CH 64.2

“Everyone, since they will become paralysed and will be unable to move, please help with their arrest.” (Wendelin)

“As expected of the Dragon Slaying Hero-dono…” (Lanzel)

It will become a Area Stun with a vast range contrary to the one at the rebellion suppression, but as there were no parts of selecting the range and targets, it was a job that entered the category of being rather easy from my point of view.

The copper mine was large, however the area with people was limited.

Even if it’s me by myself, I should be able to cope with it plentifully.

“I leave the help with the capture of the paralysed soldiers of Associate Baron Henckel’s side, the care of the captured prisoners and the defence of the retaken copper mine to you.” (Wendelin)

“Of course.” (Lanzel)

First off, it will take time to do that with just our members and second, since the costs for sheltering the prisoners is included in the ransom, there won’t be any problems if they can receive a payback afterwards.

Third, according to Burkhart-san’s detection, it seems that around 300 soldiers of Associate Baron Henckel’s side are crammed into the copper mine.

If all of them become prisoners, the defence of the copper mine shouldn’t be that difficult.

“Won’t you do something like occupying the territory of Associate Baron Henckel at this chance?” (Wendelin)

“No, it’s an unwritten law since the old days. It’s assumed to be an act close to a taboo.” (Lanzel)

At the time when Associate Baron Henckel’s side came invading in the beginning, they would have been able to occupy the rest of Associate Baron Lanzel’s territory as well, if they felt like it, but the other side didn’t do that.

No, it seems they weren’t able to do it.

“To the bitter end we are only fighting over the interest of the copper mine. Otherwise there would be no end to the dispute.” (Lanzel)

If they entered each other’s territories, killed their residents, raped the women, devastated the fields and burned the houses, then there wouldn’t be an end to the resentments.

In the end it took the shape of the dispute revolving around the copper mine.

It’s apparently the same for their fellow noble households who are fighting over other interests, too.

“If the dispute becomes too violent, intervention by the royal family has to be expected as well.” (Lanzel)

In that case they can’t expect a advantageous arbitration.

“The copper mine, which is the source of the dispute, will be confiscated by the kingdom or such. Back in the old days such arbitrations weren’t rare, it seems…” (Lanzel)

They are only competing over the interests with both households.

Showing such stance, they are preventing the intervention of another power.

Their patron and someone who governs the region like Margrave Breithilde provide help to the nobles in the same area. The nobles, who received assistance, help out with the stability of the area in return.

It’s been such kind of relationship since long ago, it seems.

“Well, then it’s the conclusion of the agreement.” (Lanzel)

In the end the Earl Baumeister household won’t be related to the rights of the copper mine at all.

In exchange the Earl Baumeister household’s side takes all the belongings of the Associate Baron Henckel’s feudal army, who retired from the battle, and the rights of the prisoners.

Afterwards the Associate Baron Lanzel household will charge our side for the money it took to take care of the prisoners they were entrusted with.

Since both sides reached an agreement, although there were some other minor supplements as well, Brier-shi quickly recorded it on a parchment used for contracts and the Associate Baron Lanzel household and me signed it.

Paper was already spread among the common people in this world, but there were many situations where they even now use parchments for things like such important contract documents.

“Well then, let’s get to it right away.” (Wendelin)

There are many places which have a similar state of affairs as this place here. In order to resolve it as quickly as possible, we decide to start the operation immediately.

“Are there any magicians?” (Wendelin)

“Yes. At the time they attacked the copper mine, there was a parson releasing fire arrows. But I think that it’s probably a temporarily hired adventurer, however…” (Lanzel)

It seems that if it’s the rank of an Associate Baron, they very rarely employ a single magician of elementary level.

According to Associate Baron Lanzel, there’s still no such news that a magician was made a retainer by Associate Baron Henckel. “It’s no more than one who was temporarily employed in addition to this time’s dispatch of troops”, he said.

“It’s meaningless since he will become paralysed alongside them though.” (Wendelin)

If it was a magician at Katharina’s level, it would be possible for them to resist the Area Stun and counter-attack us.

However, going by the evidences, it doesn’t seem to be necessary to worry about that.

“Are the preparations alright?” (Lanzel)

“Yes.” (Wendelin)

Once the feudal army led by Associate Baron Lanzel and the Earl Baumeister feudal army led by Thomas and Moritz make an appearance in front of the copper mine, the soldiers of the defending Associate Baron Henckel’s camp get tense.

“(Let’s go!)” (Wendelin)

However, that tension ended up getting interrupted by the Area Stun following right after.

Paralysing everyone who’s in the mine, they lost the ability to move from the spot.

“Storm in!”

Passing the order to both armies, the perfect occupation of the copper mine and the arrest of the paralysed Associate Baron Henckel’s feudal army begins.

“Well then. Can I leave the rest to you?” (Wendelin)

“Yes…” (Lanzel)

My turn has already ended. There’s no necessity for Associate Baron Lanzel to act as head of the army either.

That’s because he will steal his subordinates’ work if he butts in any more.

Accordingly, taking out a table and chairs from my magic bag, I invited him and his close aides to tea.

Wilma sets the table and chairs and Elise begins to brew tea with the tea set I took out.

By the way, Erw, Ina and Luise accompanied Moritz’ group as observers.

It was in preparation for the case where there are soldier which haven’t been paralysed in the worst case.

Also, Burkhart-san and Katharina sat down on a chair and drank tea as well.

They wouldn’t be able to do anything if they went to the mine anyway. High-ranking magicians are welcome if they appear at such tea parties.

That’s because the tea parties between fellow nobles are quite troublesome.

Erw has gone to the actual site as retainer. Even though they are my fiancées, Ina and Luise held back since their social standing is low and also headed for the actual site.

Given that Wilma is Minister Edgar’s adopted daughter, she remained behind and helped Elise. It isn’t necessary to talk about Elise as she is my future first wife.

Associate Baron Lanzel and his aides feel grateful for Elise herself pouring them their teas.

Klaus is casually partaking in the tea party as well.

There reason was that there were no retainer-like people on my side at this tea party between fellow nobles.

Although Klaus was merely employed by me personally, it was also true that he looks retainer-like if he’s next to me.

“I’m sorry Earl Baumeister-dono’s lady has to pour the tea herself.” (Lanzel)

“You don’t have to mind since she’s still my fiancée.” (Wendelin)

Once we put out stuff like the sweets and chocolates we got from Artur-san next, they ate them while looking very interested.

“I heard the rumours, but those are indeed delicious sweets. Is it alright if I also bring back some for the children?” (Lanzel)

“Please feel free.” (Wendelin)

Once we pass a somewhat larger quantity as present, Associate Baron Lanzel passed it to a subordinate soldier boy who is looking delightful.

“By the way, was it a sudden occupation?” (Wendelin)

“Yes. Back in the old days there was regularly strife over the concession rates of that mine, but…” (Lanzel)

Naturally the claim of both sides is 『That mine is ours!』.

However, since that was realistically impossible, they decided that the Associate Baron Henckel’s camp gets the northern side and Associate Baron Lanzel’s camp the southern.

“And yet there still dispute over it?” (Wendelin)

“Let’s call it a kind of venting…” (Lanzel)

When there’s something like a succession of lordship, the new feudal lord dispatches his soldiers and confronts the other party with the reasoning of showing his strength.

“Still, they properly announced it.” (Lanzel)

『This mine is ours! Wait and wash your necks as we will send our soldiers any day soon now!』

Half of it seems to be something like a beauty of style.

With that both sides dispatch their soldiers and confront each other at another border line. Each side sends 5 representatives and they carry out a contest of strength.

The winning side is allowed to mine at more profitable spots until the next troop dispatch.

“There’s a chance to get exquisite ore at the border line. We are able to obtain the right to mine there.” (Lanzel)

“It’s completely a scrimmage.” (Wendelin)

“It seems that there were more than 100 casualties on both sides when it became a bloody battlefield in the past. Therefore we obtain it with a contest without valuable retainers and young residents dying. What formed this kind of system is probably the wisdom of our predecessors.” (Lanzel)

It might be a smart choice since there’s no point if the miners die even if they get to dig at the valuable spots in the mine.

It was a surprise attack and a complete occupation of the mine.

Though it seems there were many places with the same rules among the other fellow nobles as well, all of them were violated. Everyone was bewildered.

“It’s the Margrave Browig household after all?” (Wendelin)

“It looks like it.” (Lanzel)

Two hours later Erw’s group returned and reported the successful capture of everyone who was in the mine.

Also, stuff like the water and food, prepared for a long confrontation, the weapons, living-ware, the rewarded gems and the money; apparently a large amount of goods was successfully seized.

“Lord Lanzel. The Junior Commader Fricks-dono has joined the mine’s defences.” (Erwin)

“Got it.” (Lanzel)

Associate Baron Lanzel coolly nodded like a noble to the report of Erw.

“The defence is alright. Associate Baron Henckel’s military forces are…” (Erwin)

“Yes. Since it was reduced by more than 80%.” (Lanzel)

As 300 guards were forced to surrender in the cage-like mine, it must be futile for him to do anything with the remaining war potential of several dozens of soldiers.

At the present time it was natural for the Associate Baron Henckel household to have lost.

“Moreover, we captured Associate Baron Henckel.” (Erwin)

“He was at that place!?” (Lanzel)

According to Associate Baron Lanzel’s information, Associate Baron Henckel wasn’t in the mine as he was taking command in the rear.

Therefore he is surprised to hear of Associate Baron Henckel himself getting captured.

“Did he come for an inspection?” (Wendelin)

“That’s probably it. I think it’s fortunate for Earl Baumeister-dono as the ransom will increase.” (Lanzel)

For the time being it was successful, but the road ahead is still long.

According to the map I got from Margrave Breithilde, there are still several tens of places with a similar dispute to this place.

Also, there’s also the possibility that Margrave Browig will send his main army as reinforcement.

Although they are confronting Margrave Breithilde’s main army, it’s also possible possible that they will dispatch reinforcements from another place.

If that happened, it would be necessary for us to oppose those military forces as well.

“Associate Baron Lanzel-dono, we will head to the next battlefield. Is the defence side alright with this?” (Wendelin)

“Yes. Even if Margrave Browig’s army planned to re-take the mine by sending reinforcements, it will be difficult unless it’s more than 1.000 soldiers.” (Lanzel)

The law that the attacking camp needs more than 3 times that of the defending camp seems to exist in this word as well.

And, even for the side of Margrave Browig’s army it’s pointless to suffer heavy casualties just to take this mine.

“Even for Associate Baron Henckel, if he considers the remaining forces, the best he can do is probably to maintain the public order. There seems to be a son who will succeed him, but he is likely very busy with ruling the territory.” (Lanzel)

Apparently among the ones captured in the mine there were the retainers who support the ruling of the Associate Baron Henckel territory.

Naturally that means a shortage in labour.

Also, the majority of the common soldiers were recruited from the farmers of the territory.

The possibility of the productivity and tax yields in the Associate Baron Henckel’s territory dropping was high with their absence.

It’s definitely “misfortunes never come singly.”

“As it is, we will defend the mine to the last until the arbitration.” (Lanzel)

“Then I shall leave the care-taking of the prisoners to you.” (Wendelin)

“Please leave it to me.” (Lanzel)

Once I leave the care of the prisoners to Associate Baron Lanzel, we start to move to the next dispute site.