Napoleon of Another World!

As Daemon, Mary, and even Adrian were fond of saying, double the territory also meant double the work, or worse.

Little by little, everyone was realizing that administering a nation finally recognized by its neighbors, with all the paperwork and problems that this entailed, could suck the life out of even the most seasoned of bureaucrats.

With the end of the war many soldiers had been discharged and sent home with bonuses, rewards and in some cases public duties; the remainder had been reassigned to the large cities and other strategic places of Eirinn, ensuring good military coverage throughout the country.

At Solea, at the mouth of the Jovtan Pass, was the headquarters of the Second Corps; its presence had greatly benefited the village, which with the construction of Fort Jovtan and the beginning of trade with Saedonia had grown into a small town.

The fort and the camp outside the city had everything the army needed during its station, including a warehouse and a granary.

And it was precisely the granary that the five intruders who had managed to sneak over the walls around noon were aiming for.

They were dressed simply, even slovenly, perfect for going unnoticed, but each of them carried a large knife and a rifle hidden under his cloak.

"This is the place," said their leader, "That's where the usurper's dogs store supplies for their wars."

Two soldiers stood guard in front of the building, but given the seemingly calm situation and the beautiful day, they were more engaged in conversation than in doing their job.

"Sergeant, are you serious? Your daughter stays up all night making you lunch, and you forget it at home?"

"I'm sorry, it was a bad night for me too. My wife and I had to take turns staying up to look after the little one, so this morning I was so dizzy that I went out without taking the basket."

"Sven and Olsen just became fathers too, you know?"

"The Prime Minister was very generous in allowing soldiers to marry before they were discharged. Between the pay rise and the benefits for starting families, it's obvious that many of them have been eager to get married."

"You're almost discharged too, right? Have you thought about what you'll ask for?"

"I've been in the army all my life, and I'm used to it. I was thinking of asking for a job in the police, or in the courts."

At that moment, the bell in the tower struck noon.

"Okay, I'll go fill out the register. I bet my daughter will be here soon with the basket. I've already warned the boys at the gate to let her pass. If she arrives and I haven't gotten back yet, tell her that I'll bring her a dessert tonight to say thank you."

"No one else spoils his children like you do, Sergeant. What will you do when she brings home her first boyfriend?"

"I have two duelling pistols ready for the occasion."

The Sergeant had been gone only a few minutes when the leader of the intruders came up behind the other soldier, killing him with a single stab and then dragging his body behind some bushes.

At that point, he and his companions went inside, and while two of them stole what they could carry away, the others scattered the ground with oil and wine, spilling all the barrels they found.

"Captain, are you really sure that this is the only solution? Wouldn't it be better to distribute this food to the people?"

"The people are being brainwashed by the usurper's lies. Pushing them to the limit is the only way we can make them open their eyes."