Ch.540540. Declaration of Territory War (1)

Lord Benner, who had gone out of the lord’s castle for a while after collecting money from the finance vassal, returned.

I heard he went to the Information Guild with more gold coins than he had expected. Two days later, when he brought up this matter again, I was able to hear about the strange circumstances provided by the Information Guild.

‘After the public execution of the spy—’

Princess Amelie’s favoritism toward the Akion Viscounty increased dramatically.

Of course, they showed movements to advance deep into central politics through this.

Furthermore—

‘From time to time, they also received various gifts from Amelie.’

Since it was said that a relationship of receiving various gifts separately from the 3rd Princess had begun.

It seems their relationship has continued smoothly until now.

‘Even when the Viscount Akion gets involved in central political affairs.’

Despite entering that scene with the image of finding and killing spies.

There’s hardly any subtle checks or friction with Princess Amelie and the ministers of that faction.

“I can see right through it.”

This is why it’s so transparently obvious why they, who had been quiet all along, decided to provoke us first.

“Indeed. However, since this involves not just any family but the 3rd Princess Highness herself, including these details in the rebuttal from the beginning doesn’t seem like a good choice…”

“It seems better to set up the situation so that Princess Amelie has no choice but to strike down the viscounty, and then chip away at them one by one.”

“Just as you say, my lord.”

When the viscounty loses power, Amelie’s influence over the west will naturally decrease. It could be both a sufficient warning and a blow to them.

At the same time, our family, which has been using the viscounty, will clearly have a good opportunity to devour them and grow.

‘Just how much do they value their loyalty to the 3rd Princess?’

What makes them think they can mess with a family that has two Masters living in it?

Do they have some clever move on their side? I can’t let my guard down, but in the end, what needs to be done must be done.

“I wanted to use the Count’s people too. I’ll relay the message to the Count, so although it will be troublesome, could you send people to the viscounty to handle that information?”

“That’s no difficulty at all. If you tell the Count that you’d like to borrow some personnel from the family’s intelligence department, he’ll send excellent talents.”

“The intelligence department. I didn’t expect you to have connections with those people.”

During my time as a servant of the Count’s family.

I had to receive proper education about family matters, at least on the surface. Of course, I’ve heard rumors about the intelligence department.

‘The Count’s family isn’t just any count’s family for nothing.’

The vast territory, and the reason they’ve been able to maintain both tradition and power up to modern times based on it.

While a kingdom that has been maintained for centuries is impressive, one of the biggest reasons the Count’s family has been able to maintain such a status for centuries is said to be thanks to the Count’s intelligence department.

‘People who brilliantly read the situation and flow of the west, if not the entire kingdom.’

Literally starting with turning people, and sometimes using secretive and cruel methods. They gather information using all sorts of means, and are experts at manipulating it for the family’s benefit—these monsters and fixers.

That’s what I understood the intelligence department people to be.

“When I was young, I also worked in the intelligence department.”

“…Lord Benner was from the intelligence department?”

“It’s been a long time since I left, but once, yes, I was.”

The elderly man with an incredibly kind impression before me—the fact that Lord Benner was once part of the intelligence department was an astonishing revelation.

“Haha, you look like you can’t imagine it at all.”

“…I just lost myself for a moment. I apologize.”

“Not at all. Certainly, my current appearance is quite different from my passionate younger days.”

Lord Benner was in that group of monsters.

It’s hard to imagine, but…

“Still, I once briefly served as the head of the intelligence department… Since the role of the intelligence department includes not only collecting information but also creating it, I will do my best to ensure it doesn’t harm the Count and Baron families.”

A former head of the Count’s intelligence department.

He probably has no mana and weak physical strength. It’s obvious he wouldn’t be as good at combat as other women in the intelligence department. There must be a reason he secured the position of intelligence department head.

With Lord Benner showing such enthusiasm…

“I’m always grateful.”

I suspect the groundwork for using the viscounty in reverse will be laid before long.

* * *

After posting the statement rebutting the Akion Viscounty’s intentions.

A few days after they decided to send an official delegation to us.

For a while, our Sione had been frequently expressing her irritation toward the Akion Viscounty.

“Ray, they’re arriving around lunchtime today, right?”

“If there’s no issue with the schedule announced by the viscounty. I suppose so.”

Sione, dressed in formal attire after a long time, was expressing her complaints about the viscounty again today.

“Those delegates are in a tough spot. They’re coming even though no one will welcome them.”

As she said.

Among the people staying in our lord’s castle, there was no one left who would welcome the viscounty with a bright smile.

If they come, all we can give them are sharp glances and rebukes.

“If the delegates come with the same position as before, without yielding… will you do it? The territory battle.”

If they still arrogantly challenge us.

“I must.”

We already had sufficient grounds that they severely damaged our honor.

The territory battle was initiated with the determination to restore our honor from those who criticized us. In the midst of this, Lord Benner stepped in with what was dug up from the Information Guild, with the intention of thoroughly crushing them.

“Can you coordinate well with me?”

“How long have we been together? We’ve been together all the time since leaving the room, can’t I do that one thing?”

Since we had to welcome the delegation for a matter that was by no means trivial, after Sione and I prepared ourselves to a degree where we wouldn’t be looked down upon by them.

We made our way to the meeting hall prepared for today’s encounter.

After I, the head of the family, took the highest seat, and Sione filled the seat beside me. Since the viscounty’s delegation, which had expressed dissatisfaction with our family, was coming, it was a gathering with various vassals and even guard forces.

Soon, their delegation entered.

“We welcome the delegation from the Akion Viscounty.”

“We greet the legitimate head of the Karpel Barony, Baron Karpel.”

They seemed to have received quite a few glares on their way here.

After receiving their greeting, which showed an extremely rigid attitude, the conversation naturally progressed.

“Is your intention regarding this matter unchanged, despite our voiced opinion?”

“If you’re referring to the opinion that you should reduce your military and accept a new mediator, then yes.”

As expected, the delegation began to convey their side’s intentions.

“After the Demon Territory, which was the biggest problem in the west, was conquered by the Count’s family. The territories in the west no longer need to maintain large-scale military forces under this pretext, and most of the current Baron’s army consists of elites raised by the royal family. Viscount Akion and various nobles have judged that it would be right for them to enter the kingdom’s regular army and work for the country, rather than for the Baron’s family.”

Their will to cut down the Baron’s military remained unchanged.

“In this situation, we cannot help but have serious concerns about the Baron’s current stance of increasing military spending and rearming soldiers.”

Of course, they were trying to find fault like this.

“The Baron’s family is not only responsible for the Demon Territory but also for the royal supply line in case of internal turmoil. Our military is not just for our Baron’s family, but also a support force that must be deployed immediately to save righteous families.”

“……”

“The reason we increased military spending is because our Baron’s family fought fierce battles during the Winter War. Even with minimal supplies, it costs a lot of money to match swords and armor. Don’t you know? There have been no major battle drills, no increase in troops. We haven’t even stockpiled supplies for war.”

“……”

“Also, even though a new ruler has been established in the direct territory, His Majesty the King has decided to leave the soldiers with the Baron’s family so that the barony can continue to perform this duty. Yet you doubt me, whom His Majesty trusts, and His Majesty’s intentions?”

Despite my words, they still did not yield.

“We are not doubting His Majesty the King. However, from the moment the Karpel Barony became independent from the direct territory. As time passes, you might forget that duty. To prevent disruption to the balance in the west, we are trying to readjust the balance from now.”

“…Is that why you want to reduce the Karpel Barony’s military and appoint a new mediator?”

“That’s right. In fact, Baron, you have a level of military that is not permitted to a baron by the royal family. In a way, it’s no different from upholding the law.”

They were busy scratching at us like this.

Although the Baron’s family has an unusually large army for a barony, it was only possible because of the approval of the King and the 1st Princess.

‘The Queen of the kingdom is wise and famous for favoring the 1st Princess.’

And Adelheid knows this well. She regards her mother as a strong ally and shelter, and shares various information with her.

‘The Queen also knew and let it pass.’

It was the Queen who prepared the documents to grant the direct territory, and it was the Queen’s judgment to leave the army as it was.

What difference would it make if mere viscounts and barons tried to meddle with what the King and Adelheid had decided?

“What we’re asking is not that difficult. Reduce the military by 40%, step down from the role of mediator, and support the entry of a new direct territory in the west. It’s not a difficult thing, is it?”

Then they added.

That as many as seven families wished the Baron’s family to do so.

It would be better for the Baron’s family too, and following their wishes would be the most beautiful way to conclude the past as a mediator who fulfilled their duty.

‘Seven families united just to weaken one Baron’s family.’

I never expected so many places to be meddling with the Baron’s family of all places.

As I silently looked at the delegation, holding back what I wanted to say, Sione timely stepped in.

“40%. They know how large a number 40% is. Making 40% of trained soldiers unemployed.”

“…But that is determined according to the law of the kingdom’s upright vassals. Even if you reduce it by half, it’s already a large force for the Baron’s family to possess, so using the reduced military budget to govern internal affairs would also be good for the Baron’s family.”

“Are you saying that we appear to be struggling with military spending and unable to properly care for internal affairs? Us, who are even promoting poverty relief projects that the viscounty has never implemented?”

Abandoning her docile puppy appearance.

“Since it came up, I’ll say this. You said that our maintaining the current military is due to our customary role as a direct territory, but as time passes, we might forget that duty. Indeed, having received a hereditary title, one of the descendants who ascends to the head of the family might be a fool.”

“Then—”

“But that’s only a future possibility. It doesn’t sound like it has anything to do with the current Baron’s family.”

“……”

“The Baron’s family has mediated for other families several times even after accepting a new head. Did they feel discrimination or favoritism? And we’ve only used our military once, for the Winter War. Do we look like we would use our military to oppress surrounding families?”

Sione, returning to her days when she was full of discontent with the world.

“Ridiculous. Worrying about things that haven’t happened, trying to shake and disparage us who are doing our best according to His Majesty’s will.”

“His Majesty not only didn’t express any concerns about us but greatly appreciated the Baron’s family’s contribution to conquering the Demon Territory by mobilizing the soldiers His Highness left us.”

“In this situation, it’s not appropriate for you to say anything.”

That gaze, looking down at people with a growl.

It was still filled with the irritation and contempt of those days when I had to ask her to get off the bed so I could clean the room, so there was something unexpectedly nostalgic about it.

“Your attitude is truly absurd. Beyond the Baron’s family, this is a family that has pledged allegiance to the Master of the Count’s family, who has been loyal to the royal family for centuries, recognizing his ability and faith. Your distrust is also a distrust of the Count’s family’s judgment.”

Inwardly nodding at Sione’s response, which cleanly said what I wanted to say, I picked up her words again.

“Our accepting a delegation like you was merely giving you one last chance to reconsider after seeing our published rebuttal. But since you show even more firm thoughts rather than changed ones, there’s nothing we can do.”

The delegation rolled their eyes.

What was reflected in their pupils were the fierce gazes of the vassals who were as angry as they could be.

And the guards who, despite trying their best to empty their emotions while on duty, had their lips twitching with anger.

“Go and deliver this.”

The delegation had no choice but to accept my sentence with cold faces.

“To restore the honor of our family, which has fallen because of you, and for Queen Her Majesty who granted me the direct territory. I declare a territory battle of honor against the Akion Viscounty, which represented you.”

The declaration of a territory battle.