Chapter 74: Signs of Turmoil

This was shortly before Lutz and Claudia made their technique public.

In the guest room of the royal castle, Count Maximilian Zander and Marquis Beowulf Eldenberger were drinking alcohol facing each other.

“I heard that you were given border territory as a result of consolidating the peace negotiations. Congratulations.”

When Maximilian said that, Beowulf made a terribly disgusted face.

“Don’t joke about it. It’s a wasteland from war after war, and our neighbors are barbarians. There’s nothing good about it. It’s just a burden to manage.”

He exhaled a breath that reeked of alcohol, as if he were really tired.

“Well, well, well. They say a pinch is an opportunity, don’t they? You could have a plan to turn a wasteland into a goldmine, couldn’t you?”

“Well, the problem is that it’s endlessly troublesome.”

One way to reverse the situation is to start trading with the Allies. If they could purchase spices at a low price and sell them throughout the country, they would make a laughable profit.

The problem is that we were at war with them until recently. This peace does not mean that we should get along from now on, but rather that we should stay out of each other’s business. Public sentiment is as bad as ever.

“We have to start by making friends with the barbarians. I can’t do it, I can’t do it at all. If I shake hands with them, I’m going to get sick from that.”

Shouldn’t we stop calling them barbarians if we want to build friendly relations? No matter how many words you use, it is always a sign of condescension. Maximilian thought so, but he did not say so.

The mentality of nobles does not change so easily. Forcing himself to give advice would only cause Beowulf’s displeasure. If that is the case, it is better not to say anything.

In the first place, Beowulf’s failure to manage the new territory has nothing to do with Maximilian. After that, you only have to think about it when you are asked to do it.

Maximilian also had the advantage of being able to make gifts that the other party would be delighted with.

“For the time being, I also tried to contact the royal family over there…”

“Couldn’t you see him?”

“Ah, it seems that the whole country is in a mess and they can’t afford to care about it. There is a movement by the king to take in the ruling families and make them official vassals.”

“That would be troublesome.”

One of the reasons why the war became a quagmire was the lack of unity among the Allies. The powerful clans with a strong sense of independence often disobey orders to go into battle.

They don’t like the rewards, they don’t have the troops, the head of the family has a cold, the horse has given birth, and so on. For any number of reasons, they refused to send out troops, and many times they missed the opportunity.

Especially since the war has been prolonged, this tendency has become stronger and stronger. Even if they fought, they would not be able to take the land and they would not be rewarded. They could not afford to send out soldiers and let young men die just for the sake of the royal family’s face.

It was Maximilian’s opinion that if the Allies had seriously united their intentions from the beginning and attacked, the kingdom’s weak army would not have survived.

“That sword is at the center of the centralization movement.”

Beowulf said in a dark voice. He was the one who suggested that he would present the sword and deliver the place. At the time, I never expected this to happen.

“No one would believe you if you say you are the embodiment of the sun. They would just think you are an idiot. But that sword, Amaterasu, has given persuasive power to his words. He holds up a shining sword. If you do, you should be able to deceive the stupid people.”

At the peace talks, Maximilian and Beowulf watched the King of the Allied Powers manipulate Amaterasu. It was not just a glowing trick, but they felt the majesty of a sure king.

What would happen if Amaterasu was used as a symbol of national unity? It may be possible to truly unify a hopeless country of ashes, where people are doing internal fights instead of greetings.

That means the kingdom will have the worst threat right next door.

“Some of the great nobles say we should have offered the princess and secured the sword. I agree with them on this.”

“…That would be an afterthought. You didn’t know how Listyl-sama would be used if you handed her over to the Allied Powers, so didn’t you just try to settle for something? I don’t think we made the wrong decision at that point.”

“At that point, no.”

“No one could have predicted that a sword would become something like that. Even the craftsmen who actually worked on it.”

“Shamefully blaming others for their afterthoughts. That’s the kind of guy who gets ahead in life.”

The only salvation is that the king appreciates it, but I don’t know how much I can rely on it in a state where most of the great nobles are my enemies.

“…Stay on my side, Lord Maximilian.”

Beowulf muttered sadly.

Maximilian sensed Beowulf’s weariness and old age.

When I returned to my assigned room, the enchanter, Gerhard, whom I treated as my confidant, was waiting for me.

“Your Excellency, a letter has arrived from Lutz in the territory.”

Saying that, he held out the wax-sealed parchment.

“The man who you made your blacksmith, what is it?”

Gerhard didn’t seem to have any idea what it was about. Maximilian opened the seal and looked over the letter.

Hou, he groaned as if he was impressed, but he made a strange face.

“Gerhard, wasn’t skill, for a craftsman, something to be kept secret, even at the cost of his life?”

“That’s right, Your Excellency.”

“That man wants to give a technique presentation to the masters of the city.”

“What…”

Gerhard receives a letter from Maximilian and looks it over. The letter stated that the katana boom would come to an end if nothing was done, that he wanted to make the count’s territory a production center for katana, and that for that purpose he would like to disclose the manufacturing process to his masters and would like to ask for permission to do so.

…… This is a woman’s handwriting.

Gerhard guessed who had drawn the picture and decided that he should get on board.

“What do you think, Gerhard?”

“It is a very good idea. The Count Zander had claimed to be a producer of armaments, but in fact, the quality was only slightly better than other areas. It is not worth going to the trouble of buying it from far away.”

“Not enough to make it a landmark, I guess.”

“Yes. However, if the count’s domain could produce katana swords, it would attract attention from all over the country. The blacksmiths will be profitable, the decorators will be prosperous, and the inns and taverns will also become more lively as more people gather.”

“Even the enchanter.”

“Fu, fu… Thankfully.”

Gerhard, too, did not deny it and chuckled.

“The economic situation in the territory has changed drastically. All right, I permit it. I’ll write him back now.”

Preparing a writing utensil, Maximilian smoothly runs a quill. His hand rarely stopped, perhaps as a template for praising his vassals.

After confirming that the ink has dried, roll up the parchment, drip wax on the edge, and press the ring of the head of the family on it. This completes the sealing wax.

“…… it’s time to head back to the territory.”

Maximilian muttered as he handed the letter to Gerhard.

“His Majesty remembered my name and gave me compliments. However, it seems difficult for me to be a member of the Twelve Nobles, the highest level of the government. There is nothing more I can do in the capital. I’m tired of looking at the gloomy face of the Marquis of Eldenberger.”

I remember Beowulf’s face, showing his old age and fatigue. I sympathized with his situation, but at the same time, the cold-hearted part of me as an aristocrat whispered to him that I might have to cut off his hand at some point.

“Yes, I thought it would be good to accumulate power at the base. Financial power that no one can ignore.”

After saying that, the two nodded.

Gerhard headed to the door to arrange for a horse, but the door was knocked violently before he could leave. When he opened the door, a breathless knight rolled in.

“Sir Maximilian, please come to the conference room as soon as possible. Heh, His Majesty wants to see you. ……”

“I understand that it is an urgent matter. But if I don’t know what it’s about, it’s not good for me either. Please tell me as much as you can.”

Gerhard, who was here as Maximilian’s confidant, couldn’t just send him off.

The knight glares at Gerhard, but realizes that arguing is useless and shouts.

“The third prince of the Allied Powers has defected in search of protection!”

“… Huh!?”

I do not understand what it means. I don’t know, but I know very well that I have to go now.

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