Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Maxburg Reeducation (4)
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As the engineering work on the battlefield was nearing completion, Major Frost handed me a letter sealed with a signet.
A white bear gnawing on a salmon—this had to be a letter from the King of the Northern Alliance, who would one day be my father-in-law.
The fact that he sent such a secret missive meant he had finally finished preparations and was ready to move.
To my dear future son-in-law, Count Siel von Kroitel, I have now stabilized internal affairs, secured the nobles' consent, and just departed Nartsel. By the time you receive this letter, I should be near Mainz in the northern reaches of the Duchy of Maxburg. First, I wish to formalize your marriage to my daughter upon our victory in this war. As for the remaining details, please discuss them thoroughly with Baron Vladimir, to whom I have granted full authority for these negotiations. Wishing you success, my son-in-law. King Sergei Vladimir Vasiliev of the Northern Alliance Preparations were complete, and now we just needed to synchronize our final signal.
As expected of a king—he knew exactly how to seize the opportunity laid before him.
I turned to Major Frost beside me.
"Frost, where is the man who delivered this letter right now?"
"He is still within the camp."
"I'll entrust the rest of the work here to Baldt and Baron Frost. I'm heading to meet him immediately."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The tent was made of ragged cloth full of holes, worse than burlap, letting no sunlight in. Even in broad daylight, it felt bitterly cold inside.
There, I met Baron Vladimir, the envoy sent by the Northern king.
"Ha, thank you for treating me to such delicious food. Soup loaded with beef, steak, and sweet pastries... I never dreamed I'd enjoy a feast like this on a battlefield."
In most cases, even with an allied noble of lower rank than mine, I wouldn't bother with polite speech or honorifics.
But this man was the plenipotentiary for the war negotiations, so treating him as an equal was the smart move.
Ignoring a plenipotentiary was tantamount to insulting the king himself.
"Not at all. It's just a modest gesture for a friend who came to see me. I'm glad you like it."
"Thank you. And please accept this. It is a secret letter penned by His Majesty the King of the Northern Alliance himself."
The count before me tore open the inner pocket of his coat and handed me the missive hidden inside.
Notification to Count Kroitel: Our forces have successfully occupied Mainz Port and the surrounding barony without detection by the enemy. Your exploits ensured the foe paid no attention to this area, making it possible. Upon hearing of your victory, we will proceed to the Lothringen Plains. – Vasiliev If this letter had claimed they mobilized their entire army to seize Mainz the moment they heard my deployment signal, solely out of unwavering trust in their son-in-law, Count Kroitel, I wouldn't have believed it.
No matter how high I rated our chances of victory, defeat would mean massive losses for the Northern Alliance's king—my father-in-law.
No rational person would march soldiers into battle based solely on a promise to their son-in-law.
"Thank you, Baron Vladimir."
"Think nothing of it. I am merely doing my duty. Now, I shall convey His Majesty's will."
"Please do."
"His Majesty seeks the Barony of Mainz as compensation for participating in this war. And for Your Excellency the Count..."
"For now, we will accept only gold and withdraw.
The baron looked utterly puzzled, momentarily at a loss for words.
It was understandable. Nobles waging war were obligated to claim enemy territory and distribute it among their vassals.
Neglecting that duty bred discontent among vassals. And rationally, larger lands meant greater power—refusing it was bound to raise eyebrows.
"Vassals may grumble, but to be blunt, even if we annexed part of the Duchy of Maxburg, there'd be no real gain. Sure, vast lands and serfs offer short-term profits. But afterward, Romania and Franch would intensify their checks on us."
"Indeed, from Franch and Romania's perspective, Your Excellency is already a grave threat. If you grew stronger, they might even ally to topple you."
"We couldn't handle that. So instead, we'll use this war to humble Maxburg, impoverish the duke, and leave it at that."
Only then did the baron seem to grasp why I wasn't demanding territory, nodding in understanding.
"Very well. However, His Majesty sending his beloved daughter to you isn't merely for such modest gains..."
Now he was openly probing my intentions. Sure, I was the one calling in reinforcements, but handing over Mainz—a juicy prize from Maxburg—to the Northern Alliance on top of that? Wasn't that a bit much?
Ha, but to survive as a noble, you leave your conscience at home. No helping it.
"It's a marriage alliance—think long-term. For now, we'll crush Maxburg's spirit. Later, after we strike Franch, we can devour them. And securing just Mainz fulfills all His Majesty desires, doesn't it?"
"True, but... alliances require mutual benefit. Proposing peace for a mere handful of gold coins? How could we trust that?"
Thousands of gold coins versus a whole barony was imbalanced enough to make him suspect some hidden agenda behind our 'generous' deal...
Reporting it as is would surely make our father-in-law, the Northern Alliance king, turn back.
I sighed and spoke.
"You win. I'll lay it out. We're not settling for a few thousand gold—we'll demand hundreds of thousands. Enough to bankrupt the duke, leaving even his knights and soldiers unpaid, scraping by on barley porridge at home. Since we can't take land, that's the least we deserve, right?"
Now convinced, the baron brightened and replied.
"Ten thousand, twenty thousand? Maybe. But hundreds of thousands... that makes sense. Only then does fighting a war with 40,000 troops without territorial gains add up."
"And saddling them with hundreds of thousands in debt—what shape do you think that'll leave them in? Even at 20,000 a year, that's enough to raise hundreds of knights. By taking it, I gain hundreds without spending a dime. Then..."
"You plan to sever the Duchy of Maxburg's future?"
No, after that, we'll hike taxes, spark unofficial peasant revolts, and set fires across Romania—including Maxburg—to burn out the weed-like lords' power and influence.
Only then can my father-in-law and Franch bleed each other dry, too intimidated to even glance my way.
In the meantime, I'll push through my reforms and territorial expansion.
Growing too big would just invite endless meddling from that damned duke and other powers, so moderate growth is best.
Besides, only Father, Chris (who handles funds and orders), Lieutenant Short and his men, and a few others know this plan in our territory.
No need—and no point—sharing with a mere plenipotentiary.
"Of course we'll cut it off. Hell, it won't be enough—we'll make sure they can't rise again. Only then can my father-in-law and I both be happy, right?"
"Wise words, Your Excellency. Then allow me to ask frankly: how far does your ambition reach?"
What I want is relatively modest, but I need to aim big here to earn his trust.
"The entire Duchy of Maxburg."
"Excluding Mainz?"
"Mainz included—everything. In exchange, I'll offer His Majesty two northern duchies in Romania. That's what it takes for him to secure his position, elevating him from king of an alliance to emperor of a united empire."
The baron gazed at me in rapture.
He'd report this deal to the king, and my victory would bring him rewards. That must be why.
"Of course, it'll take time."
"What does time matter? The Northern nobles are already dazzled by the luxuries flowing from Blueport under His Majesty's exports—salmon tools, musicians, accompanists, architectural experts, and all manner of finery. They can no longer oppose him. Given time, His Majesty will truly become the lion of the North."
I timed my next words perfectly.
"Provided His Majesty and I stay aligned—for the foreseeable future, or even for life."
"Naturally, Your Excellency. I'll report to His Imperial Majesty as such. Any final questions?"
After a moment's thought, I asked.
"Very well. But Baron Vladimir, why on earth did you cross enemy lines alone to come here? Isn't it far too dangerous?"
He laughed and answered.
"I am lord of the Barony of Vladimir, but if this expedition succeeds, considering my merits and Mainz's importance, His Majesty will grant me the County of Vladimir—making me Count Vladimir. So I came personally to rack up as much merit as possible for the largest territory I can get."
For all the importance of advancement among nobles, a baron braving enemy territory as plenipotentiary... what a gutsy bastard.