Chapter 225: Mandate of Heaven

Chapter 225: Mandate of Heaven

Wars happened in winter. In agrarian cultures, winter was when the most people could be called to assemble an army.

Despite the season being immediately after the end of the bountiful autumn, farmers were never wealthy. Whether freemen or serfs, after paying heavy taxes to the nobles, they barely had anything left for themselves. Poor farmers even joined wars for money to get through the harsh winter.

In a forest not far from the Arten outpost was an imperial camp. Though this army was not formed with elite men, they still had over eight thousand imperial troops who were preparing for a siege.

"They have trampled and destroyed our lands! How long will we tolerate the barbarian's tyranny? Who are we? We are the guardians of civilization and His Imperial Majesty’s sword and shield!"

"Ooh! Ooh!"

Commander Vagna gave a speech. He belonged to the pro-imperial faction and was assigned to blockade the Arten outpost.

‘The barbarians are not familiar with sieges.’

The attack that was about to be carried out was solely Vagna’s decision. The emperor’s orders were to simply form a blockade, but Vagna pressed for an assault.

‘Blockading the outpost is pointless since the barbarians keep receiving their supplies from the west. If we don't attack, this is all meaningless. His Majesty would have ordered an attack if he were on the field. He just doesn't see the situation from the palace.’

Vagna had conscripted siege materials and troops from the nearby vassal states. No vassal state could refuse an imperial general's request, but that did not mean that they submitted easily.

"Hmph, look at these outdated siege weapons, how pathetic!"

Vagna grimaced at the assembled catapult. It was practically a relic that had been used decades ago. The forces provided by the vassals were also either sick slaves or criminals.

‘Once we take care of the northern and western barbarians, you're next, you damn kingdom scums!’

The long peaceful times and recent conduct of the empire had weakened its control over the vassals.

"General, are we really going to attack?" A concerned adjutant asked.

"Are you questioning my decision?" Vagna retorted.

"It won’t be too late if we wait for His Majesty’s permission. If, by any chance, things go wrong..."

"Are you worrying about losing before we've even started? Do you still call yourself an imperial knight? I have His Majesty’s favor. Dismiss your unreasonable concern!" Vagna shouted, and the adjutant fell silent.

‘If I succeed in wiping out the barbarians, which even Carnius failed to do, I'll be the next face of our military! I, this Vagna, will become the knight of knights.’

Vagna's eyes were already looking at a shiny future.

‘They might have bested us in battles, but we are much superior to the barbarians when it comes to sieges.’

Strong walls were a privilege of civilization and a product of a concentrated labor force in agrarian societies. Civilized armies were specialists at both holding and taking ground.

‘You might have broken through a few walls, but you have no experience defending against a siege.’

Vagna gazed at the Arten outpost. It was a fort composed of a mix of wood and stone. Though the barbarians had worked on fortifying it, it was feeble compared to the walls of civilization.

Vagna's assessment was also somewhat accurate. With an imperial siege attack imminent, many opinions were clashing within the alliance.

The tribal council of the alliance often had at least ten and up to over thirty participants. Chiefs from various tribes, big and small, voiced their opinions.

"Let's open the gates and charge at them! Are we just going to sit here and get attacked?"

"Abandon a favorable defense to attack? Opening our gates is exactly what they want us to do!" T/his chapter is updated by nov(ê(l)biin.co/m

"That's only if we're used to defending. What about when their boulders start raining down on us? Are we just going to sit behind our gates and take it?"

The Arten outpost had no defensive weaponry. And its walls were too crude to withstand a proper siege.

Samikan, who was watching the chiefs argue, rubbed his chest and shouted, "Noah! How many warriors do we have?"

"About five thousand. If we order a conscription, we should be able to muster about ten thousand in total in a fortnight."

The alliance had been traveling back and forth through Yailrud to the west. The warriors rested in shifts while stationed at the Arten outpost. The various tribes around the Sky Mountains were urbanizing, with people from different tribes mixing with others.

"Dear brothers, there is no need for us to be alarmed. This is actually a great opportunity for us," Samikan spoke. Some chiefs nodded, understanding his meaning.

"You are not a seer of the heavens. You are simply a spokesperson for my will."

Until now, Six-Fingered had manipulated divinations according to Samikan's will. Those who did not comply with Samikan's will were beheaded.

"I can no longer falsify divinations. Many other shamans are watching us."

"Do you think your head will stay on your shoulders if you give wrong predictions?"

"Do you think you can still have the heavens on your back after you cut off my head? Oh, almighty Great Chief."

Six-Fingered's sarcasm made Samikan stand up abruptly. He drew his sword and pointed it at Six-Fingered's neck.

"Is a mere shaman like you challenging my authority?"

"Me? How could I ever? I am just trying my best to convince you."

Six-Fingered subtly pushed the blade away.

'This sly shaman...'

Samikan's eyes glittered with murderous intent. Six-Fingered felt a chill down his spine.

'But Samikan cannot kill me.'

Six-Fingered was the shaman who had been collaborating with Samikan for a long time. Just as Samikan was the chief of chiefs, Six-Fingered ruled over other shamans.

'Without me, he can't control the shamans of the alliance. It would also be difficult to raise a shaman who could be his hands and feet during such times.'

Samikan relied heavily on divine proclamations for his authority and legitimacy. Gaining the support of the shamans was crucial.

"However, to convince other priests, we need good bait. Only with good bait can you catch a big fish," Six-Fingered spoke cautiously.

Samikan scoffed at Six-Fingered’s implication.

“Are you proposing that you and I make a deal? Hah!"

"Please make a seat for the priests in the tribal council."

Samikan's laughter stopped and turned into a frown.

"Shamans have no business in external matters! That is not your job! Are you shamans planning to meddle in the affairs of us warriors?"

"We became involved in those ‘external matters’ and not the work of the heavens the moment we forged the first divination at your request."

Six-Fingered was reaching his hand into politics. The alliance was currently governed by its warriors and chiefs with Samikan at their epicenter. Shamans were merely supporters.

"Those who do not even shed blood in battle are craving power..."

Samikan sat back down, laughing helplessly.

"I believe this is a fair request. It is not just my will but that of all the priests."

Six-Fingered closed his eyes and bowed his head, waiting for Samikan's permission.

"You six-fingered fool. Power is a double-edged sword. If you wield power, you must accept the corresponding risks and dangers. I have been your shield thus far, protecting you from all sorts of storms. This deal... am I safe to assume that this is your way of telling me you no longer require my protection?"

Samikan spoke drily. Six-Fingered could not dare to meet Samikan's gaze directly.

"I have enough strength to protect myself."

"Well, see if you can protect this power that you’ve gained with your petty tricks."

"I will take that as your permission."

Six-Fingered left Samikan, stepping backward.

There was a change in the tribal council from the next day. Six-Fingered and four other priests attended the meeting and intervened in the politics of the alliance. They represented not just their tribes but all shamans.