Chapter 14

Chapter 14 — Behind the Scenes (4)

The delegation from Ronalp arrived a few days later.

I received them in the reception room of the lord's manor.

They hadn't even brought a knight with them. Only a woman who was apparently the head maid and another maid were present.

I greeted Ronalp's head maid first.

"You must have had a difficult journey coming all this way."

"Thanks to Viscount Marcel's kindness, the journey wasn't difficult at all."

I used [Low-Grade Appraisal] on the two of them.

I wanted to make sure there wasn't anyone unusual mixed in with the delegation.

But the appraisal information for the maid looked suspicious.

[Karin Ronalp (20)]

[Third daughter of Count Ferrand.]

If she's Count Ferrand's daughter, then she's Countess Ronalp. Why did she come here while hiding her identity?

First, I sent all the servants out of the room.

Then I stood up and greeted Countess Karin.

"It is a great honor to meet Countess Karin Ronalp, renowned for both her intelligence and beauty."

"Oh my, how did you...?"

Countess Karin blurted out the rude question in surprise, causing the head maid beside her to clear her throat.

"Ahem, ahem."

Karin looked extremely flustered, but she quickly recovered and spoke calmly.

"Hoho, forgive me. I simply didn't expect to be discovered."

"My lady's beautiful appearance cannot be hidden by something as simple as a maid's uniform."

"Oh my. That's the nicest thing anyone has said to me recently."

A suitable amount of flattery always helped leave a good impression.

I sat back down, comfortably leaned against the chair, and drank my tea.

The head maid's eyebrow twitched at my relaxed posture, but I didn't care.

After all, both sides had already been somewhat rude to each other.

"But what could be so important that you came here personally, my lady?"

"I thought I should visit Your Excellency for the sake of friendship between Ronalp and Marcel."

"Friendship? Has Ronalp suddenly changed its policy?"

I was openly pointing out all the tricks they had used to weaken Marcel.

"Hehe. You're rather sharp, aren't you? When the conditions change, naturally the methods must change as well."

"Then what kind of method are you planning to show me?"

Countess Karin leaned forward and quietly spoke.

"Count Ronalp has a daughter."

"According to our information, he has two."

"I've come to propose a marriage between Your Excellency and the second daughter, Anna."

A marriage alliance? Why?

My mind immediately began racing as I tried to understand her intention.

Could they have noticed that Westphalen abandoned Marcel? Do they really have an administrator capable of figuring out something like that?

After thinking for a moment, I reached a conclusion.

No. They really are misunderstanding the situation.

They think Westphalen is strongly supporting me because they're preparing for war.

It seemed that the pile of bullshit I'd thrown at them had worked perfectly.

For now, I held back my reaction.

If I gave away too much information, Karin might notice something.

"I only came of age a month ago."

"Is that a refusal?"

"Let's call it a postponement. As you know, I also need to ask for the opinion of my mother, Countess Lorian Westphalen."

"Your mother is Mari—"

I cut Karin off.

"My mother is Countess Lorian Westphalen."

"..."

In other words, if I formed a marriage alliance with Ronalp however I pleased, the Westphalen family might cut off my head.

Of course, that wasn't actually true.

The Westphalen family probably wouldn't care in the slightest who I married.

"It'll be difficult this year, so I'll contact her next year. I'll mix this proposal in with several other possible marriage candidates so it doesn't stand out too much. I'll try to get a favorable answer."

"I understand what you mean."

This was my strategy to buy time while pretending to coordinate the matter with Ronalp.

Now that both sides had confirmed that we had friendly intentions, they probably wouldn't continue pulling dirty tricks.

However, I had no idea what Ronalp might try again after the marriage alliance was actually formed.

The longer I could delay the alliance, the better it would be for me.

In the end, a marriage alliance like this only works if both sides can benefit from it.

Karin should know that too.

I decided to probe what else Karin was thinking.

"A marriage alliance, you say... In that case, what exactly does the Ronalp family hope to gain from this marriage?"

Countess Karin smiled as she answered.

"By combining our strength, we can pursue stability and development together. Of course, through this marriage, Ronalp also hopes to reduce friction with Westphalen and strengthen mutual cooperation."

Karin's answer sounded as empty as something written by an AI.

Apparently, she had no intention of revealing the real substance behind it.

But I wasn't going to simply let that slide.

Come on. Tell me what you really want.

I remained silent and stared at her.

Karin looked slightly flustered before falling into thought.

After considering it for a moment, she carefully spoke.

"Hmm. We would like Marcel to share its port and related facilities in a way that contributes to Ronalp's economic development. We would also like both territories to cooperate in developing the Great Forest and promise mutual support whenever necessary. We want those two points written specifically into an 'Alliance Agreement.' Would that answer your question?"

I already knew that Ronalp had its eyes on Marcel's port.

But this was the first time I'd heard that Ronalp also planned to develop the Great Forest.

There were three territories in the southeastern part of the Kingdom of France that bordered the Great Forest.

Marcel, Ronalp, and Dijon.

And now both Marcel and Ronalp were preparing to develop the Great Forest.

So they want to expand their territory in the end.

If we don't form an alliance, they really might invade us.

I nodded and asked one more question.

"Then what changes would Marcel gain from this arrangement?"

Countess Karin answered with a smile.

"Through a marriage alliance with Ronalp, Marcel would gain a powerful supporter. With that foundation, Marcel would be able to achieve stable growth. Furthermore, a friendly relationship between Ronalp and Marcel would send a positive signal to the surrounding territories."

Another empty answer.

What the hell? Is this woman really an AI?

I stared at Karin again, but this time she said nothing more.

That probably meant there wasn't any special benefit for Marcel.

I tried to read between the lines of all those empty words.

Even if the surrounding territories start circling Marcel like hungry jackals, Ronalp's powerful military will protect us.

Is that what she's saying?

If I signed an alliance agreement exactly according to Karin's proposal, Marcel's actual benefit would be—

Nothing.

We simply wouldn't suffer a loss.

To give an example, it was like becoming friends with the toughest guy in the neighborhood.

You helped him with his work and received fair payment for it.

But that was it.

The guy wouldn't even buy you a meal.

It won't be easy to squeeze any real benefit out of this.

I'll have to find another trick.

I sighed before speaking.

"Haah... In any case, I understand. However, as I already said, accepting this marriage alliance isn't entirely my decision."

"My mother will be the one to judge the matter, so I'll make sure to pass your proposal along to her."

Countess Karin nodded with a smile.

"Thank you. I also hope this matter can be settled without any trouble."

And with that, our discussion about the marriage alliance came to an end.

For the remaining time, Countess Karin and I dropped some of the formalities and passed the time with light, pleasant conversation.

Eventually, the time came for Countess Karin to leave.

"Oh, there's one more thing."

I looked at her.

"If I eventually form marriage alliances with other territories as well, the number of wives and concubines I have may increase. Have you taken that into consideration?"

She smiled as she answered.

"Of course. You're someone who occupies an important position. One or two marriages probably wouldn't be enough."

From the perspective of the political situation across the northern continent, Marcel wasn't located in a particularly important place.

But from Ronalp's perspective, Marcel was extremely important.

It was a foothold that gave Ronalp access to the sea.

"There's an old saying that comes to mind."

I smiled slightly.

"Without the lips, the teeth grow cold."

In geographical terms, I meant that Ronalp would struggle without Marcel.

"Hoho."

Karin smiled.

"But losing one's lips doesn't mean one will die."

Marcel might be important, but she was saying Ronalp could still survive without it.

Karin Ronalp.

She's difficult to understand.

She's intelligent, but she doesn't seem particularly practical.

Still... if Ronalp ever becomes our enemy, I'll have to put her near the top of the assassination list.

When I fell silent, Countess Karin didn't wait for an answer.

She stood up.

"I'll report to Count Ronalp that our private discussion went well. The rest will depend on you, Viscount Marcel."

I stood up as well.

"Then I'll assume all those little troublesome activities will come to an end."

I was telling her not to try any more stupid tricks.

Countess Karin smiled and lowered her head politely.

"Of course, Viscount Marcel."

"Oh, right. What are you planning to do with Henri Bron?"

I was asking about Henri, the administrator who had once served as acting lord.

"We've decided to send him to the Palatinate territory as a liaison officer in five days."

Karin smiled.

"Of course, we don't particularly care whether he actually reaches Palatinate."

She said it with a smile.

In other words, she wouldn't care even if I got rid of Henri along the way.

The moment relations between the two territories changed, Henri—the Ronalp spy—became disposable.

Then, as Karin left the reception room, she gave her final farewell.

"I hope we'll have another chance to meet."

"I'll look forward to it."

Naturally, it would be absurd for a lord to personally see off someone officially visiting as a maid.

So I didn't bother leaving the reception room.

Inside the carriage returning to Ronalp territory.

Countess Karin asked the head maid a question.

"What do you think of Viscount Marcel?"

"He is perceptive, politically skilled, and ambitious. I almost feel that being the lord of a mere viscount's territory is beneath him."

"That's what you thought too?"

The head maid's expression turned serious.

"If he becomes our enemy, he is also someone we must kill before anyone else."

"Ahahaha! I was actually thinking the same thing."

Karin laughed before asking another question.

"But what if he becomes our friend?"

"...Then he would be a more dependable neighbor than anyone else."

After hearing the answer, Countess Karin narrowed her eyes.

Enemy or friend...

We'll see which one you become, Viscount Marcel!

Neither Eric nor Karin had any way of knowing that they were thinking almost exactly the same thing.

Henri Bron.

He had once served as the acting administrator of Marcel territory.

Now, he had been appointed as a liaison officer to Palatinate territory.

The administrative office had even held an appointment ceremony for him.

On top of that, they had provided him with a passenger carriage, so Henri was traveling in great comfort.

The servant sharing the carriage with him asked,

"Why did you leave your family behind in Ronalp?"

Henri snorted.

"I'm going to be attending parties every day. How am I supposed to meet free-spirited married women if my wife and brats are hanging around?"

The servant was speechless.

After all, those women had eyes too.

"Ahem. Once we arrive, I suppose we'll need to hire some maids to handle the household first."

"Make sure you hire pretty ones."

The servant almost cursed at him.

The fact that being pretty had absolutely nothing to do with being good at housework was one thing.

But more importantly—

Why would any pretty girl be crazy enough to fool around with someone like him?

Damn it. I wish some bandits would show up and chop that bastard's head off.

Just as the servant was relieving his frustration by imagining his employer's death—

The coachman stopped the carriage.

Then he spoke words that struck the servant like a bolt from the blue.

"Bandits."

Gasp!

Damn it! Have I lost my mind?!

The servant suddenly smacked himself on the head, wondering if the bandits had appeared because of what he'd just wished for.

Henri watched him with disbelief and grumbled.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Get the money pouch. We'll pay them a reasonable toll and move on."

Most bandits were satisfied with simply collecting a toll and letting travelers go.

If they robbed people too aggressively and forced them into desperate resistance, the bandits themselves could suffer serious casualties.

That was why Henri planned to hand over five or six silver coins and continue on his way.

The servant tightly clutched the silver coins in his hand, climbed out of the carriage, and walked forward.

Terrified, he trembled as he approached the bandit.

"S-S-Silver coins."

The bandit silently took the coins from the servant's palm.

Then he drew his sword.

Without saying a word, he strode toward the carriage.

"Huh?"

"Huh...?"

Leaving the servant's confused voice behind, the bandit opened the carriage door and stepped inside.

Henri's eyes widened in shock.

"Gasp! Who the hell are you...?"

Then he suddenly recognized the man.

"Huh? What are you doing here, Axe—"

Before Henri could finish speaking, the sword flashed.

Slash!

—Thud.

Roll...

Henri's severed head fell to the ground and rolled away.