My Villains Episode 375
62. Tactics of Deception (2)
Hall of the Castle Tower. A little over twenty people gathered at a large table.
With Prince Ulkar sitting in the innermost seat of honor, lords such as Margrave Landry and Viscount Cirillo, Earl of Oth, knights including Sir Ankir and Sir Daylessid, and officers led by Harold
and Macneil Seto. Most of the leaders who moved the troops stationed in High Castle had gathered.
“His Excellency Count Akele, the maritime representative of His Highness Duke Kaisis,” said Sir Eordan, who was
leading two blood knights in front of them, with an expressionless face typical of Baluin.
“He left a common message for the three princes, the nobles, and the electors outside the castle.”
“…Leaving a message common to allies and enemies? What nonsense is that?”
Prince Ulkar and his entourage seemed calm, as if Sir Ariad, the old knight who accompanied the blood knights, had given them a word. On the other hand, the others looked very puzzled by Lord Eordan’s words.
However, the middle-aged blood knight looked at the lord who had just expressed a question before answering the question of the left.
“It’s right to ask if you’ve left a message, Viscount.”
“What? How dare you-”
Viscount Cirillo dyed his tough-looking face red. It seemed disgraceful to have his tone pointed out by a mere article.
“……Turn off”
O.
But he couldn’t even keep up with it.
It was not a very wise move to go against the duchy of Ireland, a gang of gangsters of the sea and once called the Twin Kings. Even in Abiden, a province facing the sea, it was even more so for Viscount Cirillo, who had the southern coast as his territory.
Even now, Count Akele himself is staying at Aviden’s port of Auduenne with a group of troops. Knowing this, the viscount only huffed, but in the end he couldn’t point out Lord Eordan’s cheeky attitude.
“So what is his message?”
Instead, it was Marquis Landry who spoke. He was revealing the reluctance he felt towards the blood knights without filtering through his furrowed brow.
Regardless of actual authority, a Marquess is a title higher in hierarchy than an ordinary Count. Lord Eordan also knew this, so he gave an answer without hesitation.
“Many elders in the family, including His Excellency Count Akele, are deeply concerned about the warfare being waged by His Highness the Three Princes and the two Elector Counts of the Empire.”
“Worry.”
The Margrave crossed his arms and raised one eyebrow.
“I bet you’re not worried about the kingdom being invaded, right? Is it none other than Eiland?”
“Iland also belongs to the kingdom of Milanol, and white and black snakes serve the royal family. Therefore, this war is no one else’s business.”
“Then, are you saying you want to participate in the war?”
“Many family members wish to do so, but the royal capital has not issued an order, so we cannot wage war against foreign armies.”
“Not a funny excuse. Do you mean that you need a king’s order to help your fellow vassals defend the border?”
“Ever since His Majesty the First King wore the ‘Castle’, the owners of Ireland, including the head of the family, His Highness the Duke of Caisis, have been reluctant to get involved in land affairs for generations. Therefore, we just do our duty as strong and protect the interests of our family.”
The strong man’s duty, the family’s profit.
At that, most of the people in the audience gave an expression of ‘Sure it is’.
“joy. In short, I came to protect my rice bowl.”
“Is it Zaharkar and Baluin for nothing?”
“Islanders.”
The notoriety of the Duke of Ireland was clearly revealed through the quiet whispers of the lord and knight officers.
Those who look at the situation around them, and if there is something to be gained, they rush at it and bite it. That was the reality of the family to which Phoenix belonged, not me.
“…Fun. What is the role of snakes and what is their profit?”
“It is our duty to prevent the fires of war from spreading to our family friends, and the sacred right granted by His Majesty the Unborn King 150 years ago is the family’s interest.” “however?” “But these days, the warships under the command of the 3 Princes and the 2 Elector Counts are terrorizing the 10,000 blades. Merchants are stomping their feet due to sailors refusing to set sail, and warehouses in every port are about to burst due to the blockage of shipping between empires and kingdoms.”
His words were to some extent in line with the truth. The ‘Black Dragon Fleet’ under Duke Strom and the Steel Fleet that Ulkar borrowed from Langboldt’s family to fight against it froze the Bay of Blades and its surroundings.
But what followed was far from the truth.
“Thanks to this, Ireland, which survives by protecting trade and sea routes, is in a very difficult position.”
“…Protect the sea routes and prosper? An Irishman?”
“Yes, sir Marquis.”
The Zakhar and Baluin families are considered to be the second richest families in the entire kingdom after the royal family.
In addition, more than half of their wealth and notoriety was obtained through piracy and money collection.
“No… Really.” Marquis Landry looked like she had a lot to say, but then she let out a deep sigh and gestured as if to continue.
“Because of this background, His Excellency Count Akele ten days ago…
There was not a single person here who did not know about Zahakar and Baluin’s reputation. However, despite this, Lord Eordan’s words far exceeded their expectations.
“You declared that you would neutralize the entire South Sea area, including the knife blade.”
“Are you going to neutralize the sea?”
“Yes sir.”
“What does that mean?”
“To put it simply, it means that armed ships cannot be launched in the Namhae area, including the bay of knives.”
“……what?”
“Details are here.”
When Lord Eordan took a roll of parchment from his bosom and handed it to him, Marshal Bag Landry glanced at it quickly and burst out laughing.
“’-, etc. All armed ships are prohibited from entering the waters jointly bound by the mainland of the Kingdom of Milano and the three countries of Ireland and Mittergerland. Armed ships already moored in one of the ports are prohibited from departing
as long as the proclamation is valid…
“What the hell is this? Isn’t it practically the same as a ban on the sea?”
“As written there, unarmed ships are free to enter and exit the waters. It cannot be called a lifting ban.”
“Ha yeah? If so, what is this ‘except for the above provisions for ships belonging to the unwaveringly neutral Zaharkar and Baluin’?”
“It is a provision for the substance of neutrality. His Excellency Count Akele’s oxscale fleet will protect the neutrality of the sea routes.”
“…really surprisingly brazen.”
If I had to sum up the message from Count Akele brought by Lord Eordan in one word… it would have been something like ‘get out of business’.
Marquis Landry and most of the audience opened their mouths in a daze, as if they understood the same thing as me. A few looked back at the prince who was sitting in the high chair with a look of bewilderment, but Ulkar remained deep in thought.
Odenlock’s first knight, Sir Daleshid, was handed a parchment and read it, then put on a puzzled expression.
“Such absurdity….Even the Duke of Ireland has no right to commit such violence.”
“no. Yes.”
No matter the reaction of the crowd, Lord Eordan remained inanimate.
Of course, just because it was inanimate didn’t mean it reminded me of something peaceful like a statue in a garden or a street light on a promenade. To put it bluntly, it feels like a mannequin I came across on a hiking trail at night.
“Zakhar and Baluin have the right to control the sea south of the Crescent Islands. This is a sacred right that has been maintained since 150 years ago by the grandfather of the grandfather of the grandfather of the three princes here.”
A long time ago, right after the ‘King of Conquest’ Zeot met his death, the snakes of Ireland revealed their fangs as if they had been waiting. Eadum, the newly seated on the throne, threw a suitable piece of meat to appease the snakes, and the suitable piece of meat was the southern sea area of the kingdom.
Since then, the Duke of Ireland has been constantly negotiating and dealing with the royal family. Like collecting stuffed insects, they collected privileges and rights little by little, and by the time they reached the time, they had practically completed their control over the entire South Sea.
The ‘sacred right’ that Eordan just mentioned meant just this.
For a moment, the hall was engulfed in confusion.
Half of those who were indignant reading the parchment containing the proclamation, half of those who kept silent and grasped the situation.
The half silence soon became complete. Because Ulkar got up from his seat.
“…You heard the message well. This is an unprecedented measure worthy of Count Akele.”
Lord Eordan remained silent, only lowering his head, while the prince looked straight at him and asked a question.
“Sir said at the beginning that the message was not only for me and my comrades here, but also for the two Elector Counts.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“If so, how are you going to convey this to the Elector Counts in the enemy camp?”
“It will be the same as now.”
The Blood Knights said they would drive their horses into the forest and deliver Count Akele’s proclamation. In a word, he is going to crawl into a place teeming with 15,000 troops and say, ‘I have to do business, so get out of my sea.’
“They could be in danger.”
“Yes that’s right.”
“…It’s as if you’re dealing with someone else’s business. Aren’t you worth your life?”
Lord Eordan opened his mouth with a blank look on his face.
“The price of a blood knight’s life is high. If we die, the family will reap a generous amount of necks and gold.”
So there is no reason to waste your life.
Ulkar raised his lips in a little admiration at the bizarre answer.
“There are a hundred Mencius like Jing. I think I know why the entire continent is afraid of the Duke of Ireland.”
“But what if the Elector Counts do not follow Count Akele’s proclamation?”
“His Excellency Count Akele… will handle it appropriately.”
“Right. Is that why the count himself came ashore?”
The prince smiled brightly and tapped the table.
“I understand. I pray that the will of Count Akele will be fulfilled. If you ever need help with the containment—or even neutralization—let me know.”
“Then I will tell you now.”
“now?”
“yes. Warships from the Southern Shore are moored at Eau Duenne. Give them orders to refrain from recklessness and obey the proclamation.”
“Gladly.”
Some of the people in the audience looked bewildered at the sight of Prince Ulkar readily acknowledging the absurd proclamation.
However, except for those who had no clue, most of them agreed. Blockade of the sea is not welcome, but it doesn’t matter if the enemy is equally tied up. No, it would be rather beneficial for an ally who is inferior in strength.
“By the way.”
Ulkar, who stood in front of the Blood Knights, sat down at the table and looked very concerned.
“Come to think of it, trying to tie up our fleet while the kingdom’s borders are being attacked… could be seen as an act of treachery.”
“War is fought on land. Protecting the peace of the sea, the stage of development and prosperity, cannot be an act of treachery.”
“I think a little differently.”
The prince smiled and held up the prosthetic arm on his left arm.
“You tied my left hand. My most cherished knight, Sir Langbolt, and my powerful reinforcements, the Iron Fleet, have been unable to move, so if I lose the war, Count Akele’s proclamation will play a decisive role in my defeat.”
“The same goes for enemies with one arm tied, so it won’t have a big impact on the battle situation.”
“That must be your idea.”
“But, Your Highness. It is clear that there is an advantage when the waters are neutralized-”
“Enough.”
Before he knew it, Ulkar was as expressionless as the blood knights. Sir Eordan kept his mouth shut at the cold energy radiating from his dark blue eyes and long eyes.
“Since I went to the battlefield at seventeen, I haven’t lost a single time. I led three hundred northern cavalrymen and slaughtered three thousand orcs, swung a handful of royal soldiers and defeated seven great nobles, and won a legendary victory on this plateau ten years ago and five months ago.”
It sounded arrogant at first glance, but no one actually felt that way. It is because of the fact that there was no exaggeration.
“A blood knight or something like that dares to teach me about war. Isn’t it funny?”
The hall froze at the prince’s cold voice and his radiant energy.
However, it was impossible to refreeze a man who was already frozen to the core. Lord Eordan replied with a calm attitude.
“I would like to hear what Your Highness wants.”
“Let’s partially accept Count Akele’s proclamation and forbid engagement at sea. However , I cannot concede
the use of ships to transport and supply troops when necessary .”
“As I said, the basis of what your Excellency proclaimed is the control of armed ships. In order to neutralize the sea-”
“Instead, I will accept the surveillance of the Grayscale Fleet.”
At those words, the cold-blooded middle-aged man blinked quietly, as if the absurdity had disappeared.
Well, we’ll do our best to transport and supply troops, so asking them to attach a fleet to watch is practically the same as asking them to escort them.
It was a ridiculous request, but Ulkar added a few incantations to make it make sense.
“I will pay two coffins of gold for each transport ship, and one coffin for each supply ship.”
If you convert two gold coffins into gold coins, it is about five hundred pieces. Of course, it is a very large amount of money, and even considering the cost of operating several warships, it is quite a lot of money.
Where the hell did our prince do his investment, so he sprinkles gold like that? Even though you are living in war all the time, when the hell
did you become rich by going around doing war? It could be. War is the best investment in this world.
“I’m sorry, but as Your Highness said, I’m only a blood knight, so I don’t have the authority to make such a deal.”
However, that gold could not move the snakes of Ireland.
“However, we can provide you with privileges in the sea area for a limited time.” “privilege?” “yes. The right to skip cargo checks, the right to use the family-owned port free of charge, and the privilege to be guaranteed safety through close escort of the oxscale fleet. Regardless of the type and size of the ship, we are providing it to the golden column.”
Only a ‘huge’ amount of gold could move the black and white serpent.
At Lord Eordan’s words, the people gathered in the hall reacted differently. Half of them opened their mouths in amazement at the absurd amount of wealth he demanded. The other half, realizing through nuance that Eiland had expected this deal, stuck out their tongues at the snakes’ meticulousness and greed.
“Okay, accept it.”
However, Ulkar only gave off a chill in his eyes and was not agitated at all. Were you expecting this situation?
“However, keep in mind that providing that ‘privilege’ to belligerents in the Empire, including the Elector Count, would be considered an act of treachery.”
“…I understand, Your Highness.”
Through the slight hesitation that the Blood Knight implicitly showed, I
noticed that he was also trying to extort money from the Elector Counts.
Yes, this was our family name. From the notoriety heard here and there, I guessed that it was a group of pure assholes, but experiencing it myself is something new.
After making some impromptu agreements, by the time the meeting was over, Prince Ulkar had a mild face as usual.
“Ah, I was asking just in case.”
“Please say yes.”
“When we deliver Count Akele’s proclamation to the Elector Counts, surely they won’t tell us about the privilege we received?”
“of course. There is no reason to comment.”
“I like it. I’m just worried that this agreement will cause your family to get caught up in a fuss with the electors.”
At those words, Lord Eordan moved his facial muscles. Artificial and conscious wriggling…
Are you sure that’s pretending to be laughing?
“Thank you for your concern, but please don’t mind.”
Come to think of it, I think I heard something like that from Heila. I said that I am the only one in my family who smiles properly and weeps properly.
“With so many businesses under family control, misunderstandings are bound to happen anytime, anywhere. And there has never been a time when such misunderstandings have troubled Eiland.”
Eyes like round obsidian shimmered without color. It is the gaze that evokes instinctive rejection.
“Except for things with a few of your ancestors.”
At this, Ulkar smiled brightly and held out his hand. Unlike Lord Eordan’s, his smile was vivid and beautiful.
“I like it more. Please take good care of me.”
“……Yes, Your Highness.”
Against the background of the crescent moon outside the window, a young prince and a middle-aged blood knight held hands.
Parangson Fusion Fantasy ‘A Novel
