Chapter 43

There is a saying that symbolizes the prosperity of the Count of Nante’s family.

“A blessed land where the golden wheat shines like a flowing wave, stretching from one end of the horizon to the other.”

In reality, there aren’t vast fields that extend all the way to the horizon, but it is said that farming does exceptionally well here compared to other territories.

The wide plains lined along the Rainer River, which crosses the center of the domain, boast a harvest yield of 1.3 to 1.4 times more than the farmlands in other countships of similar size.

Even the immense quantity of the Rainer River allows farming without worries over water, provided there are resources available to develop farmland, without needing to build reservoirs.

Thanks to this blessed natural environment, it is said that among the nobles of our territory, there have been instances where adventurous serfs, with sufficient land, established villages that were recognized as fiefs and were acknowledged as knights.

While one cannot become a knight just because of land in today’s world…

Due to this background, our Count of Nante’s family enjoys a more prosperous and wealthy life compared to other count families.

Naturally, the abundance of food and wealth has provided the means to train excellent knights and soldiers, resulting in our domain successfully becoming powerful with a force of 1,000 knights.

In contrast, the Count of Helzman commands merely about 600 knights, with infantry barely exceeding 10,000 even when fully conscripted.

Since one knight can handle ten opponents, if it comes to a head-on charge, the Count of Helzman would be in a losing situation.

With this knowledge, I decided to utilize this situation and began to persuade the viscount before me to drive both the Count of Nante and the Count of Helzman into a war full of wounds.

“First of all, according to the information provided by the apprentice from Hamburg, last year the Count of Helzman engaged in a fierce battle with Franche and Count Charlesheim of Romania. They have somewhat recovered from their wounds, but I hear they have not fully healed.”

The viscount frowned at these words, but I continued without regard for his reaction.

“Now this is essential information. Listen closely.”

“Yeah.”

“When the Count of Charlesheim fought the Count of Helzman, it just so happened that the Count of Helzman’s right-hand man, Viscount Mental, was struck by an unnamed knight’s lance and fell, suffering severe wounds. Just a few days ago, it was reported that the injuries from that fall worsened, and he died.”

Upon hearing this, the viscount’s expression brightened a bit.

Even if Helzman is strong as a lion and cunning as a snake, it’s only natural that he would weaken without his right-hand man.

“And from what I know, the reason the Count of Helzman was able to exert his influence in Franche was largely due to the knights led by Viscount Mental, who was known as his sharpest spear… Wouldn’t it be worthwhile to face the infamous knights of Helzman now?”

“Indeed. Our knights, though slightly inferior, are all strong. If only Gentle Viscount weren’t around, we wouldn’t lose in a direct confrontation.”

Though he claim to be indifferent, I could see the joy in his face at the positive change from ‘a battle to absolutely avoid’ to ‘a battle worth fighting.’

He was trying to appear aloof, but it seemed a smile would break through and stretch across his face.

However, the viscount of Croilet before me was not an opponent to be underestimated.

If I concluded the persuasion and returned like this, surely by tomorrow morning, he would critique the situation as ‘insufficient’ and begin reanalyzing the forces…

After analyzing, he’d conclude that while we might win overall, the overall commander, Count Schwabin of Nante, in his current state, wouldn’t yield such favorable results.

Therefore, to prevent him from having the luxury of carrying out a rational analysis, I thrust the letter bearing my urgent summons toward the viscount and snapped.

“Look here. Right now, only a few nobles from our domain and the palace know about this absurd scandal, but it will soon spread to all of Elaline, or even to Romania and Franche! If this scandal spreads in its current state…”

The viscount’s expression turned serious as he replied.

“In the worst case, Count Nante may not be able to marry a lady of equal rank. Along with that, all the vassals of our Count of Nante would become a group of fools following a count who cannot even marry properly.”

“Exactly. If we get covered in such disgrace… Not only I but other nobles as well…”

Until the 1980s, or rather into the early 2000s, almost everyone in Korea got married.

This was because failing to marry led to being viewed as ‘somehow lacking’ in workplaces or society, and one would not be regarded as a proper adult.

That impact still lingers today; in their mid-30s, people occasionally post in online communities complaining about their mothers suddenly setting them up on blind dates and nagging them to get married…

Moreover, in a society where the meaning of marriage is so much heavier and greater than in Korea, not being able to marry…

It’s truly like a ‘certificate’ proving there’s something wrong with you.

Hence, I said this.

“All of us nobles, including your Excellency, the Count, will be treated as fools, not even nobles, if we cannot marry properly.”

Realizing what I meant, the viscount looked pale and said.

“If that happens, the very reign of Count Nante will be in danger. No matter how pledged the loyalty of the knights may be, they will not follow a lord who brings such disgrace…”

Thus, I affirmed firmly to help the viscount solidify his resolve.

“Therefore, we have no choice but to fight. We have no ability to avoid it, father. The moment we bear disgrace, we cease to be nobles.”

“….. I see. Then once more, I shall ask. Do you think there is a chance of victory in this war?”

Things are going according to plan.

Helzman and Nante Count will soon be bogged down in mutual conflict, engaging in a war that will leave nothing but wounds…

Actually, Count Nante will likely win just barely, leaving Schwabin with ‘honor’. Of course, he will lose the trust of his subordinates.

So, suppressing the laugh that threatened to escape, I answered gravely.

“Do you truly think that Count Nante, with his thousand knights, would be so incompetent as not to defeat the 600 knights who have lost their edge?”

“That is not the case. No matter how it is a first deployment, simply pretending to heed the knights’ advice would make it possible…”

“Then we can surely win, father.”

At my words, a bright smile returned to the viscount’s face.

In his gaze upon me, there was not a hint of doubt.

Thus, although it is for the future of the Croilet family and to protect the serfs and vassals of the territory he so cherished…

It pained me to think that I would use his trust and expectations in the wrong direction, to eventually lead the Count he is so desperately trying to protect into a pit of despair…

Therefore, I resolved to protect my domain, Croilet, even if it meant pushing the Count toward death at my own hands.

“Do not worry. I, Siel von Croilet, will do my utmost to protect Croilet. The victory in this war is for him. We shall meet at the strategy meeting tomorrow, father.”

Upon hearing this, the viscount’s expression changed momentarily, as it is customary to say ‘to protect Count and his domain,’ yet I had referred to it as ‘my domain,’ causing him to regard me with a hint of doubt.

However, he soon smiled back at me and said.

“Very well, we will see each other at the strategy meeting tomorrow. I trust in the strategies you have devised.”

I left the viscount’s chambers and returned to my lodgings to have a late dinner.

During that meal, I felt no taste whatsoever.

**

The next day, I entered the meeting room to attend the meeting at the time the Count had called for.

I had thought that everyone would arrive slightly after the promised time, so I intentionally arrived on time, but contrary to my expectations, the Count and other barons were already having a heated discussion inside.

“Baron Circland!! What are you talking about!! It should be our Baron Hiber’s army facing off against the Count of Helzman!!”

“What nonsense! Only our Baron Circland’s troops can bear the weight of the vanguard. We have been outfitting horses with armor since ages ago. Baron Hiber must know the difference is immense between armored horses and unarmored ones.”

Upon hearing this, Baron Hiber could only tremble, unable to offer any rebuttal.

As I witnessed this scene, I seriously questioned if these individuals had any intention of winning.

Even if they wanted to engage in political power struggles, shouldn’t they yield a little when going to war?

If they don’t make allowances for one another, all that awaits them is destruction…

Even more ridiculous is the way Schwabin watches the two fight, wearing an expression akin to “They are all doing this for me…”

I ignored the commotion between the two barons and took a seat that had been prepared.

After confirming my arrival, Count Schwabin called out loudly.

“Everyone quiet down! First, Viscount Croilet, do you have any thoughts?”

I had thoughts, but I deliberately replied in a tone as if I were completely unaware.

“I’m not sure. What’s the situation?”

Upon hearing this, the Count, seemingly eager to show off his superior strategy, picked up the golden-glazed tactical baton he had placed in front of him and pointed at the map while speaking.

“First, we shall attack Helzman City, the capital of the territory governed by Count Helzman. To do so, we must first defeat Count Helzman and his army. We have more knights than they do, so we will intend to fight in their territory… the Sand Plains.”

Though I disliked Count Schwabin, his strategy at present was very reasonable.

Our most significant advantage over the enemy lies in the number of knights. To maximize that advantage, we must fight in as large a plain as possible.

Even a slow-witted person has some talents; it appears the Count actually has the brains to craft a decent strategy.

No, he’s merely reciting what someone else devised.

“Please continue speaking.”

“Everyone agrees up to this point, but the issue is that we have yet to decide who will be at the vanguard of my army. How about you take charge?”

In a conventional army, the ‘vanguard’ is a position of great glory and significance.

Thus, the Count’s suggestion for me to take the ‘vanguard’ symbolizes his trust in me, and it was a proposal I could not refuse…

Yet, as Confucius said, “A gentleman is one who is hated by bad people and loved by good people,” to be loved by the wicked Schwabin would mean that I would ultimately be reduced to his level.

To be exact, as Schwabin makes mistakes and falls, I would fall alongside him.

To prevent that from happening, I needed to keep my distance from him as much as possible…

To achieve that…

“First, I will take the mission to move ahead, but I would like our troops to operate separately.”

Upon hearing this, Schwabin, seemingly angry for being denied despite his request, asked curiously why I would refuse.

“Why is that?!”

“There are 15,000 infantry and 1,500 knights being mobilized from the entirety of the Count of Nante’s domain, while we have 3,000 infantry and 50 knights. If you look at our troop formations, you’ll see that Croilet is an infantry-centric army, so our operational directives differ.”

I explained in detail that our troops were entirely different, so acting together would be a loss, yet Schwabin looked at me with an expression that suggested he did not understand.

He seemed about to glare back, but before he could, Baron Circland, eager to take the vanguard, spoke faster than the Count.

“Your Excellency, Viscount Croilet is right. Our forces are not suitable for associating with such a small troop of knights. Therefore, it may be permissible for him to operate separately as he suggests.”

“Is that so? In that case…”

At that moment, I was able to gain the flexibility I desired, and I devised a plan to avoid participation in the battle between Count Nante’s army and Count Helzman’s army.

Using this method, even if those two engage in a fierce and bloody battle, we should come back mostly unharmed…

Recognizing this opportunity to act before it slipped away, I called out to the Count.

“Your Excellency, if you grant us the freedom to act separately… After you defeat Count Helzman, I will prepare a blockade to prevent him from re-entering his city!!”