Shadow King Chronicles: Building a Kingdom From Behind the Scenes
Redirections
Yesterday's war was not a decisive one. Duke Conrad and his allies had indeed experienced a crisis and lost a lot of power because of it. But that doesn't mean they've really lost. As long as they were still in control of the capital, it was possible for them to reconsolidate their strength.
In addition, the port was also in the hands of Duke Conrad and prince Lewis. As long as they still controlled the port, they could get more supplies from elsewhere. It is this superiority that Duke Balzaac and Prince William lack.
Instead, this advantage was also held by Starfall. From the beginning, the area that Issac manages is a strategic area. There is a big river that empties into the sea. It was suitable for building shipyards, creating ships, and providing ports for merchants or for military purposes.
But the government has given up on expanding the area. In addition to being far from the capital, building this area also requires expensive costs. That's why they've kept this place isolated for so long.
Back to the war. Issac's main goal was not to block Duke Conrad's army on the highway network and continue his army's march towards the capital. He just wanted to let Duke Conrad off guard.
In fact, the battle was only a diversion. Duke Conrad did a blunder by spreading his power in many places at times like this. Focusing on strength and thinking about strategies to win a war or avoiding a futile war is the right course of action in this situation.
That was why, at a time when Duke Conrad and prince Lewis were focusing on fighting in the northwest and other battlefields, the separate Issac forces had departed from the east even before spring arrived. They had managed to conquer over four territories and Duke Conrad was completely unaware of this.
No, even if he was aware of it, Duke Conrad and his faction could not do anything. From where he now stands towards the territory that Issac conquered took about two to three weeks. Moreover, the road to get there is not like a large and smooth highway that connects Venz and Versailles.
But that's not the end of the bad news. Unlike what his agents say, Starfall has a navy. In fact they used some merchant ships that Issac bought at the time in the empire. Most of it he bought from the Lambard trade union and some of the others.
He has asked many shipping experts and engineers to adapt the ships to be used as warships. And now, about five Starfall-flagged ships armed with large arrows and cannons that he had purchased from the Eastern continent had isolated the port that was under Duke Conrad.
As a result, now the supply from the sea has been cut off. Duke Conrad had no other choice but to meet their war needs through everything available within the country. Of course, it was not enough to cover their flaws.
"You did it that far, honey? I mean, you even faked the amount and military power you had and then purposely leaked it into the ears of the first prince faction, distracting them with 3000 troops, and now, now, you isolated Duke Conrad and his allies by land and sea!
"Geez, my future husband seems to have stopped being human for a long time, huh?"
Issac is with Margaret. It does not mean Versailles, but rather a region two weeks from Venz heading east. He stationed many infantry and cavalry squads as well as artielery units in the region.
Its name is Laverde County. A fertile region with wine products as their main income. Laverde was a territory led by a Baron and at the time of the attack on his territory, he was in the capital.
"It has to be like that, right? We do not have much choice but to use the various options and strategies available. For now our opponent is only Duke Conrad. But once the capital falls and Lia occupies the throne, we will have two enemies.
The cold air flowed on Margaret's back. Issac did not yell and said that calmly. But that's the problem. Why could he say such a thing with a straight face?
But that's Issac. Margaret would never forget what Issac had said when the two of them were in the auditorium of the imperial academy. That he would not hesitate to use even dirty ways to protect the people he loved.
"This may be sooner than we planned. Margareth, please contact the headquarters to end the isolation at the port. We'll soon take that place from Prince Lewis and Duke Conrad. Then, get the troops ready. We'll be heading to the capital in seven days' time."
Margaret nodded and sent a message to the capital with a dove. The number of stone tablets available is limited. So using pigeons for information delivery is still a top choice in this regard.
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"Haha!! Those arrogant people! Just because they had defeated us in the previous battle, do they think that breaking through the capital is easy!?"
The news that some of the territory adjacent to Venz had been conquered by Starfall had been heard by the nobles. Strangely, they were calm. Most of them laughed at Issac.
"Of course, right? Our troops are high-quality knights who are ready to die defending the dignity and worth of the nobles. Besides we have a lot of great mages on our side. Most importantly, the palace is under our control. The king and prime minister have also been hostages.
"I heard, among the forces belonging to Starfall, there are quite a number of royal knights who have sworn to protect the king, right? I'm sure they won't dare to break through the capital because they don't want the king they love to die. Ahhaha!"
Earl Barrow who plays the role of interior minister laughed out loud. Meanwhile Marquis Schazar and Duke Conrad nodded in agreement. They did think that their conditions were difficult, but it never crossed their minds that prince Lewis would lose.
"Hahaha sure, sure! Thank you, Marquis Schazar, Duke Conrad, and the others. Thanks to you, I will be a king one step away. Of course, I'll give you guys a lot of privileges later!"
Prince Lewis laughed in a good mood. He toasted with his allies as if all their plans were going smoothly. But, moments later, a soldier ran and broke through the audience room in the palace that was the gathering place. His breath was sharp and his face was pale.
"Sorry to break through! But there is information I have to tell you! The port south of Venz has fallen into enemy hands!"
Instantly, the glass they were holding fell down and the shards scattered on the floor.