episode_0023

Meanwhile, Krusenstein’s army was holding a meeting when a letter suddenly arrived.

The participants in the meeting are Leona and some of her close associates. Since it was something that should not be leaked, only a few people whom Leona trusted most joined in secret.

That was because, if this were true, the fate of the family would change significantly.

The agenda for this meeting is a letter from the Meyer family.

[To Leona von Krusenstein. Please use the side road that was used during the 11th invasion in 545 again during the 14th invasion. I will clear the road to the Duchy of Torgenberg. The head of the Mayer family, Franz Mayer.]

For the first time in a long time, Leona could not control her pounding heart. she asked her servant.

“How did you obtain the letter?”

The administrator who first brought the letter answered Leona’s question.

“When I was studying at a temple as a child, I had a classmate named Bran who was studying with me. His classmate became a subject of the Mayer family and worked as an administrator, but they occasionally exchanged letters. That guy said he had received a letter from his immediate superior, Lucille Meyer, and asked me to convey it to my lord in complete secrecy.”

‘We exchange letters occasionally.’ Leona knew very well what that meant. This administrator had previously posted a detailed report on the current status of the Mayer family. Where did that information come from? It had to be from the friend I just mentioned. And what would they have given in return for that information? It was supposed to be information about the Krusenstein family. Two friends shared information about their respective families and used it to get ahead. Although it wasn’t something a loyalist would do, it was a common occurrence in difficult times, so Leona decided to leave the matter aside.

More than that, if the letter was obtained through an administrator of the Mayer family, it would mean that the authenticity of this letter was absolutely genuine.

Regardless of the fact that this letter was Franz Mayer’s handwriting, the question was whether Franz Mayer was truly trying to betray him.

“Master, this must be a trap.”

Rainbern, Leona’s childhood teacher and tactician, said. He was an old man with a long white beard.

“If the friendly forces send a detachment through a side road, the enemies will wait and annihilate the friendly detachment.”

“It is a story with possibility.”

“Then this case is dismissed… ”

“However, this is not a strategy suitable for Franz Mayer.”

“Yes?”

“Franz Meyer has worked hard to keep the name Meyer until now. Even though he was able to open the road to Torgenberg during the 11th invasion, he used clear-night tactics to burn his territory and protect his lord. Even when Henryk fell, he stood by Henryk’s side and protected his master until the end. A person like that tarnishes the family’s name just to trap 3,000 people? Isn’t it strange?”

“That’s… ”

Leona laughed lowly.

“If Franz Mayer plans to trap me in this matter, I am willing to do so. If what you want to gain by sacrificing the name Mayer that you have built up over a lifetime is only 3,000 soldiers, it is worth the change.”

“If you say that… I won’t bother to stop you. Let’s send Albert. Even if he loses, it will not be a big loss for our military, and he is eager to make any contribution, so he would be a suitable person to use for this type of work.”

The old man’s cold words swept through the hall, but Leona quietly shook her head.

“No. This case is Clemens de Balboa. I’ll leave it to you.”

“Master, I think I heard wrong… ”

“In this case, Clemens de Balboa takes the lead.”

“But my lord! Clemens de Balboa is the master’s right hand man and vanguard! Such a dangerous mission for such a person! What are you going to do if Mayer betrays you?”

“Don’t know?”

Leona couldn’t hold back her laughter. Normally it would have been a frustrating situation, but today was different. It felt so good. That’s why he kept laughing uncontrollably and speaking in a voice that made him unable to control his laughter.

“Listen carefully. I’ll just say it once. Duchy of Torgenberg, House Setia. That doesn’t matter. These are things you will get your hands on someday if you keep hitting them. But there is something else that is really important. That is the heart of Franz Mayer.”

“Yes? What is that… ”

“What I want to buy is Franz Mayer’s heart. That is why I am sending my right hand man as a sign of trust in him. [I trust you, Sir Franz. There is a monarch in this world who wants you a hundred times more than someone like Adele von Setia. I am sending my right hand man to make a suggestion: “There is someone who wants to have you so much, so why not come under me?”

“… ”

“… ”

The hall became quiet. No one could open their mouths. That’s because there was a completely different madness in Leona’s voice than usual.

“Actually, that’s true. I wanted to go there myself. I wanted to risk my life and entrust it to Franz Mayer. If you want to kill, kill. But if you don’t want to kill me, come under me. I wanted to say that. why? Because Franz Mayer is worth it. The faith, skill, and intelligence he has shown are better than anyone I have ever seen in my life. That’s why I will do anything to get my hands on him!”

“… ”

“But. If I go in person, it’s sure to raise suspicion. They attack with 20,000 troops, but the monarch does not support his government? You would think that there must be another ulterior motive. If you do that, you might get caught. Our operation. That’s why I can’t go there myself, but I’m sending my right hand man. Clemens. You are my double. Do you hate that role?”

“No. It would be an honor to be the master’s substitute.”

“In that case, come back. I will give you 3,000 troops. Let’s go deeper into enemy territory this time. ah! And.”

“Yes.”

“If the operation is successful, Adele von Setia and his subordinates will be captured rather than killed. Because I have something to use.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Thus, Clemens’ move to Torgenberg was decided.

It was on March 24, 553 by the imperial calendar.

—–

3 weeks after that. April 15, 553 Imperial Calendar. Krusenstein attacked. This was the outbreak of the 14th Krusenstein-Setia War.

“Phew… ”

I was more nervous than ever. That’s because the future of the Mayer family would change depending on how my strategy turned out this time.

“Can I do well?”

Well, can I betray you?

The D-day of betrayal has arrived. I led my troops and left Mayer Castle. And when I left the castle, I sent a letter to my lord.

[Master, please be friendly in this war.]

This was my last mercy. If the lord was friendly, the lord would be able to save his life. That was because Krusenstein’s detachment would head straight to Torgenberg Castle. If you are friendly, the lord will be with the main army and will not die, but if you are not friendly, the lord will die. That’s why I said this. My lord, please do not die because of your close friend. but…

[I will leave the matter of war to you.]

The lord was not friendly in the end. This was because he was making a new kite with his students. The lord’s troops were led by the four great families according to the mantra of his subordinate Lando, and the lord eventually abandoned my last mantra.

—–

“Ha! The facial expression is very worth seeing. Where has the energetic expression from before gone and you now look like you’re about to die?”

Military conference hall. It was the head of the Endia family who was arguing with Franz.

“Lord Lando took our hands. The lord took Lord Lando’s side, and Lord Lando took the side of the four great families, and in the end, the four great families came to overwhelm the pro-royal faction in terms of faction. Those who prospered due to faction, fell due to faction. How do you feel when you fail?”

“… ”

“Your lord loves kites. This time, kites were given to each of the four major families. He gave us a kite, so soon he will give you a kite too. Perhaps, a kite that has lost its strings! Hahaha!”

All four generations of family members pointed their fingers at me and laughed at me. They won’t know. What will happen to them in a month or even two weeks?

“I’m sorry.”

“Ha! It’s too late to lower your tail now! The only way to repay the arrogance of the past is the fall of the Mayer family! At the very least, make us satisfied with your downfall!”

“I am not apologizing for my actions so far.”

“What kind of bullshit is that!”

“I am sorry for my actions from now on.”

After saying that, Franz Mayer stood up. While the four generations of the family were puzzled, news soon arrived.

“Urgent news! Urgent! It is said that a detachment of the enemy army has surrounded Torgenberg!”

“What, what?”

Only then did Endia realize.

What did Franz Mayer apologize for?