Mysterious Job Called Oda Nobunaga - 147

The next day, a messenger announced that a guest had arrived.

“Count Soltis of Shara is here.

“Yes, I knew that.”

Of course, the trumpeters had heard of the movements of Soltis Nistonia. However, there was no way they would betray us now, so we were really just checking the location.

“The most prestigious temple in the land will be the site of the meeting. He’s in a position to be my father-in-law. Please treat him with the utmost courtesy.”

I had a room in the temple made up for the meeting. I’ve also prepared a bottle of wine to show my appreciation.

Solstice Nistonia was a little tired from the long expedition, but her expression was dignified with a good amount of tension and exuberance.

It was probably because they had been winning many battles. It is an old saying that while you are winning, you do not feel tired so much. On the other hand, if even a piece of land is taken away from you after a fierce battle, your heart will be broken as well. There have been many generals in the past who died within a few months of retreating from a battle without an arrow wound.

Some of the documents say that they died of exasperation, but I would rather say that they died in agony.

“Count Shahrah, I am sorry to hear about your sweeping battle as if you were going through an uninhabited wilderness. It was so exciting just to hear your report.

“It is only that the former royalists originally came to be in charge only of the regent’s army. Few would have thought that I would invade from the north. It was all thanks to your planning.

I poured a glass of wine into Solstice Nistonia’s glass.

“I have thought out a plan, but it is Count Shara’s credit that he has defeated the enemy. You should be very proud of yourself. Perhaps this is the greatest military achievement of the House of Nistonia.

“It will depend on the future, though, if you will be awarded for your military service in the future.”

Solstice’s expression hardened a little.

It was not that Soltis had joined us here only to celebrate the victory.

“First of all, the war is going our way. For the time being, we will take effective control of the lands we have acquired. I’ve sent a tax collector to collect the taxes.

“In other words, all the land you have taken this time will be yours, Your Excellency the Regent.

I shook my head deliberately.

“No, I’m only borrowing it. We are in the middle of a great battle for national prestige. It is too risky to let an unpowerful lord rule over a land that could be attacked by the former royalists at any moment.

Soltis knows what I’m trying to do. But, “Yes. There is nothing strange about it,” I replied.

“If you and your faction hold the provinces up to the Straits of Sanad, then most of the lands west of the straits that are not held by the former kings will be within your sphere of influence. No doubt, it would be a territory that no other lord could compete with.

“Yes. I intend to completely subjugate all the lords east of the capital in due course.”

Once we have all the military power in the country, the rest is up to us.

“Just …… how does His Majesty the King feel about this …… matter?”

I can understand why Solstice’s face clouded over.

“By inner thoughts, I mean my true feelings. In a word, it’s not going to be fun.

I didn’t have to hide it, I admitted it right away.

“The regent easily defeated an opponent whom he himself defeated, and he would not give up the lands he liberated from the former royalists. You want the former royalists to be defeated, but you think that this is an obstacle and a bump in the road.

“If so, what move would His Majesty make ……?　I don’t think it’s possible, but …… that they want to avenge His Excellency. ……”

“It’s quite possible. Human feelings are not easily divided.”

I drained my glass of wine with gusto.

“But then, that’s the time. If you are after our lives, we will have to resist.

He was neither frightened nor angry. I will simply treat him as a regent should be treated. There is no need to give him any unnecessary information, whether he is your ally or your father-in-law. It is not in anyone’s interest.

That’s right. Even if he is a loyal retainer, it is ungenerous for him to offer his own head unless he is promised peace after death.”

Soltis is also choosing his words carefully. He is a man who has always protected his land by making the right decisions about who to serve. He will not carelessly let it be known that he is taking my side.

If he did, he would be giving me the slip. He can claim that Soltis will definitely side with him. For Soltis, it would be like having one of his options cut off.

But this is an interesting game. A regent would have such a way of fighting. It is not only wielding swords and spears.

“Well, Count Shara, there’s no use in repeating hypotheticals. We will sweep the former royalists across the straits for your sake, that’s all. I’ve already sent the officials to draw up a plan for the temporary collection of taxes.

“Yes, sir. I will work for you according to that plan.

Soltis has offered to help. With that, our work for the day is done.

“I look forward to working with you.”

I hold out my hand for a handshake. Immediately Soltis shook my hand.

“I know I’m being a bit of a jerk, but please remember that you’re not doing this for me, but for His Majesty the King.”

I’m going to be reasonable. On the surface, I will remain a true loyal subject.

If I have to fight Hasse, it would be better if I am not at fault.

If Hasse attacks unreasonably, the history of the Kingdom of Thirlwil will be closed.

Solstice sighed with a hint of resignation.

“As I thought, the Regent is a fine man. He has risen to this position at such a young age. It was a good decision to send his daughter to be his concubine.

“I am also happy to have a good wife. Please, I hope this happiness will last for a long time.

“If men with your gall had come into the world earlier, the age of war would have been much shorter.”

That’s not true,” murmured Oda Nobunaga. I agreed with him.

No, the world was in turmoil, that’s why I was able to come out. If it had been a time of peace, I would have been just another lord’s brother.