Chapter 168

A month after the expedition began, our Eastern Expeditionary Force successfully occupied the entire territory of Count Architel without facing significant resistance, as I had anticipated.

I had already received information from the Intelligence Command and the serfs who came from Architel, so I could take all of this as a matter of course. However, for the counts and barons under Duke Orleans, it might not have been the same…

Seeing the progress of the occupation without significant damage, we even held a modest banquet once a week.

Well, an expedition is essentially a business that involves investing borrowed capital into stocks, and since we are in the early stages of investment, it makes sense to expect substantial profits already…

Perhaps because of that, the Duke of Orleans, who had always treated me with a sharp demeanor during the early stages of the expedition, became much softer.

No, he seemed to be easing his guard and occasionally suggested that we share drinks or meals to unwind together.

However, the nobles of Franche, including Count Architel, were certainly not fools, so despite allowing for a bloodless occupation…

“Marquess Croilet… As you planned, we successfully occupied a count’s territory without a single engagement or rebellion from the serfs. However…”

“The enemies have damaged the castle’s defenses while retreating, and they left no food for the soldiers to eat, which has led to a supply crisis. If this situation persists, we may have to command our soldiers to requisition food from the serfs, correct?”

“Exactly, as you said. However, if we requisition food, we will likely provoke another rebellion from the serfs, and considering we are deep within the count’s territory… If their uprising temporarily disrupts our supply lines, the soldiers will starve to death. Most of the conscripted serfs are still receiving food as usual, and are unaware that such a problem could arise, but the seasoned mercenaries are starting to catch on. Do you have any countermeasures?”

Hearing that, I sighed and spoke.

“Your Majesty, as unfortunate as it is… Given this situation, maintaining supplies through military merchants is the best course of action. Thankfully, if the Margerita Trading Company, one of Hamburg’s five great families, can ensure safe transport, they have promised to sell grain at three times the market price to the Architel territory. They should be arriving today.”

“Did you prepare for this eventuality? Truly, a genius who has risen from mere baron to marquess in just ten years is impressive… Three times the price… that’s remarkably fair for military merchants. At that price, if we use the money we brought with us just in case, the food issue should be manageable. Furthermore, for ensuring the transportation safety from the rear… we can use a few troops from the baron directly under His Majesty.”

The Duke believed that I had anticipated this whole situation and had prepared for the supplies from Margerita Trading Company as soon as we arrived at the Architel Castle…

In fact, the Margerita family and the free commercial city of Hamburg are more or less part of my territory.

It’s merely that I have made it appear separate to hide the fact that I have completely taken over supplies for the Eastern Expeditionary Force while utilizing the “freedom” of that city to sell food worth six hundred thousand gold coins across the Eraline Empire over two years.

Of course, 30% of the money military merchants receive goes to my family’s profits, and most of the food they transport is from Croilet.

Thus, every time our Eastern Expeditionary Force purchases food and various goods, I benefit from the structure—essentially borrowing someone else’s name to multiply my money.

So even now, when I let my guard down just a little, I feel like I might burst out laughing in this serious situation, so I’m diligently holding it together.

“That’s a wise decision, Your Majesty. And rather than fighting fiercely here, it would be cheaper to buy supplies with money. So, please don’t worry too much.”

“It is as you say. Moreover, we can’t skip the entertainment that we need to pay our soldiers for their participation in the war… When the military merchants arrive, I will make sure that Counts Ilerias and Izza provide enough leisure for the soldiers. You should do the same.”

“I will obey your orders.”

**

That night, as soon as the military merchants arrived, I granted my soldiers some rest and went to meet Counts Ilerias and Izza.

Since I was their superior, I couldn’t go empty-handed, so I brought the best wine and ham made from our territory for them.

“Is Count Ilerias and Count Izza here?”

When I asked the knight guarding the door, he immediately recognized my armor’s crest and responded with respect.

“Are you not Marquess SIEL von Croilet? Yes, both Count Ilerias and Count Izza are present.”

“Thank you for informing me. This is a small token of appreciation, so please enjoy a bottle of wine together with the military merchants after you have all set your defenses.”

“It is an honor!”

After handing two silver coins to the knight at the door, I entered.

Inside, Counts Ilerias and Izza were already happily conversing and drinking before I arrived.

“Ilerias, I’ve put everything on the line for this war. I gathered over 10,000 troops and even contracted a mercenary company that I wouldn’t normally even look at. As a result, my treasurer comes to me daily, lamenting that if we lose this time, the territory will be bankrupt.”

“Indeed, we have all used the surplus funds in our territories and even incurred debts to carry out this war… But it will go well. Haven’t we already occupied a count’s territory without bloodshed following Duke Orleans’ strategy? And the treasurers, after all, are simply doing their job by making such complaints, so let’s listen and move on.”

“Well, it’s about winning in the end. So, let’s win big this time and see if we can expand our territories. Then we can watch those treasurers be overjoyed at the expanded territory until they can’t take it anymore.”

From what I learned while gathering information on the Eastern Expeditionary Force, those two were mere younglings who had inherited a small baron family before supporting the Emperor.

However, during the last civil war, they quickly sided with the second prince, earning more lands and titles, eventually becoming counts.

During that process, the two forged a friendship by sharing the same battleground multiple times.

Thus, I thought it would be more effective to woo them together rather than one by one… and it seems that judgement was correct.

If they are this close, when one sways, the other will likely follow suit as well.

“I apologize for calling you during your revelry.”

Upon hearing that, both counts shook their heads and responded.

“No, it’s not a problem.”

“No, Your Excellency. Rather, we are pleased to hear the heroic tales of one who has risen from baron to marquess at such a young age.”

“Well then, I’m glad to hear that. Since I have taken some of your time… I brought this small gift of wine and ham. The wine is the finest quality made in the Architel region of our territory. It is presented to His Imperial Majesty.”

After saying that, I immediately tilted the clay bottle of wine, pouring it into their cups.

As the wine flowed from the bottle, a rich grape aroma filled the tent we were in.

“Let’s have a toast.”

We savored the wine slowly.

The wine’s unique bitterness, sweet and sour flavors, and the rich aroma of grapes stimulated our senses.

“It’s truly delicious.”

“The aroma is very strong. It felt like I was tasting the warm sunshine and freshness of summer.”

“When we return, I’ll make sure to give you each a bottle to share with your knights. They will surely love it. So, now… let’s slowly discuss the purpose for which I called you.”

As I announced that I would begin the serious discussion, the lighthearted atmosphere that had been present just a moment ago suddenly turned heavy.

Both Counts Ilerias and Izza donned serious expressions, eager to hear what I had to say.

At that moment, I resolved to adopt the mindset of a swindler deceiving naive people, cautiously starting to speak.

“As you may know, while we seemed to have easily conquered the Architel territory without a single battle, all the credit for this occupation will naturally go to His Excellency Duke Orleans, the commander of this war. Moreover, I too will receive some rewards as compensation for proposing this operation.”

This was an unavoidable reality.

After all, it was Duke Orleans, who accepted my plan and played the greatest role, indeed, managed everything to achieve the unimaginable feat of a bloodless occupation.

Thus, when all of this occurs, it is only reasonable that the Duke receives all the merits except for the project planning.

“However, I overheard that you have brought many troops by exerting yourselves for this war… If we finish this expedition in the current state, the likelihood is high that you won’t see the returns on your investments, and instead, you might end up bankrupt. Next, the victorious general returning from war might find himself bankrupted due to debts.”

Upon hearing that, Counts Ilerias and Izza frowns formed on their faces, but they didn’t refute me, as they seemed to recognize the validity of my claims rationally.

“So, I have summoned you to share some strategies to ensure that you do not incur losses in this war. Are you perhaps interested?”