「 At least the strength of their political system is nonexistent. Thanks to their council system, it’ll lead to squabbles and it’s unlikely that they will move for two weeks at the earliest. 」
While saying so, Hifumi rose. Origa, Kasha and Alyssa attempted to follow, but stopped when he signalled them not to.
「 Where to? 」
「 Shopping near the castle for a while. 」
Throwing up a hood to hide his face, Hifumi left the room as though he had not a care in the world.
「 Um…. 」
After Hifumi left the room, Alyssa opened her mouth. All eyes focused upon her.
「 About Hifumi-san, saying something extreme like crushing Vichy, but sending documents instead, seems rather gentle, isn’t it? 」
「 Alyssa-san, as a noble’s attendant, your speech will require correction. 」
「 Auu…. 」
Alyssa instantly withered at Imeraria’s quiet rebuke.
「 Apart from that, Mr. Hifumi’s actions are not gentle at all. 」
「 What do you mean? 」
「 Mr. Hifumi probably intends to use divide and conquer to capture the city states. As a result of that, now when Vichy moves, the troops on the side joined with Horant will be fortified as per Mr. Hifumi’s suggestion. 」
Apparently, there seemed to have been a discussion between Hifumi and Imeraria.
「 That’s what I said too, but the princess agreed to the confrontation with Vichy, no? 」
「 …. If Vichy isn’t destroyed, this country will be. Will Mr Hifumi be violent here and cause it to collapse internally? Or will the circulation of goods from Vichy stop and cause the same? 」
Imeraria sighed as though she had no options.
「 Oh, the great Viscount-sama returns. 」
Hifumi had made his way to the shop that the dwarf Thorn managed.
「 How did you know? 」
「 It’s on a bunch of flyers, a customer showed one to me. 」
The document that Thorn thrust at Hifumi detailed “the actions of the hero Hifumi in saving a woman from Vichy and bequeathing upon him the title of Viscount as a lord to defend the new border between Orsongrande and Vichy”.
「 Hmm, even the parchment isn’t of bad quality. 」
「 Apart from, that, would you like to make purchases…. or rather make another strange object? 」(Thorn)
「 How rude. They are splendid battle tools. 」
While saying so, Hifumi pulled out several pieces of high-quality paper from his Dark Storage.
「 Hmph. 」
Bad attitude notwithstanding, Thorn’s eyes sparkled with curiosity while looking over the papers.
「 What the heck!? 」
「 The dimensions are written there, as are the number of orders. 」
Blueprints for some tools and weapons were written on that paper.
「 Why do you want so much of this assembled? 」
「 If you want to see, come to Fokalore with me. The manner of fighting in this world. 」
「 Hmm, let me think about it. There are many orders, and the structure is quite complex. It will take around 2 weeks. 」
「 Do it in 10 days. 」
「 …. I’ll have to call in an acquaintance. 」
After that, Hifumi went to the slave shop once again.
The same doorman was standing guard. He took one look at Hifumi and hastily scampered into the depths of the shop.
Almost immediately, the manager, Uraru came out of the shop.
「 Hello hello, Hifumi-sama. Thank you very much for remembering this humble shop, please come in. 」
Led inside by Uraru, Hifumi sat down and mentioned the same conditions as last time, strength, regardless of age or sex, in addition to a new one.
「 It may be difficult, but a bright fellow is preferable. 」
「 Ha ha ha! Certainly, there won’t be many smart slaves… Oops, keep that secret from Origa and Kasha please. Well then, I shall make preparations at once. 」
After waiting for a while, Uraru returned and led Hifumi to a room with five people in it, of both genders.
Every single member was wearing simple padded tunics, all somewhat dirty.
「 These can read and write and count to some extent. 」
An embezzling bureaucrat, an accountant at a bankrupt hotel, various others who fell into slavery.
Talking to each one, addition and subtraction was possible, but few could do multiplication and division, it seemed to be the general standard for this world.
「 I’ll buy them all. Clean them up and get them some new clothes on me. Bring them to the castle tomorrow. 」
「 Certainly. Incidentally, why would you want educated slaves? 」
They call this level educated? (Hifumi)
「 Preparations are very important to fight to the heart’s content. That aside, are there slaves skilful enough with their hands as much as a dwarf? 」
Uraru respctfuly inclined his head to Hifumi’s enquiry.
「 Certainly, there are. 」
Exultantly returning to the castle, Hifumi gathered his girls [TN: I’m tired of constantly writing all their names] and explained their next move.
「 In 10 days we will leave and go to Fokalore. It will be a routine visit of village territories. War omits nothing. 」
Hearing the word ‘war’, Alyssa flinched.
「 We will prepare till then, but first is the military unit formation. 100 men shall be divided into 4 corps, with a 30-30-30-10 composition. The last one will be the military supplies corps. 」
「 Mayor..? 」 [TN:’輜重隊’ is military supplies corps, but is pronounced as ‘シチョウタイ or shichoutai’ that apparently can mean a bunch of stuff. mayor is what I’ve got.]
「 Huh?….. 」(Kasha)
Apparently supplies were carried individually in this world, a unit for cooking and supplies does not seem to exist here.
「 Well now, I guess I’ll have to explain. That unit will carry materials and food, and do all the cooking. For the remaining 3 corps, Origa, Kasha and Alyssa will be the commanders for the first, second and third respectively. 」
「 C-Commander, it’s impossible for me! 」
Hifumi lightly bopped Alyssa on the head as she stood up panicking.
「 The conventional methods of fighting are useless anyway, doesn’t matter who the commander is. 」
「 Any of us are fine huh…. 」 (Origa)
「 No need to worry. In any case, you do not need to fight your opponent directly in the beginning. 」
「 What do you mean? 」
While answering Kasha’s question, Hifumi pulled out a piece of paper and started writing on it.
「 If my expectations are correct, it’ll be a siege that will involve the civilians as well. 」
「 The civilians…. 」
Origa was unable to continue, the silence filled with the sound of Hifumi’s quill.
Chapter 26: Hush
Since their decision to prepare for war in only a short while, Hifumi’s daily life became quite busy.
He had to train the formation of the troops, prepare the equipment, design a strategy, and in addition read up on the documents related to Fokalore and its surrounding settlements after having become the new feudal lord of the area. He had to come up with the future political measures, too.
“Maa, what will happen, will happen. The problem is the unaccounted-for expenditures. The question is how to handle it well in order to avoid bankruptcy…” (Hifumi)
Monopolizing one of the several conference rooms within the royal castle, Hifumi, without leaving the royal capital by even one step, passed his time performing his official duties from there.
Today there were 5 slaves he had purchased a few days ago from Ular within that room.
The slaves, who were suddenly brought to the royal castle, were driven by anxiety while they were assigned to different rooms split by gender. These hectic and severe ci
rcumstances were also caused by Hifumi, who without giving them any kind of instructions, had them do nothing but eating a gorgeous meal and sleeping.
And then, on the next day, after having seen the listings in the accounting book of income and expenditure of the Viscount’s territory, which was delivered by Sabnak, who had been dispatched to the territory of the former Viscount Hagenti, Hifumi called for an assembly first thing in the morning.
“First of all, please sit down properly. Ah, not on the floor but on a chair.” (Hifumi)
He called out to the slaves who didn’t know whether such action would be fine and thus remained standing stock still. After confirming that everyone was seated, he distributed several bound paper bundles to all of them by tossing them.
“Well then, now I will explain the work you are supposed to do for me. Well, although that’s what I am saying, in a short while I will be going to war. In the meanwhile you will learn the things written on those papers.” (Hifumi)
“Ano, master … what are these?” (Slave A)
To the question asked by a single female slave in a small voice, Hifumi replied with a serious look,
“Those are the textbooks I made for you.” (Hifumi)
Hifumi had written down the methods concerning calculation by division, multiplication by using multiplication tables, percentage calculation, and calculation of size and volume. He also included a simple way of recording an account book. (E: He made a For Dummies math edition? Genius!)
Those were subjects which weren’t used by anyone but scholars in this world.
Because they would be mostly dealing with taxes such as poll taxes, he didn’t go as far as including difficult calculations.
Something like percentage was introduced by Hifumi for the first time in this world.
“I want you guys to work as civil officials in my new territory. For that reason, this is the least amount you have to learn.” (Hifumi)
Tapping on the documents with his fingers, he said this to all of them while surveying their expressions.
“Ci-Civil O-Officials? Even though were are slaves …” (Slave B)
“If I can use them, it doesn’t matter whether they are commoners or slaves. I only went to Ular’s shop because it was the quickest and easiest way to gather talented personnel. If I meet another qualified fellow somewhere, I intend to employ them whenever possible.” (Hifumi)
After having listened properly to the speech you could call an explanation concerning the contents, the slaves frantically glared at the documents.
They were worried what kind of treatment they would receive if they failed here.
* * *
The entire morning was spent on coaching the slaves. Afterwards it changed into self-study.
Quickly finishing his lunch, Hifumi left the castle and headed towards the training school in the back of the barracks.
Although calling it a training school, it was really nothing more than an excessively spacious vacant plot you wouldn’t expect to find within a city.
100 soldiers and Olga’s group were waiting there when he finally arrived.
“All units, line up!”
Raising a cloud of dust by their movement, 100 people straightened their backs.
The soldiers of each unit were already informed on their unit by official papers.
The first unit was compromised of infantry, the second unit of combat engineers, and the third unit of scouts.
Each unit consisted of 30 soldiers.
The other 10 soldiers belonged to the supply corps.
Up until now the division in Orsongrande was simply whether one was infantry or cavalry and whether they were nobles or commoners. Thus such organisation of troops caused bewilderment. However, Hifumi wasn’t worried about this matter in the slightest and simply ended it with the few words 「It works well, so we will do it like that」.
“Speaking frankly, because we intend to use the beginning of the war as training, be at ease and come along. Since I will kill the enemies, it is fine for you to just remember your own duties during the various military maneuvers.” (Hifumi)
As Hifumi gave such speech as substitute for a greeting, it obviously caused a commotion among the soldiers.
Even if there was a noble telling them to go to their death, that noble wouldn’t do it in such an easygoing manner.
“Hifumi-san, won’t the morale of the troops drop, if you put it like that?” (Kasha)
Having been released from the slavery contract, Kasha, who finally got used to the changed way to address him, smiled wryly.
The role of captain leading the first unit of infantry was entrusted to her.
“It’s fine. As it is often said, the will to act on something until death or to not do it, has nothing to do with having or not having morale. Especially since the combat engineers and transportation corps are positioned in the center and will be guarded by the foot soldiers, they will probably have a lot of free time.” (Hifumi)
Disregarding Kasha, who became sullen with such rejection, he started to explain to each unit their main duties and methods. Because of that, the second unit gathered close by. The other units were ordered to rush and dig holes while waiting for their turn.
With Origa in the lead, the second unit consisting of combat engineers assembled and stood in a line before Hifumi.
“Is there anyone with combat experience among you?” (Hifumi)
Because of Hifumi’s question, several people raised their hands. Listening to the battle circumstances of each of them in order, it turned out that they were similar for all of them.
To put it simply, the style was for the opposing parties to meet up on a plain, have their troops form lines and the let them clash simultaneously just like that.
Before the clash, each of the opposing commanders decided upon some kind of rule.
Among the engineers, there were some who participated in battles with the beastmen race. The beastmen surrounded them, who were advancing in a file, only to quickly strike them to decrease their numbers before fleeing the field. (T/N: hit-n-run)
Hifumi ended up being greatly perplexed.
He didn’t imagine the battles taking place to be nothing more than only such plain maneuvers.
In relation to the combat circumstances, you probably had to praise the beastmen race as superior all the way.
“I understand. Forget about all the combat experience you obtained up until now. Your duty is to prepare in order to win the war easily. You won’t hear from me such words as Line up in a row and charge.” (Hifumi)
“Prepare in order to win the war easily?” (Origa)
Origa, who stood in front, inquired in place of the baffled soldiers.
“Yes. I will now explain in what way we will be attacking the first town, so listen well.” (Hifumi)
From then on Hifumi explained to each unit what their duties were and which things they had to arrange. Furthermore he taught them the training schedule until the departure.
“Since I will only be able to come and see occasionally, the captains have to manage things firmly.” (Hifumi)
“Roger!” (Alyssa)
Although Alyssa vigorously answered, the soldiers of the scout unit, which she commandeered, weren’t in a calm state at all.
The draft was for them to promptly seize the information about the enemy’s strategy.
Although that was only to be expected, it wasn’t performed in this world at all.
While listening to the talks of their combat experience, Hifumi considered that the beast race may use scouting, but since the enemies this time around where of the human race, he pushed these considerations into the corner of his mind.
“Well, since I am leaving now, I entrust it to you.” (Hifumi)
Although he was a man, who before long would officially become a viscount, he casually didn’t take any attendants with him and left for the castle town.
* * *
The coming and going within the castle didn’t only inc
lude civil officials and knights, as it was the political center of the nation there were naturally a great number of high ranking nobles as well.
Many of them knew who Hifumi was and what he did on the day he came to this world.
Or rather, they witnessed his actions.
When they heard that Hifumi left the royal capital, they felt relieved for a brief time. Immediately after hearing that he would return then again, they wondered what kind of mistake it was this time for him to receive the treatment of a hero and become a viscount.
For the nobles, who were proud of their lineage, they thought of him as an intolerable greenhorn deep within their hearts, although they didn’t tell him that when they met him face-to-face.
On the contrary, they feared they would be the next ones to be killed by Hifumi if he heard of them speaking incautiously. Thus the topics gathering about Hifumi were only very few.
However, there was nowhere a person who wouldn’t be interested in receiving information.
“Your Highness the Princess, appointing the man called Hifumi to a responsible post is a little bit too much, in my humble opinion …” (Debordo)
Visiting Imeria’s office, a male courteous retainer performed a bow while stating this. It was a man called Debordo who was the second son of the Marquis Munzer household, which governed the territory adjourning south of Orsongrande’s royal capital.
(Truly a humble opinion, huh?) (Imeria)
Imeria almost ended up revealing what she was thinking as she watched Debordo while he was repeatedly criticizing Hifumi in front of her eyes.
By nature Debordo had a character that looked down on other people. Since he didn’t have the corresponding ability to support his father in his work as Marquis, he earned the rank of vice captain of the third knight corps, which caused his inclination to grow even stronger.
It wasn’t like the reason for that was his skillful handling of the sword, nor could you say that he was superior in his business either. Rather he was tossed into that place so he wouldn’t cause harm to his surroundings for the time being. As he hadn’t any experience as regimental soldier either and yet became vice captain just like that, he was under the impression that it was due to his excellent constitution.
Summoned Slaughterer - Book 2 Page 6