The Imperial Decree
The sudden news from the Enfield territory.
I understood the reason quickly enough.
Quite some time had passed since the Great Purge. By now, the chaotic empire had regained a certain degree of order. However, that didn't mean the aftereffects had vanished entirely.
This was especially true in regions where even the Great Lords—who were supposed to be the ones stabilizing the chaos—had been on the purge list.
This incident, too, had stemmed from that very fact.
“Valstein, and who else?”
“Viscount Drakesher, Your Majesty.”
These were the names of the two nobles who were the main protagonists of this territorial dispute.
Serena’s hometown. The Enfield territory was located right in that vicinity. They had been holding their own quite stubbornly amidst the chaos, but it seemed they had the misfortune of getting caught in the crossfire.
“It appears they’ve been dragged into a fight between two territories that have been expanding their power recently.”
After losing the Great Lord who had exerted influence over a vast area, two nobles who had been nibbling away to fill that power vacuum had finally collided.
Elizabeth set the report down. When I glanced at Serena, she was clutching her hair, suffering.
“Ugh. What is this all of a sudden…. There’s nothing to even take from my home…!”
Well, whether there was anything to take or not, the location was right in the center. In a fight between whales, the shrimp’s back is bound to break.
“Viscount Valstein is an excellent mage. Viscount Drakesher is an older knight who has retired, but he was quite well-known in his day.”
So, both of them are somewhat 'named' characters, then. I suppose that’s how they managed to organize the area left in chaos after losing the Great Lord and successfully expand their influence.
Conversely.
“My father is….”
“Hmm. Baron Enfield has a good head for business and is well-regarded by the people. He is perfect for managing a peaceful territory.”
“Which means, conversely, he is utterly ill-equipped to defend a territory in crisis.”
“Yes.”
Elizabeth glanced at Serena, who was whimpering, and answered coldly. It was a frigid assessment. Usually, one might try to be a bit more tactful about such things.
“In other times, there would be ways to hire mercenaries, but since they are surrounded by both factions, even that will be difficult.”
“Indeed.”
It was a desperate situation. Even if they managed to break through the territories of Valstein and Drakesher that surrounded them to contact an outside mercenary group….
“The difference in scale is so vast that even a decent mercenary group wouldn't be able to hold them back, so it would be meaningless.”
And since the mercenaries would know that fact well, they wouldn't bother entering the Enfield territory.
You only place a bet when there’s at least some chance of an upset. This wasn't even a gamble.
“Hmm.”
I crossed my arms.
One of the reasons I hadn't bothered to intervene in the chaos outside the Imperial Capital until now was simply because it was a nuisance.
If I wanted to solve it, I could.
My authority right now, setting everything else aside, was such that everyone had no choice but to follow, if only out of fear of the martial power I wielded.
But if I solved one problem like that, another would arise, and if I stepped in to solve it every single time?
Then when would I ever retire?
For that reason, I tended to leave the matters happening outside the capital for the lords to resolve themselves.
In fact, the remaining Great Lords usually handled things on their own.
But this time, I decided to endure the annoyance and intervene.
“Hing-hing.”
There were many reasons, but first and foremost, Serena, who was crying over there, was *my* person. I had to look after her. That reason weighed heavily.
However.
“How would you suggest we intervene?”
To what extent, and in what manner.
I had no intention of stopping the two nobles from having their territorial war. Well, that was for them to handle.
“Shall I send an imperial decree?”
“And say what?”
“That the Enfield territory is under the protection of His Majesty?”
The effect would certainly be guaranteed.
Though it would also draw an immense amount of aggro toward the Enfield territory.
“Elizabeth, in your opinion, which side will win?”
“If there are no variables, Viscount Valstein will win. Viscount Drakesher is getting on in years… and the troops under his command aren't particularly high quality compared to their numbers.”
“But the Valstein side has suffered significant losses as well, haven't they?”
“Yes. Perhaps that is why they are trying to absorb Baron Enfield? It is quite wealthy relative to the size of the territory. And the location is also suitable for striking the opponent.”
So, they are treating them as a 'Golden Goblin' and a forward base combined. Morally, they wouldn't treat them so openly, as it would invite scorn in noble society, but still.
In any case, it didn't look like anything good would come of it.
“Then, let’s do this.”
I explained what I had in mind. Elizabeth, who was listening, dropped her jaw.
“……Are you really going to do that?”
What was there to stop me?
“Ugh….”
Lawrence, the Lord of Enfield, let out a deep, heavy sigh.
The situation was not good.
He had been desperately walking a tightrope between two factions that were greedily expanding their power and influence… but that, too, had reached its limit.
And siding with one of them? From Lawrence’s perspective, there was no guarantee which side would emerge victorious. Furthermore, even if he sided with the winner, it was a problem.
Both factions were eyeing the land and wealth of the Enfield territory. He didn't need to think deeply to know that no matter which side he joined, he would be completely devoured before long.
Didn't this small territory, inherited from his ancestors, hold his beloved family and precious people?
With that thought, he had steeled himself with desperate resolve and held out until now, but….
— *Make your choice soon. You wouldn't be siding with Drakesher, would you?*
— *Surely you wouldn't be taking Valstein’s side, would you?*
Lawrence looked down at the two letters placed on his desk. Although they were written in polite language, the content could be summarized as such.
“Tsk.”
It was disgusting to see them feigning courtesy on the outside while hiding their intent to swallow his territory whole.
Right now, they were at least maintaining a facade of politeness, but there was no doubt that as time passed, they would stop even that and begin to threaten him.
Lawrence’s hands trembled. He wanted to shout at those rude people to get lost from his territory immediately.
But what could he do? Lawrence had no power, and they were the strong ones.
‘Serena, I miss you.’
If his most beloved daughter were by his side, she would surely have been a source of strength.
He missed the advice of that exceptionally bright child especially today.
At least it was a relief to hear that Serena was doing well, achieving excellent grades at the Academy in the Imperial Capital.
Hadn't she sent him a significant amount of money not long ago, saying she had received a scholarship?
She was a truly proud daughter.
‘That’s right. I must not hesitate here, if only to be a parent Serena wouldn't be ashamed of.’
Lawrence steeled his resolve.
He would do whatever was in his power. By doing so, he would protect the hometown his precious daughter would return to.
It was just as he had made up his mind.
“Master, um, a guest has arrived.”
“Again?”
Lawrence asked back at the words of the butler who had opened the door and entered. He felt sickened by the people who visited several times a day trying to persuade him.
“Where are they from this time? Valstein?”
“Well, that is….”
“What are you hesitating for? Speak up.”
“I think it would be best if you went to see them yourself, Master.”
“Huh.”
My, what could it be for the butler to stutter like this? Feeling puzzled, Lawrence began to walk.
.
.
.
“Ahem. Baron Enfield, heed the decree of His Imperial Majesty!”
?
For a moment, Lawrence wondered if this was a dream.
When he arrived at the reception room, he saw the face of his beloved youngest daughter. But the atmosphere was too strange for him to be happy. First of all, knights were lined up behind his daughter.
Furthermore, this was his precious daughter who should be studying hard at the Academy. Instead of her Academy uniform, she was wearing a luxurious formal uniform like those worn by high-ranking officials, standing with her chest puffed out, looking quite smug.
…
What on earth?
Moreover, the special envoys from Valstein and Drakesher were also present in this room. They were the very people who had sickened Lawrence to the core.
They should have returned to their respective territories. Why were both of them here? Even more, they were groveling on the floor after hearing Serena’s words.
…….
What had Serena said?
The question didn't last long.
“……Heed the decree of His Imperial Majesty!”
It wasn't a dream.
Lawrence hurriedly lowered his body. His reaction was slow. It felt that unreal.
In the first place, an imperial decree? Why would such a thing come to him? Cold sweat began to stream down his back.
“Ahem.”
Serena cleared her throat. Then, a knight standing behind her handed over a decree engraved with the imperial crest.
“In recognition of Lawrence von Enfield’s decades of devotion to the Empire, we hereby bestow the title of Count upon Lawrence von Enfield. Furthermore, we command Count Enfield to manage the territories of the region and contribute to the stability of the Empire.”
…………!
Everyone present in the room let out a silent scream.