Dungeon Defense (WN)

The Empire has assembled 30,000 troops as expeditions.

I hired them to say they were organized, to be exact. The Demon Prince has not sent a single one this time. I only intend to wage war as a mercenary.

If you say mercenary, it is somehow cheaper than the National Guard. In fact, the opposite is true. In this age, the placenta of the people is farmers. A mercenary who has eaten meat knows that he is no better than a farmer who cares about field work all year long.

But... mercenaries are expensive.

Extremely expensive

Different countries, but the average foot soldier earns 500 gold on a yearly salary - not 50. 500 gold. Highlight it twice as it is very important.

That is, suppose you roll a thousand mercenaries made up of pure infantry…… 500,000 gold a year goes out at the cost of employment! Hiring 10,000 men will cost you 5 million gold. At this point, we're not going to war with troops, but with money.

By the way, cavalry is much more expensive than infantry.

Simply twice as expensive is convenient.

Now, let's do the math.

I want to hire 20,000 infantry and 7,000 mounted troops to carry out this war. 500 gold per infantry, 1000 gold per cavalry. So 20000 × 500 gold, here 7000 × 1000 gold.

In conclusion, 17 million gold must be paid to mercenaries annually.

“It's too expensive. ”

Lapis said in a straight answer.

I consulted with Lapis about how to handle this enormous sum. Ivar was a professional economist, but she was busy cleaning up after the ducs. I called Laffith because I was sorry to ask for a consultation.

“I can handle it as much as I want, since the Grand Dukes are worth 90 million…. ”

“That's the amount Dantalian will need to run the empire in the future. It's best to save as much as possible. ”

Lapis bounces off the ledge calmly.

“I can save up to 300 gold on an infantry basis for my calculations. ”

“Huh? How? ”

“Hire the Helvetica mercenaries. ”

I tilted my head.

“The most expensive mercenaries are the Helvetica? ”

Helvetica is a federal government of the Demihumans.

Elves and Dwarves sneak into the mountains, avoiding human persecution. The country itself has become one giant mercenary corporation, after establishing a site in the mountains and professionally exporting mercenaries.

Dwarves are powerful merchants and Elves are natural hunters. Helvetica mercenaries are called the best mercenaries because of their superior combat strength, high morale and, above all, loyalty to their employers.

Laffith narrows his eyes and looks this way.

“Dantalian really knows nothing about money. Is the structure of the brain different from that of a normal person? You're remarkably good in certain areas, and it's hard to understand why you're so sub-par in the economy. ”

“ ……. ”

There's probably only Lapis in the world to tell me I'm stupid....

I was pouting.

“Yes, I'm an idiot. Anyway, what kind of magic can you do to win 300 gold? ”

“The Federation of Helvetica has surrendered itself to the Empire because of this example of the Grand Dukes. They are afraid that Dantalian will even purge themselves of their behavior. ”

Oh, and I clapped my hands. I didn't think of that.

“Let's see if you truly are loyal to the Empire!" ”

“Of course, if you say you don't pay your salary at all, they'll say no. But there's no problem hiring at a moderately low price. ”

“That's why 300 gold……. ”

Laffith nods.

“We've investigated the data. Infantry is employed in Habsburg and Tuton for approximately 500 gold, but in Castilla Kingdom it is customary to employ 450 to 475 gold and in Batabia for 300 gold. ”

“Huh?"

A poisonous mercenary has been packed in Batavia.

Lapis immediately replied with questions in his gaze.

“There are different ways to pay your salary. Batavia pays in cash once every ten days. Other countries, on the other hand, are overwhelmingly likely to suffer trauma for three months, even more than half a year. ”

“Indeed. Is it a matter of trust……. ”

Understood.

Batavia pays in a timely manner as it is a wealthy country. 'When I work, I will repay you with certainty.' Such trust is formed. On the other hand, there is a risk that in other countries, even if you fight for your life, you will not be paid.

Of course, mercenaries prefer to be hired in Batavia. So you can recruit mercenaries at a much cheaper price.

“That is, 300 gold is the exceptional minimum wage. ”

Laffith's blue eyes glow.

“Although Dantalian does not have the trust the Republic of Batavia has built up so far, he has the right to demand proof of his loyalty. Helvetica will do just fine. ”

“Great!”

I shouted in a cheerful voice.

“Lapis, build a platform with the leaders of the Helvetica Federation! I'll give you the Emperor's Seal, so it doesn't matter if you twist it. ”

“Take orders. ”

Lapis was appointed to be the Emperor of Habsburg's full power representative the day after. She was sent to the Federation of Helvetica to make all the contracts in just a week.

I don't know the details. Laffith has really hired an infantry for 300 gold and a cavalry for 600 gold!

This was enough to shout Bravo. But this was not the only thing.

How terribly intimidating he is, the leaders of the Federation have pledged themselves to pay for the remaining 2,000 cavalry! Now I only have to pay 5,000 of the 7,000 mounted men.

Therefore, Lapis has succeeded in reducing the total cost of what may have been 17 million gold to 9 million gold. It was practically half the budget saved!

Yes, I had to humbly admit.

Compared to Lapis, I was a firefly under the moonlight, a boy chanting poetry in front of Bodeller, and an apprentice wizard demonstrating dark magic in front of Barbatos. In Laffith's eyes, I'd be a fool who almost blew 8 million gold into the air. Lapis Lajuli: Praise the chrysanthemum circus

“Lapis! You're the best! ”

I ran barefoot as soon as Laffith returned from Helvetica and hugged her. In this case, barefoot meant barefoot, literally, rather than conventional. I was just having sex with Gamigine, so I wasn't wearing shoes.

“Oh my, I've got a good one! I don't need anything else. Lapis is the best!”

Laffith reacts bluntly, hugging me.

“…… Dantalian. This is an imperial palace with a lot of manners. ”

“I'm an empire soon, so why don't you disregard my manners?" ”

“The maids are staring at you. I'm ashamed.”

It was a graceful tone with no shame at all.

I held her on my back and tried to circle the Imperial Palace, but I stopped because Laffith looked at her with rotten eyes as if she were staring at food waste. Seeing that look, I realized why the leaders of Helvetica were frightened. Lapis is a scary child....

“You had a hard time getting to Helvetica, didn't you? Do you want some cool wine? ”

“It's a teleportation spell anyway. I don't have the strength.”

“Then…… yes! Do you want me to pat you on the shoulder? I've been praised by Barbatos for saying," Why don't you massage me? "”

“No problem. And that's not a compliment, Dantalian. ”

Lapis, who saved 8 million gold in bulk, was so magnificent that he wanted to do anything.

Suddenly, I felt his gaze.

Turning back, Daisy glances at me with her shivering eyes for some reason. It was like he had seen something he shouldn't have seen in the world.

I wiped my face and nodded my head.

“What are you looking at? I think you have something to say. ”

“…… No. ”

Daisy sighs.

“Shall I fetch some wine from the cellar, Father? ”

“I'm so glad it's in your head. If you hadn't said that, I would have been confused if it was the skull or the skull. What are you doing? Don't go. ”

And I turned my head to Laffith to be gentle.

“By the way, I forgot to give Lapis a vacation. Do you want to take a long vacation? I've built a mansion in Nibbleheim, and I'll lend it to you as a vacation home. ”

“…… ugh. ”

You hear Daisy sigh behind her back.

He's a dark-eyed kid. Perhaps he had realized the absurdity of life. It didn't matter whether he was desperate or not, so I turned it off.

As Laffith's actions greatly saved the budget, I ordered a cheerful march.

A total of 27,000 troops.

The general commander is Laura de Farnese. The strongest were the strongest of the mercenaries.

* * *

“Madam President, the Imperial Army has arrived. ”

Kurzschleimage has entered the Oval Office and reported. Elizabeth grabbed a drink with vinegar and asked.

“You're later than I expected. Any history?”

“Estimated to be between 20,000 and 40,000. ”

Elizabeth frowns.

“The range of errors is too wide. Iman and Saman are a thousand different things, General Schlairmacher. ”

“This is unforgivable. Now that we have released as many simpler rulers as possible, we will find a more accurate number…… and there are reasons why it is difficult to estimate troops. ”

“Why?”

Kurz nods.

“The Moon Blind has not marched. Not to mention Barbatos, but her troops are still on the move. Mr. President, it seems the Empire plans to wage war on mercenaries alone this time. ”

“Well……. ”

“I don't know why yet. Even if the mercenaries are good to use, they won't be compared to the hordes of the Horses. ”

After Kurz's words, Elizabeth remained silent for a long time. She emptied all the vinegar, then took the empty glass with her lips for a while and thought:

“…… I see. For the favors of other countries Kurz.Dantalian cares about his diplomatic reputation. ”

“Diplomatic reputation? ”

Elizabeth sweeps the silver paw over her ear.

“We don't mobilize our own people in war, we only send mercenaries. This is not an all-out war between the Habsburg Empire and Sardinia. Nobles and nobles are only fighting for each other's honor and wealth...... to impress them. ”

Kurz, um, pats his chin.

“So Dantalian just put a lot of money into mercenaries to impress others. Is it really worth it? ”

“Think about it. What is the cause of this war? To protect Laura de Farnese's noble honor. If the emperor personally hires mercenaries to go to war, he will be able to preserve his honor but not force his people to sacrifice. It will be an honorable duel.... ”

Elizabeth sighs.

“Justification is supported not by justification, but by actual action. The cause of the Habsburg Empire will be even more powerful. In addition, it has the effect of proactively preventing international diplomacy's criticism. ”

“This is an international diplomatic criticism. ”

Her face darkens.

“If the Demon Lord had mobilized, it would have been possible to turn this war into an invasion by the Demon Lord. The kingdom of Sardinia will have a reason. I blocked that possibility from the beginning.... You're really thorough from one to ten. ”

“But we are fully prepared, Mr. President. ”

“Ah.”

Elizabeth stands up.

“It's your turn to move, Kurz. Get troops on the border. Probably won't be that long. ”

“Yes, I take my orders, Mr. President. ”