Chapter 124: Chapter 45: Unstable Rear! The Duke at Death’s Door Who could have thought?
After Clegane was knighted, the first to rise and soar would actually be a defeated captive of theirs.
That was the Barbarian Foreign Legion after all!
Anyone with a little knowledge of the empire’s history knows that they are a truly regular army. Some of the lords within the empire, who wielded their forces with arrogance, depended on the Barbarian Foreign Legion to ascend. Moreover, the Barbarian Foreign Legion only pledges loyalty to one person, ignoring everyone else. Even if they later proclaim themselves king, the Barbarian Foreign Legion remains a loyal force.
The rebellion of the Gaul Empire in the third century was supported by the barbarian armies.
Galavin is a smart person.
When Duncan left his troops to garrison Portchester Castle, he began reorganizing the Barbarian Foreign Legion.
With this wave of epic victory, Duncan captured about three thousand troops from the Barbarian Race, mostly ordinary infantry. Galavin could have recruited many to form the Barbarian Foreign Legion, but he stopped after recruiting about five hundred people.
The reason is simple.
Duncan currently has three armies. The first tier is his foundational force, the Exile Legion, numbering about six to seven hundred. The second tier is the Duke of Dingtiger’s forces, numerically superior, with a mélange of British mixed legions, auxiliary troops, and militias totaling two to three thousand people. The third tier is the Barbarian Foreign Legion assembled by Galavin.
Galavin didn’t want and dared not let his Barbarian Foreign Legion outnumber the Exile Legion.
"This guy is a talent worthy of special cultivation."
Duncan indeed felt like he had discovered a treasure, and it seems Galavin had received a good education, likely due to his family background.
How should one describe this feeling?
Once, while playing the Total War series, the family had no outstanding generals, and a rebellion was being crushed by a commandless force. After the battle, suddenly a prompt announced the discovery of a wild general with two or three stars in leadership ability.
Galavin’s strength is average, but his courage far exceeds others.
Now, Duncan’s directly controlled troops number over twelve hundred, and nominally, the Duke of Dingtiger’s army is still loyal to him. If a real conflict arises, most are likely to side with Duncan.
There’s no choice. Duncan’s martial prowess, legendary status, and renown are well-spread; those soldiers know who to follow!
However, Duncan originally leveraged the power of the Duke of Dingtiger. As long as the Duke knows how to act appropriately, Duncan won’t trouble him. After all, he’s just a duke of Great Britain, with a territory of one or two counties. Duncan can grant him one.
Duncan has a lot to handle next, but luckily, with the assistance of the Crow Queen Triss, Anya, and Severus, the seized territories have finally been stabilized.
"It feels like I can’t blindly expand for now."
"I’ve risen to power too quickly, and the conquered areas haven’t been fully assimilated, especially these Saxon captives, who remain a burden unless thoroughly assimilated."
As a lord, Duncan needs to manage his domain, appoint officials, prepare provisions, reclaim wasteland, etc. The management methods of the Saxon pirates were very crude and brutal: the land was rewarded to the army, and the captured Britons were turned into slaves for cultivation.
But Duncan cannot do this; he must fully incorporate the territories of Devon, Dorset, and Hampshire.
"This war isn’t over just because the Saxons are defeated."
"Even if I drive back the Anglo-Saxons and reclaim all of Great Britain, I still have to face their near-century-long coastal raids."
"Their base is in Germania; the more territory I conquer, the more places I need to defend."
As it’s often said.
Conquering is easy, but defending is a headache.
The entire Great Britain is goddamn coastline. A Saxon pirate ship could land anywhere. If they pillage a town or village and flee, Duncan would be utterly exhausted.
"Building high walls, amassing provisions, delaying kingship."
Duncan immediately remembered a saying from the Ming Dynasty. His most important task now is to assimilate the Saxon captives, reorganize the Barbarian Foreign Legion, and then migrate more exiles to Great Britain, thus stabilizing his foundation further.
Suddenly, a hurried sound of footsteps could be heard.
Outside the tent, the figures of Anya and Severus appeared simultaneously. The two exchanged glances, seemingly both with important matters at hand.
Severus was the first to speak: "The envoy from the Kingdom of Kent has arrived!"
"They want to negotiate peace!"
Negotiate peace?
Have they been scared?
Duncan exchanged a glance with the Crow Queen Triss and then looked at Anya before him, asking, "What happened?"
Anya was pondering what Severus had just said. After a moment’s hesitation, she replied, "The Duke of Dingtiger’s condition has worsened."
"It’s said he can no longer get out of bed or speak!"
What?!
Wasn’t it just two days ago that he personally killed a couple of castle guards with his sword?
How did his condition suddenly worsen today?
Severus had clearly checked his wounds. They were not life-threatening, and with proper medication and rest for one or two months, he would be fine.
Duncan and Triss looked at each other, both turning their gaze to Anya in front of them.
No way!
You two exchanged a glance, and then stared at me, why?
Feeling a bit aggrieved, Anya softly said, "It wasn’t me."
"Even though I bribed his guards planning to eliminate him one day if he disobeys, it’s impossible to be now."