episode_0019

Meanwhile, at this time, Adele von Setia was in trouble.

‘It’s true that I had no choice but to become a lord. Because I was the only one who inherited the blood of the Setia family. But if I continue like this, I will die. They will be used as they see fit, and then killed when they become useless.’

The four major families are too powerful. The families that occupy the top ranks have all joined hands, so even Adele cannot easily rebel against them.

It was okay during Henrik’s time and Andeln’s time. Henryk’s capabilities were so outstanding that his vassals could not easily defy him, and Andeln inherited Henryk’s support base, so he started with a solid foundation.

But Adele was different. Adele, who was suddenly placed on the throne without sufficient education, did not have a sufficient support base or outstanding capabilities, so she was swept away by the four powerful families.

Although Adele neglected her studies, she was not stupid. The tutors rated Adele’s talent higher than Andeln’s. Therefore, Adele knew very well what kind of situation she was in.

‘Now is the most important time in my life. If I take one wrong step here, I will die.’

Judgment based on instinct rather than reason. But that judgment was correct. Adele was at a crossroads between life and death.

‘The four great families are like a pack of wolves. When my father lost power, I easily betrayed him. Those guys can’t be trusted. The problem is that other than the four great families, most families betrayed my father… There is no one in the world I can trust.’

As Adele thought about that, something crossed her mind.

‘for a moment?’

When most families, including the four great families, betrayed their father, there was only one family that joined his father. That’s it…

‘Didn’t the Mayer family take your father’s side?’

It was the Meyer family led by Franz Meyer.

Adele also remembered that incident.

At that time, Henrik had 8,000 troops and Andeln had 20,000 troops. In a situation where it was obvious that Henrik would be defeated, Franz Mayer took Henrik’s side.

Why did you take Henrik’s side? Meyer answered that question like this:

‘Because Henrik was my lord.’

Yes. The man was loyal to his master even if it was a battle he was sure to lose.

‘My brother is a true loyalist! Even if I fall from power one day, you will never betray me! If I want to live, I have no choice but to empower my true loyalists!’

Adele thought. In order to survive, he has no choice but to hold Mayer’s hand.

Because Mayer was the only person who remained loyal during the civil war two years ago.

—–

Adele’s decision first came to light after the war began.

Soon news came that Leona was preparing for an invasion. This was the outbreak of the 12th Krusenstein-Setian War.

Influential retainers showed up for a countermeasures meeting. The same was true for the four major families and the pro-royal faction led by Franz Mayer.

Adele asked where everyone was gathered.

“Everyone, listen! I heard that Krusenstein’s army is gathering troops! There is no other destination, so the destination must be Torgenberg! Anyone who has a good idea about how we should respond in the coming war, please tell us!”

After a period of silence, it was Franz Mayer who spoke first.

“Asilia, map.”

“Yes.”

Franz unfolded the map Asilia brought and drew a line with a quill pen.

“There is a river named Aquilla here. This river is located in the middle of the enemy’s advance route, and although it is shallow, it is wide and difficult to cross.”

Franz’s quill stopped at one place as it followed the river.

“Our army is encamped on the west side of this river. And then we wait for the enemy to launch a crossing operation.”

Franz expressed his opinion, but the head of the Ost family, one of the four major families, snorted.

“It’s an operation that doesn’t even know the basics of military strategy.”

This was an insult to the Mayer family, a historic family of schemers, but Franz did not react. Because it was bullshit.

“There are fortresses and hills to set up camp, so why does it have to be a river? Isn’t this a strategy that throws away the defender’s advantage? Moreover, the number of enemy troops is about 20,000, and the number of allies is at least 30,000 and at most 40,000! Why should we be afraid?”

“Push… ”

“This guy… !”

Ost’s blood boils as he sees Franz Mayer openly ridiculing him. But from Franz’s perspective, he couldn’t help but laugh. It’s been a long time since I’ve received such stupid criticism since I only hang out with very smart people.

“No forts, no hills. There is a reason why it has to be a river.”

Our lord Adele von Setia asked Franz what he said.

“What is the reason? Sir Franz.”

“That’s because of the musket.”

“Musket?”

“Yes. The enemy has equipped thousands of muskets with overwhelming financial power, taking advantage of the fertile land and port city of the Duchy of Krusenstein. And the more moisture a musket has, the more likely it is to misfire. If you add the crossing operation to that… It will be useless.”

“That’s why we’re going to fight in a humid riverside.”

“Yes. Yes.”

Adele nodded with admiration. However, the four major families did not give up.

“What a fool!”

It was the head of the Endia family who stood up while saying that.

“The enemy forces are half as strong as the allies! I don’t know what’s causing me to attack with only half the force, but it’s a golden opportunity to annihilate the enemy’s main force! Defending in a situation where even if you go out with the entire army, it won’t be enough? Defense? There is no coward like this!”

“That’s right!”

“That’s right!”

The heads of the other four generations of families agree with us. Franz was just frustrated by that sight.

‘Such incompetent bastards.’

Leona is a genius. If such a genius chooses offense rather than defense, there is a reason to attack. I also have confidence. In fact, didn’t Clemens, who was Leona’s vanguard, block 30,000 with 5,000 only once? Leona-kun is strong. It may not be up to 100 per day, but up to 10 per day is possible. When dealing with such people, it would be overboard to attack them first.

Franz took a deep sigh and spoke.

“The Duchy of Torgenberg is not a fertile land. There is no port to make money.”

“Are you insulting this land that our previous lords have cultivated?”

“This is not an insult to the efforts of our predecessors. No matter how much you cultivate and manage the land, each piece of land has its own unique characteristics. The Duchy of Torgenberg does not have as much financial power as the Duchy of Krusenstein.”

“So you’re saying I’m going to get scared and become a dog? He’s like a fuge from a weak literary family!”

“Hahaha!”

“However, the Duchy of Torgenberg has great advantages that other regions do not have.”

“… What is it? Sir Franz.”

“Overwhelming defense power. This land has overwhelming defense power. Here is the secret to preventing the Krusenstein family from attacking the Setia family 11 times, all 11 times. This land is blessed with a natural environment and specializes in defense, so not using its defense power is like putting hard-earned treasure in a box and not taking it out.”

“Indeed… ”

“Your Majesty! Are you falling for that kind of coaxing?”

“Please listen to the opinions of our senior officials! Franz Mayer is just a brat! We are the ones who think about our family’s future!”

Adele asked back in a weak voice in response to the words of the head of the Endia family.

“Is that so?”

“Of course!”

“If you think of your family that way, why did you betray your father?”

“… ”

“Ah! Do you think about the family but not the lord?”

“… ”

A strong wind passed by. The four great families could not make any sound and only opened their mouths.

“It seems to me that Sir Franz’s opinion is right.”

“Your Majesty!”

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I hate you guys. I just want to choose a tactic with a slightly higher chance of winning.”

“Ah… ”

That day, the four great families realized something. The fact that they are starting to break away from the center of power.

—–

After that day. Rumors that the Mayer family had become a powerful force spread everywhere. The story that the lord was favoring the Mayer family and staying away from the four great families had become a rumor and had been carried away by the wind.

Upon hearing that story, Georg Mayer could not control the overwhelming, unidentified emotions. What was the Meyer family like in your generation? I had to pay attention to the four generations of the family. In order not to offend the four great families, they had to deliberately lose and bow down to their fate in order to survive.

But what about now? Those four great families were at Mayer’s feet. The relationship between the two forces had completely reversed.

‘How on earth… ‘

Until my only son took the side of Henrik, the year of his death, I had thought that it had been a mistake to pass on the readiness. But now, that choice has come back as a blessing in disguise. Compared to the trust I gained from my lord now, the losses I suffered back then were nothing more than a small loss.

‘Did you know this would happen?’

Did Franz Meyer know this would happen and joined Henrik’s side in advance? If you think about it that way, all the angles fall into place. The reason why Henrik von Setia, who insisted on fighting to the death, surrendered even though he knew he would be killed by his son. Wouldn’t it be understandable to think that this was to give his second son a trustworthy confidant?

‘If that’s true.’

The Meyer family would reach its peak during Franz’s reign. Georg Mayer believed that he needed to stay as healthy as possible and survive as long as possible in order to see that scene.