Cutting down the cultists and reclaiming resources from the ravaged territories would require swift action, but they also had to avoid standing out too much, lest they become targets themselves. The delicate balance of inter-baronial politics promised a fierce contest of wits.
The baron turned to Michael, his expression grave. News had arrived only yesterday that the cultists had not merely ravaged two villages but had overtaken the entirety of Crowley Barony.
"How do you plan to deploy the guards?" the baron asked.
Unlike the regular soldiers, the guards were the military backbone of the domain, trained in swordsmanship and essential to its defense. A significant loss among the guards would deal a critical blow to the barony, whereas the soldiers and serf troops could sustain moderate casualties without jeopardizing its foundation.
"No matter how poorly defended Crowley Barony might have been, if they overran two villages and captured the castle, the enemy won't be easy to defeat," Michael replied. "Unfortunately, the late arrival of this information means the soldiers' training is still lacking. To compensate, I've assigned one guard for every ten soldiers, appointing them as unit leaders. Additionally, the supply convoy will include mages and healers for protection, along with ten guards. That should suffice."
"Well done," the baron acknowledged. Then, after a pause, he asked, "What do you make of the fact that we only received this news on the eve of our departure?"
The answer was clear to Michael. A faint smirk crossed his face.
"Whether it's Count Woodlock or Count Charles, someone seems intent on weakening the five baronies. Otherwise, this information wouldn't have been so restricted. Given that Count Woodlock has no ties to this land, it's likely Count Charles's handiwork."
The baron felt a swell of pride as he observed his son's sharp judgment.
"Exactly," the baron said. "The cultists have been rebelling for three weeks now. Crowley, situated right next to Count Charles's territory, must have sought his aid. That he turned a blind eye to this calamity speaks volumes about his intentions. And now, there are no survivors among Crowley Barony's retainers."
Michael's eyes glinted with realization.
"If there are no survivors from the Crowley family…"
Unlike the newer baronies of the five domains, the Crowley lineage was famed for its ancient heritage and valuable estates. For Count Charles, who had long coveted the Crowley Barony, the cultist rebellion presented an excellent opportunity. It was likely he intended to use the cultists to weaken other nobles and then absorb the barony into his domain.
"It's possible that the cultists were acting on Count Charles's orders," Michael speculated.
"Surely not," the baron said skeptically. "Could Count Charles be that calculating?"
Michael smiled knowingly. The one who benefits most from a disaster is often the perpetrator. It was better to remain cautious and guarded than to be blindsided.
"Perhaps," Michael replied. "But for now, we should focus on fortifying our position. Instead of taking unnecessary risks for glory, it's wiser to secure gains from the shadows. If this subjugation weakens the other baronies, it will only benefit us."
Their objective was clear: conserve their strength and seize advantages discreetly. It was a strategy that might draw criticism, but in a world where power decided everything, survival equaled strength. There was no need to risk their lives for Crowley Barony's wealth or Count Charles's ambitions.
"Indeed," the baron agreed. "It's better to bide our time and emerge victorious in the end."
They exchanged smiles, finding mutual satisfaction in their cunning plan.
"I'll leave the responsibility of commanding this expedition to you," the baron said. "I'll support you from behind. Sir Ronald is too focused on brute force to be suitable as a commander."
The baron, who had often worn himself thin managing both command and administration during past expeditions, found this arrangement preferable. With Michael taking the lead, he could now focus on assisting his son. Whether the barony thrived under his rule or Michael's, it would still be a shared legacy.
"Yes," Michael replied. "Training the soldiers on the way should improve their quality, even if only slightly."
Though he pitied the soldiers who would endure relentless drills during the journey, it was necessary for the barony's survival. Michael also understood that the baron embodied the archetype of a "modern" knight—politically astute but militarily inadequate.
Here is the translation of the second part of Chapter 11, rewritten in the third-person narrative style:
The Crassus family's success rate in war had always been mediocre. Their survival strategy hinged on only charging at knights of comparable rank. By unspoken agreement, knights would bow to one another, assume their stances, and then charge forward with their squires' assistance. Victory was a relief, while defeat merely required a ransom payment for release. Occasionally, an unlucky knight would be trampled by a horse or skewered by a spear, but the baron had managed to avoid such misfortunes.
Sir Ronald, however, was a different case. Known for combining intelligence with strength, he had never lost a duel against knights of a higher rank. Half of the indemnities earned during wartime came from his victories.
Michael, however, intended to put an end to this reckless approach to warfare. It wasn't that the people of this world were ignorant—it simply wasn't yet an era of strategy and tactics. Michael knew he couldn't entirely avoid charges. Refusing a duel between knights would brand him a coward and a disgrace to nobility. Even so, he wouldn't be the first to rush into battle for glory. To him, the notions of knightly honor and valor were nothing but nonsense.
Michael's plan was simple: follow the lead of those in front. If the unfortunate knight ahead won, so would he; if that knight lost, Michael would simply run a bit faster to avoid the same fate. In this subjugation campaign, he had to prioritize his own survival.
This time, the enemy wasn't another noble. In battles between nobles, the loser paid a ransom. Against the cultists, what might be demanded was Michael's head. Having been given a second chance at life, Michael intended to live long and rise in status.