253 – Doubts and Lies (1)
The nobles under the First Princess were very embarrassed by the sudden summons.
“I was very embarrassed by the sudden summons, but I still came. “What can you guess, His Excellency, Marquis of Schweig?”
The Marquis of Schweig stroked his beard and clicked his tongue.
“Would I be worried if I knew that? “Hmm, I don’t know why Her Majesty the Princess called us while we were busy stabilizing the territory because of something so urgent.”
After occupying the territory of the 5th Prince Eugen, they were distributed an enormous amount of territory appropriately according to their respective titles and achievements.
However, as the territory suddenly increased, the work they had to do also increased like crazy.
Give knighthood to those who have shown great achievements among the mercenaries and incorporate them into the vassals, distribute territory to the vassals, stabilize the territory, etc.
To exaggerate a bit, they were so busy that they could work all night every day.
So, while I was only working and not being able to play, I was suddenly called in to a war even though it wasn’t there, so it was natural for me to feel irritated.
“Didn’t you hear the news?”
All the nobles present pricked up their ears.
“What news?”
“Baron Cologne of the Fourth Prince’s faction has expressed his intention to surrender. That’s why Her Majesty the Princess called us together.”
Baron Cologne, a high-ranking Auror Expert swordsman and commander known as the pillar supporting the Fourth Prince’s faction.
Everyone froze for a moment, unable to open their mouths upon hearing the news that he was surrendering.
This was because they could not understand why he, who had held great power under Prince Otto based on enormous rewards and a solid position, was surrendering.
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At the same time, everyone expressed their thoughts.
“It’s absurd, it’s absurd.”
“As expected, he came from a lowly mercenary captain.”
“But if he surrenders, it will be the end for Otto.”
When their discussion began to heat up, the door in the very center of the conference room opened.
“Her Highness the First Princess has arrived.”
Everyone stood up and showed respect after hearing those words.
“Everyone, please sit down.”
At her words, everyone sat in her seat and paid attention to her.
Martin, who became Baron Cologne, began to dominate this position with a charisma that was incomparable to that of Otto, whom he served.
Maria spoke with an attitude and voice befitting an overbearing yet slightly arrogant monarch.
“After listening to the noise coming out of the door, it seems like everyone knows why they are gathered here. I’m glad I don’t have to talk at length. “The reason we gathered the guards this time was to discuss what to do with the news that Baron Cologne has surrendered.”
Because we already knew this, everyone was calm and not surprised.
When Maria saw that, she thought, ‘It’s good that I don’t have to bother spending time.’
“Feel free to say whether you think Baron Cologne’s surrender should be accepted or rejected. “No matter what opinion you give, you will not be reprimanded.”
Mary was a monarch who kept her word.
If you say you won’t rebuke, you will listen to any opinion as long as it doesn’t insult you, even if it is completely contrary to your own opinion.
“I, the Marquis of Schweig, do not think we should accept the surrender of the Baron of Cologne.”
“Why do you think so?”
“Think about it. Baron Cologne is one of the key pillars of the Fourth Prince’s faction. “Right now he is only a baron, but it is certain that his title will gradually increase in the future, and his influence will gradually increase.”
Baron Cologne was already famous as a person who rose quickly in the competition between nobles within the faction.
When he first became a baron, he was only a baron with the weakest power among the prince’s direct vassals, but now he has been granted many fiefdoms and has risen to the top among the barons.
It was clear that he would continue to be active in the future and that he would rise to a position where he could compete for leadership among factions.
“Furthermore, Baron Cologne is famous for being faithful no matter what during his time as a mercenary. “Thanks to him, he was able to rise to where he is now.”
“I have heard that before. “I guess that’s why Margrave Estelle was so determined to take him, who was just a mercenary leader.”
When the princess confirmed his words, Schweig asserted his opinion even more strongly.
“It is strange that he would betray himself. No, even if he is a bastard with no sense of loyalty… He is rising smoothly under the 4th prince, so why would he betray him needlessly? “If I were him, he wouldn’t have bothered to take such a risky gamble.”
Maria also nodded her head.
“There is certainly no need to take great risks. “If he is caught trying to betray, he will lose everything he has achieved so far.”
It is said that it is human instinct to want more things when we have more things, but at the same time, it also makes us reluctant to take on new challenges.
It is human nature to be obsessed with what one has achieved and try to settle for fear of losing what one has achieved while taking on a new challenge.
From that perspective, I thought there was absolutely no reason for Baron Cologne to betray…
“I don’t think so, Heslo.”
“Why does the Margrave of Hesslo think so?”
“According to the information that those thieves from the Intelligence Guild have been collecting, Baron Cologne’s position has been virtually that of an outcast for some time now.”
Everyone here could not believe those words.
When you think about common sense, what kind of monarch on earth would allow a capable subject like the Baron of Cologne to die in the midst of such a war?
Even if we purge, it is not too late to do so after the war is over, but purging now is too hasty and crazy.
“How could that happen unless you were a crazy person?”
Everyone nodded in agreement with her words.
This is because it did not seem correct based on common sense.
“According to what our Margrave’s family investigated using thieves from the Information Guild, Otto, that idiot, has been holding a banquet here for a long time to decide all political issues…”
Heslo seemed to notice Maria sitting at her head’s table.
In this world, it is very natural for men to be b*tches, but at the same time, no woman likes to be b*tches.
“Keep talking.”
“It is said that it is done in a lewd manner by inviting prostitutes to the banquet. The method is to only take women away during important discussions, and then take them out to have fun at other times. It is said that Baron Cologne stays away from prostitutes, so he does not invite them to this place at all. “It’s been like this for a month already.”
If you are not called to a position where important decisions are made, your influence on politics will gradually decrease.
And being alienated like this among politicians who make a living through influence was like slowly withering away and dying.
This was an act that could only be interpreted objectively as an attempt to vote for the Baron of Cologne.
“Isn’t it obvious if we add to this situation what His Excellency the Marquis of Schweig just said? Otto: That jealous and inferiority-stricken guy is really planning to take out the Baron of Cologne. Since his faction has already grown sufficiently, the Baron, who was a lowly mercenary leader, must be annoyed.”
From an objective point of view, there was no way that the Baron of Cologne could have had enough power to point a sword at Otto’s neck even if he had increased his influence in his current state.
At best, it would be best to become a great noble under him, exercise his influence, and take care of his own food…
Nevertheless, the process that appears on the surface only appears to be that Otto feels inferior to Baron Cologne due to his incompetence.
Everyone was dumbfounded, but when Maria heard this, she immediately agreed.
The Fourth Prince, Otto von Rheinfalz, whom she had seen, was not incompetent, but he was not very capable, so he was especially jealous of capable people of low status.
‘Even his own personal guard was a fool who fired someone who was too capable for his age and appointed someone who was moderately competent.’
“Your Highness, this is an opportunity. Get the Baron of Cologne to our side. You can attract him now. He can use him as his secret move to deal a fatal blow to the Fourth Prince.”
Maria also thought that under these circumstances, it was quite possible for Baron Cologne to switch to her side.
“The Margrave is right. However, as Marquis Schweig said, he cannot rule out the possibility that it was a false surrender. So, let’s accept his surrender for now, but keep strict surveillance and vigilance.”
Everyone agreed with that statement.
**
A few days have passed since then.
I, Baron Martin of Cologne, came alone to see the princess as promised.
Although she was wearing her armor, she did not even have her sword. Inside, dozens of elite knights were guarding the princess, just in case of an emergency, or so that she could cut my head whenever she wanted. .
“Baron Cologne, please come here.”
The security is too strict?
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
But I can’t show any signs of discomfort.
In a fight like this, you go after the scared kid first.
“I welcome your defection. But I’m curious. Why on earth do you want to defect?”