The Tale of the Nation That Banished the Saint - Chapter 16

Episode 16: Chaos in the Zopondort Territory

Zopondort has been killed.

We need to carefully confirm the truth of this information and assess the situation on the ground.

However, with Zopondort dead, their side must be in extreme turmoil.

It’s difficult to predict how things will unfold from here.

To prepare for any outcome, we should proceed with replenishing supplies from Alderan’s territory.

Five days have passed since the news of Zopondort’s death.

I’ll summarize the reports provided by the Information Guild so far.

The Zopondort army, without its leader, naturally dispersed and fell apart.

Dispersed nobles and soldiers are fleeing back to their homelands or bases.

In some areas, they’ve become prey to the widespread peasant rebellion.

The peasant-led rebel army that took down Zopondort has occupied the now-empty Zopondort Castle and started looting and massacring.

They looted the valuables in the castle and killed any remaining servants.

We’ve started receiving messengers from nobles within Zopondort’s territory seeking refuge and protection. It’s clear that they are beyond considering rebellion now.

We attempted to send messengers to communicate with the rebel army occupying Zopondort Castle, but they were driven away with arrows.

It seems they have no intention of negotiating with us.

Information from the assassination guild indicates that factions are forming within the rebel army over future plans and leadership.

The rebel army itself is not stable, and we currently have no means of intervening.

As for notable movements among the nobles—

Zopondort’s spouse and their children fled the castle and arrived here for some reason.

They arrogantly demanded protection and demanded that we quickly suppress the peasants. We captured them and sent them as prisoners of war to the royal capital.

Separately, a messenger from a local lord claiming to be Zopondort’s brother came, expressing submission to me.

Given Zopondort’s status as a major noble, they have many relatives.

Zopondort’s brother—

He’s one of the few who managed to maintain control over his territory amidst this chaos.

He must be reasonably capable.

And considering the future governance of this area, it’s convenient to cooperate with him.

I decided to join forces with him.

Eventually, he will likely govern this eastern territory.

Before the four major noble families entered the kingdom’s umbrella, each of them claimed independence as kings. Therefore, for political reasons, it’s necessary to have someone from Zopondort’s lineage govern this eastern territory.

If I continue to hold onto this territory, it will provoke opposition from other major nobles.

Eventually, they will fear their own territories being taken over.

By having someone from Zopondort’s lineage as a close associate and entrusting them with the future, we can avoid unnecessary turmoil.

Ten days have passed since Zopondort’s death.

The rebel army is now led by a man named Robdo, who seems to have taken control internally.

Robdo has declared himself the new king of the Leesluggdo Kingdom and has begun sending summons to the nobles within his territory.

He demands they come and pay homage to him as the new king.

During the visit, they are to provide taxes and soldiers.

The taxes for nobles are set at fifty percent of their respective harvest yields, and failure to pay will result in confiscation of their property.

Additionally, he is demanding fifty percent taxes from the peasants within Zopondort’s former domain.

In the Leesluggdo Kingdom, taxes are collected twice a year, in spring and autumn, based on each harvest yield.

For the king’s direct territory, they are required to pay thirty percent of their harvest yield equivalent in coins.

Other noble territories have similar tax rates.

Zopondort’s former domain had a tax rate of sixty percent, so there’s been some reduction.

However, demanding taxes again right after paying the spring taxes is impossible. It’s out of the question to demand taxes from nobles. The outrageous tax imposed on peasants is likely intended to extract blood money from those who can’t pay.

The demand for taxes from the nobles—

It seems clear from the beginning that they have no intention of incorporating nobles into the rebel army.

If this man Robdo is left alone, he’ll only sow more chaos in this country than Zopondort ever did. We need to deal with him urgently.

Messengers from Robdo also came to me.

They demanded I surrender peacefully.

If I comply, they’ll spare my life and the lives of my subordinates.

Well then—

I ordered the messenger to be cut down on the spot.

Seeing the messenger being executed, Robdo’s envoy hastily fled back.

“Now, if they come to attack, that’d be helpful…”

Expanding the chaos within the territory will only lead to more disorder, but attacking the enemy entrenched in the castle will result in significant casualties and take time.

I want Robdo to attack us, so I tried provoking them.

—If they attack now, it would be helpful.

Three days after killing the messenger—

Word came that Robdo had led his entire army in mobilization and set out.

It seems a battle is imminent this time.