Chapter 56: Into a Civil War (3)

With the end of the strategy meeting, Marquis Trauss went to rebuke his student, Viscount Sabian.

Randol, why do you have such little flexibility my boy?

I simply did what was required of me as part of the command staff.

Tsk, there are more tactful ways of going about stating your opinion, are there not? You are well aware of His Highness Prince Skyts temperament, yet you dont know when to back down.

Viscount Sabian sighed at his teachers reprimand.

Sir, do you really intend to serve a prince like that as your lord? One glance is enough to know he has the dispositions of both a tyrant and a despot.

Watch your tongue.

Marquis Trauss chided his disciple sternly.

His Highness Prince Skyt von Lester has the legitimate blood of the king running through him. Now that the Second Prince Byron has been tainted with his vision of a Republic, Prince Skyt is the only heir currently left for the throne. Past the question of right and wrong, it is our duty as loyal vassals of the kingdom to follow him.

If His Highness has aspects where he may be somewhat lacking, it is our role as loyal servants to fill in those gaps by this side. Burn that duty into your mind.

Boy, where is your answer?

Viscount Sabian responded reluctantly at his teachers pressing.

I understand, Master.

Yet no matter which way Viscount Sabian thought about this, the state would simply be unable to function properly with the First Prince at the helm on the throne.

***

Having captured a Northern stronghold in a day, the First Princes royalist army advanced right away to the next fortress and restarted their offensive. As expected, the second fortress fell in two days.

On the surface, the army seemed to have bulldozed through these strongholds on their unstoppable march. However

We will march again after a two-hour break. All troops, recover your strength until then.

At the commanders orders, the soldiers were dispirited rather than angry at this point.

A two-hour break?

They want us to recover our strength in two hours when we just fought two battles in four days?

Do we look like sword masters to them? This is nuts.

In truth, the commanders also knew that ordering the soldiers to march right now was overexerting them. But the First Prince was aiming to bring an end to this war as quickly as possible and Viscount Sabians head had almost been lopped off for trying to discourage him. No one was going to speak up in this situation.

In the end, the impracticable march order left the soldiers in the worst physical state imaginable. Knowing their condition and temperament, the commanders did their best to encourage them. The commanders said that they would soon reach Fortress Baikal, the rebels base of operations, and once they knocked it down, the war would end and they would be immensely rewarded.

***

Looking in from the outside, the First Princes reckless advance seemed to bring a streak of triumphant victories; so much so, that the Second Prince on the receiving end began to fret.

Is this really fine? Fortress Tectorine and Fortress Brandt have already fallen. The enemy has already reached our doorstep, no?

The Second Prince spoke to the two men in front of him, as he tried earnestly to hide his anxiety.

One of the individuals before him was a Margrave of the North that went by the name of Marquis Derrick Marius. He was the Second Princes greatest supporter and was also his maternal uncle.

The anxiety was focused on the second individual as well.

Please, there is no need to worry. This is well within the range of our expectations.

The one reassuring the Second Prince with a good-natured smile was none other than Siegfried. He had introduced himself to the prince as someone under the direct command of the Hildess Republics Fuhrer, and as an asset sent by them to aid the Second Prince in this war.

But this seems a little too fast, doesnt it? The enemy is already within shouting distance when its only been ten days since the war has started.

They may be rushing to end this war because of supply constraints, sir. This may rather be a blessing in disguise. Their soldiers should be exhausted, and now we have ascertained the enemys weakness.

He is right, Your Highness. It is certain that the enemy have become fatigued from their exertive march. We have been preserving our strength in the event of this scenario.

With his maternal uncle Marquis Marius also supporting Siegfrieds claim, the Second Prince became somewhat reassured.

Will all be well?

You have my word. Please place your trust in us; for we are ones who have even contested the almighty Strabus Kingdom on the battlefield. In our eyes, this war is already as good as won.

The Second suppressed his worriesat theextent of Siegfrieds confidence.

Things will turn out fine, right? As long as reinforcements from the Hildess Republic arrive on time, then

The Second Prince believed that the Hildess Republic would come to their aid if only they withstood the coming storm however possible.

Unlike the peaceful Lester Kingdom, the Hildess Republic was a nation that had been hardened through war. That was why the prince proclaimed his advocacy for Republicanism despite his royal blood, to earn the Hildess Republics support. If they won this civil war, he was arranged to become the Lester Kingdoms first Fuhrer.

Then I will place my trust in you two.

With that, the prince waved them off.

***

I apologize for my nephews sorry state.

It is nothing. A central figurehead is always needed, after all.

As soon as they escaped the sight of the prince, Marquis Marius and Siegfried began conversing in a frank, businesslike manner.

Is it really true that the reinforcements from the Hildess Republic have already arrived?

It is indeed. It is simply that they will be most effective if they are hidden until the moment of reckoning.

I too am aware of that. But what piques my concern is

Marquis Marius narrowed his eyes.

If the Hildess Republic is perhaps only thinking of using me, theywill come to verymuch regret it.

I know the validity of your worries. Rest assured that in any case, directly governing this country is infeasible and wholly inefficient from our end as well. More than that, it is important to us that we make at least one more friend and ally we can trust.

Marquis Marius nodded at his words.

I will trust you for now. But do bear in mind: I am always watching you people.

I will be sure to remember that.

Siegfried replied courteously and bowed.

Due to his lowered head, Marquis Marius did not catch the slight smile lingering on Siegfrieds lips.

***

Fortress Baikal.

As the greatest fortress in the Lester Kingdoms Northern region, the sheer scale and sturdiness of its towering walls far surpassed other strongholds. Controlled directly by the Norths Margrave Marquis Marius, this fortress theoretically had enough supplies stowed away for an army of 10,000 to defend it for three years. Known as the Gates of the North, this was a keep that had protected the nation from invasion by the Hildess Republic for many years.

Its awe striking, Ill give you that. Is that Fortress Baikal?

It really seems like an iron castle, as they say.

Despite his high spirits from their victories over the rebel army, even the First Prince thought that this would not be an easy battle the moment he laid his eyes on the fortress.

How can the walls be that tall?

Marquis Trauss advised him at his side.

Fortress Baikals tall walls will make it difficult for our soldiers to dig their grappling hooks into the walls not to mention actually scaling them, Your Highness.

Then what should be done?

We must batter their walls and gate with siege weapons. If they cannot be climbed, those walls can only be passed if they are destroyed, Your Highness.

The First Prince nodded.

Do we have enough siege weapons?

Yes. We transported as many siege weapons as possible from the surrounding fiefs, whom we entrusted with manufacturing them in advance. Our catapults and ballistanumber overtwenty each.

Good. Then let us commence our attack.

As the prince issued the attack order, Marquis Trauss counseled him cautiously.

My Lord, before we enter battle in earnest, the option of sending a letter requesting the Second Princes surrender does pique my interest.

A letter requesting surrender? Would that bastard Byron surrender after everything?

He is on his last legs, so to say. If he is fearing his downfall, he may see Your Highness benevolence as the one path to salvation.

Hmm

My Lord, what policy is wiser than defeating an enemy without the need to spill blood? I believe there is no harm in trying at the least.

Very well. Then send him an epistle.

As soon as the First Prince consented, Marquis Trauss breathed a sigh of relief.

With this, the men should finally be able to rest a little.

In all honesty, Trauss did not think that the Second Prince would surrender. He advised the First Prince to send the notice nonetheless, as he thought the soldiers could rest for at least a few days in the grace period of exchanging letters back and forth.

Marquis Trauss thoughtfulness only managed to bu