episode_0125

My prediction that my influence would grow and that Smith Skeleton would become even more famous became a reality.

While reports of victory from various fiefdoms were steadily coming in, Count Carbon came to visit in person. Looking very satisfied.

“Hahaha! You should have seen the expressions on the faces of the nobles!”

“… … What the hell happened that made you say that?”

“How refreshing it was to see Duke Greed request mediation from Duke Digar with a shit-chewing expression! Hands and feet… … . No, calling them hands and feet is not enough, so let’s call them fingers and toes. Anyway, since those fingers and toes are being cut off, why don’t we beg them to stop the reckless fighting over territory?”

Count Carbon, who found it very refreshing to hear that Duke Gred, the head of the noble faction, had been scolding Duke Digar, the head of the royalist faction, couldn’t help but smile.

“Duke Greed usually looked down on Duke Lefs, saying he was too hard and easy to break, but after seeing him break down this time, I couldn’t help but laugh.”

The situation must have been so great that Count Carbon continued to burst into laughter. I burst out laughing after eating the snacks in front of me, and burst out laughing again while drinking tea. I was so worried that I might have gone crazy from happiness.

However, I could understand Count Carbon’s appearance to some extent. Considering the current situation in the kingdom.

As the royalist nobles were steadily winning against the aristocratic nobles, the power of the royalist nobles naturally became stronger. On the contrary, the power of the aristocratic faction was weakening. Since most of the power of nobles came from their territories, it was natural that the nobles of the noble faction who lost their territories in the Territory War became weaker.

Of course, it was possible to get involved in politics in the capital, so it wasn’t like I was completely powerless. However, those who lost most of their power after losing their territory did not find much help in snooping around in the political world.

It could be said that it was thanks to this, that although there were many nobles of the noble faction who lost their fiefdoms, their power was still tight.

Previously, the aristocratic faction was dominant at a ratio of about 3:7 or 3.5:6.5, but now the aristocratic faction was slightly superior at about 4.5:5.5. At that level, the total strength of the royal family could be considered as 5:5, so Count Carbon was looking like he was going crazy with happiness.

“Oh, is there room in your production?”

“Yes? Production volume?”

“This time, aren’t the royalist nobles continuing to sound the victory bell? In the process, it seems like I learned a little about the weapons you sell. As people like Viscount Padagar, who were a bit impatient and ignorant of the art of war, were defeated, your weapons spread.”

As the weapons I created spread to the noble faction, the noble faction realized that they were on the defensive due to differences in the essential quality of the weapons.

However, I wondered what this had to do with production, but the reason was simpler than I thought.

“Some of the neutral faction and some of the noble faction who did not want to belong to either the royalist faction or the noble faction decided to join the royalist faction. Don’t you have to be a royalist to buy your weapons and equip your troops? It is clear that they will come to you after receiving verification that they have fully converted.”

Due to royal restrictions, mass sales were basically only possible for royalist nobles. Of course, they sell a lot to merchants, but most of what they sell is daily necessities and not a lot of weapons.

There may be a way to secretly arm yourself by hiring dozens of merchants or hundreds of mercenaries and purchasing one or two weapons at a time, but honestly, I can’t help but say that that method has a bigger navel than a belly. It was foolish to pay higher hiring or transportation costs than the cost of the weapon just to get cheap, good weapons.

Therefore, as a result, only royalist nobles were able to purchase enough weapons to arm their troops. So, as Count Carbon said, it was entirely possible for people to defect to purchase Smith Skeleton’s weapons.

“The fact that there are even people who have changed jobs because of Smith Skeleton makes me think that my influence has grown significantly.”

It made me feel happy to think that someone would decide to change their career after seeing just one piece of equipment.

Count Carbon also nodded as if he agreed with what I said. The reason was that one of those who decided to change jobs was someone I knew well. The reason that person decided to convert was the question of how to obtain Smith Skeleton armor, and it was Count Carbon who answered that question that he should convert.

In some ways, Count Carbon seemed to be more active in promoting Smith Skeleton than I was, so I felt quite grateful. As I became a noble, I received a lot of help and gained various knowledge. I decided to repay him properly later.

However, Count Carbon, who did not know my thoughts, still looked happy and was happily eating and drinking the refreshments in front of him. And when Giena had finished half of the cookies she had baked, Count Carbon turned his attention to me again.

“Maybe, there will be good news soon.”

“Good news? Are you talking about what those who converted are ordering?”

“That’s not true. As a result of the simultaneous territorial wars that took place this time, didn’t the royal family gain a lot of power? It’s so bad that it makes the aristocratic bastards, who dared to stand firm even in front of a member of the royal family, bow down.”

What Count Carbon wanted to say was not about the converts. It wasn’t a story about nobility, but about the royal family.

In this territorial war, most of the lords had received a considerable amount of support from the royal family. Naturally, those who achieved victory through that support became even more loyal to the royal family. As a result, the royal family became more powerful than before.

It was said that a situation had been created where I no longer had to be oppressed by the nobles, and that the royal family, who judged my contribution to be no small thing, would repay me in its own way.

“Don’t you know the specifics?”

“Well, all that Prince Levs gave me was a little hint. I know that discussions are taking place, but I don’t know the exact details.”

Although I didn’t know the specifics of the good news, I was still very excited to see what kind of reward the royal family would give me. However, Count Carbon smiled awkwardly, as if he was showing some signs of anticipation.

“But don’t expect too much. Although the power of the royal family has become stronger, isn’t it possible for the royal family to wield that power right now? Moreover, if you give out a large reward publicly, the noble faction may want to take revenge on you.”

“… … I guess so.”

Information about Smith Skeleton had already been passed on to some members of the aristocratic faction, and in such a situation, if the royal family openly gave me a gift, it was clear that the aristocratic faction would view me negatively. And, if that happens, it might not just end up being a nuisance.

“It would be better to just order as much as last time. Continuous production is actually more beneficial because it reduces costs.”

“Is that so? I will tell my Prince Lefs about that as well.”

Count Carbone said he would tell the story and immediately stood up. It seemed that the reason for his sudden visit was to say that it was good that the power of the royalists had become stronger this time. Or did you come here to think a little on behalf of those who were contemplating a gift?

Anyway, Count Carbon got up from his seat and hurriedly left, saying that it was almost time for the regular train to depart.

And, when some time had passed after Count Carbone left, a guest came again. That too in the royal family.

“Nice to meet you, Baron Steele. I don’t know if it’s because I saw it after purchasing the title of Great Nobility and giving the certificate, or because I did something really big this time, but I feel very welcome.”

“Three, lower crown prince?!”

It was not anyone else, but the crown prince himself, who could be said to be the next king. Lev was next to him as a guard, and several additional servants and knights were stationed there.

Of course, I wasn’t sending Levs as an agent like before, and I didn’t even expect that the crown prince himself would come visit me in person, so I couldn’t say anything with my mouth wide open. Thanks to this, it was a situation that was tantamount to committing a rude act. I didn’t say hello or anything, I was just surprised to see it.

But the crown prince did not pay any attention to my appearance. No, it was more than just not paying attention, he came closer to me and roughly put his arm around my shoulder, and even made me sit down.

What can I say, apart from not caring about formality, he didn’t seem to have any intention of being formal.

“Are you very surprised? Well, it would be natural to be surprised that a person named Crown Prince suddenly came to visit.”

“Deterioration. Say something… … .”

“Lefs. You are so stubborn that it is a shame. People should also know how to live comfortably.”

Saying that we should live comfortably, the Crown Prince waved his hand roughly at me and my companions, including Levs, to live comfortably. People seemed to be used to that, sighing softly and looking a little relaxed.

“Deterioration. But, for some reason, I came all the way here… … ?”

“Originally, I was planning to send Levs as my agent. But what I can give right away is limited. So what can you do? I have to come myself. Although they can’t give you much compensation right now, is this a gesture to let you know that the royal family cares a lot about you? So I had no choice but to come quietly so as not to be noticed by others.”

Phew – I felt absurd when I saw the crown prince bursting into laughter. No, he’s thinking of coming to visit himself because the reward is limited… … .

However, the crown prince’s words were fully understandable. If they can’t give me compensation commensurate with my influence, which has grown so much, they have to appeal that they care at least to keep me in the royalist faction.

Actually, that’s how I feel right now. I felt touched for no reason, perhaps because the crown prince, the next king, cared so much that he went through all the trouble to visit me in person. Of course, I had no intention of becoming a loyal subject who would give me everything, including my liver and gallbladder.

Anyway, the Crown Prince, who openly revealed the reason for his visit, continued his story. Since he moved quietly so that others would not know his whereabouts, he could not spend a long time here.

“Thanks to your help, we were able to increase the power of the royal family and the royalist faction at once. And, the royal family has decided to repay you for your help in many ways.”

At the same time as saying that he would reward him, the crown prince motioned to Levs, who was nearby, to bring a rather large box.