Blackmailing the Grand Duchess
"I'm Jed, Charlotte's companion."
"I'm Elinne."
After the hero and saintess finished their greetings, Jed and Elinne bowed to Kasid Nova. Then it was my turn.
"It's an honor to meet Grand Duke Nova. I'm Baron Dran."
A baron was leagues below a grand duke.
"Baron Dran. I hear Her Highness the imperial princess granted you the title herself?"
"It's more than I deserve, but yes."
He knew about me already. Even as a mere baron, my name had to be circulating among the nobles—no way it wouldn't. Just like how the knights' eyes had locked onto me when word spread that Ariana was personally mentoring me, my elevation to baron would have rippled through noble society.
"You're also one of Princess Asabel's knights, aren't you?"
Grace leaned toward me, showing clear interest. That bitch... She was sizing me up especially hard. As someone with ambitions to swallow the empire whole, it made sense she'd keep tabs on anyone close to the princess. She was probably racking her brains right now. Greed aside, this woman's strengths were obvious. She wasn't as martially gifted as Kasid Nova—rumor had it she lacked that innate combat sense. But... her strategic brilliance had outshone even him during the war. And when she later pushed to invade the empire, a single duchy nearly devouring it wasn't some fluke. She'd bided her time meticulously, rallying nobles and preparing thoroughly. Unlike Princess Asabel, she knew how to deploy her forces with precision—a true tactician who'd racked up plenty of victories.
"So..."
Kasid Nova set down his teacup.
"What brings you here?"
"Don't you already know?"
Charlotte pulled out the paper the princess had given her. Kasid skimmed it and set it back on the table. He'd known the contents already, no doubt.
"In short, it means cooperate with the empire."
"Her Highness wants a firm answer."
"Hero, this isn't something I can answer on the spot."
Charlotte shot me a surprised glance. She was recalling what I'd told her in the imperial carriage—that the duchy was reluctant to ally with the empire. A kingdom could refuse outright. A duchy seemed independent, but it was still under the empire's umbrella. Their negative stance must have baffled her. Only someone of grand duke rank could defy like this; lesser nobles would have obeyed without question. Even if it came from a princess and not the emperor himself, she was the top contender for the throne.
"We want to know why."
"You'll understand once you hear our side."
Kasid glanced subtly at his daughter Grace as he spoke. ...As expected. She's the one pulling the strings. Kasid was a fine strategist, but Grace Nova outclassed him. He'd been persuaded by her to refuse.
"First, it demands we cede military command in wartime. The duchy is loyal to the empire, but handing over full control of our forces is another matter."
It was a sovereign state under the grand duke's rule. Yielding its military authority entirely to the empire? No wonder they balked.
"Second, this is barren land. We've cleared monsters to make it livable, but vast tracts remain untamed. We're short on manpower as it is... yet they demand we expand our forces. And if war truly breaks out—what happens to our people here?"
Even from this much, the duchy's hesitation was clear. The empire was making outrageous demands, citing the Demon King's war out of nowhere.
"And third—the final point. It specifies the Demon King, but what if war erupts without him? What if the empire drags our people into a conflict with another kingdom instead?"
In other words, they feared the empire exploiting the clause beyond just the Demon King's war.
Charlotte frowned.
"You're saying you'll ignore a continental threat over vague hypotheticals?"
"No. If the Demon King's army truly invades, we promise cooperation. But as I said, Lancelot Duchy can't rubber-stamp this unconditionally."
Only one person could force the grand duke's hand: the emperor of Gaia Empire. With the Demon King's invasion uncertain and the current emperor trusting Kasid, he saw no need to compel them. That's why Princess Asabel had stepped in first—but it wasn't easy.
"Grand Duke, may I speak?"
"Baron Dran. Go ahead."
"First, I can assure you on Princess Asabel's behalf that she won't abuse the cooperation clause."
The princess had only sought military control when the Demon King's forces were hammering them hardest. Survival was tough everywhere—not just the duchy. Even fertile lands were useless without time to farm amid war, evacuation, and supply prep. The empire and duchy weren't so different. And their worry about military cession beyond the Demon King? Sharp... or rather, the clause started with "in case of war with the Demon King's army." Later details omitted it, but the grand duke was playing word games—considering the worst possible interpretation. Fair enough for a ruler guarding against every angle.
"You vouch for the princess not going astray—though you admit you don't know, while her closest confidant does?"
"If she strays, I'll set her right."
"Pfft."
"...You?"
Laughter erupted, mocking me. That bitch Charlotte...
"Baron Dran. Do you have such power?"
Now Grace cut in. Everything from Kasid's mouth had likely originated in her mind. But had she sensed I wasn't ordinary? She was stepping up herself.
"You must enjoy great favor from Her Highness."
"Have you looked into me?"
"...Who knows?"
So she had. I wasn't probing, but her evasive dodge suggested she knew my exploits.
"I didn't rise to baron for nothing. Without earning her approval—and merit enough for it—I wouldn't be here."
Pinpointing magical beast traits for the biggest subjugation contribution, saving the princess, and slaying the earth dragon. More than enough for a barony. Once the conditions were met, she'd approved it. Her standards were sky-high, which only proved how much she valued me...
"Let's say you have that power, Baron Dran—and that she trusts you that much."
Grace smiled sweetly, leaning closer again. Her low-cut dress revealed ample cleavage. I stole a glance down her valley before refocusing. ...She probably caught my lecherous stare. Ahem.
Grace continued.
"Hehe. But can we trust you, Baron Dran?"
"What would it take?"
"Isn't that for you to figure out?"
"...Fair enough."
She was in full defense mode now—conceding points while refusing to budge. No matter what I said, she'd counter with another excuse not to trust me. Keeping it ambiguous, huh?
"Then how about a thorough deal?"
"...Pardon?"
Her sudden pivot caught even Grace off guard.
"Believe me if you want, but I've prepared something you'll have no choice but to accept."
"Trust the empire and cooperate!" hadn't worked, so I'd lined up terms where refusing would cost them more.
"Are you... threatening us now?"
"Baron Dran! How dare a mere baron treat House Nova with such contempt!"
Not just Grace—Kasid's face darkened too. Unlike his quietly fuming daughter, he exploded outright. It was blackmail, sure. A deal on the surface, but I'd never expected them to call it out so bluntly.
"How could a baron like me threaten House Nova? Just hear me out. The decision is yours, Grand Duke."
"Father."
Grace nodded to him—listen first—and Kasid simmered down, gesturing for me to proceed.
I took another sip of tea and slowly began, repeating exactly what I'd told mercenary leader Kelly yesterday. Monster waves. Dragon attacks. And demons behind it all. I'd warned Ray ahead of time; yesterday was Elinne's first hearing. The rest—this hero duo and grand ducal pair—were hearing it fresh. They couldn't hide their shock.
"So... you're saying help resolve these threats, and we'll sign?"
"You can wait until I've proven those three dangers real."
"Lancelot can't handle them alone... right?"
"We'd have to verify, but if true... you wouldn't have even known without me."
"True, but..."
Grace crossed her arms under her ample chest, deep in thought. Her mind was no doubt calculating gains and losses meticulously. Recalculate all she wanted—the answer was one. Once my words proved true, agreeing to cooperate was the massive win. Sacrifice half the duchy to cling to military control? Even an idiot like me could see that.
"I'll need to discuss with Father a bit more."
"Of course."
"And your threats aren't proven yet. So... here's the thing."
Grace grinned wickedly. What now?
"You'll stay with House Nova until we confirm if it's true. If false... you've insulted us, haven't you?"
In plain terms... they were holding me hostage?