AWDC Chapter 51

Here, I will briefly explain the geography, history, and political situation of the Flandreuk Kingdom.

First, the Flandreuk Kingdom is a country with a distorted pentagonal shape. It has the Alps mountain range in the south as its base, and protrudes to the east, west, and north.

The central part of the country is the heart of politics and economy, with many industries developed. The capital Ryadra is located slightly northwest from the center, and countless ships come and go along the banks of the Mulan River, making it the center of the country’s political economy. The area has many plains, and agriculture is thriving, but it is considered unsuitable for wheat production due to the cool climate. The king holds great power around this area.

The south is known as a remote land including the Alps and deserts. Milona Town is located in the central part of its north side, and has the largest population in the remote area. Toriholi Village is located 50 kilometers southeast of there, and is a poor village with a vast desert in its background. This region is relatively warm and produces wheat. The Mulan River, which originates in the Alps, flows north, irrigating Toriholi Village and Milona Town, then nourishes the central plains of the country, eventually reaching the capital Ryadra, and further pours into the North Sea.

The east is a gentle plain, which is also a production area for rye and potatoes. The climate is cool and unsuitable for wheat production, but it borders the Jamahl country, and the logistics network is well-developed, making commerce very prosperous. The Midland family governs the east, serving as its guardian, due to their contribution at the time of the country’s founding.

The west is mostly hilly, with mines of salt, iron, and other minerals. It borders the Belga country, and disputes over the interests of this land have continued since ancient times. The Gregg family was granted this land for their military achievements in the border war 40 years ago. Since then, the Gregg family has focused on the production of salt and iron, generating great financial power.

The north faces the North Sea, with the Mandleuk Peninsula protruding greatly. The region was independent by a marine people until 30 years ago, but it was annexed by the current king. The North Sea is an east-west sea route, and the North Sea route is an important logistics network connecting east and west, and the harbors scattered on the peninsula are very busy.

It is said that the indigenous people of the Flandreuk Kingdom were a people who came from the west. About 500 years ago, horse-riding people with brown skin and black hair and eyes invaded from the east of the continent, causing great confusion in the western part of the continent, including Flandreuk. Eventually, the horse-riding people settled in various places and mixed with the local people. Also, about 300 years ago, a race of large, blonde-haired, blue-eyed people crossed the sea from the north, invaded the Mandleuk Peninsula, and conquered it. This race also eventually entered the central and southern lands, and mixed with the indigenous people. As a result, the Flandreuk region became a land with many mixed races, where people with different hair, skin, and eye colors live together. The language is based on the language of the ancient indigenous people, and the words and etymology of each race entered to form the Flandreuk language.

About 200 years ago, the neighboring Jamahl and Belga countries became powerful, and the Flandreuk people were divided and ruled. Just speaking the Flandreuk language resulted in heavy taxes, and they even lacked food. The land was not suitable for wheat, and crop failures continued almost every year, and ergotism occurred in the substitute crop rye, taking the lives of the residents. It is said that the population decreased to half during this colonial era.

It was King Gregory who stood up to this crisis. As a reincarnated person, he united the people with his abundant knowledge and outstanding athletic ability. Through war tactics using wit, he wiped out foreign powers. Just telling the story of his life would easily exceed several books. I’ll summarize it here.

The situation when King Gregory appeared in this world was similar to when Toma appeared. It is said that he lost consciousness on the street and was helped by a kind retailer.

After helping the retailer from thugs, he became like a bodyguard of the town, and was eventually appointed as the commander of the western mountainous region defense force. He defeated bandits and gained military achievements, receiving support from the people, and riding that momentum, he expelled the Belga governor. This triggered the war of independence with both Jamahl and Belga countries.

Gregory achieved a miraculous record of fighting 24 battles in this battle for independence and winning them all. The people, who had suffered from hunger and heavy taxes from other countries, made him their king and wished for peace in the country.

The king was excellent not only as a military man but also as a politician. He recommended potatoes and other crops to the farmers who were not suitable for agriculture due to the cool and barren land and suffered from crop failures almost every year, saving the country from food shortages. The Flandreuk country finally overcame the difficult times. However, his reign ended in less than 10 years. He fell ill at a time when the nation was not yet stable. He was able to achieve independence and build a foundation, but the nation remained weak.

It was after the current King Charles became king that the threats from neighboring countries were completely repelled.

The fourth from King Gregory, when he ascended the throne while still young, the Jamahl country took advantage of this opportunity to invade, plunging the country into a crisis of survival. It was defeated by the activities of the Gregg Duke and Mill=Robertson at the time. In this defensive war, Gregg, who was the commander-in-chief, pleaded with the king to put Robertson, who was the captain of the guard, on the front line. Originally, the captain of the guard had the role of protecting the king, and it was almost impossible for him to stand on the front line.

“We cannot win unless we fight as one, whether we are guards now or not,” Gregg told the king.

“Understood. It is the defense of the country rather than my guard,” the king acknowledged this and sent Mill to the front line. The defensive line became strong with Mill, who was trusted by the soldiers, standing on the front line, and the Jamahl army’s attack was stopped and repelled.

After that, 10 years after his enthronement, the Belga country invaded, aiming for the western mines. The number of invading enemies was estimated to be twice that of the Flandreuk army.

At this time, Gregg also became the commander-in-chief and began to build a fortress on a small hill overlooking the enemy army stationed on the plain. This fortress was a threat to the Belga army itself, and they hurriedly launched an attack before its completion. However, to attack the fortress, they had to climb a long slope, and the Belga soldiers were completely visible from the fortress. Gregg had this hill built to take advantage of the terrain, and the enemy soldiers climbing the slope were perfect targets for the shooters in the fortress.

When the enemy’s advance stopped in front of the fortress due to the falling rain of arrows, Robertson, the captain of the guard, fiercely cut through the back of the enemy formation, which had stretched out for a long time. He skillfully hid his subordinate troops and appeared very close to the enemy’s main camp, then led the attack himself, aiming for the enemy’s commander-in-chief. It is still told that in this warrior’s appearance, every time Robertson swung his sword, the enemy’s head flew off and blood gushed from his chest. The enemy soldiers were frightened by the eerie force, hesitated, and feared to confront him. The enemy general was terrified by this sight and ran away without even encouraging his allies. This drastically lowered the morale of the Belga army, and the turmoil spread to each unit. And Gregg, who was peeking out from the fortress, immediately opened the fortress, invested all his troops, and launched a counterattack.

The development after this was one-sided. The enemy army decided on a rearguard, and there were no more people who stood their ground. There were many who even threw away their weapons and armor, and they fled into Belga territory in confusion. It was said that only 1/4 of the Belga army at the time of the invasion was able to cross the border safely. Many soldiers were captured, and this included many children of powerful clans, and the ransom for these prisoners alone exceeded the annual budget of the Flandreuk country. The western salt mine, where disputes over affiliation had been constant, became completely the property of the Flandreuk Kingdom.

However, after this battle, Mill=Robertson, who had continued to support the king for 15 years and had run through the battlefield many times, died of illness. Gregg also died less than half a year later. It was said that repeated mental strain hastened the deaths of the two heroes.

It was said that the loss of these two was the ultimate regret for King Charles. It was even said that if they were alive, Jamahl and Belga would have been easily defeated because their national power had been halved by the defeat. The king had no choice but to miss this opportunity.

After that, the only achievement of the king’s territorial expansion was subjugating the residents of the Mandleuk Peninsula, who had a strong desire for independence.

However, gaining the peninsula greatly contributed to the national finances. The residents of the peninsula sometimes attacked and plundered ships that were heading offshore. The king strictly cracked down on this piracy.

As a result, safe sea routes were secured, and the northern sea route became prosperous. As long as they paid a small toll, the ship’s cargo could be sent out with peace of mind. Ship owners happily used the northern route.

There were several good harbors on the peninsula, and ships waiting for wind and weather berthed there, dropping a lot of money in the harbors. This money enriched the national treasury.

This story began about 40 years after King Charles ascended the throne. I have been telling the story of the king in his later years drowning in alcohol and women, but the original king was wise, raised the country’s power with a great reign, and expanded the territory.