Chapter 208 - Episode 201: The Sudden Envoy
The winter had ended, and it was late March of Royal Calendar year 217. In the lord's office, Noein was receiving a report from Pence, the vice-captain of the retainers.
The content concerned the expansion status of the territorial army.
"So, that means about two-thirds of the planned amount is now gathered, right?"
"Yes. At least in terms of head count... though, whether it's the regular army, the Claymores, or the Reserve Corps, the recruits still need a lot of training."
With the addition of territorial residents who had newly cleared the enlistment criteria, as well as puppet mages who had migrated after hearing rumors of the Claymores, the territorial army now consisted of approximately 120 regular soldiers and 21 Claymores. The Reserve Corps exceeded 200 people, meaning that roughly two-thirds of the military strength in Noein's vision had been gathered.
The population supporting the army was also increasing steadily. In mid-March, the first immigrant group of the year arrived from the royal lands, and a small number of other general immigrants also arrived. Furthermore, because a slave trader from Retovik held a large-scale visiting slave market in the plaza of the capital city Noeina, many slaves were bought by Noein and the residents, and the population of the Arqvist territory exceeded 2,000 people.
That said, as Pence mentioned, the newly enlisted soldiers would be useless for the time being. As for the Claymores, the state where only the seven veterans like Gustav could withstand combat would continue for a few more months. The reforms were still in progress.
"Well, that can't be helped... It seems there are a few people with soldier experience among the new immigrants, and I hear many of them wish to enlist. They'll start coming in once half a year has passed since their migration, so I'll leave that to you."
"Understood. If they aren't amateurs, they'll likely become useful quickly."
The mercenary group Pence and the others had previously belonged to was apparently an organization with a fair amount of achievement and history; thus, the Arqvist territorial army, which inherited those combat techniques and knowledge through training, fell into the category of high proficiency even compared to the average of the Lordberg Kingdom.
The required level was high, but for those with soldier experience, reaching that level would likely be fast.
"Then, as for the rest... it'll still take time to specialize the unit organization of the regular territorial army, right?"
"The soldiers who can be used in actual combat are still only around 70 people... it would be pushing it to divide them now."
Once the territorial army reached the planned scale of 200 people, Noein intended to specialize each unit to a certain extent based on their roles.
First, a unit with Radley as captain to handle the defense of the fort and patrols within the forest. This would be selected primarily from beastmen and soldiers who boasted great physical strength among the humans. Many of those who had acted as a separate detachment to shed blood in the Battle of Bezel were expected to be placed here.
Next, a shooting unit with Rick as captain. This unit would also basically be stationed at the fort and would specialize in handling the Ballista and sniping Crossbows.
Furthermore, a unit directly under the lord with Pence as commander. This was, so to speak, Noein's Guard, serving as security for the mansion, protection for the lord's family, and escorts when Noein or Clara went outside the territory. In addition to actual ability, since they would stand beside Noein in public, intelligence and tact were also required so they could behave in a manner that was not unsightly.
Also, he planned to attach a few people with suitable aptitude under Bart, the retainer in charge of foreign affairs, to operate them like intelligence agents outside the territory. Bart handled information gathering outside the territory and, conversely, clandestine activities to spread information favorable to the Arqvist territory. He would be given subordinates to act as his hands and feet.
Up to this point accounted for about half, roughly 100 people. The remaining 100 would fall under Dant's command as a general infantry unit, performing routine duties such as maintaining public order in the capital city Noeina and the mining village Kilde, and patrolling the forest roads connecting the capital to the various villages. A certain number would also be stationed at the fort to assist Radley's and Rick's units.
This was the organization of the territorial army that Noein had conceived while receiving advice from his subordinates. However, currently, with the soldiers capable of actual combat not even reaching half of the quota, operation with such strict divisions was not yet possible. If there was a shortage of manpower, even the Guard would be diverted to patrol duties.
"Right. Specializing soldiers by role would increase proficiency, and as an army, it would be more refined and cool. I guess the realization is still far off."
"Hahaha, isn't it nice to have something to look forward to in the future... Ah, it's me. Ah, he's right in front of me now."
While talking with Noein, Pence's expression suddenly tightened, and he began to speak while looking at a single point in the air. This kind of behavior was taken when one was spoken to directly in the mind via the dialogue magic 'Far-Talk'.
Which meant, in this case.
"Your Excellency, there is an urgent report from Honorary Retainer Konrad."
As expected, Konrad had connected 'Far-Talk' to Pence from the forward base. He had likely connected to the retainer captain Yuri first, and upon hearing from him that Pence was at Noein's mansion, he had reconnected.
"I see, let's hear it."
Noein's face shifted instantly from the relaxed expression he had until a moment ago to the expression and tone of a lord. Beside him, Matilda held a pen and paper ready to record the contents of the report.
"Konrad, report... Understood. Your Excellency, it is reported that an envoy from the Lancel Kingdom army has just arrived at the fort via the Bezel Great Forest Road. They are requesting a meeting with the person who holds command authority here."
"...Understood. I will head to the fort immediately. Tell them to welcome the envoy politely into the fort and have them wait."
Even if Noein didn't say it, someone like Count Marcel, who commanded the garrison, would likely handle it, but as the lord of this land, he gave the instruction just in case.
"Understood... Konrad, His Excellency will head to the fort immediately. Tell the forward commander to guide the envoy politely and have them wait. Also, did you convey this report to the retainer captain? ...I see, then connect 'Far-Talk' once more and tell him."
By the time Pence finished the 'Far-Talk' with Konrad, both Noein and Matilda beside him had stood up.
"Matilda, tell Kimberly to prepare my military uniform and our military horses. You should put on your equipment as well."
"As you wish. Immediately."
Matilda saluted and left the lord's office.
"...Pence, what do you think?"
"...Considering the chain of command and positions, it isn't unnatural to summon Noein-sama. If the garrison commanders recognized the opponent as an envoy, then that point should be fine as well. However, it would be better to head there with as many guards as possible. Just in case it's a trap."
The army guarding the border of the Bezel Great Forest was, for the sake of appearance, set up so that "the heads of the Kingdom army, the Northwestern Allied army, and the Arqvist territorial army are all commanders of equal rank." Because of that pretense, and the circumstance that it would be problematic to proceed with such a major matter without the lord of this land, it was understandable that Noein was summoned.
However, it would be bad if this were an enemy trap. If it were a plan to gather the garrison commanders and the lord of this land in one place at the front and launch a surprise attack, and if that succeeded, the Arqvist territory would fall into crisis.
"Well, even so, I can't not go... I'd hate to bring the envoy here and show them the road to the capital city Noeina or the internal state of things. I'll make the layer of my guards as thick as possible and have the capital city Noeina make defense preparations just in case."
"That's true... I think it's ten to one just a simple envoy. Even if the enemy were to pass through the forest for a surprise attack, it wouldn't be easy. We have our own traps now, after all."
"True."
Since after the Battle of Bezel, numerous traps had been set in the forests on both sides of the Great Forest Road.
Pitfalls filled with a massive amount of thin thorns, or traps where chemicals that blister the skin upon contact fall—all of them were booby traps exquisitely designed so as not to cause instant death. Markers that could only be distinguished by their side were placed to show where the traps were.
There weren't many armies with nerves steady enough to move through such a place without hesitation, and if the enemy even let out a scream, the sentries would notice.
In the first place, he couldn't believe that the Lancel Kingdom, which had failed in two invasions and left King Cadne unable to recover, now had the national power or leadership to invade again.
"There's no point in overthinking it. Let's make the preparations we can and go."
"Indeed. I'll return to headquarters for a moment to put on my armor and discuss the guard organization with the retainer captain."