Chapter 71

In Joseon, the highest position one could attain as a minister is called the Prime Minister, whereas in the West, the equivalent is a Duke.

Moreover, the status of a Duke is immensely higher compared to that of the Prime Minister in Joseon.

With vast economic power, large land holdings, and millions of subjects, they are almost granted a status equal to that of “direct royal blood.”

In fact, some Dukes even sit in higher positions than royalty during official events in the Eraline Empire…

Thus, their status can be said to reach the heavens, echoing through the mountains.

The mansion of Duke Brussels, who wields such power and wealth, was extravagant.

It was so dazzling that it could not simply be described as glorious.

The ceiling boasted a vibrant depiction of the tales of Deus, and scattered paintings of Deus, the goddess of beauty, and angels adorned the walls.

The walls without paintings were covered with pure white marble, intricately inlaid with gold patterns at the corners.

I had long dreamt of seeing masterpieces from the absolute monarchy era akin to the Palace of Versailles, and little did I expect to fulfill that wish after being reincarnated in Europe.

Ella and Chris, perhaps sharing my thoughts, both looked around in awe and exclaimed.

“Wow, it’s incredible, Master… The paintings on the ceiling are so lifelike and beautiful.”

“I never imagined such a beautiful house could exist. I wonder if the palaces in heaven look like this.”

“Indeed, the ceiling paintings are as beautiful as seeing a living person.”

Soon after, a man in a black silk ceremonial outfit appeared before us, slightly bowed his head, and greeted me.

“I am Baron Paul von Brinschwitz, Your Excellency Count Croilet. It is an honor to see you in person.”

Though I had fully conquered the territories of Nante and Helzman, this welcoming role is typically performed by the “butler of the Duke’s family…”

I never expected that a figure of the Baron’s rank would come just to guide me…

It seems Duke Brussels holds me in high regard…

To match that evaluation, I responded as politely as possible.

“I am Siel von Croilet. This young lady here is Ella, my concubine. And the one next to me is Chris Belladora, my secretary.”

Baron Brinschwitz appeared surprised at the presence of my concubine Ella, but maintained a calm demeanor as he listened to my introduction.

However, when I introduced Chris, he stared at me in shock and asked.

“Your Excellency’s secretary is a woman… You have quite a unique taste…”

“She is a capable talent. Had it not been for her assistance before the suppression of Count Nante, we would have faced 18,000 infantry after having just defeated over 2,000 knights while exhausted. I treat her equally to the other men.”

Upon hearing that, the Baron scratched his head and replied.

“Is that so? I thought she was a ‘concubine’ brought along under the guise of being a ‘secretary’.”

In Europa, it’s common knowledge that women are seen only as subordinate beings to men, so it’s understandable for the Baron to think that way.

Though I can’t tell what he’s truly thinking, he does seem to possess a surprisingly high awareness of gender equality for a nobleman of this era, given his “honest clarification.”

Thus, I shifted the conversation by saying something else.

“Never mind that, Baron. When can I meet His Excellency the Duke?”

“I believe you’ll be able to meet him the day after tomorrow. In the meantime, please rest comfortably at the Brussels mansion. If you wish, we can fully assist you with ‘Your Excellency’s tour’ while you wait. Is there anything you desire, be it women or food? Everything is prepared.”

“Let’s rest today and tour tomorrow. Please introduce me to many good places.”

Upon hearing that, the Baron smiled at me and said.

“Shall I send a maid to attend to you? She may not compare to Lady Ella…”

“That is sufficient, Baron. I’ll just accept your good intentions. I haven’t had much time with Ella lately.”

Although I said it this way, he undoubtedly means to suggest.

“How about our spy? She’s beautiful and has a fantastic figure.”

Even if I accepted that, the Duke wouldn’t be disappointed with someone who has already passed the trial of becoming a Count; it’s certainly a foolish action that would at least diminish my value by 5-10%.

I’m not a Schwabin to fall for such tricks.

I yawned discreetly while covering my mouth, then firmly grabbed Ella’s shoulder, who was eating tea and pastries beside me, and said.

“Baron, the rooms that Ella and I will stay in will, of course, be the same, right?”

Upon hearing that, the Baron let out a slight chuckle as if he had been caught off guard.

“Yes, of course. I’ll offer you the royal suite usually reserved for the Duke’s direct family when they visit. As for the attendants…”

“I prefer a maid who’s a bit older. Please take care of that.”

With that, I headed up to the room with Ella.

That night, I spent time with Ella passionately to convey the message, “Don’t think of sending other female spies.”

So much so that the next day, when maids might have been sneaking glances or eavesdropping on our significantly more lewd and intense activities after arriving at the mansion, they were somewhat taken aback.

As a side note, Ella lightly expressed some “discontent” regarding our intimate moments for the first time…

To appease her, I promised to buy her many pretty dresses tomorrow.

**

Regardless, even after spending a passionate time with Ella, I had to attend to the “business” of touring this territory, so I woke up at noon.

As I opened my eyes and received Ella’s assistance in getting dressed before leaving the room, the Baron awaited me once again.

The moment he saw me, the Baron cleared his throat and spoke.

“I’ve heard that you’ve accomplished numerous feats on the battlefield as ‘The White God of Croilet,’ yet it seems you were terrifying even in bed… Our maids informed me.”

While such an invasion of privacy and eavesdropping could land one in jail in modern Korea as a crime of sexual harassment, here, it’s not a problem.

Even in Joseon, people would openly peek through holes in paper doors on newlyweds’ first nights, and in Europe, as far back as the Middle Ages, noble marriage consummations were public events.

In that context, eavesdropping isn’t a major reason for reprimand, and if a maid was waiting just in case, it’s hard to argue.

And being terrifying in bed is considered the highest praise for a man both in Korea and here.

So I smiled and replied.

“It’s an honor, Baron.”

“Back in my day, I thought I ruled the bed like Your Excellency does, but hearing of your achievements makes me feel like I can’t boast anymore.”

Thus, for about 20 minutes, we conversed like noblemen of ‘Europa,’ ruled by camaraderie and masculinity.

I had no desire to publicly discuss Ella on the bed, so I mainly spoke about clothes, snacks, and cute things that suited Ella’s taste.

After a while, a woman dressed in a flowy light pink dress approached me with Chris and greeted me.

“Your Excellency, I apologize for the wait.”

“Miss Belladora, is this the esteemed Count Croilet before me?”

I greeted the woman in front of me, donning the dress, with an imposing demeanor.

“I am Siel von Croilet, Count of Croilet, Nante, and Helzman. May I have the honor of knowing your name?”

“I am Anna Brünhild of the Brinschwitz family, a distant relative of Baron Brinschwitz. Today, I have been instructed to ensure you do not grow bored while waiting for the Duke. It is an honor to explore the city with such a distinguished person as yourself.”

At those words, Ella seemed slightly displeased, pouting her cheeks as she watched a stray cat wagging its tail in front of her, slightly away from me.

Normally, I would comfort her, but given the situation, I decided to leave Ella for a moment and continue the conversation with the woman in front of me.

“Very well, Brünhild. I would like to explore the various luxury items, fine clothing, food, and barracks in this territory. Is that possible?”

“Yes, Your Excellency. The Duke has instructed that if you so wish, we may even open the Duke’s treasury and the archives containing confidential documents… It is certainly possible.”

While I can understand the treasury, even the archive with confidential documents…

Isn’t this Duke deliberately signaling trust, lest I become an adversary and be distanced from victory in the succession war?

Of course, I wouldn’t engage in any reckless behavior even if granted access.

“Great, then I’d like to visit the barracks first. Luxuries and clothes usually come in during ‘dinner’.”

“That is indeed a wise thought.”

I then glanced at Ella and Chris and spoke to the Baron.

“They are precious women to me. Although Chris is not my concubine, she is a valued secretary I wish to keep near me. Thus, while I am away, could you arrange for massages or delicious food for them?”

“Of course, Your Excellency. I will honorably welcome them as my esteemed guests.”

After concluding that conversation, I left Ella and Chris inside the mansion and headed towards the barracks.

**

The barracks of the Duke located on the outskirts of Brussels city.

The barracks were surrounded by a low but very wide castle wall, efficiently housing soldiers’ dormitories, parade grounds, and armories.

Then suddenly, I began to hear a loud voice in my ears.

“You useless bastards!! You play so well when drinking and hanging out with women at the tavern, but now that it’s time to bring your lovers, you’re scared?! Is that what being human is about, or are you rodents?!”

“Please spare us!!”

“Shut up! Grab your spears and become soldiers! After ten years of service, you’ll receive a pension sufficient for life, and also the chance to marry, and you can’t endure that?! New recruits!!”

“Captain Hundred…”

“Everyone, get on your stomachs!”

That method seems to be a sort of draft system resembling a “press gang” that I usually use to recruit recruits, minus the abduction?

I thought such a forward-thinking method would take some time to introduce unless one were an exceptional genius, but the Duke has implemented it?

I ran without paying attention to my dignity to observe the training of these recruits conducted at the parade grounds.

Upon arriving there, Anna, who was still wearing her dress, caught up to me at the fastest pace she could without losing her poise.

Without waiting for Anna, I grabbed the best-armored man on the parade ground, handed him some gold coins, and asked.

“Can I ask just one question?”

“Uh, um… Your Excellency. Though I may look like this, I am the Captain Hundred here, so I won’t slip through that easily…”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m just curious about the recruitment method for new soldiers. If you answer, I’ll treat your Captain Hundred to drinks and meat. Of course, personally as well.”

Upon hearing that, the Captain smiled broadly.

“If that’s the case, I can happily provide answers without betraying the Duke. First, when it’s time to draft soldiers, we give sufficient money to the 20-man captains and go to taverns where the ‘poor’ gather. After that, the 20-man captains call together the impoverished men aged 10 to 30.”

“I see, go on.”

“The important part at this time is that the money the 20-man captains use to distribute the drinks must be equivalent to ‘their one week’s salary.’ If not, the recruits would think they won’t be given money afterward and may try to desert. In the past, some impoverished recruits fled because we didn’t follow this rule…”

I’m merely applying historical knowledge to the situation, but has the Duke taken just the bits I’ve shown him and tailored them most effectively to operate a military system suited for his territory…

Really, I must avoid becoming hostile toward this Duke.

“That sounds like a serious problem.”

“That’s why we always uphold this principle. By providing drinks and telling war stories, discussing salary and future, about 9 out of every 10 who come inside choose the path of a ‘soldier.’ Next, we give them coaching fees and make them pass through a ‘baptism of soldiers’ where veterans cross their spears in a square watched by citizens. From that coaching fee, we deduct money to buy the armor, spear, and helmet. Initially, that coaching fee is just enough to buy those supplies.”

How does this Duke come up with such methods to cultivate elite soldiers in a way that’s both suited and efficient according to the draft I initiated?

Even considering that he may have gleaned more information through espionage, synthesizing those limited, fragmented pieces into a coherent system is impressive…

Even if Tersio’s style of pike formations isn’t introduced, the Duke has already implemented a draft that is at least 1-2 centuries advanced, thanks to the hints I provided…

So, astonished at the revelation, I blankly wandered through the barracks, guided along by the Captain.

Soldiers’ salaries, accommodations, promotions, personnel management, equipment, and supply systems…

Thanks to that, I spent over a hundred gold coins, but considering that I learned of such formidable foes, it feels like a small price to pay…

After I finished listening to everything and was about to move on to buy luxury goods, Anna came up to me and said.

“Your Excellency Siel von Croilet, the Duke is waiting for you inside the innermost part of the barracks.”

I expected something like this; attempting to negotiate when I was astonished by the barracks, such is the cunning of the Duke…

Even a sufficiently seasoned Duke can catch me off guard, and I, who used to survive even the trolling antics by Schwabin’s kind, became bemused…

Ah, I want to go home.

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