Chapter 122

“I will do my best to respond to whatever you request. However, our Northern Alliance also needs soldiers to protect the newly acquired Mainz territory… So I cannot send any soldiers.”

At first glance, it seems like a request for understanding because there are genuine circumstances preventing the sending of soldiers. But…

While Romania may be in a different situation, Maxburg clearly lacks the strength to wage war right now, so they must have some degree of leeway in sending soldiers.

However, sending them would incur substantial costs and labor, so they are refusing.

Yet, I have no intention of receiving soldiers from Count Vladimir.

“I do not need soldiers. Instead, please lend me a few of your flags, armor, and weapons.”

“Flags, armor, and weapons… You plan to deceive the Franche men into believing that we are participating, don’t you?”

“That’s correct, my lord.”

“Deceiving them is a good idea. But in order to deceive Architel, we need to present a reason for our participation, don’t we?”

“The reason is simple. We are allies, so it is natural to provide assistance when asked for help. And if Maxburg regains its strength, can you hold out in Mainz by yourself, my lord?”

Of course, Maxburg is already fated to ruin due to the missionaries I’ve sent and the debts they have…

But to the Count, not knowing the power of the missionaries, Maxburg is a monster that could regain strength and threaten them at any time.

And while I am confident that we could defeat that monster in a one-on-one fight, the power the Count currently possesses will not hold out against reinforcements from the north.

Vladimir must know this as well, but he frowned and said, “Uh… no, it’s impossible.”

“The enemies know at least that much. Thus, they would assume that you’ve made an arduous march in order to solidify our alliance.”

“However, if news spreads that we have mobilized, Papenheim or that Maxburg fellow would surely invade. Even if we succeed in deceiving them, they will still lead their troops in… How do we stop them?”

I responded with a smile to that remark.

“My lord, Papenheim will never invade. And Maxburg is already in bankruptcy. If they were to raise an army, rebellions would emerge one after another.”

“I’ve seen the reports before… Wouldn’t we be exploited under the pretext that you are being taken advantage of because of us? And why would Papenheim…”

Instead of answering Count Vladimir’s words, I pulled out a stack of documents from my study in my bedroom and handed them to him.

“This document records that a merchant from the Medica family is bribing members of the Imperial Council.”

“Interesting material, but what does this imply?”

While he said that, Count Vladimir’s expression was bright with a smile unlike before.

He must have been anticipating what I was about to say.

“The Emperor is still young and healthy, and he hasn’t committed any major blunders. Therefore, Papenheim wouldn’t be preparing for the Imperial election just yet. In that case, there is only one answer left.”

“You are thinking of seizing a portion of the Maxburg territory, like us. Soon, with the rebellions that will arise in Maxburg, using that as an excuse to maintain a long-term presence… you could effectively control that land.”

“Especially this Emperor despises Maxburg. If only he has a justification to weaken their power, he will certainly give away at least one of the Count’s territories to Papenheim.”

“Excellent, Your Excellency. But don’t you have more requests for us? Surely, you didn’t summon me for just this, did you?”

As expected, he is perceptive.

It’s unnecessary to meet in secret for just this, given that I have formed a marriage alliance with the Emperor.

A simple letter requesting flags, armor, and weapons would suffice, and they would be sent immediately.

“In fact, I have more to ask. It’s something that would benefit both our sides in the North, would you hear me out?”

“I will listen, Your Excellency.”

“First, please relay to His Majesty that I request the appointment of a plenipotentiary ambassador to the Holy Roman Empire.”

At these words, Count Vladimir’s expression hardened.

A plenipotentiary ambassador is usually someone dispatched by direct royal blood or a duke to negotiate treaties regarding peace or territorial concessions.

And if we send a plenipotentiary ambassador while making gestures that suggest we will negotiate peace, the Emperor will undoubtedly react like this:

“The great majesty of Romania has subdued the rural peasants of the North! Praise the Emperor!”

This would undermine the prestige of the Northern Alliance.

In an era where prestige is more important than life, such an option is typically avoided at all costs.

“But if we send a plenipotentiary ambassador now, it would appear as if we are yielding, wouldn’t it? Our Northern prestige would be diminished!”

“Calm down. I have no intention of asking the plenipotentiary ambassador of the Northern Alliance to negotiate peace.”

“What are you thinking then?”

“Since the war with Maxburg began, I have recruited several former court nobles well-versed in the Imperial court culture. I have introduced them to Northern culture, and they are already prepared to showcase a culture that reflects the essence of the North.”

Upon hearing this, Count Vladimir began to laugh as if he was incredulous, instantly breaking into a smile.

“Wait, Your Excellency…? You’re giving such a wonderful gift… Thank you.”

Although Count Vladimir spoke in astonishment, his face was full of joy.

He must be dreaming of the possibility that before the nobles of Romania, we can proudly claim that we also have dignity and culture.

However, the reality would be different. The perception of the North as a barbaric region, accumulated over hundreds of years, will not be shattered so easily.

With that thought, just as the Count did, I laughed heartily before speaking.

“When the day comes that we feast upon Romania, we must show them the dignity of rulers. This is just the duty of an ally.”

“Thank you, thanks to you… we can now live with a bit of dignity in front of those Romanians.”

“You will be able to erase the prejudice that the North is merely a backward country inhabited by rural folks. At the same time, His Majesty the King will be remembered as a great monarch who ended the age of barbarism.”

Upon hearing my words, the Count gazed at me with an ecstatic expression.

“If that happens, His Majesty’s trust in you will only deepen. Especially since he has set the primary goal of escaping from the barbaric land… He will surely commend your efforts highly.”

“That sounds like a dream. His… no, the Emperor will truly be pleased.”

“Please convey my minor gratitude for the beautiful daughter you have given me.”

“Do you really think there’s a choice?”

While I said this, the truth is that showing Romania that the rural folks of the Northern Alliance have a cultural life is not only for the Emperor’s sake.

It is also to stimulate a competition in luxury between our two nations.

Of course, in this luxury and cultural competition, Romania will always have the upper hand…

The Empire will invest to ensure that it holds an incomparable cultural advantage, even if it means incurring debts that cannot be compared to the North, while the North will struggle to at least gain some recognition from them.

As the cultural levels pursued by both sides rise, the costs involved will increase to astronomical levels.

In the meantime, while the North can make some adjustments, Romania must display an overwhelming standard. The costs incurred will likely be several times more than what the North spends on culture.

Simultaneously, the costs of the Great Cathedral of Saint Romania, where the Pope, the head of all Deus clergy, resides, will also sharply increase, as dictated by the Pope and the college of cardinals.

As this unfolds… the Empire, recognized by supporting the Great Cathedral of Saint Romania, will inevitably have to collect even more taxes to pay for the absurdly increased construction costs.

Then, uprisings among the populace will begin across the Empire.

“Thank you very much for agreeing, my lord.”

“No, Your Excellency. Sending a plenipotentiary ambassador for the North to be recognized throughout Europa is what both you and His Majesty desire. It’s just the Romanians who are splitting the spoils.”

“By the way, may I request something from you, Your Excellency?”

“Please, go ahead.”

The two previous requests were merely bait to get the other party to accept my real objective.

Because honoring my requests would cause neither the Count nor the Northern Alliance any loss or hardship.

On the contrary, if I proceed as I desire, the other party will still benefit in any case.

Especially by sending a plenipotentiary ambassador from the North, even if the culture presented has only 0.01% of their own custom, they would no longer be able to be called barbarians.

This alone represents a tremendous shift in status.

In that situation, I opened my mouth to use them to achieve my goals.

“Count Vladimir, would you be interested in… making some money? I could share my earnings with you.”