Chapter 375
My Villains Episode 375
62. deception tactics(2)
The hall of the castle tower. A little over twenty people were gathered at a large table..
Centered around Prince Ulkar, who was seated at the innermost head of the table, the lords including the Margrave of Landri, Count Orth, and Viscount Cirillo, as well as Lord Ankir and Lord Dailecid.
Knights, Herald, MacNeill, and even officers led by Seto. Most of the leadership that runs the High Castle main army has gathered here..
“Your Excellency, Count Achele, maritime representative of His Majesty the Duke of Kaisis,,”
In front of them, Lord Eordan, who was leading the two Blood Knights, opened his mouth with an expressionless face typical of Baluin..
“He left a common message to all the three princes and nobles present here, as well as the electors outside the castle..”
“……You left a common message to both allies and enemies? What nonsense is that??”
Prince Ulkar and his associates seemed calm, perhaps because of a hint from Sir Arya, the old knight who accompanied the Blood Knights. On the other hand, the others looked very puzzled by Lord Eordan's words..
However, before the middle-aged blood knight answered the crowd's question, he looked at the lord who had just expressed his doubt..
“It is right to ask whether you left a message, Viscount..”
“W-what? dare-”
Viscount Cirillo's hard-faced face turned red. It seems like it's a shame that a mere article pointed out his way of speaking..
“......ugh ”
O •
But he couldn't stop talking..
It was not a wise move to go against the Duke of Eyland, a gang of sea thugs and once known as the Twin Kings. Even in Abidden, a province bordering the sea, this was especially true for Viscount Cirillo, who had the southern coast as his fiefdom..
Even now, Count Achele himself is staying in Auduenne, the port of Abidden, with an army. The Viscount, who knew this, could only huff and puff, but ultimately failed to point out Lord Eordan's arrogant attitude..
“So, what is his message??”
Instead, it was Margrave Landry who spoke. He was revealing the reluctance he felt towards the Blood Knights without filtering through his frowning brows..
Regardless of the actual power, the title of Margrave is higher in rank than that of an ordinary count. Sir Eordan also knew this, so he gave his answer without any hesitation..
“Many of the elders of the family, including His Excellency Count Akele, are deeply concerned about the war activities being waged by His Highness the Third Prince and the two Electors of the Empire..”
“Be concerned.”
The Margrave crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow..
“I'm sure you're not worried about the kingdom being invaded, right? It's none other than Eyland?”
“Eyland 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 willing to participate in the war??”
“Although many family members would like to do so, we cannot go to war with a foreign army without an order from the capital..”
“That's not a funny excuse. Even helping fellow vassals to protect the border requires a royal command.?”
“His Majesty the First King... … Since wearing the 'Castle', Eyland's masters, including the head of the family, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kaisis, have been reluctant to get involved in land affairs for generations. Therefore, we simply fulfill the duty of the strong and protect the interests of our family..”
The duty of the strong, the interests of the family.
Hearing those words, most of the audience gave an expression of ‘of course, that’s right’..
“joy. In short, I came to protect my rice bowl, this is it..”
“Is it Zahakar for no reason, or Baluin for no reason?.”
“What are island guys?.”
The notoriety of the Duke of Eyland was clearly revealed through the quiet whispers of the lords, knights, and officers..
These are people who look at the surrounding situation and if they see something that could be beneficial, they rush in and bite it. That was the reality of the family to which I, no, Poynix belonged..
“……That's fun. What is the job and profit of snakes??”
““It is my duty to prevent the fire of war from spreading to the family’s friends, and the sacred right granted by His Majesty King Mibal 150 years ago is in the family’s interest.” "however?" “But these days, the warships under His Majesty the Three Princes and the Two Electors are terrorizing the entire Bay of Blades. Merchants are stamping their feet due to sailors refusing to set sail, and shipping between the empire and kingdom is blocked, so warehouses at every port are on the verge of collapse..”
His words had some truth to them. The 'Black Dragon Fleet' under Duke Strom, and the steel fleet that Ulkar borrowed from Langbolt's family to fight against it, froze Blade's Edge Bay and the surrounding area..
But what followed was quite far from the truth..
“Thanks to this, Eyland, who makes a living by protecting trade and sea routes, is in a very difficult situation..”
“……Protecting sea lanes and making a living? Eylandga?”
“Yes, Your Excellency the Margrave..”
The families considered to be the wealthiest in the entire kingdom after the royal family are Zahakar and Baluin..
Additionally, more than half of their wealth and notoriety was obtained through collection practices that were no different from piracy..
“no… … . Indeed.” The Margrave of Landry looked as if he had a lot to say, but then he sighed deeply and gestured as if to continue..
“Against this background, ten days ago, His Excellency Count Akele……
There was not a single person here who did not know about the reputation of Zahakar and Baluin. However, despite this, what Sir Eordan said far exceeded their expectations..
“He declared that he would neutralize the entire South Sea area, including Blade Bay..”
“We will neutralize the sea?”
“Yes sir.”
“what does that mean?”
“To put it simply, this means that armed ships cannot be launched in the South Sea area, including the Bay of Blades..”
“......what?”
“Detailed articles are here.”
When Lord Eordan took out a roll of parchment from his arms and handed it to him, Margrave Landri glanced at it quickly and burst into laughter..
“‘- All armed vessels, etc., are prohibited from entering the waters shared by the main territory of the Kingdom of Milan and the three empires of Eyland and Mitergeland. Armed ships anchored in ports in the area are prohibited from sailing as long as the proclamation is in effect.……
He waved the parchment as if he were dumbfounded..
“What on earth is this? In fact, it is no different from the lifting of the ban on the sea.?”
“As written there, unarmed ships can freely enter and exit the sea area. It cannot be said to be a lifting ban..”
“Ha, really? Well, here, ‘ships belonging to the steadfastly neutral Zahakar and Baluin are exempt from the above provisions’, is this something??”
“This is a provision for the substance of neutrality. His Excellency Count Akele's Iron Scale Fleet will maintain the neutrality of the sea lanes..”
“……Really, incredibly shameless..”
If we were to summarize in one word the message from Count Akelle brought by Lord Eordan... … I thought it would be like, ‘All business is shut down.’.
The Margrave of Landry and most of the audience opened their mouths in a daze, as if they had understood the same thing as me. Some people looked at the prince sitting at the head of the table in confusion, but Ulkar was deep in thought..
Lord Dailecid, the greatest knight of Odenrock, received the parchment, read it, and made a shocked expression..
“This is absurd... … . Even the Duke of Ayland has no right to commit such an act of violence..”
“no. There is.”
No matter how the crowd reacted, Lord Eordan always looked like an inanimate object..
Of course, just because it looks like an inanimate object doesn't mean it's reminiscent of something peaceful, like a statue installed in a garden or a street lamp on a walkway. To put it bluntly, it feels like a mannequin I came across on a hiking trail at night..
“Jahakar and Baluin have the right to control the seas south of the Crescent Islands. This is a sacred right that has been preserved for one hundred and fifty years, given by the grandfather of the grandfather of His Majesty the Third Prince here..”
Long ago, right after the death of Zeot, the 'Conqueror,' the snakes of Eyland showed their fangs as if they had been waiting. Eadum, the newly enthroned king, appeased the snakes by throwing them a suitable piece of meat, which was located in the southern waters of the kingdom..
Afterwards, the Duke of Eyland constantly negotiated and made deals with the royal family. In this way, he collected privileges and rights little by little, like collecting stuffed insects, and by the time he reached that time, he had virtually completed his rule over the entire South Sea..
This is what Eordan meant by the ‘divine right’ he just mentioned..
The hall was in chaos for a moment..
Half of those who read the parchment containing the proclamation were indignant, while the other half remained silent and understood the situation..
That half-silence soon became complete. Because Ulkar got up from his seat..
“……I heard your message well. This is an unconventional measure worthy of Count Akele..”
Sir Eordan just bowed his head in silence, and the prince looked straight at him and asked a question..
“The Lord said at first that the message concerned not only me and my comrades here, but also the two Electors..”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Then, how do you plan to convey this to the electors in the enemy camp??”
“It will be the same as now.”
The Blood Knights said they would ride into the forest and deliver Count Akelle's proclamation. In short, he is planning to crawl into a place crowded with 15,000 people and say, 'I have to do business, so get out of my sea.'.
“The safety of the officers could be in danger..”
“yes it is.”
“……It's like you're treating someone else's business. Life is not worth it.?”
Lord Eordan looked dazed at first glance, closed his eyes, and then opened his mouth..
“Blood Knights' lives are expensive. If we die, the family will reap a generous amount of wood and gold..”
So, there is no reason to waste your life.
Ulkar raised his eyebrows as if he was a little impressed by that strange answer..
“There are a hundred mencius like Sir. I think I understand why the entire continent fears the Duke of Eyland..”
“But what happens if the electors do not follow Count Akelle’s declaration??”
“His Excellency Count Akele... … We will handle it appropriately..”
“I see. Is that why the Count himself came to land?.”
The prince smiled brightly and tapped the table..
“I understand. I hope that Count Akele's wishes will be fulfilled. If you need any help with that blockade or neutralization, please let me know at any time..”
“Then let me tell you now..”
“now?”
“yes. Warships from the Southern Shore are moored at Haut Douenne. Please order them to refrain from rash acts and follow the proclamation..”
“gladly.”
The sight of Prince Ulkar obediently acknowledging the absurd declaration made some of the audience look bewildered..
However, except for those who were completely oblivious, most people seemed to agree. It may not be welcome to have the sea blocked, but it doesn't matter if the enemy is equally tied. No, it would actually be beneficial for our allies who are inferior in terms of military power..
“But what?.”
Ulkar came in front of the Blood Knights, sat down at the table, and looked very concerned..
“Now that I think about it, tying up our own fleet while the kingdom's border is under attack... … It could be seen as an act of betrayal..”
“It is on land that the war takes place. Protecting the peace of the sea, the stage of development and prosperity, cannot be an act of betrayal..”
“My thoughts are a little different..”
The prince smiled and held up the prosthetic arm on his left arm..
“You tied my left hand. Sir Langbolt, my favorite knight, and the Iron Fleet, my powerful reinforcements, are unable to even move. If I lose the war, Count Achele's declaration will have played a decisive role in my defeat..”
“The enemy also has one arm tied, so it won't have much of an impact on the battlefield..”
“That must be Sir’s idea..”
“But your highness. It is clear that there is a benefit when the sea area is neutralized.-”
“stop.”
Before I knew it, Ulkar had a face as expressionless as the Blood Knights. Lord Eordan kept his mouth shut due to the cold aura emanating from his dark blue eyes and long eyes..
“I have never been defeated since I went into battle at the age of seventeen. He led 300 northern cavalry and slaughtered 3,000 orcs, led a handful of royal soldiers to defeat the seven great nobles, and achieved a legendary victory on this plateau ten years ago and five months ago..”
At first glance, it seemed like an arrogant statement, but in reality, no one felt that way. It's because I was just telling the truth without any exaggeration..
“How dare a blood knight try to teach me about war. Isn't it funny??”
The prince's cold tone and exuding energy froze the room..
However, it was impossible to refreeze a man who had already been frozen to his core. Sir Eordan still responded calmly..
“I would like to hear what your Majesty wants..”
“We will partially accept Count Akelle's declaration and prohibit combat at sea. However, it is important to operate ships to transport and supply troops when necessary.
I can't give in.”
“As I said, the basis of what His Excellency has declared is the control of armed ships. For neutralization of sea areas-”
“In return, I will accept the surveillance of the Ironscale Fleet..”
At those words, the middle-aged, cold-blooded Han quietly blinked his eyes, as if he was bewildered by the absurdity of it all..
Well, since we will freely transport and supply troops, attaching a fleet to monitor them is essentially the same as asking them to provide escort..
It was a ridiculous request, but Ulkar made it make sense by adding a few words..
“I will pay two crowns of gold for each transport ship and one crown of gold for each supply ship..”
Converting two golden crowns into gold coins, it is worth about 500 gold coins. Of course, it is a lot of money, and even considering the cost of operating several warships, it is quite a lot of money..
Where on earth did our prince get his finances to spend so much gold? When are you going around fighting wars all the time?…….
No, did you become rich just by going around fighting wars? That might be possible. Because war is the best way to make money in this world..
“I'm sorry, but as you said, I am just a blood knight, so I have no authority to make such a deal..”
But that gold couldn't move Eyland's snakes..
“However, we can provide privileges within the sea area for a limited time.” "privilege?" "yes. These privileges include the right to skip cargo inspection, the right to use the family-owned port for free, and guaranteed safety through the close escort of the Iron Scale Fleet. Regardless of the type and size of the vessel, we provide golden thermal coffins..”
‘Only an enormous amount of gold could move the black and white snake..
The people gathered in the hall reacted differently to Lord Eordan’s words. Half of the people were astonished at the incredible amount of wealth he asked for. The other half was the one who sensed through nuance that Eyland had anticipated this transaction and stuck out his tongue at the snakes' cautiousness and greed..
“Okay, I accept it..”
However, Ulkar only had a cold look in his eyes and did not look shaken at all. Did you expect this situation?.
“However, to the belligerents of the Empire, including the Elector... … Please keep in mind that if you offer that 'privilege', it will be considered an act of betrayal..”
“……Okay, Your Highness..”
Through the slight hesitation that the Blood Knight implicitly expressed, I realized that he was the Elector Counts.
I also noticed that he was trying to extort money from me..
Yes, this was our family. I had guessed that they were a group of pure assholes through the notoriety I heard here and there, but when I experienced it myself, it was even more new..
By the time the meeting was over after a few impromptu agreements, Prince Ulkar had his usual gentle expression on his face..
“Oh, I'm just asking just in case..”
“yes please say.”
“When we convey the proclamation of Count Achele to the electors, we will not tell them about the privileges we have received.?”
“Of course. No reason to mention.”
“I like it. However, I am worried that this agreement will cause your family to become embroiled in an unnecessary dispute with the electors..”
At those words, Lord Eordan moved his facial muscles. Artificial and conscious squirming…….
Is he trying to pretend to smile??
“Thank you for your concern, but please don't mind..”
Now that I think about it, I think I've heard something like that from Hayla. They said that among my family members, I am the only one who smiles properly and sheds tears properly..
“With so many businesses under family management, misunderstandings are bound to happen anytime and anywhere. And there has never been a case where such a misunderstanding caused Eyland trouble..”
The round, obsidian-like eyes sparkled without color. It's a look that evokes instinctive repulsion..
“Except for what happened with some of your ancestors..”
Ulkar smiled brightly and held out his hand. His smile was vivid and beautiful, unlike Lord Eordan's..
“I like it more. Please take care of me.”
“••••••Yes, Your Highness.”
Against the backdrop of the crescent moon outside the window, a young prince and a middle-aged blood knight held hands..
Blue Son Fusion Fantasy ‘Length Novel’
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