Chapter 123
–Aegir POV–
Capital: Goldonia, Royal Palace, Reception Hall
「Gentlemen, it hasn’t been too long since the last victory but we can not say all of Goldonia’s enemies have been cleaned up . I am expecting even more loyalty and devotion from you gentlemen . 」
This is the large reception hall newly constructed with stone beside the royal palace . It appears to be built for grand balls used to welcome state guests or for gathering nobles like this . It is one way for a large country to show off .
「Many of you have gained territory from the victory as well . Be that as it may, the important thing is because that land is ultimately under the protection of the royal family……」
The King’s speech continues in front of everyone . If all the hundreds of people lined up here are nobles, they won’t get much value in receiving peerage . I unconsciously let out a big yawn, but I’m hidden behind the rustling nobles so I don’t have to worry about being discovered .
「Geez, you’re really an unserious person, aren’t you . 」
Myla, who is standing beside me, reproaches me in a low voice and rams her shoulder into me . To return the favor, I grab her butt, but she pinches my hand . If it was Celia, she would let me touch her while turning all red .
「Bravery during wartime is loyalty towards the kingdom! Paying taxes during peace times is the proof of that!」
While the King continues his speech, we continue to talk in a low voice .
「But is it okay? To be this far in the back . 」
「If I’m in the front and not careful, I won’t be able to yawn and I won’t be able to feel your ass either . 」
As I speak, I once again reach for her ass, but Myla digs her nails in my hand . That hurts, you know . The noble beside us glares in my direction, but when our eyes meet, he looks away in a hurry .
Actually, there was a strange dispute between the order in which we line up before the King’s speech began . I am told those with higher rank should be lined up closer to the king, but it seems it isn’t simply based on rank and is influenced by the job you have and the rewards you received in war .
In particular, the traditional nobles and new nobles argue with each other, comparing their long years of service and their recent military achievements, while the civil officials and military officials also argue . Each side has different areas to compare so the feud is never settled, even going so far as comparing the status of their family and those they’re connected with to decide on their position in line, but there are always nobles who remain unhappy and continue to stare at each other in anger .
「Lord Hardlett is a Count, and moreover his achievements in war are prominent . It wouldn’t be a big surprise for you to be in the very front row . 」
「You were my opponent for one of those achievements . 」
「……Muu . 」
By the way, Myla was promoted after the war with the enemy nation so she’s in the last row, and although she might have been below a Knight or Baronet at worst, because I’m beside her, no one dares to say anything .
Because I don’t really interact with other nobles much, I’m not surprised that there isn’t anyone I know around me . There aren’t any girls here either so I want this to end soon .
「……that’s why, those holding territory will be expected to contribute to the Kingdom and the war expense of……」
Crap, I farted . It didn’t make any noise, but because I ate so much meat recently, it smells really bad . I’ll just wave my cloak nonchalantly and disperse it .
In the end, the summary of the King’s new year speech was:
「We won, but because there are still enemies around, don’t let your guard down . 」
「There is no money in the national treasury, so please cooperate . 」
「We might send tax collectors to those who have wealthy territories . 」
It’s been awhile since I came to the capital so I want to drink with Erich and check how Andrei and Agor are doing . I hope they didn’t get stabbed to death . 1
When the entire speech was finished and the King leaves the reception hall, the nobles break off into groups of different sizes and start friendly chats . After all, there are many territory nobles who don’t usually leave their land so it is a good opportunity to deepen friendships . I’m sure invitations to dinner parties and talks about marriage are flying around .
「Lord Hardlett . 」
Ah, so he’s coming here . I turn around to see Erich .
「It’s been awhile……I guess it hasn’t been too long . 」
It hasn’t been too long since the victory ceremony .
「I guess so……do you have some time?」
‘There is an unlimited amount of time, but the amount I can use is limited . ’ is one of the lines I heard from the plays Nonna took me to watch and thought would make me seem intellectual if I said it, but I think it’ll be troublesome if I start unnecessary fights so I’ll refrain from saying it .
「I do . 」
「Then follow me for a bit . 」
I follow Erich and exit the reception hall, entering a room inside the royal palace that seems to be given to him . Myla didn’t know what to do so she follows along for now .
「You’re going places now, getting a room inside the palace and all . 」
I heard that you have to be at least a minister to get an office inside the palace .
「Umu, Baroness Hyuutia leave us for a brief moment . 」
Aah, Myla can’t stay as I thought . But who will remember what is said if she isn’t here? I just realized that I forgot about Celia in the waiting room .
「Lord Radhalde, it’s alright . She is……」
She was an enemy not too long ago so I can’t say she’s trustworthy . And it’s meaningless to say she’s our ally, since that much is obvious . Hmm .
「She is my woman . There shouldn’t be a problem . 」
「-!!」
Myla is surprised, but she would be chased out if she denies, so she puts up with it .
「……she is a noble who received peerage from the King . What will be achieved by making a vassal noble 2 your woman?」
Erich looks up to the ceiling but he quickly regains his composure . As expected of a veteran soldier, he’s quick to recover .
「I will keep this matter in mind so please be discrete . Good grief, there are so few people who don’t cause problems . 」
Erich also places a pitcher of water in front of Myla . This means he’s allowing her to stay .
「We went off topic . I’ll get straight to the point and ask you, but are you my ally?」
He’s saying something strange .
「Haah, I don’t think I’ve become your enemy once . 」
Erich still does not drop his serious expression .
「Count Baldwin……I don’t like addressing him this way . Kenneth and I are getting all the vassals involved and are opposing each other in various ways, are you aware?」
Nope . But if I say that, the preface will be longer, so I’ll just nod .
「That Kenneth is going around spreading how close he is to you . Things like how he can invite you whenever he wants to balls, despite how rarely you show up, and how you send polite thank you letters when your wife receives gifts, despite your violent rumors . 」
Ah, that reminds me, a letter was sent when I said I was coming to the capital this time . Basically all the thank you letters are written by Sebastian . He can write letters way more polite than me . In any case, I haven’t written a single letter so he may have mistaken his words as mine .
「Of course, I don’t believe what he’s saying and don’t think you’re with him . But when I see you riding the carriage he gave you, I’m inclined to believe that he might not necessarily be lying . 」
So he knows about the carriage . That carriage is heated and doesn’t wobble too much so it’s quite comfortable . It also has a bed equipped so I can relax and enjoy my time with the girls too .
「There is also the fact that he might be trying to win you over from my faction and agitate me . That’s why I want to confirm with you . Are you still my ally?」
Although he’s still a soldier, he seems busy with work in the royal palace and the fight with a civil official with authority to do things . It seems impossible for a person like me to deal with .
「Lord Baldwin has helped me with many things . Nevertheless, I will follow you when the time comes . I believe I have been your friend from the very beginning . 」
Erich’s expression relaxes . I guess he just wanted to hear those words .
But I would like it if he doesn’t tell Kenneth . The carriage is convenient and I don’t want to return it .
「I see, then that’s good . But if you get too close to him too often, it’ll cause unrest among my subordinates and vassals . I won’t tell you to refuse his invitations, but I would like if you also participate in my gatherings as much as you do for him at the very least . 」
Aah, an unnecessary task is added to my list . I wonder if I can have Kroll or Gido disguise as me and take my place . I guess it’ll be impossible, since their dicks are too small .
After that, I chat with Erich in a calm atmosphere .
「You are already one of the most prominent great feudal lords in all of Goldonia . Do you have any relationships with the adjacent nobles?」
「No, not really . 」
「Fumu……The people around you may also want to connect with you . Why don’t you hold a ball in Rafen sometimes?」
Erich smiles slightly .
「Many of the feudal lords around you are traditional nobles too . If you win them over, your influence will also increase . To be honest, I am not as skilled at smooth-talking as Kenneth is, so most of the traditional nobles have gone to him . 」
Originally, the traditional nobles would keep Erich and Kenneth at arm’s length, treating them as newcomers . But with the downfall of Marquess Hoover and the authority in the royal palace being divided amongst the two of them, the traditional nobles have to choose to go with one of them, no matter how much they dislike it . There are very few nobles who would remain stubborn and decide not to choose a side, since that would mean they wouldn’t be promoted .
With these two choices, many of them side with Kenneth, who persuades them skillfully with words and does things in ways comparatively closer to how they do things, rather than Erich, who focuses on managing a violent, new noble soldier .
However, that is only within the palace and the situation is different with the noble feudal lords . Since they only head towards the capital once or twice a year, they care more about their own territory than what’s going on within the capital . There is almost no merit to being with a neighboring great feudal lord or belonging to a different camp .
「You especially……have an incredible reputation after all . Those nearby will definitely want to have a friendly relationship with you . 」
In the previous war with Treia, a little before the seeds of war were sown, the disturbance I caused with that country was the commonality those nobles had with me . We picked a fight with a single nation, fought their army, plundered the city and came back . That’s the simple story, but there are a variety of specific events that happened . In any case, I’m sure they will all be afraid of me in some strange way .
「I understand . When I get back to my territory, I will try to speak to those around me . 」
「Good, let me know when you do . I will also send someone from my side . 」
If I tell Nonna, she will get excited and want to buy another new dress, I’m sure . The money she used to secretly buy a ruby necklace has been chalked up as a loss by Adolph already .
「I’m tired from all this talk about politics . 」
「That’s true, I’m usually not one to talk about it either . 」
Erich smiles bitterly and stretches . He is also a soldier by nature so the contest of influence happening within the royal palace isn’t his strong suit . He’s pointlessly competent at his job though, so that’s why Kenneth is gradually falling behind .
「Is the rebuilding of the Central Army progressing steadily? A considerable amount of them sunk in the river and all . 」
Erich slumps and falls exhaustedly over the table . It’s unusual to see him like this .
「You really don’t hesitate to say things…… . Soldiers aside, there aren’t enough commanders . Right, the issue is with that . 」
After saying that, Erich takes out some documents . I continue to pass them beside me but Myla gives me a dubious look, oh right, Celia isn’t here . I guess there’s no choice but to read it myself .
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