The Fires of War, Part 11
Charm was an ability that only activated when I was looking directly at the target to influence them.
Just as physical might could exert no influence when the enemy was out of reach of one's sword or arrow.
"...What did you say?"
"She said you must crawl. If you are truly repentant, you are not to enter on your own two feet, but on your hands and knees."
In front of the castle gates, I heard these unbelievable words.
"She wants me to crawl?"
"Yes. We received orders to execute Count Edrin Silverline immediately if he sets foot inside the castle on his own two feet."
"...I see."
It hadn't taken long to get here.
Though we occasionally encountered packs of monsters, none could keep pace with Eleonor's prized steed.
Fortunately, we weren't ambushed at night either. While there were plenty of bandits within Valerian's territory, at least none of them dared to roam the main roads.
They were merely peasants who had fled to the mountains because of the lawlessness and lack of livelihood; none had grown powerful enough to form a proper army.
Thus, I had reached the castle where Valerian resided without much trouble. But that was where my luck ended.
Valerian had rejected me.
"Sigh..."
Retreating to the carriage for a moment, I saw Selen's eyes burning with fury.
"This is absurd treatment! Valerian has no intention of negotiating with us!"
"...I agree."
Even in the game, I had never seen a lord—not a mere envoy, but a ruling noble—treated with such disrespect upon arrival.
It wasn't as if war had already broken out, my castle was burning, and most of Arcteria had been captured. She was inflicting this level of humiliation on a lord who had come simply to offer an apology.
This was a flat-out rejection. It was a clear sign that she didn't care what I had to say, and that I should just go back and quietly prepare for war.
Should I turn back, then?
If I did, Eleonor would have no choice but to send reinforcements to Arcteria, rendering my desperate persuasion meaningless.
If Valerian truly wanted it, trading Runstan for Arcteria wasn't a bad deal for Eleonor. Runstan was one of her few allies, but it wasn't territory she ruled directly.
Of course, Eleonor occupying Runstan would be a thorn in Valerian's side, but once Valerian captured Arcteria, she would gain the leverage needed to keep Eleonor in check. A tense standoff would ensue, leading to even more battles.
And in the process, Arcteria would inevitably be ruined.
"I cannot allow this. I cannot stand by and watch you be subjected to such treatment, Count Edrin!"
"Hmm..."
"There is no reason for you to go this far! If we fight with our lives on the line... No, even if we lose..."
I let out a deep sigh.
Selen wasn't wrong. I didn't actually need to do this.
Up until now, I had strived to secure my position as lord because my life would be in danger the moment my identity was questioned.
Irene might have tried to kill me for power, or I could have met an abrupt end in this chaotic world regardless.
But thinking about it coldly, I didn't have to cling to this specific path.
My Charm stat wouldn't disappear. No matter which lord conquered this chaotic era, who won the battles, or who lost the war, it wouldn't directly threaten my life.
I could simply align myself with a lord capable of unifying the continent, stay out of the power struggles, and mind my own business.
I could become a lord governing a small village, a government official, or even a merchant.
If my only goal was to live a comfortable life, I didn't need to succeed as Edrin Silverline, the Lord of Arcteria.
I looked down at the road outside the carriage.
Though well-paved, it was hard and unyielding. If I crawled on it without any protective gear, I would undoubtedly end up bruised and bloodied.
It would hurt. It would be agonizingly painful, and I would probably lament why I had to endure such a thing.
And I would be humiliated. Valerian's retainers didn't seem like the type to possess much decency. Everyone in the castle would mock and ridicule me.
Ha...
Even if I turned back now, fled, served another lord, or even submitted to Valerian after everything was settled, I wouldn't have to go through this.
I could just go back. I could turn the carriage around right now and return to my fief.
War would break out. In all likelihood, I would lose my territory.
Even so, I would survive. With my Charm alone, I could live a life envied by many.
But would I truly be satisfied with that?
Of course not.
I wanted to win.
I wanted to end this war on my own terms. I wanted to shape this world according to my will.
Instead of submitting to someone else's decisions, I wanted others to follow mine.
It was a distant goal for now, but not an impossible one. Even if it had only been in a game, I had unified the continent under far worse conditions.
If so, I couldn't give up here. I had to endure for the sake of victory.
"I've made my decision."
"N-No, you mustn't!"
"Endure it. And try not to look at me if you can."
Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the carriage.
"Ha, so you've made up your mind? Well, do your best. If you beg for forgiveness with enough sincerity, perhaps Duchess Valerian might show you mercy."
"Indeed."
Valerian hadn't made this demand because she actually wanted to see me crawl.
She was telling me to get lost. It was her way of saying she had no intention of speaking with me, so I should turn back.
And I had no intention of playing along with her wishes.
I dropped to the ground. Fortunately, I had worn sturdy clothes for the journey.
At the very least, they would hold up for a few minutes.
"...Count Edrin?"
Valerian's soldiers standing nearby stared at me in sheer disbelief.
They couldn't comprehend it. They would never have expected a noble—a class that lived by pride and pride alone—to endure such humiliation for a mere negotiation.
But I had to do it.
It hurt. My legs, my knees, my arms, my chest—every part of my body touching the ground stung.
My physical stats were nothing to write home about. Yet, I had to grit my teeth and bear it.
I had to buy time. I had to turn this crisis into an opportunity.
Charm was an ability that only worked on those who looked at me. And thanks to Valerian's demand, I now had the perfect opportunity to make countless eyes in this castle lock onto me.
They all needed to witness my suffering. They all needed to feel my pain.
I would win.
Valerian looked at the soldier who had rushed in, a relaxed smile playing on her lips.
"Well? What did Edrin say?"
Valerian chuckled. She could easily picture how that arrogant, insolent new count must have thrown a tantrum.
If he had even a shred of intelligence, he would have realized her intent and fled to protect what remained of his territory in Arcteria.
If he were a bit more foolish, he would be gritting his teeth and waiting stubbornly outside the gates.
Returning home after receiving such treatment would be a massive stain on a noble's honor. He would likely linger, hoping to eventually be received with 'proper etiquette.'
He would gradually grow desperate. To preserve his hollow pride, he would offer far more than he had originally intended.
Toying with a desperate man was child's play for Valerian.
After all, conversing with someone who doesn't know their place is far too tedious...
Of course, if the opponent were intriguing, Valerian might have enjoyed the process.
Watching a knight who had served a single lord for decades slowly compromise with reality and fall—or rather, begin to make choices that Valerian deemed 'rational'—was an exquisite delicacy.
If Eleonor were to fall into her hands, she would gladly take her time, slowly savoring the process of breaking the pure, white knight.
But Edrin was not worth such effort. He was nothing special.
He was like a cheap street snack, filled with shallow sweetness. There was no need to waste time; his only utility was to show her a face twisted in agonizing defeat.
"