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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Teottry
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Nobles were all greedy bastards. If they wanted something, they would manufacture a justification, no matter how flimsy it is.
In fact, that was putting it mildly. Most of them didn’t even bother with justifications. All that mattered was whether they had the power to take what they wanted.
Trying to understand medieval nobles with modern morals and sensibilities was a recipe for disaster.
In other words, Count Bruah’s excessive greed wasn’t surprising. I had a plan for this situation.
“Form an alliance and attack Bruah? Why should I trust you?” The problem was that I was Adelia’s sworn enemy.
Siding with Dressten was even more difficult than persuading the unrelated Count Bruah.
Dong. Dong. Dong. The church bell tolled. The sound reverberated through the chapel, making my body tremble. We had borrowed the chapel for our secret meeting.
“Did you know that the former Baron Rasino arranged a marriage between his daughter and Count Bruah?”
Eric, who had been gazing at the stained-glass windows and the icons on the walls, turned to me sharply.
“What are you talking about?” This information seemed to have been omitted from Adelia’s letter.
Of course, she wouldn’t have mentioned her husband’s betrayal while seeking aid from Dressten.
“The former Baron Rasino intended to seize control of Baron Debussy’s territory, and he bribed the surrounding nobles to achieve his goal. However, some nobles couldn’t be swayed by bribes. Count Bruah, who had close ties to Baron Debussy, was one of them. The former Baron Rasino decided to switch sides. His daughter was the price.”
“So that’s why he was bribing people…” Eric clicked his tongue. His reaction was surprisingly subdued, even after learning that his sister had deliberately omitted the Baron’s betrayal.
However, this was typical of Eric. He was trusted more than his elder brother because of his cold, calculating nature, a trait he shared with Count Dressten.
‘Dressten. A family with ice in their veins.’ One couldn’t expect familial affection or sentimentality from those bearing the name Dressten.
Even Adelia, who shared their blood, had initially concealed her second son’s murder of his elder brother and supported his claim to the title.
While she was far more humane than Eric, perhaps due to her maternal instincts…
Eric was just as I remembered him. That meant he wouldn’t be able to refuse my offer.
“In other words, from Dressten’s perspective, the former Baron Rasino was a traitor. Therefore, I, who eliminated the traitor and his bloodline, have simply done what Dressten should have done.”
“You’re good at twisting words. It was all for your own gain.”
“Regardless, that’s the outcome, isn’t it?”
Eric shook his head.
“Even so, the fact remains that you’ve seized a vassal family of Dressten. That’s an act of hostility.”
“That can be resolved if I pledge my loyalty to the Count. It’s an opportunity for him to gain a more powerful vassal. Consider what would benefit your family the most.”
The Count wouldn’t refuse a powerful vassal who controlled both Rasino and Debussy.
He was a man who prioritized his family’s interests above all else, even overlooking grudges.
“The problem is, I can’t trust you. You’re a usurper who betrayed his lord and seized his possessions. There’s no guarantee you won’t do the same to us.”
This was why justifications were important. Once you aroused suspicion among the neighboring nobles, it was difficult to gain their cooperation, no matter what you did.
Fortunately, I had a solution. I had been planning this since I allowed Adelia to contact Dressten.
“I’ll marry Lady Adelia.”
“Weren’t you in love with my niece?”
“It was merely out of necessity.”
If Dressten were a normal family, they would have been appalled by my answer.
However, Eric seemed quite pleased. He would have made the same choice in my position. Typical of a Dressten.
Moreover, by the standards of this era, it was a significant concession on my part. It was as if I was bowing down to them. After all…
“My sister is old. She might not be able to bear children.”
Adelia was past the age where childbearing was a certainty. This was a significant issue in noble marriages, where producing an heir was paramount.
“What matters is that we become family.”
“Frankly, I’m not certain if familial ties are enough to control you. Your actions so far have been far too ambitious.”
“What can I do to earn your trust?” After a long pause, he presented me with a difficult test.
“If you truly wish to prove your loyalty, surrender the fishing rights.”
“Take them.” Eric couldn’t hide his surprise. It was the first time he had shown such a clear change in expression.
After all, the fishing rights had been the source of so much conflict with Quaran. They were on the verge of war.
For such a problem to be resolved so easily? It was almost too easy, and he seemed to suspect my motives.
“Are you serious?”
“In return, I’ll take Count Bruah’s territory.” Eleanor had said she was willing to give up the fishing rights for peace.
Moreover, an alliance with Dressten would limit my access to the sea. I couldn’t compete with Dressten’s powerful fleet. Therefore, I had no choice but to expand my territory inland.
Eric frowned.
“Your ambition is excessive.”
“It’s a territory Dressten can’t take anyway. The justification belongs to the King.”
Count Bruah had placed too much weight on this justification, but he would regret it once the blade was at his throat.
Blinded by greed, he had forgotten what was truly important.
“Then you’ll have no choice but to become the King’s vassal.”
“There are rare cases where a vassal serves two lords.”
This sometimes led to the comical situation of a vassal fulfilling their service obligations to one lord, then joining the other side to continue fighting.
“Do you think the King will allow that?” Considering the relationship between Dressten and the royal family, Eric believed the King wouldn’t allow it.
He hadn’t mentioned Dressten’s stance, which implied his tacit agreement to my proposal.
“He will.” Marriage in this era wasn’t a choice. The only exception was dedicating oneself to the gods.
Therefore, Bronce II wouldn’t refuse me, the only person who could offer companionship to his sister.
He would likely try to pressure me to abandon Adelia, but that was a problem I could solve by increasing my power.
“Hmm…” Eric still seemed hesitant. I knew what he was worried about.
“Are you concerned about my close relationship with the royal family?”
“I can’t say I’m not. If you change your mind, Dressten would be surrounded.”
“Even so, I wouldn’t be a match for Dressten. Especially now that I’ve surrendered the fishing rights.”
“The fact that Dressten gains nothing from this is also a problem.”
“Why wouldn’t he? He’s eliminating Bruah, his long-standing rival. And without the threat to his rear, he can focus on the open sea and the continent beyond.”
Eric flinched and turned to me, his eyes trembling slightly.
“Did Adelia tell you?”
“That Dressten is interested in the throne of the Northern Continent?” I implied that Adelia had told me, when in reality, I knew from my previous life.
The Dressten family was descended from the previous dynasty of the Northern Continent. Tracing their lineage back far enough would lead to the current royal family of that continent.
The Dressten family’s long-cherished ambition was to reclaim the throne, regardless of which continent it was on.
And the Northern Continent was currently in chaos. It was an opportunity for the Dressten family to realize their ambition.
“Then I understand why you can’t commit your full strength.”
“All I need is your help.” Eric still looked incredulous. While not as powerful as Dressten, Count Bruah was a formidable opponent, far above the level of a mere Baron.
However, as I continued my explanation, he couldn’t help but agree.
“This isn’t something I can decide on my own.” Eric, seemingly swayed by my proposal, left the chapel, postponing his decision.
However, I wasn’t worried. Count Dressten wouldn’t ignore the advice of his favored son.
Moreover, it was beneficial to the Dressten family.
‘The future has changed.’ The Dressten family wouldn’t be easily destroyed by Eleanor’s ability.
I had originally intended to ruin the Dressten family to preserve the original timeline, but Count Bruah’s greed had forced me to change my plans.
However, the opportunity wasn’t completely lost.
‘Greed is always the problem.’ While Dressten would see the chaos in the Northern Continent as an opportunity to reclaim the throne, someone else would ultimately benefit.
There was a named character in the Northern Continent who was essential to recruit in the Hero playthrough.
While Eric was a skilled warrior and strategist, he wouldn’t be a match for the Northern Continent’s named character. That was a fact proven in my previous life.
This would inevitably weaken Dressten’s forces, and if I seized that opportunity, I could revive my original plan.
‘Yes. The plan hasn’t failed. It will simply take a little longer.’
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The jousting tournament was held in the fields outside the city. Workers leveled the ground into a rectangular shape and built spectator stands by lashing together wooden planks.
The best seats were reserved for Count Bruah and his family, surrounded by his closest advisors. The remaining seats were occupied by the city’s influential citizens.
The ordinary citizens and peasants had to stand. Despite this, the atmosphere was festive and lively.
“I hope my performance today will help you reach a decision.”
“Don’t make me laugh. I, Eric, will be the victor. And I’ll help the Count make the right choice.” Allen and Eric exchanged barbs before Count Bruah, sparks seemingly flying between them as their eyes met.
“Hahaha! Give it your best.” Count Bruah stroked his beard, thoroughly enjoying himself.
One was the second son of Dressten, his family’s long-standing rival, and the other was a rising knight of recent renown.
He felt a sense of superiority, seeing them grovel before him, seeking his favor. That feeling grew stronger with each display of their skills.
“Ugh!” Another rider was unhorsed and led away by his squire.
He had hoped to defeat Allen, gain fame and fortune, impress the nobles and their daughters, but he had been defeated before even using all three of his allotted chances.
His only consolation was that he wasn’t the first, nor the last, to meet such an end.
Eric, too, continued his winning streak, further fueling the excitement of the tournament.
The problem was that both of them were too good.
“Hmm… this is turning into someone else’s party.” This was a jousting tournament held in Count Bruah’s territory. Many of his knights and squires were participating.
And yet, none of them were a match for Allen or Eric.
It was a humiliation for the Count. His sense of superiority had melted away, replaced by displeasure.
The worst-case scenario had come to pass. Allen and Eric were facing each other in the final round.
Count Bruah forced a smile and stood up.
“Fight! Only the victor will get what he desires!” The trumpet sounded, signaling the start of the match. Allen and Eric, positioned at opposite ends of the field, exchanged glances and nodded slightly.
Allen handed his ashwood lance to an assistant.
“Hold this.”
“But… the trumpet has already sounded…” Ignoring the assistant’s confusion, Allen took a long piece of cloth from his pocket and tied it to the shaft of his lance. All eyes were on him, puzzled by the knight’s strange behavior before the final match.
Allen raised the lance like a flagpole, revealing the embroidered pattern for all to see.
“Is that… the King’s emblem?” It was Eleanor’s banner, missing the crown, but most people didn’t notice the difference.
Allen met Eric’s gaze again and spurred his horse. The horse, receiving the signal, charged forward. Eric followed suit.
Both riders were headed straight for the spectator stands where Count Bruah was seated.
“W-What’s going on?!” Count Bruah, who had been watching Allen’s strange behavior in a daze, finally came to his senses and stood up abruptly as the two riders approached.
Seeing their menacing approach, his guards hastily surrounded him.
However, Allen’s horse cleared the railing and the guards protecting Count Bruah in a single leap.
It was then that Allen saw Count Bruah’s horrified face. He seized the opportunity and thrust his lance forward.
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Dang, guess did he make it?
Your niece should be my niece