Chapter 353 353-Cotler's Thoughts
Catherine, indignant, berated the cavalry officer, whose expression grew even more irate.
Just as Howard feared the officer might resort to his whip again, the impoverished residents of the nearby slums suddenly began hurling pebbles and chunks of stone.
The projectiles hit both the horse and the officer.
Howard promptly intervened to prevent further escalation, summoning Cotler, who was responsible for maintaining order in Pist.
He sternly reprimanded Cotler for his lack of discipline.
Cotler, not daring to retort, turned his frustration towards his subordinate, striking him across the face with a slap.
However, Howard was concerned about the repercussions of this incident.
He worried whether the humiliated officer might later vent his anger on someone weaker.
Howard gestured to Cotler, signaling him to refrain from violence and to resolve matters through dialogue instead of physical action.
Cotler nodded in agreement, though his demeanor betrayed a hint of reluctance.
This incident led Howard to reflect on Cotler's character, realizing he was not the same as his father, Resarite.
The Cotler of the past seemed different from the present one, now exhibiting more arrogance and less of the affability and friendliness he was known for.
As Cotler left the scene with his subordinate, heading back to the cavalry barracks, his expression was stern, while his subordinate looked dejected.
The surrounding crowd, sensing the end of the drama, quickly dispersed, eager to avoid any involvement.
Howard personally knelt to pick up the fruits that had fallen from the woman's basket, meticulously placing each one back inside.
Catherine, with a smile, turned to the civilian woman and said, "There, your fruits are safe. Look how our king cares for his people. Had you not encountered him today, things could have been much worse for you."
The woman took the basket, her forehead's hair shadowing her eyes.
She didn't dare to look directly at Howard and Catherine, her head slightly bowed yet her voice firm, "This is the right we ought to have. Are we to be bullied every day until the king shows up? This is a troubled world, and it shouldn't be so!"
With that, she hurried away, a mix of panic and indignation in her step, without offering a word of thanks.
Howard sighed deeply.
Catherine, seldom seeing Howard sigh, asked him the reason for his discontent.
Howard, burdened with unspoken troubles, could only respond with another sigh.
Catherine laughed heartily, teasing, "You're so young, yet you sigh like an old man. You're the king of Oungria Kingdom, a renowned figure across the continent. What could possibly trouble you so much?"
Howard simply stated the truth, "The hearts of the people, even as the king of Oungria Kingdom, are beyond my control."
Catherine, not fully grasping his words, laughed it off as another of Howard's enigmatic statements, and they continued their way, leaving the words to dissipate in the bustling street.
A week later, Howard was engrossed in his studies when Cotler knocked and entered, his face alight with expectancy.
Howard inquired, "What brings you such joy, Cotler?"
Cotler replied with evident excitement, "Phrus has invited us for a visit."
Without waiting for Howard's response, he eagerly continued, "Your Majesty, this is a rare opportunity. If we were to visit Phrus on our own, we wouldn't get to see inside their military camps. But now, since it's King Frederick himself extending the invitation, we can closely observe how the soldiers of Phrus are trained."
After pondering, Howard found merit in Cotler's perspective and decided to accompany him along with Ness and Neplon to Kenisburg, the capital of Phrus.
Kenisburg, bordered to the west by the Earldom of Dutzow, might become famous in the future – for better or worse, only time would tell.
Upon arrival in Kenisburg, they were warmly welcomed by King Frederick of Phrus, a man of robust build and efficiency, his defining traits.
Beside him stood another man, his presence no less commanding than Frederick's.
Howard sensed something extraordinary about this individual and inquired about him.
Frederick laughed heartily, clapping the man on the shoulder, "Ah, Bismarck! I always said you were a talent, though some back home still doubt you. See, even the renowned King Howard acknowledges your worth."
Howard couldn't help but take a special interest in this man named Bismarck, a sense of intrigue stirring within him.
During the ten-day visit, Howard, Ness, Cotler, and Neplon closely observed the systematic military training of Phrus.
Indeed, it was impressive.
Cotler couldn't help but exclaim on the spot, "Wow, the land army of Phrus is second to none!" Neplon, thoughtfully, countered, "Not necessarily. I think the land army of Fran Kingdom has great potential too."
Cotler frowned, dissatisfied with Neplon's remark, "What do you mean? Phrus has a systematic military training program. What does Fran Kingdom have?"
Howard involuntarily inhaled sharply, sensing that a quarrel was brewing between his two vassals.
At this moment, Ness timely intervened, "Then where does our Oungria Kingdom stand in all of this?"
Howard laughed self-deprecatingly, "Heh, we are still preparing."
Ness glanced at Howard and then fell silent.
Just then, Bismarck suddenly asked Neplon, "Our Phrus can fight well. How about the people of your Fran Kingdom?"
Howard sensed the prickliness of the question and discreetly moved a bit to the right.
Ness followed suit, stepping alongside Howard.
Cotler, sensing he had an ally, eagerly pressed Neplon for an answer.
Neplon, being knowledgeable in military matters, responded at length.
Soon, Cotler found himself out of his depth and gradually spoke less.
However, Bismarck, with his adequate knowledge, continued the debate with Neplon.
As Howard listened to them for a while, he began to ponder whether he should intervene.
After all, they were in a Phrus military camp, and arguing whether Phrus had the best land army on the continent seemed rather risky.
After some time, Frederick, hailed as the Emperor, arrived at the scene and noticed Bismarck and Neplon engaged in debate.
Though Frederick felt somewhat uneasy about Neplon's remarks, as the monarch of Phrus, he had to maintain the bigger picture.
He sternly reprimanded Bismarck for failing to show proper hospitality as a host.
Neplon, understanding the nuances of social etiquette, quickly praised the Phrusian army, easing the tension.
Bismarck, taking the cue, shook hands with Neplon in reconciliation, leading to a conclusion that both the Fran Kingdom and Phrus had formidable land armies with significant potential.
Ness nudged Howard and asked, "If both Fran Kingdom and Phrus have strong armies, what about our Oungria Kingdom?"
Howard chuckled and replied, "Let's not worry about that now. Focus on the visit."
Howard, a man of insight, admired Phrus' advanced military capabilities and theories.
However, he was acutely aware that the decisive factors shaping the continent's future lay not within the continent itself, but elsewhere.
The Fran Kingdom, with its advantageous geographical position, had already commenced some colonization activities in the New World, securing territories equivalent to several earldoms.
Although their actions were somewhat belated, it was better than inaction.
Phrus, on the other hand, faced a challenge.
All its ports were located on the eastern side of the continent, making migration efforts practically impossible.
Successful colonization required specific conditions, and if a port was too far from the desired destination, colonization couldn't proceed.
Phrus' navy was mostly confined to protecting trade in the North Sea or at the Norsegard trade node.
Colonization was, therefore, an irrelevant venture for Phrus.
Thus, in terms of land forces alone, Howard tentatively agreed with the earlier discussion: both nations indeed possessed immense military potential.
However, when considering naval power and the opportunities of a new era and new lands, Phrus lagged behind the likes of Westia Kindom and Ing Empire.
In Howard's view, due to geographical constraints, Phrus had not reaped the benefits of the New World.
Compared to the overall strategic position of Westia Kindom and Ing Empire, Phrus seemed somewhat inferior.
After the ten-day military visit concluded, the group returned to Pist, the capital of Oungria Kindom.
Throughout the journey, Cotler incessantly praised the Phrusian system, urging Howard to wholly adopt their methods.
Howard internally resisted this notion but remained silent out of respect for Cotler as his vassal, refraining from outright rejection.
Cotler, noticing Howard's silence, continued to extol the virtues of Phrus.
He painted an idyllic picture of Phrus, almost suggesting that Howard should consider merging Oungria Kindom into Phrus' territory.
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