Reincarnation into the Barrier Master
Episode 135: Listen, look, look, look, look, look.
The border zone of the Imperial Ramaron. Across the river Irvezi under the eye, beyond the mountains visible on the east side, it is the land of Heida, and the land of Agarta if the river continues through the mountains on the west side. Looking down at the mountains, Giseu, commander-in-chief of the Agarta contingent, was sighing.
It brings back an abominable memory from a month ago. I lost so much to Headata for my stupid men that I got mud on my face. Despite being so demanding not to move, some troops crossed the river on their own, feeding on bows and arrows and magic. Where he tried to issue an evacuation order, he was laid in an abominable civilian raised almond. You can't leave any more stains on your glorious military history.
But not this time. I mobilize the majority of my immediate troops. Triumph with complete victory this time. Renewing such determination, he gives orders to his men.
"We're going north along the Irvej River. Don't stop in the woods until you're out of Agarta territory. Run for it. Aim, Saracenian territory. Hey, don't worry about it. The touching party should have already entered the Agarta country and told them to hurry the harvest. As soon as we get there, I'll feed you a mess! Nihihihihihi"
Commander-in-Chief Giuseau went down the mountain refreshed and drove his horse to the Irvej River. The mountain forts on the eastern side of the opposite shore are packed with soldiers from the Headata Empire, and their marches will be where they are known. Fast and four days until the army of Headata pushes us out to the border. We have to come back by then. The biggest enemy for Giuseau today was time.
"Has Ramaron attacked again? They're unpunished."
I heard the report from the Fairy Dragons in charge of the scouts in a room in the former Royal Army headquarters, inside the capital of the Agarta Nation.
"Knogen, how many soldiers can we mobilize now?
"Is it about a little over 2,000 people? No way, you're gonna go help me?
"No, we'll see how they move first. Strategies will vary greatly depending on whether you go through the woods to the north, to poke our capital, to the territories of the aristocrats on the west, or to the territories of those who follow us on the east. First, prepare the entire army to deploy at any time."
"I'm in awe"
Knogen left the room with a bow of grace. I order the Fairy Dragon to monitor the movements of the Ramaron army. That's when I saw something coming down the window.
"... rain. It's not going to be pretty just during the rainy season."
I deploy the map and observe the movements of the Ramaron army near the border.
Running through the vast woods near the border of the Agarta country in just half a day, the Ramaron army took a small pause once and turned the army west in seven parts. And the 3000 army led by Giseu finally entered Saracenian territory by the time the sun went down and arrived at the Count's Hall.
"Imperial Ramaron, commander-in-chief of the Agarta contingent, Giuseau."
"Of the Earl of the Kingdom of Juca, this is Saracenia. Welcome to such depths."
"Oh. It took an unexpected amount of time, as this is the westernmost part of the house on our side of the Empire. I hear your name. Good call. Good call. If I deliver this annual contribution to the Imperial Capital, I will always tell His Majesty the Emperor a lot about you."
"I'm afraid."
"By the way, who's harvesting?
"Already, you're safe"
"That's Count Saracenia. That would help. By the way, it's almost night. I'm sorry, but I want the soldiers to have dinner tomorrow."
"Dinner... this many people...?
"Oh, we're hungry. Dinner, please. If we don't have food, we'll find out what we harvested today. Better hurry up, huh? My men are hungry, so I don't know what to do if I get to the limit. You could kill a family like the rest of the house and loot food.
The Earl of Saracenia shook his body in defiance, ordering the ministers to touch around to provide food in their territory.
Uncle Saracenia was telling herself that there was no mistake in her calculations, with her heartfelt thoughts. If you continue to follow Ramaron, your title as Count will be preserved. And if it works, the army in front of you might move as far as your hands and feet go. In that case, the territory will expand further. Besides, he was the first of the kingdoms of Juka to cooperate with the Ramaron side. With the Empire of Ramaron, you wouldn't treat yourself roughly. That thought was in the Count's chest.
The Count Saracenia family was a patterned family with a history and format called fame among the kingdoms of Juca. It was not conceivable that a house in that format, though the king, would break his knees to a man of former slavery. Sure, you can admit the power that buried Ramaron's Elite 3000. The years in which I fought myself were not in vain, and I acknowledge the military capability of the man who became king. However, the story is different in terms of maintaining the country. You will not know the thoughts of the nobility who carried tradition and format to that former king of slaves.
The Count was not far from home that the country would once again be in a state of civil war. For that time, we had come to the conclusion that it would be better to join hands with Ramaron, who had military power and even a long tradition, in favour of preserving their status and expanding their prints. Here, I couldn't possibly compromise Ramaron's mood.
After all, the Earl of Saracenia was unable to sleep this night. The Ramaron army ate the food of the Thalassenian inhabitants in full, drank alcohol, and some soldiers worked wolves such as breaking into the inhabitants' houses. Seizing those soldiers and managing to hold onto the spot while in a one-touch situation, it was morning when I realized it. There was dissatisfaction from the inhabitants, but they managed to convince them that if they paid their annual contribution, they would return early and convince them of the anger of the inhabitants.
With the sun rising and the army in place, Giseu has quickly demanded the surrender of his annual contribution.
"Now, Count, let's receive an annual tribute. Believe me there is no injustice, but understand that this is also an imperial code. I want you to serve all the harvest first. And I want you to put aside the twenty percent that is the portion"
Harvested wheat, vegetables, etc. are collected in the square and piled up.
"A portion of what we have here is twenty percent, which is an annual contribution. We provided you with food yesterday, so we deduct that from here, so it's obvious."
As Earl of Saracenia, it was a full resistance. The commander-in-chief, Giuseau, thought he would be angry, and unexpectedly laughed in a good mood.
"Nihihihihi, the Count is a disciplined man. Something that could go that far... Well, then load it up!
Soldiers of the Ramaron army under Giseu's orders load their annual contributions onto carriage carriages.
"... please wait! That's our share! Here is our annual contribution to you!
Count Saracenia stops the Ramaron army with the mercenaries.
"What can you do, Count? If you stand in the way of the annual tribute, you're on death row!
"What do they say! That's our share! Didn't you decide that the annual contribution is 20% of the harvest!
"Oh yeah. Twenty percent."
"If so!"
"Big idiot! Twenty percent is for the Lord."
"... what do you mean!
"You big idiot! Here's what we said." What the Empire wants from you is 20% of the harvest, "he said. This means that 20% of the harvest is your share, followed by the Empire's annual contribution!
"... what a stupid thing to do!
"That's the idiot. This is what happens because I interpret it conveniently on my own. We collect our annual contributions in accordance with the letter of appointment. Those who resist, those who interrupt, kill mercilessly. If you don't like it, try to stop it. I don't think I can stop you with that gesture... In the unlikely event that it could be stopped, then 100,000 troops would push from the Empire to kill all the humans in the territory. 'Cause we're gonna see the same sight as our ravaged land. Come on, try it!
Soldiers of the Ramaron army simultaneously turned their swords and spears against the people, and the sorcerer began chanting. The Counts of Saracenia had no choice but to watch what was going on, with their shivering faces in anger.