Chapter 52: 51

After the Emir of Alessar pledged allegiance to the Kingdom of Robros, more Shikar Tribes chose the side of the Robros army. It meant that Duke Wastein’s plan was working out pretty well.

The cities and states in the southern coastline also pledged allegiance to the Kingdom of Robros because Duke Wastein promised them that he would construct a large port and paved roads so they could get trading privileges across the Great Desert. Obviously, other tribes inhabiting along those paved roads were happy about it too.

For those of which major industry was agriculture, he promised to construct huge waterways so they could grow more crops. For those in the Great Western Meadow region, he allowed them to pay fewer amounts of tributes which they gave to Braham every year. Thus, many of these cities and states pledged allegiance to the Kingdom of Robros while Braham lost most of its allies.

Of course, it would cost a tremendous amount of money for the Kingdom of Robros but Kara’s wealth could cover those expenses.

The fundamental strategy of Duke Wastein was isolating his enemies.

He was trying to gain support from the small cities and states in the Great Desert by targeting only Braham and Kara. If this plan worked out well, it would be much easier for the Robros army to win this war. Also, he took great effort in securing supply lines for his troops.

Since the Devil’s Trade Route was so barren and vast, it was very dangerous to have only one supply line when attacking Kara. If it got cut off, the entire troops of the Robros army would be in serious trouble.

That’s why Duke Wastein secured three different supply lines.

The first one was the main supply line through the Devil’s Trade Route. And there was another supply line which started from the coastline in the south of Kara. Once the supply was delivered by the ships, it would be transported overland through several oases in between. The third and last supply line was locally established. In other words, they would get supplies from the local cities and states as well as merchants from the other Shikar Tribe.

“Look over there. Arrows are pouring down like rainfall.”

Three of us kept watching the real-time battle scene which was being transmitted from Euroa’s Giant Airship.

The Castle of Braham was heavily destroyed by the catapult attacks which lasted for four days. Braham soldiers were busy repairing the walls but their efforts were meaningless because the Robros army continued their catapult attacks without a break.

With my arms folded, I sighed.

“Duke Wastein… He can order his troops to go inside now but he still waits.”

“Hey little bro, shouldn’t they go inside right now?”

“The battle is already over. Look at that. The castle walls were totally destroyed.”

“So, why are they not going inside the castle?”

It was because of the Shikar troops, who joined their force with the Kingdom of Robros, fighting in this battle.

“I think he’s waiting because of the morale of his troops. It’s surely boosted by those powerful catapult attacks completely destroying the enemies’ castle. Also, the Shikar troops must feel intimidated and will not think of betraying the Kingdom of Robros.” 

“Really? Then when are they going inside?”

“It’s about time. They will go inside soon. Once people get used to fear, you need to show something new to keep them fearful.”

As I expected, the catapult attacks were stopped shortly after. For the next round of attacks, dozens of close-range artillery weapons were used and foot soldiers were supporting behind them. However, the Robros troops were not fighting and most of the soldiers in the battle were mercenaries.

‘Damn Duke Wastein. They’ve already destroyed the entire wall yet they send mercenary soldiers first. He’s a very cunning man.’

As there were usually heavy casualties when capturing a castle, mercenary soldiers were sent to the front line. They were good fighters and if they got killed during the battle, those who hired them didn’t have to make payment.

But since the Castle of Braham was no longer able to defend itself from the enemies, it was not necessary to let mercenary soldiers keep fighting in the battle because they would ask for more money after the fall of the castle. 

Besides, if the mercenary soldiers became the first ones entering the castle, a raid and massacre of a large scale would be inevitable with many buildings in the castle on fire.

Yet Duke Wastein let those mercenary soldiers go inside the castle first. Probably he wanted them to begin a raid since the Robros army could not start it by themselves because of their pride and honor. If those vicious mercenary soldiers threw the castle in chaos, the Robros army wouldn’t have to take responsibility for atrocities happening in the castle. 

It also could make those on Kara’s side more intimidated by the horrible fate of Braham. Any mercenary soldiers disobeying orders would be easily executed in the middle of this chaos. And that was something which Duke Wastein intended.

Perhaps, Duke Wastein was extremely worried about the possible betrayal of the Shikar troops. And actually, their alliance was made very recently so it was reasonable for him to be worried.

“It has begun.”

Braham soldiers fighting on top of the castle walls were killed helplessly by Robros artillery weapon and arrow attacks. Actually, Braham had better archers but they could not defend themselves due to the sheer size of the Robros army.

Soon, a large number of mercenary soldiers rushed into the castle. Braham soldiers found themselves between enemies in their front and back.

Close combats began on top of walls and Robros cavalries charged into the Castle of Braham.

The battle was still going on but the outcome was already apparent. No strategy was needed anymore and only a one-sided massacre would happen soon.

Ding dong.

At that moment, the doorbell rang. It must be a client.

I went downstairs and opened the door.

“Hey, what’s up?”

It was Uddin, the prime minister of Kara and his face was pale white. It seemed that he heard the news about Braham through magic communication. 

“Sir, I have a very important matter to discuss with you.” 

“I see. Come in.”

As I asked him to take a seat, Uddin hurriedly sat down.

Then he opened his mouth as soon as I brought tea for him.

“Sir, the Castle of Braham has fallen.”

I scratched my head. I just watched the battle scene in real-time and it was not over yet. Of course, the castle would fall eventually but it’s still quite early to say that it had fallen.

“Where did you hear that news from?”

“Commander Abdul who led the supporting troops to help Braham has just reported me the news.”

“Oh, I see~ He must be on his way back to Kara right now, right?”

“No, sir. He’s already here. He used a portal.” 

I was dumbfounded. Top officers in Kara’s army were only trying to save their own lives. The castle wall had been destroyed not long ago but Abdul already came back to Kara. Apparently, he got scared and ran away right after the battle began.

And he reported that the Castle of Braham had already fallen. Technically, that’s a false report since it didn’t fall yet. What a lack of discipline.

“What about his troops?”

“They have barely survived in the battle. Now, they are crossing the Devil’s Trade Route to come back to Kara.”

“How many of them are alive?”

“Thanks to commander Abdul’s quick decision, most of them could escape out of the castles safely.” 

Actually, his decision was too quick but at least he saved his troops so that’s a good thing.

“I see. So, what do you wanna discuss with me today?”

“Master, please help us and Kara.”

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Suddenly, Uddin knelt down and bowed his head.

Finally, the moment of decision arrived for me. Not only the Castle of Braham fell but also most of the cities and states in the Great Desert took the side of the Kingdom of Robros. Thus, the fall of Kara was a matter of time and they were trying to grasp at any straws. It was obvious they needed my help big time. 

I got deeply lost in thought with silence. Until recently, I had no intention at all to get involved in this war but now I had a little hesitation.

‘What should I do?’

Even though Kara’s army was very weak, the war would last until winter if I chose the side of Kara. And people would see many new weapons and war strategies that were actually used during the Era of Destruction in the future. 

If humans acquired new knowledge, they could fight better and survive longer during the Era of Destruction in the future. 

In other words, I could extend my life.

I had to choose between my current luxurious life and the extension of my life. I mulled it over for a while and then made my decision. After clearing my throat, I asked Uddin to stand up. 

Then I said in a quiet tone.

“Prime minister, you can never save Kara if you get carried away by your feelings.”

“What do you mean, sir?” 

“It means you can’t fix the problem by just kneeling down in front of someone.”

“But…”

“Kara has about 4,000 troops, right?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What about the expeditionary force of the Kingdom of Robros?”

At this point in time, the Robros expeditionary force had grown more. They had their own troops of 150,000 soldiers as well as 17,000 mercenary soldiers they hired. On top of that, the Shikar troops of 32,000 soldiers joined with them. Thus, the total number was 199,900. Moreover, as the Castle of Braham just fell under the control of the Robros army, other cities and states in the Great Desert would choose the side of the Kingdom of Robros at any minute. Then the Robros expeditionary force would become much stronger.

“In my opinion, the number of Robros troops will grow up to 200,000 or even 250,000.” 

“Then you also know there’s not a chance for Kara to win the war, right?”

Uddin sunk his head on his chest.

“Yes…”

“But you know? There might be a chance.”

His entire body started trembling because it was the only hopeful message he had ever heard since the Kingdom of Robros declared war on Kara.

“Sir, is there any way that can save Kara?”

“Yes. But you need to do exactly what I say.”

“Sir, I will do exactly what you say.”

He immediately said yes without even asking what I would want him to do. Given his current circumstances, it was quite understandable yet I could not trust him fully. 

“First, I must have a right to grant titles and noble status to people as I wish.”

Uddin’s eyes got wide open. Even the Emir of Kara didn’t have such great power. In fact, she had the right but could not exercise it high-handedly.

“Sir, that’s impossible. Other aristocrats will never let that happen.” 

“That’s not my business. You should make that happen no matter what. Every single person is valuable to Kara right now. Commoners must fight together but because of the current laws, they can’t. Actually, I was trying to ask you to abolish hierarchy in a society completely.”

“But…”

“Hey, do you wanna lose everything you’ve got or a part of it? In my opinion, it’s a very easy decision but it seems very difficult for you. The fall of Kara is inevitable if you don’t make the right decision.”

Uddine looked into my eyes with his serious look. I was right. It was actually an easy decision.

“I understand, sir. I will try my best.”

“Good.”

“But at least I need a reasonable cause to persuade them. Otherwise, Kara will be disunified.”

He was right. There was a possibility of Kare being disunified and it would make the situation much worse. Many people would betray and many conflicts would arise in Kara. 

In fact, it was not so difficult for him to persuade aristocrats in Kara.

“Obviously, there is a reasonable cause. If Kara wins this war, aristocrats will gain more wealth and privileges than ever before.”

“What kind of privileges, sir?”

“If winning the war, Kara can build a unified nation of the Shikar Tribe and become the capital of the Great Desert. How many privileges do you think you guys can get?”

As the Kingdom of Robros conquered Braham, there was no powerful state in the Great Desert except Kara. So, it’s possible for Kara to rule the entire Great Desert as well as the Great Western Meadow only if they could win the war against the Kingdom of Robros.

In other words, Kara had a chance to fulfill its dream of building a unified nation in the Great Desert.

Of course, all the nations in the world would be in ruin eight years later. But anyways, the aristocrats in Kara would certainly be persuaded by this hope.

“Oh, I understand now.” 

“Once a unified nation is built, the number of aristocrats will increase inevitably. Anyone can get a noble status if they make a significant contribution to Kara during a time of crisis. Commoners and slaves are included as well.”

“You’re right, sir.”

“Whatever I do, it’s not bad for you guys. After winning this crucial war, you will have a much bigger pie to share. Just focus on winning the war. Don’t meddle in minor stuff. Otherwise, there will be no glory and you guys will be all dead. 

“Sir, I will trust you only.”

Opportunities could be surely found in times of crisis.

Currently, Kara was facing a huge crisis because of the invasion of the Robros army but from another angle, Kara finally got the chance to build a unified country in the Great Desert.

My goal was to control the entire Kara by using their desire which was a driving force in every human society.

“Well, let’s go to the Palace of Kara now. Since it is such an important matter, we can’t make a decision by ourselves.”

“You’re right, sir. We need the approval of the Emir. Please come with me.”

Shortly after, Uddin and I headed to the palace.  

Padilla was Kara’s commander in chief. Without her approval, nothing could be done in Kara.

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