The work had to go on even after the wizard left. Thanks to the ransom paid for Caenerna, there was no need to worry about coins for a while.
Lavish rewards were given to the vassals who built great achievents, and preparations were made for the winter with additional supplies. . .
Smooth supply from the sea was possible thanks to the fleet of the republic. rchants from other comrcial associations also ca pulling their rchant ships under the escort of the republic fleet.
Johan gave them gold and granted them the authority to trade. The rchants would earn it back from the soldiers nearby. It was a kind of circulation.
My dear. Will you be okay without the philosopher?
Phi. . .philosopher?
Iselias worry made Johan confused for a mont. It seed Iselia had misunderstood about Caenerna.
Caenerna is not a philosopher. I wouldnt know about Suetlg, but not everyone wearing long robes and using suspicious magic is a philosopher. Dont be fooled, Iselia.
Is. . .is that so?
By default, wizards had an image of being wise and excellent advisers. But after dealing with Suetlg and Caenerna, and being involved in magic himself, Johan thought that was a misconception.
Caenerna was just a wizard. Not really a philosopher.
The things Im doing now are decisions I made by thinking by myself, its not really Caenernas advice or anything.
Because Johan was so young, there was a natural misunderstanding from those around him. Handling the situation skillfully and presenting strategies made those around think ?
Im disappointed that you thought of that way.
N-No, my dear. I didnt an it that way.
Seeing Johan pretending to be sad, Iselia beca flustered. Johan secretly laughed at the amusing reaction he was toying with.
Count, the subjugation is over.
Good work. Go in and rest. Give them rewards.
Geoffrey nodded and moved with the slaves.
Johan was now embarking on a large-scale pirate hunt.
With most of the largest monster groups in the nearby area defeated, and most of the vassals joining under Johan, there was no reason to wait any longer. Johan moved aggressively.
The main targets were the pirate groups still lurking around unsuspectingly. Cavalry units mainly ford in tens, hundreds attacked the pirates swiftly.
The small pirate groups, slowed by lack of horses and the temptation of plundered goods, were annihilated here and there.
The subjugation was ruthlessly carried out even for those who felt safe being a bit far from the Barons territory of Monrado. Johan personally led knights and cavalry and swept them away.
Take the gold and treasure, but return the livestock and food to nearby villages and towns.
Even while going around each vassals territory, Johan did not neglect careful managent. Although it was all originally okay for Johan to take care of, he did not do that.
To win peoples hearts, perseverance was needed. The charity given in Johans na would eventually bear fruit and co back.
Even now, priests here and there were extolling Johans na. Even the serfs who knew nothing were aware of who was driving out the pirates and providing the charity.
The nobles tended to underestimate the power commanded by the loyalty of these towns, but Johan did not.
Of course, the vassals did hold the substantial power. The towns master was, after all, the vassal who ruled over that town, and Johan could not interfere with the exercising of those rights.
But that did not an invisible power did not exist. Peasant revolts and city revolts do not happen for no reason.
The loyalty these people held put collars around the necks of the vassals. It would make them hesitate even if they tried to betray Johan again later.
There had been six battles of considerable scale, and dozens of smaller skirmishes.
As a result, the pirates in the southwest either fled back to the sea, or joined up with pirate groups in the Marquis territory.
The vassals who had held territories breathed a sigh of relief for the mont, but none of them thought the fighting was over.
Everyone could feel just how strong and ambitious this young new Count was.
The fighting would clearly not end until the showdown ca with the Marquis, not to ntion the remaining pirate groups.
And the vassals wanted that too.
For whatever reason, now that they had betrayed the Marquis and welcod this young Count as their new lord, the Marquis had to be destroyed.
Otherwise, soday the Marquis would remain and take revenge for this betrayal!
.
Im starting to feel like calling in those rcenaries, but what are those guys up to?
At Johans question, Gurelic broke out in a sweat.
As the pirate suppression progressed, Johan began attempting contact with the rcenaries above.
Having secured not only the county of count but most of the southern vassals, Johan too spent a plentiful year, but the rcenaries hired by the Church also spent a plentiful year.
Thanks to the pirates chaos, the rcenaries plundering beca even easier. The army of Marquis Crucho also foundered midway. . .
Having split into two branches plundering the lands of the Marquis and the nearby fiefs above, Johan sought to call them in again.
The rcenaries were greedy but not ignorant of hierarchies. Having plundered the fiefdom of the Marquis, they had to show loyalty to the Marquis opposition. Attacking both sides would have been madness.
But there was no answer. The envoy sent also did not return. Panicking, Gurelic sent rcenaries again but they too did not return.
I apologize, my lord. It seems the n had other ideas.
Hmm.
Johan was puzzled by Gurelics words. Would the rcenaries be so stupid?
Of course, they had taken all the loot they could get, so they might want to just stay put and not get involved anymore.
But if thats what they wanted, theyd have to make all kinds of excuses and send an envoy. Ignoring contact altogether was sothing only a madman would do.
Of course, when soone wants to die, theres nothing they cant do. . .
Are you going to leave the rcenaries alone and move on?
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