152 – The emperor gave me the duke (4)

“Even if you only have the Countess of Helsmann in the County of Nantes, you have secured a larger territory than a moderate duke. And up to three-quarters of the Duchy of Akitel… . It is more strange that you, who occupied such a vast territory, are not dukes.”

“Isn’t the title duke given simply because the territory is large? I, Ciel von Kreutel, am still young and have never served your Majesty. Therefore, I would like to ask Your Majesty to withdraw the offer as soon as I am called.”

Originally, in order to receive the title of duke, a very large territory, economic power, and achievements worthy of being engraved in history are required, but…

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Just as everything in the world does not always go according to procedure, in the history of the entire empire, there are not a few cases given to someone who can have a tremendous influence like me, like putting a necklace around a cat’s neck.

So, in a realistic context, the Duke of Brussels is right.

The Duke of Brussels patted me on the shoulder and spoke in a benevolent voice.

“Again, you just didn’t have a chance for fools who didn’t follow His Majesty to surrender and play an active role. Didn’t you try to come right away as soon as the province of Akitel was settled? And when we were weakened by civil war, we fended off an attack by the Francis and Romanians. That’s enough. Of course, since I didn’t directly serve His Majesty, I couldn’t give up the territory… You have already made enough contributions as the Empire’s shield.”

On the outside, it’s a heartwarming sight for a benevolent old duke to recognize a young junior aristocrat…

There’s no way I can look pretty right now from that nobleman’s point of view, but if you dare to show me up like that, it only seems to mean to fuck me, even if I don’t know what it is.

No, I already know how to fuck you… It’s not that scary though.

“So now enjoy the privileges given to you as a duke. The right to marry the princess of the direct line of the emperor of the Elline Empire and the right to receive the same protocol as the collateral imperial family. The right to mint money using gold and silver. The right to disobey the Emperor’s judgment and refuse a summons. The right to freely appoint nobles below the count, etc… All of this belongs to you.”

The Duke of Brussels spoke as if enumerating a number of great rights, but it can be summarized in just one word.

‘As long as the Eline Empire survives, you are the real king in your territory. No, it doesn’t matter if the emperor interferes unnecessarily or doesn’t want to listen. Don’t draw a knife on me instead.’

The title of a duke with such tremendous rights and privileges.

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Maybe that’s why, even in Europe on Earth, there existed a country established by a duke, a ‘duchy’ ruled by a duke as a king.

Finally, even if the territory is not enough to be called an empire, it has a size, population, and economic power that a duke cannot handle.

If all of this is put to good use, the duke can feed me an unimaginably large Ulleungdo pumpkin taffy.

“I am still young, and I have never done direct service. How dare I do that! Can you join the ranks of the Dukes of Brussels whose ancestor is His Majesty Fine von Brussels, who was the right-hand man of Her Majesty Elaine I, the founder of the Empire? So, His Highness, please deliver the message.”

At those words, the duke put on a displeased expression for a while and said,

“Heh, you cheeky. Didn’t you learn that it’s polite to refuse something when an adult gives it to you and then just accept it? And it was not me who bestowed this title, but His Majesty the Emperor. So don’t be humble and just accept it. Or do you not think that His Majesty the Emperor will use and abandon the Kreutel family like your former lord Schwein did?”

I can’t help it if you want to come out like that.

“Is it possible? It’s just that other nobles other than Her Majesty and the Duke of Brussels might suspect me of becoming a duke at an early age.”

“Sounds funny. Who is to question you, whom the Emperor and I, the Regent, recognize? No, even if such a guy comes out, I will personally punish him for blasphemy in exchange for doubting Your Majesty’s intentions.”

The Duke of Brussels would know by now if I had told you this far.

That I have no intention of accepting the duke’s title because I don’t believe in you and His Majesty.

However, the duke is still trying to make me drink the poisoned chalice by taking advantage of the fact that he holds the title of the emperor’s edict.

And no matter how poison is contained in the Holy Grail, poison is poison. If you eat it, you die right away.

I spoke to the duke in a loud voice, acting as if I was really unfair, as if drawing out the sound from my stomach.

“How could I doubt the Emperor, who was recognized by Deus as a noble of Elaine, and the Duke, who raised me to this point? However, think objectively. Fighting the Franchi below and the Roman Empire by the side, I have fought a great number of wars on my own, resulting in strong soldiers and unreasonable wealth.”

A little exaggeration… Now, if I save up a year’s worth of personal income, I can buy a barony with cash.

In other words, in Korea, you can buy a small city with a salary cut.

Also, among the noncommissioned officers of sergeant rank or higher, there are many guys who can fight one-on-one with knights in hand-to-hand combat.

These foot soldiers amounted to about 6,000, and even had the reputation of annihilating the knights of Architel, who were called the strongest.

It has long since exceeded the level of power that a single count or aristocrat could obtain.

“But I am still young and lacking. Crucially, I didn’t do any service to His Majesty, and I couldn’t properly prove my loyalty. Also, like a child, I couldn’t judge the situation three-dimensionally, so I married Irina, the daughter of the King of the Northern Alliance, to ensure the stability of my territory. Of course, His Merciful Majesty… Since you forgave all of this, I think you gave me the title of duke… ”

At those words, the Duke’s expression crumpled.

It had to be, because the emperor and the duke would have tried to use Irina to bite me anyway after dropping the duchy to fuck me.

Let’s see what the name is…

‘The unilateral marriage to Irina Romanova, Princess of the Northern Alliance, was unprotected during the Civil War… As an aristocrat of the empire, you are entering into an alliance with another country at will, and this is an act that goes beyond your authority as a count of the empire!’

After saying this, at the thought of putting on a bridle and working it as a ‘slave with the nickname duke’ who does all sorts of things, the happy circuit will run to the point of overloading.

No, it’s an intention to take away my territory as much as possible. look at my mind…

But it was possible because the emperor, who should have known all of this, forgave me by using the fact that I received the dukedom… the heat will spread

“Nevertheless, being forgiven doesn’t mean the sin is gone, does it? So, some of them will say this. If Ciel von Kreuttel became a duke, he would use that power to join his wife’s family, the Northern Alliance. Of course, I don’t think the wise Emperor and His Highness the Duke would believe that… .”

Usually, when I say this, I’m saying that you 100% think so.

But even I, who say this, do not think that the emperor and the duke would believe such nonsensical rumors.

Because, if I had thought of that, I would have said, ‘I’m going to the north because the Emperor of Elaine couldn’t protect me, a vassal, from the invasion of Romania and France’ and would have run away.

However, the Emperor’s power can gather and turn each one of those instigations into facts, impeaching and subjugating me.

Because this is a world ruled by the principle of presumption of innocence, as in Korea, but by the principle of presumption of guilt and the supremacy of the emperor.

“Still, as a vassal of His Majesty, I cannot bear to harm the high reputation of the honorable Emperor with these rumors. Also, I’m still young. So, if Deus allows it, there will be an opportunity to perform even greater feats in the future.”

The duke shook his head as if he was fed up after I talked about his plans as if he were revealing them all.

“As you said, I do not doubt the loyalty and faithfulness of me and Ciel von Creutel, the Emperor. However, other nobles… As you said, you may doubt it. Considering that, I can’t help it.”

“I feel very sorry too.”

“Instead, I would like to propose a marriage alliance to deepen our relationship with you. to choose Either the princess of His Imperial Majesty’s concubine or my granddaughter. Which one would you choose?”

As expected, it prevents me from lowering the dukedom, so I put a bell around my neck even if I use this method.

However, to avoid being surrounded by the three countries of Elaine, Franchi and Romania…

“good. Then, please promote the marriage of my brother Ron von Kreuttel, who is a member of our family, and the daughter of His Highness’s family.”

“I can’t believe it’s not my marriage to you.”

“I don’t have a son right now. So, if something happens to me, this guy will be the successor. And no matter how much the daughter of His Majesty’s Majesty’s concubine or the granddaughter of the duke’s lineage is like Ella to me… Isn’t this better than giving her as a concubine of a lower position than Ella?”

At that, the duke grabbed his head and said.

“great. Then let’s marry one of my concubine’s daughters as Ron’s true wife.”

“thank you. Then I’m very tired, so may I go in?”

The duke waved his hand at my words and said.

“Go ahead.”

“I’ll see you at the imperial palace.”

After saying that, I left the room.

**

After Ciel von Kreuttel, the biggest wall in my life, left the room, my son opened the door and came in, saying excitedly:

“Father, I have finally persuaded Count White! Now, as my father had prepared, once Earl Creutel receives the dukedom, he will be impeached immediately.”

Normally, my son, who was still only 30 years old, would have praised me greatly for changing the will of the cunning raccoon-like count who has been in politics for over 60 years.

Because no matter how much he had the halo of being the heir to the ducal family and the advantage of an advantageous situation, he had attracted a formidable enemy who fought almost equally on the same political stage as me to my side.

When I was that age, all I could do was mediate disputes between my vassals under my father’s orders.

That’s why I always feel proud when I see a son like that.

But now I just didn’t feel like it.

“Yeah, well done.”

He asked in a worried voice as if he understood that I was worried.

“What are you doing? Are you in poor health?”

“no. no. I just got beaten by that goddamn Kreutel guy again.”

“… … . father.”

A proud son in front of me. No, a guy with much better qualities than when I was that age, looked at me with a worried look.

However, it is the guy that worries me more.

Because Creutel’s capacity as a monarch, his political power, and his abilities are all so excellent that he can play with me now, but my son, Brown…

It would be nothing more than a plaything for Count Creutel.

If it turns out to be a confrontational relationship, Brown will never be able to get out of his grasp.

The guy in front of me just clenched his teeth at those words and didn’t say anything more.

“I can’t help it. He is far more competent and superior than our ancestor… Because he is a madman who moves history by himself.”

“father… But, are you going to keep being treated like this by a mere count?”

“Calm down. Even though I’m inferior to him, I’ve been sharpening my sword for five years since he became the Count of Nantes. And sharpening my knife, if I were the Ciel von Kreuttel I had admitted… I’m afraid that even if I receive a letter saying that I will be granted the duchy, I’ll avoid my dagger right away… I have prepared separately.”

At that, my son looked at me with respect and said,

“What is it, Father?”

I just wanted to tell you, but I think letting him find out this much will help him grow a little more…

I just laughed and gave an answer that had nothing to do with his question.

“It’s a way to drain Count Ciel von Kreuttel’s forces tremendously without giving him a reason to take revenge even if he knows we did it. I’m going to give a lesson to someone who is so good that he doesn’t pay attention to the tricks of an incompetent guy like me.”