Chapter 42

The hardtack mixed with the salt obtained from the newly acquired salt mine became more popular than expected.

In particular, because hardtack is “easy to preserve and easy to make,” the serfs are also producing it directly using the village kiln.

It would be a positive thing for them to increase their income by selling hardtack.

And if, while selling hardtack, a serf starts to think about receiving money for the goods in return, which would lead to paying taxes…

Is this the beginning of the formation of a modern free city, where “tax payments are made in currency”?

While lost in such thoughts, I was enjoying a moment of leisure when Balt burst through the door of my office.

Under normal circumstances, that guy would have knocked first before entering…

Could it be that something urgent has come up?

“What’s the matter?”

Upon hearing my words, Balt handed me a letter he was holding.

“I apologize for barging in. An urgent summoning order has been issued by Count Nante.”

Why is there suddenly an urgent summoning order now?

Just a few days ago, I received a letter from the Baron saying that, while Count Schwabin was enjoying drinks with women, there was no problem because I was managing things well…

So, I wanted to find out what was going on and harshly asked Balt after reading the letter.

“An urgent summoning order? What does that mean? Just a few days ago, my father said there was nothing to worry about.”

“I don’t know either. I asked the messenger who brought this letter out of curiosity, and he just said, ‘You will know if you open the letter.’ and left.”

“A confidential document? Damn…”

I felt a strong sense of unease as I opened the letter.

And sure enough, inside was a disaster beyond what I anticipated.

[At the royal ball, when Count Schwabin von Nante proposed to the daughter of Count Gent, Count Gent declared that he could not give his daughter to a fat and unsophisticated man like you. Therefore, I personally threw down my ‘glove’ to bring down the pride of Count Gent, who insulted my honor… My loyal vassal and guardian, Baron Croilet, advised me that ‘if Your Excellency produces a glorious outcome yourself, the evaluation would change.’ (abridged) Therefore, I, Schwabin von Nante, intend to attack Count Helzman of Franche in the southern territory of Count Nante for the sake of my honor and your prosperity, so obey my orders immediately.]

If he weren’t someone who had proven tremendous ability since his heir days, but just a brat who inherited a count title, he would be playing quietly with women…

What kind of mentality does that fool, filled with thoughts of the countryside, have to think about achieving great deeds through war just because he was rejected by a woman?

Moreover, the opponent is Count Helzman of Franche… This is a disaster.

Other barons must be thinking the same way, right? Yeah, they must…

After reading the letter, I laughed and grabbed Balt’s shoulder.

“Balt, my friend… I think I’m in big trouble… The Count is going to go to war against Count Helzman of Franche out of anger after being openly rejected by a woman… What should we do…?”

Upon hearing those words, Balt shook his head and replied.

“What should we do… Your Excellency?”

“At least there’s a hole to survive if the sky falls; we have to find a way out. Otherwise, we’ll be in big trouble.”

After saying this, I had no choice but to prepare to respond to his summons as a vassal of the Count.

**

Normally, I would have gone by carriage, but since it was an “urgent summoning order,” I rode a horse to arrive as quickly as possible.

Riding a horse is much more laborious than riding in a carriage, which is comfortable since I have to drive it myself…

Thanks to that, I managed to cover a distance that would usually take seven days by carriage in just four days, but I never want to do this again.

In a rush, we had to make do with hardtack, salted fish, and some cheese for meals…

The incredibly hard hardtack was impossible to chew with human teeth, so I had to boil it down with salted fish and cheese to eat it as a soup.

Of course, the taste was… like eating thickly boiled chunks of savory salt.

Occasionally, when I had to sleep outdoors, I would build a campfire under a tree and take turns standing guard with Balt and the guards…

Just thinking about it brings up some really nauseating memories.

While reminiscing about such memories, I rode hurriedly towards the territory of Count Nante, when a guard cheerfully pointed ahead and said.

“I can see a castle with a white lily and bluebird emblem! We have arrived in Nante, Your Excellency!”

Ah… We finally arrived in the city of Nante?

Even if I had to suffer additional expenses to get a carriage on the way back, I would ride one to return comfortably as much as possible… And I should give the guards some special allowance.

“Well done, everyone! Before we enter Nante Castle tomorrow… Balt, come here.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

I handed Balt a pouch containing several silver coins and said.

“I don’t want to drink with you guys anyway… Once I enter the Count’s residence, you all have fun. And you can say Balt is treating you.”

Upon hearing that, Balt couldn’t hide his smile and replied in a very quiet voice.

“Thank you, Your Excellency…”

**

That night, Balt, the guards, and I settled our luggage in the accommodations guided by the butler of the Count’s residence.

After sorting out all our things, Balt took the guards and went out for drinks.

Back when I was the lord of Windheim, I could have hung out with them, but…

If I hang out now, I would become the clueless Baron 1.

Since I was already extremely tired, I decided to just sleep.

Just as I was about to settle down and doze off, someone knocked on the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Left. I’ve come by the order of Baron Croilet. I apologize for disturbing you during your rest, but could you come quickly?”

Baron Croilet, not Count Schwabin, is a person of proper understanding, so to call me at a time like this…

He must want to have a serious discussion quickly.

“I will be out soon. Please wait 15 minutes.”

**

The room where Baron Croilet, the second-in-command of the Count’s territory, was staying was luxurious and elegant.

The black lacquered wooden walls, a large bed big enough for four people to lie down on, silk bedding, sofas lavishly made of cowhide, and a grand fireplace for decoration…

Compared to the residence of Baron Croilet in my territory, it was vastly more expensive and splendid.

After taking a moment to look around the room, the door opened, and the Baron entered.

Seeing the Baron, whom I hadn’t met in years, I noticed that he had clearly suffered under Count Schwabin, as half of his face looked gaunt, and his wrinkles were deeper.

When I first met him, although he already had some gray hair here and there, he was a dignified middle-aged man…

Seeing the Baron who had aged so drastically made me feel sorry for him.

“Father… You’ve lost a lot of weight.”

“I have more work to do here than in the territory of Croilet. I can’t sleep for more than four hours a day.”

No matter how strong a person is, working while getting less than four hours of sleep will ruin their health; isn’t he going to truly die like this?

“Father, you’ll end up passing away like that… No matter how busy you are, you need to sleep at least six hours.”

Upon hearing my words, Baron Croilet waved his hands in front of himself.

“I want to do that, but I have too much to do. The Count doesn’t handle the paperwork well…”

When I made a worried expression at what he said, the Baron smiled and said.

“I may be struggling a bit, but Your Excellency trusting me makes me eager to work.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it seems that if I do well here in the Nante territory, I might be able to introduce the four-field crop rotation system next year. I’ve successfully persuaded the village heads and bailiffs in the rural areas…”

Considering that it had already been introduced in the territory of Croilet a few years ago with success, it may seem late…

But if I think about how the four-field crop rotation method, which is known for its agricultural success in Flanders, only spread to England’s Norfolk region several years after it became known…

The fact that the Baron was able to introduce this farming method here in just a few years is quite remarkable.

“That’s impressive. The lives of the serfs in the Nante territory will flourish. There will be even more voices praising the Count.”

“Thank you, SIEL. Because you discovered this farming method… our Croilet has become prosperous, and I was finally able to repay the late Count Nante for his kindness…”

Tears began to well up in the Baron’s eyes as he spoke.

In the eyes of the Baron, who was over fifty years old, I could see various emotions like longing for the late Count Nante and pride in the success he achieved as a guardian.

After that, the Baron wiped his tears with his sleeve and then spoke with a serious expression again.

“SIEL, I’ll ask you directly. Do you think we have a chance of winning this war?”

The Count of Helzman, who has governed his territory well for decades and has fought in a hundred wars, against the debauchery of Count Nante, who only reads chivalric literature…

Even though the quality of the knights and professional soldiers would probably be nearly equal, and the majority of the infantry formed by the serfs may be around the same level…

It’s like saying that a pack of sheep commanded by a lion could defeat a pride led by sheep—the incapable Count Nante would ultimately lead his army to defeat.

“No. We will definitely lose.”

“That’s to be expected… If it’s not just any Baron but Helzman…”

There was a moment of silence between us.

And at that moment, an astonishing thought crossed my mind.

The current Count Nante had already violated his duty as a lord to protect me, who has now received a declaration of war, and moreover, he had gone as far as extorting compensation.

Then, knowing that we can mobilize 3,000 in our standing army, he surely would use all kinds of tricks to weaken us.

One piece of evidence is that I have a duty to marry a daughter of a vassal with a title similar to mine, and by not guaranteeing that, he was working to make my position more precarious.

If we continue to be attached to that guy, to speak frankly, “Croilet” will only suffer losses.

And in the beautiful medieval mutual feudal contract, it would be only fair if I betrayed that guy…

If so, as long as I hit Count Schwabin von Nante hard from behind and don’t get caught, it would be legitimate.

As some cartoon said, “As long as you don’t get caught, it’s not a crime…”

Then…

“Father, but I see a chance for victory in this battle. Count Helzman is unable to exert his full strength when fighting us right now.”

I will strike him from behind, but I will present the glorious victory, leaving only wounds to Count Schwabin von Nante, ensuring he won’t doubt me.