Ch.65Preparation (5)

“What nonsense… is what I’d like to say, but…”

It’s true that it’s tempting.

According to what’s written here, the lands Burgundy would purchase aren’t particularly large, and most are areas that have either rebelled against me or are occupied by radical heretics beyond control. Moreover, they’re all territories governed by barons or lower-ranking nobles, so there won’t be any title conflicts with the Duke of Burgundy.

Besides, even if I were to recover those areas, it would take an extremely long time to recoup my investment. But if I accept Burgundy’s proposal, I could recover those costs immediately. And I’d be rid of those disobedient subjects too.

‘Above all, I’m absolutely delighted about the mercenaries.’

Most mercenary companies have joined the Imperial civil war, leaving me with a headache over the lack of troops for hire. If I could employ Burgundy’s infamous elite forces as mercenaries, it would be a golden opportunity. It would give me a significant advantage in the civil war.

We’ve fought several fortress battles recently, but Burgundy’s army, which has repeatedly achieved complete victories against Caroling and the Empire, wouldn’t be weakened by such engagements. If anything, they’ve probably grown stronger from the tactical experience.

‘Still, I can’t help feeling somewhat uneasy.’

Logically, I know it’s clearly beneficial, but psychologically, I feel strong resistance to the idea of selling Imperial territory to a foreign power.

What was the cause of this civil war in the first place? Wasn’t it to protect vassals from foreign threats? Even disloyal vassals are still vassals, and subjects are still subjects.

My prestige has already fallen considerably, but if I start selling territory to foreign countries, it will plummet straight through the ground.

‘But perhaps I have no choice…’

All those considerations assume that I survive in the first place.

I’ve been excommunicated, and the Holy Emperor has denied all my secular rights. If I lose this civil war, death is all that awaits me.

…I’m terrified of how history will judge me.

“Hey, bring me parchment, a pen, and gold ink.”

But letting myself be swept along by the other side’s pace isn’t my style.

I’ll give Burgundy’s bastard a gift and a middle finger simultaneously. Even if I die, I can still deliver a massive blow to those traitors.

………

“My lord… will this really be all right?”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“I wonder if those rampaging heretics will obediently follow your orders.”

I was working on preparations to raise an army, regardless of whether the Emperor accepted my proposal or not, when Ines, who had been staring at me intently, suddenly spoke up.

“Those heretics confiscate all property and kill people just for believing in the orthodox faith…”

That’s true.

The various heretical sects may differ in their doctrines, but they all share hostility toward the orthodox Canaan Church. If they weren’t hostile, they wouldn’t have become heretics in the first place.

“But didn’t most heretics living in the Empire still pay their taxes to the Emperor regularly?”

“Most, but not all. Even with the Empire in such chaos, there are still substantial heretical forces that remain hostile to both the Emperor and the Holy Temple.”

“Hmm…”

“The Imperial heretics newly incorporated into Burgundy will very likely view you as a foreign pagan ruler. This… seems difficult to suppress even with military force…”

Ines’s words are entirely logical.

The regions I’ve requested to purchase from the Emperor have long been troubled by Caroling, and the people living there likely harbor old resentments against Burgundy, which was once Caroling’s vanguard, even though it’s now independent.

On top of that, they’ve become heretics. It’s impossible to think they would willingly obey me.

“Rebellion? Let them rebel.”

“What…?”

“If they rebel, that’s fine by me. I can sweep away all the existing power structures and fill those places with people loyal to Burgundy.”

Whether they obey me or not doesn’t particularly matter. In fact, it’s better if they don’t.

When conquering new territory, the first thing one must do is compromise with the existing power structures. But if I can sweep away all those power structures, I won’t need to bother with such troublesome compromises.

Of course, I’ll face tremendous resistance and expend considerable military resources, but if I can overwhelmingly defeat those power structures in battle, it’s actually better to provoke rebellion.

There’s a reason why so many conquerors throughout history imposed heavy taxes and burdens on conquered territories to incite rebellion.

“…I see.”

Ines’s eyes widen in surprise at my answer, then narrow as she opens her mouth in admiration.

I can’t quite tell what she’s thinking, but it’s clear she agrees with my opinion.

“But brother, if you purchase the territory, you’ll need to send Burgundian troops as mercenaries to the Empire. What will you do if the heretics rebel then?”

Chloe, standing behind me, wraps her arms and neck around my neck as she speaks.

Her voice sounds very concerned, but her touch reveals more desire than worry.

“That’s fine too. None of the occupied territories are known for their military prowess, so just mobilizing the vassals’ forces should be enough to win. If that’s insufficient, I can briefly recall the mercenaries to suppress them.”

Above all, they lack a central leader. What’s there to fear from disorganized rebels?

“Hmm… but there’s a high chance they won’t rebel.”

“Why?”

“Just… a feeling?”

Also, though I can’t explain why, I have a vague belief that Jeanne, who seems to have infinite affection for me, will prevent it.

If Jeanne could “convert” so many people in such a short time, she should be able to persuade even the most militant individuals.

Of course, I can’t possibly tell Chloe and Ines about this.

Trusting a woman I’ve just met would be the act of a complete fool.

…I’m not a fool, but anyway.

Knock knock—

“Yes, come in.”

“Excuse me, Your Highness. A letter from the Emperor has—Your Highness?”

“…?”

LeClerc, who entered my office with an urgent voice, suddenly freezes and stares at me.

He definitely said something about a letter from the Emperor, but why is he just standing there?

“What’s wrong?”

“That… Your Highness, I’ve felt this before, but the two of you—no, I misspoke. Here is the letter from the Holy Roman Emperor.”

“…Ah.”

By “two,” he must mean Chloe and Ines. I understand why LeClerc reacted that way.

Even though we were alone in the room, our… position was somewhat inappropriate.

From LeClerc’s perspective, or anyone else’s, it would appear quite indecent.

“Ahem, yes. Give it here. You two, keep your distance in front of others.”

“Mmm… fine.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Their lips cutely express dissatisfaction, but their eyes tell a different story. They quickly glance at LeClerc with narrowed eyes.

…It seems like it would be troublesome to get involved, so I’ll pretend not to notice. Sorry, LeClerc.

Huh? What’s that?

As I look apologetically at LeClerc, I notice a servant entering behind him, carrying a large box.

“LeClerc, what is that box?”

“Yes, Your Highness. The Holy Empire’s servant who delivered the letter said that it should be given to the Duke of Burgundy after reading the entire letter.”

I’d like to open it right now, but with LeClerc present, who values protocol even with enemies, I can’t.

Well, it won’t be too late to open it after reading the letter, right? Let me read the letter first…wait?

“This seal is made of gold, not wax?”

Just like with the Holy Emperor’s letter.

The exterior is splendid, but there’s an ominous feeling emanating from it.

What now… I hope there’s nothing strange written in it.

Riiip—

[I, Friedrich III, Emperor of the Holy Empire, accept the Duke of Burgundy’s proposal. The details regarding the territories to be sold and their value will be handled by our officials, so please send a representative to the palace for negotiations—]

‘What, I was nervous for nothing.’

I was a bit tense, wondering if there might be something strange written, but it simply states that he accepts my proposal and will advise on the details.

Asking me to send a representative to the palace is probably because he can’t venture outside during the civil war. Well, this isn’t bad…

[—And the territories that the Duchy of Burgundy wishes to purchase were once ruled by the Kingdom of Lotharingia—]

As I was reading the letter with relief, suddenly a strange statement appeared.

…Why is a fallen kingdom suddenly mentioned?

The Kingdom of Lotharingia was a kingdom that existed between the Kingdom of Caroling and the Holy Empire hundreds of years ago, and it was ultimately partitioned by the two countries, leading to its demise.

And the current Duchy of Burgundy consists of the Dijon area, Bar, Lorraine, and parts of the coastal region, which were territories of that Lotharingian Kingdom.

Probably about half of the Lotharingian Kingdom’s territory… Wait. No, it couldn’t be.

Come on, what country in the world would not only allow a neighboring country to grow stronger but actively promote it? Yes, I’m worrying unnecessar—

[—Therefore, in place of the lost crown, I send along with this letter the royal signet ring of the Kingdom of Lotharingia, kept in the Imperial treasury, for eternal friendship between our two nations—]

CRASH!!

“Your Highness?!”

“What’s wrong?!”

Everyone in the room is startled as Claude suddenly jumps up from his chair while reading the letter and rushes to smash open the box.

But Claude pays them no attention as he searches through the fragments of the broken box, and finally discovers a ring that, though weathered by time, still emits a brilliant radiance.

“Haha… ha.”

“That’s…!”

Claude places the ring on his palm and laughs hollowly, while LeClerc, standing right beside him, immediately recognizes what the ring is and widens his eyes in shock.

Chloe and Ines, standing further away, still seem confused by the situation and tilt their heads, before shifting their gaze to the Emperor’s letter carelessly placed on the desk.

[—From now on, you shall be the King of Lotharingia. On behalf of the Holy Empire, I look forward to our alliance, Your Majesty, King of Lotharingia.]

Written there were words so shocking they couldn’t be adequately described even as a major incident.

Finally understanding the situation, both women sharply inhale, showing the same reaction as LeClerc.