understanding the other’s thoughts.
Howard, too, was internally frustrated, feeling an intense desire to vent his anger yet constrained from doing so.
He said to Resarite, “When shall we declare war on Mibo? We had agreed on two to three months, and now two and a half months have passed, leaving us half a month more.”
Vettel interjected, “The economic situation has turned out better than expected, enabling us to gather the necessary funds sooner.”
Resarite concluded, “Let’s declare war now. It’s better to take Gokasu Castle as soon as possible.”
A day later, Howard issued an ultimatum to Mibo, demanding the surrender of the Gokasu barony in the name of reclaiming lawful territory.
Mibo refused, and thus, Howard entered a state of war with him.
Mibo sought assistance from his relative, Ferald, who, upon receiving the message, was filled with fervent and solemn enthusiasm.
“At last,” Ferald declared to his Minister of War, “the opportunity to expand the territories of the Ferret family has arrived!”
Ferald led his army personally towards Nok.
Prioritizing speed, his various units did not converge but advanced directly towards Nok.
Ferald explained his strategy: “I fear my foolish brother might lose too quickly, so I must reach Nok before his castle falls.”
His Minister of War expressed concern that rushing might lead to being ambushed en route, resulting in heavy casualties.
However, Ferald, resolute in his decision, dismissed these apprehensions.
Lanvin also joined the campaign, clad in shining silver armor, a silver-plated sword at his waist, and a glittering silver helmet on his head.
He looked strikingly handsome in his outfit.
However, Ferald’s Minister of War, upon seeing this, was filled with dismay.
He thought to himself that the cost of Lanvin’s equipment alone could arm a considerable number of soldiers, or even hire a unit of light infantry mercenaries.
Yet, he remained silent.
Being a nobleman and a count under Ferald, he understood the delicate balance between what should and should not be said.
This time, Ferald’s entire army was mobilized.
Having suffered some losses in the previous fierce assault on Gokasu Castle, their numbers were slightly diminished, amounting to 4985 soldiers.
Among these, there were 2600 light infantry, 700 heavy infantry, 852 archers, 600 light cavalry, and 233 heavy cavalry.
A particularly notable unit within this army was the “Raiding Brigade,” a group adapted from the Viking Military System.
This brigade, consisting of only 300 soldiers, all light infantry, might not have seemed significant at first glance.
However, their combat record in previous wars was exceptionally fierce.
They were known for their ferocious and valiant performance in battle, making them a formidable force to reckon with.