Micky made his way on a supply cart to the nearest town. It was a sub-outpost of the Archduke of the northeast passage. It mostly ran supplies for the caravans that would be running through here… should a war not be on. Instead it was the armies newest supply base, co-opted, not technically forced or anything!, into becoming a supply outpost after the legates battle high. And Micky was chosen as the representative that was going to be delivering this news to the archduke. He was so [Dead], the legate really was taking it out on him wasn’t he?

Micky’s only conciliation was schadenfreude. He wasn’t the only nail that was getting struck, just a relatively bigger one that got a little more oomph than the smaller ones. He had heard that many of the centurions that hadn’t fought in the ‘final battle’ of the ‘tactical victory’ of ‘rockfall planes’ and even some that had were getting absolutely shitty assignments. All of which were conspicuously not in the legates own faction. A faction the legate was now pumping full of levies without even rankers to support them and promoting the next big victory before it happens. Micky shuttered.

Yes, all the centurions were now doing odd jobs in preparations. The battle lines were hardly redrawn as the enemy army had just regrouped at a nearby fallback point. It wasn’t even technically further into their borders but horizontal. Another problem was that they were now sending raiding parties into the kingdoms territory. Raiding parties that the legate wasn’t doing a damn thing to deal with.

As for the centurions? Well an example would be Maymay being sent out to pacify the local forest populace. As the legate had put it “If you don’t bring back a single spirit I will consign you as a traitor and have you executed.” fully knowing that it was a monster forest and not a spirit forest. Jokes on him though as Maymay was already working with the locals to beef up the trifecta and they knew of several spirit enclaves that aren’t so happy with the monster masters running the area. Infact, it probably expanded her own influence since she could likely annex some of them into her own forest when she constructs it.

But Maymay wasn’t alone. Or it should be said that those in the noble faction had the least to worry about even though it pretty much all ended up with “or you’ll be executed” or something truly inane like what Micky was sent out on. No, it was the prince faction that was having the most problems right now. They were being executed left and right for not following the stupid orders they were sent on to the letter. Fringe of military law was very much where this was placed.

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The trip to the outpost is uneventful. The outpost itself is also uneventful. With the name only being, the northern outpost. It was an amazing name, so wonderful, so full of life, so imaginative. The people seem to be just as full of life and imagination. They hardly react to the army swarming in. The gate guard even asks “what the purpose is?” Does ‘hostile takeover count’ as a purpose? Are you actually supposed to say that? Aren’t you supposed to dress it up a little with something like ‘we are here to voluntell you you’re in the army now’ or ‘all you town belong to us’ or something.

Instead the supply personnel just says “Supplies” and be done with it, typical. These supply guys are always so political. Micky continued to mock his subordinates inside his head. He didn’t mean any of it, it was simply his version of stress relief. The trip had been even more boring then he remembered it to be and now he had a tedious conversation to look forward to with the governor of the outpost.

Micky made way to the central keep. All the while he had his people do their own thing. A centurion was overkill for a supply run so he didn’t really need to tell them what he wanted and why. Hell, he didn’t even really know. Though he did make sure to load up on certain goods that would be useful. And as for them not being on supply orders? He just made those orders right then and there. All in the legates name of course, all with no specific address to be sent too… all of which would eventually end up in his forces hands, of course. After all, he was under direct orders by the legate, so the supplies were ‘necessary’ and very important. Even more important than the other crap he needed. Though those orders would likely be filled as well.

Micky found himself too capable, so he sent off carts to the local villages to buy supplies there for cheap. He would then purchase them, ‘in the name of the military’ from himself for market price after transporting them back to town. All above board of course!

But again, all of this ran smoothly with the people that were used to skimming the military in charge. Micky didn’t need to do all that much. No he was going to the keep and nothing was going to distract him…

Maybe a trip to the brothel? I mean, he was feeling very stressed, it couldn’t hurt? Fine, enough strategically waiting for the enemy. He marched up to the keep and had a soldier arrange a meeting. He had already sent a scout ahead so there wasn’t much to arrange.

Micky walked into the office to find it was kept pristine but with many interesting things, and trophies hanging around. Good to know, a solid worker, but still kept up with people. This would be good. Had it been a hardass or a sleazeball Micky wasn’t sure he could have gotten things done in an orderly fashion.

“So I’m here to take over this outpost in the name of the legate.” Micky stated with a wince.

“Oh really now?” Said the governor.

“Mmm, the legate has ordered that the closest towns and villages be turned into supply outposts. This being one already it was basically set in stone. This is also backed by the council so there’s that...” Micky said.

“And what would that have to do with the personal property of the archduke of the northeastern pass, eh?” Said the governor.

“He can take up proper compensation with the council, with grievance pay on my blessing. However, I am under strict military orders to take this outpost. While I am at it I also recommend that the archduke deploy several soldiers under my command to help with this venture.” Said Micky.

“First you demand my outpost, then you demand soldiers from the archduke? You do have some stuff down there don’t you.” Said the governor.

“If the archduke doesn’t deploy soldiers then how are we to maintain the strategic assets, eh?” Said Micky.

“Oh? I haven’t heard anything about this though?” Said the governor, changing his tune now. He could smell an opportunity when it was presented to him, or in this case a loophole. You didn’t become a man in his position without exploiting opportunity.

“Alchemical goldmine, I get one share, the count gets 9 and I am offering 10 to the archduke, non negotiable.” stated Micky. Considering he had an army surrounding the outpost, he felt pretty good about the negotiating tactic.

The governor sat back in his chair thinking. “And there are more of this?” He asked.

“There haven’t been any incursions into the forest by the legate. However, it has been discovered that the path through the area is in need of expansion and damage control...” Stated Micky. Not quite hinting without hinting.

“Yes, yes, and I assume that this mine was discovered by some wandering adventurer?” He said. Micky smiled like a predator.

“Should the archduke send enough soldiers to make a difference in the legates army then it would be possible that there would be much more cooperation on this front, I think.” Stated Micky.

“To the legate!” Cheered the man as he poured two cups of wine.

“To the archduke!” Cheered Micky as he raised his cup.

“To adventurers!” They both cheered together, before downing the cups and laughing at each other. The guards outside were sweating bullets wondering but not wondering what they were screaming about.

That was when somebody opened the door and stated “Sir we have a problem. It seems the Tubor’s son has caused a bit of a problem out in the streets, sir. I think the military is involved!” Stated the messenger.

Micky and the man both got up. Since the military was involved than he was the man to solve the problem. Though if Micky knew the military the problem had already solved itself by now…

Arriving at the scene it seemed that a small group of commoners were screaming at the noble scion. There was a commoner that was a bit bloodied that was protecting the other two. It seemed that the ‘Tuber’s son’ was attempting to take away the one kneeling on the ground. While their love interest was protecting them and their brother was holding the fort all on his own.

The guard were making it clear, most were neutral in this situation but there were a few that were clearly paid off and taking the nobles' side. It would have already been settled if the fight hadn’t spilled over to the military cart, knocking it over.

It was at this point Micky knew this situation was going to be over quick and he didn’t need to intervene. And sure enough the young man that was screaming at the noble had his head chopped off by a soldier. The noble started to laugh till his own guards and the city guard had their own heads chopped off.

“You dare! Do you know who I am?! What are you doing? You can’t touch me! Get away!” Stated the noble’s kid as the soldiers approached. He did not get to mouth off anymore as his head too began to roll. Yeah, you didn’t mess with the military as they didn’t give a shit if you were a noble. It was something the nobility hated. There were two things the military was known for. They always dealt in death and there was no other punishment, and they were dirty as shit, and that might be giving shit a bad name.

“You can handle this?” Micky asked.

“Yeah, but it’s going to be messy. The Tubor’s own half the town.” Said the governor.

“Not anymore, I own a quarter, you own a quarter in the name of the duke, cheers” Said Micky.