I Became The Male Lead’s Female Friend - Chapter 57

 

“Dahlia, this is…?”

 

Instead of answering, I began to unfold them one by one, starting with the topmost pile of papers.

 

“Five years ago, starting with the departure of Panatos…”

 

“…”

 

“For about three years, Kinzain, Stello, Lebobella, and Hilstez have left.”

 

“…”

 

“And recently, there’s been a lot of small kingdoms breaking alliances with the Empire like Ruttenberg, Grenville, East Run, Fontaine, Pretoria, Rahuela, Carthage, and so on.”

 

“…”

 

“You already knew that, right?”

 

Of course, they wouldn’t have known so much in detail as I did.

 

Nonetheless, they had to be aware of the recent increase in the number of allies left. There were numerous complaints from the Imperial Family.

 

“That’s correct, the Emperor was strong about a year ago, and the departure was slow, but, indeed, it has recently increased.”

 

“That’s correct. And more than half of those who left…”

 

I took out the papers, which had even been marked separately, and hung them up.

 

“Did you know they were joining hands with Rohandel?”

 

“No, to be precise, it wasn’t half, but most of it.”

 

Because the documents were written in various ways, from the kingdoms that officially formed alliances, to the kingdoms that formed secret alliances, and the kingdoms that decided to form alliances in the future.

 

The important thing was that Rohandel is at the center of it.

 

“Rohandel…”

 

The center of this war and the kingdom that the Empire will suffer the most.

 

It was also a kingdom that had been rapidly expanding in recent years, cooperating even before I began researching.

 

However, the Empire did not even keep an eye on Rohandel, let alone check it. Even though they were expanding, their power did not reach the pinnacle of the Empire.

 

I also thought so a while ago. However…

 

“However, no matter how many defectors gather, they will never reach the Empire.” As long as there were no accidents in the Empire, war will be easy… “

 

“The strange part is happening now.”

 

For a moment the whole vassals were silent, probably thinking about,

 

‘The Duke Bouser’s Crisis of the north.’

 

That’s why we’re holding such an emergency meeting. I spoke in a soft tone as if I were stepping back.

 

“Of course, I doubt that war will ever occur. No matter how bad things get for the Empire, we can’t just declare war because of what we’ve accumulated over the years.”

 

No, war was bound to happen…

 

“But I can still think of a possibility

 

That’s it, and it really happened…

 

“When…?”

 

“…”

 

“The power of the knights of the Duke Bouser was a big help. This will be it.”

 

At my last words, the vassals exchanged glances without a word.

 

Various emotions appeared in them, but most of them had dissatisfied gazes. In the end, someone gently raised a hand and countered.

 

“Still, the loss is too great to donate with only the possibility that war might happen…”

 

“Yes? Is it because of the donation?” My eyes widened at his remark.

 

“Of course, we have to ask for something in return.”

 

Then a light flashed in the vassals’ eyes.

 

‘I guess who isn’t a merchant?’

 

No matter how aristocratic they may be, they started as merchants, and in fact, politics or how they could make a profit was the biggest concern.

 

“Then what would a princess ask for?”

 

I said with a smile, “Part of the rights to the Knights of Duke Bouser.”

 

“What?”

 

“Why don’t we demand the rights of the Knights? Insisting on joint ownership.”

 

I continued to speak calmly, not paying attention to the people’s wide-eyed gazes.

 

“If war breaks out, we’re the most vulnerable. It’s obvious that raising money and recruiting mercenaries would be a mess, but the Knights of Bouser have hundreds of years of know-how.”

 

“…”

 

“If we help the Duke of Bouser, then the Duke’s Knights will play a major role in the war and contribute.”

 

“No way…”

 

“We can take half of their glory.”

 

In short, a vassal said, “Let’s just put a spoon on the table.”

 

If that’s the case, I suggest we invest in the Duke of Bouser.

 

It would be possible to conceal the loot, and above all, it would provide an opportunity to gain an advantage over Bouser in the power structure.

 

In a way, it was like gambling. Because of this, the vassals could not easily make a decision.

 

However, it was also completely different from when I nailed it, saying, ‘The knights’ can’t possibly help you at all.’

 

“It’s good.”

 

Seeing that, I was able to smile with satisfaction. In the first place, I didn’t come here to get confirmation.

 

It’s just my purpose to change the mood and suggest another possibility.

 

However, a voice intervened in the buzzing venue.

 

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“But how could you say that the Duke of Bouser will grant you the right to do so?”

 

It was an old retainer who had served Duke Averine for a long time.

 

“You’re right. Our problems aside, to Bouser, the Knights are their everything.”

 

“Well… there’s a possibility that they’ll refuse.”

 

That was the biggest problem.

 

For a long time, the core of Bouser’s support was the Duke’s Knights. But now will be asking them to give up the right to the knights’.

 

Normally, it was more likely to be rejected.

 

There was a high possibility that Averine would seize and wield Bouser’s military power at will, and then the balance of power that had been maintained at best might be shifted to one side and collapse.

 

But this was the only thing I could say proudly.

 

“No, they’ll give it to us.”

 

“Are you sure?”

 

“Yes, it’s not enough to take on Bouser’s loss, and I think we can take it if we want to help him get back on his feet. And…”

 

“…”

 

“Because I believe in it.”

 

‘I believe in Rudrick.’

 

To be precise, I trusted Rudrick who believed in me.

 

The belief that we will not swing the knights at will and that even if I make such an unreasonable demand, there will be something he would believe in us.

 

And if only Rudrick believes in me, everything will work out.

 

Now that the Duke of Bouser was unconscious, the next decision lies with his next successor, Rudrick.

 

No matter how much the vassals objected, the Duke’s decision took priority.

 

I smiled and spoke confidently, “We just have to think about whether there will be a war or not.”

 

Of course, the answer was decided… But only I know it.

 

 

✿

 

“I will accept it.”

 

“Young Duke!”

 

Bang!

 

A knight slammed the round table and got up. He was looking at someone with eyes trembling in anger.

 

Where the knight’s gaze was directed, a black-haired boy was sitting.

 

The boy didn’t blink an eye even as a knight twice the size of himself was glaring at him to death.

 

Rather, he asked calmly, “Is there a problem?”

 

“Problem? Did you say ‘problem’ now?”

 

Not to mention that the knight was angrier.

 

“You’ve been openly insulted, but are you okay with it as the Young Duke?”

 

“An insult? I took it as a means of helping, but I guess for you Sir, you saw something different?” (Rudrick)

 

“Help? You call that help?!” (Knight)

 

The knight was on the verge of collapse with a bubble of saliva in his mouth. Eventually, another knight sneaked into the conversation between the two.

 

“Your words are right. Averine went too far. What do the Knights mean to us, and how does it mean to us?”

 

“You can demand….”

 

“So what if you refuse?”

 

The boy’s cold voice caught him,

 

“If we refuse, there’s an alternative.”

 

No one answered the question. Everyone turned to each other and looked at each other, but the man who eventually stopped talking answered with hesitation.

 

“If we ask for help from another family…”

 

“There are already rumors that Averine is after the Knights. What if they ask us for the same thing?”

 

“Well, then, Goldman….”

 

“We’ve been rejected.”

 

A heavy silence fell. There were no more alternatives.

 

People still couldn’t take their dissatisfied glances away, but in the end, they had no choice but to admit it.

 

They were already driven to the brink, and no one wanted to hold their hand and give help.

 

Nevertheless, they couldn’t give up their pride because they had been born knights. Amid such precarious silence, it eventually burst.

 

“He really is his mother’s son. I can’t find any pride in him.” (Knight)

 

It was the knight who was shouting a while ago. Not only the boy but also the others looked at him in surprise.

 

No matter how young he was, the boy was the next Duke, and the knight’s words were clearly out of line.

 

So even if someone cut him off right away, there was nothing he could do.

 

But no one stopped him. No one got angry instead. After all, the boy was in that position.

 

The boy got up from his seat, and spoke, “Okay. Did you understand the meaning of ‘Lord’?”

 

“What? What are you…” (knight)

 

“Then let’s do it in principle.” (Rudrick)

 

Then he pulled out the sword from his waist at once, and said, “Power determines everything.”

 

His hand moved before people could even react. People’s eyes widened at the blow of the sword drawn so quickly that no trace could be seen.

 

Soon, the round table in front of them collapsed, cut in half.

 

“For your information, I recently ordered already.”