Chapter 91

The essential qualities required of feudal lords like me in Europia might be many, but among them, one stands out as the most important.

That is, the ability to protect the safety and interests of the people in the territory one governs.

If this quality is firmly established, a medieval feudal lord will be tolerated as long as he does not commit severe transgressions, such as taking his mother or daughter as his wife.

That is why it is occasionally permissible here for a lord to legalize taking his vassal’s wife or to share love with his male servants.

However, if a lord cannot protect his territory, he will be abandoned, no matter how kind and honorable he may be.

Thus, I must plot to cast doubt on the qualifications of that Maxburg fellow as a lord.

To break through the game I’m laying out, the only political choice left for you, Maxburg, would ultimately be to defeat me in war.

**

At the port of Blueport, where several large ships are anchored, the clamor of numerous sailors and the bargaining sounds of nobles and commoners alike fills the air, regardless of whether it’s a weekday, holiday, or Sunday.

“Sir, please take a look at this. This splendid fabric is from Spania. If you have a dress made for your lady, she’ll be thrilled. We specially offer this to you since we directly trade with the Croilet Count’s merchant association.”

“No, do you know what happens to those who rashly mention the Count here?”

“Don’t even mention it. A few days ago, one of my subordinates insulted the Count and returned as paste. In other regions, when you insult a lord, they might buy you a drink, but here, they get beaten up. I know that well. Just look at this…”

“*Ahem, ahem…* Alright, bring one of each type to the Felt family mansion. The steward will pay for it.”

At the back of the wharf where ships were docked, there was a food stall I had set up.

The stall sold sandwiches made with recently salted meat or herring placed between rye and wheat bread, and grilled herring among other foods.

“Come, come, buy sandwiches made by the Count! If you buy two, you get one! One sandwich with salted meat costs just one!”

“How about pickled herring with seaweed soup? With plenty of barley, it’s filling, and it pairs perfectly with herring!”

“Come on! Here in Blueport, it has to be herring! Herring!! How about grilled herring? It’s the best.”

“That’s good, but try the sugar snacks that you can only get cheaply in Blueport. A box of twenty snacks costs just one silver coin!”

On paper, this city seemed quite lively, but as the saying goes, seeing it once is better than hearing it a hundred times, for witnessing it firsthand struck me much more.

After about ten minutes of walking inward, I began to see people with lighter skin and bright blonde or brown hair that were different from Franche and Elaline.

They were conversing in a language resembling English, seemingly proud of being pirates, dressed in ragged or overly flamboyant clothes, and using coarse language.

“Ahoy!! A truly prosperous port! If we just hang on a little longer, we could raid a merchant ship loaded with sugar…”

“Stop it, you idiot. If you’re marked by the Croilet merchant association, even the backdoor guys won’t trade with you. If you lose trading with those backdoor guys, you’ll have to flee to the North Sea as a group. Crazy bastard.”

“Oh… I was just saying.”

“If you keep going on like this, I’ll tell the captain to make you swab the deck?”

“What, you… punk…”

Watching the ruckus, I revealed the sword with my family’s crest emblazoned on the hilt and said,

“I am Count Croilet. Where is the captain here?”

The guys who were just chatting stiffened and looked at me with serious expressions, responding rather politely.

“Count, hehehe… you should go inside.”

“Thank you.”

“Not at all. But, um… you’re not planning to hang us all as pirates, are you?”

“Don’t worry, since I called you, I’ll let it slide this time. But if I hear such jokes again…”

As I made a cutting motion across my throat with my thumb, Mark, who was following me, held his sword against the guy’s neck and drew a small amount of blood.

“I will take your innards out. No, I will torment you to the point you wish to die. I’ll even track down your family.”

**

Next, I walked with the sailors’ guidance into the captain’s waiting cabin.

The ship was well maintained, as there was no mold except where the walls met the floor, proving it belonged to top-tier pirates.

As I entered the cabin, there stood the admiral of the pirate fleet dressed in a flamboyant blue captain’s hat and a black outfit embroidered with gold threads, alongside captains in similarly extravagant clothes.

I quickly sat across from the captain and began speaking.

“So, captain. Since you’ve come this far, you must have liked my plan.”

“Yes, I do. Other folks from Britannia ask us not to raid and just protect their coasts and merchant ships, but you offered us 100 gold coins per ship each month plus all the plunder—who wouldn’t be tempted by that?”

“I like your honesty, Mark, unfurl the map.”

At this, Mark spread out the map of Northern Europia.

Then, I dipped my quill into the black ink I had brought and began to draw lines while explaining.

“However, you know well that I’m not a mere land trader. Naturally, I have requests of you. First, for the next three to six months, you will use your fleet to patrol the entire coastline of the Maxburg territory and raid all ships bearing the flags of the Maxburg family.”

“Yes, understood. But where should we supply ourselves?”

“I will provide all supplies for you from Blueport. Just write a specification of the items you want and send it over; my treasurer will verify and provide them.”

“In that case, it’s really just a matter of you providing us with immense profits for a little movement… I don’t know if we can trust that…”

Though they came for the good conditions, their actions showed they wanted to raise their own value…

This was indeed commendable; generally, those who meticulously manage their equipment and seek to raise their worth can be trusted.

To alleviate their anxiety, I needed to discuss clauses that might seem unfavorable to them.

That way, the principle of give and take would be established.

“Well then, instead, when you enter within three days’ distance of Blueport, you must fly a flag indicating you belong to our side. This will keep our merchant ships from fearing you.”

“Certainly, within a three-day distance, the ships present would understandably mix in vessels heading towards Blueport, Britannia, the North, and Maxburg… dividing them that way seems wise.”

“Good, and within that area, if there are pirates attacking ships belonging to Croilet and the Northern Alliance, you have the duty to repel them. If you neglect this obligation, the contract will be immediately terminated, and the Croilet merchant association will seek revenge against you.”

Upon hearing that, the captain began to tremble.

This was understandable; I had always made sure that anyone who laid a finger on the merchants and people of my territory, be they pirates or lords, paid a due price.

A few months prior, I had cut off sugar supplies for two months to the territory of a baron from another region for the crime of fleecing our merchants and people.

As a result, that fellow had to buy the sugar needed for the upcoming banquet from other lords at triple the price, leading him to bankruptcy.

If I could impose such penalties on a baron, how much more so on a pirate who was not protected by law…

The captain looked at me, seemingly aggrieved, and asked.

“Did you plan to make us handle coastal defenses and control Maxburg in exchange for all that money you’re offering? That just doesn’t add up…”

“Listen to a person until the end. I will give you 200 gold coins and 200 kilos of sugar for each enemy carrack, and 300 gold coins and 250 kilos of sugar for each galleon. Additionally, for every 10 ships you defeat, I will grant you an extra 500 gold coins.”

“Is that true?”

“Indeed. And please check the other terms in the contract I’m presenting.”

He then began reading the contract laid out before him.

“No, you want us to sit idle for a month without long-distance trade? We’ll die! If we do, we’ll get scurvy; our gums will decay and we’ll bleed out. This scurvy is a disease that arises from being on the ship for extended periods…”

“Yes, indeed, it’s that disease that causes gums to dissolve and bleed. But it heals shortly after stepping off the ship. However, if left untreated, it can kill a person.”

During the Age of Exploration, the greatest obstacle was indeed scurvy.

Starting with lethargic symptoms, it gradually led to bleeding beneath the skin and decaying gums, ultimately preventing the victim from surviving even minor ailments.

This disease likely accounted for a significant number of fatalities during the Age of Exploration.

However, its treatment was very simple; yet, from the perspective of those unaware, it could sell as a magical remedy that would protect from such great human losses and the fear of death.

Thus, I presented the secret medicine I had prepared to sell to sailors all across Europia.

“If you take a spoonful of this daily, you won’t get scurvy. I’ve already tested it on prisoners, and the results were positive.”

Upon hearing that, the captain and the other officers brightened and began inspecting the medicine I had placed before them, even sniffing it.

“It seems like nothing special…”

“No, no matter how you look at it, a Count wouldn’t lie! And we cannot condone a person who lies about scurvy in front of us.”

“Right, whether you’re a captain or whatever, there’s no bargaining with scurvy.”

Watching them, I smiled and said.

“Even if it looks plain, it’s actually quite an expensive medicine. It costs one silver coin for two months’ worth. However, I assure you that as long as you take it properly, no one will die of scurvy. On the condition that you take this medicine correctly, if a sailor dies, I will compensate 50 gold coins per person.”

“… Is that really true?”

“I swear it by my name, SIEL von Croilet. And this offer is for you alone….”

As I spoke in a quiet voice, those in front of me perked up their ears and began to listen intently.

“As you already know, in my domain, anyone with ability can become a noble, not just serfs. And I see that you are quite capable of satisfying me. If you grant me that, I will provide you with exceptional wealth, honor, and dignity. You can go from being a pirate scum shouting Ahoy! and offering strange greetings to a noble respected by all… Of course, I’ll help your subordinates acquire appropriate lands and wives to settle down, corresponding with their dedication.”

At this, they exchanged glances, but no one responded.

However, the fact that they didn’t shout, “We don’t need such things, we are free spirits!” indicates that if I demonstrate utmost trust in the following six months…

They will undoubtedly come under my command.

In fact, would anyone resist the temptation of power offered to a serial killer or thief to become military officers under me?

“Think carefully, anyway, your fleet will enter into a contractual relationship with me from today. If there are no complaints, strive to work hard and deliver maximum results until I empty my wallet. Money will be provided based on your labor, but be sure… to cut off the sea routes of the Maxburg territory and starve their merchants.”