209 – The Greedy Emperor and Martin (2)
Dion agreed to those words.
“As you said, if you recruit Martin Mayer, it will definitely help you in the future. “It was truly a wise decision for you to take him from a lowly rank under your command.”
Martin, a former low-ranking knight from a baronial family, is an insignificant being who could fly away at the mere touch of the emperor’s nose.
So, no matter how great his abilities are, if the emperor was a fool, it wouldn’t be a problem at all if he didn’t hire him and cast him out because of his lowly status.
It can be said that it was a very bold decision for the emperor to say that none of that matters and that he would give him a blank check, so that he could come up with conditions that would persuade him.
Emperor Louis laughed heartily after hearing the Count’s words.
“No, this person. I asked what conditions should I put forward. You complimented me out of nowhere. He seems like such a no-nonsense person. “I don’t really like subjects who flatter me like that.”
Though he said so, the emperor’s mouth was filled with a wide smile.
It was an expression of his intention that he would be very happy if he was given more appropriate flattery.
“However, as I do purely on my own authority when choosing a knight for my family, if Your Majesty will recruit Martin Mayer. Wouldn’t it be right for His Majesty to make all decisions from start to finish? “I am concerned that I may cause trouble to Your Majesty by giving wrong advice.”
The reason Dion said this was because he did not know exactly how the emperor evaluated Martin Mayer, so it was an insult.
Even if the emperor, or even a third party, heard it, it would likely be regarded as a remark befitting a loyalist who prioritized the emperor’s authority and will over his own ability to evaluate talent.
“Well, that’s right. Still, I know very little about Martin Mayer, so it is necessary for you to tell me honestly what you know about him.”
Dion, who had completely avoided any part of his responsibility, cautiously opened his mouth.
“Martin Mayer must feel greatly restricted by his status as a mercenary leader. Because his vessel is not that good.”
“I’m sure it is. In the first battle, with a mercenary force of only 500 men, he not only defeated an army four times that size over the course of a week, but also saved Baron Amigo and his 2,000 troops.”
When hiring 500 mercenaries, it is common to hire them with the expectation that at least 500, or up to 700, will perform well.
However, since the Whitebeard mercenaries performed at least 2,000 men in the first battle, it was clear to anyone that Martin Mayer’s vessel did not belong to just a mercenary leader.
“And his desire to succeed is very strong. “I infiltrated the intelligence guild in our territory among Martin’s mercenary warlords and checked, and it turned out that a man named Margrave Estelle offered him the rank of baron when he was a centurion, but he refused without hesitation.”
When the emperor heard those words, his eyes widened.
Just proving one’s abilities among the mercenary leaders and becoming a baron is such an incredible feat that rumors spread even to neighboring countries.
The Margrave’s attempt to give a mere centurion, Naboorang, the title of baron was admirable, but the more I heard about Martin’s guts in refusing it, the more surprising it was.
“If a guy with no ability was just greedy, he could be said to be a crazy idiot who wants to shorten his life, but isn’t it really a flaw for a guy with a lot of ability to be greedy?”
When a competent person asks the boss for an annual salary of 100 million won, it is asking for fair compensation, but when a person with no ability asks for an annual salary of 100 million won, it is the same as saying, ‘Fire me.’
“Yes. And Martin Mayer always seemed frustrated by that fact.”
Dion recalled Martin’s facial expression, voice, and every action when he proposed a strategy to him.
Even though he proposed a strategy that he and others could not have imagined, he had a confident attitude that said, ‘This is bound to succeed.’
Confidence in one’s strategy, never thinking that it will fail.
Even though he commanded a large army of 15,000, he was not quite sure of victory, and the fact that a single mercenary leader showed such behavior while proposing a large-scale operation that could result in his own life if anything goes wrong…
‘Even thinking about it now, I was surprised.’
“It is believed that he did so because he felt that he was unable to use his full abilities due to his position. So, if your Majesty gives him wings by giving him an appropriate position.”
Dion deliberately paused.
“He will reward His Majesty with accomplishments that exceed whatever you expect.”
Emperor Louis had an evil smile on his face.
“I see. Then we have to solve his identity issue first. Let’s see…”
The emperor picked up a piece of paper with a unique gold border next to him.
On that piece of paper was written a list of families that were in danger of losing their entire noble families because they had no successors.
It would not be a problem to take a concubine and have a child to inherit the family, but there were surprisingly many families without a ‘successor’ due to various factors.
On a fairly large piece of paper, there were more than 10 family names written on it.
“Wait a moment.”
After 30 minutes of careful consideration, the emperor underlined one family name.
“The Bornese Baron family would be nice. For a baronial family, the territory is quite rich, and there are quite a few people in the territory. In addition, although there is no heir, it is said that he has a beautiful daughter whom he raised as gold and jade. In addition, this is a family that feels no guilt at all even if they take a title as if it were taken from them.”
Dion nodded his head.
“Baron Bornese would be a man who would follow even if His Majesty took Martin, a lowly man, as his son-in-law and asked him to hand over the title of baron.”
When Louis thought of him, he burst into laughter.
“He was one of those who ignored me decades ago, when I was just a prince, or rather, far from the right of succession. Additionally, among the people who planned to revolt against me last time, many of his relatives were involved.”
If the guilt-by-association system had been applied, the entire Bornese family would have been killed.
At that time, there were many nobles who lost their heads.
Among them, Baron Bornese was lucky to survive, but it became a family that would not be surprised if their titles were revoked at any time.
So, there will be no objection from anyone if the family is handed over to Martin, and thanks to Martin Mayer, who inherited the family, Baron Bornese himself may be called a count in his old age.
It was a perfect result that made everyone happy.
“Normally, when a son-in-law takes over the title, the wife has to be careful, but Baron Bornese has a lot of karma. “You wouldn’t even think about giving attention to your son-in-law, Martin.”
The emperor said that and chuckled.
“And in the Rhine-Palatinate Empire, the emperor dies, and the great nobles begin to fight over food, right? “It looks like a civil war will break out soon.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Martin, I need to put that guy in the lead and stab the Empire’s bastards in the back and make them succeed so that I can gain a huge amount of territory. And everyone will be happy if I give a generous amount to not only you and Martin, but also to the nobles who serve me faithfully.”
In order to strengthen royal authority, war must be accompanied.
This is a truth proven by history, and the emperor also thought so.
“By the way, Marquis Dion. “Your successor, Jean, has not married yet. How about marrying my daughter Elise?”
This is a good suggestion that Dion had never thought of.
Although Zhang had a fiancé, there would be no political risk if he presented the justification that he could not refuse the emperor’s offer.
“I am devastated.”
“Okay, then tell Martin Mayer to come here tomorrow afternoon. The purpose is to provide a drink to the brave mercenary leader.”
After the conversation, when Dion was about to leave, the emperor grabbed him again and asked.
“But that’s right. What should you do if Martin Mayer rejects this offer? After all, killing is…”
The Marquis of Dion sighed after hearing that.
“He’s a very sharp sword, no, he’s just someone I would never want to antagonize. His exploits have already become semi-legendary among the nobles and mercenaries who participated in this war. “If you ‘assassinate’ him, no mercenary will want to follow His Majesty in the next war.”
The mercenaries’ trust and Martin Mayer’s life.
The Montmartre Empire is a country that cannot go to war with other countries without mercenaries, but if it loses trust and cannot get mercenaries.
It was obvious what would happen.
“I can’t believe that even if I, the emperor and a mere mercenary leader, decide to kill him, I can’t. He is truly a great guy. “You are extremely cunning.”
When Dion left, the chamberlain brought in the maidens of his choice from the village.
“Your Majesty, I apologize for the delay. “Why don’t you bring in some new kids tonight?”
The emperor looked around at them and smiled, looking very satisfied with her.
“The Chamberlain is having a very hard time.”
“I’m doing this for Your Majesty, so why would it be difficult?”
The emperor was in a good mood after hearing those noble words, and thought about giving about a hundred gold coins to his servants as a reward for their trouble.
From Noble mtl dot com
At that time, in order to please the emperor, the chamberlain brought a woman who was slightly less beautiful than the women brought as a tribute to the emperor.
“I thought you were very interested in that mercenary leader named Martin Mayer. “As a wish to get along, she made me wait on her for the night and made me her concubine…”
After hearing those words, the emperor immediately gave up the idea of giving money.
According to what she had heard from Count Dion, Martin Mayer was a type of person who even rejected her prostitute, so she knew that if she tried a new woman, she would be rejected.
Even if he were to break that belief, he should have brought in at least a woman of a similar level to the women currently around him.
The girl here now was so pretty that 9 out of 10 people would say she was beautiful, but compared to Martin’s women, whom even high-ranking nobles admired, she was not even a tip of the scale.
‘If I expose Martin Mayer to a woman like this, I’ll only be a fool…’
So the emperor sighed and said.
“Well, Chamberlain, I wish you knew she was very interested in Martin Mayer. Shouldn’t she have investigated more properly?”
The chamberlain felt unfair.
I never thought there would be a crazy person in this world who rejects new beauties, even when he’s only in his 20s.
“…… Yes? What kind of guy in the world would turn down a new beau?”
“If I had done a little more research, I would have found out right away. “I will make this girl my maid as well, so she just goes away!”
“Ha, but.”
The chief chamberlain even boasted to the other servants with his lungs full of air that His Majesty would give them a huge reward today.
I don’t want to see it go to waste.
“But when you see it, your mind will change.”
“The problem is that he doesn’t understand that. “Just go back!”
Hearing those words, the Chamberlain became sullen as he tried his best but the results of his efforts were in vain.
“……Yes, Your Majesty.”
And the next afternoon, Martin Mayer was summoned to the emperor.