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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Teottry
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“Problems. Problems. Nothing but problems. The world is full of problems.” Bronce II sighed before even beginning his day.
His desk was piled high with rolled-up parchments, reports from his various direct domains.
As the ruler of the largest territory on the continent, he faced a constant barrage of issues. Solving one only led to the emergence of another.
“Sometimes I wish I couldn’t read.”
If he were semi-literate like his predecessor, he could share the burden with his lector. Of course, that wouldn’t change the nature of the problems.
The endless stream of work was exhausting.
And then there were the disputes between nobles, directly or indirectly related to him. Each required careful consideration of contracts and interests to mediate.
The problem was that even after painstaking mediation, there was no guarantee that either party would be satisfied.
There were times when he was resented by both sides, and he wanted to give up everything.
“But then I’d be signing my own death warrant.” It was an era of survival of the fittest.
Even his most trusted relatives, usually reliable, would turn on him the moment he showed weakness.
The nobles who harbored resentment towards him would seize the opportunity to rebel, plundering his family’s territory and assets.
Giving up meant death.
From the moment he ascended to the throne, there was no room for regret.
That was why Bronce II yearned for the past. It hadn’t been this difficult when he first became king.
Back then, every problem seemed to resolve itself effortlessly, as if the world revolved around him.
This had allowed him to establish a strong monarchy and double his family’s territory and wealth since his coronation.
He had believed he would become a legendary king, like those in myths and tales.
Until he realized the immense price of such glory…
“Eleanor…” The name of his sister felt like a thorn in his throat.
All the glory he had achieved was thanks to his sister’s ability. He only realized this after those close to her began meeting unfortunate ends, one after another.
When the misfortune began to affect him as well, he had no choice but to exile her.
“Eleanor, it was for your own good…” While he was the only one who knew the truth about Eleanor’s ability, many suspected it. Rumors of her being a witch had spread like wildfire.
If he had kept her at court, the Pope and his bishops, who disapproved of him, would have surely used it as an excuse to attack him.
Eleanor, while understanding his decision, felt betrayed and disappointed.
That was why she hadn’t contacted him since her exile to Quaran.
While the misfortune had ceased, Bronce II wasn’t happy. He had lost the only person he could trust in the court, a place where everyone carried a hidden dagger in their hearts.
“I wish she had never had that ability…” Having benefited greatly from it, he knew how powerful his sister’s ability was, but he truly meant it.
That was why he was genuinely happy when he finally received a letter from her after a year.
Even though its contents were unsettling…
“Who is this Allen fellow?” Bronce II was just an ordinary older brother with a younger sister.
While he should have been happy to reconnect with his sister, he was annoyed by the constant mention of some unknown fellow named Allen in her long-awaited letter.
He only acted upon her request because it was from his sister. That was why he had sent an envoy to Count Bruah.
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“The King’s will is clear. He wishes for Count Bruah to assist Sir Allen.”
While the King’s unexpected envoy caused great confusion in Count Bruah’s court, I continued my tea time with Adelia.
‘Allen, how much longer do I have to wait…?’ A cat, purring and impatient, sat in my lap.
Adelia sighed, glaring at her daughter, who clung to me as if glued to my side.
“Why would Count Bruah help you? He must have heard the rumors of your impending marriage to Usebia.” No parent would be happy about their daughter being embroiled in scandal before her marriage.
And yet, Adelia hadn’t instructed her servants to keep quiet.
‘On the contrary, she encouraged them to spread the rumors.’ That was what Janbolt had told me earlier.
Her intentions were clear. She wanted to solidify the marriage.
She likely believed that Usebia wouldn’t give me up, so she had no choice but to accept me as her son-in-law, for her daughter’s sake.
I was so grateful I wanted to bow down to her.
‘A mother-in-law truly loves her son-in-law.’
In any case, Count Bruah had been Usebia’s prospective husband just a few months ago.
The Count, a lecherous old man despite his age, had eagerly pursued the marriage proposal after receiving Usebia’s portrait.
It was also an opportunity for him to gain a powerful vassal like Baron Rasino.
If the Baron hadn’t been assassinated, the marriage would have taken place.
When I subtly inquired about the reason for the hastened assassination, Usebia had explained and excused herself by saying,
“To outsiders, it would appear as if Count Bruah had his bride stolen by a mere knight.”
It was a story that would have captivated gossipmongers. A forbidden love between a lowborn knight and a highborn lady was a popular topic among noblewomen.
As Adelia had worried, Count Bruah’s assistance might lead to all sorts of outlandish rumors.
Count Bruah wouldn’t help me if it meant damaging his reputation. That was Adelia’s argument.
Of course, I disagreed.
“Even so, he can’t simply ignore the King’s request.”
“The King…?” Adelia looked at me quizzically, wondering why the King was suddenly involved.
“My sister is close friends with the princess who governs Quaran. Close enough for her to ask the King to help me.”
Bronce II was a powerful king who had doubled his family’s territory and wealth since his coronation.
It was all thanks to Eleanor’s ability. While he hadn’t been as successful lately, after exiling her to Quaran, his power and influence remained.
“The distance between here and the capital prevents the King from directly exerting his influence. However, he has the power and authority to make things difficult for Count Bruah.”
The King could support the nobles who opposed Count Bruah.
The worst-case scenario would be to elevate Count Bruah’s vassals, the Barons, to the rank of Count.
A Count couldn’t have another Count as a vassal, so they would have to become independent, effectively dismantling Count Bruah’s territory.
Of course, that would be a last resort, as Count Bruah wouldn’t just stand idly by…
“So… you’re saying that the great King would ask Count Bruah to risk his reputation for your sister’s friend? And Count Bruah would agree? Do you think that’s even slightly plausible?” Adelia’s reaction was perfectly reasonable. Unaware of the underlying circumstances, she suspected something else.
“It’s more likely that you’ve seduced the princess.”
Perhaps it was a woman’s intuition? I had intentionally used Anya as a cover to conceal my relationship with Eleanor, but Adelia had come close to the truth.
She quickly dismissed the idea, shaking her head.
The notion of a connection between a lowborn knight’s son and a princess was even more preposterous than anything I had said so far.
I maintained my composure and said,
“Of course, I offered him something in return.”
The relationship between a monarch and a vassal was based on a vague contract.
Therefore, a vassal wasn’t obligated to obey every royal command. As long as they adhered to the terms of the contract, they were free to act as they pleased.
That was why I had included an irresistible offer for Count Bruah at the end of Eleanor’s letter to the King.
“What kind of offer could possibly justify such an absurd request?”
“He likely offered to recognize his title and territory.”
“What do you mean?”
“Count Bruah’s family were originally Palatines appointed by the King. They were supposed to return their title and territory to the King upon the death of the previous Count.”
However, Bruah was still a Count, and he still controlled a vast territory.
That was because the previous Count had taken advantage of the chaos at the time and quietly passed on his title, effectively seizing control.
It had been two generations since then. He was, for all intents and purposes, the legitimate ruler.
The problem was that technically, it was still the King’s land.
“This is a valid casus belli.”
The powerful King Bronce II had the power to restore everything to its rightful state. He had even done so in my previous life.
In other words, this offer meant the King was willing to relinquish a potential future claim.
“That’s not enough. We forcibly seized control of Baron Debussy’s territory, which has close ties to Count Bruah. We killed the Baron and installed his grandson as a puppet. We’ve given him a reason to intervene. While the King’s recognition is important, it’s not as valuable as immediate gains.”
“What if helping us also offers greater immediate gains?”
“What…”
“Imagine this. Dressten. Quaran. Rasino. Debussy. And… Bruah. Doesn’t it look like the others are surrounding Dressten?”
“Could it be? Is this what you were aiming for?” Adelia stared at me incredulously.
She couldn’t believe that a mere knight’s son could conceive and execute such a grand scheme.
However, my plan was already well underway, nearing its climax.
“Count Bruah must have envisioned the same scenario. And like you, he wouldn’t believe it. It’s too grand a scheme for a mere knight. Therefore… he’ll suspect the King.”
“The King…?”
“A knight’s son, immediately after his knighting ceremony, single-handedly conquered two Baronies. In the process, he displayed abilities far beyond what one would expect from a lowborn, young knight. Any reasonable person would suspect a hidden mastermind behind it all. The King’s timely appearance would confirm Count Bruah’s suspicions. He’ll believe that it’s all the King’s plot.”
The true purpose of using Eleanor to manipulate the King was to make Count Bruah suspect the King’s involvement.
Eleanor’s presence would further support his suspicions.
Count Bruah wouldn’t be able to fathom the reason for sending a princess with no connection to Quaran to such a remote location.
“The fact that Count Dressten is descended from the previous dynasty through his mother’s lineage would further fuel his imagination.”
Eleanor and Usebia’s snow-white skin was also evidence of Count Dressten’s descent from the previous dynasty, which originated from the Northern Continent.
In other words, Count Dressten had a legitimate claim to the throne, should he have the power to seize it.
It was no coincidence that Bronce II’s ancestor had appointed Count Bruah’s ancestor as Palatine and tasked him with monitoring and containing Dressten.
“Moreover, if he believes siding with us is advantageous, he won’t hesitate. It’s an opportunity to plunder his rival’s territory.” Count Bruah had a history of conflict with Count Dressten.
If he was convinced of victory, he wouldn’t miss this opportunity. And I had already given him that conviction.
“A-Are you saying… my family raised you…?” Adelia, an intelligent woman, asked. I nodded.
“The Rasino family was one of Count Dressten’s most powerful vassals. The fact that a knight backed by the King has seized control of such a family is a significant loss for Count Dressten.”
Count Dressten was already at a disadvantage before the war even began.
In other words, the King had the upper hand, despite already possessing far greater power.
“It’s an opportunity for the King to eliminate a potential future problem, create a debt with Count Bruah, and allow him to plunder his rival, Count Dressten. With the King’s backing and the initial advantage, Count Bruah will believe his chances of victory are high.”
“Sir Allen… you seem to understand noble customs and politics better than I do. Almost as if you have the King’s backing.” Even Adelia suspected this, so Count Bruah would be convinced that I was backed by the King.
In reality, I simply knew what Anya had experienced in my previous life.
“That’s absurd.”
“Well… it’s quite plausible. But it’s all just your speculation. The evidence is too weak.” Adelia didn’t believe me. That was why she was so unimpressed by the notion of me using the most powerful lord on the continent, the King, as a pawn.
“You’ll see whether it’s true or not soon enough.” We didn’t have to wait long. A servant knocked and entered, delivering a message.
“Count Bruah has sent a messenger. He’s hosting a jousting tournament and wishes to invite the renowned Sir Allen.”
Speak of the devil. Count Bruah’s messenger had arrived right on cue.
While it wasn’t clear if things were proceeding as I had planned, the timing was quite convenient. Adelia turned to me sharply.
“Could it be… it’s really…?”
“As you said, it’s all just speculation, so he’ll want to verify it himself.”
If I performed as he expected in the jousting tournament, he would surely offer his assistance. I was certain of it.
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Meanwhile, the knight dispatched by Count Dressten to the Barony of Rasino also heard about Count Bruah’s jousting tournament.
He also heard that the renowned Giant Slayer, Allen, would be participating.
“Change of plans.” The knight turned his horse away from Polton. He was headed for Roxwood, the capital of Count Bruah’s territory.
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Whooaa unexpected event!
