Reincarnated as the third son of the Duke

Chapter 52 52 The Art of Command: William's Strategic Insight

52 The Art of Command: William's Strategic Insight

Joshua hesitated.

"But earlier, you said that concentrating too many troops would—"

"Do you believe mercenaries and my elite soldiers are the same?" Sigmund's voice carried a sharp edge now, irritation seeping into his words. "To think you lack even this basic understanding!"

Joshua flinched, visibly shrinking under his father's gaze.

As he fell silent, it was William who finally spoke.

"The difference is clear," he said, his tone calm. "Even if mercenaries gather under a new employer, the total number of fighters in the area remains the same. Unlike moving an army, it does not create the same level of disturbance."

"...Exactly," Sigmund acknowledged.

"Furthermore," William continued, "mercenaries fight for money, not for loyalty. That may make them unreliable at times, but it also makes them less threatening to those who fear military escalation. A lord who would be wary of an elite force marching into their land would not react the same way to a hired band of sell-swords. Even His Majesty will likely turn a blind eye to temporary contracts."

Sigmund's irritation cooled.

His son had grasped the logic behind the plan instantly.

William could feel the Grand Duke's gaze on him—measuring, evaluating... perhaps even approving.

"Then tell me," Sigmund said, "do you understand why I am sending one of you instead of simply commanding Tristan to hire mercenaries himself?"

William gave a small nod.

"Mercenaries are difficult to handle," he explained. "If pushed to their limits, they will betray their employers. It is a simple truth of their profession. At the end of the day, mercenaries do not fight to die—they fight to earn. If the risk outweighs the reward, they will cut and run."

That much was common sense to any seasoned warrior.

Even in his past life, William had encountered cases where mercenaries abandoned their posts rather than obey suicidal orders.

Some commanders refused to acknowledge this reality. They demanded the impossible, only to be deserted in the thick of battle.

The truth was simple: mercenaries did not gamble their lives blindly.

"Bornholm is already in bad shape," William continued. "If the mercenaries sense that the situation is spiraling out of control, they will flee. The only ones left will be the knights of our house—who will, in turn, be forced to prevent them from running."

And that's where the real disaster would begin.

Hern knights, sworn to protect Bornholm at any cost.

Mercenaries, willing to abandon the battlefield the moment the odds turned against them.

A volatile mix.

No mercenary band would dare cross a direct heir of Hern.

Their fear of retaliation would outweigh their fear of death.

"And that, I assume," William finished, "is why you are sending one of us. Bornholm needs a front-line commander capable of keeping the mercenaries in line—one they cannot afford to betray."

A long silence stretched between them.

Then, Sigmund chuckled.

A rare, satisfied smile formed on his lips.

William had answered perfectly.

"Impressive," Sigmund said, leaning back in his chair. "You've covered nearly everything I intended to say."

"You flatter me, Your Highness," William responded with measured humility.

"Perhaps," the Grand Duke mused, "but there are still a few points to address. Not for your sake, but for the others—since they seem to need a more detailed explanation."

A cutting remark.

Jordi and Joshua stiffened, their faces burning with shame.

The meaning was clear—William grasped the situation immediately, but they needed it spelled out for them.

This wasn't just about the mission anymore. Their standing as heirs had taken a hit.

The bitter taste of humiliation settled in their throats, but they remained silent as Sigmund continued.

"Tristan has already hired mercenaries," he revealed. "But the problem is that he cannot control them."

Jordi frowned.

"Even with him leading the negotiations?"

"Yes," Sigmund confirmed. "It appears the mercenaries see an opportunity. They know we are in desperate need of manpower, so they intend to use that to their advantage."

Extortion.

Knowing that House Hern had no choice but to rely on them, the mercenaries were squeezing for more money, testing how far they could push their demands.

From their perspective, it was a simple transaction.

But from House Hern's...

It was a negotiation that could not afford to fail.

"And unfortunately," Sigmund continued, "Tristan is utterly hopeless at this sort of thing."