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Chapter 98: Secret Promise (3)

The next morning, they held another meeting after a quick breakfast. Herarion explained the war power of Shahatra to the three counts. The counts applied this knowledge to their respective armies and improved their weaknesses. This included preparations for the desert climate.

As Henry expected, no one wanted to take care of the Khan dynasty, and Eisen offered to take the role so that Khan wouldn’t feel embarrassed. There was no opposition because no one thought that it would count as an accomplishment. It was a transactional relationship, and there was no reason to feel disappointed since there were no expectations on either side.

When the meeting ended, Eisen was the first to leave the barracks. Just as Henry was about to as well, Oscar and Terion stopped Henry.

“You said your name was Henry?”

“...Yes, do you need something, Count Oscar?”

Oscar had accosted Henry so unexpectedly that Henry couldn’t follow Eisen out. Eisen wondered what was going on, but Henry made an excuse so that he could continue speaking to Oscar.

“I heard that you handed out ice water and food to our army and said it was on our behalf last night. Is this true?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Why did you do that? Is there something you want from us?”

“I\'m not sure what you are talking about, count.”

“Don’t play dumb. You gave away too much for it to be considered a favor. Besides, ice is a precious thing, whose money did you use, and why did you hand them out to our soldiers?”

They had finally heard the news. Even though Henry had distributed the food under Eisen’s name, the counts had clearly figured out Henry was behind it.

‘At times like this, stupid lies cause the opposite effect.’

It seemed like they also didn’t have much trust in Eisen, just like Herarion.

Henry decided to be honest with them for the most part with only a few deceptions.

“I brought them with the intention of giving them to the soldiers of each army.”

“That was your intention from the beginning? But why?”

“To soothe the suffering of soldiers who would be experiencing the desert for the first time.”

“Yeah, but why would you take care of my soldiers?”

“That’s because I’m a mercenary.”

“You’re a mercenary?”

“That’s right. Before I became Count Eisen’s vassal, I ran a small mercenary group called the Million Corps. That’s why I understand how soldiers feel better than anyone else. I prepared the supplies in advance since I knew they’d experience the desert for the first time.”

“So you’re saying that you did all of this out of goodwill?”

“Yes.”

“That’s not a good enough reason. You say you’re thinking of the soldiers, but it must have cost an enormous amount. Where did you get that money from when you only have a small mercenary group?”

“I saved up enough money, and I’m now a vassal of the Shonan family, which means that I won’t have to worry about making a living in the future. I just had to scrape together the money that I already had.”

“You sound as if you don\'t care for money.”

“That’s right. I value honor and loyalty more than wealth. That’s why the Shonan army volunteered to meet with Benedict.”

In a way, it was true that Henry had no greed for wealth. Henry’s ultimate goal was not to become the richest man in the empire, but to exact revenge against the emperor and the Three Great Families.

As Henry explained his values in a logical manner, complex expressions appeared on faces of the two counts.

‘Was I wrong to think this way?’

‘He’s not greedy? Should I believe him, hmm…’

The two counts were troubled.

“Although I wasn’t able to tell you during the meeting just now, I was planning to prepare magical horseshoes for each army during the reorganization period,” said Henry.

“Magical horseshoes… Like the ones that the war horses of the Shonan army wear?”

“Yes.”

“No need! It doesn’t matter how concerned you are about the soldiers, we can\'t accept the magical horseshoes since they are more expensive than ice water. I will pay for them.”

“It’s really alright. I’m doing this because I sincerely want this subjugation to be successful…”

“I said there’s no need! I hadn’t even thought about the fighting spirit of the soldiers. Know that I will be paying for the ice and food you supplied yesterday.”

‘That’s even better for me.’

Henry had no reason to refuse the spontaneous offer. Oscar was clearly afraid that if he accepted all of the items without paying, Eisen would get all the credit.

“If that’s what you both want, I guess it can’t be helped. If you tell me how many horseshoes you need, I will have them prepared for the next assembly.”

“Wait at the barracks for a bit, I will find out how many horses we have and send someone soon.”

“Alright.”

It was like killing two birds with one stone. Not only was Henry making a profit by distributing the horseshoes, he could also estimate the strength of the army by the number of horseshoes required.

Khan covered his mouth with his sleeve and laughed.

‘As expected, he’s incredible.’ Khan could see what Henry was up to.

Henry finished his business with the two counts and returned to the Shonan army barracks with Khan.

“What took you so long?” asked Eisen as they arrived at the barracks.

“I was late because I was working with the scribe to revise the report to the imperial palace.”

“Did you hand over the report properly?”

“Yes.”

“Good job. Let’s get going.”

“Alright.”

Eisen still didn’t know that all the soldiers had received ice water and food. It wasn’t that he hadn’t heard the news yet, but he was just not interested.

‘How incompetent.’

They were all the same, but the other counts were much better than Eisen. However, at the same time, something like this only worked because of Eisen’s incompetence.

Eventually, a messenger from each army delivered a note to Henry and Henry went on his way to Monsieur and not the Shonan region with Eisen.

* * *

As soon as the two counts returned to their respective outposts, they immediately started recruiting soldiers because they knew that there might never be another opportunity to become a marquis. An unprecedented personnel recruitment war occurred in the imperial army. The two counts used unfair tactics to recruit soldiers.

“Jameson, what are you going to do?”

“I\'m not sure. I can make a living in the imperial army, but the conditions look great for new recruits.”

“I heard that the counts are risking their lives for this and that the count who has the greatest achievement will be promoted to a marquis.”

“If that\'s on the line, I bet it’s worth all the money they put into this.”

“True. If one of them becomes a marquis, money won’t even be a problem. It’s not just their status that’ll change, they’ll also become a member of the Three Great Families.”

“If that happens, will we become private soldiers of the Three Great Families?”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure. I heard that they not only guarantee your retirement but also the education of your children.”

“They said the deadline is in three days, right?”

“Yeah, since the time is so short, only the elites of the elites are being selected.”

“Shall we apply?”

Normally, the counts would be punished for breaking apart the imperial army and disrupting the morale of the soldiers, but the power that came with being the heads of Patrician Families and commanders of the spearmen and archers was incredible. However, unlike the other two counts, Eisen did not recruit more soldiers because Henry had told him not to.

‘He probably has a reason.’

Eisen believed everything Henry told him. Henry had advised Eisen before they left for Monsieur in a more strict manner than ever before, and Eisen grew even more determined to listen to Henry. However, that didn’t mean Eisen was sitting still doing nothing.

Instead of increasing the number of soldiers, they decided to increase their combat power by replacing the equipment. Each army began reinforcing its forces in their own way.

* * *

Later that evening, Oscar returned to the mansion in exhaustion after examining the recruits all day.

“Count, there is a guest waiting for you in the mansion.”

“A guest at this time? Horden, did you bring in a guest at this time without my permission?”

“I apologize. But I couldn’t refuse his visit with the authority that I have, so I had no choice.”

“You couldn’t refuse? Who’s the guest?”

“It’s Duke Arthus.”

“...What?”

Oscar had been surprised to find out that Horden, the majordomo, couldn’t refuse the guest, and now it was none other than Duke Arthus himself?

Oscar asked once more, “Horden, I’m not in the mood to joke around right now.”

“...It’s true. He arrived a little while ago and is having tea in the guest room.”

“...Let’s get going then.”

Oscar began to hurry at the unexpected visit of a distinguished guest.

When they arrived at the guest room, Duke Arthus was indeed sipping tea, just as Horden had said. He was sitting in the moonlight with all the lights turned off.

“Did you just arrive?” said Arthus.

“I-I apologize! If I had known that the duke was coming, I would have arrived much earlier and waited…!”

“No worries. It’s my fault for coming without any notice, I apologize for visiting you so late at night.”

“N-no, it’s alright! The duke can visit me anytime!”

Arthus Highlander was the head of the Highlander family, who had the greatest power in the empire. Arthus had the pale skin and dazzling silver hair that the Highlanders were known for. He invited Oscar to sit down.

His appearance was very beautiful, and although he was in his fifties, he looked like a man in his twenties.

‘I heard one of his ancestors was an elf, so the rumors might be true…’

Oscar saw his face at every meeting, but he admired Arthus’ appearance each time. Moreover, that youthful appearance was not obtained through the power of change like an awakening, which only increased the value of the Highlander bloodline. All the members of the Highlander family, including Mordred, had Arthus’s dazzling beauty.

It was also the first time Count Oscar had ever faced Duke Arthus alone, and he found it even more difficult to make eye contact.

There was an awkward silence.

Arthus asked Oscar with a smile as warm as spring, “How’s the subjugation coming along?”

“That’s right! As you might have seen in the report, we intend to subdue the rebels and restore the throne to Khan.”

“That’s a good. It is because of people like Count Oscar that the people of the empire can live in peace.”

“I’m flattered.”

“Haha, so humble. What a shame, though; it would be great if someone like Count Oscar could work next to me.”

“...What? I’m still a proud member of the Patrician Families and doing my best to manage state affairs at every meeting…”

“Haha, no. What I mean is the seat next to me as a member of the Three Great Families and not the Patrician Families.”

“What? W-what do you mean…?”

“Haha, don’t worry about it. It’s kind of unpleasant… you might have to stab a member of the Patrician Families in the back to become a member of the Three Great Families, right?”

It was an obvious message. Arthus had never had a private meeting with anyone since he became a duke, and now he was saying things like this in front of Oscar!

Oscar felt as if he were dreaming.

“D-Duke…!”

“Haha, I talked nonsense, didn’t I? I just visited today to say hello because I wanted to see the face I will be seeing often in the future. Let’s have tea time from time to time. This is my first time drinking this tea and it’s quite delicious.”

In the bright moonlight, Arthus’ smile was infinitely beautiful.