Chapter 105

When I recommended their surrender, all the enemy soldiers dropped to their knees, leaving behind their farming tools and crude spears like pitchforks and hoes.

Then, our soldiers took out ropes to bind them.

If we do not acquire the territory, even the serfs who joined the war to raise military funds would be sold into slavery…

While this would allow us to earn several tens of thousands of gold coins by selling the serfs, it would obstruct the goal I desired.

To ensure the death of that Maxburg scoundrel, we would need a lot of bankrupt serfs to protect and weaken his economic power.

Moreover, if we sell the serfs of the Maxburg family into slavery, it would provide a strong justification for waging war in the future or rallying the serfs and nobles under the pretext of suppressing Croilet, similar to Joseon’s northern expedition theory.

Also, when we next go to war, if the soldiers lose in such a situation but do not have to fear being sold into slavery, instilling the idea that returning home would be beneficial would make it easier for soldiers from other countries or territories to surrender.

Thus, capturing serfs as slaves to save a few tens of thousands of gold coins to reward soldiers is a loss.

“Stop! What crime do those poor beings commit? They are merely unfortunate individuals who have come to the battlefield out of fear that the wicked and despicable Maxburg scoundrels would kill themselves and their families if they did not.”

“As a faithful servant of Deus, and as a knight who values honor, I do not wish to impose harsh punishments on such individuals.”

When my command was relayed throughout the army, the soldiers reluctantly released the bound serfs.

At first, the serfs were puzzled, but soon they began to cry tears of joy at the realization that they would not be sold into slavery and could return home.

“Thank you, thank you, Count Your Excellency… I am finally able to return home.”

“Although I cannot return with any spoils, I believe we can manage to live if we go back now, right?”

“Thank you for allowing me to see my sly wife and rabbit-like children alive…”

I addressed them.

“The war is practically over. Our army has won, and His Majesty the Duke of Maxburg has been defeated. You will convey this news to the commander of the Lothringen garrison and return home.”

“Thank you! Thank you!”

Then, almost all the soldiers, excluding the commanders of the infantry, began to move towards Lothringen in unison.

Thus, we commanded the soldiers of the defeated unit to head to Lothringen, and they all expressed their gratitude for being spared and returned.

After approximately one hour, or rather two hours of movement, we finally reached the main camp where the Duke of Maxburg resided.

The Duke, with his chin protruding like a ladle and having removed his golden armor, made a show of greeting me with feigned composure.

“Congratulations on your victory, Count SIEL von Croilet. It seems that the Lord has favored you over me.”

In the days when I used to play games like LOL, I would have given a piece of my mind to someone speaking like this, but unfortunately, doing so here would mark me as a human scum across the entire European continent.

How unfortunate.

Thus, I respectfully bent my waist about 30 degrees toward the Duke, who held a higher title than I, and said, “As a knight, I am grateful to Deus for granting me the honor of clashing blades with such an admirable knight as Your Grace.”

“Indeed, have you eaten?”

It was quite pitiful to see him trying so hard to maintain the customs of the battlefield even in this situation.

However, since I had won, I could afford to grant such leeway.

“Captain Frost, take one of the horses tied at the Duke’s main camp to our main camp and bring back some food. Not the kind the soldiers eat, but food fit for His Imperial Majesty.”

“Yes, understood. How much should I bring?”

“Since my father-in-law is coming too, let’s make it for three people… no, rather four.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

Captain Frost mounted a horse and set off to gather food.

Then, I smiled at Maxburg and initiated a conversation.

“As far as I know, Your Grace is quite knowledgeable about the arts. Might I receive some instruction on that until my guests arrive?”

Hearing my question, the Duke of Maxburg smiled awkwardly and began to explain.

“Well, listen closely, the works of Alfonso…”

**

As nearly two hours passed, the sound of hooves began to echo from a distance near the main camp of Maxburg.

A short while later, a knight clad in elegant armor dismounted and knelt before the Duke.

“Your Grace the Duke of Maxburg, Count Croilet! The Northern Lion, His Majesty Sergei Vladimir Vasilyev, will arrive in about ten minutes.”

“I see, thank you for letting me know.”

“Then we must clear a seat… bring another chair.”

Though the Duke pretended to remain calm, his eyes betrayed his anxiety, beginning to shake.

It seems he finally recognized the gravity of the situation, but alas, Your Grace, the die has already been cast.

Now, all you have to do is hand over everything we request from you.

At that moment, the soldiers brought the food packed on the small cart I had made.

“Your Grace, Count. We have brought food. Beef steak made from freshly caught cattle, baguettes, butter, the finest Burgundy wine, marshmallows, and cookies.”

“You’ve worked hard. His Majesty the King of the Northern Alliance is about to arrive, and I trust you made it fit for him to eat?”

“Is there a doubt?”

Shortly after, Baron Vladimir entered the tent and knelt down, saying, “His Majesty Sergei Vladimir Vasilyev has arrived!”

“Thank you.”

After about five minutes, the sound of trumpets from a marching band and drums echoed, followed by the cries of the herald.

“The great and honorable golden lion of the North, His Majesty Sergei Vladimir Vasilyev has arrived! Everyone, give a proper welcome!!”

At this, the Duke of Maxburg and I rose from our seats, kneeling to pay our respects.

Moments later, the Emperor of the North patted my shoulder and joyfully exclaimed, “Ah, our son-in-law! How have you been? It’s almost been a year!”

I glanced at the Duke of Maxburg, then politely replied, “By the grace of God Deus, I was able to protect myself in this war and achieve a small victory.”

“I see. I heard you were suffering because of the Duke of Maxburg.”

“Deus has prepared everything. And just as I was about to negotiate a ceasefire, Your Majesty’s arrival feels like gaining an army of one hundred thousand.”

“Hah, an army of a hundred thousand! I only brought about ten thousand with me!!”

“With Your Majesty here, the soldiers will exert ten times their strength, so it’s essentially the same as a hundred thousand.”

Though it was flattery, the value of the Emperor of the North, who had now become my father-in-law while pressuring Maxburg, was indeed equivalent to an army of ten thousand.

Because if this negotiation is concluded well and the Northern Alliance establishes a foothold to enter Romania, all the nobles and soldiers of Romania will focus entirely on the Emperor.

Additionally, it strengthens the justification to propose a more ruthless exploitation than I could manage alone.

Then, the Emperor placed his hand on the shoulder of the Duke of Maxburg and said, “Since Deus has granted my son-in-law victory, I will no longer hold any personal grudge against you. However, we have yet to settle our accounts, so let’s discuss it slowly over a meal.”

The Duke of Maxburg replied, slightly defeated, “Is there a doubt, Your Majesty…”

And I opened my mouth to exercise my rightful power as the primary contributor to end this war.

“First, Your Grace, the King and I formed a marriage alliance prior to this war. However, due to circumstances in the North, it was a bit challenging to send the Imperial Princess to me… thus, the announcement of our marriage was delayed. However, establishing the alliance is a clear fact. Therefore, it is no problem that His Majesty intervened to assist his son-in-law.”

Upon hearing this, the Duke ground his teeth and replied, “I understand.”

“And in this war, I triumphed in the trials held before Deus, and I presented clear evidence of having kidnapped nobles from Blueport with the prior backing of the Maxburg family. Your seal was also affixed to it. Do you agree?”

“It is true that I lost in this war, but as the Holy Prelate of Romania, I did not engage in such dishonorable acts! And it is quite common for despicable criminals to forge noble emblems and claim themselves as his vassals, is it not?”

It was akin to a person sitting in dung, extending a hand as if to say they didn’t defecate, but what the Duke of Maxburg said was not entirely wrong.

Indeed, it is common for inflated figures to forge noble symbols to gather their followers.

Moreover, even among the nobles, while they pretend not to know each other, they typically keep one or two secretaries who could skillfully forge emblems to divide their opponents, just in case.

In our family, this role is filled by Inspector Wells.

The conclusion is, therefore, that it is quite difficult to hold the Duke of Maxburg responsible for the crimes at hand based on this.

Perhaps realizing this, the Duke of Maxburg was likely trying to leverage the accusations to secure a favorable position in the subsequent negotiations to minimize his losses.

“Count Croilet, as the lord and prelate of the territory of Maxburg, and as someone who has lived longer than you, let me remind you. Deus commanded that one should not slander another, for the slanderer will have to bear the consequences themselves.”

Nonetheless, I had already anticipated this situation and had ample measures in place.

Moments later, the tent’s door opened, and a finely dressed noble entered and greeted us.

“Greetings, Your Majesty the King of the Northern Alliance, Your Grace the Grand Chamberlain, and Count Croilet. I am Count Peter von Southburg, Minister of the Seal of His Imperial Majesty of Romania.”

Finally, the person we were waiting for had arrived—a formidable individual who could dismantle the absurd reasoning of that Maxburg fellow.

“Count Southburg, please take the empty seat. Thank you for coming.”

“Not at all, Count. Even though we are nobles from another country, if a crime occurred under the seal that represents Romania, we must come to judge. So, where is that document?”

The Duke looked as if he couldn’t believe his eyes and rubbed them fervently.

He then stood up, pointing at the Minister of the Seal, saying, “How dare you, as the honorable Minister of the Seal, be swayed by a mere Count of Elaline! Is this not a rodent-like act that tarnishes the honor of His Imperial Majesty?”

“Please refrain from speaking, Your Grace the Grand Chamberlain. This is not just any noble’s emblem; it is the emblem of Prelate Maxburg that has been forged, which is a matter of His Majesty’s dignity.”

“However…”

“Otherwise, are you suggesting that Count Croilet is right, and that the Prelate of the Empire, in a petty manner, employed rodents to kidnap and sell noble maidens into slavery? Surely not, please rest assured and wait. The one to be shamed soon will not be you, but this Count before you.”

Though the Minister of the Seal was seemingly siding with the Duke, a smile full of thoughts of devouring someone lingered on his face.

Seeing that my testimonies and all circumstantial evidence matched up, he considered this an opportunity to weaken the Emperor’s political opponents.

Our interests aligned, which created a remarkably beautiful situation.

Following this, I submitted the document that commissioned the crimes sealed by the Duke to the Minister.

After donning spectacles, the Minister carefully examined the seal for over an hour, turning red before addressing the Duke.

“Your Grace the Grand Chamberlain! How could you throw your noble honor, your honor as a Prelate, into the dirt?”

“No, Minister. What are you talking about? Are you suggesting that a Prelate would go so far as to forge a seal to slander my son-in-law, who has only just obtained a count’s title? This is simply unbelievable.”

“Your Majesty, I too do not wish to believe it. However, I swear upon my honor, or rather, as the Minister of the Seal representing the Emperor, that this is indeed the true seal of Your Grace.”

At this, the Duke seemed aghast, clearing his throat incredulously.

“What do you mean, Count! You insult my honor, and I challenge you to a duel…”

The Minister interrupted, saying, “I am the Minister of the Seal, tasked with overseeing its integrity on behalf of His Majesty. Therefore, any remarks doubting me will be regarded as treasonous intent to refuse the Emperor’s mandate.”

“I understand…”

Then, the Minister brought out a golden seal from his pocket, displaying the underside.

“The rings or seals of the prelates of Romania have all been bestowed by His Majesty, and for contingencies, we create a hidden seal and a public seal. The seal you possess is the public emblem representing your title, while the seal held by His Majesty can completely cover and nullify its effects.”

The Minister then inked his seal and placed it directly on the area where the Duke’s seal had been stamped.

As a result, the eagle symbolizing the Duke disappeared, replaced by a completely solid red square with no gaps whatsoever.

“And when the seal is stamped in this way, if a completely solid square appears without any gaps, it proves that the stamped emblem was the seal of the Grand Chamberlain.”

“Then, what if Your Grace claims this is fake? Minister?”

The Minister smiled and replied, “Though I trust that this will not occur, should it happen… you would be stripped of your title as Prelate for losing the emblem, or face treason charges for appearing disloyal to His Majesty.”

Wow, it seems that as things stand, Your Grace has only one option available.

To acknowledge your accusations and accept your punishment willingly, otherwise, in the worst-case scenario, you will face suppression from the Emperor of Romania.

I inclined my head slightly in gratitude towards the Minister and said, “Thank you, Minister of the Seal. Now, Your Grace, what are your thoughts on how to repay the crime of having released criminals into our territory only to attempt to kidnap and sell noble maidens into sexual slavery… and what do you think would be the price for the losses incurred in this war?”

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