Castle Properties

Regarding the division of the Milhouse earldom, it essentially means that both sides will each occupy half of the territory and establish separate capitals.

However, Arendse was willing to lend money to Schmalen to build another castle at the other end of the town.

In this way, the effect of Damian occupying the castle is greatly diminished. In fact, since the town is under Schmalen's control, Damian's castle will have to rely on external supplies, putting him at a disadvantage.

"Your wisdom is truly superior!" Schmalen couldn't help but admire.

Maged's willingness to fund was actually just a way to let Schmalen take a loan. Arendse would definitely use this to force Schmalen into submission, turning him from an almost independent count into a controlled one.

In the medieval era, it was common for a king to submit to another king, or a count to pledge allegiance to another count, depending mainly on the balance of power.

Arendse smiled silently.

After all, he was just here to defend his interests and ensure the integrity of his northwest territory. Whether Schmalen chose to submit or die, it was beneficial to him.

Damian also profited, gaining a beautiful, already built fortress. Though it wasn't the most advanced stone walls, it was an excellent choice when most people could only use wooden palisades as walls.

More importantly, the southeast part of Gothingen County was secure. As long as Milhouse Castle was held, Damian could rest assured at the rear.

Bishop Maged also reaped considerable benefits. Previously flustered by the Reformists, this diplomatic mission earned him the friendship of Arendse, Schmalen, and Damian, enabling him to face factional struggles with ease.

The only one truly hurt was Schmalen, who initiated this war.

Not only had he bullied his own sister and failed, losting face among his brothers, but his status had also shifted from almost independent to Arendse's vassal.

What a pitiable count.

On the other side, Damian also checked Milhouse Castle's attributes in the system.

Milhouse Castle.

[Current Castle Level: 2, Wooden Castle.]

[Current Castle Buildings: Lord's House Level 1, Reinforced Wooden Walls Level 2, Noble Stables Level 1, Arrow Tower Level 1]

This was a level 2 castle, but clearly, several main buildings were missing. Damian privately speculated that this might be the system's weakening mechanism. Occupying a region will lower the original development level or directly delete some buildings to prevent it from becoming too powerful.

Wooden Castle (Level 2): Total maintenance-free troops +2, Monthly tax revenue +5 gold, Recruitable units: Peasant Spearmen, Peasant Archers.

Lord's House (Level 1): Siege army morale +1, Security +2, Can issue guard policies. Automatically gains elite officer: Sergeant.

Noble Stables (Level 1): Provides horse resources, Recruitable units: Mounted Peasant Sergeants.

Reinforced Wooden Walls (Level 2): Provides reinforced wooden walls, attached buildings arrow tower, gate, adds one team of peasant spearmen, and one team of peasant archers to the castle garrison.

In terms of buildings, the minimum income increased to 5 gold per month, and combined with two maintenance-free unit slots, it could support four or five basic militia teams, protecting the castle from immediate downfall. Coordinating with reinforced wooden walls, it could ensure a garrison of at least 200 to 300 people.

Additionally, the noble stables were notable. This building mainly trained the noble knight unit system.

However, the basic level 1 noble stables were insufficient, only able to recruit mounted peasant soliders.

Mounted Peasant Soliders were essentially mounted versions of regular soliders. As knight subordinates, their main tasks in battle were reconnaissance and flank cover, also capable of charging at critical moments.

But being of peasant origin, their combat effectiveness was far inferior to properly trained knights.

Since Damian already had mounted archers, there was no need to recruit this unit.

"It seems I need to find a way to obtain the blueprint for level 2 noble stables," Damian pondered.

The novice knights he could recruit might be products of this noble stables system, presumably available from level 2 noble stables.

Damian currently had about 3000 gold coins, a considerable amount, enough to be considered wealthy. However, his main income came from plundering other nobles and through war.

His basic income, from markets, cities, and castles combined, was a mere dozen or so gold coins per month, insufficient to sustain his army.

Therefore, Damian needed to actively seek ways to expand his income.

According to Damian's calculations, a town's income should increase exponentially; the higher the town's level, the more income multiplies. Additionally, different buildings should synergize well to generate sufficient income to support an army.

In the next two days, since the ceasefire agreement was reached, the Gothingen knights who had come to help began packing their belongings to return home.

Including Baron Kenan, Knight Wagner, and other influential nobles, they all looked at Damian with newfound respect.

Many started planning to introduce their daughters to Damian formally after Joan and Damian's friend marriage concluded.

Similarly, many local knights whose territories were taken by Damian began packing. Some considered staying, while others hoped to seek new opportunities in other villages.

In the medieval era, knights' legitimate control over land came from the lord's grant of guardianship. For Damian, deciding who could stay and who had to leave took him several days.

After a period of adjustment, Damian freed up ten villages to reward those soldiers who had made significant contributions.

Calling upon these veterans recruited from the system, Damian felt nostalgic.

Initially, he had only seen them as tools. Who could have thought that individuals like Greb and Jeffrey would help him achieve such great success?

"Jeffrey, I personally knight you, granting you a village. Help me guard Milhouse Castle and monitor Schmalen's next moves." Damian's first choice was Jeffrey.

The wandering knight Jeffrey was moved to tears, thinking if only a noble had recognized his talents earlier, he wouldn't have spent half his life as a brigand.

"Henrik, thank you for your help. You will have one-third guardianship rights," Damian turned to Henrik, grateful for the knight who had opened the castle gates through the excrement channel.

The unfortunate knight who had swum through excrement for hours, shed tears of hardship.

After rewarding over twenty people, Damian successfully gained a new attribute.

[Equity in Rewards: Morale +1, Loyalty +1]