章節 60: Unguarded Coast

[Let's turn back the time a little bit]

8th May 300 Paign Era, Napuna City.

Before the first prince, Niall departs from the capital and before most of the people wake up, another team disguised as a merchant has long discreetly departed from the capital in the early morning.

Nicholas I is looking at the sparsely populated port of Napuna. This port only exists as a stop for ships coming from Nedideters, Durbotes and foreign ships from Herthet. The impact of the war that happened more than hundreds of years ago can still be seen today. It is no longer busy and prosperous as depicted in history.

Their control over the gulf has declined so much that the foreign ship didn't care about paying the toll when entering it. Due to that, Nicholas I abolished the budget for the navy which caused a repercussion among the nobles.

But Nicholas I didn't care. Bagyarosia has lost its maritime superiority on the sea, its coastline was entirely blocked, and its shipbuilders were killed. The series of disasters forced the kings before him to focus on the land army.

"Father, I am going to set sail now," said the second prince, Niel broke his father's thoughts.

Nicholas I look at his second son with an affectionate gaze. Niel was his successor and his achievements need to be bigger than his elder brother. For him, Nicholas I prepared the best ship that the kingdom has called cog. These ships have a single mast and a single square-rigged sail, a typical type of ship the kingdom's merchants would use.

Since the kingdom has no navy, nobody will be suspicious. It has been a stereotype among the people that Bagyarosia owns no navy or battleships.

"Finish your job quickly, I will hold a celebration banquet for you." Nicholas I said to his second son while holding Niel's shoulders.

"Worry not, father. I shall bring Ryntum head to you." Neil reply.

"Hahaha, good. That's my son." Nicholas I laughed.

Niel then set sail from the port of Napuna with 5,000 soldiers. It will take them five days to arrive at Newbigle by ship. Niel leisurely sits on the deck, enjoying the cold wind in the misty morning.

"Your Highness, you will catch a cold if you keep staying outside." his attendant reminds him.

"Piss off. Let me enjoy this for a while. I rarely go out to the sea." Niel dismissed his attendant.

He was overwhelmed with a large pile of work his father assigned to him for the past few weeks. He knew that Nicholas I intended to make him the next king which was something he had expected. He would question his father's sanity if his father chose Niall as the next king. He is ultimately far better than his elder brother in all aspects.

On one side, the nobles had been throwing a banquet for him one after another. Niel still can't get used to that. He knows the nobles want to forge a relationship with him. The news about his father's preference is already like an open book.

On the other hand, it irks his elder brother. No matter how he emphasised his rightful claim to the throne, the nobles and Nicholas I tacitly treated him and his violent tendency as a mental illness.

Having to constantly wear a fake smile and conduct etiquette befitting his status every day can be really tiring. To top it off, he needs to face his brother's murderous gaze every day.

'Brother should learn how to conceal his thought. That's why you are not preferable.' Niel shook his head, dispelling all the thoughts. 'Let's not think about all those problems.'

This is his only chance to be laid back. He yawns and stretches his arms upward, trying to loosen his stiff body.

....

13th May 300 Paign Era.

The sun shines brightly in the sky piercing through the white clouds. Its rays reflect off the shimmering waves and the busy port below. The seagulls are flying freely in the sky searching for their prey.

Niel is standing on the deck, watching the busy port of Durbotes in front of him. He finally arrives after five days on the sea. A port which is filled with life is much busier and more lively than the capital's port.

Niel looks at the faces of the people who are at the port. These people are not the least bit worried that Ryntum would go to war with the kingdom. They must not have expected that the enemy's army had reached their port.

As he steps onto the dock, he senses someone is there looking at him. Turning in the opposite direction, he sees Baron Newbigle. Niel occasionally meets him in the capital by coincidence. The baron doesn't leave any particular impression on him.

"Welcome to Durbotes, Your Highness." said the baron respectfully.

"Thank you." He replies. Nicholas I already told Niel about the deal between him and the baron. "Baron, I hope you prepare everything that I need for war because I need it right away."

"Worry not, Your Highness. The rations, weapons and warhorses have all been prepared. I will send all of my soldiers to join your course as well."

Niel nods. "Good job. Let's go to Newbigle now." He can't waste too much time leisurely. He has a long distance to travel later.

"This way, Your Highness." Baron Newbigle shows the prince the direction of their carriage. As for the soldiers, his attendant will handle them on his behalf.

It didn't take too long for them to arrive at the neighbouring Newbigle. Niel takes Baron's offer to have lunch first while waiting for his soldiers to arrive.

Niel decided to be merciful once in a while. He told the soldiers to rest as they will move to Coreton the next morning. The soldiers feel relieved hearing Niel's words. They didn't think they were able to walk anymore.

The next day, 6,000 soldiers lined up in their merchant clothing in front of the mansion. If anyone looks at this group carefully they will find armour hidden behind normal clothes. Since Baron's mansion is located far away from the town, nobody will see a large number of people gathered except for the servants. They choose to keep their mouths shut because they value their life.

Niel separates them into hundreds of groups and lets them carry a portion of the ration. They are going to disguise themselves as a merchant caravan. They need to fool the people since Niel decided to use the main road to speed up time. It took Niel from morning to early afternoon to deploy all of their group by group.

"Why do I feel today the road is kind of busier?" said the head of the caravan. He has experienced using this road for years now. He knows which month the road is busy and when it is not.

His head guard replies, "Who cares. Maybe the merchants trying to make money in Bideford by selling rations to them."

"Well, they said war is the best time to make money. Hahahaha."

On the 29th of May, Niel finally reach Coreton. He was naturally greeted by Baron Coreton himself. No nobles in their sane mind would show such disrespect and let their subordinates handle it.

'Everything went according to plan. I hope the other two forces won't screw up the plan.'

He said to his attendant, "Send someone to find out the whereabouts of the other two forces."