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Vol 04 Chapter 110: The One-Eyed and the Hawk II

「Nice to meet you, King Rosais. My name is Alexios. As you can see, I am a Pofenian. I have been employed by Lezado to command the coalition forces in this war.」

「You are Alexios? I have heard much of your exploits.」

It seems that a few days ago, Alexios managed to capture an enemy fortress with hardly any casualties. Lezado and Gehenna obtained a large number of slaves, which made them very happy.

「King Rosais, I believe we should cooperate for victory. However, that city over there is preventing our forces from joining together.」

Alexios pointed towards a distant city. It was a city with high walls and a large population.

It is the third-largest city in King Belvedire’s Country, with seventy percent of its inhabitants being of mixed Kirisian descent. King Belvedire granted autonomy to this city in exchange for collecting taxes.

It’s probably easier to govern the fiercely independent Kirisians in an indirect manner. There are many cities like this one in King Belvedire’s Country, especially in the southern part.

「However, besieging a city takes time. It could take years if not handled carefully. Naturally, we do not have the luxury of that much time.」

Indeed, we must send reinforcements to Bartolo in less than a month. We have to capture the enemy city before Bartolo and his soldiers starve to death.

「How do you suggest we shall proceed?」

「King Rosais, what needs to be conquered is not the city, but the hearts of the people.」

Alexios grinned slyly. Then he began to explain.

「So far, our march has been smooth. We have been able to join forces here. Do you know why?」

「King Belvedire withdrew most of his army and lowered the defensive line. He left a minimal number of troops behind and abandoned many towns and villages.」

Well, it seems a safe enough strategy. If the defensive line is set too forward, it also needs to cover more area.

If he lowers the defensive line from the beginning and preserves our forces, he can avoid his forces being defeated in detail. The best strategy would be to decide the battle on the plains near the capital or to fortify themselves in the capital.

At least, it’s the strategy which has the highest probability of keeping the country alive. However, I would never choose to do it myself.

This strategy would involve abandoning many plebeians and patricians. If that were to happen, the populace would lose all support for the king. Even if the country remained after the war, the king’s former power would be lost forever.

Well, King Belvedire is not as daring as I am. It’s unlikely that King Belvedire would adopt my approach.

This is a matter of differing values, not a question of which one of us is superior or inferior. So, I won’t deny his approach.

「I think I understand what you’re trying to say. Are you suggesting we should push for the city to surrender?」

「Exactly.」

「But that city has been under the rule of King Belvedire for over a hundred years. The citizens must have some loyalty towards him. Will they fold so easily?」

When I asked that, Alexios nodded.

「We will use the terrifying weapon your country developed, the secret medicine of fire. We will detonate it at night. Each night, we will pretend to launch a night raid… by making loud noises to disturb the sleep of the citizens.」

Hmm…

「Continue for three days. Then, we present a demand for surrender. It seems that King Belvedire has been imposing a tax of one-tenth of their revenue on this city. It’s not a heavy tax, but it’s not insignificant either. They have also an obligation to send men for military service. If we promise to lighten these burdens, they will likely open the gates willingly.」

I see. Not a bad plan. However, there is one thing that concerns me.

「Is this alright? You are employed by Lezado. Shouldn’t this proposal be made to Ainz, not me?」

「If we hand over this city to Lezado, Lezado’s power will become disproportionately large. Then Gehenna and Nemes would be put at risk. Besides, this is the northern part of King Belvedire’s Country. It would be too much for Lezado to maintain.」

That makes sense. It’s well reasoned.

「Understood. I’ll adopt your suggestion.」

「My king! Is it alright? To follow the advice of a foreigner like this…」

One of the patricians voiced his opposition. The other patricians also looked displeased.

Well, I understand your feelings…

「However, time is of the essence. This method is the quickest. Even if it fails, we can still wear down the enemy. I think it’s worth a try… Gentlemen, do any of you have a better idea?」

When I asked, the patricians averted their gazes. They also think Alexios’s idea is correct. Their opposition was purely because Alexios is a foreigner.

…Well, having no caution towards foreigners at all would be concerning in its own right, so I don’t mind their attitude much.

I consider myself Japanese, so to me, Adernians, Kirisians, and Pofenians aren’t that different.

「What conditions do you intend to propose for their surrender, my king?」

「Let’s see… They will have to supply provisions to the army, allow the temporary stationing of Rosais army troops, and will be obliged to supply men for military service when necessary, otherwise, the city will have complete autonomy except for foreign diplomacy and customs duties, also the city will have to pay a tax of one-fiftieth of its earnings… that should do.」

「Is that not too lenient?」

A patrician raised his doubt. The other patricians also suggested that more taxes should be levied. Alexios looked puzzled too.

Well, I have my own thoughts on this.

「Switching allegiance from King Belvedire’s Country to King Rosais’ Country implies a risk that they might switch again to another country. By lowering the taxes, we reduce that possibility.」

Besides the taxes they pay to us, they are also spending money on infrastructure maintenance and military upkeep.

The one-tenth tax is what King Belvedire has been extracting from them, but in reality, the inhabitants of the city are paying much more. This burden is not light.

The Kirisians, by nature, do not like being ruled, to the point that they dethroned their own kings and created some sort of democracy. So, it’s certain that they are not pleased about being taxed by an outside king.

That’s why I propose significantly reducing the tax they have to pay to us. If we do so, their hostility towards our country will virtually disappear.

Moreover, there are other cities within King Belvedire’s Country heavily populated by Kirisians, not just this one. If we have a precedent of being generous, things will proceed smoothly.

When it comes to war, if they provide troops, that’s sufficient. Taxes can feel like exploitation, but military service is for mutual defense. That’s easier for them to accept.

Ideally, I would like to eliminate taxes entirely, but it’s been decided that our country’s tax rate will be lowered next year. We need to secure as much revenue as possible. Every little bit adds up. And I want to prepare a disparity with other cities. For that, a tax of one-fiftieth seems about right.

The problem is that there might not be enough land left for to give our patricians, but it’s hard to imagine that there are no cities or villages in King Belvedire’s Country that would resist. I can allocate land captured from those areas. If necessary, I can even cut down on the king’s directly controlled territories.

And…

「Of course, we’ll preserve the existing ruling class of the city. It’s easier that way.」

The most troublesome part of war is the post-war management. Preserving the local government and delegating authority to them is the best approach.

「Now, does anyone have any objections?」

There was no one who voiced any disagreement.

◇

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Three days had passed since the enemy forces surrounded the city.

「They keep making that huge noise and just shouting. Ah… it’s boring waiting like this. 」

「It’s only us soldiers who think that way… The citizens who aren’t used to war are terrified. My wife told me the kids are crying every day.」

The soldiers looked down at the enemy forces who were making noise below.

When the allied forces had surrounded this city, the soldiers had prepared themselves for death. The enemy had a large army, while they were few. There was no hope of resisting.

Envoys from the capital had said reinforcements would be sent as soon as they were ready, but it was unclear when that would be. Still, they had steeled themselves to defend the city no matter what.

However, the enemy forces hadn’t really done anything. Or more precisely, they continued to make sounds like thunder and screams.

The shouts of soldiers were one thing. Pretending to launch night raids in the middle of the night, waiting for the enemy to wear out, was a very common strategy. Both the soldiers and the citizens of this city were prepared for that.

But they were not accustomed to those dreadfully loud sounds.

While it sounded like thunder, it was fundamentally different—a deep, resounding boom that shook one’s core. This noise had completely intimidated the citizens.

Children and women who were faint-hearted couldn’t sleep at night and ended up crying loudly, which in turn frayed the nerves of others.

The residents of this city were carrying a heavy burden of stress.

In addition to the daily stress, there was the human waste that fell from the sky almost daily. Although it was being managed properly, it still smelled terrible.

It seemed the enemy commander had a particularly nasty character, as he deliberately timed these drops around meal times.

「By the way, do you know about that arrow message?」

「Know about it? I was the one who picked it up.」

Saying this, the soldier showed his comrade the arrow message that had been shot over by the enemy. It read:

「King Belvedire has gathered a large army at the capital, but there is no sign of them moving. The cowardly king has abandoned you all. Reinforcements will not come.」

「Is that true?」

「Stop it… Don’t talk recklessly. The politicians up top have imposed a gag order because even as it is, morale is already low.」

「Weren’t you the one who started this?」

The soldier glared at his comrade, who apologized profusely while looking up at the stars and muttered,

「Can’t we just surrender?」

「Hey!!」

「Seriously, though. We’re not really King Belvedire’s subjects, are we? Sure, we follow him, but do we need to risk our lives to fight?」

This sentiment was common among the soldiers from this city. Seventy percent of the soldiers defending this city were locals, and the remaining thirty percent were the minimal defense forces that King Belvedire left behind.

It was clear that King Belvedire was using this city to buy time. The question was whether they owed him that much loyalty.

「But, you know… they’re not asking us to surrender. If we surrender easily… our treatment will definitely be worse than before. Do you want to leave a negative legacy for your children?」

「But if we keep this up, we’ll end up dead, won’t we? Life comes first… Well, it’s not something we can decide on our own. It’s up to the higher-ups to make the call, right?」

◇

The day after that intense discussion among the soldiers, King Rosais put forward the following terms for the city’s surrender:

1. If you value your lives, disarm and open the city gates. Doing so will guarantee the lives and property of all citizens, including soldiers.
2. Allow troops to be stationed in the city. Also, bear the cost of their stay and provide minimal supplies such as food and arrows.
3. This city will come under the control of King Rosais.
4. Obligation to military service.
5. Grant complete autonomy, excluding foreign diplomacy and customs duties.
6. Pay a tax of one-fiftieth.

In response, after half a day of intense debate, the city’s governing council proposed a revised treaty to King Rosais:

1. If you value your lives, disarm and open the city gates. Doing so will guarantee the lives and property of all citizens, including soldiers.
2. Allow troops to be stationed in the city. Also, bear the cost of their stay and provide minimal supplies such as food and arrows.
3. The city will form an alliance with King Rosais.
4. When this city engages in war with another country, King Rosais will protect this city. When King Rosais is at war with another country, this city will provide military support.
5. Grant complete autonomy, excluding foreign diplomacy and customs duties.
6. Pay a tax of one-fiftieth.
7. In future battles between the Belvedire army and the allied forces, any soldiers from this city who are captured will not be enslaved but released.

「…In reality, it’s hardly any different from the one we proposed, is it? Really… their pride is too high.」

Almus allowed a wry smile to show as he granted his approval. Thus, the city with the third largest population in King Belvedire’s Country fell within four days.

Following the surrender, the allied forces continued to advance. Many other cities, hearing rumors of the surrendered city, bent the knee to King Rosais.

Thus, much sooner than King Belvedire had anticipated, the allied forces approached the capital.