A Storm Brews in Brancia
Brancia, the capital of the five-hundred-year-old Atoon Kingdom.
In this rigid world, the winds of change were a foreign concept.
Time here flowed like molasses.
Even the political squabbles of the court dragged on without any desire for swift resolution.
Amidst this stagnant air, the sudden appearance of Leila, who was busy scattering astronomical bribes across the capital, naturally captured the attention of every noble in the kingdom.
Before sending Leila to the capital, Jeron Farrow had devised a precise strategy.
Letters of introduction were to be delivered starting from the highest ranks down, while the actual bribes were to be distributed starting from the lowest ranks up.
By sending the letters first, they maintained proper etiquette. By distributing the bribes from the bottom up, the high-ranking nobles would grow increasingly anxious and eager as they waited for their turn. It was a calculated move to make them crave the gifts even more.
Jeron’s calculations proved spot-on.
Leila delivered the letters starting with the King and worked her way down the hierarchy. Meanwhile, she began handing out the bribes to the central court's barons first, gradually working her way up. Thanks to this, rumors spread like wildfire through the political circles.
“Have you heard? Jeron Farrow is risking his family’s entire fortune to secure a promotion in title during his generation.”
“A promotion? Is that even possible? It would require not only an immense amount of bribes but also significant military merit.”
“Well, a war is just around the corner, isn't it? If he greases the wheels now and performs well on the battlefield, it’s entirely possible.”
“So, did you receive a gift as well?”
“It was a dwarven fountain pen! If we received something like this, imagine what those above us will get.”
Jeron Farrow scaled the quality of the gifts precisely to match the five ranks of peerage.
Interest in him reached a fever pitch in the capital, drawing attention even from rival factions.
To onlookers, it seemed Jeron was tearing down the very pillars of his estate to fund these bribes, eliciting a mix of anticipation and concern.
Just as the nobles' curiosity began to sour into envy, Leila distributed fountain pens to all factions across the board.
Though these pens were visibly lower in quality than the ones gifted to the Crown Prince faction, no one complained—it was only natural.
Furthermore, the members of the Crown Prince faction received a bottle of fine liquor as a complimentary bonus alongside their pens, a luxury denied to the other factions.
There was a clear reason why Jeron threw bones to the rival factions as well.
It was standard political practice for a noble seeking a promotion to bribe not only their own allies but also their competitors.
Showing at least a token gesture of goodwill to the opposition was the only way to minimize backlash. In fact, the last person to successfully raise their rank using this method was Viscount Rebion.
However, that promotion had occurred thirty years ago, which explained why the capital was in such an uproar now.
Still, some voiced their concerns in hushed tones.
“If he pours all this wealth into bribes and fails to achieve any merit in the war, won't it all be for nothing?”
“Come now, do you really think Baron Farrow didn't calculate that? He must have the capability to back it up if he's going this far. He'll surely secure at least some minor merit. And have you forgotten who his sponsor is? It's Duke Langton, the leader of the Crown Prince faction. Would the Duke sponsor someone completely incompetent?”
“True. The upcoming war will be the ultimate test.”
Viscount Rebion had also secured his promotion by distributing massive bribes and then claiming credit for clearing out a few bandits.
But now, a far grander stage was set.
As long as Baron Farrow participated in the great war and managed not to get himself killed or his army wiped out, his promotion was practically guaranteed.
Leila had already distributed gifts to almost all the targeted nobles.
Now, she was waiting for an audience with Marquis Latos, the deputy commander of the royal army.
It's incredible. Everything is unfolding exactly as my Lord predicted.
It was one surprise after another.
The bribes prepared by the Farrow estate were not mere gold, but unique items masquerading as exquisite dwarven craftsmanship.
The items themselves generated immense buzz, but the strategic method of their distribution was what truly amplified the effect.
The powerful figures of the kingdom were practically salivating, and even the King had shown interest.
Consequently, the treatment Leila received was unprecedented.
The moment she arrived at Marquis Latos's estate, knights rushed out to escort her inside as if they had been eagerly awaiting her arrival.
For a mere vassal of a barony, the hospitality was dizzying.
As Leila reflected on the journey so far, she suddenly realized that the room she had been led into was no ordinary parlor.
No one hung portraits of past family patriarchs in a common reception room.
There was a magnificent chandelier, a high-quality carpet covering the floor, and luxurious hardwood furniture that exuded a subtle, pleasant aroma.
On the desk, documents were neatly organized.
Wait, they brought me to his office?!
It was not the Marquis's public office, but his private study.
While it was highly unlikely that highly sensitive documents were left exposed here, being invited into this space was still a sign of immense respect from the Marquis.
For a Marquis who had never met or interacted with the Farrow family to show such hospitality proved the sheer brilliance of Jeron's strategy.
A moment later, a deep, dignified voice echoed through the room.
“Are you the vassal sent by the Baron?”
“I greet you, Your Grace.”
True to his reputation as a veteran military noble, the Marquis stood straight despite his advanced age.
His tightly set lips gave off an impression of stubbornness. He looked like a stern, unyielding old man, yet here he was, eagerly anticipating a bribe.
Indeed, one could never judge a person by their appearance alone.
Despite his rigid expression, his tone was remarkably warm.
“Haha, the Farrow family and my Belcain family have shared a deep bond of friendship since ancient times. Though we may have drifted apart in recent years, remembering our old ties makes me feel as if I am meeting a lifelong friend.”
“...”
Leila found herself temporarily speechless.
The 'bond' between the Marquis of Belcain and the Farrow family dated back roughly three hundred years.
Back then, the Farrow family ruled the north with absolute authority, while the Belcain family was merely a viscounty in the central region.
She found it absurd that he was bringing up a connection from centuries ago as if it were relevant today.
Yet, Leila was merely a vassal of a barony.
If a high and mighty noble claimed they were old friends, she had no choice but to play along.
Every noble wore a mask.
It had been the same when she visited the nobles of the Second Prince faction.
Those were the words spoken to her directly by Duke Lyon, the leader of the Second Prince faction.
He likely only said it to be polite to the person delivering gifts, but it would undoubtedly yield results later. When matters regarding the Farrow family arose in court, the Duke might only object once instead of twice.
Leila quickly shook off her idle thoughts and focused.
“My Lord has prepared a modest gift in hopes of restoring the historic relationship established by our ancestors with the Belcain family. We hope it pleases you, Your Grace.”
“Ah, there was no need for gifts between us. But considering the sincerity of Baron Farrow, it would be rude of me to refuse.”
Not once did any of them actually decline.
The gift set included a high-end fountain pen.
The grade of the pen differed depending on the recipient's title.
To the nobles of this era, writing instruments held a special significance, and so far, not a single noble had disliked the fountain pen.
For high-ranking nobles, a bottle of wine and a small framed painting were added to the set.
The Marquis examined the three gifts, his eyes widening in admiration.
“Is this the wine of rumors?”
“The wine of rumors, Your Grace?”
“Duke Langton once hosted a gathering and shared a bottle of this wine with us. I have not been able to forget its sweet, rich flavor since.”
“...My Lord believes he will be able to send you a bottle about once every quarter in the future.”
“Is that true?!”
“Yes. To restore the bond between our families, such a gesture is only natural.”
“Splendid! I knew from the start that the Baron was a man of great potential. His promotion this generation is practically guaranteed!”
The war had not even begun, yet the Marquis was already speaking of the promotion as a done deal.
The small framed painting was also no ordinary piece.
The Marquis looked immensely pleased with it as well.
“Did you say your name was Leila?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Do not worry about your stay in the capital! I shall personally ensure your safety and comfort!”
“T-Thank you, Your Grace.”
The Marquis declared, thumping his chest confidently.
Nobles of this era rarely made promises lightly, as they took their word very seriously.
A noble who broke their word would be shunned by high society, so it was exceedingly rare for someone of his stature to make such a bold guarantee.
Leila had successfully completed the bulk of the distribution.
Although there were still gifts meant for the Duke and the King, the groundwork was essentially complete.
Leaving the Marquis's estate, Leila made her way toward Duke Langton’s residence.
Behind her, a squad of elite soldiers followed.
A full squad had been assigned to guard her, led by a knight serving as the captain of the escort.
For such a heavy escort to be provided in the relatively safe capital meant the Marquis was showing the utmost respect to Baron Farrow.
It was a political calculation, signaling to the capital that the Belcain family was protecting the Farrow family.
And what did that imply?
It was a public display of the Marquis's alliance with the Farrow family.
Baron Farrow was already known to be under the patronage of Duke Langton.
Now, with the family of the deputy commander of the royal army openly escorting the Baron's vassal, the public's curiosity was bound to be piqued.
“Aren't those soldiers from the Belcain family? Who are they escorting?”
“You didn't know? That's the vassal of the Farrow family, the talk of the town lately. Duke Langton is their sponsor, and now it seems the Belcain family has joined hands with them as well.”
The political ripple effect was massive.
While it might not bring immediate tangible benefits, gaining another political shield provided immense security to the Farrow family.
In other words, their prestige was soaring.
And this relationship would endure, so long as Baron Farrow continued to supply them with bribes.
Leila felt a heavy weight on her shoulders as she walked.
With this much wealth poured into bribes, we must secure a promotion of at least two ranks. The Farrow family must rise back to the ranks of the high nobility.
In truth, Leila’s dream was somewhat ambitious.
While rising to a viscounty was possible through bribes and influence, becoming a count required achievements akin to being a founding contributor of the kingdom.
Ascending to the high nobility was a grueling, monumental task.
Yet, Leila’s calculations were based on her assessment of Jeron Farrow’s capabilities.
Bribes aside, she believed her Lord possessed the actual strength and talent to match his ambitions.
Soon, she arrived in front of Duke Langton’s estate.
Knights of the Langton family were already waiting for her outside.
“Are you Lady Leila, vassal of the Farrow family?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“His Grace is waiting for you.”
Leila felt as if she were walking through a dream.
She had expected the Marquis's warm reception, but she had not anticipated that Duke Langton himself would show such eagerness.
Once again, escorted by knights, she entered the Duke's private study.
There, she was met by Duke Langton, who looked practically restless with anticipation.
“Welcome! I have been waiting for you!”
The most powerful man in the kingdom welcomed Leila with open arms.