Episode 87: I have to get half of it. (2)
“You want land?”
Zwalter asked back in confusion.
No, there is no reason I can’t give you land.
Originally, when a lord praised his subjects, he would give them money or territory.
Since Ferdium had no money, asking for land was in some ways a natural request.
But still, I want half of the countship!
Even though Digald is a small fiefdom, it is still small compared to other counties.
As a count, it was not a size that could be looked down upon even halfway.
The other vassals were also bewildered by the absurd request and just blinked.
“Come in.”
Jiselle gave a light signal. Then two mercenaries burst open the main door and came in.
Homer furtively frowned. These guys come and go as they please, as if Daejeon were some kind of neighborhood inn.
‘If only he wasn’t the Archduke… … .’
Whether he grumbled or not, the mercenaries unfolded the map without a moment’s hesitation.
Anyone who looked at it could tell that it had been planned and prepared for.
“Ahem, let me begin the explanation.”
Jiselle took out a thin baton from somewhere and pointed to various places on the map.
“The Earldom of Digald consists of five baronies, excluding the direct fiefdom. Of these, I will take three fiefs, centered around the Barony of Fenris, as well as the baronies to the north and south.”
He said it was an explanation, but he coolly informed me where he would take it.
Zwalter glared at the map with sharp eyes, laughing in disbelief.
The three territories that Giselle spoke of were adjacent to other territories to the south and east of the Digald County.
That meant they were going to take the front line.
“Is there a reason you want to go there?”
When Zwalter asked, Giselle nodded vigorously and answered.
“This is a border area adjacent to other territories. I will defend this place. If Raypold attacks Ferdium, I can attack the flank separately.”
Jiselle tapped the southern territory of Perdium drawn on the map with her baton.
The name Leipold was written on the territory that was attached to the south of Ferdium and the east of Digald.
“Raypold? Why are you there all of a sudden?”
“You have nothing to do with Desmond. If word gets out about the Runestone, you’ll definitely be interested in it.”
Jiselle has already considered Raypold as her enemy.
Because it was obvious that Amelia would eventually get Leipold.
Honestly, I would like to get involved in that area too, but I have more important things piling up and haven’t had the time.
We had to plan with the idea that Leipold could become our enemy at any moment.
Although others did not know the circumstances, they did not think that Giselle’s story was an exaggeration.
Because there was a precedent where Giselle extorted money from Amelia.
“Of course, since Zimbar has to go through Leipold, we can’t stop them right away, but if they invade, we can always send support to Ferdium from here.”
“Are you saying you’re going to formally raise an army?”
“Yes, there are limits to moving around with only mercenaries.”
Zwalter looked worried.
“You are the successor who will inherit this place anyway. If you annex Digald, Ferdium will no longer be a small territory. Don’t you plan on gaining experience in a larger territory?”
“The atmosphere in the North is not good for that. I don’t know what might happen, so it’s better for me to move around a little more freely.”
If he receives the territory, Giselle will become the Archduke of Ferdium and also the Lord of Fenris.
No matter how great a fief he is, he cannot compare to the lord.
“Governing a territory is not an easy task. The aftermath of the war there will be worse than in Perdium. Besides, aren’t there any knights who are loyal to you? There may be a few officials left, but knights are not easy to obtain even with money.”
“It’s okay. I’ve thought about that part.”
“Hmm, well, you’ve never really listened to me.”
Zwalter shook his head with a self-deprecating laugh.
Governing a territory is a really hard job.
It’s not like you can be successful just by being good at fighting, and it’s not easy just by having a lot of money.
You need to have a sense of responsibility, conviction, and ability to survive in the permanent resident position.
It wouldn’t be hard if he became a wicked lord who exploited his people, but it didn’t seem like Jisel was thinking that way.
Even if there was even a hint of that, Zwalter wouldn’t tolerate it.
The only good thing is that the Digald territory is not a bottomless pit like Ferdium, where you have to be wary of barbarians and the forest of demons.
“Okay. Is that okay?”
“Yes, that’s enough for now, as we’re short on administrative manpower. I plan to consolidate the three baronies into one under the Fenris domain.”
“Haha, ‘right now’… How greedy are you?”
He has achieved such great things at such a young age and has taken home three baronies, but he speaks as if it is no big deal.
I really couldn’t keep up with that endless distribution.
‘It’s admirable that you want to stand at the forefront yourself.’
The three baronies were not small in size, but they were territories that would not have been acquired had they not won the war anyway.
Since Giselle was the future successor to all of Ferdium, it would be a good idea for her to gain experience in governing the territory in advance.
He was a little worried about the people living there… … But Zwalter still believed in his son.
Surely you won’t act like a brat now?
If the state of the territory was really bad, it would have been something to intervene later.
“What do you think?”
“… … .”
The people who went could only sigh and could not answer rashly.
——————
faqwiki.us
Join our Discord for new chapter updates!
https://discord.com/invite/xr7SxG5T6V
——————
It’s been like this lately. I don’t know when, but it’s been hard to understand and follow what the Archduke does.
‘You always notify us without consulting us, so we can’t exchange opinions!’
‘I hold the rune stone, so I can’t oppose it even if I want to, and I can’t persuade it even if I want to.’
‘I’m sure your lord feels the same way… … .’
The servants glanced at Zwalter.
He had a faint smile on his face, as if he had let go of a burden on his mind.
Perhaps, since his son cannot be stopped, he will give up and seek the consent of his followers to at least feel better.
Homer, who had been pondering, wiped the sweat from his forehead and stepped forward.
“Just let your highness do whatever he wants.”
I don’t know about his talent as a lord, but he showed enough ability in war.
If you try to oppose it here, it will only make the person who opposed it look funny.
At first, Homer was surprised and had no intention of opposing it.
It was evidence that the perception of Giselle was gradually changing.
It’s true that my worries haven’t completely gone away yet, but I can’t keep treating Giselle like a loser like before.
This war also helped to reduce much of the resentment against Giselle.
Other vassals felt similarly.
“If you have done something good, you should be rewarded. I think it would be appropriate to award a fief.”
“Someone has to take charge of it anyway.”
“I think we just need to worry about distributing the remaining estates.”
“You saved the territory from danger, so that kind of compensation is not excessive.”
“Your Highness, you are no longer the troublemaker you used to be, so I think you can trust me.”
It’s still the case that they do whatever they want, cause an accident first and then notify you later.
But it was also true that I had some faith in the Archduke’s change.
Albert also agreed, giving his own reasons.
“It was a land that I wouldn’t have been able to obtain if I hadn’t been the Grand Duke. And with our current capabilities, we can’t even take control of the entire Digald territory.”
Ferdium was unable to efficiently manage the suddenly increased land area due to lack of administrative power.
Rather than leaving it as it is, it would have been better to leave half to the rich grand duke and let him take care of it.
Randolph, who had been quietly watching Giselle, was the last to cast his vote in favor.
“The Archduke’s skills have been proven to some extent. It is a problem that he is moving too riskily… … . Anyway, with that level of skill, I think it would be okay to leave the south to the Archduke. Even if Desmond is targeting us, we cannot neglect the north.”
Even the people who went themselves thought that it was already decided, so they wondered what the point of saying something like that was, but it still had some kind of form.
It was a way for the lord Zwalter and his vassals to save face.
Giselle’s notification in this way may also be a courtesy to Zwalter and his vassals.
Those who went there, thinking that it was something to do, silently accepted Jiselle’s consideration.
Zwalter kept coughing awkwardly.
“Hmm, hmm, good. Since you are qualified and all of the vassals agree, I hereby grant you the title of Baron Fenris.”
“thank you.”
“Then let’s pick an auspicious day for the oath of loyalty… … .”
“Just do it roughly for now. We’re not even close to the throne, so why bother being so formal? It’s a waste of time.”
“Ahem, that’s a good idea.”
Although they are privately siblings, in public they are lord and vassal, so they have to do something.
However, Giselle did not think formality was important, and Zwalter, who valued honor, decided to just ignore it since the person receiving it was like that.
A hastily organized title-giving ceremony was held briefly, watched by a few vassals, knights, and mercenaries.
Zwalter declared in a solemn voice, holding his ceremonial sword.
“… … And so, in recognition of your great services, I, Zvalter Ferdium, by the full authority of His Majesty the King, do hereby bestow upon you the new fiefdom and title of Baron of Fenris. You shall swear undying loyalty, and devote your life to the protection of the people and the weak, and to the upholding of law and justice… … .”
The award ceremony ended abruptly with a series of boring declarations and a final question asking if she would give it her all.
In an awkward and dreary atmosphere, the guests gave soulless congratulations.
Beyond the open gates of Daejeon, mercenaries, soldiers, and servants had all gathered and were watching with curious expressions.
It seemed that the rumor that Giselle would be awarded a title had already spread throughout the castle.
When Giselle got what she wanted, she stood up as if there was nothing left to look at, bowed her head to Zwalter, and then turned around.
There was no time to linger in a place where everything was done.
‘Even so, that’s what happens when a guy just got a title.’
Zwalter let out a hollow laugh, and the vassals pursed their lips in a knowing manner.
Meanwhile, the mercenaries cheered and clung to Giselle.
Belinda in particular loved it so much she jumped up and down.
“My lord! How wonderful! Our lord has become a lord! Is it because of my early education?”
“Early education… …? So that’s why the captain grew up to be such a loser?”
Belinda glared at Kaor and nudged him in the ribs with her elbow.
Kaoru grabbed her side and complained.
“What! Why are you stabbing me? I know who the captain’s personality came from!”
“I don’t want to see blood on a good day, so I’ll… …?”
Kaor laughed, as if he had read the sincere murderous intent in Belinda’s eyes, and he also exuded murderous intent.
“Let’s see who gets to see blood.”
Jiselle clicked her tongue inwardly as she watched the two bickering. Fortunately, Gillian intervened and no major commotion occurred.
‘I guess I’ll have to scold him for that later.’
In the meantime, the area in front of Daejeon became as crowded as a market place due to people flocking to hear about the award ceremony.
The knights and soldiers who had accompanied Giselle in the war sent their congratulations.
Even the maids looked at him with admiration, as if he had finally come to his senses.
I just did my job and stopped bothering people for no reason like before, and my evaluation went up.
Jiselle looked around at the people praising her and smiled bitterly, filled with regret.
‘It was this easy… … .’
Why didn’t I know that back then?
“Your Majesty?”
As he stood still, Gillian called out in a puzzled tone.
Jiselle quickly fixed her expression and an arrogant smile appeared on her face.
“To celebrate receiving the title, I’ll pay today! Our victory banquet starts now! Prepare the drinks and meat, and everyone, come!”
People cheered as he spread his arms exaggeratedly to elicit a response.
“Ohhh! The Archduke is shooting!”
“That’s right! After finishing the urgent work, let’s have some fun! As expected, you’re someone who knows a thing or two!”
“Our Baron Captain is the best!”
“Wow! It’s a festival! It’s a festival! The Baron is buying!”
Everyone was so excited that they shouted and made everyone around them scream.
The vassals inside Daejeon frowned and clicked their tongues, but soon shook their heads and moved on.
Jiselle led the people and shouted loudly.
“Okay, let’s go!”
People followed him, chanting his name excitedly.
It was a cry full of joy and friendliness, not fear.
“Long live Baron Fenris!”
Baron Giselle Fenris. A name that would soon become famous throughout the kingdom.
