Chapter 69 Part3 (1/2)

“It’s been a while, Karla-san” (Elise)

“You too, Elise-san” (Karla)

Finishi+ng the rave Breithilde and his retinue, we took the aforementioned Karla-jou with us at once and returned to our field encampment

She has to be treated politely, but as Margrave Breithilde’s arle woman with them, it was decided that ould look after her

Although Margrave Breithilde said that she was the only woman, there were at least maids to take care of her after all

Once we entered the tent within our field encaside Wiluard

And they both, being acquaintances, greeted each other

“You orking as Supreme Commander Representative or such?” (Elise)

“Yes Father isn’t conscious anye for him to pass away any time now either” (Karla)

Margrave Broas after all in a condition where it wouldn’t be weird for him to die any time

“Umm… That kind of information is…” (Wendelin)

“It’s less to hide it at this point in time” (Karla)

Apparently she has talked about it with Margrave Breithilde as well

She also told hi close to the sickbed of the al so that neither can steal a march on the other and that she became the Supreme Commander Representative thanks to that [Owned by Infinite Novel Translations]

“However, this expedition…” (Wendelin)

“Both my elder brothers are involved in it” (Karla)

When I ondering whether it was just the eldest son’s, Philips’s, order since he is nothing more than a military man, it looks like the second son, Christoph, was participating in it as well

It appears that there’s an old strife for power between civil and round of this quarrel between brothers

To begin with, Christoph’s participation was only natural since there won’t be any budget if the higher-ups in the financial affairs departive their permission

“In other words, this time’s expedition is a competition of the two?” (Wendelin)

“At first it was Philip-niisa on his own…” (Karla)

The whole , whose health deteriorated since around a year ago, finally succu into a comatose state

While having two sons, he fell into such state without deciding which of the two should become the successor

“Philip-niisa 『In the first place, it’s only proper for Philip-sama, who is the eldest son, to succeed the household There’s no need for so like the lord’s testa hiard-sae, it goes without saying that Christoph-sama is the proper successor』…” (Karla)

“Currently the territory is in chaos due to the polar positions of the two and the retainers supporting them”, Karla explained

Especially after Margrave Browig fell into a comatose state the mansion turned into a stand-off so that either side won’t selfishly fake a testament after his death and send a succession announcedom

“Why didn’t Margrave Browig name a successor?” (Wendelin)

“It’s because he wasn’t able to deny the possibility of a civil war in case he chose either of them” (Karla)

It was a disturbing story, but as both parties authorities are co with each other, he expected one side to rebel if he chose the other side

Since the future looks bleak for those like the young people as well, the discord naturally grew large

“In addition, they have been excluded froe Lands development” (Karla)

“You are co to me about this matter as well, eh?” (Wendelin)

“No I understand your reasons” (Karla)

If they consider their frequent harassrave Breithilde, they should know that they are in no position to co excluded

Therefore, in order to reduce their unhappiness, Philip and the retainers fro him carried out the troop dispatch and the rear disturbance in the Knight Baumeister territory This is the real situation of this time’s battle

“Distracting from the internal mess with an external war, huh…? So, which side is the lead?” (Wendelin)

“Pretty much it’s Philip-niisama His support from the military authorities is deep” (Karla)

Speaking of the feudal aruished ive thee in the succession dispute, that hasn’t been decided with the fa the eastern nobles by stealing concessions, even if it’s only few, from the southern nobles

Karla, who has looked after the unconscious Margrave Browig in his sickbed, apparently has heard about such plans from Philip

“So, did the second son, Christoph, take an opposing stance to the troop dispatch?” (Wendelin)

“On the surface yes, but I can’t say that it’s necessarily like that” (Karla)

Christoph, who has a strong backing from the retainers responsible for doainst the war this time as there are no benefits from it

However, as it’s necessary to grant budget for sending out the feudal arainst it either since they had been dispatched without a problem

“That means, no matter the result it will become his achievement?” (Wendelin)

“Probably…” (Karla)

Since the supply has been carried out properly, he will say 『My achievee』 if they win the war and criticize 『That’s why I opposed it』 if they lose

In order to be safe no matter on which side the coin drops, he will make insurances both ways

“By the way, you are talking about it quite frankly, Karla-dono” (Wendelin)

“Do you believe that I chose to serve as Supreme Commander Representative?” (Karla)

Just until one year ago she lived in the capital together with her rave Browig because he was afraid of his legal wife if she entered the territory

Even so, once they becarave Browig, they were treated as obvious nuisances by her grandfather and uncles

Since she would only experience bad things if she stayed in that house, she frequented the church every day since her childhood and received education and teaching in archery there Apparently she hunted in the capital’s outskirts in the re time

“Nevertheless, I was suddenly suo” (Karla)

It was because Margrave Browig’s health deteriorated and now that he entered his sickbed, he just accu noisy about no second son, born by her, as successor quickly Even her e the profit will become if they stick to either side and the crucial two successors didn’t leave the sickbed in reverse

Margrave Broho saw that situation, was likely disappointed in his fa about his own physical condition in the least

He called his beloved daughter, Karla, thinking that he 『sheltered』 her by having her live in the capital

“His heart grehen he fell ill” (Ina)

“That ht be so…” (Karla)

Maybe it’s like Ina thinks, but Karla entered the Margraviate Browig territory, unable to decline since it was an order of the Margrave who is an important noble, and looked after him at his side

“I was showered with sarcasm each time my two married elder sister-in-law-saal wife, came” (Karla)

Even though the one who called her was Margrave Browig, there were apparently many situations where she was verbally abused in a hystericflesh』 who caot close to death

“That was terrible”

“I doesn’t particularly h” (Karla)

Judging fro feeling of independence

She shouldn’t lose to such women if you consider her skill in archery and such, thus she sial wife and her elder step-sisters

“How strong-willed…”

“That’s because I had barely the status of a noble until just a year ago” (Karla)

Even though she was neglected until then, Margrave Brohose heart became ith the sickness, called Karla with the selfish delusion of 『At the last hter as born by my lover in the capital before my death』

Fro that she wanted to finish it quickly, receive some reward and return to the capital

“However, it didn’t go that conveniently, did it?” (Luise)

“No, it didn’t” (Karla)

Just as Luise feared, Karla ended up getting dragged into the inheritance dispute of the Margrave Browig household

The two elder brothers were kind to their far younger sister from a different mother, but that kindness was out of self-interest

“I guess they told the, Karla will marry your son』 or such”

Either of her elder brother should have tried to gather support by saying such stuff to several influential retainers

Certainly, it wasn’t such an unusual story either

“If Karla-san became their wife, it would promise the rise of their households under the next feudal lord Everyone probably participated in the succession struggle frantically” (Elise)

The rest is likely as Elise has said [Owned by Infinite Novel Translations, support the translator]

Accordingly the top-brass of the feudal army, who made use of Karla as bait, made Philip’s idea of a troop dispatch reality

“Philip-niisama planned the troop dispatch with the top brass of the feudal army, but he didn’t place himself as head of the army” (Karla)

They atching each other

“When it was necessary to have someone from the household as Supreme Commander, I was there by chance That’s hoent” (Karla)

From Karla’s point of view there were likely parts where she thought that it somehow didn’t urated as urehead of the feudal army or if she looked after her father on his sickbed

Even when she was questioned by Margrave Breithilde and

“You had no motivation, huh?” (Wendelin)

“Before that, my niisama’s are irresponsible” (Karla)

Even though it would have been fine if they at least stood at the head of the arirl at the tender age of 16 because of the danger to be outwitted by their rival

No matter how ht? Karla apparently thought

“They entrusted it to you irresponsibly and the result is a tragedy…”

Even our side had casualties though it was very few The casualties of Margrave Browig’s side has risen to close to 100 people

If one considers the effort of e, come out immediately!』

“Since they have done so the customs…”

Calling in even the reinforcements stationed in the rear, they planned a surprise attack while using real weapons

Moreover, since it beca to not aim for a complete victory as noble

It was a reuse of stuff used by Browig’s army In addition es and territories of several nobles in the vicinity to declare the occupation of those areas

We decided to occupy since the situation is as it is, but it’s possible that ill be criticized by the kingdo there with the army

If those injured parties appealed to the Browig household and the kingdoovernment, which basically doesn’t approve of dorave Breithilde of having erred

As there are such circurave Breithilde controlled hiswith the cabinet ic hand-held communication device

『Work related to the usual governing of the territory, work related to recla territory with the feudal army Earl Bauer of me or such?』 (Breithilde)

When Margrave Breithilde ca shadows below his eyes, I didn’t knoould be a good answer [Owned by Infinite Novel Translations]

『Earl Baumeister, please lend Thomas-san and his unit to me』 (Breithilde)

They will apparently tag along to the cities and noble territories, which were declared as occupied, as assistants of the military officials

Given that they arethem who know this area well There were also the circuenerated for the military officials ere scheduled to be placed there afterwards

『Since all of theroup’s prisoners, Earl Bauovern the areas』 (Breithilde)

It was an unexpected by-product

With us capturing the family heads and their retainers in the previous conflict concerning the concession disputes, people to govern the areas are now

『Since all’s fine in a state of occupation, they will be send to help with the governing work as it’s a military administration』 (Breithilde)

『I just thought of it now, but we are also keeping the soldiers in custody, right? Is that alright?』 (Wendelin)

If one looks at the Baumeister household, one will understand that there areas soldiers in the feudal armies

The territories of the nobles, who participated in this tier of their ruling syste down

『It can’t be helped…』 (Wendelin)

I have decided to send them all back to their territories

All of it belonged to Katharina andthe ransom, but after they accepted the calculated standard price of Viscount Knappstein, we careement with them

We have entrusted calculation of that to Viscount Knappstein as well since our time is too valuable by now

Because he is the type of noble who is a diligent bureaucrat, we had hi the vast amount of precedents in the past as standard

『How about these conditions?』 (Knappstein)

『I have no particular objections』 (Breithilde)

『Me neither』 (Wendelin)

Withpresent, we carried out the negotiations after inviting the nobles, whose retainers and soldier had been turned into prisoners, and the nobles, who had become prisoners themselves, both parties didn’t have any objections

Judging that they don’t have the leeway to negotiate in a stingythe reconciliation money, they accepted the compromise settlement from our side

『Because of that, we’d like to ask for a splitting of the ransom and reconciliation money, but…』

The nobles of Browig’s side, who accepted the reconciliation, have pleaded with tear-stained faces for being allowed to pay the ransom and reconciliation in instalments

They aren’t able to pay it all in one batch to begin with Even if it’s split up, they will lead lives of being deeply in debt for several decades

If they consider the circumstances from now on, it can’t be helped for them to become teary-eyed

『As there was a possibility that it would turn out like this, we dispatched skilful soldiers』

『It’s because we had this』

The nobles of Browig’s camp show parchments with a written contract, which were sent frorave Breithilde

On that parch household in the unlikely event when they incurred dae in this dispute

『Is this legally valid?』 (Wendelin)

『It is』 (Breithilde)

Margrave Breithilde affirmed its validity

『It’s not the handwriting of Margrave Browig, but it has the signatures of the eldest son, Philip-dono, that of Christoph-dono and several of the chief retainers have entered their nan hinatures become valid』 (Breithilde)

Such docuned it although he is able to do so, but if the fan it, a joint signature becomes effective

『With this it will officially confir is in a state that nature on documents』

Once the Margrave Browig household formally admits the illness of their family head, this document will become valid [Owned by Infinite Novel Translations]

Otherwise the nobles of Browig’s side probably wouldn’t have sent soldiers and gone as far as breaking the customs

『I have a feeling so like that at this point in time is…』

『U?』

The anxiety of the nobles of Browig’s caotiation, is their financial affairs falling into a critical state due to the repayment of their debts, even if those are split up

They are appealing their wish for us to wait a bit with the payment

『They are saying that they want it to be split it in 200 yearly instalments?』 (Wendelin)

『No, rave Browig household according to the contract…』 (Klaus)

Klaus whispers quietly with a small voice in my ear

In short, they apparently want to request us and Margrave Breithilde to subrogate the ranso household’s side

『Such a selfish suggestion… Although…』 (Wendelin)

The difficulty for the vassal to refuse their patron’s request is obvious if I look at my home in my childhood

If an enormous sum of reconciliation money comes into existence after we conclude the arbitration between us and the Browig household later after this, the Browig household, whose financial affairs would have deteriorated, will give priority to repaying their own debts and ht not be able to compensate the other nobles for their losses

『Even Margrave Breithilde won’t likely accept it Such suggestion』 (Wendelin)

It was natural to take it in consideration if it’s his own vassal, but they are the vassals of the Browig household

As there’s also the possibility that on’t be able to collect the debt fro household in the worst case, he absolutely won’t do so their debts

『In other words they are saying that they will change their patron』 (Klaus)

『I can’t say that’s absolutely impossible, but…』(Wendelin)

『It doesn’t happen that often, but this time the situation is as it is』 (Klaus)

There is occasionally a change of patrons due to things like affinity between the family heads Patron substitution of nobles at the border due to their involvements in conflicts like this time can be explained with precedents in the past [Owned by Infinite Novel Translations]

The nobles, ere until now under the influence of the Margrave Browig household, which controls the east, or ere its vassals, will enter under the influence of the southern Margrave Breithilde household and become its vassals

『Aren’t they cohts and the usage of woods with their neighbours?』 (Wendelin)

『Even between fellow southern nobles those are causes for bad blood and if those things change hands, they will also carry out one-on-one battles』 (Klaus)

The worsening of the disputes at the border is also because the bosses of each side are different

At the time when fellow nobles of the same patron quarrel with each other they will apparently hold back accordingly