Ch.214Status (4)

“Can we really just sit back and do nothing?!”

“That’s right, if we don’t take any countermeasures, we’ll end up being treated the same as those commoners!”

No matter how lavishly they were treated at the Dijon palace, it wasn’t enough to quell the nobles’ discontent.

No matter how delicious the food was, no matter how luxurious the banquet, they were upset because their titles—the very source of noble identity—had been tampered with.

“Can’t sit back? No countermeasures? Those sound like dangerous words. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear them.”

“You know very well that’s not what we meant!”

“No, the very thought of countering His Majesty’s decisions is disrespectful. Are you planning to interfere with policy implementation?”

Hearing others’ complaints, one noble, fearing potential consequences, demonstrates loyalty to the king and rebukes those who voiced their grievances.

Having complaints and openly expressing them are entirely different matters.

Haven’t nobles who openly displayed their discontent all met unfortunate ends? Even fierce dogs learn to read human moods after being beaten with a stick repeatedly, and the nobles of Lotaring had experienced this countless times.

[Did you enjoy the banquet you held with your friends two days ago?]

[Yes… what?]

[The joyful cheers were loud enough to reach my ears. It’s good to have friends with whom you can share your thoughts.]

What’s particularly fatal is that backbiting against the king is never permitted under any circumstances.

Claude’s state-encouraged system of informants and the infiltration of disguised servants among domestic nobles made them feel as if their mouths were padlocked.

If friends gathered to gossip about the king, those words would inevitably reach the royal ears—no matter how carefully they selected their servants or how intimate the conversations were.

Though they weren’t formally punished since the comments weren’t made in official settings, those who spoke harshly were typically summoned by the king or received stern letters, causing nobles to act with extreme caution in everything they did.

“Th-that’s not what we meant!”

“How could we who know His Majesty’s temperament so well plot such disrespectful acts?!”

The complaining nobles, well aware of these facts, were greatly alarmed when another noble refused to continue the conversation after hearing their reasons.

If they let him leave without any rebuttal, the king would surely misunderstand today’s events when he heard about them, causing great harm. Such a terrible future must be prevented.

“…Very well, I’ll hear you out.”

The noble finally stops in his tracks after hearing the young nobles’ passionate explanations.

If they’re denying dishonorable intentions this strongly, perhaps their ideas deserve some consideration.

Even though informing on fellow nobles happens frequently, refusing conversation out of fear goes against proper noble conduct.

“Thank you. We simply want to request His Majesty to elevate our titles.”

“Elevate…?”

The noble who agreed to listen tilts his head in confusion.

Title elevation? What more could possibly be elevated here?

“Do you mean promoting barons to counts and counts to dukes? Surely the barons and counts who are denied promotion would be greatly displeased, and the dukes would be furious?”

“What we propose isn’t such a simple promotion. If you look at this document…”

“Hmm…”

Though the document shows signs of age, being made of parchment rather than paper, it remains in usable condition.

“This is… a registry of servants working in a count’s palace. Despite its age, the format and types of servants listed are no different from today’s.”

“Yes, what’s important is that this format has continued unchanged since ancient times. Look here.”

“…Vice-comte?”

Vice-comte, or the count’s deputy, is a position appointed by the count to manage the territory in the count’s stead when the count is absent or unable to manage the domain, exercising the count’s authority.

Even though lords spend most of their lives confined to their territories, situations where they cannot manage their lands are inevitable, making this position as old as history itself. If we trace it back, it might go as far as tribal chieftains.

“We wish to request His Majesty to elevate the existing barons—those with noble blood—to this position of vice-comte, which is superior to baron but inferior to count.”

“Hmm…”

Indeed, this has unexpected potential.

It doesn’t contradict His Majesty’s policy while allowing distinction between fake nobles and traditional nobles.

His Majesty would surely consider such advice without displeasure.

“What about the existing counts? I understand that while baronies are the most commonly sold titles, there are some countships for sale as well.”

“…That’s the problem. We could promote existing counts to vice-dukes, following the pattern of promoting barons to vice-counts, but the position of vice-duke has never officially existed. Nobles of ducal status typically appoint chancellors instead.”

“True, since we need to persuade His Majesty, we should follow existing precedents as much as possible… hmm, this is tricky.”

Politics is inherently conservative, with precedent being paramount. No matter how reasonable or persuasive an argument might be, without precedent, it ranks lower than arguments that have historical backing.

Therefore, requesting title elevation requires precedent. Otherwise, His Majesty, who enjoys finding fault with meaningless clauses, will surely cause trouble.

“What if we look for precedent not from dukes but from counts? There are various types like march counts or court counts, aren’t there?”

“That’s excellent. Whether vice-duke or superior count, the position would still be between count and duke.”

The nobles, who moments ago were afraid to speak freely for fear of being reported, now eagerly share ideas to persuade their lord, as if their earlier caution never existed.

Indeed, despite individual differences in personality and thought, all nobles here unanimously refuse to accept commoners as their equals.

Even if they occasionally fight bitterly over disagreements, it’s common to cooperate with recent adversaries when a new competitor appears.

……….

‘Sigh…’

What are these fellows thinking now?

Hearing that nobles had gathered again for discussion, I thought they still hadn’t come to their senses, but their proposal was completely unexpected.

I would have had enough time to consider whether to grant their request after two days, but a problem arose.

“Your Majesty, we wish to discuss the elevation of titles.”

“…Very well, let’s hear it.”

These guys are moving too quickly.

The group that met last night has organized their argument and come to me the very next morning. Moreover, since this meeting was previously scheduled, I couldn’t cancel it.

“We greatly sympathize with Your Majesty’s intentions. If the number of nobles increases, the overall power of the nobility will grow, ultimately strengthening the noble class.”

‘…Wait, you were saying the complete opposite just recently.’

They were arguing that an increase in random nobles would diminish noble dignity and value, weakening the nobility—and that was just days ago. Now they’re saying the exact opposite.

Well… speaking out of both sides of one’s mouth is a basic political skill, so I can understand, but they’re changing their tune awfully fast.

“However, there should naturally be a distinction in nobility between newly added nobles and existing ones.”

“Did I not say that nobles who purchased titles are equal in status to existing nobles?”

“Yes, but status and nobility should be viewed separately. If status and nobility were not applied separately, one might conclude that heathen barbarians who call themselves kings are equal to monarchs who follow God’s will.”

“So, you’re asking for title elevation?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We humbly request that existing barons be elevated to vice-counts (Vice-comte) and existing counts to march counts (Marque-comte).”

“…March count? Not all counts’ territories are on the border.”

“In times of war, we would all take up arms and rush to the border with one heart.”

“Really now…”

If they had just openly said they wanted to be separate from commoner nobles, I would have scolded them and sent them away, but this approach leaves me with little to say against it.

“I understand what you’re proposing. However, calling everyone ‘vice-count’ and ‘march count’ would be highly inefficient. The pronunciations are too long.”

“Then…”

“Hmm… Although these titles didn’t previously exist, I’ll create new ones using the terms you’ve provided as examples. Existing barons who meet certain conditions will be elevated to viscounts (vicomte), and existing counts who meet conditions will become marquises (Marquis).”

It’s unexpected, but my goal is to increase the number of officially recognized nobles.

Even if titles become more subdivided, what matters is increasing the noble population, so I can grant this much.

Above all, it won’t cost me anything—in fact, I might even profit from it.

“Th-thank you, Your Majesty!!”

Perhaps they didn’t expect me to agree so readily; the nobles’ faces light up with gratitude.

When they react like this, I feel a bit guilty… but I must separate personal feelings from duty.

“However, naturally not all titles will be automatically elevated. Only nobles who meet specific conditions should be promoted.”

“By specific conditions, you mean…?”

“Hmm… those who have performed exceptional service, those who are especially noble among the noble, those who have made financial contributions to the royal family?”

“Th-that is…”

“Can you not do it?”

“No, we can do it!”

“Excellent.”

Honestly, while it’s called a contribution, it’s really just extortion… but well, they don’t have to pay if they don’t want to.

Of course, they’ll inevitably be considered equal to commoner nobles if they don’t, but that’s for them to consider.