Chapter 140

The Architel Duke, hearing those words, smirked and said, “You are truly cruel. It seems this injured old man shall soon heed the call of Deus… Please go easy on him.”

Though he said this, I sensed no intention in the Duke’s voice, gaze, or actions to insult or belittle me. Clearly, he was putting on such a calm demeanor due to a strong will not to show his emotions and weaknesses before me.

And just as my speculation suggested, the Duke was gripping the armor of Baron Agenskur more tightly, expressing his anger, injustice, and sorrow.

Next, the Architel Duke pointed at the right leg of the armor and said, “If you look closely, there is a hole the size of my finger in the right calf, and inside it, there appears to be a wound burned through as if by a branding iron.”

“I am 73 years old this year. To have such a serious injury… I feel like I may die soon…”

“No, you will recover soon.”

“Luckily, the bone in my calf was not hit, so I won’t have to amputate my leg… But I shall never ride again. My life as a knight is over. When I return, I plan to pass my title to my son immediately and retire.”

“It is truly unfortunate for such a splendid knight like Your Majesty to retire…”

I am discussing the wound the Architel Duke suffered, but in reality, the main content of the conversation is something entirely different. The true meaning behind what he says is…

[Yes, Count. Congratulations on your victory, but I’ve suffered an immense injury after riding healthy until the age of 73. See this gunshot wound? Looking at this, my life as a knight is over. Thus, if you wish to pretend to have a conscience, you must ease the conditions. As compensation, I will hand down the title to my child and live quietly.]

While it is somewhat inappropriate for a knight to engage in such schemes, the efforts of a Duke to protect his family and retainers are truly heart-wrenching.

In typical cases, when such an appeal is made, one would ease the conditions somewhat to protect their honor…

Regardless of whether the enemy is a Duke or Baron, no matter how great the damage may be over there… The dead soldiers cannot return to life.

What I can do for those who cannot return is to ensure that the Architel Duke is incapable of getting back on his feet.

“In order for Your Excellency the Duke to recover quickly… Once this war is over, I will send the most renowned doctor from our Countdom. You will recover soon.”

“Thank you, Count. Thanks to you, though I may not ride again, it seems I won’t have to spend my remaining days in pain…”

“It is an honor. However, there are many knights and soldiers from both sides who are injured, aren’t there? Shouldn’t we return to our territory as soon as possible to treat them?”

At my words, the Duke seemed to realize that it was no longer possible to continue, and he spoke with a bitter expression. “I agree. Our duty is to save as many soldiers as possible. Then, let me begin the discussion.”

“Very well.”

Then, the Duke called one of the soldiers outside and said, “Have him bring the documents sent by the Hamburg Melona to Inspector Bishop.”

A moment later, a man dressed in black silk entered, set the documents before the Duke and me, and left.

The Duke gestured with his chin for me to read the documents.

[Former Hamburg legislator Melona reports to Your Excellency the Duke. Count Croilet has stolen the seal of the Architel Brewing Guild. He is using it to disguise his own wine as if it were produced in Architel, and is selling it…]

[Chief Inspector Heine Bishop reports. Currently, the price of the wine produced in our territory has dropped by half, and we are receiving only about 50 gold coins per barrel. (omission) Analyzing this situation as a whole, it is believed that more than half of the wine sold throughout Eurovia is not produced in our territory… As a result, our territory has suffered a loss of more than 60,000 gold coins. If this forgery continues, we expect to incur at least an additional 40,000 gold coins in losses every year… It seems we will soon head for bankruptcy.]

After Melona fled and came under the Architel Duke, he happened to report this directly to the Duke…

However, they cannot completely prove that we forged the seal to make a massive profit.

Nonetheless, while I anticipated that the Architel Duke would suffer tremendous damage due to our wine…

I never dreamed it would amount to more than 60,000 gold coins.

To think this was the significant blow he brought…

I closed the document and contemplated bowing my head in apology to the Duke, but I quickly changed my mind.

This is because if I were to apologize, the Duke would use that as an opportunity to negotiate terms favorable to him.

“While such a problem has arisen, it is not my fault.”

Seeing me, the Duke laughed incredulously, as if he could not believe it. “This was directly stated by Melona from Hamburg’s Ten-Man Committee. Such a figure could hardly be lying, could they?”

Although it was indeed my doing, if I readily accepted it here, it would become my doing.

Then the Croilet Countdom would suffer damage to its credibility as a merchant.

In that case, our territory, which survives on commerce, would be hindered in feeding its soldiers.

Then, ten years down the line, the Architel Duke might take advantage of our weakened state to reclaim his lost territory.

But with only that evidence, they couldn’t apprehend me, nor did I intend to show any weakness.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Besides, Melona is a fugitive who had serious grievances with me when I traded Croilet wine. Isn’t it too much to believe the words of such a person and attempt to tarnish our honor?”

As I said, Melona was a person who had been exiled due to the power struggles in Hamburg.

And just like modern politicians, those who lose power tend to stretch any slight opening into ridiculous claims.

For instance, people can start yelling about infidelity just because they were seen walking closely with an unknown woman, unrelated to prostitution or infidelity.

Of course, in this case, it is true that Melona is the real perpetrator, but during these times, disavowing is the most vital aspect.

Perhaps aware of how prevalent this issue is, the Architel Duke didn’t strongly oppose what I said.

“However, according to Melona and the Administrative Officer, I have heard the damage is severe. And the only ones capable of such actions…”

“We worked tirelessly to develop wine, and as a result, we were able to create a wine that tastes just as good as Architel wine. Therefore, it is likely that some middlemen forged the seal and sold our wine as Architel wine, as that would allow them to gain a larger profit.”

It’s a world without patents or copyrights.

In such a world, one cannot hold an independent lord in an equal position solely based on the mere suspicion that the quality of our wine is the same as or better than theirs, claiming that a seal was forged.

Knowing that he could no longer shake me, the Duke sighed and said, “Then that seal…”

“It’s merely a ridiculous fabrication concocted by Melona to seek your protection, Your Excellency. After all, why on Earth would I steal a seal and engage in such madness?”

“But… regardless, I have no choice but to suspect that your merchants may have had a role in this. Considering Melona’s accusations and, if you can produce wine on par with ours… it could only have been your merchants who exchanged it for ours.”

“Regardless, we only affixed the Croilet Countdom’s seal when selling. Do not slander us with baseless accusations, as you cannot even prove that we stole the seal. We are a place that must maintain dignity in trade. Thus, we would never engage in such disgraceful and unethical behavior.”

While I said this, in trade with a war involved, deceiving the opponent as much as possible is seen as justice and truth.

After all, that man would have likely done all sorts of things to undermine me, so recognizing it would be foolish.

Yet the Duke spoke with a firm tone, as if he was determined to obtain compensation by any means necessary.

“Nonetheless, it is true that the wines you exported caused us damage. At the very least, you must provide some compensation for this.”

“Very well. Then if Your Excellency allows me to overlook the three soldiers you sent as spies to assassinate us, I believe that would suffice as sufficient compensation…”

I also have operatives operating in Brussels, Maxburg, and Italica, conducting various schemes.

Sometimes, in order not to get caught, it is not uncommon to assassinate enemy nobles or soldiers.

All nobles engage in such activities, but if sufficient evidence is found and accusations become clear, one must pay a significant compensation.

Moreover, how could a nobleman, of all people, use spies and not be labeled as dishonorable?

I was essentially suggesting we leave it here, as I would ignore the case of the operatives I had caught and secured.

While appropriate pensions were given to the families of the deceased soldiers, I feel a sense of guilt for having brushed aside such issues.

However, if I could keep our territory’s credibility from being damaged to this extent, it would be a relatively cheap price to pay.

The Duke, after hearing my words, spoke with a resigned tone. “… In exchange, I hope you will strengthen your oversight in the future.”

“Very well. Then… Your Excellency the Duke.”

“Speak.”

“As far as I know, the illegitimate son of Count Helzman has not received recognition. However, I believe it is unreasonable to present someone like that…”

From now on, you will be a vending machine that supplies money and territory to our Countdom.