Duke Kent held the report in his hands, feeling an overwhelming urge to tear it into pieces.
Who allowed Grayman to make so much money?
He looked up and saw a porcelain vase on the table, grabbing it with the intention of smashing it to the ground.
Yet, the Duke’s hand remained suspended in mid-air, unable to let go. In the end, he awkwardly placed the vase back in its original spot. (lol)
Marltz then summoned the intelligence chief again, instructing him to gather his trusted aides in the great hall and to dismiss the others.
A while later, his confidants arrived, including Erson Wilde. The Duke’s son was absent, occupied with nurous duties such as inspecting the army and recruiting new soldiers.
The Duke explained their current predicant to his aides.
“We must find a weapon that can counteract the fire crossbows and thunder hamrs, and then we can crush them with our nurical superiority.”
However, finding such a solution was easier said than done. The current bows and crossbows were inferior in range and power, and they struggled to co up with a viable plan.
“Uncle Kent, I have an idea, but I’m not sure if it’s feasible,” Erson suddenly spoke up.
Marltz, eager for a solution, imdiately responded, “Oh? Let’s hear it!”
“Have you heard of the longbow?”
“We have those here too!”
“The longbow I’m referring to is not the ordinary kind. It’s much longer and larger.”
Erson gestured with his hands, explaining to the people in the study.
“This longbow is about 1.5 to 2 ters in length, made from purpleheart wood, though elm and oak can be used as substitutes. However, purpleheart wood is preferred for its strength, durability, flexibility, and resistance to breaking, allowing for a wider draw.”
“Its range can reach 200 to 300 ters, which is comparable to the Aldan fire crossbows. And its power is trendous, capable of piercing leather, padded armor, and fabric at a distance of about 220 to 260 ters, or even chainmail. Plate and scale armors can resist its penetration; however, at a distance of 100 ters or less, even plate armor cannot withstand a direct hit. Within 50 ters, the arrows of a longbow are virtually unstoppable.”
Erson’s description sparked a glimr of hope among the listeners.
“Really? Erson, does this ‘longbow’ truly possess such formidable power?”
After a brief pause, Erson replied, “Well… I’ve heard it from others, so there might be so exaggeration. But the imnse power of the longbow is undoubtedly true.”
Marltz Kent made a decisive statent: “We must try it, no matter what. Do you know how to make these bows, or where to buy them?”
“I don’t know how to make them, but I know where to buy them. However, Uncle Kent, simply acquiring them is not enough. Training soldiers to use longbows is not easy and requires years of extensive training to beco proficient.”
“What can be done about this?” asked Kent.
“rcenaries.”
“rcenaries?”
“Yes, Uncle Kent. Spend money to hire longbown, preferably from large rcenary groups.”
Marltz Kent narrowed his eyes. He was aware of rcenaries, who thrived in conflict-ridden areas. They operated solo or in groups, and so grew to impressive sizes, rivaling the forces of powerful lords.
However, most rcenaries were morally corrupt and lacked any sense of honor, often moonlighting as bandits and thieves. While local recruits might still show so restraint due to shared community ties, rcenaries, being complete outsiders, had no such scruples.
Of course, this aspect did not concern Marltz Kent at all. His only concern was the cost of hiring them, as the price of life-risking loyalty was never low.
But if he could defeat the opposing lords’ alliance and absorb their lands and wealth, especially that of Paul Grayman, the investnt would ultimately pay off manifold.
The Duke slamd his hand on the table and exclaid, “Excellent, young Erson! This is exactly what we need — both the weapons and soldiers in one.”
Erson puffed out his chest, “If Uncle Kent wishes, I am willing to make a trip to contact various rcenary groups.”
Marltz agreed, “Alright, this task is yours. We can negotiate the price, but the main thing is to assemble a sufficient number of troops.”
Erson reminded him, “However, this will take ti. Before the rcenaries arrive, we need to find a way to hinder Grayman. His army has stopped advancing for now, but there’s no guarantee they won’t resu their attack.”
The Duke somberly agreed, acknowledging the urgency of the situation.
The silent intelligence chief suddenly spoke, “Your Grace, please leave this matter to us.”
“What do you propose?” asked the Duke.
The intelligence chief smiled slightly, “Count Grayman has been thriving this past year, unaware that two volcanoes are brewing under his rule. They might be small now, but they are bound to erupt eventually.”
The Duke prompted him to continue.
“The report ntioned Alda’s new salt-making thod that allows rapid and large-scale production. At first glance, this seems excellent. However…”
“However, what?”
“Along the coast, many salt workers depend on traditional boiling thods. They can’t compete with the new thod in terms of cost. Salt rchants no longer buy from them, leaving these workers nearly destitute. If we just…”
Before the intelligence chief could finish, soone in the room interrupted, “I know what you’re suggesting! It’s a rotten idea! Your Grace, we must not resort to such thods.”
The interjector, a vassal of the Kent family, argued, “Although we are at war with Grayman, we are still nobles. Inciting commoners to oppose their own lord is disgraceful.”
Other nobles joined in:
“Absolutely absurd!”
“Treasonous!”
The intelligence chief fell silent, unable to comprehend what the nobles were thinking, especially with the situation so dire.
Duke Kent, irritated, waved his hand, “Enough, we’ll discuss this later. Any other ideas?”
Several suggestions followed, but none seed feasible to Marltz.
“Erson will contact the rcenary groups skilled with longbows, and we’ll retrain our troops. Until the rcenaries arrive, we’ll try to hold off the Aldans.”
With that, the Duke concluded the eting.
Everyone left, except for the intelligence chief.
“What was the other volcano under Grayman?” the Duke inquired.
The intelligence chief’s eyes lit up, whispering, “The countryside.”
“What has he done there?”
“After repelling pirates, Count Grayman implented a ‘Land Consolidation’ decree, aid at better land utilization by centralizing scattered plots of land.”
“That sounds like a good law.”
“Yes, but many in the countryside underreported their land to evade taxes, and others occupied public lands due to lax managent. You know, it’s a common issue.”
Marltz chuckled wryly, signaling the chief to continue.
“During the land consolidation, the first step is to survey and asure the actual farmland…”
“Also, not all farmland is of equal quality. Despite efforts to maintain fairness, so will feel shortchanged.”
“We can exploit this situation,” concluded the intelligence chief.
After he finished, Marltz Kent pondered in silence for a while, then simply said, “You may leave now.”
The chief departed, leaving the Duke’s study in quiet contemplation.
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