169 – Eastern Franchi Expedition (4)

Earl Elias and Count Isra questioned in surprised voices whether they were very embarrassed by what I said.

“As His Excellency said, any noble who participated in the war would want to make an achievement. But, strictly speaking, isn’t His Excellency the Marquis also competing with us?”

“you’re right. But why would you want to share with us the opportunity to make a major?”

Unless the two counts are not counts of Schwein, who were my lords, it is normal to be suspicious when a superior who has to compete with them and offer to share a major with me will come.

However, if you are an aristocrat who rolls and rolls in the real political arena, when you hear such a story, you will try to take advantage of the opponent’s loophole.

Right now, even the regent, the Duke of Brussels, or the Elector Count, Maxburg, would grab me and urge me to express my sincere thanks.

After hearing the whole plan like that, if it seems really dangerous, I will politely say and withdraw, or if it is considered helpful, I will actively participate.

So, even though they have their own career as a politician, they are no match for me, who has been dealing with worn-out adversaries like the Duke of Brussels since my early twenties.

In addition, these friends are now in a state of narrow vision because of the disgrace that they can go back without making any achievements after participating in the emperor’s expedition, and the crisis that they may have to go bankrupt because of the war and kneel down to the merchants.

So, if you tell me the 99% truth and a small lie that is invisible to the eye, most of them will have a big illusion that I will really join hands with them.

I looked at them and sighed, then slightly lowered my head and said,

“Okay, I’ll tell you why. First of all, as you all know, I did not take part in the civil war because I was wary of the Romanian Empire to the east and the French Empire to the south. So, unlike the other nobles of the Eline Empire, he could not prove his true loyalty. Because of that, His Majesty is still suspicious of me.”

So, the emperor tried to change the soldiers who were the basis of my power by putting me in the vanguard and forcing me to act as a shield and anvil to block a large army of over 100,000.

Realizing that, I was told that I would be the vanguard, so this time…

I brought 30,000 soldiers to give credit to the Duke of Orléans and those two counts, and they made me suck my fingers from the rear.

Of course, I can’t tell you the inside story… Everything I said is true, so the two young guys will listen little by little to what I have to say.

Because people usually tend to gradually loosen their guard towards those who reveal their weaknesses and sincerity.

“Of course, even if His Majesty doubts me, I have no regrets. Rather, I am grateful for the grace that gave me the opportunity to serve the right emperor only after the civil war was over. So, I must make this expedition a success. Otherwise, His Majesty will not give you a second chance.”

When I, who had built up this level of power and status as a baron in just 10 years, showed such a weak side, the two’s expressions softened slightly.

After a while, Earl Ilias made a serious expression and asked me.

“In that case, shouldn’t we be doing more work? Your Majesty is a fair person, so if you play a big role in this expedition, you will clear up your doubts and acknowledge it.”

It’s not worth half a penny, if I want to clear the Emperor’s doubts…

At the very least, after marrying Victoria to the bastard of the emperor now, you will have to make this expedition a success, but lose half of your army without making any achievements.

That much should be enough, ‘Ah, the marquis will never have the power to shake our empire from now on!’ and will dispel doubts.

By the way, I’ll believe it if I build a strong foundation by making more balls and expanding my territory, these children whose heads are flower gardens…

“It’s not that I’m proud of myself, but the forces and territory I’ve built are stronger than the imperial family. Will I expand my power? Then His Majesty will think that I am trying to be independent. That’s why I deliberately refused the title of ‘Duke’ the other day. In order not to be suspicious of His Majesty by needlessly increasing her power.”

Perhaps thanks to the fact that they revealed their sincerity to the point of being servile in some ways, the two counts put aside their suspicious eyes as if they finally understood.

“exactly… If His Excellency had intended to do so, he would have defected to the neighboring French or Romanian Empire. Then they would have granted you the title of duke and pushed for a holy marriage with the imperial family… To those who rejected all of these things, we… ”

“As Count Isra said, if you hadn’t been loyal to our empire, you wouldn’t have gone on this expedition. Sorry for doubting you.”

Having said that, there is no confirmation that those guys have yet to dispel suspicions.

But still, you must be ready to accept the story I am telling you without prejudice.

In the first place, this time, he intends to throw a bait in the name of a chance to make a big impact on them.

That way, when the rotation is going to take over the Earldom of Iris, those guys will run after the feat like moths jumping into a fire.

“No. Had I been in your shoes, I would have doubted. isn’t it? They suddenly come and give you a chance to score, but who would readily believe that?”

Then I took a deep breath, took the map out of my pocket, and started talking.

“First of all, we and the enemy will fight in the Gerbera Plain between Iris and Akitel to maximize each other’s ‘number’ advantage. And they will be prepared to consume each other’s troops and try to inflict greater losses on the other.”

Because we have to reduce the number of troops to be put into the siege after the enemy retreats from the war, even by one, so that we can occupy the rest of the territory more easily, and if the Frenchmen win a crushing victory against us, they will counterattack with that momentum. This is because they can attack the territory of the Eline Empire.

So in this battle, each has no choice but to force the other to fight attrition to reduce each other’s soldiers.

“That’s why, unlike other rounds, this round will be a long battle. Because the goal of this war is the annihilation of the enemy. However, on the other hand… Franchi and our Eastern Expeditionary Force are also focused on annihilating the enemy forces in the front, so the rear guard will be weakened. So, you guys should take advantage of that opportunity and lead your knights to lightly attack the headquarters and rear of the French army.”

“If you do that, you will be able to deal a considerable blow to the main base, which was only focused on the front. At the same time, it will be able to divert attention from the Franchi infantry who are fighting an annihilation battle… If His Highness, the Duke of Orléans, takes advantage of that opportunity to launch an all-out attack, I think we will be able to achieve a great victory in this battle.”

“but… If enemy knights attack our infantry while we are out, we have no means to counter. What do you plan to do with that?”

At that, I replied with a smile.

“As a reserve, I will assist as much as possible so that your infantrymen are not wiped out or seriously injured. So, you guys, take advantage of that opportunity to set up your headquarters and come back quickly. And if Count Ilias and Count Isra’s main attack succeeds, then I will say that I played a part in protecting your infantry and rear. At this rate, I believe that His Majesty will also understand the ‘true intention of conceding public service to you in order not to be too conspicuous’.”

That’s what I said, but that’s for someone with a normal mind.

So, of course, this does not apply to those who suspect the Duke of Brussels, the regent who made him emperor, and send them to the Western Expeditionary Force to reduce their power.

Rather, he is the one who doubts why I have any intention of conceding an opportunity for achievement to others.

However, the two people in front of me are friends who possess the common sense and way of thinking in this world.

The two counts responded to me after pondering for nearly ten minutes.

“good. I think it would be better to follow His Excellency’s strategy than to suffer in vain. ”

“I will follow your suggestion. As you said, we… Even if we win the war, we will be bankrupt.”

And I spoke to them like a proud child.

“I won’t tell you to trust and follow me. But as long as your interests coincide, you can trust me. That way, everyone can be happy.”

Then, I stayed up all night and asked them how to cook the enemy… It was very specific.

If you can’t pick up this, you’re a real Schweiner.