Chapter 93

"Is this finally the beginning of the arbitration?"

"The House of Blau has probably reached its limit. Since they initiated the arbitration, we won't hold back."

For nearly two months, including the period when I was absent, the conflict between the Count of Breihlader and the Count of Blau has escalated to the next stage.

In all the conflict cases, the House of Blau has lost all the rights and territories they previously held, and many nobles, vassals, and soldiers have been captured. Even the mages in their employ have been taken captive during the battles. It is clear to everyone that the House of Blau is at a disadvantage.

Continuing the standoff will not benefit the House of Blau. Considering the costs, it will only make their situation worse.

If they are going to lose anyway, they want to settle the matter quickly and minimize the expenses. This might be their strategy.

However, there is still a possibility that they have some hidden cards, so I have been asked to participate in the arbitration. I hope they don't try to assassinate the Count of Breihlader or anything like that.

"Alright, I'll count on you, Wilma and Elise."

The venue for the arbitration is at the center of the grassland where both armies are facing each other. A large tent has been set up temporarily, and each side is allowed up to twenty attendants.

The Count of Breihlader will be accompanied by a few vassals, including Blantac, a few nobles from the ducal army and their attendants, and I will be joined by Wilma and Elise.

To be honest, Wilma won't be of much use in this kind of negotiation. However, she is the adopted daughter of the Minister of Military Affairs, Edgar, and is the ideal choice as a bodyguard.

Elise, being the granddaughter of Cardinal Hohenheim, is also a natural choice. In this country, there is hardly any place where the influence of the Church is absent.

"Don't be so nervous. Today is just a preliminary meeting, right?"

It's my first time participating in a negotiation as a noble, and I must have looked unusually serious. The Count of Breihlader noticed this and spoke to me.

The arbitration is expected to take several days. First, both sides will present their own proposals, and since it won't be easy to reach an agreement, they will negotiate the terms. When it gets to evening, they will call it a day and resume negotiations the next morning.

Once a broad agreement is reached, the vassals in charge will hold practical discussions to fine-tune the details and confirm the implementation of the conditions.

"Still, the other side is at a clear disadvantage. It's about how much they can reduce the payment amount, right?"

For example, if they force us to recognize a sandbar in the river as theirs, it will often revert to its original state over time.

However, both sides understand this well. If one side monopolizes it, it could leave unnecessary resentment in the other side, potentially leading to a wider conflict. When the generation changes, a new lord might declare, "We will reclaim the rights lost in the past!" and gather support within the household, leading to another deployment of troops.

In the end, it's often better to have ambiguous ownership and split it about fifty-fifty.

"If you want to return to the previous conditions, there will also be a large settlement fee and ransoms for the captured people. The longer the captives are held, the higher the ransom will be."

Captives require treatment according to their status. Nobles, for instance, are expensive, and their costs are naturally added to the ransom.

"Moreover, the cause of the conflict is on their side."

They broke the rules and launched a surprise attack without prior notice. The Count of Breihlader explained that the settlement fee would be significantly higher.

"Anyway, let's start with the preliminary meeting."

The soldiers from the House of Blau, who initiated the arbitration, hurriedly set up a large tent for the camp in the middle of the grassland where the two armies were facing each other. Once it was done, one of the soldiers from the House of Blau blew a high-pitched whistle, and soon after, the same whistle sound echoed from the side of the House of Breihlader.

"That means they are ready. Shall we go in?"

Encouraged by the Count of Breihlader, the twenty-member negotiation team walked to the front of the tent. Upon arrival, the entrance of the tent opened, indicating that we should go inside.

The Count of Breihlader led the way, and inside, long tables and chairs were set up for twenty people to sit facing each other.

"Are you the Count of Breihlader?"

"Indeed, I am. You don't seem to be the Count of Blau, though."

"I am Carla von Blau, acting as the general."

According to the letter, the current general of the Blau army is a girl named Carla. She looks to be about the same age as us. She is wearing expensive-looking mithril chainmail, likely custom-made, and her black hair, which reaches her waist, is tied back, giving her a slightly traditional Japanese beauty look.

She is about 165 cm tall and has a good figure. Her bust size is probably between Iina's and Katharina's.

According to the information I received from Elise, she lived in the capital until about a year ago. She was disliked by her other siblings because her mother was the daughter of a poor knight, and she had never been to the eastern region.

'I don't know her at all.'

'She lived in the capital and received financial support from the Count of Blau, avoiding contact with you, Vendelin.'

Elise herself had known her for quite a long time, but they weren't close friends.

Carla came to the Church for training and to learn various things, including housework, and occasionally helped with charity activities organized by the Church. They introduced themselves to each other and had tea a few times.

That's the extent of their relationship.

'Studying at the Church, huh?'

She receives financial support from the Count of Blau, but it's not a large amount. Since she and her mother are staying with her relatives, they need to contribute a certain amount of money.

'Carla's grandfather and uncle are not particularly competent...'

Despite the difference in titles, they are nobles appointed by the same kingdom, yet they are offering their daughter for money. Naturally, she is not well-regarded by other knights.

Furthermore, it seems she is trying to secure a position by using the financial support, but due to her poor reputation and lack of ability, she is just wasting money.

Carla came to the Church, where she could study for free, for these reasons.

'Even Carla is being dragged around by her unfortunate family.'

'Yes, that's the case.'

I don't know if it's because of that, but she is actually quite skilled in martial arts. She is particularly good at archery and knife throwing.

'She's similar to me...'

'At the last martial arts competition, she won second place in the archery category.'

'She's in a different league...'

No, let me correct that. Even the Baumayster family, who are relatively good with bows, would be no match for her if they all teamed up. In my previous life, she would be like a female version of Nasu no Yoichi. However, she doesn't seem to have her bow with her today.

"I am Carla von Blau, acting as the general. I am grateful for your participation in the arbitration negotiations."

In the end, that was all she said. The main negotiations were conducted by the vassals accompanying her, and she was just a figurehead. If one of the two sons who are contesting the inheritance were present, he would be the main figure, but since Carla is a woman, she doesn't handle practical matters.

It's clear that the Count of Blau is absent, which suggests that he is in some kind of trouble.

"Hmm..."

"What's wrong?"

"It looks like it will take a while."

The Count of Breihlader sighed after being whispered to by one of his vassals and then spoke to me in a low voice. He seems to be dissatisfied that all the vassals present are military officers. I remember hearing that the eldest son's supporters are mostly among the ducal army's senior officers.

"Probably, the eldest son, Lord Philip, is heavily involved in this deployment."

The two sons are contesting the inheritance, but they shouldn't be far from the ailing Count of Blau, who could die at any moment. If one of them were to command the army and the Count of Blau were to die, the remaining son could forge a will and obtain the title without permission.

Therefore, Philip, who has many supporters in the ducal army, deployed troops to secure his inheritance by giving them a chance to earn merit. Even if the relationship with the Count of Breihlader is strained, deploying troops at this time would invite criticism from the royal palace, so he wouldn't do it if the Count of Blau were still in good health.

The thoughts of the younger son, Christoph, are unclear, but since there are no civil servants among his supporters, he might be against the deployment. According to Elise, Carla, who was called to the territory by her father, the Count of Blau, about a year ago, had been taking care of him until recently.

However, she was suddenly appointed as the acting general of the ducal army. While she was just a figurehead, if she were really given command, it might be for the best.

"Large-scale deployments related to conflicts often occur right after or just before a succession."

When the current lord's life is uncertain and the vassals are in a state of confusion, the heir might deploy troops to demonstrate his strength.

Or, to show his strength right after succeeding to the title.

Both are ways to redirect internal unrest outward, similar to the anti-Japanese policies of a certain peninsula or the designation of the United States as an enemy by a certain rice-producing country.

"However, if that's the case..."

If they had won, they could have obtained favorable terms in the arbitration, which would have been a great achievement for Philip and a bright future for the senior officers of the ducal army who supported him.

But in reality, they suffered a complete defeat, losing the rights and privileges they held before the conflict and having to pay a huge settlement fee to regain them. Additionally, many nobles and soldiers have been captured, and the ransom alone would be a significant amount.

I imagine that they might have made a secret agreement to cover the losses if they were captured or defeated, which is why they broke the rules and deployed troops.

But if that's the case, it would be a significant blow to the finances of the House of Blau.

"Furthermore, there are no civil servants supporting Christoph present."

Since the vassals of the House of Blau are military officers, there is a possibility that they are not prepared to pay even if they lose. After all, there are no civil servants to manage the budget. Even if they are, it could be a devastating blow to the finances of the House of Blau.

If the civil servants supporting Christoph criticize this failure, the worst-case scenario is that Philip could fall from the succession contest.

"Even if they are fools, they should at least see the reality..."

I thought they would see the reality, but the first day of the arbitration ended with both sides just stating their positions. Normally, that's how it goes, but the House of Blau refused to make any concessions in this situation.

They said they would pay the ransoms for the captives but insisted on returning the disputed territories to their pre-conflict state without any conditions. The Count of Breihlader and the other nobles participating on our side were furious, saying it was unacceptable.

"You were the ones who broke the rules first. Why should we suffer for retaliating?"

The Count of Breihlader's argument was reasonable. Even if they internally think the same, accepting an unfavorable arbitration would mean the end of their future. They seem to be struggling to achieve a draw, no matter how long it takes.

However, the longer the arbitration drags on, the more severe it will be for the finances of the House of Blau. It's a hellish situation, isn't it?

"If we are at a disadvantage now, we will deploy troops again and turn the tide!"

"Hmm. Deploying troops again to reclaim the disputed territories. Fine, we will also deploy troops when that happens."

Defensively, the defending side is always at an advantage. When that happens, I, Blantac, and Katharina will also join the deployment. We will use Area Stun to paralyze them and demand ransoms.

It's a very profitable business because we can make money without killing anyone.

"By the way, what is your opinion, Count Baumayster?"

The Count of Breihlader turns to me, asking for my opinion.

"For me, it's enough to receive the ransoms for the captives we and the Weigel baron's family have taken. As for the settlement fee to restore the previous rights, we can only negotiate with the noble families who launched the treacherous attacks in good faith. Of course, if anything happens again, I will deploy troops at the request of the Count of Breihlader."

The military officers from the House of Blau, who are handling the negotiations, turned pale at my words. If there is another battle and a large number of captives are taken, they could go bankrupt from the ransoms.

On the other hand, if they become desperate and start a war that kills people, the royal palace will intervene. So far, noble conflicts have been tolerated because they are controlled to avoid unnecessary casualties, serving as a kind of pressure release valve.

If that changes, the House of Blau could face the worst-case scenario of being dissolved.

"Do you have any other opinions, Count Baumayster?"

A military officer who seems to be a senior vassal of the House of Blau asks me in a suggestive tone. He is probably the one who incited the rebellion in the Baumayster knight's territory.

The rebellion was quickly suppressed, and the rebels, including Thomas, who were used as expendable pawns, are now my vassals with new surnames. Thomas even captured his real brother in a one-on-one duel, and there were others like Nikolaus who used different surnames to be captured and put pressure on the other side.

This senior officer must be very anxious about when I will play my trump card.

"Not really. Oh, I've hired quite a few people to make up for the shortage of manpower. I envy the House of Blau for having such a well-staffed household."

I deliberately leave out the part that follows: "You can use over twenty young men for rear disturbances and expend them."

The senior vassal, who noticed this, turned even paler.

There is no need for us to rush the negotiations. It would be a loss to fall into the House of Blau's plans by trying to wrap things up quickly.

"By the way, I'm thirsty. Elise."

"Yes."

At my instruction, Elise starts serving tea to our allies. The tea accompaniment is, of course, a new creation of chocolate confectionery.

In such situations, it is common to drink tea or eat light snacks to show the other party that you are at ease. However, this is only done among allies. If you serve food and drink to the enemy and they happen to die suddenly afterward, it could be suspected as poisoning.

In such situations, it is a rule to prepare your own food and drink.

"This is delicious."

"Next time, it will also be available at the store in Breihburg, according to our official merchant."

"That's enviable. I would like to sell it in my territory, the Viscount Clegger."

"Then, I will send the merchant at an appropriate time."

"That would