I returned to my small mansion only to be greeted by my expressionless maids, who were busy with lunch although I say busy it's just that they still have quite a few emotions under their impassive faces, such as the one that they always want to be better than the other, yes one takes the time to observe them, one can discover small competitions against each other, who sweeps better, who polishes the stained glass windows better, who cooks better, who receives the teacher better, little nonsense that makes them move from here to there in a constant hustle.
--They are like a hamster in a wheel...
--Hamsters?x2
The two sisters tilted their heads at the same time expressing their doubt, being unmistakably adorable and cute.
--Forget it, I didn't say anything… I'll go to the studio, let me know when the food is ready.
--Yes! x2
I escaped from the kitchen while holding back the laughter generated by her cute actions.
The Lira and Mirra twins, the Emboar sisters… I already count seven women although none is directly a romantic interest, it would only be a one night stand or a relationship of mutual benefit… old Patrick obviously wants to chain me with honey, if I don't go to the front soon it will be a problem...
--I have to earn achievements, earn merits and rewards, buy slaves and weapons a particular force... or just escape, stay or run away?... life is never easy...
While thinking about the immortality and futility of the crab, one of the twin maids knocked on the door.
--Is the food ready, do you want to eat here or in the dining room?
--I'll be down in a minute, serve the table.
--Understood…
The characteristic sound of their steps in a small trot could be heard down the stairs, a light lunch in the company of two pretty young women, the dream of many men but in my case it made me indifferent, the feeling of being watched, controlled and coerced to carry out a certain action slowly ate away at my limited patience, eating quickly and thanking the two sisters I returned to the study.
-- Ahhhhhh ... unfortunately I can only read the maps and simple words, but it's more than enough.
I unfolded a detailed map that I borrowed from the general and drew various lines of action, marking allied and enemy strongholds, bases taken and bases to be recovered, studying the map guided by the reports I heard during the previous day's meeting.
--Fort Rio Chico, and the forward base of Nortina, a lost base and one to take… both on the border and with a good escape zone. On the other hand, Red Castle and Bluestone Keep, big buildings with many enemy soldiers with no escape routes, a bad place… [I hope these guys don't send me either of these two]
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--Lord Zenit, I'm sorry to inform you that the Duchy has fallen into an unfavorable situation, we beg you to please mobilize for the counterattack on the Red Castle.
The high priest, old Patrick, gave me the mobilization order that I had been waiting for so long, but for one of the places that I least expected, the red castle. Along with the order, a general plan and a detailed plan of the structure of the castle, a traditional military fortress, high walls of stone and mortar, a single entrance and exit consisting of a large anti-siege door made of wood and metal one and a half meters thick. , six archer towers and approximately three thousand enemy soldiers waiting inside.
--Is it a siege or a raid?
--An incursion, we hope that this situation can be overcome, the fort of Rio Chico and the fortress of Nortina were recovered yesterday afternoon, the empire was altered and mobilized its troops to the red castle, so we hope that the hero can create a little skirmish.
"Is it me or do you just call me a hero when it suits you, old man?"
I can't deny it, but I won't accept it either...
--You'd better prepare a nice reward for me or this hero here is going to run into the demon army...
--Please don't joke about it, this nation is already on its last legs...
--You don't even say it... well I'll go and cause a disaster, remember your promise... good liquor, and cute semi-humans...
--Don't worry, this old man will take care of the small details...
--That's fine...but [I need money, I realized that a few days ago, I've already been here for a week and I've lived at the expense of the church, they pay for everything and I don't have any money right now, the good thing is that the war is a good source of income…]
--But… do you need something Mr. Zenit?
--I want the rights to the goods of the enemy soldiers, I will not ask for all the loot, but I want all the weapons and armor and all the possessions that the enemy corpses carry, I would also like you to recommend a good blacksmith, I have a good idea for my personal gun, as well as a market pass and tax exemption.
With the little information I've managed to find, along with the old priest's own lamentations, we have that the other heroes have relics of the magical age as weapons and the only poor underdog is me, no weapons, no armor just brute force that's all what I have.
--Power over the bodies and their positions, a trustworthy blacksmith and commercial freedom, I don't see any problem with that… but why?
--Let's just say I have some ideas, I'll also need an alchemist or a scholar if possible, no matter their affiliation is good or bad, I just want someone with knowledge for a few consultations...
--I see... I think I know someone but he's a bit of a lunatic...
--A perfect lunatic, that will do, regarding the blacksmith I just need him to be excellent at his job.
"The crown smith is the best in the dukedom, I'll call him."
"A lunatic scholar and a competent blacksmith, bring me those two and I won't charge you much for the red castle.
--Thank you, I have to confess that the accounts of the church have been a bit critical in recent years.
"As long as you do your part, I'll do mine."
We both smiled cryptically as the carriage raced towards the confrontation army for the taking of the red castle.
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A dense pine forest spreads around, about a thousand soldiers are grouped in their respective groups while waiting for the order to march to battle, all of them deployed among the trees positioned equidistant from the only clearing in the region, in the clearing a military tent stands a small command center, several men in shiny metal armor talk and discuss the move at hand, yet amidst the oppressive and creaky atmosphere of the meeting a man dressed in simple studded leather armor and Wearing chainmail, he is quietly enjoying a piece of fruit, indifferent to all the gossip present in the conversation.
--... [This fruit is great, it looks like a pear, tastes like pineapple, has no seeds and is very juicy... Oh! Brother, I'll get addicted to this stuff... if they tell me there's alcohol in it, I'll go crazy]
--Mr. Zenit, what do you think of the strategy?
--Eh!... [I didn't listen to shit, you guys want to take a castle without siege weapons, without catapults...just with some fucking ladders...you're just going to lose men, you want to sell your men to buy one and take the dozen, what kind of moron are you?]…Well I can't say I don't get it but isn't it too risky? We only have a thousand or so men, even if I'm the hero I don't think I can break that door like it's paper.
--We understand your concern, but if we don't attack now, by the day after tomorrow the rest of the imperial forces will reach the castle and start a campaign against the neighboring towns.
--I know, they already said it... [If you're so scared why did you wait until now, idiot!]
--We can count on your cooperation...
--...[If I can infiltrate, I can stage a skirmish inside the castle...if the empire's soldiers are the same as the dukedom's, I think I can do "Drop and clean table in a while"...Alright let's go with that!]
--Mr Zenit?
--I have an idea, I will infiltrate the red castle and suppress as many hostile forces as possible, you will give me cover no one can escape, all messenger birds have to be shot down... remember the bodies and their possessions are mine, you cover the outside I'll take care of the inside... I have an idea to take care of the imperials' morale for the day after tomorrow, tell the soldiers in the rear to cut down some trees and make long stakes, I'll need them later, we'll start at dawn.
--Yes sir.
When I finished speaking, all the generals accepted my words and orders, they knew about my little game with Brise's 250 soldiers, if I could disable 250 gunmen in less than fifteen minutes while only playing, destroying double or triple of that number in a little more than that time is not something impossible.
--Well, gentlemen, I'm going to go to the castle, prepare a rickety cart and a skinny horse or donkey... I'll enter through the main gate.
The men looked at me strangely before realizing my intentions and then gave a nod and went out to prepare the order.
--... [A lost farmer, a disposable prisoner, the easiest way in is for them to open the door for you]