Chapter 100

As the construction on the battlefield was nearing completion, Captain Frost delivered a sealed letter to me.

A white bear biting into a salmon—this must surely be a letter sent by the King of the Northern Alliance, who is also my future father-in-law.

Seeing that a letter like this was sent, it seems he has finally made preparations to move.

[To my beloved future son-in-law Count SIEL von Croilet, I have now stabilized the internal situation and gained the nobles’ consent, and have just left Narchel. By the time you receive this letter, I shall be near Mainz at the northern end of the Duchy of Maxburg.

First, I would like to formally arrange the marriage of you and my daughter if we win this war.

Additionally, I would like you to discuss the remaining details with Baron Vladimir, to whom I have entrusted full authority on this negotiation.

Wishing for my son-in-law’s success, King Sergei Vladimir Vasilyev of the Northern Alliance]

It seems preparations are all set, and now it’s just a matter of coordinating our signals.

As expected of a king, he is adept at seizing the opportunities presented to him.

I asked Captain Frost, who was beside me, “Frost, where is the messenger who delivered this letter?”

“He is still staying within the camp.”

“I will entrust the construction here to Baron Balt and Captain Frost. I shall meet him immediately.”

**

The tent, made of cloth with holes above and below, was worse than a shabby mat, and even in the daytime, the cold could be felt because no sunlight reached inside.

Inside that tent, I met Baron Vladimir, the envoy sent by the King of the North.

“Ha, thank you for treating me to such delicious food. A soup filled with beef, steak, and sweet pastries. I never expected to be served such delicious food on the battlefield…”

In most cases, even if he were a noble from an allied nation, I wouldn’t typically use formal language or honorifics with someone of a lower title than myself.

However, as he is the plenipotentiary for the negotiations of this war, it’s best to treat him as an equal.

After all, to disregard a plenipotentiary is equivalent to disregarding the king himself.

“No, it is merely a small gesture for a friend who came to see me. I’m truly glad you’re enjoying it.”

“Thank you. And please accept this. It is a letter written personally by His Majesty, the King of the Northern Alliance.”

The count before me tore a small pocket from his clothing and handed me the letter inside it.

[To Count Croilet: Our forces have successfully occupied the harbor of Mainz and its surrounding baronial territory without being detected by the enemy. This was made possible due to your contributions, as the enemy did not pay any attention to this place at all. As soon as I hear news of your victory, I will head to the Lothringen Plains. – Vasilyev]

Had there been a mention in this letter about mobilizing the entire army upon hearing the news of my deployment, in order to keep the promise made to my fully trusted son-in-law Count Croilet, I would have been unable to believe it.

Because although I might have a higher chance of victory, if I were to lose, the King of the Northern Alliance—our father-in-law—would also suffer great damage.

It would be unreasonable for someone who knows that to lead troops merely because he made a promise to his son-in-law.

“Thank you, Baron Vladimir.”

“No, I have merely come to do what I must. Now, I will convey His Majesty’s wishes.”

“Please do.”

“His Majesty desires to acquire the Baronial territory of Mainz in exchange for participating in this war. And Count…”

“First, we will receive only gold coins and then retreat.”

Upon hearing this, the baron seemed quite taken aback, momentarily at a loss for words.

It is understandable, for a noble fighting a war has the obligation to capture enemy territory and distribute it among his vassals.

Neglecting this duty would not only lead to the dissatisfaction of the vassals but would also seem illogical to refuse power that comes from expanding one’s territory.

“Certainly, the vassals may be dissatisfied, but to speak frankly, even if we were to receive a part of the Duchy of Maxburg, there would be no profit for us. In fact, while acquiring vast lands and serfs would yield short-term gains, thereafter, we will face stronger pressures from Romania and Franche.”

“Indeed, from the perspectives of Franche and Romania, Your Excellency has already become a dangerously formidable presence. Should you increase your power further, those two may form an alliance to topple you.”

“If that happens, we won’t be able to manage it. Therefore, we will first wage this war to break the pride of the Maxburg and impoverish them.”

Only then did the baron seem to understand why I insisted on not demanding territory and nodded in agreement.

“Very well. However, sending the beloved daughter of His Majesty the King of the Northern Alliance is hardly for such a trivial matter…”

Now he is openly attempting to probe my intentions. While I may be the one calling for reinforcements, saying that I’m providing the Maxburg’s Baronial territory as bait does seem ethically questionable.

Ah, but in order to survive as a noble, ethics must be left at home, so it cannot be helped.

“Forming a marital alliance should be viewed in the long term. For now, we will first undermine the Duchy of Maxburg, and later, we can deal with Franche afterward. And if we only capture Mainz, wouldn’t it fulfill all that His Majesty desires?”

“True, but still, alliances should be mutually beneficial. If you propose peace negotiations in exchange for just a few gold coins, how can we trust that?”

Well, the value of several thousand coins and a barony is too disproportionate; from the baron’s perspective, it seems he believes we must have some ulterior motives for intentionally making a loss-making deal…

And if this is reported directly, our father-in-law, the King of the Northern Alliance, would surely become furious.

I sighed and said, “I admit defeat. Let me clarify: I will not merely be asking for several thousand coins; I will demand hundreds of thousands. The duke will face bankruptcy, and the lower knights and soldiers will have to live off barley porridge at home. Not receiving any territory, I believe I should at least receive that much, don’t you think?”

Upon hearing this, the baron seemed to finally understand, showing a brighter expression than before.

“Ten thousand coins, even twenty thousand wouldn’t be feasible, but hundreds of thousands… I find that understandable. That would indeed justify a grand army of 40,000 fighting a war without gaining a territory.”

“And what would happen if we burden the opponent with such a debt? Even if we only accept 20,000 a year, that money could raise hundreds of knights. If I take that away to train the knights, it would mean I acquire many at no expense to myself. Thus…”

“Are you considering cutting the future of the Duchy of Maxburg?”

No, after that, if the tax rates rise, we will unofficially instigate a popular uprising and set fire to the entire nation from Maxburg to Romania.

By torching it, I would weaken the powers of the lordships like weeds, leaving my father-in-law and Franche to battle fiercely without daring to touch me.

In the meantime, I will carry out the reforms and territorial expansions I wanted.

If it gets too big, I will constantly face checks from the fiefdom and various powers, so properly moderated expansion would be the best.

Moreover, in our territory, only my father, Chris, who provides funds and instructions, Captain Short, and a few others are aware of this.

It’s not something I could say to a mere plenipotentiary, nor do I feel the need to.

“I will certainly cut it off. No, that would not be enough; I will make it impossible for it to rise again. That way, both my father-in-law and I will be happy, right?”

“That’s a wise statement, Your Excellency. Then let me ask honestly: how far do your ambitions stretch?”

What I desire is relatively modest, but here I must demand big to earn the trust of the other party.

“I want the entire Duchy of Maxburg.”

“Are you excluding Mainz from that?”

“I want it all, including Mainz. In return, I will give His Majesty two Duchies in northern Romania. With that secured, His Majesty will no longer just be the king of a confederated state, but the emperor of a federated empire.”

Upon hearing this, the baron before me wore a look of rapture as he gazed at me.

Surely, he would relay this contract to the king and, once I achieve victory, he would receive rewards accordingly—his joy is understandable.

“Of course, it may take time, but…”

“What does that matter? Anyway, the north is already filled with nobles who are blinded by the various splendid items crafted by the banquet tools, musicians, and architects that His Majesty exports through Blueport. They can no longer become His Majesty’s foes as they once were. Therefore, with time, His Majesty can truly become the lion of the north.”

I adjusted my words to sync with the timing.

“If I align with Your Majesty for the time being, or perhaps for a lifetime.”

“That is naturally expected, Count Your Excellency. I shall relay this to His Majesty the Emperor. Do you have any final questions?”

After a moment of thought, I opened my mouth to ask.

“Very well, but Baron Vladimir, why did you cross enemy lines and come here alone? Isn’t it too dangerous?”

In response, the baron smiled and answered, “I am the lord of the Baronial territory of Vladimir, but once this expedition successfully concludes, I will become Count Vladimir, considering my previous contributions and the importance of Mainz, as per His Majesty’s favor. Therefore, I have come directly to achieve as many accolades as possible to receive a larger territory.”

No matter how important it is for a noble to rise, for a baron to traverse enemy lands to seek me, the plenipotentiary… now that is truly bold and audacious.