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Vol 02 Chapter 61: Cavalry V

「Allow me to introduce myself again, King Equus. I am Julia Rosais, representing King Rosais. This is Almus Aris, Lord of the Aris territory.」

「I am Almus Aris. I’ve come as Julia-sama’s escort and aide.」

Julia and I bowed to King Equus. This is my first time dealing with a king other than King Rosais.

「Thank you for coming. I am the chief of the Equus Tribe, or as you would say in King Rosais’ Country, King Equus. First, let me express my gratitude for helping my wife.」

King Equus thanked Julia. This is a good start.

「Regarding the alliance with your country… I find it somewhat lacking in appeal. My tribe is poor. The grain from King Rosais’ country is indeed a great help. However, it’s too cheap a price to risk our lives for. Additionally, there’s the risk of making an enemy out of King Domorgal’s Country. Our mortal enemies, the Lupus Tribe, have been invading our territory since they subdued the Aries Tribe. If they ally with King Domorgal’s Country, it would pose a significant threat for us.」

Hmm, the reasons for his opposition are just as Mutzio said.

「That’s a fair point. How about a mutual alliance proposal? If King Domorgal’s Country attacks King Rosais’ Country, the Equus Tribe will join us in battle. If the Lupus Tribe attacks the Equus Tribe, we, King Rosais’ Country will fight alongside the Equus Tribe.」

Julia proposed this to King Equus.

It’s not a bad deal. Though King Rosais’s country primarily has infantry, it has more soldiers than the Lupus Tribe.

I heard that the population of the Equus Tribe is about 30,000, the Aries Tribe about 10,000, and the Lupus Tribe about 30,000. Since the Aries Tribe is already under the Lupus Tribe’s control, the enemy’s population is 40,000.

Considering that nomadic tribes use a higher proportion of their population as combatants—around 70%, or 28,000 in this case. The Equus Tribe can mobilize 21,000.

They are short by seven thousand. However, on paper, King Rosais’ Country can muster more than eight thousand soldiers.

Even if we don’t directly involve ourselves in their fight, the possibility of our troops joining in should serve as a powerful deterrent.

King Equus thought for a moment about Julia’s suggestion. However…

「It is indeed an attractive proposal. But the benefits only just balance out the costs. There’s little incentive to accept the alliance if the benefits don’t significantly outweigh the costs.」

That’s certainly a valid point. But it’s the response we expected. Julia and I have already talked about it and prepared some countermeasures.

「May I ask you one thing, King Equus?」

「What is it?」

King Equus looked puzzled.

「The next King Equus is your eldest son, Prince Methil, correct?」

I asked this not because I didn’t know, but as a lead-in to the main topic. King Equus has already designated Methil as his successor.

In essence, it’s a confirmation of a fundamental aspect of our discussion.

「Yes, but… what about it?」

「How about we have Crown Prince Methil sign the treaty as well?」

This would mean that King Rosais’ Country recognizes Prince Methil’s ascension to the throne. Naturally, King Rosais’ Country has neither the right nor the obligation to interfere in the Equus Tribe’s succession issues.

But this can be used to fortify Methil’s position as the successor.

「I believe your second son, Prince Mutzio, and your third son, Prince Redus, should sign the treaty as well.」

Obviously as Prince Mutzio and Prince Redus.

In other words, this would be a way to get Mutzio and Redus to acknowledge Methil’s ascension.

Naturally, they cannot refuse. According to the customs of the Equus Tribe, the head of the family’s orders are absolute.

Minimizing the potential for internal strife offers a significant advantage.

Lastly, this would only work if the third queen talked to King Equus about the curse, but this proposal also hints that our country knows about their succession conflict.

「Hmm… Not bad. But there is one issue. It is said that King Rosais is critically ill. If the alliance isn’t passed on to the next generation, our country will end up shedding blood unilaterally.」

「There is no problem with that. The next candidate for King Rosais has also agreed to the alliance. I cannot say who he is right now, but you can rest assured.」

Julia responded. However, King Equus shook his head.

「Words alone are not enough. I want it in writing. Almus Aris-dono, I want your signature.」

Yes, yes, alright. I need to sign too… Wait, what?!

How did he find out?!

「Your reaction tells me everything. Let me give you a piece of advice: kisses should only be exchanged where not even a mouse can see it. Also, you should train to hide your expressions before becoming king. You too, Julia-dono.」

So, had I concealed my reaction, this might have been dismissed as a mere fling…

Alright, from now on, I’ll make sure to kiss her only in secure locations.

「Um, about this matter…」

「Rest assured. I am not one to repay kindness with malice. Julia-dono, you’ve shown great consideration to us in the matter of the third queen. I, too, will keep this matter confidential.」

In essence, if we want him to keep silent, we must also remain quiet about the curse. Looks like I’ve been countered.

「I would want you to sign the treaty as Almus Aris, not the next king, nor as Aris territory’s lord.」

This ensures the treaty remains binding, precluding any claims that it’s void due to a change in my title or position.

I wasn’t going to do that anyway, so it’s not a problem.

「I understand. I will sign it,」

「Then, let’s have a feast tonight. We can sign the treaty afterwards.」

◇

「A feast, huh? I wonder what kind of dishes there will be. It’s exciting, isn’t it, Nii-san?」

「Well… I’m guessing lamb meat, airag1, cheese, and such.」

I’m not expecting much. The cuisine here is much simpler compared to what we have in King Rosais’ Country.

However, just as the feast was set to begin, an urgent message arrived via hawk.

「King Domorgal is gathering forces, more than ten thousand. Accelerate the alliance proceedings. If they cannot be concluded by tomorrow, return immediately. We’ll need to rethink our strategy. – King Rosais」

There is no time for feasting now.

「I apologize, King Equus. Despite your kindness in arranging this feast…」

「Lift your head. If it’s a crisis in your homeland, it can’t be helped. We’ll cancel the feast and select troops to send by tomorrow morning. How many do you need?」

「We need about three hundred men. Could Prince Mutzio command them? And we would like to borrow some horses for our supply wagons and to transport loot.」

I responded on behalf of Julia. King Equus seemed to be in a good mood and agreed to our request.

「You’re planning for loot transport even before the battle has started? You seem quite confident. I’m not being sarcastic; I’m actually praising you. We have ample horses and will lend them without charge, provided they are returned alive. Now, Mutzio! You are to head to King Rosais’s country by tomorrow morning!」

To this, Mutzio knelt and replied.

「Yes! I will ensure the Equus Tribe’s name echoes through the lands of King Domorgal and King Rosais!」

Preparations for battle were swiftly made.

◇

「King Rosais, I have returned.」

「You have done well. I’m surprised by your fast return; you have returned a day earlier than expected. Is this the mobility of the cavalry…?」

King Rosais expressed his surprise and admiration.

Beside me, Mutzio bowed to King Rosais, declaring.

「I am Mutzio Equus Sulpicius, the second son of the chief of the Equus Tribe. I have come leading three hundred Equus cavalrymen.」

「Thank you for the reinforcements. Mutzio-dono, I will have you and your troops join Almus’s forces and fight under his command. Let’s immediately convene for a strategy—rather, a confirmation meeting. After that, Almus, hurry back to the Aris territory and organize your troops.」

◇

All patricians were present, with the exception of Almus Aris. It had already been announced that Almus Aris would be the commander-in-chief.

Those of the Aris faction who had been informed in advance struggled to contain their smiles while expressing their joy. Those in the Aris faction who had not been informed were puzzled but still expressed happiness. The neutral faction displayed confusion and concern, whereas the Dibel faction openly expressed their anger.

At the patrician council, where members of the Rosais Family, besides the king, could participate, the election proceeded smoothly, culminating in Almus Aris’s election as commander-in-chief by a slim majority.

Rigal Dibel voiced his protest at not being chosen as commander-in-chief. King Rosais, however, did not entertain his complaints.

After delegating three hundred soldiers to Almus Aris, divided among three of his subordinates with a hundred each, Rigal Dibel declared that he would fortify the border of his territory with King Domorgal’s Country, and under the pretense of preventing a rear attack, he secluded himself in his territory with five hundred soldiers.

Almus Aris, with a smile, acknowledged this and extended his hand for a handshake. With a dismissive gesture, Rigal Dibel brushed Almus’ hand aside and exited without uttering a word.

Besides Rigal, the usual old man could not be seen anymore…

TN: Airag, also called kumis, is an alcoholic drink made from fermented mare milk.