Ch.203Conversation is Essential to Persuade Others

The Empire’s military system was complex.

From the private armies maintained by local lords, to the Imperial Army for national defense.

From the Imperial Knights for small-scale subjugation operations to the Royal Guard for protecting the imperial family.

These four military organizations operated with separate command structures, but what was distinctive was that the commander of the Imperial Knights also served as the commander of the Imperial Army.

In other words, the commander of the Imperial Knights had hundreds of knights under his command and held authority over tens of thousands of troops.

Though their quality couldn’t compare to the forces of the Electors… no one could afford to underestimate them.

If the Imperial Army and Imperial Knights hadn’t been obligated to maintain political neutrality, whoever they supported would have easily claimed victory.

Of course, that didn’t mean they could wield their authority as they pleased.

The moment an Imperial Knight Commander became power-hungry, the Imperial Army and Knights under his command would be the first to turn their swords against him.

—-

Duber was the epitome of a middle-aged Imperial man.

He had dark brown curly hair with a long, well-groomed mustache, and the bulbous tip of his nose was stained red from alcohol.

He wore an ornate uniform as if flaunting his nobility rather than his military status. The uniform must have been tailored during his prime, as his belly strained uncomfortably against the fabric, while conversely, the sleeves hung loose with numerous wrinkles.

He kept adjusting his collar, apparently finding it difficult to breathe.

His plump cheeks with their healthy color and the gap between his poorly fastened coat clearly revealed how long he had been away from actual combat.

I couldn’t help but wonder if someone in this condition could really be called a Master.

Perhaps he too had once been an excellent knight with solid muscles.

But his elevated position and skills that showed no signs of improvement must have brought frustration and laziness…

The old friend of frustrated middle-aged men had gradually caused him to rust.

A knight soaked in alcohol inevitably transforms from wolf to pig.

Only the efforts built up in his youth barely kept him a knight rather than a pig.

In contrast, Georg appeared to be of mixed Dane and Imperial blood.

His dull blonde hair was cut short to reveal a straight forehead, and beneath thick eyebrows, hawk-like sharp eyes occasionally glared at my right hand.

My warrior’s intuition told me the meaning behind that gaze.

He was constantly monitoring the distance between us and my reactions… contemplating how to respond should an unfortunate confrontation occur.

Strictly speaking, he was half-treating me as an enemy, but unlike Duber, I appreciated that he hadn’t forgotten his duty.

Perhaps because he had cleanly shaved his beard, he looked younger than his age, with a firm jawline and stubborn lips giving him the impression of a stone statue.

His attire was a neat military uniform without any decorations, resembling the clothes Ludwig often wore.

His sharp expressionlessness and disciplined posture. Even his silence since entering the annex.

He gave the impression of someone who had spent his entire life in training and work, with no other hobbies.

Yes. This is what an Imperial Knight Commander should be like.

Though Leopold had invited both men at once, he seemed to intend to speak with them separately, calling Duber, who had arrived first, into his office.

When I greeted Georg as if asking for his understanding, he silently nodded as if he didn’t mind.

Since I didn’t know how long the conversation would take, it seemed impolite to leave him alone, so I decided to leave someone in the reception room.

And I had just the right person for it.

“M-me?”

Perseval’s face turned pale at his sudden misfortune.

“Yes. Who else would I mean? Just stand there, respond appropriately if he speaks to you, and keep your mouth shut if he doesn’t. It’s not that difficult, is it? Go.”

Actually, it is difficult.

Although the Imperial Knights and Royal Guard are separate organizations, stars are stars wherever they are.

Someone of Georg’s rank would be close in rank to the commander of the Royal Guard, so I was essentially asking a junior officer to attend to a division commander.

But what could I do? There was no one else available.

Leaving behind a pale-faced Perseval in the reception room, I headed to Leopold’s office with Duber.

—-

“Welcome, Lord Duber. I appreciate you coming so readily despite my sudden invitation.”

“Not at all. When Your Highness Leopold, busy with public and private affairs, summons me, how could I, as an Imperial Knight, not respond immediately? It is only natural that I come without delay.”

Facing Leopold, Duber showed a surprisingly submissive attitude.

As if trying to demonstrate his loyalty. It was quite strange.

An unstable prince and the Empire’s greatest military power.

Considering their respective positions, such excessive deference seemed unnecessary.

“Your words ease my mind somewhat. Please, sit.”

Meanwhile, Leopold, unlike his usual self, adopted an authoritative attitude, even changing his manner of speech.

Sitting slightly askew with his chin resting on the back of his hand, he gave the impression that this conversation would not end amicably.

I stood beside Leopold, watching them expressionlessly.

Duber, seated on the office sofa, glanced at me.

Perhaps suddenly feeling wary, his gaze was quite sharp.

Though his corpulent figure made him appear not the least bit threatening.

Leopold tapped the desk to redirect attention.

On the desk were two crystal glasses and a wine bottle that had just been opened, emitting a subtle blackberry aroma.

I don’t know much about wine… but judging by how Duber was staring at the bottle and swallowing dry saliva, it must be a premium vintage that even nobles rarely taste.

“Before we get to serious matters, would you like a glass? I’ve heard you’re quite fond of Wien’s wines.”

Leopold gently tilted the bottle, filling the glass halfway.

The sweet aroma spread, moistening the tip of my nose. Yes, it must be delicious.

“This was a gift from Lord Wien to celebrate his daughter’s engagement. Here, take it.”

“For Your Highness to bestow such undeserved grace upon me, I am simply honored.”

He really does love alcohol.

Despite trying to hide it, an unmistakable smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

—-

“Now that we’ve wet our throats, let’s get straight to the point, though it may be a bit early. We wouldn’t want Lord Georg to turn into a statue from waiting too long.”

“Haha. Even if Lord Georg turned to stone, I doubt even his wife would notice the difference.”

Duber burst into light laughter, playing along with Leopold’s joke.

Leopold merely responded with an enigmatic smile as he set down his glass.

“Lord Duber. No, Commander of the Second Army. The reason I summoned you is that your forces are needed to protect the Empire’s peace. You’ve probably already guessed as much.”

“…As wise as Your Highness is, I trust you understand the circumstances that prevent me from accepting this command. If you intend to deploy Imperial troops in this civil war, my knights would be the first to revolt.”

A support request thrust upon him without warning. Duber trailed off, seemingly troubled.

Looking him straight in the eye, Leopold continued calmly.

“You need not worry about that. The swords of the 2nd Army will not be directed at fellow Imperials, but at foreign enemies in the north. Protecting the Empire from non-humans—isn’t that your primary duty?”

“The north, you say…? If the north requires army-level forces, it could only be a major invasion by Werebeasts… but I’ve received no such reports.”

A skeptical response. He seemed to doubt this unexpected information.

Well, that’s only natural.

How could there be reports when the invasion hasn’t even happened yet?

“It’s not confirmed information. However, the Margrave of Landenburg has warned of the danger… and Faelrun has also concluded that the sudden disappearance of sporadic Werebeast attacks is cause for concern. If the Werebeasts were planning a major invasion, now, with the Empire in turmoil, would be the perfect opportunity. Don’t you agree?”

That’s a lie.

Neither Ludwig nor Faelrun had warned about a major invasion.

However, statements borrowing the authority of the Electors who had spent their lives fighting foreign invasions would sound convincing enough to Duber, who knew nothing.

“Even so, isn’t Faelrun responsible for the first line of defense in the north? There are precedents for deploying Imperial troops during major invasions, but… those were all in response to Faelrun’s requests for assistance. There’s no precedent for dispatching Imperial troops before an invasion has even occurred. And the fact that you’ve also summoned Lord Georg here… could it be that you plan to deploy two army corps to the northern border?”

“The Duke of Faelrun’s forces will all be recalled to his territory. They need to suppress various disturbances and subjugate the traitors who have rebelled, ignoring the principles of succession elections. Therefore, to fill Faelrun’s void, we need to deploy at least two army corps.”

Duber bowed his head in apology before taking out a handkerchief to wipe away cold sweat.

As if Leopold’s purpose for summoning him was a very troublesome matter for him.

“…With all due respect, as Your Highness knows, the Imperial Army considers this not a rebellion but a succession dispute and maintains neutrality. If, as Your Highness says, the Imperial Army takes over the northern border defense, that would not be neutrality but active intervention in the civil war… wouldn’t that also violate the Empire’s principles?”

Yes, that’s the issue.

That’s probably what Leopold called them here to persuade them about.

Let’s see how this unfolds.

“Intervention? Not at all. You and the Imperial Army would be fulfilling your oath to protect the Empire from foreign enemies, and if the outcome happens to benefit me unintentionally, that’s all. Let me ask you in return: if Faelrun remained in the north to repel a major invasion and requested reinforcements due to insufficient forces, would you refuse, citing neutrality? And if the north were to fall as a result, wouldn’t that mean you had abandoned your responsibility to protect the Empire’s safety?”

“However…”

Leopold shook his head, firmly cutting off Duber’s excuse.

“This isn’t a civil war to begin with. It’s a subjugation campaign against Isabella, the witch who has disrupted the Empire’s order. You should have taken the lead in this matter from the start. I’m specially accommodating your neglect of the duty to protect the Empire from witches under the pretext of neutrality. Do you understand?”

His tone was utterly cold.