Hero without Blood or Tear

A week of diplomatic war ensued after that, but it was no competition as we were overwhelmingly victorious.

“My lord, it is so easy to go against the panhandling poor bastards!”

And Kalione has become part of the swamp in that short one week period of time. I felt guilty about it.

“Oh, right…..”

I feel guilty toward dead Keyumarus. At least, your daughter will not be swindled by anyone.

“My lord, the whole world looks like a place of gambling, now that I know how well money works.”

Was it not said that an apprentice would overtake her teacher. Rather than getting swindled, she even showed signs being a scam artist.

To her father… I am sorry…. I am sorry….

Kalione showed high level of satisfaction with what I taught here on diplomatic rhetoric. She seemed to be actually looking for a project to practice it. However, she had other things that she had to attend to.

“Kalione, put on your dress. Women have battle field of their own.”

“Aaaak! Are you finally intending on sending me to the high social circles?”

“I have been dismissing so many invitations for a week, now. I ran out of excuses.”

“However, I have allergic reactions to places like that! A heroine should not ignore the battle field, but ride the horse…. Ouch!”

I slapped her forehead quickly.

“Stop reading those bloody hero stories.”

“What are you saying? The workings of the world are there.”

For crying out loud, why was she so infatuated with the hero stories.

“I will be a hero who will lead during turbulent times. I originally intended to dedicate only a part of my life, but after your teachings, I’ve changed my mind.”

What was it…. At this moment, there was some aspect of Jojo in Kalione?

“Enough. Hurry up and pick out a dress. Others are complaining that they do not have expensive clothes to wear, so why is our child acting like this! I am asking you to pick out the most beautiful clothes in all the empire, for god sakes!”

“My lord, I do not like dresses.”

“Foolish! If your mind is set on being a heroine, do you not know that you must at least be well known in the high society circle.”

“How can such argument be made?”

“Gosh, this is why young girls are!”

Clicking my tongue, I explained to her the power of pillow talks.

“You are eventually going to be a female lord, no? Why can’t you see that you will have great influence to the wives of your servants when you become well familiarized with the high society?”

“My goodness!”

Kalione’s mouth opened wide as if she was in shock.

“During the day, you would have them obey you as their lord, and in the evenings you would use their wives to influence them. Then you will completely be in control of your servants. Kalione, this is the road to being a heroine.”

“That’s fantastic!”

Kalione seemed to be very impressed by it. Closing her eyes slowly, she shuddered. Then she murmured, “Certainly nothing compares to the lord’s vicious ideas. I still have a long way to go.”

Hey. I heard it all.

“I was shortsighted.”

“Then you will pick out a dress?”

“Yes, my lord. I’ll do my best.”

Hugh…. Was I finally getting through her.  I was sighing, but when I heard what Kalione said as she left, I couldn’t help, but cover my face with my hands.

“Don’t worry! My lord! Such easy women are easy and can be black mailed in a heartbeat!”

“…..”

Oh my. Gosh.

Who did she take after to be like that!

There is an old saying that the fish stinks from the head. My heart was as pure as the spring water from the high mountains and the deep valleys, so how did she get so muddied.

I could not understand it at all.

******

Having entered the palace, I was on my way to pay the emperor a visit. While passing through the beautiful corridor, I talked to Kubalt.

-What are the Rajter bastards doing?

-They are in a fit of rage. It is said that screams do not cease at the place that they are staying at.

That was so vividly clear to me.

-They thought that things were going in their way, until you showed up, and messed everything up. They have already gathered intel on the person of Valersted Valer.

-It will be of no use. It is already too late to turn things around.

We are a step ahead as we are on our way to meet the emperor, already. A servant has led me to one of the emperor’s office. A man of seniority with impressive mustache welcomed me when I entered.

“Long live the emperor! I came upon your calling.”

“Hahaha, come in.”

He rose up with a slight smile and pointed me a chair next to the fire place.

“It’s rather a cold day.”

“However, the citizens of Vienne are staying warm as if they do not seem to have any shortages of firewood. It is all due to your grace, Your Highness.”

“Having had a territory of a demon king succumbed to me last year helped. Well, I’ve heard that you have something to tell me.”

The emperor must have already heard what I was going to say. Perhaps, that’s why he went direct to the chase.

“Your Highness. I beg you to lift embargo on Roselant. In its place, I beg of you to order an embargo on Altfelberk.”

“What would I be gaining with that move?”

“There will be two big things. My lord.”

“Speak.”

“First of all, the biggest benefit out of it is that it would be possible to make an alliance with the rose demon queen Roelin.”

The emperor cringed when he heard me.

“What I wish from her is simple. Until then there is no reconciliation.”

“You will get what you want, my lord.”

“Hm?”

“I have personally received a written letter from her.”

I brought out a tightly sealed letter from Roelin from my inner pocket. After opening that, the emperor changed his expression.

“Oh? Roelin is committing 50,000 Florins per year as a gift to me!”

I was also commissioned to be the arbitrator between the emperor and Roelin, this time. This proposal was such that both sides could benefit from it.

50,000 Florins was a pocket change for Roelin. Nothing would be better for her if she could cause calamity on the successor of the demon king Odgarsh through the emperor. On top of that, she would have the embargo lifted.

The emperor, too, could save his face, and would collect money every year. He would be quite open to that.

“Yes, Your Highness. The citizens of Vienne will praise you as you would reach a peace treaty and collect taxes each year, at the same time.”

Of course, in the official document, it would be recorded as a gift for the sake of Roelin’s dignity.

“And what is the other benefit?”

“The second one is that by initiating an embargo on Altfelberk, your authority can be demonstrated throughout all the regions.”

The current objective of Frantz, the 4^th, was very clear. He longed to be the emperor of not just the demon races, but of all the beings residing in the empire. Someone like that, it would be unlikely that he would let a chance of pressuring a demon king slip through.

“But, isn’t the justification weak? I heard about the past events with respect to princess Kalione. However, that’s for the demon kings to deal with, as far as I’m concerned.”

Justification could be made, that was all. I took out a report that I had prepared earlier.

“Your Highness. Recently, Altfelberk has declared war on the demon dragon Schwarztoyel, and they are mobilizing a military force.”

“I’ve heard that, too.”

“But, the mercenaries that have gathered for that purpose are looting the neighboring territories. All those who have been victimized are Your Highness’ subjects.”

I reported, pointing to the map that was drawn as part of the report. It was the summary report of several barons’ territories near Altfelberk which were being pillaged. Most likely, it wasn’t because the gathered mercenaries were ordered by Tero, the son of the demon king Odgarsh.

It was only that they weren’t experienced in managing the mercenaries. However, it was a sufficient enough justification. The emperor put on a big smile.

“How dare they! Unsavory bastards.”

“That’s right. Your Highness. The subjects of the empire are waiting for your protection.”

As a good enough justification was found, the emperor’s face brightened. He must have been thinking about how to get involved, in the first place.

“I shall interject. Do not worry. I’m the father of this empire’s people.”

“Your graciousness sees no bounds, Your Highness.”

“At any rate, you are quite useful. Actually, I already knew it when you came to Vienne by placing a princess of a demon race as the face of your delegation. Thanks to you, the anti-demon sentiment has subsided quite a bit.”

Certainly, he read me already. The reason for bringing Kalione here was because the anti-demon sentiment was on the rise since the past incidents at Glossglochner. The princess with her absolute beauty has subdued those feelings with her appearance and grace. I didn’t call her a strategic weapon for nothing.

“Anyway, who are you working for? The demon dragon? Or the rose demon queen?”

Since I used to fight with the demon dragon, and also acted as an arbitrator for the demon king, the emperor must have been very curious to know who I was working for. However, I decided to not give a clear answer.

“I, Valersted Valer, only serve you as your subject, Your Highness.”

“You’re a very slippery person. However, it sounds pleasant. Alright. Then can I expect your help when I may need support from you in the future?”

“Of course. Your Highness.”

As long as you are in the king’s throne.

“Good. I’m happy with our talk today. Go back and wait for the result.”

“Thank you for your graciousness. Your Highness.”

A few days later, the emperor issued a new royal order. It was with respect to lifting the economic embargo on Roselant. Going a step further, he clarified that he had nothing to do with the legal proceedings that were currently taking place in Saltzburg.

Since that has been going on prior to the royal order, he even recommended for an amicable agreement between the parties. As expected, the Rajter knight family revolted. However, the emperor did not even lend an ear to them.

“Kalione. That situation is called flowing down with the river.”

“Of course! My lord. I think it is also appropriate to say that how far it will go is not known, either.”

I said that I’d leave Vienne, at this time.

“I’ll follow you anywhere. My lord.”

“No. You are to remain in Vienne.”

Taking out 30,000 Florins out of the magic pouch, I handed them to her.

“While you remain in Vienne, do grow the network within the high class. You may spend all this money.”

“But, my lord. I would rather follow you than stay in a place like this.”

I appreciated her thought, but I shook my head.

“Think of it as an investment, and also training for the future. You will be a lord someday. That means, you will live in the empire by butting heads, so when there is a chance, it will be good to expand your network. Also, you have been overly protected all your life. Stay here and build experience.”

“My lord…..”

The elites that Roelin has dispatched were protecting her. There won’t be any mistake, I hope. I also told her how she should act after I leave.

“When you think that you’ve reached certain level of success in Vienne, go to Roselant. There, bring the former servants of your father and grow your circle of power.”

“Yes, my lord. It hurts to be separated from my lord, but I’ll do my best.”

“Do work hard.”

I got on Philly and headed to Dresden on the next day. It was because Bellia merchant was there. Two months ago, I promised the head of the Bellia merchant that I would bring back a medicine for his son. I was keeping that promise now. Once this was taken care of then the Rajter knight family would be completely isolated.

Originally, the economic embargo had the following structure.

Emperor VS Bavarian Feudal Lord

Saxon Feudal Lord Niederbayern Feudal Lord

Salzburg Archbishop Demon Queen Roselant

Rajter Knight Family Ignis Merchant

The empire’s total interest was on the great 4 vs. 4 matches. However, the emperor has removed himself. Then the emperor’s agent Salzburg Archbishop would soon exit as well.

From this, if the Saxon feudal lord who has been protecting Bellia merchant was to exit, Rajter knight family would certainly be faced with the worst possible situation.

In a blink of an eye, it would become 1 vs. 4. He would most likely lose his mind. Then ultimately, they will propose a negotiation in humiliating circumstances and terms.

However, I absolutely had no intention of entering a negotiation. A dog that bit a human once will always bite. I intended to erase the Rajter knight’s territory and make it my own land.

It would work out well if I make Walpurgis, the countess of Niederbayern, as my lord. I was thinking about receiving a knighthood from her, anyway.

-Roelin.

-Oh. Duke Valer. What’s going on?

-Please relay a message to the countess of Niederbayern. Please ask her to put together a military.

There was no longer a need for any delays due to negotiation. It was because now, all the parties involved in that negotiation will soon go up in flames.