A Famous Traitor and Treacherous Genius

61 – Duties of a Nobleman (1)

The second liquor incident.

Past.

After Crimson Gibraltar and Baroness Charlotte got married.

Saint Geo Nostrum married Carmen Morgania.

Since there were not many direct battles at the time, the empire sent liqueur as a gift to celebrate the inauguration and marriage of the neighboring king.

Alcohol flavored with various fruits and herbs was not that strong.

So, the men of the kingdom asked, ‘What kind of alcohol is this?’, But it was quite popular with the women.

To St. Geo Nostrum.

He drank it all on the spot when the imperial envoy sent it to him as a gift.

Soon he announced that he would purchase liqueur in large quantities from the imperial envoy.

Could it be that the Gibraltar Gorge is being opened?

That didn’t happen.

The Margrave did not open the canyon, so he had no choice but to look for another route.

In the end, the ship carrying the liqueur sailed through the southern strait and docked at the port of Sirene, the closest to the empire.

5 caravels.

The warehouse, as well as the rest room where Iguni and her crew would live, were converted into warehouses for storing liquor and brought in liqueur.

That much, the empire was sincere in its exchanges with the kingdom.

The empire attempted to improve relations with the kingdom through the sale of liqueur.

What was the result?

The kingdom swallowed the liqueur in one gulp.

This does not mean that he poured alcohol into his stomach, but rather he accepted thousands of bottles of liqueur transported by five caravels and did not pay for them.

The Empire demanded payment for the liqueur, but St. Geo Nostrum ignored it.

The proud empire attacked both Gibraltar and Sirene at the same time, but ultimately failed.

There were other minor incidents, but that was the end of the exchange between the Kingdom of Nostrum and the Tersian Empire.

I thought it was over.

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Due to the meeting between an imperial soldier and the kingdom’s daughter, the door to exchange slowly began to open.

The canyon was not opened.

The empire succeeded in opening the road to the kingdom.

As the tragic death of an imperial soldier.

* * *

[Crown Prince: “I am deplored by General Hayreddin’s death.”]

“These are crocodile tears.”

As soon as I look at the Imperial Newspaper, a picture is drawn immediately.

[Imperial Palace: “War should not occur under any circumstances.”]

[Where is the main radio station? Public opinion weighs heavily.]

[Crown Princess Isabella responds head-on to rumors.” She says she has nothing to do with it.]

‘You can see it just by looking at the newspaper.’

Knowing a person’s tendencies and based on the strategy he or she has developed, analyze what message he or she wants to convey to the people of the empire.

‘Removing internal political opponents through public opinion.’

Public opinion on main radio waves worsens.

Suppression of major radio waves, including the Crown Princess.

Creating a peaceful or friendly atmosphere.

‘Through negotiations with the kingdom from the outside, we officially enter the kingdom.’

Begin behind-the-scenes negotiations with the Kingdom of Nostrum.

Opening of the port of Sirene.

A memorial service for General Hayreddin with the Lady of Sirene.

[The late Hayreddin “May there be no more tragedies like mine. May there be glory to the empire and the continent.]

Is this really the will of Hayreddin, who is said to have died?

No.

‘I have bad taste again.’

Lines of this kind are always the will that the crown prince fabricated.

‘It is said that a will is the last and most splendid trace a person leaves behind.’

In reality, he probably hurled insults or curses at the crown prince, or died on the spot with doubts.

‘I don’t know Hayreddin very well, but it’s a repertoire I’ve seen so often.’

It is highly likely that the person named Hayreddin was killed by the crown prince, or that the crown prince himself killed him himself.

Ultimate purpose?

Of course it is infiltration into the kingdom.

Ultimately, we will aim for a war of conquest through military power, but wouldn’t a peaceful atmosphere be important to collect intelligence about the kingdom before that?

‘They’ll all be ripped off by the empire without knowing anything. Troop size, commander, terrain, military power.’

Topographic information update.

Gathering information about potential enemies in the event of war.

Preliminary work to incite civil war among those dissatisfied with the kingdom.

By instilling envy for the empire among the kingdom’s citizens, creating an atmosphere in which they prefer the empire even after subsequent conquests.

‘What would I have done?’

For a moment, bring up the traitor Gray.

‘Up to this point, everything has probably worked the same, but the premise is different.’

If the traitorous Margrave had led this plan, I would have definitely spared Hayreddin.

‘After marrying Lady Irene, he would have her give birth to a child.’

Rather than killing them, we keep them alive and let them create life.

‘The goal is to increase the mixing between the two countries by mixing them as much as possible.’

After giving talented men of the empire the illusion that they could marry the young beauties of the kingdom.

‘It’s a long war and war, and there are no borders when it comes to love.’

We will pave the way for countless mixed-race families where the father is from the Empire and the mother is from the Kingdom.

And.

When you stand at a crossroads between choosing a kingdom or an empire.

‘Encourage people to choose an empire.’

Whether it is your father’s country or your mother’s country, anyone will go to the empire if they decide that it is better to go to the empire than the kingdom.

To be honest.

‘If you look at it from an objective standpoint, if you ask who would be the subject of an incompetent king or an emperor, the answer is fixed.’

From the perspective of being a citizen of a country, being a citizen of a country ruled by a crown prince is not a particularly bad thing.

An empire may have its own problems, but at least in fragments, an empire is much better than a kingdom.

This is the point where I need to ‘traitor’.

“Sir Robert.”

“Yes, master.”

“How much is your salary?”

“…4 million.”

Robert, who was standing behind me, asked in a sullen voice.

“Is that the contracted amount?”

“Yes.”

“How much does it cost after taxes?”

“…60% is gone, uh, um…”

“The tax alone will be reduced further to 2.4 million. After subtracting all this and that.”

“Right?”

The taxes in the kingdom are quite high.

Correction.

It can be said to be average, or not particularly unusual.

‘The kingdom is not strange.’

The tax that farmers have to pay is about 60 to 80 percent of their annual profits.

Mathematically, it is impossible to define roughly how much it is, but if you look at the approximate ratio, it is.

It’s a rental or a side job.

So what about the empire?

“Do you know how much a person in your position in the Empire earns annually?”

“…Is that also in the newspaper?”

“Of course it comes out. The empire considers soldiers’ salaries to be quite important.”

“I am a knight.”

“I know. Knights and soldiers are different beings. Let’s say they are roughly of the same rank.”

Sir Robert was momentarily displeased that an officially ordained knight was treated like a magic missile cover from the Empire.

“They say they receive 3.5 million on average.”

“Ha! As expected. The Empire is like that.”

“The tax is about 15%.”

“…”

When I pointed to the figures in the newspaper, Robert’s expression began to turn serious.

“…”

He didn’t even say anything.

It’s obvious what you’re thinking.

“After deducting all this, you’ll have about 270 left over per month.”

“Uh, uhm…”

“But that’s purely a story about when you rose up as a soldier in the empire.”

I opened the Imperial Daily again.

“If you were to switch to the Empire, the Empire would give you at least 700 per month.”

“Huh.”

Robert took a deep breath.

“Chi, seven hundred?!”

“Yes. Of course the Empire-“

“If 15% of 700, isn’t that almost 600 per month?!”

“…This is a quick calculation. Unfortunately, the empire has a progressive income tax, so the higher the income, the higher the taxes.”

“Ah… “

“Maybe it’s about 30%.”

“…Isn’t that still a benefit?”

“That’s right.”

I spooned the somnus powder into an empty glass, then poured warm water and stirred.

“So how are you going to turn into an empire?”

“Uhm…”

“The empire has a lot of money. It has a larger population than the kingdom, and the domestic market is active.”

Lightly drink somnus tea and draw the mana contained within into your body.

“From the empire’s perspective, if it weren’t for this crappy terrain, the kingdom would have been destroyed a long time ago. At least 200 years ago.”

“Ha, haha… Well, if that had happened, I wouldn’t have been by your side, right?”

Robert clenched his fists and pounded his chest.

“Even if I have 100 left in the month, I will protect you, Master!”

“That’s touching. Saying things like that won’t give you a raise or anything like that.”

“Then give me a vacation!”

“That was the purpose. Why?”

“Uh, um, actually.”

Robert whispered to me in a soft voice.

“I want to go see Seirene.”

“…”

“Ah, that’s right! I’m just curious about people coming from the empire. It’s not like I secretly contacted them and converted or something!”

“Of course I know. Everyone in the kingdom would be curious, right?”

The rumor spread through social circles.

“It is said that the crown prince of the empire is coming to Nostrum in person. I guess he is curious about his guts.”

Imperial Crown Prince, Habsburg von Tersian visits the port of Sirene.

“Hmm.”

“Do you think it’s good to be manly?”

“Well, isn’t that a bit much? The crown prince is coming to the middle of enemy territory without any escort.”

The kingdom still doesn’t know the crown prince’s true face.

“From what I heard, it is said that his skills are stronger than that of a senior knight.”

“He must be stronger than a senior knight.”

Because he is completely hiding his power

“Even though he’s from the Empire, he’s a real man! Haha.”

“If you go by the rumors, he’s a real man.”

He is an iron-blooded man who would even kill his family for the sake of the empire he would create.

“Actually, it’s because I want to see something else, right?”

“Hmm.”

When I point to a picture-photo illustration posted in the newspaper, Robert clears his throat and averts his gaze.

“How does a boat with wheels move?”

“Well, I’m just curious! Is it really possible to travel to the sea like a carriage!”

In the photo, there were several wheels attached to the side of the caravel.

“Isn’t that the ‘Symbol of Peace’? General Hayreddin said that since warships were no longer useful, we should now use them as large transport vehicles for people on land instead of the sea!”

“Well, I’m curious too, so I want to see it in person.”

The ship runs on land.

Even if you only see a ferry boat floating on the sea, or even a river, when you hear this, you will probably wonder what kind of crazy thing this is.

“Oh my god. Hehe. The ship runs on the ground. Isn’t it just like putting wheels on both sides and rolling it because you’re too lazy to dismantle it? Haha.”

“It looks funny.”

But the Empire made it truly possible.

“It’s not like rowing on flat ground!”

“I guess that’s what I’m most curious about.”

Everyone can’t help but be curious.

It is especially unbearable for men.

‘The thought of something with wheels running fast and riding on top of it makes anyone want to try it.’

It feels like a crazy idea, but if it’s actually possible, it’s a different story.

“So you’re going to go see it during your vacation?”

“Hehe. Young master?”

Uncharacteristic of Robert, he smiles awkwardly and lowers his head.

“I’ll be sure to tell you when I get back! Please send it to me!”

“I see. Yes. I’ll show you around.”

“oooh!!”

Robert raised his hands, clenching them into fists.

“Hurray!”

“But I can’t go on vacation.”

“…Yes?”

Robert froze as he raised his hand.

“Ho, is this a business trip?! Is that so? It’s part of your job to see it in person, and you’re also paying for the trip?!”

“No.”

“…Master?”

“Your job is to continue to be my escort.”

I extended my clenched fist towards Robert.

“I’m going.”

“…oooh!!”

Robert cheered and extended his fist toward me.

“As expected, young master! I will personally sit in the driver’s seat and pull your carriage!”

“There is no need for that. The Lord can just mount a horse and follow, and the driver will be an expert.”

“…Master.”

Robert’s expression began to harden as he bumped his fist.

“Surely, all of Gibraltar is going?”

“No. Just me.”

I am the only one who goes to the South.

“Instead, follow along.”

“Who?”

“Just in time, you’re there.”

Beyond the window, a familiar black carriage stopped at the main gate of Gibraltar Mansion.

“Ah.”

As soon as Robert saw the carriage’s decoration, he immediately frowned.

“This is really work, master.”

The carriage of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Viscount Hex, arrived in Gibraltar.

“Haaah… It’s a long-awaited vacation.”

“For your information, there is one difference between an empire and a kingdom. It is said that the concept of paid vacation exists in the empire.”

“…You’re giving me money to take my vacation?”

“Okay.”

In many ways, the kingdom lags behind the empire.

“Once exchanges with the empire begin, these things will come as a huge shock to the people of the kingdom, one by one.”

“…”

“Get used to it in advance. The kingdom will change greatly in the future.”

In fact, it should have changed a long time ago.

“For 500 years, the gorge was blocked and the country was isolated, so it was already stagnant, so it was time for a change.”

And at the center of that change will be Naria, not St. Geo Nostrum.

“In that sense, it’s not just me you have to protect-“

* * *

“Grey Gibraltar. Queen Carmen told me that only you should come.”

“…”

“Why. “What.”

As soon as Viscount Hex met me, he started saying strange things.

“That.”

I asked him carefully.

“As a noble, shouldn’t you take at least a maid with you?”

“Maid?”

Viscount Hex snorted at my question.

“Queen Carmen will take care of her and take care of her like her her mother her her her, so why?”

My words were cut with a single cut.

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“Pack your bags. Queen Carmen needs you.”