107 – Kill Pappenheim (4)
Rhine-Palatinate Imperial Army Barracks, vacant lot on the right.
I am currently leading a protest with 500 people selected from the mercenary unit that participated in this expedition, feeling like the head of a 21st century union.
“Baron Pappenheim manipulated our business! Please correct me!”
“He covered His Majesty’s eyes and ears!”
“Don’t let this dishonorable person commit such a vile act!”
I even thought about what country I would be in in the 21st century if it weren’t for the armor I was wearing where I was condemning a specific target with a loud voice and demanding a solution from a higher authority.
A guy from another mercenary unit tried to say something that crossed the line.
“Baron Pappenheim’s boss changes…”
I know he is not a member of our mercenary corps, but if we let that damn bastard finish what he wanted to say, all of our lives could have been lost…
I quickly ran over and hit the guy hard on the back of the head.
The guy who was suddenly hit hard on the head turned his head towards me, frowned, and gritted his teeth.
“Are you looking at the Black Lion mercenaries as people talking nonsense? “I came along because I said I was going to correct the wrong practices of non-public relations… Why are you hitting me and making such a fuss?”
He glared at me and gave me a look as if I was staring.
I tightly squeezed both shoulders of my idiot friend who couldn’t understand the situation, full of aura.
A grunting sound came from the guy and a scream came out of his mouth.
“f*ck you! It hurts! f*ck! Surrender, surrender, you f*cking bastard.”
Even after hearing those words, I continued to inflict pain without leaving any traces on his body and spoke in a whisper.
“It’s okay to criticize that bastard Baron because he’s the one who openly took credit for the achievements of our mercenary unit, but haven’t you heard what happens if the Margrave and other nobles are also dragged into it?”
The guy then began to nod his head vigorously, perhaps because he was reflecting or because he was in pain.
“If you mess with the honor of other nobles, you might end up in a fight with Sword Master Sir Ainz. If you’re lucky, your life will be saved, but you won’t be paid a penny, and you won’t be able to take on imperial commissions in the future. “If you’re unlucky, you’ll be exterminated as a group, you bastard who just stuffed cheese that was made more than half a year ago in your f*cking head.”
For nobles, honor is more precious than life.
This is by no means a metaphor; it is real.
To make matters worse, if their daughter ceases to be a virgin not because she is promiscuous but because she has been raped, some extreme parents even force their daughters to hang themselves and die.
A noble person who has lost their honor is treated like a child rapist in aristocratic society, and everyone involved in that family is at a huge disadvantage.
From noble mtl dot com
So, tampering with the honor of nobles is the same as shouting, ‘Please kill me painfully.’
“Yes, yes, I will never do that again.”
“It’s something you do to make a living, but if you do something that’s perfect for making a living, it’s worth it.”
While I was giving proper education to a crazy person who was trying to say radical things, I heard a voice from far away.
“This is Paultron Schmitz, Margrave Estelle’s intermediate knight. “I will convey your legitimate demands directly to the Margrave in my name, so everyone disperse.”
General protests are often ended by paying a little more money, such as throwing a penny at a mid-level driver or, if you are lucky, a senior driver.
When someone who was now a mid-level knight risked his honor and said he would help solve this problem, the expressions of the mercenary captains and mercenaries around him brightened a lot.
‘But if you’re going to force me, I should make an impression without crossing the line, right?’
“Lord Schmitz, we have been at a disadvantage in this competition because of Baron Pappenheim. And to neglect this, unfortunately, would be to lower the prestige of His Majesty the Emperor.”
This is a similar principle to how, if a local government responds incorrectly to a natural disaster, the ultimate responsibility goes up to the ‘President.’
Knowing that, Lord Schmitz could not make much of a rebuttal.
“That’s true, but there is still a procedure for everything.”
“We are just peacefully protesting here according to custom.”
Like I said, we are just peacefully shouting slogans and swearing at Pappenheim during the day when the sun is shining and shining, without wielding weapons or anything like that.
Lord Schmitz was rolling his eyes to and fro as he thought about what he should do in this situation.
Someone was heard shouting in a confident voice from far away.
“Margrave Estelle has come in person! “Everyone, please be polite.”
At those words, all the mercenaries, including me, showed courtesy.
The Margrave motioned for us to stand up.
“Okay, I already know the reason for the protest, so I won’t ask you further. “Let me tell you straight, what do you want?”
With those words, all the mercenaries’ eyes turned to me.
Estel smiled slightly pervertedly when she saw the mercenaries’ attention and gaze focused on me.
‘…… That guy isn’t gay, is he?’
Why do men blush and smile when they see me?
“It is a clear fact that Baron Pappenheim attempted to steal the achievements of our Whitebeard mercenaries. In addition, in the process, the achievements of the mercenaries here were underreported, so we were not properly compensated for our dedication.”
As I said this, I heard some mercenaries muttering behind me.
“That kid is pretty cool, isn’t he? “You are convincing the Margrave by speaking logically.”
“What you are saying is obvious. “That’s easier said than done, but it’s not usually something that can be done easily.”
“It’s pretty good, kid…”
What I heard behind the scenes was someone praising me for being quite amazing.
What makes them praise me is that if I compare my relationship with the Margrave to a company, I am a general manager of a subcontractor, and the other person is the president of an affiliate of a large company.
So, under normal circumstances, I would just bow down to Margrave Estelle, but from our perspective, we cannot confidently claim, ‘This is an unfair measure.’
‘Now I am confidently speaking my convictions.’
That’s because only our mercenary group can quietly benefit and leave, while also taking care of the other guys so that they can receive more rewards.
“Although we are humble mercenaries, our dedication deserves to be rewarded. “Isn’t that right?”
Estelle heard those words and nodded.
“That’s right. In addition, as you said to Lord Schmitz, neglecting this erroneous practice of public affairs would be an act of disregard for the honor of the imperial family. In fact, I have already sent a letter to His Majesty asking him to correct the erroneous behavior in the essay.”
As soon as the Margrave finished speaking, he handed me a letter with an impressive red seal.
“This is part of a letter sent to His Majesty. If you read it later, you will see that, except for the Whitebeard mercenaries, the achievements of each mercenary unit were devalued by 20%.”
20% Of merit being devalued and then raised again…
If you simply calculate it numerically, doesn’t this mean that the bounty for those who are not part of our Whitebeard mercenaries will increase by at least 20%?
Hearing those words, the mercenary leaders and mercenaries of other mercenary units embraced each other and were happy.
Because he was in front of the Margrave, he didn’t show his joy and didn’t swear, but as soon as the nobleman left, he seemed to show his joy by spewing out harsh words.
“So, I am sorry to you, but in this case, Your Majesty, His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief will send you a response to the non-gong peddler, but it is expected to take about 15 days. Could you stay here until then? “We will cover all food and basic maintenance costs during your stay.”
Everyone nodded and answered those words.
“Of course, of course. As expected, His Majesty the Emperor and His Excellency the Commander of the Rhine-Palatinate Empire are extremely fair and fair. But they say you only have to wait 15 days, so wouldn’t you be a fool if you were dissatisfied?”
“I also wanted to see Baron Pappenheim punished, so of course it would be an honor.”
“Long live your Majesty the Emperor! “Long live Margrave Estelle!”
Estelle smiled bitterly when she saw that and waved his hand.
“I will pay you 20% more than the original amount for your business in my name, so please leave quickly. However, you, Martin Mayer of the Whitebeard mercenaries, will remain.”
Everyone looked at me in amazement at the sight of the Margrave memorizing the name of a mercenary, but they soon lost their interest in me.
The reason was kindly told to all of us by Dalton, who was humming in the background.
“I would have earned a year’s worth of budget through this expedition, but if 20% is added to that, I have an additional budget of two and a half months, right? “I’m dying for it.”
When everyone had left, Margrave Estelle asked while placing both hands on my shoulders.
“I would like to make a very important proposal to you, who went beyond blowing off Pappenheim’s head and succeeded in influencing the public opinion of other mercenaries and engraving the name of Martin Mayer of the Whitebeard mercenaries in the memories of other mercenaries.”
“Please speak.”
Estelle stared at me with a murderous smile that was more sinister than that of a murderer.
“Baron Pappenheim will die soon. Then, that territory will naturally belong to my direct jurisdiction. If that happens, there will be a ‘barony without an owner.'”
As Estel said, a vassal’s territory automatically returns to his lord if there is no one to inherit it.
This is the same as in Korea, even if you have a huge amount of property, if there is no one to inherit it, the ‘state’ becomes the owner of the money.
“Wow, the introduction was long. For now, you will become a senior knight under my command, and after you have accumulated sufficient achievements for two to three years, I will grant you the Barony of Pappenheim. In addition, in the process, women, money, fame, anything is good. If you want something, tell me, and I will give it to you generously. “Well, I don’t think there’s a more unconventional proposal than this.”
Hearing those words, I also unconsciously nodded.
Because it is true that I have proven the worth of a man named Martin Mayer, but I have not yet been able to raise his ransom enough to receive ‘Baronage’ as a scouting condition.
Estelle declared that if she lived as a high-ranking knight for 2 to 3 years, she would be made a baron regardless of whether she made any achievements or not.
This is because it was an unconventional proposal that is difficult for me to imagine.
It made my mouth water so much.
No, for a moment I imagined myself being called the Baron and Karin being called the Baroness…
‘To put it bluntly, I can raise my value much higher in the future, right?’
When I thought about it that way, I was able to calm down in front of me with the opportunity to win 10 lottery tickets.
“I am deeply grateful for Margrave Baek’s suggestion. “I cannot accept this offer.”
Margrave Estelle sighed deeply after hearing my words.
“Even if I give you a barony, you still refuse my offer. Didn’t I hear that you want to gain power, wealth, fame, and a harem like other nobles? “When you become a baron, all of this will be yours.”
No matter how weak the baron was, he was given the right to freely use the taxes and labor received from approximately 10,000 households of subjects.
And the labor power mentioned here also includes the possibility of turning serf girls into his maids and concubines just by lifting a finger.
So, the person who gives this opportunity and kicks it is crazy.
“Furthermore, a great turbulence will soon unfold, so if you are up to it, becoming a count would not be a dream. No, this time I will ascend to the position of Grand Duke. “I will allow all of our vassals to achieve great success and enjoy glory, honor, and wealth for generations to come.”
Estelle is definitely a person worth serving, but…
‘It is not a good choice to receive a title when I have not yet completely proven my worth.’
After all, don’t I owe him a great debt by being under the Margrave like this?
Then, if I hold back for a moment now, it is obvious that I will be tied to Estelle and miss out on the opportunity to climb even higher later.
‘Estelle probably knows that too.’
With sincere gratitude for his sincerity, I knelt down and bowed my head in apology.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think my worth has reached that level yet. So please stop talking. Instead, please suggest it again when I can make full use of my abilities.”
At those words, Estelle let out a sigh as if she felt really sorry.
“… It’s a shame I can’t catch you. “Okay, I hope you don’t turn against me instead.”
“Yes, Margrave.”
Even if Estelle didn’t say so, I don’t want to be hostile to this person.
He has a great desire for talent, is very quick-thinking, and has a personality that makes Baron Ainz, the sword master, give up his chance to become a count.
People like this should not be hostile to anyone.
“Then I will also leave now.”
**
After Martin Mayer left, Margrave Estelle laughed heartily as she looked at the place he had left.
“They say that difficult times give birth to heroes, but when the world becomes dizzy, crazy people like that emerge.”
He offered the best terms he could offer, but they were rejected.
Meanwhile, Martin Mayer protected her pride until the end.
Estelle does not dislike Martin, but she still harbors a crush on him.
Of course, Martin Mayer will soon cross the fence called Dalton and soar like crazy.
This is because, for doing her favor in this way, she promised to stand on the same side as him, a promising future prospect, without actually receiving anything in return.
From noble mtl dot com
In fact, thanks to Martin Mayer, he will be promoted from margrave to marquis if he does well, and will be granted a huge amount of territory.
Even putting these aside, I owe a lot to Martin.
So Estelle couldn’t hate him unless he was against her or harassed her.
Still, the bitter feelings did not go away…
“…… I need to quickly select a prince who is good at collecting talent and being good at dealing with people.”
He decided to prepare for a civil war that would break out in the next few years.