Persuading Him to Surrender

The chilly drizzle of early autumn fell over the military camp outside Red Waterwheel Village. The veterans gazed gloomily up at the sky, hoping it would stop raining, or the muddy roads would bring endless trouble.

The poor weather did nothing to stop the soldiers from eating breakfast.

The embers of the campfires sent up wisps of smoke, rising slowly alongside the steam from the pots. Salt pork, black bread, and whatever vegetables the men had managed to scrounge were stewed together, stirred well, and served up in a bowl for each man.

In the King's tent nearby, Rudolf slurped sour cabbage and beef noodles from a plate as he listened to Pistol outline the day's plans.

The minor nobles would begin deploying today, supposedly to conduct armed reconnaissance and scout the roads for the main army.

The army of the Duchy of Bayern had completed that work long ago. Now they needed to "double-check" it.

Reiner ate shrimp noodles nearby, listening in silence and leaving them to it.

Count Ranke ate his noodles with red tomato sauce and minced meat slowly, chewing each mouthful carefully. He listened without a word, seemingly preoccupied.

He looked at the castle marked on the map, then thought of the King's lingering concerns over splitting up the army. He also felt that, as the King's chief strategist, he had yet to distinguish himself in this campaign. An idea quietly took root in his mind.

When Pistol finished his report, the only sound in the tent was that of people eating noodles. Ranke spoke up.

His voice held its usual composure. "Your Majesty, I believe the cost of storming Florensburg could be difficult to estimate."

Rudolf and the others turned to look at him. Quite a few guessed what he had in mind.

"Oh? What