Chapter 86: Shackles for Freedom 4

Rather than forging an alliance with Bohemia, the Braun region opted to secure its survival through a contract with Mansfelt.

Receiving an upfront payment, Mansfelt began marching his forces northward toward the Braun region awaiting their employer.

‘The remaining payment upon arrival in Braun… Certainly a shrewder lot than that fool Friedrich.’

Aware their distrustful treatment stemmed from his past actions, including the Palatinate betrayal, Mansfelt remained unfazed and proceeded undeterred.

‘Speaking of which… From what I recall, Duke Carlos of Braun is no intellectual heavyweight. So then, who masterminded this endeavor?’

Suspecting an influential figure controlling matters from the shadows, Mansfelt headed north with piqued curiosity over this individual’s identity.

However, Mansfelt’s march soon encountered an unexpected obstacle, forcing him to halt.

“What? General Spinola?”

“Yes, sir. He is leading his troops straight towards us. Evidently aiming to block our advance northward.”

“Huhu, so he emerges to confront us, does he? Well, if we were to join the northern heretical forces, it would undoubtedly become a thorn in his side.”

Though Mansfelt had previously contracted with and avoided confronting Spinola, that had been a singular transaction – not an alliance.

To Spinola, the occupied Palatinate’s conqueror, Mansfelt remained a potential threat should he aid the heretics again.

Naturally, witnessing Mansfelt’s forces mobilizing for the heretics would raise his guard.

Yet Mansfelt had no intention of abandoning his current contract due to Spinola’s wariness.

“What shall we do?”

“Proceed. Shake off those irritants giving chase. If they attempt to bar our path, we shall force our way through.”

“Understood.”

Unlike before, Mansfelt displayed unwavering resolve.

Yet he harbored certain convictions in this regard:

‘Spinola is no fool. He would not attack me now while the Palatinate’s situation remains volatile. He knows well that such a clash would gravely wound us both, not just me.’

In the immediate aftermath of the Palatinate’s fall to Imperial forces, the populace’s sentiments were undoubtedly tumultuous.

Suppressing unrest necessitated a sizable garrison, while remaining vigilant against nearby ‘enemies’ like Bohemia.

Thus, Spinola needed to conserve his strength, unable to recklessly engage a potential foe like Mansfelt – at least until reinforcements from the Emperor arrived across the Empire.

Keenly aware of this reality, Mansfelt marched northward unimpeded, as Spinola and his forces could only observe in frustration, unable to act.

However, contrary to Mansfelt’s expectations, this ‘parallel course’ of movements ended sooner than anticipated.

The catalyst: his very employers, the Braun region, who had begun making aggressive moves against the northern Palatinate and surrounding areas – in a manner unforeseen by Spinola or even Mansfelt himself.

In any operation, the foremost priority was clearly distinguishing friend from foe.

For at times, uncertain allies could prove far more dangerous than outright enemies.

Thus, establishing unambiguous criteria for this distinction was crucial – especially on the blood-soaked battlefields of war.

‘Better to face enemies wielding overt blades than dubious ‘allies’ poised to stab you in the back.’

Based on this judgment, I had deliberately imposed stringent conditions, compelling lords seeking our alliance to irrevocably commit themselves to our cause – maximizing Bohemia’s gains while filtering out those solely seeking easy profits.

Moreover, by definitively separating those unwilling to join us, we eliminated the gravest peril of being backstabbed.

‘Under such binding terms, betrayal would be unviable. Of course, we must uphold our end of the bargain as well.’

Having broadly settled matters with the surrounding lords, my attention turned to another list Polena held – those who had ultimately refused our alliance, opting for an independent path.

“Roughly 70% of the local lords accepted our alliance proposal. However, a considerable number declined as well – most notably Duke Carlos of Braun and the neighboring Baden lord.”

“Hmm… Braun and Baden…”

Familiar names, aligned with my expectations. Slowly nodding, I began perusing the dossiers Polena handed me.

“Word is, instead of allying with us, the Duke of Braun has enlisted Mansfelt’s mercenary band – likely attempting to seize the initiative in this crisis.”

Polena’s astute analysis prompted an appreciative nod of agreement from me.

“That seems an accurate assessment. By joining our alliance, they would inevitably operate under Bohemia’s leadership, willing or not. While securing their territory’s safety, they would forfeit potential spoils of this war.”

Though the chaos of war undoubtedly posed grave peril, it also presented opportunities.

A turbulent upheaval where the high could plummet and the low could soar – the proverbial ‘rise and fall’ in full flux.

Thus, while many lords grasped Bohemia’s ‘lifeline’ to ensure survival amid this tempest, others chose to brave the storm’s dangers in pursuit of greater prizes.

And in that regard, one figure repeatedly referenced in the original storyline came to mind – an individual deeply tied to this ‘Braun’ region now before my eyes.

‘The Duke of Braun’s refusal of our offer is undoubtedly her doing… That woman from the original tale…’

Truthfully, at this juncture, her name held little renown.

Yet the original’s vivid account allowed me to anticipate the impending madness she would soon unleash.

However, I saw no immediate need to intervene directly.

‘Well, apart from lacking the capacity, observing from the sidelines currently benefits us more.’

Dealing with madmen, whether as friend or foe, invariably proved troublesome.

In the original, Friedrich’s ill-fated entanglement with her had cost him any chance of recovery, while adversaries like Tilly and Spinola had endured immense torments due to her antics.

Thus, I had to choose – either firmly leashing her or maintaining an absolute distance.

The result: decisively cutting ties with this unruly element.

‘Mansfelt and Christiane, you are on your own from here. We shall comfortably observe the chaos you unleash upon each other.’