Chapter 167: Heroes of the Turbulent Era 6

“Haaah…”

Friedrich, the Elector of the Holy Imperium, found himself consumed by an increasingly sour mood these days.

The unfolding events orchestrated by his wife Elizabeth – the alliance with Duke Christopher IV in the north, the indirect coalition with Mansfeld’s forces, and more – left him deeply unsettled, even as she pursued them surreptitiously behind Bohemia and Santana’s back.

Though Elizabeth harbored expectations of regaining dominance within the Heretical Alliance and recovering the lost Palatinate through these maneuvers, Friedrich harbored grave misgivings about their prospects for success.

‘Aside from everything else, our entanglement with Mansfeld alone bodes ill for this endeavor…’

The mere mention of Mansfeld’s name made Friedrich shudder.

That warlord had catalyzed the fall of the Palatinate and, not content with that, later joined forces with Christian to pillage the realm under the guise of “liberating” it – inflicting untold suffering on Friedrich’s subjects.

Though the memories still sickened him, Friedrich had ultimately acquiesced to his wife’s insistent proposal, rationalizing that the present Mansfeld answered to Duke Christopher, posing no threat.

Yet an unshakable unease lingered, forcing his reluctant acceptance under Elizabeth’s unyielding stance.

Though having effectively severed ties with Anhalt, his wife’s forceful personality allowed her an undue sway he could not resist.

Thus, despite his profound misgivings, Friedrich found himself ensnared in an alliance he vehemently opposed.

Worse still, Elizabeth now set her sights on yet another unlikely pact.

News had recently arrived of the Frantzian Kingdom’s clandestine overtures proposing an alliance with them.

This audacious proposal from their ancestral foe – a preeminent Church faction – left Friedrich utterly incredulous.

Yet Elizabeth advocated accepting it, citing the impending royal match between Frantzia and Friedrich’s sister, soon rendering the Frantzian royals their kin.

However, Friedrich could not dismiss his doubts about entangling themselves with such inscrutable schemers.

Moreover, he questioned whether this would truly aid their cause or merely exacerbate their predicament, as past alliances had proven disastrous.

Heeding Anhalt’s past counsel, Friedrich had forged pacts across the continent, only for those “allies” to abandon him at his greatest peril – some even betraying him outright.

Aside from Santana, the sole individual he could genuinely trust, that experience had taught Friedrich the folly of placing faith in such fickle “allies.”

Yet despite his grave reservations about this untrustworthy pact, he ultimately failed to dissuade his resolute wife.

Though dubious and distrustful, even Friedrich admitted their present straits compelled accepting such hazards to gain any traction.

Having lost his domains, reduced to a mere figurehead, he lacked funds to raise armies or sway other lords.

In their unilateral inferiority, relying solely on the defensive-minded Santana proved untenable.

‘Yet…I cannot shake the profound sense of peril surrounding this endeavor. Have we not already suffered enough by presuming events would unfold as we desired? The worst-case scenario could leave us in an even direr predicament.’

Having endured the nadir of his life, Friedrich had become somewhat more grounded in pragmatism, if not wisdom.

Though unable to command this increasingly unruly situation, he at least recognized the present course as ill-advised.

As a result, as Elizabeth inexorably committed to the Frantzian alliance, Friedrich cautiously dispatched an envoy to Santana – presently enjoying his nuptial bliss in the Dragonian Empire.

The missive detailed their recent actions while soliciting Santana’s counsel and aid in navigating this precarious situation.

‘Elizabeth insists we cannot trust Santana, yet to me, he remains a hundred times more trustworthy than these serpentine “allies” we are embracing. Given our circumstances, it is prudent to at least consult with him as a contingency.’

“Huhuhu…”

Caseross let out a soft laugh as she nestled against me, prompting an instinctive warm smile.

Her gentle fragrance tickling my nose, the cozy sensation of her presence – though now familiar, that soothing warmth still allowed me to momentarily shed the world’s burdens and bask in tranquility.

‘Though my time in the Dragonian Empire must soon end, at least this blissful companionship shall endure.’

Sharing precious moments with one’s beloved could only bring joy.

Though perhaps not perpetually serene, family provided a sanctuary where happiness and security could be found.

‘In that light, I am truly blessed – my marriage, at least, has been an unqualified success, unlike certain others…’

With that thought, I instinctively revisited the missive I had received today regarding Friedrich, requesting my aid in navigating his predicament after forging alliances without my consultation.

While expressing regret over his unilateral actions, he inquired how best to proceed.

Truthfully, I felt more pity than anger toward his situation.

‘I had anticipated this to some extent, but why must this village idiot’s life unfold in such a manner?’

Already privy to his canon trajectory, I had foreseen Friedrich allying with the Märkish domains and courting Frantzia.

The key difference lay in his present cognizance – unlike his wife-whipped delusional state in the original – though still unable to control events, he at least recognized the peril and sought my counsel.

A marginal improvement, yet still pitiable to watch him flail helplessly, railroaded by his wife into losing command of the situation.

Regarding this matter, I resolved to implement the contingency measures I had formulated, extending a lifeline to this hapless fool.

‘Very well… I have rested enough, and a task now presents itself. Time to make my return.’