𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 (1)
The work had to go on even after the wizard left. Thanks to the ransom paid for Caenerna, there was no need to worry about coins for a while.
Lavish rewards were given to the vassals who built great achievements, and preparations were made for the winter with additional supplies. . .
Smooth supply from the sea was possible thanks to the fleet of the republic. Merchants from other commercial associations also came pulling their merchant ships under the escort of the republic fleet.
Johan gave them gold and granted them the authority to trade. The merchants would earn it back from the soldiers nearby. It was a kind of circulation.
“My dear. Will you be okay without the philosopher?”
“Phi. . .philosopher?”
Iselia’s worry made Johan confused for a moment. It seemed Iselia had misunderstood about Caenerna.
“Caenerna is not a philosopher. I wouldn’t know about Suetlg, but not everyone wearing long robes and using suspicious magic is a philosopher. Don’t be fooled, Iselia.”
“Is. . .is that so?”
By default, wizards had an image of being wise and excellent advisers. But after dealing with Suetlg and Caenerna, and being involved in magic himself, Johan thought that was a misconception.
Caenerna was just a wizard. Not really a philosopher.
“The things I’m doing now are decisions I made by thinking by myself, it’s not really Caenerna’s advice or anything.”
Because Johan was so young, there was a natural misunderstanding from those around him. Handling the situation skillfully and presenting strategies made those around think ‘𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮?’
“I’m disappointed that you thought of me that way.”
“N-No, my dear. I didn’t mean it that way.”
Seeing Johan pretending to be sad, Iselia became flustered. Johan secretly laughed at the amusing reaction he was toying with.
“Count, the subjugation is over.”
“Good work. Go in and rest. Give them rewards.”
Geoffrey nodded and moved with the slaves.
Johan was now embarking on a large-scale pirate hunt.
With most of the largest monster groups in the nearby area defeated, and most of the vassals joining under Johan, there was no reason to wait any longer. Johan moved aggressively.
The main targets were the pirate groups still lurking around unsuspectingly. Cavalry units mainly formed in tens, hundreds attacked the pirates swiftly.
The small pirate groups, slowed by lack of horses and the temptation of plundered goods, were annihilated here and there.
The subjugation was ruthlessly carried out even for those who felt safe being a bit far from the Baron’s territory of Monrado. Johan personally led knights and cavalry and swept them away.
“Take the gold and treasure, but return the livestock and food to nearby villages and towns.”
Even while going around each vassal’s territory, Johan did not neglect careful management. Although it was all originally okay for Johan to take care of, he did not do that.
To win people’s hearts, perseverance was needed. The charity given in Johan’s name would eventually bear fruit and come back.
Even now, priests here and there were extolling Johan’s name. Even the serfs who knew nothing were aware of who was driving out the pirates and providing the charity.
The nobles tended to underestimate the power commanded by the loyalty of these towns, but Johan did not.
Of course, the vassals did hold the substantial power. The town’s master was, after all, the vassal who ruled over that town, and Johan could not interfere with the exercising of those rights.
But that did not mean invisible power did not exist. Peasant revolts and city revolts do not happen for no reason.
The loyalty these people held put collars around the necks of the vassals. It would make them hesitate even if they tried to betray Johan again later.
There had been six battles of considerable scale, and dozens of smaller skirmishes.
As a result, the pirates in the southwest either fled back to the sea, or joined up with pirate groups in the Marquis’ territory.
The vassals who had held territories breathed a sigh of relief for the moment, but none of them thought the fighting was over.
Everyone could feel just how strong and ambitious this young new Count was.
The fighting would clearly not end until the showdown came with the Marquis, not to mention the remaining pirate groups.
And the vassals wanted that too.
For whatever reason, now that they had betrayed the Marquis and welcomed this young Count as their new lord, the Marquis had to be destroyed.
Otherwise, someday the Marquis would remain and take revenge for this betrayal!
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
𝕒𝘸𝔢𝕓𝕤𝙩𝕠𝔯ɪ𝙚𝚜.𝘤𝘰𝙢
“I’m starting to feel like calling in those mercenaries, but what are those guys up to?”
At Johan’s question, Gurelic broke out in a sweat.
As the pirate suppression progressed, Johan began attempting contact with the mercenaries above.
Having secured not only the county of count but most of the southern vassals, Johan too spent a plentiful year, but the mercenaries hired by the Church also spent a plentiful year.
Thanks to the pirates’ chaos, the mercenaries’ plundering became even easier. The army of Marquis Crucho also foundered midway. . .
Having split into two branches plundering the lands of the Marquis and the nearby fiefs above, Johan sought to call them in again.
The mercenaries were greedy but not ignorant of hierarchies. Having plundered the fiefdom of the Marquis, they had to show loyalty to the Marquis’ opposition. Attacking both sides would have been madness.
But there was no answer. The envoy sent also did not return. Panicking, Gurelic sent mercenaries again but they too did not return.
“I apologize, my lord. It seems the men had other ideas.”
“Hmm.”
Johan was puzzled by Gurelic’s words. Would the mercenaries be so stupid?
Of course, they had taken all the loot they could get, so they might want to just stay put and not get involved anymore.
But if that’s what they wanted, they’d have to make all kinds of excuses and send an envoy. Ignoring contact altogether was something only a madman would do.
Of course, when someone wants to die, there’s nothing they can’t do. . .
“Are you going to leave the mercenaries alone and move on?”