Chapter 45 – mperor and Knight Representative, Great Territory of Clostova

Arloston, who managed to secure a meeting time, promptly held a discussion with Emperor Creyval.

The requirement was the release of the two knights’ commanders and the request for him to release some of his personal funds to secure their release.

Creyval had been in a bad mood for the past few days. If this negotiation didn’t go well, he would have to resort to dealing with the financial officials. However…

“Hmph. Can’t be helped. I’ll take care of the procedures later.”

“….Thank you very much.”

Creyval, without much anger, decided to release some of his personal funds.

As the conversation unexpectedly progressed smoothly, and he was a bit taken aback, Creyval twisted his expression in displeasure.

“You must be thinking that it’s unlike me to easily let go of my personal funds like this…”

“No, that’s not…”

“Don’t try to deceive me. I get irritated just watching someone who’s bad at lying…No, it’s nothing. The Emperor’s personal funds are meant for times like this.”

Times like this… Does it refer to when the empire’s finances are tight?

【If that’s the case, there could have been a better timing to release them…】Arloston thought, but he kept quiet and bowed his head.

“I appreciate Your Majesty’s kindness.”

“Don’t say insincere things. More importantly, what about Vilgard? Have you thought of a strategy? Hm? Knight Representative?”

How to approach this…Aeroston pondered for a moment.

Actually, there is a quick solution. It’s uncertain if Vilgard will comply, but depending on the future situation, it might become 6 to 4 or even 7 to 3 in our favour.

“It’s difficult to mobilise forces capable of subduing him immediately. We’ll have to restrain him from coming out on our side for a while.”

“So, does this mean the empire will split into four? No, will it remain divided into three if it’s aligned with the Lord’s Alliance? After all, one of the corners of the Lord’s Alliance includes his grandfather.”

This was also a headache. The Lord’s Alliance is centred around four major lords, one of whom is the lord of the Linzent territory.

Vilgard’s mother is the daughter of the current lord of Linzent. In other words, Vilgard is the grandson of a major lord with imperial blood.

Meanwhile, negotiations with the Lord’s Alliance would likely be ongoing. As the imperial faction was unable to act, all they could hope for was that the negotiations would drag on or not go well.

“All I can say is, fulfil your duties as the Knight Representative promptly. That’s all.”

“…Yes. Your Majesty, are you familiar with Vilgard?”

“I don’t know. Never met him, never seen him… What about you?”

“I’ve spoken to him a few times. Though at that time, I didn’t think he possessed such talent.”

“Hmph. Not particularly interesting.”

Creyval didn’t like Arloston’s appraisal of Vilgard. He didn’t need any more competent individuals among his siblings.

“We can’t be certain of that man’s talent yet. We know that commoners can be unexpectedly formidable. There might even be competent tribal chiefs.”

“That’s a possibility.”

Whether Vilgard is merely being promoted as a figurehead or if he truly is talented remains unknown.

However, once Roglain and Barkdine return to the capital, things should become clearer.

“Your Majesty, wouldn’t it be wise to arrange a negotiation with Vilgard at least once?”

“…What are you thinking? What kind of negotiation are you proposing?”

“To persuade him to become one of Your Majesty’s subjects. Vilgard rose up in arms under the banner of imperial unification. By joining Your Majesty’s side, it would lend greater credibility to that cause.”

Of course, Arloston didn’t expect Vilgard to agree to negotiations. After all, he had defeated the imperial forces with a small army. He likely had momentum on his side.

However, Arloston believed that the outcome could change significantly depending on what incentives were offered.

For instance, appointing Vilgard as the lord of a large territory comprising the Alcarol and Dockward territories. And making his wife, Mayo, the lord of imperial territories.

This would allow the border with the Lord’s Alliance to be handed over to Vilgard, who possessed a formidable army and suppressed rebellious forces in imperial territories. It could also confine them to the border regions.

There were significant benefits for the empire but also drawbacks.

Undoubtedly, Vilgard would strengthen his momentum within the empire.

Given his achievements, neighbouring lords would seek to deepen ties with him. Even if left unchecked, a faction of lords centred around him would likely form.

Moreover, by elevating someone who rebelled against the emperor to a powerful lordship upon demonstrating great strength, a precedent would be set.

While it’s unlikely that someone similar would emerge, it would become a precedent that’s hard to ignore.

However, by continuing negotiations with careful adjustments, it might be possible to achieve a balance in that regard.

Arloston believed that rather than escalating into military conflict, it might be worth considering setting up a discussion table at least once. But…

“Can we really just leave someone who has shown hostility towards the emperor unaddressed?! What are you saying!”

Indeed, Creyval was not pleased with that suggestion.

But this was inevitable. Even if negotiations with Vilgard were possible, there was no guarantee that negotiations could be conducted while maximising their benefits and it would take time.

However, Creyval’s resistance stemmed from a simple emotion of 【I won’t tolerate having a second capable brother!】

“If we show any weakness once, he’ll surely take advantage of it! After all, not only did he survive my purge, but he also hid in the grasslands for so long! Moreover, he resents the empire that sent troops against…me, the emperor!”

“…My apologies.”

Arloston realised that it would be futile to try to persuade Creyval again, even if he waited for a better mood. So, he gave up on convincing Creyval.

■

“What…? Father is calling for me…?”

“Yes. He wants you to come to his room now.”

Lord Godrick, one of the four major lords who lead the Lord’s Alliance, governing the Clostova territory.

This territory faces the imperial territory to the south. A bit further east lies the Katzvale territory, another major territory, while the Alcarol territory, where Vilgard is based, is closer in that direction.

In such a positional relationship, Godrick, who serves as the lord of Clostova, called his son, Theodolf, to his room.

“Why would he want to see someone like me…?”

“Well…”

Godrick has several children, but Theodolf is the only one born to him and his wife. The other children are born to him and commoners or daughters of lesser lords under his protection.

However, Godrick did not recognize these children as his own.

“Well, if I’m being summoned, I don’t have the right to refuse… But it’s quite sudden.”

Saying this, Theodolf prepared himself and left for his father’s room, wondering what this could be about.

The most likely topic would be related to Prince Vilgard, who rose up in rebellion on the grasslands. It’s currently the hottest topic not only for the Lord’s Alliance but for the entire empire.

As Theodolf walked down the corridor lost in thought, he arrived at his father’s room. He called out to the man standing in front of the room.

“It’s Theodolf. I’m here to see my father…”

“『Ah, ahn! P-Please stop… not anymore…!』”

“『Bwahaha! This is just the beginning!』”

“…………”

From inside the room, the voices of a father and a woman were leaking out.

“Father…”

“『Hyaaa…! It hurts…! Ahh…!』”

“『Hahaha! Come on, come on! Hurry up and run away, or should I release it inside again!?』”

“『N-noooo…!』”

【What should I do…?】 Theodolf pondered, but the man spoke calmly, as if accustomed to it.

“Theodore-sama, Lord Godrick is waiting inside. Please, come in.”

“Huh, w-wait…!?”

The man disregarded any voices coming from inside as he opened the door. It was very awkward to enter, but Theodore couldn’t avoid it.

Moreover, seeing that his father hadn’t gone to inform Godrick of his arrival, it seemed that arrangements had been made in advance to promptly let him in once he arrived.

With that thought, Theodolf hesitantly stepped into his father’s room.

Stretching his gaze beyond the folding screen…he could clearly see a pig on a canopied bed…… no, his father was fucking a beautiful woman in the back.

“Aggghh ……!　Nah, inside, don’t ……!”

“Once I let it out, it doesn’t matter how many times I let it out, it’s the same ……!　It’s my seed, and I hope you’ll take it more gratefully!”

Godrick grabbed up the beautiful blonde’s blonde hair while her big belly shook violently.

The beauty grimaced in pain. Upon closer inspection, red stains were visible on the sheets.

Her skin was flawless, not that of a commoner. She must have been offered up by some lord again. They would pamper her within the mansion until satisfied, then send her back to her original home once she became pregnant.

Though being forcefully taken from behind, the beauty suddenly turned her face sideways. And her eyes met  Theodolf’s.

“Ah…! Ahh…!”

“Hmm? What’s this? Theodolf? You’re here.”

“Um…hello…”

Godrick glanced at Theodolf, then immediately returned his gaze to the beauty. He continued to shake his hips without regard for his son.