405 – Siege of Polska (1)
After taking over Kurszow Castle, our Reich Imperial Army occupied the enemy territory in a single movement, almost without any resistance.
In a typical war, when a conquering army invades, they often stay in their castles and resist, thinking that their family, relatives, and neighbors may be killed.
In the case of this war, not only did it begin with the allied forces completely annihilated and all their morale and will to resist reduced, but I also completely prohibited war crimes against those who surrendered to the entire army. This also worked.
However, there were times when a defensive battle was attempted, and in these cases, as I have already declared, everyone was given the opportunity to die honorably, regardless of age or gender.
Of course, the wishes of those who cried out to save only my children and to save my wife because she was pregnant were not granted.
‘They may say it’s cruel, but what can you do? That this is war. And who are the people who pushed me to Warsaw? Aren’t they Allied forces? ‘They trampled not only our lives but also our honor in Bastion Castle.’
At least I respected the honor of those who chose to die.
Some people may say that my behavior is hypocritical and that honor is important to the dead, but no matter what the situation, wouldn’t it be better if I could die with at least some meaning rather than a meaningless dog’s death?
“Marshal!”
“What’s going on?”
“Commanders of other Army Groups will soon arrive at Polska Castle, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw. “He asked me to give him instructions on how to move next.”
Under normal circumstances, before sieging the capital of the Grand Duchy, we would gather them all together to share the progress to date and discuss future operations.
In that way, we will find the best course of action to take now and then move our soldiers according to the adopted operation details and plan.
The Warsaw bastards will have virtually no strength to resist the million-strong army I have led.
“Tell them to move according to the first plan that was given to them in advance. “After completing the setup of the camp and surrounding Polska Castle, we will attack the castle immediately.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“And is there anything else you need to tell me?”
“We sent messengers from Austria, Czechia, and Stockholm, who participated in the Allied Forces, saying they had something to discuss with the Marshal.”
I had expected that if I drew my sword and attacked the Grand Duchy of Warsaw, they would be frightened and ask for peace.
However, I thought that the first time they would come to beat me for my life would be at least after they captured Polska Castle and destroyed the Grand Duchy of Warsaw.
Maybe it’s because the spineless people are quick to judge the situation, or maybe it’s because they were pissed when they saw that only 40,000 out of 1 million Allied troops returned alive, but it was faster than I expected.
In order to protect the national reputation of the Reich Empire, it would be better to meet them in person and have a proper conversation.
“We will surround Polsky Castle without water, and we will be staying here for a long time, so set up camp and camp accordingly.”
**
Reich Imperial Army command barracks.
Messengers from countries that participated in the Allied Forces bowed their heads as soon as I entered the command barracks.
According to the original etiquette, they are also the ones who came to represent the Grand Duke/King of their country, so they have the same diplomatic status as me, the Marshal of the Imperial Army, so why do they do that?
‘I will admit that the Empire is very strong, so please have mercy on me.’
This is how you send a signal to me.
However, I have no intention of easily forgiving those who are the enemies of those who fought and died bravely in Bastion Castle, including Randel.
But since they bowed first, it would be right for me to go out in a somewhat arrogant manner and fight back.
“This is Marquis Peter Jaeger, Marshal of the Reich Army. “What business have you all come here for today?”
To those words, the lion of the Kingdom of Stockholm, who seemed to be the oldest here, answered on behalf of everyone else.
“This is Marquis Hansen von Gerch, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Stockholm. Today I came to sign a peace treaty with the Reich Empire. We will admit our defeat. “I hope that a peace agreement can be concluded on generous terms.”
“I have no authority to discuss peace with you. “Why not contact the Reich Foreign Ministry?”
With those words, the Stockholm ambassador took out a royal decree with His Majesty’s seal from his pocket.
When I opened the seal and read the contents, this was written inside.
‘All military authority in the Reich Empire was entrusted to Peter Jaeger, and peace negotiations with countries at war were also a soldier’s duty, so consult with him.’
“Confirmed. Surely, these peace negotiations can be discussed with me at the current time. Okay, so what are the conditions you propose?”
“Each country will pay two duchies and 400,000 gold each as compensation.”
There are at least about 300,000 people living in one duchy, so if we can end this war, they will hand over at least 600,000 people and their homes.
“Stop talking nonsense.”
“How about 500,000 gold for 3 duchys?”
If you were to tear off three duchies after winning a normal war, you could say that you were tearing off so many that your stomach would burst and you would die.
In this war, our forces have just achieved an unprecedented victory.
Furthermore, they are afraid of our empire and have come to beat us in the head to save us, so we can’t end it by just receiving 3 duchys each.
When I think about Randel and those who died in Bastion Castle, even if I can’t destroy them, it’s not enough to get even one finger from them.
Wouldn’t it be appropriate to get at least one arm and one leg?
I held out my hand and said.
“700,000 Gold for 6 duchys.”
Han Sen and others began to stutter in confusion, perhaps because they thought this was such an absurd demand.
“If there are 6 duchies, the number of people and citizens living there is well over 2 million!”
“Although we suffered a crushing defeat, our territory is intact.”
“After destroying Warsaw, what guarantee can we give that even if they turn their arrows at us, we will not be able to stop the imperial army if we strengthen our defenses?”
I sneered and laughed at them.
“Look, let me just be honest.”
“What do you mean to be honest?”
“Do you really have the confidence to stop it if I conscript a million Reich troops and attack them? Or do you think you too will end up like the Grand Duchy of Warsaw?”
“……”
When I touched my marshal’s commander’s badge, which symbolized the military authority of the Imperial Army, and placed it on the shoulder of the Stockholm Kingdom’s ambassador, he began to tremble.
It’s not like I had any intention of killing them, but it seems cute that they’re so scared.
“I am not afraid at all whether you join forces or do anything. “I mean this.”
Not only that, but the military power of those three countries has hit rock bottom after experiencing the bad news of the Allied Forces being annihilated by our imperial army.
According to what I heard from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I heard that in the aftermath of my massacre, many noble families became extinct because their heads were changed or there was no one to take over.
So what can these people who are politically unstable and have no proper military power do? If you mess around, you should go out and die.
“No, let’s just not conclude peace negotiations or anything like that. “Go back and prepare to fight hard in your country.”
When the negotiations were completely abandoned, everyone’s faces, including the Stockholm ambassador, crumpled.
I patted each and every one of them on the shoulder.
Then a look of astonishment appeared on their faces.
His eyes were shaking wildly, and the representative of Czechia looked at me with his mouth open.
“Fight with honor. Just as the 52,000 soldiers from Bastion did. However, the difference is that you and your country will never be safe.”
“……”
“Not only you, but even women, boys, and even babies who have just started walking will have to hold weapons in their fern-sized hands and resist. Otherwise, we won’t be able to survive the wrath of those who survived Bastion.”
After giving that warning, I sat down in my seat, took a sip of tea, and spoke leisurely.
“I have high expectations inside. How much resistance will you be able to resist, and whether there will be someone like Major General Landel who has the indomitable spirit to cut down the enemy with only willpower even if his whole body is broken and he cannot move? Otherwise, you don’t even put up any resistance and just open the gates and beg for help like I did in the countless castles I’ve seen on my way through Warsaw.”
Ambassador Hansen changed his attitude after hearing what I said.
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“Okay, then 4 duchies!!”
I ignored those words and walked away.
“Oh, there is something I want to show you in person before we negotiate peace. You guys would have missed it too. How the Warsaw nobility and the Imperial Army, thirsty for the blood of the Warsaw people, fight to honor the souls of those who died in the Bastion. After watching that, let’s talk slowly.”