NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 73
“I’m… I have one question I would like to ask Your Majesty before that.”
“To answer a question with a question… Very well, go ahead.”
And I slammed my hands on the desk where the Duke was seated and said.
“Your Grace, do you know how a cornered rat behaves?”
“It’s a foolish question, but… yes, it bites when cornered, desperate to survive.”
“Yes, it bites the cat to survive. So, have you not thought that I might do the same?”
To be frank, it’s highly likely that he hasn’t.
Because humans are creatures living trapped within rational thoughts they know, unable to imagine anything beyond that rationality.
In history, Westerners accepted the basic knowledge that “the earth is round,” proven 300-400 years ago, whereas in Joseon, despite Hong Daeyong presenting countless arguments, no one believed it.
This was because, in the rational philosophies of the time, such as the dualism of Yi, it was claimed that “the earth is flat.”
Following this principle, the Duke would never have thought that I, Count Siel von Croilet, who had just recently managed to secure stability in my territory, would entertain the mad idea of abandoning “territorial stability” to confront the Duke.
This is because the Duke has seen me, Siel von Croilet, a kid nearly three times younger than himself, yet already a person of equal or greater experience and rationality, who has overcome chaos.
And whether my expectations were accurate, the Duke and the Count began to tremble with their eyes.
“I have no intention of serving you, Your Grace. Because, in any case, as an independent lord who frequently travels between Your Majesty’s vassals, eventually, our Croilet family will become Your Majesty’s vassal. To put it bluntly, what good does it do me to become the chancellor of that Empire and suppress other Dukes? By that point, I would resemble a trapped lion waiting for death after losing Your Majesty’s favor.”
As I stand now, I am a formidable enemy to them, like an untameable tiger.
However, curiously, that tiger can communicate, and if they provide sufficient “benefits,” it will surely grant them what they desire.
Thus, the Duke and Count likely thought to first gain me over with “benefits” before making the other nobles in the Duchy, excluding themselves, envious of me.
Then those remaining nobles would try to constrain and envy me, manipulating the situation from the shadows.
In that process, the possibility of Ella or my father being assassinated for no good reason is quite high.
If so, I would fall into the trap of having to show even more competent and loyal traits to the Duke, becoming a loyal hunting dog to survive.
Because as long as the Duke favors me, they cannot go beyond certain boundaries to constrain me.
However, I am no longer a mere cub crawling under Count Nantes, so there is no need to live tightly leashed like a hunting dog.
And whether my intentions hit the mark, Count Hent, who stood behind the Duke, lost his composure and erupted in anger first.
“You little! Siel von Croilet, do you not see that the Duke is treating you favorably? Do you intend to meet my wrath after tasting the iron fist of the Duke’s house?! Do you not realize that serving the Duke, a man of such caliber, would be the best advantage for your family? His Majesty personally promised you the chancellor’s position in the Empire, yet you dare to act like an outsider!”
Thus, I decided to provoke the Count further so that I could reveal my “strongest blusterous move” at the most effective time.
Just reciting what I had in mind would certainly sway both the Count and the Duke.
I bowed deeply to Count Hent and the Duke and continued.
“Please forgive me. However, I am quite worried.”
“What worries you?”
“I think Your Majesty’s vassals will become envious of me. Because to them, a fool who suddenly barges in and claims the title of “Imperial Chancellor” after defeating Count Hent in the succession war might be a source of annoyance.”
Count Hent and the Duke clenched their fists, trembling at my words.
Because no matter how they responded to what I said, they likely understood that “the initiative of the conversation” had shifted to me.
So while they struggled to find words, I opened my mouth to deliver another blow.
“And Count, may I ask you something as well? You have supported His Grace for decades. My father supported Count Nantes when he was a Count, albeit only for a few years, so I understand how you feel.”
In the middle of my words, the Count interrupted and asked.
“What feeling are you talking about, Count Croilet?”
“The humiliation of being usurped by an intruder in an instant, the emptiness of being discarded like an old shoe after serving loyally for decades. Can you endure that and stay under my command? How would the other vassals feel?”
At my words, Count Hent suppressed his anger and replied with a trembling voice.
“If it is His Grace’s will, then I shall obey… No matter how many decades I have served, if someone more capable arrives… I must yield my position.”
While he managed to hold back his fury, it now became difficult for them to command me to enter their service.
Because no matter how capable the Duke is, if the atmosphere suggests that even Count Hent cannot support his opinion…
It would become impossible for him to unilaterally appoint me as his vassal.
Reading that atmosphere, the Duke stood up as if trying to threaten me, drawing a blade against my neck.
He lightly pricked my neck, drawing blood, and shouted with rage.
“Siel von Croilet! How dare you insult Hent before me; are you prepared to die? To insult my best vassal is to insult me, and while I would like to cut your neck and demand recompense, if you die, Nantes would not sit idly by, so I shall spare you. No, if you hand over just one barony, I shall forge an alliance.”
“What do you think? A barony like Crescent seems acceptable.”
The previous contract, which had been to my utmost advantage of remaining with my territory while becoming a vassal, was changed after they saw I wouldn’t easily concede.
Typically, such contracts are drawn up with the expectation that the ‘draft’ is merely a suggestion; the failure to reach an agreement is expected.
This way, each party can mutually claim they have made concessions as if being generous.
If either side is foolish enough to accept it, that would be even better.
Thus, it is highly possible that the contract now presented was the originally prepared one.
Just like when extorting money, people won’t readily agree to give a billion won upfront, but if threatened enough to lower it to a hundred thousand won, they would happily hand it over.
Throughout history, negotiations have taken this form.
Now, operated under the guise of civility, they begin to extort just a little…
Thus, it’s time to put into practice the wisdom learned in America: threaten first and let them flee.
Of course, if it comes to that, I might have to use real bullets, but these people are intelligent; they wouldn’t think to be shot like Schwabin.
I placed both hands on the Duke’s desk, leaned forward to bring my face closer to his, and said with a smile.
“Your Grace, I didn’t want to use this card for the sake of maintaining our friendly relationship.”
“What method do you propose? Honestly speaking, wouldn’t it be the best arrangement if we took just one barony and you kept the rest?”
Following that, I put on the most meaningfully sinister smile I could muster and said to the Duke.
“Your Grace, now I’ll teach you the true meaning of the saying that a rat cornered will bite.”
At my words, both the Duke and Count swallowed hard and listened intently.
“I currently have 400,000 gold coins stored within my territory. The money I’ve generated from selling sugar, salt, and grains is more than one might expect. To put it bluntly, if Ella wishes, I could line her room in gold. And even after that, I’d still be able to manage the territory just as I do now.”
“What… that can’t be…”
“Count Croilet, what nonsense are you spouting? Even the Emperor would find themselves struggling to manage their territory’s finances if they attempted such construction…”
If someone were to ask why this is possible, I would answer like this.
At this time, salt is akin to coal mines, and the technique of extracting sugar from sugar beets, if I exaggerate a little, is like extracting oil in large quantities from the ground.
Moreover, given that sugar supplied by those Spaniards is unstable, I currently have control over all supplies from Elaline, Britannia, Romania, and Franche, making it akin to monopolizing a ‘oil field.’
In other words, I am a wealthy man, not even less than an oil king from the Middle East.
Therefore, if I were to hire mercenaries for war, I could easily employ around 100,000 of them, even if only for a short while.
“Your Grace, nobles must indulge in luxury, even if it means going into debt. Otherwise, they risk losing their dignity and honor. Thus, sugar, which makes food delicious and precious, is like life itself for them. So how could I lack funds when I control that?”
Hearing this, the Duke and Count began to tremble as they thought of the amount of sugar that went into their banquets.
“I gathered this much, totaling 400,000 gold coins. Therefore, considering the future, I would prefer to convince Counts Romelia of Franche, Count Calle of Elaline, and Count Amiens rather than give up a barony right now. It would likely take about a year, by which time I could train around 40,000 troops. Although, that might only yield a single barony, but well… it’s better than starting off with yielding a barony.”
Upon hearing this, the Duke looked at me with despair in his eyes.
“… Are you still human?”
“I could become a devil or a demon for my beloved Ella and the noblemen, knights, soldiers, and peasants who respect me. If you really want, feel free to send spies to check if I truly possess 400,000 gold coins. I would ensure that all spies sent, as long as they don’t enter Ella’s bedroom, return unharmed in light of my relationship with Your Majesty.”
Listening to my overflowing confidence, the Count and Duke stared blankly at me as if they had lost.
Having completely taken the initiative, I would need to propose a treaty that they find reasonable while allowing me to secure benefits.
So, smiling, I made a practical proposal that they might find somewhat beneficial.
“However, spending all 400,000 gold coins on recruitment alone would be a tremendous waste. Additionally, as I am the Chancellor of the Empire, I have no interest whatsoever in the position of regent, so I do not plan to expand my territory here for the next three years.”
Upon hearing my words, the Count’s expression began to ease.
“Thus, if I could just reach a non-aggression pact and a customs reduction treaty with Your Grace, I shall exert no interference in Your Majesty’s reclamation of the throne. Moreover, I will defend you against any attacks from the Romanians as well. Also, I intend to stay only in Blue Port in the northwestern area of Croilet for the next year. What do you think?”
Upon hearing this, the Duke seemed to feel that this was not such a bad arrangement, smiling bitterly.
“Prepare the contract. And I will ask again, but would you have any desire, in the sense of an ‘equal alliance,’ to take my daughter? She’s just turned 20 this year; she seems like a good match for you… of course, I would have her as a concubine…”
“That’s quite alright. I will marry after this year or next. I will probably have to marry a woman from Maxburg or Romania.”
“That’s a shame… How dull. Since you came all this way, I shall have the artisans who tailor gowns for the Duke’s house create one dress for Ella and one for a woman named Chris. They are gifts, so please accept them.”
“I shall gladly receive them, Your Grace.”
“But should you break your vow and leave Blue Port next year, you will pay a steep price.”
My journey to Blue Port is indeed to avoid getting entangled in your Emperor’s squabbling and to seek your relaxation…
Yet the truth is that while I plan to use this as a chance to create a trade port representing Nantes by producing local specialties to truly fleece the Northern Alliances…
If I were to say that openly, I know they would see it as “Siel planning another invasion,” so it’s better to keep my mouth shut.
“I will graciously accept Your Majesty’s kindness. And just a few days ago, our family specially prepared a dessert known as ‘ice cream’ for you and His Grace to enjoy today. It is as cold as ice, but the softness and sweetness surpass that of snow; you won’t forget this taste again. I will also teach you how to make it so you may treat your noble vassals and assert your authority.”
Upon hearing this, the Duke sneered and said.
“Is it merely a dessert? You intend to satisfy me with something so trivial, making you quite the fool in this matter.”
**
And I stayed at the Duke’s residence for a few days, enjoying all services, except for “sexual services,” along with Ella and Chris.
As much as I wished to return to Nantes immediately after concluding the negotiations to ensure minimal stability and announce rewards, retreating to Blue Port would only make it seem like I distrusted the Duke, damaging my honor.
And as the time to depart drew near, I successfully spread the notion of ice cream amongst the Duke and other nobles, now a ‘trend.’
The effort to promote it was merely dressing Ella in a pretty dress and showing her enjoying white ice cream deliciously.
A girl, pure and cute in objective standards like Ella, happily consuming the white dessert became the best form of product placement.
As a result, they couldn’t help but express a desire to try the ice cream, and I distributed it for free.
Afterward, they all became prisoners of ice cream.
I also wrote down the “method for making ice cream” and the “ingredients used” meticulously for them.
After all, even if they can acquire every other ingredient, the magical ones, those that can dissolve in water to make ice, can only be bought from our territory, leading to their rapid selling.
This ice cream will slowly serve as a foundation for spreading “non-practical luxuries,” weakening the power of this Duchy, including the entire Eurovia.
Yes, from now on, you are my food.