Shadow King Chronicles: Building a Kingdom From Behind the Scenes
The Dying Savoy Region
"The Savoy area was guarded by at least 20,000 of their private soldiers. The advantage they had was the city walls surrounding the center of the Savoy region which consisted of intricate structures. We managed to get the blueprints off that wall."
In his office, Issac was listening to a report from Cecilia. She has an official profession as a personal maid of Aurellia. He also offered to take care of Issac's three sons.
But more than that, he was Issac's right-hand man at the Royal Intelligence Service.
"Is that so? Goody. What about their quality?"
"Since a mysterious disaster occurred in the Savoy region, they lost most of their main force. Initially they had more than 70,000 troops. But that number dropped to 30,000."
30,000, huh? That's still pretty big. But it took them a long time to recuperate. Savoy was the vanguard guarding the Moskov Empire from the threat of the Heinz kingdom.
If Heinz's kingdom could capture Savoy, the next campaign would be a smooth one. In other words, Savoy is a strategic place.
"Are there any reinforcements from their allied nobles who entered into the Savoy territory? The emperor should have understood very well that Savoy should not be left in a weakened state."
Cecilia shook her head.
"Unfortunately or fortunately, nothing. As Savoy's strength weakened, the influence they had also decreased. Many nobles who were his subordinates had switched sides to other nobles."
"That means there's almost no guard..."
Issac knocked on the table with his index finger. After drinking his wine and sighing, he continued speaking.
"Emperors will begin their military campaigns in the spring. That means two more weeks when spring comes and the ice starts to melt.
"It took two to three months for the Empire's main army to reach Heinz's kingdom. Before that time comes, Savoy should already be in our hands."
Conquering Savoy in winter like now was not a difficult thing for the kingdom. But strangely this feels awkward. The imperial nobles shouldn't be that stupid to make Savoy so fragile.
"Cecilia, I'm afraid this is a trap. Make sure our agents keep a close eye on the movements of the nobles in the Moskov empire. Also, keep an eye on every part and sidelines in the Savoy."
Cecilia nodded and received a paper from Issac. After that he went from Issac's office and headed to the RIS office which was inside the royal palace.
"Well, let's see what the enemy will do. Are they really careless? Or is this all a trap they've set up?"
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In the Savoy region......
"What! There will be no help from other nobles!? Damnit damnit! What are they really thinking!?"
Frustrated when word gets out from one of his men, Gram, the Knight chief responsible for guarding the Savoy territory breaks his desk.
"Yes.they reasoned because of the winter, they could not mobilize their army quickly."
Gram clicked his tongue. He knew it was just an alibi of nobles. What actually happened, they had switched sides to other high nobles and were reluctant to send reinforcements to the Savoy territory.
Gram might be a rude person, but he was much more concerned with the lives of the Savoy residents even when compared to the Savoy Arc which was now a Marquis.
He knew if Heinz's kingdom was serious, Savoy could fall in less than a week. In anticipation of that, he had tried to hire mercenaries and train the youths to defend Savoy from the royal threat.
But it's not enough. The mercenaries he hired had low standards. They were no different from the bandits who seized the property of the residents especially in the surrounding villages.
"This is all because the lord did not return from Kiev and left his territory vacant. His subordinates who take care of his entire work are more often corrupt and extortion!"
For some reason, Arc Savoy had not returned from the capital. Gram doesn't have the right information about it. Arc Savoy did not even send an envoy to tell him this.
"I don't know how to solve this problem anymore. Whatever happens, let it happen. But still yes, I have to carry out my duties as a military commander in Savoy."
Gram laughed bitterly and slammed his back into the chair he was sitting on. Whether anyone is in power, it looks like it will be the same. The Savoy people will still languish. Poor, hungry, and sick.
"What will they get out of this area anyway?"
Gram doesn't understand politics. For the kingdom of Heinz, seizing Savoy was a must if it were to be confronted with the Empire.
But because Gram was born and raised in this place, too, he had a well-to-do and happy family, so he would protect this place with all his heart.