Chapter 153

The afternoon after meeting Duke Brussels, I was summoned to the imperial palace where the Emperor was.

The walls and floor were made of pristine white marble, adorned with a red carpet leading to a throne decorated in gold at its center, surrounded by luxurious chairs that could seat numerous nobles.

Although the Emperor had not arrived yet, the nobles who had come early were whispering while glancing at me from their seats.

“That gentleman is Duke SIEL von Croilet…”

“It’s impressive enough to achieve such accomplishments at only 27 years of age, and he’s tall and handsome…”

“He’s the one who dealt with Count Schwabin of Nante when he tried to seduce his concubine, right? Doesn’t he smell of the battlefield?”

“A sudden rise… Just six years ago, he was merely a baron, and now he’s a duke… My ancestor, Lord Brime, served for over 40 years before receiving his title of count…”

Receiving numerous stares of respect or envy, along with some jealous and spiteful glances, I knelt on one knee at the bottom of the throne and bowed my head.

It seemed foolish to be in this position with the Emperor not even here, but this was customary, so there was no helping it.

After about five minutes of waiting, a loud voice echoed from behind me.

“His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Adolf von Elaline, protector of all believers residing here, has arrived! Everyone, rise and bow your heads in respect!”

A moment later, the Emperor casually walked past me, whispering as he did.

“I thought someone of a similar age would be an easy opponent… how disappointing.”

After the Emperor took his seat, the announcer declared loudly.

“Nobles of the empire, please be seated. Duke SIEL von Croilet, raise your head.”

“Yes.

I raised my head and looked up at the Emperor.

His golden hair shone, his skin was fair and translucent, and his deep blue eyes, combined with a tall, well-built frame and a golden beard that appeared purposely grown for authority, created a striking image.

It felt like seeing a comical photo where the face of a 21st-century American pop idol was superimposed with a beard…

Yet, perhaps due to the dignity exuding from the youthful man’s gaze and actions, that beard suited him remarkably well, symbolizing authority despite his young age.

“SIEL von Croilet, in recognition of your accomplishments and your service in safeguarding our empire from the claws of Franche and Romania, I wish to bestow upon you the title of duke. Furthermore, to honor your family’s contributions to the empire, I will permit the use of the eagle emblem holding a shield and sword. What do you say?”

Given that he had just passed by me and expressed disappointment, he was likely aware that his attempt to trap me by giving me a dukedom had failed.

However, the reason he deliberately said such words was obvious.

To the other nobles, it was clear that I was favored by Croilet; thus, you all can manage how to keep me in check.

This was indeed a division only possible by the Emperor himself.

“It is an honor, Your Majesty. However, I, SIEL von Croilet, have only fought against external foes for my territory. I am a lacking man who could not serve directly for Your Majesty. How can I enjoy such a title as duke? Please retract your command.”

At my statement, the nobles behind me began to whisper.

“It’s true that Count Croilet had pledged his allegiance to His Majesty, the second prince, but… considering he has no actual achievements for His Majesty, it is reasonable.”

“If he had said yes to becoming a duke, we would have found it distasteful…”

“Indeed. No matter how much agreements were made to ally with His Majesty, it’s different from those who risked their family’s fate on the battlefield for him.”

No, I intended to make the independence movement last another 5 to 10 years because I thought you would engage in a civil war.

In preparation for that, I planned to send Wilke and other missionaries to Romania to openly instigate a civil war…

I believed that the nobles of Franche from Elaline, blinded by territorial expansion, would declare war on the weakened Emperor of Romania due to the civil war…

Yet a significant portion of those plans had been overturned.

No… Thanks to that, the amount of bloodshed from the people of the territory I carefully nurtured has overwhelmingly increased.

“No, just accept it. Thanks to your participation, those foolish men who followed the first prince instantly changed their allegiance. That alone counts as sufficient service for me. Furthermore, if you believe your current accomplishments are insufficient, you may fulfill that later. You are only 27 years old, right?”

“I am still young, and there will be many opportunities for further achievements. Thus, there will surely be another occasion, Your Majesty. Please retract your command.”

Upon hearing this, the Emperor waved his hand as a signal for the knights, who were holding the scepter and the ceremonial sword signifying the authority of the dukedom, to step back.

The knights, holding those in both hands solemnly, withdrew.

“SIEL von Croilet, if your intent of honor stands, then I cannot bestow the dukedom upon you… It cannot be helped. Very well, instead, I will grant you something else. Bring it forth.”

At those words, knights holding items of slightly lesser prestige than the scepter and ceremonial sword stood before me.

The Emperor lightly set them before me and said, “Count SIEL von Croilet, step forward.”

At those words, I straightened my back and carefully ascended the stairs, kneeling before the Emperor and bowing my head.

The Emperor drew his sword before me, then, like an investiture to a knight, touched the blade lightly on my shoulders before removing it and said, “As the shining sun of the Elaline Empire and Vicegerent of Deus, I, Adolf von Elaline, declare. I commend the accomplishments of Count SIEL von Croilet, who fought against the great enemies of the frontier for me. Therefore, as the rightful emperor of this land, I bestow upon him the title of ‘Shield of the Empire’ and grant him the title of marquess. As long as I live, or until you return to the side of Deus, may your family remain the shield defending the eastern part of the empire.”

To be made a marquess instead of a duke…

It was much better than receiving a dukedom that would provide an excuse to be attacked…

But now, having been offered a dukedom yet choosing to stay a count in tears for the Emperor, I would not obtain pity votes…

Because I had rejected it, and still, the Emperor was showing grace by proposing a compromise considering my accomplishments.

“It is an honor. As long as my family exists, Croilet will be the wall defending the east of the empire.”

“Good, SIEL von Croilet, then you may withdraw.”

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor.”

As I concluded my gratitude to the Emperor and returned to my seat, applause resounded throughout the palace.

However, most of the nobles seemed irritated that someone who hadn’t even joined the faction of the second prince received a title unwarrantedly…

Their facial expressions were crumpled, resembling wrinkled socks.

Having left such individuals behind, I sat down, and the Emperor lowered himself onto his throne and said,

“Although over the past five years, negligent groups and rebellious princes and nobles have disturbed our nation, by the grace of Deus and your dedication and efforts, my empire has once again found peace. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude for your dedication.”

With those words, the Emperor stood from his seat and slightly bowed his head toward us.

I and the other nobles knelt on one knee and bowed our heads in respect in response.

Before long, the Emperor and we sat back down.

“However, even though the internal stability of the empire is secured… numerous dangers lurk externally. The impostor pope, without any holiness or rightful succession to the great Romania, sent bandits into the territory of my vassal Marquess Croilet. Also, the wicked Emperor of the Franche Empire supported Duke Architel to strike at him. Of course, while Marquess Croilet has repelled them all…”

The Emperor turned to look at me with a meaningful smile and said,

“They might strike again at any moment and threaten our peace. Therefore, I wish to eliminate that concern before they attack, for the safety of all my vassals and the empire. What do you think, Marquess Croilet?”

It is unmistakably Franche that the Emperor intends to strike.

Furthermore, the Emperor surely seeks to diminish the power of the great lords with enormous influence, like me, through this expedition.

Thus, the Emperor will insert great lords like myself at the forefront and, from the rear, observe as we perish, intervening at the most opportune moment.

After which, the Emperor’s closest confidant and regent, Duke Brussels, will likely insert himself… striving to secure as much of Franche’s territory as possible.

In this way, he will gain an absolute advantage over the nobles who sided with him.

Moreover, the emperor of Franche, having suffered the defeat of his supported Duke Architel against me, will now have to win another war to restore his honor and gains for his vassals.

In a word, we are in the worst situation where both sides desire war…

While the Emperor will require a significant toll from us in return, it’s likely he’ll throw us land like a dog tossing a bone with a bit of meat still stuck to it.

No, even if we face utter defeat, the Emperor won’t suffer any losses.

Of course, those who have received immense lands from the Emperor since the civil war and fought alongside him will not suspect the current Emperor in the slightest…

But more importantly, the Emperor is likely to place me at the forefront of the most gruesome and terrifying battlefield to reduce our forces as much as possible.

If I were to raise my voice against this war, the loyal nobles of the Emperor would employ all sorts of tricks to attack me and label me a traitor.

Then, I would have to face the Elaline forces from the west, several electors from Romania from the east, and perhaps Franche from the south.

Even siding with my Father-in-law in the north wouldn’t yield many soldiers he could provide…

Ultimately, I should be prepared to handle an assault from three directions on my own…

And that was also a daunting task.

So I quietly murmured the name of the individual who would have advised this scheme to the Emperor with gritted teeth.

“Duke Brussels, that damned fellow… scheming to exhaust me and other great nobles in this war to solidify his own advantage…”

Throughout history, similar methods have often been employed to weaken potential rivals’ power for the sake of strengthening one’s own.

Yet, I never imagined that those who actively supported Duke Brussels would end up driving me into the same hell…

Of course, shouting cowardice within would not change the nightmare reality before me.

Would I really cave in to such a minor crisis?

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Your will is my will.”

With this, there was no choice but to sabotage the board laid out by Duke Brussels as much as possible.