143 – Duchy of Architel Absorption Operation (1)

On the morning of a week after the meeting with Duke Akitel, Duke Akitel and I gathered our soldiers and regrouped on the plains of Waine.

Even though they gathered soldiers, it was not to start a war, but to declare an end to the war in front of the priest.

So, the faces of the victorious soldiers were very bright, and they were all chatting in anticipation of the prizes they would receive after the war.

“I think our battalion commander will receive the estate now, right? Then there must be something falling for us… ? I hope you give me a lot of bonuses.”

“What does a guy who hasn’t even been married save a lot of money for? Are you thinking of making a bed out of gold coins?”

“Noisy, if I get promoted to sergeant this time, I will ask the platoon commander to introduce me to a woman. If you become a sergeant, you will be able to marry a pretty girl from a serf family.”

“Normally, even if they are a little less pretty, they marry the daughters of free citizens. a pervert… ”

On the other hand, the expressions of the defeated soldiers of the Duke of Akitel were really dark.

“What would you do if you could just go back alive! Shit!!! Because I was conscripted, I missed the harvest season, farming was done 5 minutes before the market started, and I couldn’t even get the fucking money that I could get if I won the war… ”

“If we go back like this, we will starve to death this year… ”

“I’m glad it’s over. Since His Highness was defeated in this war, he will collect a lot of taxes to make up for the money and goods that went into the war. 3 out of 10 people who go back will starve?”

I went up to my seat on the podium, listening to the conversations of the soldiers that seemed to show the polarity of the war.

Every time I climbed the stairs one step at a time, the eyes of the soldiers on both sides focused.

I could see the respect and admiration for me in the eyes of the soldiers on my side, and the resentment and hatred in the eyes of the soldiers on the Aquitel side.

Then, I sat down in the chair opposite Duke Architel.

After a while, the Archbishop of Archbishop, who was in charge of declaring the end of this war, proclaimed in a solemn voice.

“As Deus wishes, Deus Bolt. Under the will of the great Deus, two lords fought for their own righteousness. And Deus lifted Count Creutel’s hand and exalted him. Therefore, Belaus von Gregorio, Archbishop of Akitel, declares Count Kreutel’s victory as your representative. Your Highness the Duke, do you have any disagreements?”

At those words, Duke Architel bit his teeth and nodded in agreement.

“Even though His Excellency Count Creutel won the war against His Highness Duke Architel, he holds the life and death rights of those soldiers. However, Deus hates unnecessary killing. So please stop killing and save their lives.”

Hearing that, I slightly bowed my head to the Archbishop, who served as Deus’ representative.

“Ciel von Kreuttel, a faithful servant of Deus, will do as he pleases.”

“good. Instead, since they sinned against Deus… In return, I will pay a ransom to Your Excellency. Get a fair price.”

First of all, this atonement money is the money for the victor to forgive the sins of the defeated who were abandoned by the gods because of an act that Deus did not look good to.

Funny thing is, if you can’t pay this money, it’s considered that you haven’t properly atone for Deus… A person charged with a ransom must pay the money even if he sells himself into slavery.

So, the ransom is like a ransom paid by captives so that they will not become slaves.

The archbishop looked at the heretic judges next to him in a solemn voice and said,

“Then we will begin the trial of Winnie von Hellsman for tainting this sacred war. Bring the sinner.”

Dressed in black robes that covered their faces, they soon brought Winnie von Hellman, who was tied at the foot of the podium.

As soon as the bastard climbed up, he screamed and shouted for his life.

“Sal, please save me! Your Excellency Count!! I, I was just fooled by Duke Architel!!”

Of course, I didn’t reply in any way, and the heresy judges tore Winnie’s expensive clothes with a knife and said,

“The clothes worn by noble people do not suit those who have abandoned their noble status through the Sacrament of Orders.”

Then, they calmly put the bastard, who was trembling in fear, on the scaffold for beheading and said,

“Nevertheless, the sin of taking the Sacrament of Holy Orders and claiming to be the successor of Count Hellsman’s family will be paid with death. Also, of course, your soul will not be saved and will go to Hell like the heathen.”

In modern times, people are more afraid of being executed than saying that they will go to hell after dying.

Because, all of these people believe in heaven and hell… Death comes in an instant, but if you go to hell, you will suffer forever enough to die.

So, even those sentenced to death are thought not to be sent to hell, to the point where it is considered the duty of a lord to make sure that he confesses…

“Ah, heresy judge!! Your Excellency Archbishop!! please!! Give me a chance to confess… Give me a chance to go to heaven!!”

Of course, those words were ignored, and after a while, the ax the Heretic Judge was holding fell towards Winnie’s neck.

The ax fell and Winnie’s head flew under the platform, followed by a fountain of blood.

The Archbishop, who watched that, said with a grave expression.

“Winnie von Healthman… No, I declare that the soul of the author who broke his vow as a priest and started a war has now fallen into hell. And your Highnesses, Duke Architel and Count Kreutel, please stand up and swear to Deus.”

When the archbishop spoke the oath, the duke and I stood up and raised our right hands.

“I swear.”

“I swear.”

Even if you have to make this oath anyway, if the situation changes even a little, Duke Architel will attack you, saying that the negotiations ending the war are invalid because there are typos in the text.

Also, if circumstances change and I find myself in a situation where I have to completely destroy the Duke of Architel, I will attack with really ridiculous excuses.

Because it’s war, it’s government, it’s politics.

“good. Then, as of this time today, 3/4 of the Duchy of Akitel will be handed over to His Excellency, Earl of Creutel. However, the nobles under the command of Duke Architel will need time to organize themselves and take their families. Therefore, we authorize the final tax collection to finance the moving expenses of the nobles belonging to the territory.”

Last sign… If I were a duke, I’d definitely fuck me up for occupying the territory and at the same time tear as much as possible to prepare a foothold to survive in the narrowed territory.

I was prepared, but the thought of having to allow this made me sick to my stomach.

“At the same time, Count Kreutel can receive atonement from the rest of the nobles and soldiers, except for Duke Akitel, who cedes the territory. With this, I, Bellaus von Gregorio, declare the end of this war on behalf of Deus.”

As soon as I had said that, Duke Architel came over to me with an effortless smile and offered me a handshake.

Obviously, he was doing that to protect his honor by showing a knightly appearance of admitting defeat according to the conventions of the battlefield.

I’ve received 3/4 of the territory, so I’d be happy to hang out with something like this.

“Congratulations on winning the war. Count Kreuttel.”

“No, Your Highness the Duke. By the way, we are planning to hold a festival soon… If you don’t mind, could you teach this poor count at a banquet?”

At that, the Duke frowned for a moment, then smiled and said.

“Sorry, but I am seriously injured right now. The doctor told me not to drink alcohol. So, next time you invite me, I will go then.”

“Is that so? It’s too bad. If so, I will send you wine from our estate. Please eat it after you feel better.”

“Thank you, then I’m busy on my way, so let’s hurry up.”

After the duke finished his words, he quickly walked away from the podium, as if he didn’t want to stay in this place for another minute or one second.

After the Duke left, Baron Frost approached me and asked,

“Your Excellency Count, what are you going to do next?”

“What do you think I should do? Baron Frost.”

Baron Frost listened to my words, pondered for a moment, and then replied.

“Our soldiers and knights are already exhausted. So wouldn’t it be better to withdraw leaving only the minimum number of troops left?”

At that, I sighed and said.

“After resting here for about three days, take all your troops and enter Agincourt Castle and stay there until the replacement troops arrive. Otherwise, bigger problems will arise.”

Yes, things like Duke Architel and the other Toho factions cheating…