Chapter 70

As my command was given, the soldiers standing next to the door stepped aside, and in response, the door began to open.

The castle gate, more than 8 meters wide and 10 meters tall, was opening very slowly.

Seeing the door open, the soldiers gazed at the castle gate with eager eyes, as if tempted by ‘plunder.’

Of course, even in Europe, plundering food, military supplies, and women was considered common until international law started having ‘practical effects.’

Generally, as long as there was no ‘massacre’ under the commander’s tacit approval or permission, such acts were carried out with the thrill of riding an exciting amusement ride.

It was no wonder that 30 years ago, the cavalry commander Papenheim, who was excessively lenient in such matters during the Thirty Years’ War, wrote in his autobiography after receiving reports of the massacre of 25,000 citizens and the rape of all women in Magdeburg:

[Today, the soldiers plundered and returned with a good haul, raising their morale, and I feel very good about it.]

However, if we plunder this place, we would completely lose the goodwill of the entire ‘Count Nante’s territory’ and abandon future countless profits we could gain from the city of Nante.

Personally, I want to avoid ‘plundering’ and especially would not even want to hear about a cute girl around Ella’s age being raped by a brutish soldier for no reason.

When I first established the standing army, there was a report of a girl being raped by a low-ranking soldier…

That scoundrel was executed on the spot, crushed from hands to toes in front of her family, and finally, ‘that place’ was smashed with a hammer until he died.

Ordinarily, that girl would have had to witness this sight, but… due to the mental shock from being raped and the social stigma of having lost her purity to a soldier, she committed suicide by the time the report was made.

So, to ensure such an event never happens again, I cautioned the soldiers one last time while the door was opening.

“No matter the rank, anyone who plunders a single coin or a grain of wheat from the citizens of the city or villages will be executed without exception. Furthermore, unless there is a record of service to me, even their children and wives will be executed. Instead, I will reward you beyond what you have received so far, so do not be blinded by the profits before you and act foolishly.”

As the castle gate opened, the scene of the city of Nante came into my view.

White and yellow walls and houses with tall vertical windows, a somewhat worn but large street paved with bricks, and stalls selling fruits, fish, meat, and drinks lined up in front of the houses.

Although it was not as grand as the imperial city of Elaline where the emperor lives, I wondered if the population including the surrounding residents would be around 30,000 to 50,000 in such a city.

However, within the castle, perhaps fearing plundering, it was so quiet that it seemed deserted despite the sun being high in the sky.

Although the people here seemed to believe that ‘Count Croilet’ is a person of honor, they likely think of that as relative compared to other lords.

A reputation of being relatively less likely to plunder, less likely to pursue women, and less likely to kill.

Lost in such thoughts, I was marching proudly on horseback when merchants dressed in ‘silken garments’ appeared.

All of them wore black clothes, likely due to the restrictions that prevented them from wearing ‘silk’ unless they were nobles, even if they had accumulated wealth as merchants.

In that moment, I thought they might be a group of grim reapers.

The merchants stopped before me, knelt on both knees, and bowed their heads to show respect, but I raised one hand to stop them and said.

“Why have you come?”

Then the merchant in front of me waved his hand to signal the person behind him and spoke.

“We have come to show a small token of goodwill. Please accept it.”

After a moment, a small carriage appeared before me.

Inside, there was a large bag filled with gold coins, and two girls dressed in frilly dresses being sold to a new master.

Both had different charms from Ella and were even to my taste…

How did they know my preferences when I had never been close to anyone other than Ella?

The merchant clasped his hands together and said to me.

“We have brought you girls whom the citizens of Nante have sincerely gathered together with 1,000 gold coins. In addition, there are the finest armor, sword, and shield created by Master Schmitz of Hamburg on the floor of the carriage to present to you, Your Excellency. Please accept them.”

Two girls of that beauty for 1,000 gold coins, along with Master Schmitz’s armor, sword, and shield, which are ‘hard to buy even if you have money’…

And judging by the fact that these hadn’t mentioned the offerings they made to others, they likely prepared something slightly lesser for my father.

Perhaps everyone above the rank of captain would receive a sufficient amount of gold coins, weapons, and women…

Even receiving this much would earn me the title of ‘saint,’ but since I wanted to govern Nante as I please, I said…

“Thank you for showing me this token of goodwill. Thus, I will not plunder you. Moreover, I have no need for this small change. So inform the citizens that there will be no plundering after I leave this place. Return immediately and reassure them.”

Hearing those words, the representative of the merchants looked as though he might faint, his eyes wide with disbelief, struggling to conceal his panic, and he asked.

“Your Excellency, what nonsense is this? Just accepting our token will earn you the gratitude of the citizens for not plundering. But you say you need nothing?”

“I mean exactly that. Also, I am SIEL von Croilet. The revenue generated from our territory has already… Chris?”

Upon hearing that, Chris approached me and replied.

“The revenue from your direct territory alone is 100,000 gold coins. The profits from purchasing food for others will amount to about 200,000 gold coins.”

The man standing before me gaped and muttered.

“Is that even possible…”

“Do you not know that as a merchant, you are well aware of the superiority of my trading house?”

“…Is there any question about that? We have been joking for years since you were the lord of Windheim, speculating whether you are actually buying the Santoburke Barony next door with money, even drawing up business plans accordingly…”

That punk is over-exaggerating again. At that time, the best case scenario would have been to gather enough money to buy a territory governed by a bailiff with around 2,000 inhabitants.

“Then, I need nothing. Just go back.”

Hearing that, the merchant kept repeating those words, but his anxiety made him look alternatingly at me and the other merchants, starting to contemplate.

If he was behaving like this in front of me, it seemed like he was left with more feelings of ‘anxiety’ than ‘gratitude’…

So, I had no choice but to decide to accept a very small portion of what they offered and asked.

“Where did you bring those maids from?”

Upon my question, the merchant, thinking I was acting to guarantee their safety by receiving something from them, wore a bright smile and replied.

“They are girls who came to us burdened by debt. Ordinarily, they would have been sold to a slave trader for around 200 to 300 gold coins, but how could I take money from Your Excellency?”

Girls burdened with debt… somehow reminded me of Ella.

Thinking about it, if Ella became the ‘Count’s concubine’, it would be harder for her to associate with girls her age than before… So it might help to assign her a ‘maid’ without a family to alleviate her loneliness.

After all, that would be much better than wasting my time on other knights or the daughters of baronial families.

“Alright, I will take those two girls.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

Then I reached out to Chris and received a blank check, writing ‘I guarantee the payment of 1,299 gold coins on behalf of Count Croilet’ and handed it to him, saying.

“I only need one gold coin from all the citizens of Nante. I will reward the others generously, so there is no need to give me even a single coin. The rest of the gold is all for the cost of meat, beer, wine for the banquet, and the wages for the women’s labor.”

“Yes, understood.”

Then I placed my hand on the shoulder of the man before me and said firmly.

“If I find out that even a single laborer has not received fair compensation during my investigation… I will come after you myself.”

At that, the man before me trembled as he replied.

“There is no question about it…”

“If money is lacking, contact the castle. I will give more, but if even a single coin is misappropriated, it will be challenging for you to survive.”

And then I headed towards the Count’s mansion.

**

With a little exaggeration, it was extravagantly splendid, as it was a place where the people didn’t even flinch when starving to death before their eyes.

The floors were all laid with marble, and the walls were covered with white wallpaper or ebony wood.

In the middle of the long hallway, vases said to be made in the ‘East’ were placed.

Just one of those vases would probably cost about as much as the warhorse knights ride…

Well, to be honest, a count of Nante could afford such luxury…

But thinking that Schwein was responsible for that made me feel sick.

Putting those feelings aside, I headed to the audience chamber, the most important space in this mansion.

When I entered the audience chamber, my father, Balt, and Croilet’s knights all stood up in unison, kneeling on one knee and bowing their heads.

The fact that my father showed me such reverence was a testament to how strongly I was wielding my power and a declaration that I would not cross the bounds of ‘baron’ no matter what I did.

I would have to visit my father later and present suitable gifts and gratitude…

“Thank you for your hard work. Everyone, please stand.”

Upon those words, all the knights, including my father, stood up simultaneously.

Then, I bowed my head towards them and spoke.

“With your help and sacrifice, I was able to overthrow the wicked Count of Nante who had abandoned honor and defend my rights and honor. To repay your devotion, I hereby declare that I am SIEL von Croilet, the rightful lord governing the territories of Nante and Helzman, not merely ‘Baron Croilet.’ Although I have not received formal approval from the imperial court, I should soon be formally appointed as a count.”

At those words, the knights erupted into cheers.

“Long live Count Your Excellency!!”

“With Count Your Excellency, neither the battlefield nor hell holds any fear!!”

And I continued speaking.

“Good, then I will stand on the battlefield with you and passionately repay that devotion. First, let me show proof of that. Bring in the valiant warriors who resisted the knights relying solely on one spear.”

Then about 30 knights, serving as captains, slowly walked forward from the back of the audience chamber, kneeling on one knee when they reached before me.

I clapped once and said with a smile.

“I have already slapped you once, so I won’t do it here. Once should be enough, no? Instead, I will grant you all the titles, positions, and honors that symbolize the nobility as knights. Rest assured, this is separate from the territory or wealth that will come from the awards.”

At that, maids, including Chris dressed in dresses, presented each of them with ‘fine swords inlaid with gold all the way to the sheath.’

Those who received them began to cry, and I patted the shoulder of one of them.

“Should your future be bright and yet you weep in the audience chamber? The maids are watching, you know.”

As soon as those words ended, small laughs flowed among the knights.

Then I borrowed the sword from the knight before me, drew it for a moment, and rested it on both of their shoulders.

“You are all now appointed as lieutenants, not mere captains. You will command around 300 to 500 infantry. Of course, your salaries or the territories you will receive during your service will maintain your dignity as knights, so it is advisable to choose wisely. Aim to be promoted to colonel and ascend to command over more than 2,000 troops.”

Upon hearing those words, the newly appointed knights in the audience chamber could not hold back their tears and began to cry.

A few of the commoners, born of bastards, knelt down and sobbed openly.

I ignored them and continued speaking.

“And Chris Veladora.”

Upon hearing my words, Chris, in a light blue dress, gracefully walked over to stand before me like a ‘noblewoman of society.’

Her sky-blue hair and golden eyes matched her dress so well that I momentarily lost myself in admiration.

To hide my surprise, I quickly composed myself and said.

“Chris Veladora assisted in strategizing with Balt from the imperial city, spreading various armors, money, and food in front of 18,000 infantry to minimize our casualties. In addition, she effectively promoted supplies during the war… I believe she has made excellent contributions. How do you all feel about acknowledging her at the same level?”

Upon hearing those words, all the knights murmured, seemingly ‘not convinced.’

Yet, they did not seem to have the courage to oppose an absolute authority with thousands of standing troops and more money, merely muttering amongst themselves…

After a while, one knight at the back, seeming angry, spoke up.

“But she did not stand on the battlefield! No, how can a woman possibly work alongside us? What honor is there? What price did she pay? Did she shed blood…”

I merely glared at the knight and said.

“If we were exhausted and faced 18,000 infantry, we might have lost. Stopping that is already sufficient honor, and while she may be a ‘woman,’ Chris Veladora has already demonstrated valor and courage on par with any honorable knight by coming out wielding a blunt axe and taking out the heads of those bastard threats to your safety.”

Even with that, the knight continued to object.

“Although you made a valid point, it is hard to accept her being placed on the same level as us. After all, we fought with lances on the battlefield, but she did not, did she?”

“That is a fair point, well said. Very well. Chris.”

Called upon, Chris stood up straight, seemingly startled as if she had transformed into a tree.

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

“Your merits are already sufficient to be appointed as a ‘knight,’ but I cannot recognize someone who has not yet stood on the battlefield as a knight. Therefore, Chris Veladora, I will give you the opportunity to hold an office corresponding to a ‘lieutenant’ or be appointed as a lieutenant. Choose wisely.”

With those words, I handed her the ‘cheap dagger’ I had at my waist.

“Carry this from now on. Despite being a woman, are you not the head of a distinguished family?”

As Chris accepted the dagger, she timidly caressed it while blushing and said.

“Th-thank you, Your Excellency…”

Then I turned to the other knights and loudly declared.

“The territories are not completely pacified, and there is much to do. I must soon meet with His Grace Duke Brussels. Therefore, it may take time until complete rewards are given, but I permit you all to hold a ‘banquet’ today. It will be worth 500 gold coins, and if it falls short, speak to the treasurer to take more of my money. Strive to spend it all.”

With that, I finished preparing to move to the city of Brussels as quickly as possible.

Then I departed the mansion with Major Frost, his platoon, and Chris.

From now on, time is of the essence.

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