“The Marquis has changed his stance.”
Puruka spoke with an unyielding expression, and Glenn’s response was no less grim.
“…I heard as well.”
The fact that the Marquis had regained consciousness wasn’t particularly important. After all, the diplomatic meeting had been successfully completed and concluded.
But the fact that he had regained his senses was an unexpected outcome. And who could have predicted that he would suddenly change his attitude and proceed with negotiations with the Empire?
The negotiations between the Marquis and Elrian were swift and decisive. Their goals aligned perfectly.
“They said if we don’t leave within this week, we’ll be kicked out.”
“…I tried to meet with Lady Elrian again, but was refused.”
Receiving gold coins as a bribe from the Emperor, they raised the tolls on Lepent. Elrian’s initial proposal was accepted outright.
Of course, the condition was that they would finalize after receiving the advance payment. That’s why the guest stay was extended to a week.
“That figures. It was a temporary alliance anyway, meant to bring down the Marquis from a favorable position.”
The cooperation between Elrian and Glenn had been made under the assumption that the Marquis was still incapacitated. But if the Marquis was able to think rationally and, moreover, accepted the Empire’s offer, that changed everything.
From Elrian’s standpoint, there was no longer any reason to side with Glenn.
“…What about the military pressure from Lepent and Arian? Just a simple threat card?”
Tessa asked cautiously, her expression serious. Puruka shook his head in disagreement.
“No, it’s not a very good option. The Northern Army Corps is still intact.”
From the Empire’s perspective, opening a new front against Lepent and Arian is a huge burden. The civil war with the second prince was not yet over.
But that only applies when the Empire is invading another country. The situation changes when it’s a defensive war. As Puruka said, the Northern Army Corps still exists.
Yes, the side that strikes first becomes the disadvantaged one.
That’s the current situation between Lepent, Arian, and the Empire.
“I also talked with the Marquis, but didn’t get anything useful.”
Kyle scowled, recalling his recent conversation with the Marquis.
***
“Are you really going to do this? This is between Godric and me. Why are you suddenly interfering?”
“You’re delusional, Holly. The heir to the territory is decided by me! Not by you guys!”
“Couldn’t you at least give me a chance?”
“Since when did you treat me like your father and demand a chance? Get lost right now!”
***
“The Marquis… seems different. It feels like seeing the old him again.”
Kyle narrowed his eyes and evaluated.
Murca nodded in agreement.
“To be frank, the Marquis is right to side with the Empire now. No matter how you deny it, Riberton is Empire territory. In other words—”
He exchanged glances with the others in the room.
“The Marquis is making a pretty rational decision. He’s in a normal state of mind.”
“…That’s bad news for us.”
“Tremendous bad news.”
The ongoing discussion yielded little certainty.
The second son who does not have the support of the house, and a neighboring country. But on the other hand, the eldest son backed by the house and the Empire.
Frankly, under these conditions, negotiations are impossible.
Kyle lowered his head and pondered deeply.
…Yes, there’s no turning back now.
He soon raised his head, looking at Puruka with a resolute glare, as if having made up his mind.
“Sir Puruka, is the plan you mentioned earlier still feasible?”
“…It is. Fortunately, we still have some magical ink left. Are you determined?”
Murca calmly met his gaze, as if expecting it.
“I have no other options.”
“If it were us, maybe. But if you fail, you’ll be executed without question. You know that, right?”
The plan was too risky to suggest to Kyle prematurely. But now that he was prepared, the conversation was different.
“Of course.”
“Good. There really is no other way. You all agree, right?”
Murca’s question was met with nods from Glenn and Tessa.
“P-Prince Glenn, what was the code name again? The operation name?”
“Is that important right now?”
“It’s very important.”
At the slightly surprised question, Puruka smiled faintly and nodded.
…Operation name. I did say it at the time—
“Probably, ‘Blanc Chrysanthe.”
A word composed in the ancient Elven language.
It means ‘White Chrysanthemum.’
“That sounds fitting. Alright, let’s begin.”
Murca’s eyes gleamed coldly.
Operation “Blanc Chrysanthe” commence.
***
“Even if I don’t become Marquis, I will keep my word.”
Kyle left those words behind and departed with the Knights of Glenn. The Arian envoys also disappeared from the residence.
The Marquis didn’t pay it much mind. He had far more important matters to attend to.
“As soon as we receive the advance payment, the tolls on Lepent will be increased.”
Even if he had to bow to the Emperor immediately, cooperation with the Empire would be more certain and guarantee greater profit.
The Marquis demanded an advance from Elrian for the contract. It was one of his iron rules, showing just how strict he was about money dealings.
Elrian readily agreed and sent a letter to the Empire. Shortly after, a courier departed carrying gold coins, sacks of jewels, and promissory notes.
Count Riberton smiled with satisfaction upon hearing the news. With that money, his golden statue could be magnificently completed.
But his satisfaction didn’t last long.
“Ma-Marquis, there’s a problem!”
“…What’s the matter, why such a fuss?”
The Marquis frowned at the commotion from his guards. But when he heard the news, he couldn’t help but wear a similar expression.
“The courier sent by the Empire was ambushed by the Knights of Robbers!”
“What…?”
***
Late afternoon, as dusk began to fall.
Several figures gathered in a ruined fortress, now abandoned, raising their cups noisily.
“Well, well! This time we really hit the jackpot! Ha ha ha!”
Among them, a burly man let out a boisterous laugh.
Raufen Fritter.
Also known as ‘Ogre Fritter,’ the leader of the Knights of Robbers.
His fairly impressive knightly armor and notorious reputation—no, infamy—were well known throughout the region. His bulky frame was just as notable.
“Congratulations, Boss… I mean, Sir Freeter! This haul was pretty juicy, huh?”
“Sure was. Forty gold coins in total. A huge score!”
Even among the many hauls taken, this one was one of the biggest. Considering the dangerous target, the profit was just as substantial.
“Are you going to become a noble now?”
“Long live Sir Freeter!”
“Noble? That’s hilarious. Ha ha ha!”
The underlings drinking with him began flattering loudly. Bribing corrupt nobles for titles like marquis wouldn’t be difficult.
For a mere mercenary from the back alleys to become a noble, it was an astonishing thought.
“But those guys we ambushed said they were Empire couriers. Where did that information come from?”
At one subordinate’s question, another deputy set down his cup and answered.
“Pure luck. About three or four days ago, we robbed some dumb merchants and found a letter.”
The rumor had already spread in the area, and merchants were scarce. But those merchants were moving a huge shipment.
“They were moving openly in broad daylight, too. No escort at all. They were basically asking to be robbed, ha ha.”
No battle was necessary. As soon as the attack started, the couriers scattered like headless chickens.
“Those fools. What was in the letter?”
“It was addressed to their guild master. Said something like—an Empire courier is headed to Count Riberton. The cargo is gold coins and jewels. Something like that.”
The questioning subordinate laughed as he shook his head.
“Eh? Location and time included?”
“Exactly.”
All the information checked out. It was surprisingly accurate, even including the detail that the shipment was moving quickly and had minimal escort.
“Doesn’t that strike you as strange? Too precise…”
“Enough with your nonsense. Everyone raise your glasses! We’re all rich now! Ha ha ha!”
The deputy’s reasonable doubts were drowned out by the boss’s toast.
…Well, whatever. The money’s in our hands now.
“Still, those Empire knights were pretty tough. We took a beating.”
Even though the escort was small, these were Empire couriers. Naturally, a few knights were with them.
Thanks to that, the Knights of Robbers lost a throat in the fierce skirmish. It was a large-scale collision.
“But still, knights don’t stand a chance against rough guys like us. So we won, you got that?”
“Of course.”
“That’s right, Sir Fritter!”
No matter that they were outnumbered five to one. Even if the ambush was at a known route.
In the end, they were the winners. Not those Empire knights.
“See that damn Red Legion bastard? They didn’t even come looking for us! Scared of Ogre Fritter, huh?”
“Waaah!”
“Long live Ogre Fritter!”
Rumors that the Red Legion would come for the Knights of Robbers had been circulating for a long time.
Raufen Fritter had heard enough about the demon spawn pursuing him. That was why he had moved the base to a nearby abandoned fortress.
But it wasn’t necessary.
The Red Legion never came.
“And anyway, once we use this money to recruit more men, that’s it! This time, we can hire some proper mercenaries too!”
Rau Freeter shouted exaggeratedly as he raised his cup.
But in his heart, he was already thinking something else.
“With forty gold coins, and all the money we’ve gathered, it’s a fortune. We can go back to the Empire and live the high life in some countryside, heh heh.”
He had no intention of sharing the gold with his men. If the opportunity arose, desertion in the middle of the night was a good option.
Of course, he was quite content with his current life. He was literally becoming a king here. He was grateful the Marquis was so incompetent.
“For now, just drink without worry!”
“Long live!”
“Long live the Knights of Robbers!”
They would probably stay in this paradise for some time.
***
The party that had lasted until dawn finally ended. Although it had been a victorious day, it was also exhausting. So Raufen Fritter immediately collapsed and fell fast asleep.
His first plan for tomorrow was to play around with some courtesans. Not the skinny peasants of the territory, but ones bought with money from the city.
Just as he was indulging in that happy thought, one of his subordinates rushed over urgently and woke him.
“B-Boss! There’s a problem! Get up immediately!”
“…What the hell, you bastard! Ow, my head—if it’s nothing, you better be ready to die.”
Disturbed from his deep sleep, he grumbled. But his subordinate’s expression was still desperate.
“An ambush! An ambush! You need to come out right now!”
His hangover cleared suddenly.
He reflexively grabbed his weapon and asked,
“W-What? Who the hell?!”
An ambush?
They had destroyed nearly all the Empire couriers. Very few were left.
Or did the Marquis send soldiers?
That old fool suddenly sending troops?
“The Red Legion. That damn bastard actually came looking for us!”
Raufen Fritter’s eyes widened in disbelief.
He felt a cold chill wrap around him as if his body was enveloped in icy air.