Shadow King Chronicles: Building a Kingdom From Behind the Scenes
Before the Peak
"Report me what's really going on."
At the western border regiment post, Issac and Angelica held a war council. There was the commander of the border regiment and some other military staff there. The regiment commander began to give an explanation of their situation.
"A total of 50,000 to 60,000 Marquis Baldwin's soldiers were walking towards the border. If everything goes well, they'll be here in three days' time."
"Then, it's your duty to make their plans not work, right?"
"really. That is why we have sent an ambush and reconnaissance force to block their advance. But their numbers are not many. Only thousand. We don't know until when they'll survive."
Issac nodded. The situation is complicated. Even if the second and fourth armies intervened, his side was still outnumbered.
"The "fourth and second armies will depart from Randall's territory today. It took at least three days to arrive. Are all Marquis Baldwin's soldiers regular soldiers?"
"Not really, sir. Based on the interrogation results of the captured bandits, two-thirds of them were volunteers. But they themselves could not be underestimated because of the experience they had gone through."
One of the officers gave me that information. If they are experienced, it will be troublesome. But that doesn't mean there's no hope.
"There is a possibility that they will divide their forces into three wings. Front, middle, and back. The front and center wings were filled by volunteers and they served as a paving way for the rear wings that most of them were regular soldiers."
Issac predicted that. Although experienced, the position of volunteer soldiers is not very important. They're more like disposable pawns. That's why they're going to be the openers.
"What about the composition of the troops and their equipment?"
"They're pretty good. At least for the regular army. While volunteers, their weaponry is not too good but also not exactly bad.
"In addition they are equipped with a giant catapult and three magic cannons. The ambushers will try to destroy this heavy equipment. But it's gonna be a very difficult mission."
The other staff provided a comprehensive explanation of their situation.
"Then, let's count on the ambushers.I'll figure out a way to get additional troops. Angie, please connect me with my father-in-law after this."
Angelica who served as secretary while Issac nodded.
After that, the two of them immediately headed towards the mansion belonging to the Mariendolf family.
"Well, if not my daughter-in-law. Welcome to Issac. Have seat. Angie too. Make yourself as comfortable as possible."
After a short stop at Mariendolf's mansion, Issac and Angelica depart for the former residence of the previous head of the Mariendolf family. After his retirement, he decided to distance himself from politics.
"Thank you father-in-law for the warm welcome. Can I go straight to the point?"
If possible, Issac would like to spend time with his father-in-law. But now is not the right time for that.
"Please. But I can already guess what you're thinking. In a moment, what you need will come soon."
Not long after, a maid came up with a trolley carrying three cups of tea and a stack of documents. Issac smiled inwardly. Justjust wonderful. Despite his retirement, his political intuition is not dead.
After saying thank you, Issac helped Angelica start reading the documents in front of them. It was a list of names that used to serve Mariendolf as a knight.
Some of them chose to continue their careers in the Imperial Army of Heinz. But most of them opted for early retirement and other professions once the former head of the Mariendolf family in front of him retired.
"Now they have gone through another profession and have their own family. I'm not sure if they want to go back to their service when they have the people they love, but....."
"You're right, father-in-law. But as you think too. They love their families, this region, and the kingdom. To protect what they love, they're willing to shed their blood for it."
They have retired from the military. But Issac was sure their blood would return to heat once he heard of the condition.
While they were going to war, they had nothing to fear with their Family life. In this world, most men who have families are afraid to fight a war not because they are afraid to die.
More than that, they were afraid that the family he had would be trapped when they were destined to die. Who will feed them? What about the wife and child? And other.
But in the kingdom it will not happen. For those who died in the battlefield, then his family will be compensated in the form of allowances. Their children will be financed for education until they are 15 to 18 years old.
"By the way, what about Arthur? Is he healthy?"
"Oh, dad yes. She's doing just fine. Ever since Albert took his place, he's been looking healthier and more vibrant. Maybe because I've been freed from a heavy burden."
His father-in-law laughed and patted Issac on the shoulder. After talking for a while longer, Issac and Angelica finally agreed. Now, he had to make another preparation before it was too late.