episode_0104

“I’m Zed, Charlotte’s colleague.”

“I’m Elinne.”

After the warrior and the saint finished their greetings, Zed and Elin greeted Cassid Nova. And it’s my turn.

“It is an honor to meet Archduke Nova. He is called Baron Dran.”

A baron was much lower than a grand duke.

“Baron Dran. I heard that Her Royal Highness personally bestowed the title?”

“It was too much, but it happened.”

It seemed like he knew about me. Even though I was a baron, it would have been impossible for the nobles to spread rumors about me. Just as the knights’ attention was focused on hearing that Ariana was directly guiding me, the incident of me becoming a baron must have been known throughout the noble world.

“I heard you are also a knight of Her Majesty Princess Asabel?”

Grace leaned toward me as if she was interested in me. That bitch… … In particular, they are observing me. As someone with a desire to devour the empire, it was natural for them to keep an eye on me, a person related to the princess. You must be shaking your head right now. Greed aside, this bitch’s strengths are clear.

It wasn’t as powerful as Kasid Nova. I know that he has no fighting sense by nature. however… … She was so resourceful that during the war, her name surpassed that of Cassid Nova. Moreover, when attacking the empire later, it was not that simple for a single principality to almost take over the empire. They waited that much and prepared very thoroughly, including gathering a large number of nobles. Moreover, unlike Princess Asabel, she is also a strategist who uses her soldiers well at the right time. There were quite a few victories in the war as well.

“So… … .”

Cassid Nova put down his teacup.

“What’s going on?”

“Don’t you know?”

Charlotte took out the paper the princess gave her. Cassid Nova roughly read the contents and put it back on the table. You probably already knew what it was about.

“Simply put, it means cooperate with the empire.”

“The princess would like to receive a confirmation.”

“Warrior. But this is not a question that can be answered right away.”

Charlotte looked at me with an expression of surprise. You must have remembered the story I told you while riding the imperial carriage. It has been said that the principality is reluctant to cooperate with the empire.

If it is a kingdom, it can be refused. However, although the principality appears to be an independent country, it is actually part of an empire. But I don’t understand why they are reacting so negatively. He was only able to protest like this because he was a grand duke. Any other noble would have followed unconditionally. Although she is a princess and not an emperor, she is the number one candidate for the next imperial throne.

“I want to know why.”

“If you hear our position, you will understand.”

Cassid Nova then secretly checked on his daughter Grace. … … As expected, did he represent Grace’s words? Kasid Nova is an outstanding strategist, but Grace Nova is even more outstanding than him. He must have been persuaded by Grace and is trying to refuse.

“First. There is a saying that in case of war, the military authority of the principality will be transferred. Our principality is loyal to the empire, but handing over military power is another matter.”

It is a country ruled by a grand duke. But are you giving all of the military power here to the empire? There was no way I could understand it.

“ When you leave, this is a barren land. We’ve driven out the monsters and made use of some decent land, but there’s still a lot of land to explore. However, there is a shortage of male workers… … There was a request to increase the military. Moreover, if war really breaks out, what will happen to the people here?”

Just listening so far, it was clear why the principality was hesitant to cooperate. They suddenly made unreasonable demands citing the war against the Demon King as the only reason.

“And the last third. They said he was the devil, but if you look more closely, the principality is expected to cooperate unconditionally in the event of a war. What if the devil doesn’t start a war? Instead, what if we go to war with another kingdom and drag the people of our principality away?”

In other words, it meant that there was a possibility that the empire would abuse the clause in other cases besides the war against the Demon King.

Charlotte asked with a frown.

“Are you saying that you don’t care about the dangers of the continent for such uncertain reasons?”

“No. If the devil’s army really invades, I promise to cooperate. However, as I said earlier, the Principality of Lancelot cannot be stamped unconditionally.”

There is only one person who can force the Archduke to move. There is only the emperor of the empire. It was uncertain that the Demon King’s army would invade, and the current emperor of the Gaia Empire, who trusted the Archduke, did not bother to force cooperation. So, Princess Asabel tried to take care of the matter first, but it was not easy either.

“Grand Duke. May I speak for a moment?”

“Baron Dran. Okay, let me tell you.”

“First of all, I would like to assure Her Majesty Princess Asabel that she will not abuse the cooperation clause.”

In the first place, when the princess took over the military authority of the principality, it was at a time when it was really under attack by the Demon King’s army. Moreover, the principality was not the only place where it was difficult to make a living. Even if the land is fertile, it is useless if you cannot afford to farm it because of the war. The situation was not much different in the empire or principality, such as taking refuge or preparing supplies.

And in addition to the final war with the Demon King, concerns were expressed about military authority being handed over, which is sharp… … No, if you look at the very beginning, it says ‘in case of war with the devil’s army’. Although there was no mention of the Demon King’s Army in the detailed provisions, the Archduke also seemed to be playing with words. This meant that even the worst interpretation was thoroughly considered. what… … It’s true that as the archduke, you have to pay attention to every last detail, but… … .

“I am confident that Her Majesty the Princess will not do that. I don’t know, but you, my closest associate, know, is that right?”

“If Her Highness goes down the wrong path, I will correct it.”

“Sigh.”

“… … Are you?”

A voice bursts out laughing at me. Charlotte That bitch… … .

“Baron Dran. Do you have that ability?”

This time Grace intervened. All the words that have come out of Cassid Nova’s mouth so far must have started from Grace’s head. But did he realize that there was something unusual about me? I started to come forward myself.

“I guess you are receiving a lot of favor from Her Highness the Princess?”

“Have you done any research on me?”

“… … Well?”

You did it?

It wasn’t something I really thought about, but since he was talking so casually, I guess he knew about my achievements.

“I didn’t become a baron for nothing. If Her Majesty the Princess had not liked him, he would not have become a baron, but his contribution was sufficient.”

By accurately understanding the characteristics of the demonic beast, he made the greatest contribution to the subjugation operation, saved the princess, and eventually captured the earth dragon. This was not enough to become a baron. Now that the conditions were met, the princess finally gave her approval. Although it is very difficult to get this princess’s approval, it means that she likes me… … .

“I think Baron Dran has that ability. And I will also say that I am trusted by Her Majesty the Princess to that extent.”

Grace smiled brightly and leaned slightly towards me again. When I looked at the funds, I saw that it was a dress with an open chest. I glance at her cleavage and focus on Grace again. … … I think Grace would have noticed my sinister gaze. Grace continued.

“Hehe. But can we trust Baron Dran? ”

“What can I do for you to trust me?”

“Isn’t that something Baron Dran should take care of?”

“… … Well, I guess so.”

Right now, Grace was in an unconditional defensive stance. Even though he seems to acknowledge a certain part of it, in the end, somehow, he doesn’t back down. No matter what I do, they will end up giving other reasons and not trusting me. It comes out so vaguely, right?

“Then, would you like to make a thorough transaction?”

“… … Yes?”

Grace is also puzzled by the sudden story.

“You are free to believe in me, but I have prepared something that you have no choice but to accept.”

Trust the empire and cooperate!

Since this rationale does not work, we have prepared conditions that will be even more damaging if we do not cooperate.

“Now… … Are you saying you are going to threaten me?”

“Baron Dran! How dare you look down on our archduchy just because you’re a baron!”

Not only Grace’s face, but also the face of Cassid Nova next to her became fierce. Unlike his daughter, who reacted quietly, he immediately became very angry.

Actually, it is a threat. On the surface, it was a transaction, but I had no idea they would say it outright as a threat.

“How could I, a Baron, threaten the Nova Archduchy? Let’s listen first. The decision is made by the Grand Duke.”

“Father.”

Grace nodded and signaled to the Archduke to listen first. Only then did Kasid Nova let go of his anger and gave me a look telling me to talk.

I took another sip of tea, then slowly opened my mouth and started talking. That was the same thing I said to mercenary leader Kelly yesterday.

Monster Wave.

Dragon attack.

And there are demons behind it all.

I told this to Ray in advance, and with the exception of Elline, who I heard about for the first time yesterday, this is probably my first time hearing it from everyone else. The warrior couple and the grand duke and daughter could not help but be surprised.

“So… … Are you telling me to put my stamp on this because I will help you solve the problem?”

“First of all, it doesn’t matter if the three threats I mentioned turn out to be true.”

“Lancelot Principality cannot solve the problem on its own… … What do you mean?”

“I have to find out if it’s true, but if it is… … You probably didn’t know before I told you in the first place, right?”

“That’s right, but… … .”

Grace crossed her arms under her large chest and thought hard. In your head, you must be thoroughly calculating what the benefit is. No matter how many times I recalculate, there will only be one answer, right? The moment it turns out that what I say is true, it is a huge advantage to agree to cooperate unconditionally. Abandoning half of the principality to protect military authority? Even as stupid as I am, I got the answer right away.

“I think I need to discuss it with my father some more.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“And Baron Dran, the threats you made have not yet been proven true. So… … .”

Grace grinned.

What’s wrong?

“It will have to stay at our Grand Duke’s house until its authenticity is revealed. If it’s false… … You’re insulting us, right?”

To put it simply, this… … .

You mean to imprison me, no, hold me, right?