“It’s been a while, Karla-san.” (Elise)

“You too, Elise-san.” (Karla)

Finis.h.i.+ng the meeting with Margrave Breithilde and his retinue, we took the aforementioned Karla-jou with us at once and returned to our field encampment.

She has to be treated politely, but as Margrave Breithilde’s army hasn’t even a single woman with them, it was decided that we would look after her.

Although Margrave Breithilde said that she was the only woman, there were at least maids to take care of her after all.

Once we entered the tent within our field encampment, Elise, who healed the soldiers, came back alongside Wilma who served as her bodyguard.
And they both, being acquaintances, greeted each other.

“You were working as Supreme Commander Representative or such?” (Elise)

“Yes. Father isn’t conscious anymore. It won’t be strange for him to pa.s.s away any time now either.” (Karla)

Margrave Browig was after all in a condition where it wouldn’t be weird for him to die any time.

“Umm… That kind of information is…” (Wendelin)

“It’s meaningless to hide it at this point in time.” (Karla)

Apparently she has talked about it with Margrave Breithilde as well.
She also told him about her two elder brothers staying close to the sickbed of the almost dead Margrave Browig so that neither can steal a march on the other and that she became the Supreme Commander Representative thanks to that. [Owned by Infinite Novel Translations]

“However, this expedition…” (Wendelin)

“Both my elder brothers are involved in it.” (Karla)

When I was wondering whether it was just the eldest son’s, Philips’s, order since he is nothing more than a military man, it looks like the second son, Christoph, was partic.i.p.ating in it as well.

It appears that there’s an old strife for power between civil and military officials existing in the background of this quarrel between brothers.
To begin with, Christoph’s partic.i.p.ation was only natural since there won’t be any budget if the higher-ups in the financial affairs department, who support him, don’t give their permission.

“In other words, this time’s expedition is a compet.i.tion of the two?” (Wendelin)

“At first it was Philip-niisama acting on his own…” (Karla)

The whole matter began with Margrave Browig, whose health deteriorated since around a year ago, finally succ.u.mbing into a comatose state.
While having two sons, he fell into such state without deciding which of the two should become the successor.

“Philip-niisama and the retainers, who support him, are saying 『In the first place, it’s only proper for Philip-sama, who is the eldest son, to succeed the household. There’s no need for something like the lord’s testament』. Christoph-niisama and the retainers, who are backing him, objected with 『Christoph-sama is the child of Hildegard-sama who is the legal wife. If you follow the merit of lineage, it goes without saying that Christoph-sama is the proper successor』…” (Karla)

“Currently the territory is in chaos due to the polar positions of the two and the retainers supporting them”, Karla explained.
Especially after Margrave Browig fell into a comatose state the mansion turned into a stand-off so that either side won’t selfishly fake a testament after his death and send a succession announcement to the kingdom.

“Why didn’t Margrave Browig name a successor?” (Wendelin)

“It’s because he wasn’t able to deny the possibility of a civil war in case he chose either of them.” (Karla)

It was a disturbing story, but as both parties authorities are competing with each other, he expected one side to rebel if he chose the other side.

Since the future looks bleak for those like the young people as well, the discord naturally grew large.

“In addition, they have been excluded from the special procurements of the recent Savage Lands development.” (Karla)

“You are complaining to me about this matter as well, eh?” (Wendelin)

“No. I understand your reasons.” (Karla)

If they consider their frequent hara.s.sment towards Margrave Breithilde, they should know that they are in no position to complain about being excluded.

Therefore, in order to reduce their unhappiness, Philip and the retainers from the military side supporting him carried out the troop dispatch and the rear disturbance in the Knight Baumeister territory. This is the real situation of this time’s battle.

“Distracting from the internal mess with an external war, huh…? So, which side is the lead?” (Wendelin)

“Pretty much it’s Philip-niisama. His support from the military authorities is deep.” (Karla)

Speaking of the feudal army, which consists of people with distinguished military service, supporting Philip, the war should give them an advantage in the succession dispute, that hasn’t been decided with the family head in a coma, while suppressing the eastern n.o.bles by stealing concessions, even if it’s only few, from the southern n.o.bles.
Karla, who has looked after the unconscious Margrave Browig in his sickbed, apparently has heard about such plans from Philip.

“So, did the second son, Christoph, take an opposing stance to the troop dispatch?” (Wendelin)

“On the surface yes, but I can’t say that it’s necessarily like that.” (Karla)

Christoph, who has a strong backing from the retainers responsible for domestic affairs, has officially adopted a stance of being against the war this time as there are no benefits from it.
However, as it’s necessary to grant budget for sending out the feudal army, one can’t say that he is 100% against it either since they had been dispatched without a problem.

“That means, no matter the result it will become his achievement?” (Wendelin)

“Probably…” (Karla)

Since the supply has been carried out properly, he will say 『My achievement of logistical support is large』 if they win the war and criticize 『That’s why I opposed it』 if they lose.

In order to be safe no matter on which side the coin drops, he will make insurances both ways.

“By the way, you are talking about it quite frankly, Karla-dono.” (Wendelin)

“Do you believe that I chose to serve as Supreme Commander Representative?” (Karla)

Just until one year ago she lived in the capital together with her mother while receiving only a small allowance from Margrave Browig because he was afraid of his legal wife if she entered the territory.

Even so, once they became free-loaders as they couldn’t go to the territory of Margrave Browig, they were treated as obvious nuisances by her grandfather and uncles.
Since she would only experience bad things if she stayed in that house, she frequented the church every day since her childhood and received education and teaching in archery there. Apparently she hunted in the capital’s outskirts in the remaining time.

“Nevertheless, I was suddenly summoned around one year ago.” (Karla)

It was because Margrave Browig’s health deteriorated and now that he entered his sickbed, he just acc.u.mulated stress due to the legal wife being noisy about nominating her darling second son, born by her, as successor quickly. Even her married elder sisters began to calculate how large the profit will become if they stick to either side and the crucial two successors didn’t leave the sickbed in reverse.

Margrave Browig, who saw that situation, was likely disappointed in his family for not worrying about his own physical condition in the least.
He called his beloved daughter, Karla, thinking that he 『sheltered』 her by having her live in the capital.

“His heart grew weak when he fell ill.” (Ina)

“That might be so…” (Karla)

Maybe it’s like Ina thinks, but Karla entered the Margraviate Browig territory, unable to decline since it was an order of the Margrave who is an important n.o.ble, and looked after him at his side.

“I was showered with sarcasm each time my two married elder sister-in-law-sama’s and my step-mother-sama, who is the legal wife, came.” (Karla)

Even though the one who called her was Margrave Browig, there were apparently many situations where she was verbally abused in a hysteric manner being called 『a female vulture scrounging the decaying flesh』 who came after he got close to death.

“That was terrible.”

“I doesn’t particularly matter to me though.” (Karla)

Judging from the story so far, Karla is likely a woman with a very strong feeling of independence.
She shouldn’t lose to such women if you consider her skill in archery and such, thus she simply ignored the hateful words of the legal wife and her elder step-sisters.

“How strong-willed…”

“That’s because I had barely the status of a n.o.ble until just a year ago.” (Karla)

Even though she was neglected until then, Margrave Browig, whose heart became weak with the sickness, called Karla with the selfish delusion of 『At the last moment I will reconcile with my daughter who was born by my lover in the capital before my death』.
From her point of view, it was likely a feeling that she wanted to finish it quickly, receive some reward and return to the capital.

“However, it didn’t go that conveniently, did it?” (Luise)

“No, it didn’t.” (Karla)

Just as Luise feared, Karla ended up getting dragged into the inheritance dispute of the Margrave Browig household.
The two elder brothers were kind to their far younger sister from a different mother, but that kindness was out of self-interest.

“I guess they told them 『If you support me in becoming the next Margrave Browig, Karla will marry your son』 or such.”

Either of her elder brother should have tried to gather support by saying such stuff to several influential retainers.
Certainly, it wasn’t such an unusual story either.

“If Karla-san became their wife, it would promise the rise of their households under the next feudal lord. Everyone probably partic.i.p.ated in the succession struggle frantically.” (Elise)

The rest is likely as Elise has said. [Owned by Infinite Novel Translations, support the translator]

Accordingly the top-bra.s.s of the feudal army, who made use of Karla as bait, made Philip’s idea of a troop dispatch reality.

“Philip-niisama planned the troop dispatch with the top bra.s.s of the feudal army, but he didn’t place himself as head of the army.” (Karla)

They were watching each other.

“When it was necessary to have someone from the household as Supreme Commander, I was there by chance. That’s how it went.” (Karla)

From Karla’s point of view there were likely parts where she thought that it somehow didn’t matter either way since it couldn’t be helped if she was inaugurated as mere figurehead of the feudal army or if she looked after her father on his sickbed.
Even when she was questioned by Margrave Breithilde and me, she honestly answered everything.

“You had no motivation, huh?” (Wendelin)

“Before that, my niisama’s are irresponsible.” (Karla)

Even though it would have been fine if they at least stood at the head of the army themselves, they forced that upon a young girl at the tender age of 16 because of the danger to be outwitted by their rival.
No matter how much I’m a decorative Supreme Commander, that’s wrong, right? Karla apparently thought.

“They entrusted it to you irresponsibly and the result is a tragedy…”

Even our side had casualties though it was very few. The casualties of Margrave Browig’s side has risen to close to 100 people.

If one considers the effort of managing them, one can’t say anything but 『The one in charge, come out immediately!』

“Since they have done something very absurd by violating the customs…”

Calling in even the reinforcements stationed in the rear, they planned a surprise attack while using real weapons.

Moreover, since it became a real war, it’s wrong to not aim for a complete victory as n.o.ble.

It was a reuse of stuff used by Browig’s army. In addition military officials were dispatched to cities, villages and territories of several n.o.bles in the vicinity to declare the occupation of those areas.

We decided to occupy since the situation is as it is, but it’s possible that we will be criticized by the kingdom’s government if we cause trouble for the residents by going there with the army.

If those injured parties appealed to the Browig household and the kingdom, it would be wrong for the kingdom’s government, which basically doesn’t approve of domestic wars, if they didn’t accuse Margrave Breithilde of having erred.
As there are such circ.u.mstances, Margrave Breithilde controlled his military forces while consulting with the cabinet ministers through the magic hand-held communication device.

『Work related to the usual governing of the territory, work related to reclamation and the work related to occupying territory with the feudal army. Earl Baumeister, isn’t there some spell to create a doppelganger of me or such?』 (Breithilde)

When Margrave Breithilde came to ask me that seriously while having shadows below his eyes, I didn’t know what would be a good answer. [Owned by Infinite Novel Translations]

『Earl Baumeister, please lend Thomas-san and his unit to me.』 (Breithilde)

They will apparently tag along to the cities and n.o.ble territories, which were declared as occupied, as a.s.sistants of the military officials.
Given that they are men from the east to begin with, there are many among them who know this area well. There were also the circ.u.mstances that a lot of work would be generated for the military officials who were scheduled to be placed there afterwards.

『Since all of them ended up as your group’s prisoners, Earl Baumeister, it seems they are short of hands to govern the areas.』 (Breithilde)

It was an unexpected by-product.
With us capturing the family heads and their retainers in the previous conflict concerning the concession disputes, people to govern the areas are now missing.

『Since all’s fine in a state of occupation, they will be send to help with the governing work as it’s a military administration.』 (Breithilde)

『I just thought of it now, but we are also keeping the soldiers in custody, right? Is that alright?』 (Wendelin)

If one looks at the Baumeister household, one will understand that there are many ordinary farmers serving as soldiers in the feudal armies.

The territories of the n.o.bles, who partic.i.p.ated in this time’s dispute for the eastern camp, were in danger of their ruling systems breaking down.

『It can’t be helped…』 (Wendelin)

I have decided to send them all back to their territories.

All of it belonged to Katharina and me, including the ransom, but after they accepted the calculated standard price of Viscount Knappstein, we came to an agreement with them.

We have entrusted calculation of that to Viscount Knappstein as well since our time is too valuable by now.
Because he is the type of n.o.ble who is a diligent bureaucrat, we had him calculate the sum of the reconciliation money using the vast amount of precedents in the past as standard.

『How about these conditions?』 (Knappstein)

『I have no particular objections.』 (Breithilde)

『Me neither.』 (Wendelin)

With me, Margrave Breithilde and Viscount Knappstein being present, we carried out the negotiations after inviting the n.o.bles, whose retainers and soldier had been turned into prisoners, and the n.o.bles, who had become prisoners themselves, both parties didn’t have any objections.

Judging that they don’t have the leeway to negotiate in a stingy manner regarding the reconciliation money, they accepted the compromise settlement from our side.

『Because of that, we’d like to ask for a splitting of the ransom and reconciliation money, but…』

The n.o.bles of Browig’s side, who accepted the reconciliation, have pleaded with tear-stained faces for being allowed to pay the ransom and reconciliation in instalments.

They aren’t able to pay it all in one batch to begin with. Even if it’s split up, they will lead lives of being deeply in debt for several decades.

If they consider the circ.u.mstances from now on, it can’t be helped for them to become teary-eyed.

『As there was a possibility that it would turn out like this, we dispatched skilful soldiers.』

『It’s because we had this.』

The n.o.bles of Browig’s camp show parchments with a written contract, which were sent from their territories, to the astonished Margrave Breithilde.
On that parchment was written that they will be compensated by the Browig household in the unlikely event when they incurred damage in this dispute.

『Is this legally valid?』 (Wendelin)

『It is.』 (Breithilde)

Margrave Breithilde affirmed its validity.

『It’s not the handwriting of Margrave Browig, but it has the signatures of the eldest son, Philip-dono, that of Christoph-dono and several of the chief retainers have entered their names as well. At times when the family head can’t sign himself due to sickness, such joint signatures become valid.』 (Breithilde)

Such doc.u.ment will become invalid if the family head hasn’t signed it although he is able to do so, but if the family head has a condition which makes him unable to sign it, a joint signature becomes effective.

『With this it will officially confirm that Margrave Browig is in a state that makes him unable to even place his signature on doc.u.ments.』

Once the Margrave Browig household formally admits the illness of their family head, this doc.u.ment will become valid. [Owned by Infinite Novel Translations] 
Otherwise the n.o.bles of Browig’s side probably wouldn’t have sent soldiers and gone as far as breaking the customs.

『I have a feeling something like that at this point in time is…』

『Um, may I say one thing?』

The anxiety of the n.o.bles of Browig’s camp, who were present at the negotiation, is their financial affairs falling into a critical state due to the repayment of their debts, even if those are split up.

They are appealing their wish for us to wait a bit with the payment.

『They are saying that they want it to be split it in 200 yearly instalments?』 (Wendelin)

『No, master. Since their losses will be compensated by the Margrave Browig household according to the contract…』 (Klaus)

Klaus whispers quietly with a small voice in my ear.
In short, they apparently want to request us and Margrave Breithilde to subrogate the ransom and reconciliation money and demand it from the Browig household’s side.

『Such a selfish suggestion… Although…』 (Wendelin)

The difficulty for the va.s.sal to refuse their patron’s request is obvious if I look at my home in my childhood.
If an enormous sum of reconciliation money comes into existence after we conclude the arbitration between us and the Browig household later after this, the Browig household, whose financial affairs would have deteriorated, will give priority to repaying their own debts and might not be able to compensate the other n.o.bles for their losses.

『Even Margrave Breithilde won’t likely accept it. Such suggestion.』 (Wendelin)

It was natural to take it in consideration if it’s his own va.s.sal, but they are the va.s.sals of the Browig household.
As there’s also the possibility that we won’t be able to collect the debt from the Browig household in the worst case, he absolutely won’t do something like shouldering their debts.

『In other words they are saying that they will change their patron.』 (Klaus)

『I can’t say that’s absolutely impossible, but…』  (Wendelin)

『It doesn’t happen that often, but this time the situation is as it is.』 (Klaus)

There is occasionally a change of patrons due to things like affinity between the family heads. Patron subst.i.tution of n.o.bles at the border due to their involvements in conflicts like this time can be explained with precedents in the past. [Owned by Infinite Novel Translations] 
The n.o.bles, who were until now under the influence of the Margrave Browig household, which controls the east, or who were its va.s.sals, will enter under the influence of the southern Margrave Breithilde household and become its va.s.sals.

『Aren’t they completely disagreeing over things like mining rights and the usage of woods with their neighbours?』 (Wendelin)

『Even between fellow southern n.o.bles those are causes for bad blood and if those things change hands, they will also carry out one-on-one battles.』 (Klaus)

The worsening of the disputes at the border is also because the bosses of each side are different.

At the time when fellow n.o.bles of the same patron quarrel with each other they will apparently hold back accordingly.

『Their fortune is declining due to the reconciliation money and ransom after an utter defeat and in the end they had an occupation forced on them due to stubbornly violating the customs. Next Browig’s main army was defeated as well. And if I have to say any more, then there’s also the fact that the Browig household hasn’t even sent a messenger in this situation. They were abandoned without having anyone to deserving to rely on.』 (Klaus)

『Additionally, won’t they be able to partic.i.p.ate in the development rights if they change their loyalty to the south?』 (Wendelin)

『There’s that, too.』 (Klaus)

They want to escape from paying the debts by pa.s.sing them to Margrave Breithilde and me including their rights to claim the losses in the disputes from the Browig household.
Since there’s also the possibility that we won’t be able to collect them according to the details of the arbitration, it’s a request that’s only beneficial for the other party while being totally disadvantageous for us, but if you turn it around, it’s like them telling that they will voluntarily declare their joining the southern area in a state similar to being indebted to us.

『Will the southern domain grow?』 (Wendelin)

Around 40 households, which were under the control of the Margrave Browig household until now, will change their affiliation to the Margrave Breithilde household.

It’s not an era where you can gain new territory in wars, but since there are more than 40 households who changed their affiliation by themselves, this will result in the Margrave Breithilde’s household’s evaluation to grow and this will also connect to benefits if you look at the long term.

『This is why the evaluation of a mafia boss goes up by increasing their henchmen. If the fortune becomes large, they will reach the point of being able to earn money with gangster business methods*.』 (Wendelin) (T/N: s.h.i.+nogi or シノギ, includes jobs in the entertainment industry and harbour business at the front and gambling, prost.i.tution, bouncing, drugs etc. in the back)

『The example is extreme, but well, n.o.bles and the mafia aren’t that different in regards to their contents.』 (Klaus) (T/N: Busted, he is a reincarnator after all!)

Klaus adds his words without rebuking me or particularly changing his expression due to my remark.
Since it’s just a private conversation to the bitter end, he doesn’t seem to mind.

『The Margrave Breithilde household will be marked by the royal family.』 (Wendelin)

『The current Margrave Breithilde-sama is sensitive to such looks from the central government. He will probably at least consult with them beforehand.』 (Klaus)

“Since he possesses a magic hand-held communication device, it will probably be taken care of after consulting with the cabinet ministers of the central government”, Klaus predicted.

『Once some time pa.s.ses, the Earl Baumeister household will hold more than or comparative authority to the Margrave Breithilde household. Once this happens, it will naturally turn into both sides restraining each other.』 (Klaus)

It’s very likely that this comes true once some time pa.s.ses as the family heads will be different at time, too.

If it naturally reaches the point of both parties matching as restraint for each other, the danger will decrease from the point of view of the royal family.

『Being a n.o.ble, that’s really troublesome.』 (Wendelin)

『It can’t be helped since it’s something like an occupational trait.』 (Klaus)

It was troublesome to consider such future matters, but we released all of the people, who became prisoners, except those of the Browig household after various happenings like this.

Since Viscount Knappstein had a.s.sessed all of its monetary worth, everything became their debts for form’s sake.
However, all of those claims will just be carried out by Margrave Breithilde and me on basis of the aforementioned contract. [Owned by Infinite Novel Translations] 

『Won’t we have to confiscate it by marching up to the mansion of the Browig household in the worst case?』 (Wendelin)

Two hundred years after the ceasefire with the Holy Empire Urquhart it’s the first time for a conflict between fellow n.o.bles of the same country to have gone this far. Margrave Breithilde seems to be troubled by this unprecedented part, too.
Managing close to 10.000 prisoners, holding the eastern part of the Eschago Gra.s.slands, the field encampment of the Browig main army and the food storage facilities in the rear and sending occupation declarations to the cities and villages around this area, we are waiting for the resumption of the arbitration, even if it’s only one day earlier.

『Isn’t that too excessive?』

『The royal palace is baffled as well. Although they understood that Margrave Browig is seriously ill, there’s also the problem of which of his sons will partic.i.p.ate in the negotiations.』

Also, if only one side signs the arbitration draft, the other side will call it invalid. That will happen since a legal next family head hasn’t been officially decided yet.
If they don’t decide on the next Margrave Browig first, there won’t be any meaning in starting an arbitration.

『What are those two sons doing?』 (Wendelin)

『It’s also possible that the night attack was arbitrarily decided by the one in charge on-site. They might be panicking after having heard the reports.』 (Klaus)

It was also possible that both of them are quarrelling whose at fault at the bedside of the currently comatose Margrave Browig.
If they are really doing that, I wonder if it’s only me who will consider it as problematic for either of them to become the successor?

『The troublesome aspect of this problem is that the Margrave Browig household can’t be crushed.』 (Klaus)

Even if they are demoted in rank, it will become a question what to do with the remains then.

I don’t believe that the former retainers and inhabitants will obey that easily even if a new n.o.ble manages to set in.
If something like a rebellion is unskilfully triggered, that alone will cause burdens to the economy and public order of the south and the centre.