Attacking the Capital

There was a man named Manyu.

Among the disorder caused by the threat of impending Ogress army in the council, he gave the Cordovan king a single proposal.

His words gave a change to the councils mood, which had thus far been leaning towards capitulation.

Although Ria had recommended that Cordova surrender several times, they had refused each and every time.

However, the army of twenty corps they had sent as their elite suffered a defeat before the Ogress army. Now, that army was moving to invade the capital.

Even now, if they capitulated and entered Ogress jurisdiction, they were only guaranteed positions as Cordovan earls.

However, Manyu proposed to wait.

Moreover, would she do the same for the kings aids and the other nobles?

And after resisting for a long enough time and showing off their power, they might not be unable to draw up more acceptable conditions for their surrender.

Then Manyu, the only person that can take command of the slaves, shall we remain in our country?

If permitted, this retainer will use his life

The Cordovan king nodded powerfully.

By the way, Fio, take a look at this guys papers. What do you think of him?

Fio muttered involuntarily.

Why would such a capable seeming person appear in a country thats almost destroyed

A situation where such an out-of-the-norm person appeared wasnt asked for, but it was probably ideal for a country.

Talks of Cordova using slaves as soldiers was brought to her immediately.

Those who earned achievements would be provided lump sums or land.

They were very attractive terms. Certainly, if Ria lost now, there would be no one else that could attack Cordova.

However, it wasnt something that could be assembled with just ability. It also needed leadership and legitimacy.

And to start with, Carla was not suitable for being a commander of war. Though she did have the charisma

As their first goal, they began their attack.

Preparations were everything for the attacking side in a siege. Even so, since Cordovas side had no where left to go, their morale had naturally fired up.

Long ladders were placed against the rampart, but they were destroyed one after another by stones and logs.

For many generations before this, it was thought that this was an excessive defensive strength built by that cowardly king, but right now it was demonstrating its effectiveness.

Five days passed.

Ria had appeared in her seat at the war council, but the push for a brute force approach was still huge.

It was natural for the nobles whose territories armies werent in the line of fire to single-mindedly promote attacking like that.

If they didnt get Cordova to yield and preserve their national power, they wouldnt be able to fight against the demon tribe in the Millennium.

But even with all that, Cordovas capital held impregnable defenses.

Attacking the fortress is a bad idea, but attacking their spirit?

She had spoken them calmly, but they changed her war councils course of action.

And so from the next day on, it was no longer a castle siege, but psychological warfare.

First, they mixed papers in with the stones they launched.

Even at this point, they werent treated the same as humans and werent allowed to apply as soldiers.

Even if they didnt rouse themselves and collect into a revolt, this would collapse some of Cordovas support.

Outside of the tall Cordovan rampart, an even larger hill was created with earth magic, large enough that it could be seen from the inside.

Because of this pressure, the Cordovan soldiers spirits steadily weakened.

Moreover, the Ogress armys area didnt look like an encampment, it had both a huge wall and a moat. Its construction had reached the point of being able to be called a town.

It gave the feeling that they intended on capturing the capital no matter how long it took. For the Cordovan soldiers that wished for their emancipation from slavery at the end of this battle, not being able to see how far away its end was filled their minds with gloom.

Similarly, construction that required a large amount of manpower had begun.

Even though it was both a huge project that required a large amount of physical labor and excessive technological insights, both existed in the current Ogress army.

Moreover, they would reward those working for it with extra pay.

While they were at it, they started to announce when they would be launching stones.

Naturally, when they launched the stones in that area the following day, other than the personal suffering, mental stress built up quickly.

The rampart still existed, but the citizens that were supported by the soldiers that came to defend them were defeated.

And so, it was a cruel strategy, but she would separate Manyu and the soldiers from Cordovas governing body.

Manyu probably should have cut down the messenger and discarded him; however, he courteously saw him off, passing the document to the royal palace.

The contents of the papers were severe for the royal family, yet awfully sweet for Manyu.

Several days later, Manyu was charged for having secretly met with enemy messengers.

If it were the Ogress army in that situation, Ria and Carla could stand up before them and encourage the soldiers.

As he was only called the existence standing at the topmost position of Cordovas governmental structure, even if he needed to be capable, he didnt need to show himself.

On a certain night, without any context, one of Cordovas gates opened.

Since this wasnt something that they had colluded together with them, unfortunately, they werent able to take advantage of it and invade the city.

However, this was probably the one last push they needed.

Papers with this fact written on them were launched into Cordovan streets by the catapults.

This was no longer the Cordova famous for its merciless officials. Its laws no longer functioned.

Even its military discipline collapsed. By removing Manyu from the front lines, it could be said that Cordova sealed its own fate.

A mere ten days into the siege.

Cordova offered its capitulation to the Ogress army.

Concerning this, Ria allowed the Cordovan royal family to leave the capital with their minimum posessions.

Immediately before that, something was taken from the royal palace by Casalian soldiers moving under Fios directions.

Fio placed importance of these bundles of completely valueless bundles of paper above anything else.

Reflexively patting Fios feat, Ria smiled.

Fio returned with a glad smile of her own.

The soldiers plunder was thorough.

Of course, this included food.

In truth, the Ogress army had diminished its military provisions. It was a relief now that the war was over.

Baron Manyu, having been placed under house arrest, was of a small build and a refined man.

With Cordova renamed to Cornada, Baron Manyu will be given the peerage of earl. Ill leave Cornadas governing to you. Work hard.

With an expression that looked as though he wanted to weep, Cornada Earl Manyu accepted it humbly.

Still, Ria felt this tough reign was best left to him.

Above all, Ria didnt want to do any more.

As for the Cordovan earls, they had lost nearly all of his territory, but their lives were spared and they were forced to be succeeded by their sons.

However, their names would never again appear in history.

So tired~, so tired~

Have some tea.

Ria finally drank some, stopping her baby-like whining.

She collapsed forward onto the table in exhaustion.

Fios face was also thickly fatigued. The only person who could really move around easily was Carla.

Every day, she healed those who were injured and became sick due to the war.

With her like that, many no longer called her the dragonslayer, but the holy woman.

Even though she said that with her mouth, Ria worked one way or another.

Seeing that sumptuous feast in her dreams, Ria did her best today as well.