Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Kroitel Barony Succession (2)
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Three days had passed since the late Count Nant summoned us, and in the afternoon of that third day, the Count passed away.
Until his final moments, he seemed anxious about his son, pleading with all the barons right up until he closed his eyes: "Serve my son, Schwain von Nant, as faithfully as you have served me, and cherish him as you would your own children."
It was a heartbreaking sight.
His desperate plea even made me think for a moment, Should I give Schwain one more chance?
My father, Baron Kroitel, wept as if his own parents had died when the Count breathed his last.
The other barons didn't wail quite as loudly, but their grief still showed the depth of the Count's character.
How could such a fine count produce a mad wastrel like that...?
Come to think of it, even King Seongjong, the renowned sage king of the Joseon dynasty, had Yeonsangun as a son.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After Count Nant's death, a grand three-day funeral was held, leaving only the final step: executing the Count's will.
Once all vassals of knight rank or higher, dressed in their surcoats, had gathered in the count's audience chamber, the herald cleared his throat three times and spoke.
"Vassals of Count Nant Excellency, we shall now read the will. But first, do you swear before the holy God and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor to abide by it?"
Everyone in the room declared solemnly in unison.
"We swear."
"We shall begin the reading. First, all property and rights of Nant County shall belong to the rightful heir, Count Schwain von Nant. However, as the new Count Nant is still young and inexperienced, I appoint my friend and esteemed vassal, Paul von Kroitel, as his guardian."
The mention of a guardian caused a stir, but the herald pressed on without pause.
"Accordingly, Baron Kroitel shall be granted the title of 'Viscount' during his tenure as guardian and addressed as Viscount Kroitel. His territory and title shall pass to his son, Siel von Kroitel. And furthermore—"
At the word "viscount," the heirs of other baronial families beside me stared at my father in shock.
It was understandable. In a county, a "viscount"—sometimes called a "vice-count" in English for its significance—was essentially the number two in the organization.
Even though the territory and position were being fully inherited by me, becoming a viscount meant wielding real political power.
For the lords who had hoped to gain the upper hand in the county's power struggles, this was infuriating.
"And to the remaining barons, in gratitude for your past loyalty, I bequeath one of my personal weapons each... To the knights, I grant gold coins numbering 10 to 50, according to rank... And thus, regarding the war..."
The herald droned on for over an hour without so much as a sip of water.
When the reading ended, the nobles gathered in small groups, splitting into factions.
There were roughly four factions, and the largest was—naturally—that of Baron Kroitel, now Viscount Kroitel.
Two barons and over forty knights crowded around the newly minted viscount, but before they could speak, he approached me.
"Siel."
"Yes, Father."
"I've become the guardian of this county—the highest position a vassal can achieve... But rather than joy, my heart aches. My liege lord has passed."
"My heart aches too."
Hearing that, the viscount looked at me with an even more wistful voice.
"Yes, I see you understand. Thank you. That aside, I can no longer protect the barony now that I must assist Count Schwain Excellency. Siel, can I ask this of you?"
For a moment, I wanted to recount my first encounter with Schwain to snap him back to reality, but I held back.
There was no grounds to refuse now that it was enshrined in the count's will, and the man before me would aid the count no matter what.
Arguing now would just earn me scorn.
So I replied with resolute voice.
"I will repay you with results beyond what I showed in Windheim."
"I expect as much."
"And don't worry about money. I can send about 200 gold coins every month."
The viscount suddenly laughed.
"Haha, 200 coins... If any other fool said that, I'd dismiss it as nonsense... But you? You'll manage. I trust you."
"I'll be off, then."
With that, I left the viscount.
As soon as I did, a throng of people swarmed him...
I hope he does well.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Normally, the knighting ceremony would be held solemnly before the barons and knights, followed by the enfeoffment of the territory, and then a two-day banquet to express gratitude for inheriting the title...
But with Count Nant's funeral, the succession rites were rushed.
Schwain von Nant, now Count Nant, simply laid his sword on my shoulder, had me swear fealty as a knight, and handed me soil and a twig symbolizing the land. Done.
A three-day ritual reduced to ten minutes—it felt like an express barony training course.
On the return, it's customary to spend lavishly on gifts for the county nobles from the barony...
But with the funeral, no separate purchases were possible in Nant, owned by the late count.
So I had my subordinates buy luxuries in Hamburg on the way and returned to the territory slowly.
The next day back, I summoned the lords of Kroitel Barony.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ My territory of Kroitel is truly beautiful.
Expansive fields rotate rye, wheat, turnips, and beans; sturdy walls enclose a compact castle; knights in rough armor mingle with serfs whose faces gleam with health. My Kroitel is beautiful.
True, wealth redistribution is incomplete, and many remain poor. But it's far better than starvation from insufficient total food.
In this land I rule—unlike others—serfs live not just hoping to avoid tomorrow's hunger, but dreaming of meat on the morrow.
Lost in such thoughts, Ella approached.
"Master, the other nobles have arrived in the audience chamber."
"Right, I'm coming."
As I walked to the chamber, Ella followed exactly one step behind.
Entering, I saw numerous nobles standing with faintly dissatisfied expressions.
No matter my proven achievements, my now-Viscount Kroitel father lived, and I was merely seventeen.
I ignored it deliberately and strode confidently to the lord's seat at the far end.
With each step—one, two, three—the reality sank in: I was now master of this land.
The seat loomed close; I turned, my long cloak billowing, and declared.
"I am your lawful lord, Siel von Kroitel! Voice any grievances now! If none, hear my ambitions!"
Silence fell briefly, then I continued.
"First, I understand your doubts and worries. Even my father, once Baron Kroitel, still lives—surely a mere seventeen-year-old as 'lord' seems absurd. So I ask: am I unqualified?"
No one could answer. Since fifteen, I'd governed Windheim, innovating four-field rotation and tools to nearly octuple yields.
Their serfs now cheered "Long live the young master!" daily, and noble incomes had soared accordingly.
With even bandits purged, dismissing me as "just seventeen" was impossible.
Nay, to scorn me here would be mere envious drivel.
"You cannot deny it. Your incomes and the serfs' lives improved vastly since I began. Isn't that right?"
The nobles nodded.
"Thank you for agreeing. Then I promise more: as baron, your lives will grow richer still. As I brought prosperity to my people, so shall I grant you greater wealth and honor. Will you follow?"
The nobles, hesitant moments ago, now grinned uncontrollably, envisioning shares in my successes.
They roared back.
"We follow, Baron Excellency!"
"We offer our lives!"
"Loyalty through generations!"
I drew my sword, thrusting it skyward.
"Good. From this day, I take responsibility for you. As my vassals, your granaries shall never empty, your families enjoy riches beyond their station, and none shall wander jobless. Dismissed."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After my inauguration, Baldt and Helmut approached.
"Um, but..."
"What is it, Baldt? Speak."
"The nobles' sons—few as they are—surely you're not giving them all proper noble duties?"
I laughed in reply.
"No. I'll assign them the most knightly task of all."