Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king - Chapter 125

Chapter 125: Money problem(2) Chapter 125: Money problem(2) Apart from the obvious reasons Alpheo had listed when arguing against dismantling the military, there was one fundamental reason that made him see demilitarization as the absolute last option: they were on the brink of something great.

In most of the battles Alpheo had commanded, victory had hinged on the discipline and training of his soldiers-qualities that were meticulously drilled into them under his leadership.

At Saracena, his troops would have run at the first sight of cavalry, but the trust they had in their officers made them persevere.

And this was rewarded by victory.

This level of efficiency could never be matched by a levied army hastily assembled from farmers and peasants.

Alpheo had personally witnessed how his soldiers, with their tight formations and precise coordination, cleaved through enemy forces like a hot knife through butter.

In a world where most lords relied on ragtag groups of conscripts and irregular militias, Alpheo’s standing army was a rare gem, a finely-honed weapon that gave him a decisive edge in combat.

Still, he couldn’t ignore the harsh reality of the situation.

The amount of money currently spent on maintaining this elite force was staggering-and unsustainable in the long term.

Even as much as he valued his army, he understood that they would need to find new sources of revenue to keep the kingdom afloat without resorting to slashing their military budget.

Luckily, Alpheo had plans.

He had begun to think of ways to introduce new products to the market, hoping that these ventures could at least help balance their finances.

Truth be said, Alpheo’s knowledge in many sectors was far from comprehensive.

In his previous life, he had been a historian, he was not an engineer nor a scientist.

He lacked expertise in trade, economics, and the finer points of manufacturing.

But there was one key aspect of his first life that would aid him in the second : his upbringing in a mountain village.

In that remote village, many things were made by hand, and self-sufficiency was essential.

This gave Alpheo not just theoretical knowledge but first-hand experience in producing simple yet valuable goods, such as soap, agriculatural tools and even brewing alcohol.

These were items he had seen his family and neighbors make.

Soap, in particular, was a luxury item for many noble houses, and with the right production methods, it could become a staple trade good that would provide a steady stream of income.

Still, these products were only in the early stages of development.

Alpheo had already started working on setting up production, but it would be some time before they could produce enough to introduce them to the market on a grand scale.

For now, his immediate plan was to use the upcoming feasts and banquets to offer these goods in small quantities to the elite.

By introducing them gradually to the high class, he hoped to create a demand that would eventually trickle down, expanding the market and increasing his revenue.

This, however, was a long-term solution.

In the short term, they needed money to fund the coronation and secure the loyalty of the nobles, and that required a more immediate influx of wealth.

For now, Alpheo hoped that the ransom negotiations with the Prince of Oizen would buy them enough time to stabilize their finances.  Still, this didn’t solve the immediate demand for funds.

Even the ransom for Sorza, Alpheo believed, wouldn’t arrive soon enough to cover the costs, leaving them with two options: either raise taxes or take a loan.

“I don’t think raising taxes right after taking the throne is a wise move,” Jasmine remarked thoughtfully.

“We should at least wait a year before that.

The last thing we want is to rule over a city that resents us from the start.” Alpheo nodded in agreement as he leaned back in his wooden chair, the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders.

“I agree with you .

Raising taxes now would only stir discontent among the people and the nobles.

I suppose that leaves us with the loan.” Alpheo, by nature, was cautious about incurring debt .One clear example of how dangerous loans could be to king was Charles V.

Who even with all the kingdoms under him, and the great amount of silver and gold coming from America, they were simply not enough against the interests coming from the numerous loans he took, to fight against France, the Ottoman Empire and the numerous rebellions he faced in Spain.

There were no laws regulating usury in this world, and without any religious prohibition, interest rates could soar as high as 20% per month, forcing them to pay the entire original debt as simply interest after a year.

Luckily Alpheo was not in such a situation, as they had a rare advantage in their court-a man who would likely be more than willing to lend them a considerable sum at a much lower interest rate, given their current circumstances.

“I’m certain Lord Shahab will be more than happy to contribute,” Alpheo said with a satisfied sigh.

“Especially knowing that the ransom for Sorza will come through eventually and that he will be repaid soon.” Jasmine seemed to relax a little at his words, though her expression remained serious.

“Well, that temporarily solves our financial problem.

But I hope what you’ve told me about your plans to increase revenue is true,” she warned, her voice firm.

“Otherwise, we’ll have no choice but to disband your precious army.” As the two of them relaxed a bit, allowing themselves some peace, Jasmine finally broached a subject that had been nagging at the back of her mind for some time.

“When did you learn how to read?” she asked, her voice curious but casual.

Alpheo paused, his cup halfway to his lips, raising an eyebrow at the sudden shift in conversation.

He wasn’t expecting the question.

“I had a tutor about a month and a half ago to help me with reading and writing,” he replied, setting the cup down gently on the table.

“He was quite surprised by how fast I learnt.

I’ve been forcing my companions to do the same, but it seems they’re still struggling.” He chuckled slightly.

“Speaking of learning, I’ve yet to properly introduce you to my squire.

His name is Ratto, and he’s quite the bright and cheerful boy.

Sharp-minded, too.” Jasmine’s brow furrowed slightly as she thought.

“I’ve noticed him around.

He’s always near you.

But it seems like you treat him more as a student than a squire?” she remarked though it was more of a statement than a question.

Alpheo smiled.

“He’s a bit of both, to be honest.

The boy has a real hunger for knowledge, and if he’s trained and nurtured properly, I believe he’ll become quite an asset.” Jasmine took a sip of her drink, eyeing him thoughtfully.

“How did you two meet?

You don’t seem like the type to randomly pick a child off the street for something as important as a squire.

You could’ve just asked my father, and he would’ve given you a boy from one of the noble families.” Alpheo leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Ah, well, it wasn’t exactly a conventional meeting,” he began.

“I first encountered Ratto when he tried to pickpocket one of my men.” Jasmine’s eyes widened slightly, and she blinked in surprise.

“Pickpocket?” “Yes,” Alpheo continued with a nod.

“The boy was quick, resourceful.

Could’ve gotten away with it too.

But what impressed me wasn’t just his skill-it was how he handled himself afterward.

Calm, calculating for his age, and quick-witted.

 After that, I decided to keep an eye on him.

He impressed me in more ways than one,” Alpheo said, his tone shifting slightly as if he were recalling fond memories.

“He reminded me of myself when I was younger.

Hungry, both in the literal and figurative sense.

I saw potential in him, so I took him in.

Brought him along with me everywhere, and he’s surprised me time and again with that sharp little brain of his.” Jasmine regarded him for a moment, clearly intrigued by the story.

“So that’s why you took that dirty child under your wing?” “Yes,” Alpheo said, nodding.

“And I’ve never regretted it.

He may have come from the streets, but I have no doubt he’ll grow into someone important-someone worth keeping close.” Jasmine leaned back in her chair, considering his words ”Most people would have had cut off his hands, in your position” she noted.

Alpheo simply responded with a shrug, he was not like most people.

Jasmine swirled the drink in her cup, her gaze lingering on Alpheo for a moment before she spoke.

“You know, I realize I will have to marry you, but I know so little about you,” she said softly, her tone filled with curiosity .

“Where you come from, your past-who you were before all of this.

What was your childhood like?” Alpheo paused mid-sip, the question catching him off guard.

He set the cup down slowly, his expression momentarily clouded.

He stared at the table, as if weighing his response carefully.

After a long silence, he sighed.

“There’s nothing worth telling,” he said at last, his voice low and flat, as though each word carried a weight he didn’t care to bear.

“I was forced to leave my village when I was young, for the greed of some men.

” Jasmine frowned, her brows knitting together “Forced to leave?” Alpheo nodded, though he didn’t elaborate.

His eyes were distant, as though he were looking back at something far away, something he didn’t want to revisit.

“After that, I did what I had to.

Found others like me-men with nothing to lose, men who had been taken by life in one way or another.

We formed a band, worked together, survived together.” His tone was steady, almost mechanical, as if the story had been buried deep, rehearsed enough to dull its sharp edges.

“Later on, that work turned into something else.

We took up mercenary work, and, well… eventually, it led us here.

To you.” He glanced at her briefly before turning his gaze away again.

“That’s it.

Nothing more to tell.” Jasmine watched him closely, sensing there was much more to his story than he was letting on, but knowing better than to probe more,she relented.

Maybe in the future he will allow her to know more , but for now he did not.