Chapter: 358
There was a story from the world before possession about a certain advisor who, feeling that their lord was untrustworthy, sought to recruit a new lord. This advisor supposedly discovered a ruler that matched their ideals and surrendered their maps to them. Whether this is true or apocryphal is fuzzy at best, but the story exists.
Anyway, what lesson does this story impart? The importance of maps? The bravery needed to switch lords in times of chaos?
Well, yes, but no. The real lesson is different.
“This place, this place, and this last place, the tribes dwelling here are also reluctantly moving under the strongarm of the villain.”
“Indeed, that’s true.”
The lesson is that if you’re going to sell out, do it convincingly; being last to join leaves you at the bottom, but joining early and heavily can grant you favor. Plus, if you bring others along, your rank goes up.
The leader of the Kaita tribe—no, Count Kaita—is basically running a multi-level marketing scheme in the North.
‘He’s going to make it.’
Watching Count Kaita, I couldn’t help but think, “This guy’s got it in him.” No matter how many times the Emperor opts for destruction instead of absorption, this fellow would survive somehow—even if Kagan had emerged victorious in the last war, he’d have carved out a niche for himself.
He’s a bit of a headache, but with the right conditions, he’s the easy kind. If you can’t guarantee his rights and safety, he’ll scram with all his loot, but if you can fulfill his desires, he’ll become the most loyal and clever ally. He’ll protect his employer to satisfy those cravings for life.
‘Not bad, huh?’
The chief can mobilize 3,000 troops as a single force and is the first to kneel to the Empire. I had suspected he was cunning, but this is beyond my expectations.
It seems the closest contender for the title of thirteenth marquis would be Count Kaita. I haven’t contacted many tribes yet, but this guy seems tough to surpass.
Also, isn’t it a little sad that a time has come where multiple figures of such caliber exist? This isn’t exactly goon battles.
‘Thank god he’s on our side.’
If he were someone else’s lackey, I’d be in a world of hurt.
“However, if it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to ask Count Wiridia a question.”
“Oh, yes. Please, go ahead.”
Count Kaita, who had been explaining while tracing maps, suddenly turned serious.
“I’ve heard that the counts of the Empire hold an esteemed position, and that their vassals are also nobility.”
Immediately, I sensed what Count Kaita was curious about.
“Yes, that’s correct. Generally, a count grants titles to those vassals they believe would serve them faithfully, which is ultimately approved by His Majesty.”
As soon as I provided the answer he wanted, Count Kaita’s eyes danced eagerly.
“And it means that it can be done even if they aren’t from my tribe.”
“…Correct.”
Seeing Count Kaita’s satisfied expression left me in awe.
He had inquired about the title-granting process and learned that it didn’t have to strictly belong to his tribe. This meant that clans from other tribes or even wanderers passing by could be included in Count Kaita’s influence.
‘He thinks that far just from a mention of titles?’
Could it be he has a settler for an ancestor?
As Count Kaita sent us off warmly, we headed back to the garrison.
“Um, Master.”
“Yeah?”
The Senior Manager, looking serious and pensive, cautiously spoke up.
“Do other nomads feel this way?”
I struggled to answer such a perplexing question.
To say no felt like denying my common sense, but to say yes was hard with the presence of Count Kaita still hanging in my mind.
*
Once Cal set off for the Kaita tribe, the nomads’ offensive intensified. Those already active on the frontlines moved as if they were ready to fight to the death, and offensive tribes began to appear one by one.
Reports of aggressive movements were coming from all fronts. It’s natural to have a reckless offensive during wartime, especially against nomads—
‘They’re all playing their own game.’
Not every tribe on the front was attacking. Those like the Kaita tribe, who showed a willingness to surrender, remained quiet.
It was bizarre. If the nomadic offensive has ramped up, it implied that orders were issued from the traitor who claimed the title of Khan. This kind of movement was meant to pressure our frontlines and force damage.
However, to pressure an army significantly outnumbering the nomads, they’d really need to pour everything into the offensive. It’s impossible for some to fight while others merely sit back and watch.
‘Then, it would make sense to deal with the traitors first.’
It’s normal to issue return orders to the tribes just occupying space on the frontlines or to hunt them down. Keeping tribes that could switch sides at any moment in position might risk those launching an offensive being encircled.
But no measures were taken. The tribes attacking showed no interest in the quiet ones, and vice versa.
Of course, there were tribes that withdrew from the front, but rather than retreating out of fear, they displayed their strength by bringing the Kaita tribe into their domain. It was utterly incomprehensible.
‘Has there really been such a brazen traitor?’
It’s confusing. I can’t count how many times common sense has collapsed during this war. Infighting among the enemies? That’s plausible. Strong expressions of surrender? That too could be real.
But having internal traitors strolling about confidently and allowing that to occur just isn’t right.
‘Is there a different guy pretending to be Khan?’
I couldn’t help but think that Udesser Dorgon was dead, and maybe some other ambitious person was posing as him.
If that weren’t the case, this bizarre unity and action would be unexplainable. Dorgon is the last surviving bloodline of the rebel and can serve as a symbol to unite the nomads. The Empire deemed him dangerous enough to pursue him for three years, yet his capabilities could only amount to this?
Unless he showed incompetence during the last war—Dorgon mediated between the anti-Empire tribes that were at each other’s throats. If we’re talking competence versus incompetence, he leans more towards the competent side.
Had I not seen the sky tear apart, I might have seriously thought someone else was claiming the title of Khan.
“Your Grace, the inspector has returned.”
Struggling to suppress the chaos within me, I nodded at the knight’s report as they entered my tent.
From the knight’s reaction, it seemed Cal hadn’t returned due to something gone wrong. So, it meant negotiations with the Kaita tribe proceeded smoothly.
And upon seeing the map Cal brought back, I realized it was far from a smooth process.
“The areas marked on the map are the territories of the tribes considering surrender.”
“I see.”
There are many. While not all tribes might be as large as the Kaita, it’s still a significant number.
“Moreover, there are many tribes that have not yet made up their minds, one of which was a tribe fulfilling the role of priests.”
It was surprising to know that amidst this, there still remain neutral factions. The number of tribes with clear intentions to surrender is considerable, yet many more might consider doing so?
‘Priests?’
What’s more unbelievable is that a priest is included among the neutral factions.
To prevent a second unification of the nomads, the heretical religious sects were to be thoroughly eradicated. The renegade who simultaneously masquerades as the high priest had been tracked down and killed, alongside countless temples demolished. The Empire crushed the heresy that fiercely.
Yet here is a priest of the faith that was trampled, who remains neutral.
‘This is awkward.’
If the priest felt resentment for their faith being trampled, I would have understood if they were turning towards the enemy or at least willing to surrender out of sheer despair.
But being neutral implies the tribe must have many concerns of its own.
“The tribe’s name is Barandi. While not large, it has a long history and was one of the representatives of tribes that did not follow the rebel in the past.”
As I mused further on Cal’s words, a realization dawned. With all the priests dead, this priest could serve as the final anchor of faith; they boast a long history, and they possess a previous refusal to adhere to the rebellion.
This was a tribe that should have been contacted, not just for mere nomadic cleanup but because I need to concern myself with conquest and maintenance of this situation.
However, the one nagging issue weighs heavily:
‘We must recognize the heresy.’
While absorbing the focal point of the faith, one cannot simply remind them to abandon it. Accepting the Barandi tribe means taking in all heretical beliefs along with its influence.
It’s a tough situation. How could the Empire, no matter what destiny has been bestowed upon it, acknowledge heresy?
‘I can’t make that call.’
There’s a saying that a general on the battlefield doesn’t heed the mandates of the monarch. Obviously, defiance brings treason, but it means that commanders on the ground can make decisions with far more accuracy compared to those overseeing from behind.
Thus, the Empire generally respects the judgment of commanders actively involved in the field.
Even so, this is a no-go. Deciding on this matter on my own prerogative would be beyond inappropriate, even for a duke.
“You’ve brought valuable information. You’ve worked hard. Until summoned, take your leave.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
As I watched Cal bow and exit, I let out a small sigh.
While the alluring Holy Grail is in my grasp, the poison contained within it is equally fearsome.
‘…I guess I’ll need to report to His Majesty.’
Unfortunately, this is not a matter I can handle on my own in the field.
*
The report from the Vice Captain came in.
Tribes capable of operating thousands of forces have surrendered, and several others are expressing their willingness to do so.
Moreover, the priests thought long gone are still alive, articulating a vague stance that’s neither conformist nor rebellious.
…
‘What the hell is going on?’
I found myself frowning absentmindedly.
Was the situation in the North this bad?
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