I Became the illegitimate son of a duke

64 – Preparation (4)

“…That, Mr. West.”

“Ines, no.”

There was a faint anticipation in Ines’ voice, but I didn’t care and immediately cut off Ines.

Because I could understand what Ines, who had read the letter from the Holy Family, would say without having to listen further.

“Leclerc, Seonghwang wants to use me as a mercenary.”

“It’s a mercenary, so it must be the Holy Empire’s case. But Seonghwang can’t draw that many tiles…”

“But its power is strong enough to blow away all the bad cards. In return, it says it will give me the coronation of a king.”

“…Huh.”

Leclerc, who finished grasping the situation in an instant, gave a short exclamation.

King.

Since the Burgon duchy became independent from the Carolingian kingdom, not only the duke, but also his servants and vassals have been wanting it madly.

But Burgon never got the crown.

Even if it was ancient times where etiquette hadn’t been established, being a king would never be possible just by claiming oneself.

However, if Seonghwang would acknowledge me as the king, the story would be very different.

[Burgon has gained enough prestige to call itself a kingdom, and now, if you show your faith in God, no one will dispute that Claude de Burgon is king.]

‘Burgon is not in the Duchy’s weight class.’

If you measure the land area, it is probably 1/4 of the Carolingian kingdom, but the ordinary principality has already gone far away here.

In addition, because the land is fertile, the population is large, and many countries are nearby, so there are many benefits from intermediary trade.

Now, all that Burgon needs to become a kingdom is literally just a cause, and the Holy Emperor offers to feed me directly…

No, since it’s the price of a transaction, isn’t it like scooping food?

“Hmm…”

Everyone is holding their breath and only looking at me.

Leclerc hesitates even though he knows better than anyone that he shouldn’t accept it, and Armand, who was born and raised in Dijon, can’t stand still with his eyes wide open.

As we saw earlier, Ines made a fuss about rushing to accept a successful offer, and at least Chloe was calm, rubbing the back of my neck.

…Huh, King seems to be a very touching word for people of this era.

“I’ll decline Seonghwang’s offer.”

But not for me.

To become a king? What about that

I am already an independent duke, and I am enjoying power no different from that of a king. I don’t feel the charm of being a king at all.

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Moreover, if I become king, my vassals and servants under my command will have to treat me the same way, and most of all, won’t my etiquette become more complicated?

I already have everything I can enjoy, so why should I be the king?

“…As expected.”

“Ugh…”

After my words are over, everyone in the office either lowers their heads or resigns themselves with a sigh, but from the reaction I showed to Ines earlier, they seem to have noticed what I’m going to say, so the shock seems to be less.

“As you all know, there’s no need to fight the Empire. If you do, it’s natural that all the preliminary work you’ve done will be for naught, and it’s very uncertain whether you’ll benefit from it or not.”

“I can fully understand your Highness’ intentions and intentions, but… It’s hard to imagine that the elders of the Burgon family would think that way, too.”

Leclerc stabs a sore spot.

If it’s enough to write and send such a loud letter, of course this news must have already been discussed at the Seonghwangcheong, but that means it’s easy to find out what the Seonghwang has proposed to me if I’m in contact with the Seonghwangcheong.

“The elders of the Burgons fought, slandered, blamed, and killed each other… But they all had the same goal: the glory of the Burgons.”

“…Yes, I know.”

Everyone in the House of Burgon has acted in their own way to enhance the family’s glory.

If their actions were violent, they even led to a rebellion, but it cannot be denied that their ultimate goal was the glory of the Burgon family.

And having a king come from the House of Burgon is the greatest honor that no one can deny.

“But this is clearly a trap, Burgon is right next to the Empire, so if it goes to war in that mess, Burgon will literally fall right into the flames of war.”

“To the elders of Burgon, the flames will look like those of a blacksmith’s forge.”

“Tsk.”

Leclerc’s words are not too cheap, but they are not wrong.

As you can see from the fact that the uncles even rebelled in the first place, to them, no, to the nobles of this world, war literally just seems like [Something].

It’s a problem even if you agree to the proposal, and it’s a problem even if you don’t agree. Ugh…

‘I can’t believe the success calculated this… No, this is too much.’

He was the one who sent letters to all directions requesting attacks on heretics in the empire without much thought. There’s no way someone like that could have dug a trap so meticulously.

Umm… Anyway, I’m in a situation where I’m in trouble no matter which option I choose.

Now that it’s like this, I’ll have to push ahead with the schedule.

“Leclerc, how is the case with Jeanne going?”

“Yes, Jeanne, who infiltrated the city of Sedan, which is under common rule with the Empire, seems to have already finished taking control of the city. Also, people possessed by Jeanne are popping out of the city, regardless of Burgon or the Empire, and are calling on them. “

…Too fast?

I asked because I thought the occupation must have ended by now, but they say that people who have become cults are already popping out of the city.

As soon as I saw Jeanne, I felt something magical, so I thought about it… She seems to have some kind of special ability.

Anyway, if the progress is this fast, it’s better for me because I can move things faster.

Besides, the Empire is in a state of great chaos, so even a tougher revision of the proposal would be acceptable.

“Send the letter written in advance to the emperor.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Honestly, it looks too shabby compared to the mega case of the king, but I can still distract my attention to some extent.

Those who are still obsessed with the king… Um… I have no choice but to do my best to convince them.

………

“Your Majesty, Claude of Burgon has sent you a letter.”

“Claude… That illegitimate duke.”

Damn… Why are you acting so calmly all this time?

The emperor of the Holy Empire barely tolerates gossip, receives Claude’s letter handed to him by his servant, and then reads the contents inside.

[The heresy rampant in the empire is spreading to the territory of Burgon through Sedang, which is under common rule. We regret the Emperor of the Holy Empire for not responding to this, and if the Empire is in a situation where it is unable to project smooth administrative power to Sedan and its vicinity, even alone for the safety of the Principality of Burgon—-]

“…Kuh.”

The emperor, worried that he might participate in the madness of Burgondo, reads the correspondence and the more the blood drains from his face.

From an objective point of view, although the Principality of Burgon is acting recklessly, it is a reasonable argument that cannot be compared with the fake crusade that has invaded the empire for an unreasonable cause.

There is no monarch in the world who will stand still when his territory is threatened.

“…Hey, is it true that the Seonghwangcheong sent something to Burgon?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

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More than anything else, it bothers me that Seonghwangcheong proposed something to Callon a while ago.

I couldn’t find out the details of the proposal, perhaps because the relationship was so different, but it is certain that it moved very loudly.

‘Did you suggest that I participate in the fake holy war? The price is probably the territory of the empire, or the crown.’

If Burgon interferes with the Empire, the Empire will no longer be able to exist as an Empire.

It was difficult to deal with the fake crusade and internal enemies coming from all directions, but it was impossible to deal with even the powerful Burgon duchy, which had taken Carolingian and the Empire down. Literally just ruin.

How, what should I do—Wait.

‘Is this… Really related to Seonghwang’s proposal?’

If Seonghwang proposed something to Burgon, and if Burgon accepted it, he wouldn’t bother sending such a detailed story. Just do what the other guys do, just call it a holy war and come in.

In addition, the correspondence sent by the Duke of Burgon is too accurate even if it is correct. For the “Reformists” Of the empire who came within my influence had warned me that on the borders with Burgon, too radical heretics were growing in power who would listen to no one.

If that radical heretical force invades Burgon and spreads a bad influence… Of course, Burgon will be angry.

Above all, not long ago, I suffered from war and rebellion and did not participate in the holy war because of the aftereffects.

‘But as Burgon says, I can’t project administrative power there.’

It is an urgent situation just to protect the center. I can’t project administrative power to that outskirts border city.

If it’s not a good time, I can compromise with Burgon.

I need to find out what Burgon wants… What he wants— Huh?

‘What is this…?’

The emperor, who was gritting his molars and trying to block the bad news of Burgon’s participation, saw the text written on the bottom line of the letter, and felt a shock as if he had been hit in the head with a hammer.

Burgon’s proposal was an idea that could never come to mind not only for the emperor but also for nobles accustomed to the feudal order.

[If you can’t project administrative power on that territory, I’d like to suggest purchasing that territory from Burgon. Daegeum is in kind, including gold, silver, grain, weapons, etc., And mercenaries.]

‘Are you going to buy the land…?’