SWNOVELXO Chapter 179
Martin listened to those words and said sternly,
“That’s something I’ll see and judge for myself, Village Head. Please guide me through the village.”
“Understood…”
“I will be inspecting all the houses in the village, so first, lead me to the house closest to the entrance. I will be purchasing food at a fair price, so don’t worry too much about the requisition.”
The Village Head answered like that, seemingly deflated, and led us to the house nearest to the village entrance.
And, to avoid inconveniencing the Requisition Officer’s mood, he spoke as politely as he could.
“This is the house where Mark lives, and there are seven people living here, including Mark’s wife… Mark is currently absent as he has been conscripted by Count Iris…”
Some might say it was abject, but if you go against the Requisition Officer’s temperament, in the worst-case scenario, everything could be requisitioned without leaving even a grain of wheat or a handful of barley.
To avoid such a fate, it is easier to bend over backward.
That’s the common sense I’ve learned while living as a serf under Count Iris, and it’s common sense necessary for survival.
“Before looking at the village storehouse, I will first check the food inside the house’s storage.”
“Yes, understood. Requisition Officer…”
Martin, acting as the Requisition Officer, looked at me and gestured for me to stop surveying the surroundings and come closer to him.
Receiving that signal, I quickly moved to his side and observed the villagers’ reactions.
Before someone of high status, they weren’t directly expressing dissatisfaction or concern, but everyone was anxious about when they might lose the food they had worked so hard to gather.
Despite receiving such glances, Martin remained unfazed and calmly inspected the food in every house, including Mark’s.
After quite a bit of inspection time, Martin organized his notes and spoke.
“Martin has 100 sacks of wheat and 130 of barley, Lucas has 120 sacks of wheat and 140 of barley… Sam has 110 sacks of wheat and 130 of barley… The Village Head has 3 tons of wheat and 6 tons of barley… A total of 6 tons of wheat and 9 tons of barley, which is very little for a village with around 420 serfs…”
Hearing that, the Village Head spoke apologetically.
“The Franche troops who lost in the recent war took just enough food to keep us from starving. So, there isn’t much food left in the storehouse…”
“The Franche troops took a lot as they fled after losing… However, we can’t unconditionally overlook your circumstances. The fact is, relying solely on military merchants has its limits. Therefore, we have no choice but to requisition.”
Although Martin spoke as if he had to requisition food, the Croilet Marquis’s army had already secured enough food and hay through military merchants.
Even a lowly soldier like me… no, even someone who isn’t a proper soldier could notice that fact.
But the reason for showing such an attitude is as Martin explained a few days ago…
‘The serfs of your territory, who oppose us, won’t believe that we won’t plunder or kill them unless we we do something in return for them. Just as we will purchase at least some food from them with money. Then, they will gradually come to trust us.’
The army of Count Iris had been showing consideration for the serfs like this over the weeks following the defeat in the war and the entry of the Eraline Empire’s army…
But it’s the first time we’ve received such consideration from a lord, so the awkwardness still lingers.
“Hmm… Alright. Let’s do this. We will requisition 2 tons of wheat and 3 tons of barley, and in return, I will give you 2 gold coins. Matthias, take out money from your purse and hand it over immediately.”
The Village Head seemed suspicious that the Requisition Officer wasn’t taking their food by force and was instead offering small change or awkward requisition orders…
He looked at me and the Requisition Officer with a puzzled expression for a moment.
Surely, it was surprising to see a reaction that didn’t align with their common sense; I felt the same way at first.
As I took out 2 gold coins from my pocket and handed them to the Village Head, Martin spoke with a tired expression.
“It’s getting late, and tomorrow we will be transporting food as we pass through here… It would be best to stay here tonight. Village Head, I’m feeling a bit tired, so I will go rest now.”
“Yes, Requisition Officer…”
After that, Martin naturally entered the Village Head’s house and began to feign sleep in the best room.
He would probably pretend to sleep but then change clothes and come out to eavesdrop… It would be best to start quickly.
“Um, where should I sleep?”
Upon hearing that, the Village Head replied with a hint of irritation, treating me differently than he had with Martin.
“You are sleeping in my house since the Requisition Officer is sleeping here, right?”
“Is that so… But how much food have you taken that there is so little food here? As I understand it, there has been no famine in our territory this year…”
“From what you’re saying, you are one of those conscripted from Iris’ countryside, aren’t you? Don’t speak. That damned war, when Count Iris passed by, took a lot without giving us a single coin. We’ve been requisitioned twice, so it can’t be helped. At least the Requisition Officer from the Eraline Empire has been generous in his payments.”
“The Eraline Empire, or rather, the Croilet Marquis’s troops do requisition labor or food, but as the Village Head has seen, they do provide proper compensation, right? So, as long as you listen carefully to what I say, there shouldn’t be any major issues.”
The Village Head listened to my words and touched the 2 gold coins in his hand.
“Well, seeing as how you are taking food and giving money… It seems we won’t die, it should work out fine…”
**
It had been four weeks since the march began, and just as we were nearing the border of Count Iris’ territory.
Colonel Samuel, in charge of the intelligence headquarters, approached me and reported.
“Your Excellency, after dispatching those foolish ones who had complained about your kindness as you ordered… the response from the serfs has improved as our army passes through. Previously, they were anxious about what our side might do, but now they only show discomfort at the army passing by.”
If only our family had been the only one mobilized for this war, we would have dispatched not only military merchants but also our clan members to provide food to all the villages we passed, improving our reputation.
However, now that other families are intertwined with the Eraline Empire I belong to, if I were to act too conspicuously, it would spread the reputation that I am overlooking the Empire and the other nobles.
Even if I have plans to gain independence through this war, during the ongoing expedition, it would be wise not to do anything too crazy that would tarnish my honor…
I had no choice but to convey to the Duke and the two Counts that appropriate payment must be made when requisitioning food.
As a result, even though it was only a month ago that our forces were in what was enemy territory, they were no longer hostile towards us, albeit not overly friendly.
“That’s desirable, and where is our army now?”
“Counts Ilerias and Izza are crossing the Silphon River, and His Excellency Duke Orleans is passing through the Huern Valley. They are expected to arrive at Sale Village shortly.”
Although there had been significant losses on the battlefield, if we weren’t able to secure the territory up to Croilet Marquis’ lands in this war, we would incur great losses when the territory is divided off due to being an illegitimate son…
I assume we had come this far, prepared for non-combat losses, to protect the territory and the family.
Given the current situation, as long as we continue supplying provisions, it is the best option for a commander, but for someone in a position of losses, it is quite painful.
“Where is the enemy now, and what is their estimated number?”
“Count Simon has gathered 30,000 serfs, Count Louis 20,000, Count Laureant 20,000, Count Iris 20,000, Count Architel 8,000. Originally, Count Montmartre was to join the Franche central defense but sent 10,000 as reinforcements. The total estimated force is around 108,000.”
A month ago, our army had only barely recovered to 78,000 when including the injured…
This means we will have to face the Duke of Orleans directly…
“Your Excellency Duke Orleans, Count Izza, and Count Ilerias must form strategies as soon as they arrive and positioned first. Moreover, we must cause maximum damage without using cannons or rifles against the enemy…”