I Was Reincarnated as a Marquis in Another World

Simon Marquis sighed as he listened to me and spoke.

“I apologize to Count Iris and Count Architel, but because of the cannon you have created, our forces can no longer continue the offensive. Therefore, even if I don’t say anything about transferring the territory, it is practically already yours, isn’t it? Very well… I will transfer it.”

This would have caused a stir and been outright rejected if Count Architel and Count Iris had heard it, but the weaker party that loses a war must surrender everything they own as the price of defeat.

Thus, while it may be unjust for the two of them, their fate is to relinquish whatever territory they have.

“Thank you. Furthermore, Simon Marquis, as commander, requests that you pay 600,000 gold coins to Count Laurent and Count Louis, 400,000 gold coins each. If these conditions are not accepted, I will lead 50,000 troops east in a month and attack your Marquis territory.”

“… In this war, I’ve lost three barons and 1,400 knights under my command, and the number of dead peasants is incalculable. And you’re asking for 600,000 gold coins? Our territory’s total annual revenue is about 200,000 gold coins… How am I supposed to repay that…? You might as well tell me to die.”

Hearing that, I smirked and responded with a hint of mockery.

“Wasn’t war originally about you living and me dying? Moreover, I defeated a much larger army commanded by you, Marquis. So, even if I can’t directly destroy your family, it’s only natural to corner you like the Maxburg family, who declared war on us before. Frankly, I’m starting to wonder why Your Excellency isn’t grateful for receiving merely 600,000 gold coins.”

Upon hearing my words, Simon Marquis’s face turned as red as a boiled octopus, and he kept muttering, “Damn it, damn Croilet!”

However, just as in Korea, where victory in a game followed by insults from the opposing team was the highest praise…

Hearing such insults directed at the commanding officer of the enemy in this world is the highest reward in noble society.

Therefore, I continued to enjoy his curses like the song of a beautiful woman while waiting for him to calm down.

After about 5 or, no, 10 minutes had passed, the Marquis looked at me and said.

“Yes, damn it, thank you.”

“It’s my honor.”

“But didn’t you say you would tell me how to survive? At this rate, our family will face defeat due to the compensation and political position being narrowed. So, speak. Unless you’re telling me to rebel directly against His Imperial Majesty Franche, I might even offer my daughter to you as a concubine.”

Even though he had dug himself into a political hole, accepting a noblewoman of a Marquis’s status as a concubine would still be of great benefit.

However, I am not one to pursue women like that, and even if I were in a much superior position, forming a marriage alliance would have no benefits.

The Marquis must know that, so he was probably just expressing intent to accept such unreasonable terms since the fate of his family was at stake.

“Very well. Then I will tell you how to survive. First, His Imperial Majesty Franche is locked in fierce battles with the Central Expeditionary Force of the Franche Empire in the Central Espresso Duchy. After over a month, no, it’s already been more than three months of back-and-forth in the war, the Central Expeditionary Force has reportedly gained the upper hand and is pushing little by little.”

“I already know that. Since both sides are nearly even, I expected the front lines to be stalemated and the battle to continue for more than a year… So it seems our Emperor is cornered.”

“Yes, additionally, according to my reports… His Imperial Majesty Franche is said to be on the verge of losing a third of the Espresso Duchy without reinforcements.”

Upon hearing this, Simon Marquis did not exactly understand what I was trying to say, but his experience as a politician made his eyes sparkle as if telling him, ‘If you grab this lifeline, you might survive.’

And his instinct was correct.

For I would provide a way for this man, who has completely broken his wings and is waiting for nothing but political death, to survive.

“However, our troops have suffered significant damage due to attacks from the Eastern Defensive Forces. Therefore, even if you were to leave here abruptly to support the Central Defensive Forces of Franche, they will not have the capacity to pursue you. Also… We are so exhausted and in such a rush that… the 100,000 men carrying supplies may lose food enough to last a month. This is serious.”

I had kind of beaten around the bush, but to summarize, it was like this.

‘You sign to pay the compensation, declare the transfer of territory, and unilaterally end the war with your authority as commander. Then, I will find some excuse to send you off without receiving the Emperor’s approval. Furthermore, I will support the supplies needed until you go to assist the Central Army.’

Simon Marquis would probably think upon hearing my proposal.

‘Has that crazy guy gone mad from being too smart? Does he think a general can just cover up a front line in a war where the Emperor is the overall commander? What will he do about it later?’

So, I opened my mouth to alleviate that doubt.

“I have not supported His Imperial Majesty, who was the second prince at the time, since the days of Count Nante during the civil war. However, my vast territories and strong military force kept Him from touching me. Instead, after uniting the Empire, He intended to curry favor with me by giving me the title of ‘Duke.’ Of course, since I didn’t do much, I naturally refused the title, but even afterwards, it seems He never trusted me. As proof, the Commander of the Eastern Expeditionary Force, Duke Orleans, tried to leave me behind in the rear to eliminate me.”

“It has been said that the second prince of the Empire has a reputation for being unable to handle people for ten years now, but who would have thought he would carry out such a mad plan? It speaks to the level of disgraceful conduct that our Emperor Franche would never have imagined.”

No, even your Franche Emperor would have tried to eliminate a noble that gained power quickly like me by any means necessary.

“So, I plan to declare the end of my vassal contract with him and become independent after this war. I will probably become a king. Of course, at that time, I also have no intention of being hostile to Franche, so we will be able to coexist well.”

Hearing this, Simon Marquis looked at me for a moment with a doubtful expression, but soon nodded in understanding.

“Certainly, if the Emperor is sane, he wouldn’t leave a mere commander like you behind to die alone among the nobles like a Marquis. It would be right… no, you must become independent, if you are under such a madman.”

Just a moment ago, he had been looking at me with a gaze like he was looking at the enemy of his parents, speaking informally, but now seeing him use honorifics makes me feel quite strange, as if he is beginning to trust me.

“Even if you couldn’t complete the eastern defense, you won’t be politically eliminated if you save His Imperial Majesty fighting in the Espresso Duchy. Moreover, your contributions will be recognized, and you will surely pay at least a portion of the compensation you owe me. Also, you will have the opportunity to wrestle away the teeth of the Elaline Emperor, so the borders will remain stable for the next ten years. So please sign. After all, it’s better to let the dead stay dead and for the living to survive, right? If you miss this opportunity, eventually, you and Count Laurent and Count Louis will fall into hell.”

Upon hearing my words, Simon Marquis smiled as if he had reached enlightenment.

“I never thought I would end up signing such a disgraceful document as the commander of the Eastern Defensive Forces… Very well. With this, Count Iris and Count Architel’s estates will now be yours as the Marquis’s. No, soon you will be called His Majesty the King.”

“Then I’ll take my leave. Please, crush the Elaline Emperor on my behalf.”

“It’s my honor.”

**

The day after concluding negotiations with Simon Marquis.

I led my soldiers and moved my army about 10 kilometers away from the Yellow Plains.

And Simon Marquis acquired the 100,000 portions of supplies I had deliberately left behind, and immediately headed towards the Espresso Duchy where the Emperor of Franche was located.

Two months later, when I returned to my base in Nante, I received news from the Emperor’s envoy.

[The Emperor of the Elaline Empire suffered a major defeat due to the 50,000 reinforcements led by Simon Marquis. The Emperor is currently retreating to Elysium.]

Upon hearing this news, I said.

“Our forces also suffered great losses, so we cannot support His Imperial Majesty just yet.”

After saying this, I passed the envoy and opened a letter I held in my right hand.

Inside was a short but important message.

[Report from Colonel Short of the Intelligence Corps. Counts Ilerias and Izza plan to stop by Nante before responding to the Emperor’s invitation.]

Now, it’s time to take care of these guys.