NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 15
In such a world, bandits are not merely modern groups of thieves that steal items or occasionally threaten and extort civilians like gangsters. They are notorious criminals.
These ruffians commit heinous crimes such as murder, pillaging, robbery, rape, kidnapping, and human trafficking as if it were an everyday activity.
Fortunately, most bandits usually prefer not to engage with the military led by the lord of their domain, so they tend to hide in the mountains and prey on passing merchants or serfs.
However, territories like ours, which are still underdeveloped and possess weak military strength, are openly raided.
Even in the medieval era, numerous bandits burned many villages, pillaged, and killed and raped the residents within them.
Just imagine that even in a well-structured administrative and military system like Joseon at the time, it was common for Daewongun tribes from the north to kidnap people and flee as if they were bandits…
How frequent would such instances be in a society where a single bailiff could ruthlessly exploit a thousand people over several years?
Therefore, as soon as I received the report from Balt, my vision turned white with shock.
Despite that, I composed myself enough to ask, “What’s the number? And their location? Damn it, lacking military forces, if the number is too high, we might have to offer tributes to the bandits and send them away…”
Balt replied seriously as he looked at me.
“They’re estimated to be around 50 in number, and their location is St. Mountain. It’s about an hour’s carriage ride from here. This information was relayed by a merchant from the neighboring territory, so there may be some inaccuracies…”
Whew, that’s a relief.
I’m concerned that it’s only an hour’s ride away, but 50 should be manageable as long as there are no bandit knights (unemployed knights turned bandits) among them; our serfs should be able to defend adequately.
No, if we wait too long, we might need to mobilize our serfs to deal with them…
While there might be some casualties, it’s the most certain option.
Then should I just ask the Count for reinforcements?
However, that would make the Count doubt my military capabilities…
Seeing me lost in thought, Balt cleared his throat a couple of times before speaking again.
“With about 50 bandits, they probably won’t charge into our territory. However, we must control the serfs trying to move to other territories with the remaining food. If I were a bandit, I would find it very tempting to see serfs loaded with grain in a wagon pulled by a valuable horse.”
“True. And what comes next?”
“It’s one of two options: mobilize mercenaries or arm the serfs and raid the bandits’ stronghold.”
Hearing those words made me realize how narrow-minded I had been.
Thinking it over, there are many unemployed serfs, but there are also plenty of unemployed soldiers and knights.
These unemployed individuals formed the early mercenary groups. Why didn’t I think of that?
“Ah, mercenaries… Right. Let’s mobilize mercenaries. With our territory’s income, we should have enough to hire them.”
Balt nodded at my words.
“A wise choice, My Lord. We’ll need about 50… No, for dealing with those bandit scum, hiring just 30 should suffice. A few may die, but that’s not our concern.”
**
A week later, Balt brought 30 mercenaries as he had discussed with me.
They all wore iron breastplates, gloves, and helmets, armed with various weapons like short spears, bows and arrows, and swords.
The sight of them, confidently holding their weapons, evoked the feeling of seasoned warriors battle-hardened from countless fights.
At least they look worth the money, right?
Lost in this thought, the leading mercenary slammed his spear into the ground and spoke loudly.
“I am Helmut, the captain of this mercenary group! The Red Honey Mercenary Corps will act under the orders of Lord SIEL von Croilet of Windheim from today until the bandits are eradicated. As per our contract, you must provide us with 6 silver coins and provisions daily, and if you violate any of these, the contract will be void regardless of whether we take down the bandits!”
Indeed, mercenaries in this world are similar to those in my former world; if you don’t pay them, they’ll run away.
If a terrifying battle breaks out, will these people turn tail and flee without a care?
Well, capturing just 50 mediocre bandits shouldn’t pose much of a problem for seasoned mercenaries.
I extended my hand to shake with the mercenary and said, “Alright, I look forward to working with you. Thank you for coming this far for our territory.”
“Thank you, My Lord!”
“I vow upon my name and the honor of House Croilet that I will certainly compensate you. As for the spoils of plunder, they will be split equally per our agreement. Any objections?”
Upon hearing my promise of honor regarding compensation, Helmut responded with a broad smile.
“Of course, My Lord!!”
“Good, then let’s begin the meeting. We need to discuss the operation before moving out.”
As soon as those words ended, Helmut and I moved on to the strategy meeting.
**
Even though it was a conference room, it was essentially my office, so it wasn’t anything grand.
All I had was a desk, a very simplified map depicting St. Mountain and its surrounding area, and a few wooden chess pieces.
As soon as Helmut entered the conference room, he politely greeted Balt, who was wearing plate mail.
“Are you Sir Balt? It’s a pleasure. I am Helmut, the captain of the Red Honey Mercenary Corps.”
Seeing this courteous demeanor from a rank-and-file knight, Balt took off his helmet and placed it on the desk.
“My name is Balt. Well, I’m just an unlanded knight from a commoner background, so no need to be overly formal.”
“Yes, Sir Balt.”
Once I confirmed that the two finished their introductions, I clapped my hands to grab their attention and spoke.
“What’s our plan for dealing with the bandits?”
In response, Balt took a red chess piece and placed it on a black dot representing the mountainside, laying the black pieces around the mountain as he spoke.
“First, I’ll temporarily recruit about 120 serfs to block the mountain paths. Simultaneously, Helmut and I will lead the mercenaries to charge into the bandit hideout and crush the enemy.”
Isn’t that a bit too simplistic?
Even if they are ragtag bandits, staking our fate on a small group of mercenaries seems reckless…
“Balt.”
“Yes?”
“Helmut’s mercenary group consists of only 30; counting you, that makes 31. You think that will be enough to face the bandits hiding in the mountains without incurring casualties?”
Hearing my words, Balt spoke in a relaxed tone that seemed to imply I should be at ease.
“Lord, according to the scouts who surveyed the bandits’ stronghold, they are nothing more than an undisciplined rabble with no proper guard. The bandits inside the den are said to be inebriated both day and night, and even the soldiers on guard are occasionally sneaking sips from their flasks. There’s really no need for concern.”
“Even so, we are facing an enemy troop. No matter how skilled the mercenaries…”
Helmut let out a hearty laugh and responded loudly.
“Those who are so careless in their guard aren’t worthy of our fear, My Lord. Besides, while they may be referred to as bandits, they’re practically just runaway serfs. We won’t lose to their kind.”
“As Helmut said, My Lord, if they had even minimal discipline like soldiers, I might understand your concerns, but there’s truly no need to be cautious against such fools.”
Helmut appeared somewhat surprised by Balt’s blunt opposition, given the difference in their statuses as a lowly knight and the heir of a lord.
In fact, if it were another lord, such a situation might have led to significant anger.
However, thinking on the contrary, such a bold action would only be possible if I was willing to entrust them with authority or at least assure them I would listen to their advice.
Thus, I decided to abandon my rebuttal about whether we shouldn’t be more vigilant regarding human lives at stake.
I may be in command, but I know little about military affairs.
History often tells of the disastrous ends of commanders who step in without certainty.
Therefore, I asked Balt in a calm voice, “So what is it I should do?”
“I want you to lead the 120 serfs and set up camp at the foot of the mountain to prevent the bandits from escaping.”
“Alright.”
Helmut watched our conversation, which was based on mutual trust, with a puzzled expression.
His eyes seemed to ask, “Why can this knight trust a lord like this?”
Yet, I ignored Helmut’s gaze and said in a flat voice, “Initiate the bandit suppression operation. Not a single one must escape.”
**
The next day at dawn, the bandit suppression operation began.
I led the serfs to camp at the foot of the mountain as agreed with Balt.
As soon as they noticed I had set up the encampment, Balt and Helmut took their mercenaries up the mountain.
With only me and the serfs left in the camp, the serfs began to grow restless.
Soon after, I heard them murmuring anxiously among themselves at a distance.
“Hey, what will we do if the bandits come down here?”
“What do you mean? We have to fight like crazy. If you run away, the lord will catch you. You’ll get your head chopped off!”
“Ha… it’s easy to say. Those guys have been entrenched and robbing merchants. One bandit could take on ten of us!”
“Come on, but Helmut from the mercenary group just went up, right? They should come back victorious.”
Honestly, I somewhat agreed with what they were saying.
In combat, those bandits who likely perpetrated crimes like pillaging and rape would probably be much better fighters than innocent serfs.
During modern times, many serious offenders who show signs of potential were sometimes conscripted as soldiers instead of facing execution.
Yet, leaving those trembling was dangerous, as fear could spread among everyone.
So, I approached them, deliberately pretending to be fearless, and said, “You foolish serfs! What is there to fear when I’m here with you?”
As I said that, the gazes of the serfs focused on me.
“L-Lord?”
“From what I’ve confirmed, those bandits are disorganized and of the same serf origin as you. Moreover, we outnumber them almost three to one. What is there to fear?”
Hearing my words, the serfs’ expressions relaxed a bit.
“There’s no need to worry! Furthermore, if you keep complaining about being afraid of losing to those ruffians, I will discipline you per military law. If you don’t want to be executed under the law, keep your mouths shut and stay vigilant.”
Upon hearing that, the serfs answered in a disciplined tone.
“Yes, My Lord!”
Soon after, a soldier belonging to the mercenary group came down and said, “My Lord! My Lord!! I’m Main of the Red Honey, and I’ve brought a message from Captain Helmut!!”