Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 23: Financial Crisis

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

"Earl, here are the expenditures and tax revenues for this quarter." Ford, who managed the estate's affairs, handed over a scroll of parchment with both hands.

Paul quickly unrolled it and glanced through it casually, asking, "Any issues?" Financial reports like this didn't typically pique his interest.

"Well... there are indeed some 'issues'. The situation is not optimistic." Ford's brow furrowed slightly, and he exchanged a glance with Philip, the Butler sitting opposite him.

Philip, responsible for managing the Lord's treasury, spoke up, "My lord, if this continues, our financial situation will become unsustainable."

"Is it because of the pirate activities affecting tax revenues?"

"Yes, since the late Earl's passing, apart from the pirates landing, there have been some lawless individuals taking advantage of the chaos. Bandits and river pirates have caused some villages' transportation to be cut off. Several of our tax collectors have been insulted and expelled."

"Especially in Frand Port. Although they are extorted by pirates every year, it's still our largest tax revenue source. Now the Shark Gang is squatting there and refuses to budge," Ford sighed in frustration.

"And this is causing us to run into deficits?"

Philip explained further, "Recent expansions in military recruitment and training have also cost a considerable amount of resources. Previously, soldiers were only provided with basic necessities and sent home after battles. Now, we also have to pay them salaries, procure uniforms..."

"And there's the purchase of materials for making new weapons, recruiting craftsmen... At the last meeting, we also decided to start building ships..."

Paul grew increasingly concerned as he carefully reviewed the scroll once again.

Clearly, some measures needed to be taken.

...

Following the last military council meeting, Alden Town had intended to "lie low" for a month to complete the full training of two infantry battalions before launching a campaign to wipe out the pirates within its borders. Unexpectedly, Intelligence Chief Cecil made a breakthrough right after taking office, discovering crucial information: the Shark Gang had absorbed the remnants of Quik's escapees and planned to retaliate against Paul by sending 500 men to show him who was in charge. Killing an Earl had inflated this pirate leader's ego.

With high morale after recent victories, there was no need for the Shark's men to come all the way to Alden Town. Utilizing Cecil's intelligence, the veteran knight Schroder led the army along with daring fishermen, intercepting the pirates midway.

Schroder used a small force to lure the pirates ashore, drawing them away from their ships. Then, with the main force, he swiftly cut off their retreat between the pirates and the riverbank.

After a fierce battle, leveraging discipline and the significant advantage of firearms, combined with soldiers who had already transformed after a victorious battle, Alden Town's army won decisively once again.

The pirates suffered over 400 casualties, including dead, wounded, and captured. The Shark Gang finally acquiesced and began employing guerrilla tactics, hiding in Frand Port and refusing to come out.

The Alden Town army pursued them all the way to Frand Port, only to find the city walls heightened and various defensive structures increased since their last visit. They didn't dare to attack recklessly but stationed nearby to monitor the pirates and prevent further raids.