Price of Management

* * *

“Earl Kyle, the President is here to see you. ”

“Earl Kaisson? ”

Earl Antares, who was told that Earl Kaisson had visited, guessed roughly what he was up to.

‘You're asking for money. ’

Earl Antares also knew that the Horn Empire, which was raiding the Baden River basin, was experiencing a disruption due to its poor supply of munitions.

Earl Kaisson's forces and the Rompel Air Force were being bribed and informed. It was a network of information built to understand how the war pandemic worked.

‘It's not very nice. ’

After all, I came to ask for help, so I couldn't be more pleased as Earl Antares.

However, I couldn't help but meet the late Lord Kaisson, who himself came to see me. He was the emperor's closest friend, and if he slammed the commander in command of the great army, he would not know what kind of retribution he would face.

“Take her to the reception. ”

“Yes.”

The old butler disappears outside with orders.

‘I made a pact to support the Horn Empire's war, but I can't agree to demand it. ’

Earl Antares grins in disdain.

If the supply is a panoramic view that governs the view, it can be used to control the panorama itself. Hard to win, hard to lose. I thought I could control the war from behind to make it longer.

‘For now, I must refuse. It shouldn't be too smooth. We're gonna have to make it a little harder. ’

Earl Antares decided to go to the reception room.

The reception room table was seated by Earl Kyle. Sitting upright and in a respectful posture, we could see that the soldier's habit was that he was a cut man.

“What brings you to me, my lord? ”

“Greetings, Earl Antares. ”

Earl Antares sits across from Earl Kaisson.

As soon as he sits down, Earl Kaisson opens his mouth before even giving him a thank-you note.

“I'd like to discuss a military supply issue with you. ”

“Haha, you must be in a hurry. ”

“This is a very serious matter. I'm having trouble transporting munitions. I'd like you and Earl Lindell to assist me with a large cargo ship and a wagon. And we need food. ”

“I'm a little embarrassed by your sudden request. ”

“Understand. This is a serious matter at stake. ”

“Food on cargo boats and wagons.... Well, that's too bad. ”

Earl Antares was embarrassed by his actions.

The duchess frowns.

“Is there a problem? ”

“I don't know if you know, but the merchants who were supposed to provide food to the late Lord Juden during the Battle of the Kingdom of Leaden have been completely disconnected. Perhaps the hand of King Leaden noticed this. ”

“I've heard that story. ”

“We and Earl Lindell have suffered a great deal of damage and are struggling to recover. That makes it difficult for the Viceroy to hear what he has to say. You have no face.”

“The role of two noble houses and Earl Lindell in this war is immense. But now I'm embarrassed that I have difficulty performing my role. His Majesty will be furious. ”

Earl Antares was overwhelmed with guilt.

“I really don't feel sorry for you. As His Majesty's aides, we are eager to support the conquest of the continent in both ways. As soon as things get better, we'll be sure to take what you asked for. ”

…… Assistant?

Earl Kaison's eyebrows twitch.

The expression that came out of the cover-up greatly touched my plant. I was even more angry because I said it on purpose, not by mistake.

Earl Antares has now taken a stand to consider himself an equal ally in the conquest of the Kars continent.

‘That's ridiculous. ’

The late Lord Kaison's gaze subsides calmly.

‘An aide to the Emperor. Then I guess I look like my bottom man. ’

I felt like I shouldn't let this arrogant idea go. If you just ignore them, they will try to control the Horn Empire with all their tricky moves for supply reasons.

The late Kaisson decided to show him a bitter taste.

“Earl Antares. ”

“Yes, my lord. ”

“You know what? ”

“What do you mean? ”

“There are those who think they can sit in the corner and rule the world. He believes he can control others to do what he wants, even if he doesn't do anything. ”

Earl Caisson smiles coldly at Earl Antares.

“But sadly, the man who rules the world has led the army and conquered it himself. There's no way someone who hasn't acted can have something. Think back to history, to the people who had absolute power. ”

Earl Antares' face hardens.

“…… I don't know why you're saying that. ”

“I'm saying this because I have a pretty good idea what you're thinking. You want the war to be long, don't you? You don't think the longer the war lasts and the longer you leave your country empty, the more likely there will be to be gaps in digging? ”

“That's what I said.... ”

Earl Antares, worn out in politics, is unable to conceal his frustration. He had never met anyone who had taken his insides straight out of his face before.

“The king is powerful because he is powerful. There were many brothers of yours in the Imperial Court before His Majesty ascended the throne. They were mistaken that they were above your head. Do you know what happened to them? ”

“ ……. ”

I knew it.

Earl Antares had heard of it.

On the day the Priory Emperor occupied, an unknown army occupied the Horn Empire and killed all the Emperors. It was a frenzied slaughter that happened quickly in just one day.

The nobles who struggled with the stools that took place in one day became shocked and deaf.

And in the meantime, everyone was terrified to see the young Prince Yawin ascend to the throne.

That's how Emperor Kars' absolute power was born.

“They're all dead. All the struggles for power that lay in the wilderness were meaningless. I had no choice but to realize the politicians who had shaken up the imperial regime before. His power was an illusion. ”

“ ……. ”

“Earl Antares. Don't think His Majesty won't notice your insides, even I do. And I advise you, only sincere loyalty will be the only way for your two families. ”

The late Kaisson rises from his seat.

“I look forward to hearing back from you. ”

Earl Antares sits motionlessly in a white, dull complexion after the departure of Earl Kyle.

His brains were shocked by a direct hit, and someone had advised him before.

“You seem to think you can be a conquest companion. ”

Now, the wise man of Leaden has spoken.

“I won't ask you what the method is. But I want you to think about whether that approach, like Earl Wolfgang Lanchel, is not a kind of collapse in the presence of the physical strength of Kars. ”

My hands are shaking.

I started to wonder if something was wrong.

* * *

About a week after the Duke of Jurden took over Duke Meutt, an army led by Emperor Kars arrived at Temple of Night.

Emperor Kars glances at the wounded Temple of Knights with an expressionless face.

Earl Halstein, who was standing next to him, said.

“Looks like it was a fierce fight. ”

“I see.”

“Lesser resistance from the Kingdom Army than expected. Maybe it'll be a long war. ”

“Some people wish they were. ”

A distorted doll's smile spreads across his pale face. Emperor Kars continued:

“Alas for them, Jim will fight only once. And all will be settled in one fight. ”

The Grand Duke of Halstein was well aware that the emperor had never told a lie.

That is what the emperor said, and it must be done.

End of book 17.