Chapter 334 - Episode 326: Daily Life of the Arqvist Grand Duchy Army ①
The Arqvist Grand Duchy Army is a regular army composed of professional soldiers who have volunteered for enlistment.
Even including the territorial army that served as its predecessor, it has been less than ten years since its establishment, but because it has been forged by vassals of military lineage who were veteran mercenaries, its proficiency and morale are high.
The core consists of the second sons and younger of the veteran citizens who migrated during the first five years of the land's reclamation; the soldiers' ages range from fifteen to the late thirties, characterized by being relatively young.
Additionally, it is noteworthy that there are a fair number of beastman regular soldiers, primarily among those who migrated after the Great Southwestern War. In the noble territorial armies of the Kingdom of Rhodeberg, beastmen often serve as military laborers or slaves, so this can be called a unique characteristic of the Grand Duchy Army.
And the Guard is the group that gathers the cream of the crop from within this Grand Duchy Army.
Their primary duties are the security of the Grand Ducal residence and the protection of the Grand Ducal family members when they go out. In addition to high ability and absolute loyalty, they are also required to have the intelligence to behave with refinement, as they have opportunities to be seen by guests or provide security at social gatherings.
The fixed number of soldiers is fifteen, organized into five squads of three people each. To this is added the Guard Captain, Knight Bachelor Pence Schoenberg. Regarding the racial ratio, there are fourteen humans, including Pence, and two beastmen.
"Now, we will begin the mission of securing the important districts. This will be the only time I personally provide guidance for this mission. Learn well."
"Yes, sir!"
And now, the captain, Pence, was facing a young soldier who had been assigned as the final person to fill the Guard's quota.
Initially, Guard soldiers were chosen from among the veterans based on loyalty and ability, but for the purpose of giving opportunities to the youth, the last few slots of the quota are selected from among the recruits.
The soldier saluting with a tense expression before Pence was a newcomer who had been assigned after his aptitude for the sword and honest personality were recognized, and who had only recently been officially assigned after brainwashing-like education where loyalty to the Grand Ducal family was continuously instilled through psychologically heavy training.
"Do you remember the patrol route?"
"Yes, sir, I remember it all."
"Good. Then you take the lead first. I'll watch from behind."
"Understood!"
Following Pence's order, the recruit began walking the patrol route. Following behind him, Pence watched with a strict eye to see if the recruit grasped the route correctly and whether he was maintaining proper vigilance of his surroundings.
The duties of the Guard include patrolling important districts within the territory. The security range of the Guard consists of the area around the residence on the southeast side of the capital city Noeina, the nearby district where the houses of high officials are gathered, and the surroundings of the direct-management workshops.
The recruit proceeded correctly along the patrol route and headed toward the direct-management workshops.
In the workshops where weapon development and improvement continue and technologies that serve as the cornerstone of the nation's industrial power, such as die forging, are handled, classified information also gathers. For that reason, not only foreigners but even general citizens are not permitted to approach the streets facing the workshops without permission. That is precisely why the Guard, who swear absolute loyalty to the Grand Ducal family and the state, handle the security.
"...! Your Excellency!"
"Shh, I noticed too. Don't make a fuss yet."
While patrolling a road slightly away from the workshops, the recruit and Pence discovered a suspicious person.
So as not to be noticed by the opponent, Pence and the recruit quietly followed behind.
"Observe the characteristics of the suspicious person and report them."
"...A middle-aged man; judging by his build, his race is likely a dwarf or half-dwarf. Considering his clothing, his profession is probably a merchant. Likely a peddler from the Kingdom of Rhodeberg."
"Good, it's the same as my assessment... Looking at the direction he's heading, there's no mistake. Alright, let's stop him."
The suspicious person was glancing left and right, clearly proceeding toward the workshops. Judging that there was no longer any room for doubt, Pence ordered the use of force.
The recruit nodded with a somewhat tense expression, but contrary to that expression, he approached the suspicious person with a swiftness that deserved the title of an elite. Following behind him—Pence drew his sword.
"Stop! We are the Guard of the Arqvist Grand Duchy Army!"
The recruit, who had circled around to the front of the suspicious person, declared while pointing his sword, and Pence also pointed his sword while blocking the suspicious person's retreat. Faced with two soldiers appearing suddenly, the suspicious person froze, looking completely stunned.
"H-hiieee!"
"Beyond this point is a district where entry by general citizens and foreigners is prohibited. Why are you proceeding in this direction!"
Faced with the recruit questioning him in a harsh tone, the suspicious person opened his mouth while somewhat flustered.
"That is, well, I got lost..."
"The commercial districts are in the center and east of the capital Noeina. In this situation with the sun out, there is no way a peddler accustomed to travel would get lost in such a completely wrong direction... You should have been warned upon entry not to approach the south side of the city. We have permission to cut down suspicious persons based on our own judgment."
"Hiiieee! P-please wait!"
When Pence spoke while pressing the sword against the back of the man's neck, the suspicious person became even more terrified.
"...Honestly. Hey, your entry permit."
"I-it's in the left pocket of my trousers."
Hearing the suspicious person's answer, Pence reached into his pocket and took out the entry permit—a wooden tablet used by peddlers from foreign countries and others to prove their identity within the Grand Duchy.
"Merchant Zongo. Race: Dwarf. Origin: Baron Wiedersen's territory... Hey, go call the guards."
"Yes, sir."
The recruit nodded at Pence's instruction and ran to call the soldiers of the general units who periodically patrol the capital.
"Since it's a first offense and an attempt, I'll let you off without a prison sentence. However, you are banned from re-entering. If it is discovered in the future that you re-entered by faking your name or identity, you will be executed on the spot. The crimes of trade merchants are a joint responsibility. All merchants from Baron Wiedersen's territory will likely be banned from entry for the next year. This matter will be communicated from the Arqvist Grand Ducal family to the House of Baron Wiedersen via an official document. His Grand Ducal Excellency will surely lodge a strong protest."
While his face turned pale, the suspicious merchant nodded obediently, perhaps thinking it was better than being executed or having his limbs cut off here.
Soon the recruit returned with the guards, and the merchant was handed over to the guards and led away.
"...Excellency Schoenberg."
"What is it?"
"Was it alright to let that merchant go? I believe it was obvious he was trying to approach the workshops..."
The recruit asked while watching the merchant be led away.
"I understand what you want to say. But this is also a politically delicate and complex problem."
When Pence answered, the recruit showed an expression of failing to grasp the meaning.
"Certainly, that merchant likely had ill intentions, but it was an attempt. He didn't climb over a wall and enter the workshop grounds. If we cut down a merchant who, on the surface, was merely walking the road, it might become a cause for His Excellency Arqvist to receive a diplomatic protest... or rather, that is likely Baron Wiedersen's aim."
With a cynical smile, Pence continued.
"The House of Wiedersen should be among the faction that hates His Excellency Arqvist. They give money to some suitable pet merchant and have them take actions that are suspicious but not decisive. If we soldiers cut them down as a suspicious person, it can be used as a pretext to find fault with the Grand Ducal family. New bad reputations for the Grand Ducal family can also be spread. That's likely where the aim lies."
"...How cowardly."
"Yeah, I think so too. That's why doing it this way has a deterrent effect."
Looking at the stunned recruit, Pence gave a wry smile.
"Rather than losing one insignificant merchant, it is a greater loss for the noble ruling that territory if the entry of all merchants from their home territory is banned in exchange for mercy toward that man. Coupled with an official protest from the Arqvist Grand Ducal family, the opponent will have no room for excuses or counterarguments. Seeing this punishment, there probably won't be many nobles who would use the same petty tricks... That merchant, even if he was let go here, might be killed by Baron Wiedersen once he returns to his territory."
"I see, so it was a judgment made after considering that far."
"That's right. Incidentally, with this incident, we can show to foreign countries that the direct-management workshops are securely guarded and cannot be easily approached."
"Such an advantage as well... As expected of Excellency Schoenberg."
Why are there nobles who think they can succeed with a plot that even someone like me, a former mercenary, can notice? While explaining and feeling exasperated inwardly, Pence received a gaze of admiration from the recruit.
"If you are a member of the Guard, you should become able to be conscious of things to that extent. We aren't just soldiers. We are also in a position to act as the direct hands and feet of His Excellency Arqvist."
The Guard knows information that cannot be taught to general soldiers, and depending on the case, they are expected to be involved in illegal missions as private soldiers that Noein moves directly.
"Understood. I will approach my duties with mindfulness."
"That's good. Continue to learn well... Now then, let's return to the patrol."
.....
"—And so, that recruit is beyond reproach as a member of the Guard if future potential is included. As expected of a soldier trained by Excellency Granat."
Evening on the day he guided the recruit's patrol mission. Pence was performing reporting duties to the Chief of Military Affairs, Baronet Yuri Granat, at the National Army Headquarters.
"I see, thank you for the report. With this, the Guard has finally reached a complete organization."
"Yes. In the entire army, if I recall, including the trainees, there were 189 people."
"Yeah, with next year's new recruitment, we'll likely reach the quota of 200... It's been a long time until now."
The Grand Duchy Army had originally not reached its quota and had decreased further in the Betumia War, but the prospect of finally completely resolving that situation has appeared. Next year, applicants from the sons of veteran territorial families, who became free after leaving the practical agricultural work to new immigrants, are expected to enlist, reaching 200.
"Especially Radley... Knight Bachelor Nordheim's squad is always at the limit of manpower. That guy... Lord Nordheim will also be pleased."
"You seem to find it quite difficult to call him that?"
Looking at Pence, who couldn't settle on a way to call his colleague, Yuri gave a slight, wry smile.
"Well, I can't get used to it. Setting aside my superior, Excellency Granat, calling Radley, Bart, and Edgar 'Lord Nordheim,' 'Lord Heidemann,' and 'Lord Leuschner' now feels like a strange sensation."
"Well, I understand the feeling... I'm the one who can't get used to being called 'Excellency' the most. Until a little while ago, I was called Chief Squire, and even further back, the Boss."
"Hahaha, that's true. Even I still feel like I'm not the one being called when I'm addressed as 'Excellency Schoenberg' by commoners or slaves."
Born as mercenaries, and at one point falling as low as bandits, they eventually became nobles through their connection with Noein. Yuri and Pence are both still unable to fully adjust to the change in their positions.
"Setting aside public places, in places where it's just us, the way we've called each other until now is fine. The tone can remain casual as well."
"Then, I'll do so without hesitation... I mean, it's already like that."
"You're not the only one. The other guys with titles aren't that formal in their usual tone either. Even the earnest Edgar. Radley is even worse. He hasn't changed a bit since his mercenary days."
"Hahaha, I imagine. I heard that because he can't change his tone, he's decided to speak as little as possible in public. He apparently just memorized a few noble-like greeting phrases and gets by with only those."
"Hmph, that's just like him."
Even though their positions changed, the fact that they are companions who have fought together since they were young remains unchanged. The high officials handling internal affairs are also well-acquainted, having cooperated since the early days of reclamation.
The nobles and honorary nobles of the Arqvist Grand Duchy are building a small but favorable noble society.