Ch.538538. Digging Up the Viscount (1)

For these noble lords, honor is sometimes considered more valuable than their own lives.

Honor for their family, honor for themselves, and so on. It’s not bad to gain a reputation for knowing what honor is and acting accordingly. The problem is that some fools become so obsessed with honor that they willingly face disasters they could have avoided.

As long as they haven’t completely fallen, nobles don’t have to worry about going hungry or having a warm place to sleep. Perhaps that’s why in their society, honor is like a second name that defines them.

“The Akion Viscounty has received much help from our Barony over the years. It’s shocking that someone who knows the current Viscount’s situation and efforts would suddenly express public distrust toward us.”

“They have abandoned their moral obligation and coldly rejected the past, present, and future they’ve shared with the Barony.”

Listening to this, it seems they’ve received quite a lot from us. Our vassals are openly expressing their dissatisfaction with the Akion Viscounty for this severe betrayal.

Perhaps it’s because they’ve spent their time honorably working on slum improvement projects and attending to the merchant groups from other families who entered the Barony.

They’re renowned for their honor, yet the Viscount’s declaration has buried their hard work, making them truly angry.

‘This actually works out well.’

Looking at the current situation, it seemed there wouldn’t be much internal opposition even if we clashed with the Akion Viscounty.

At this point, they might even actively help us. It’s hard to imagine them thinking otherwise.

‘Now that I’m a noble too.’

When provoked like this, isn’t it proper etiquette to face them squarely in their own way?

So I shared my thoughts about this matter with Sione.

“If they’ve initiated things at this level… what we need to do is simple.”

Sione, who seemed to have been thinking about this as well, began to share her strategy.

“We need to refute their logic immediately and undermine their credibility.”

“Undermine their credibility?”

“It’s the most basic tactic. If their internal situation is unstable… or if there’s something suspicious behind their reasons for making such a declaration, other families will naturally try to remain neutral rather than hastily siding with the Akion Viscounty.”

“Ah.”

“We’ll have to fight demons once our war preparations are complete. It’s burdensome, but we can’t reduce our military forces… and we don’t intend to. We can’t be dragged along as they wish.”

Sione was speaking with conviction.

I shared my small concern with her.

“But what if it doesn’t end there and becomes a bigger problem—”

“Our lord, you’re so strong when facing demons and Demonkin, but you become weak at times like this. In such cases, we obviously use force!”

“You mean a territory battle?”

“Exactly.”

Territory battle.

It’s when families resolve conflicts or issues through their military might.

Since it’s still a war, bloodshed and spending countless gold coins are unavoidable.

“I can see it all over your face, Ray. You’re thinking that a territory battle would be similar to the battlefields you’ve been to before, right?”

“I suppose so.”

“The County, Kallia, the Great Forest, or the Winter War—those were all-out wars where families or nations risked everything. This is naturally different. In a territory battle, just a few sweeps with our arrows would make them surrender quickly.”

“So when it comes to a territory battle, having a just cause is the most important issue.”

A territory battle with a righteous cause would be an excellent opportunity to increase our influence and power around our family.

If done well, it could also be a chance to extract money from the Akion Viscounty under various pretexts.

Now it was time to proceed with Lord Benner, who had transformed from an acting head of the family to my full-fledged advisor.

“Lord Benner, I’m thinking of announcing our position toward the Akion Viscounty. Could you help me with the writing?”

“Of course, my lord. But before writing, your position is—”

“The same as our vassals.”

“Then it will be even easier to write. I’ve already heard how the vassals here have united in their thinking.”

With the help of the capable Lord Benner, writing the statement proceeded smoothly.

After organizing my position as the family head to present to the vassals and distribute outside the territory.

Though it was regrettable to ask the elderly Lord Benner, I had to inquire about one more thing.

“Lord Benner, do you know anything about the Akion Viscounty?”

Lord Benner seemed to immediately understand what I wanted without further explanation. He closed his eyes gently and nodded.

“The Akion Viscounty, of course. They have considerable influence in the west, and their territory is quite substantial.”

The Akion Viscounty.

Unlike the County at the western edge, this Viscounty had established its territory in the fertile lands of the central region, alongside the mountain range that extends toward the County.

It seemed that this family with natural barriers served as the second line of defense to protect the kingdom’s capital from monsters if the County were to fall.

“They receive support from the royal family, and the iron ore produced in the Viscounty is popular throughout the kingdom. They’ve accumulated considerable wealth from this.”

So they’re quite wealthy as well.

It was said they were a family with power that couldn’t be ignored.

“However, the Viscounty has had some verbal disputes with the County in the past. Keeping them in check while cooperating with them was part of my old duties, so I believe I can be of help.”

It seems that in the past, the Akion Viscounty had friction not only with us but also with the County.

Curious about what they had quarreled over with the County, I casually asked Lord Benner.

“It was quite a serious matter. At that time, an imperial spy was caught in the Akion Viscounty.”

“…That’s bigger than I thought.”

I didn’t expect a story about an imperial spy.

“It was a complicated affair. The Akion Viscounty, with the help of the royal family, searched for and executed all the remaining spies publicly to contain the situation. But there was something suspicious about it…”

“Could I hear more about this?”

“…The personnel dispatched from the royal family later became the Third Princess’s subordinates. The County didn’t forget this incident and subsequently put pressure on the Akion Viscounty.”

“Ah.”

If it’s related to the pro-imperial Third Princess, it certainly would leave an uneasy feeling.

Realizing there was something to dig into, I couldn’t help but grin.

“Lord Benner, I recall that the Akion Viscounty stated they wanted to donate one of their fiefs to the royal family to appoint a new mediator.”

“They certainly declared that.”

“What would happen if rumors spread that the person coming to that direct territory was already decided to be someone from the Third Princess’s faction?”

Along with that, if we dig up past events.

If we can craft the picture they’re thinking of and spread it as if it were the truth.

They would find it quite troublesome.

‘Adelheid said it.’

Evidence or justification can simply be created.

And the experienced Lord Benner, as someone from the County who supports the Queen and the First Princess, seemed quite pleased with my stance on the Akion Viscounty, which had been a thorn in his side.

“Then I’ll try to uncover their plans… would it be alright to use people for this?”

“People?”

“I think it would be better to deal with the information guild and those connected through the County’s relationships.”

“Of course. Use the remaining finances to cover the costs of employing them.”

“Haha, I’ll have to haggle a bit with the finance vassal over the money.”

He even showed enthusiasm.

An experienced old man who had found an opponent to tear apart with all his abilities. The pressure of the atmosphere he exuded was considerable, inspiring confidence.

“I’m sure the finance vassal would gladly agree to Lord Benner’s request now.”

“Then I’ll report on the financial matters by tomorrow.”

“Thank you as always, Lord Benner.”

After sending Lord Benner away.

Alone in the office.

Looking at the scenery outside the window.

I could see Sione walking around the family garden with the gardener in the distance.

‘Our eyes met.’

Perhaps because she shoots a lot of arrows.

Sione, with her excellent eyesight.

As Sione, who noticed I was looking at her, waved her hand, I waved back.

And I calculated in my mind.

‘A territory battle.’

They said the Akion Viscounty is famous for its high-quality iron ore.

‘…It wouldn’t be bad to try.’

Territory battle—the thought that there was much to gain here if done well filled my mind.