Chapter : 5

The news that the lord was in critical condition spread through the domain in an instant.

Some people were surprised and visited the inner castle to see the Margrave, but they were a minority.

Most of the nobles began to disperse, seeking out the people they were aligned with. And the place where the most nobles gathered was, by far, Isabella’s mansion.

The place where the most powerful successor to the domain resided.

It was the most certain card, no matter who looked at it.

But nothing was certain.

There was a good chance the domain could be passed on to feudal vassals from a collateral branch on the frontier.

Anyone who knew even a little about the internal situation had noticed that a bloody power struggle for the succession of the domain would soon begin.

Thanks to this, the city was filled with a tension like walking on thin ice.

And this atmosphere led to a secret meeting being held in a mansion under the Bellua Margraviate’s influence.

“The lord?”

“We cannot determine his condition. All roads to the inner castle are blocked by the chamberlain’s soldiers.”

“However, when I secretly sought out the doctor who treated the lord, he said it is true that the lord was severely injured. He said the lord’s ribs are broken, an injury that will require at least a month of recuperation.”

“Hmm….”

Isabella swallowed a groan with each report from the nobles.

She, too, could not get a good grasp of the situation. He had looked serious when she last saw the lord, but for him to suddenly become so critical.

She wanted to run into the inner castle right away and check the lord’s condition, but she forced herself to endure. It was time to start being mindful of the public eye.

‘There can be no noise in the succession of my son, João.’

A clean succession that no one could object to must take place. That was what Isabella thought.

“Well, he must be in critical condition, seeing as he’s summoned even the feudal vassals to the inner castle for this matter.”

“Your words are wise, Lady Isabella.”

“That’s right. In fact, that side is more serious than the lord.”

Then, the nobles began to bring out information one by one.

“The movements of the feudal vassals are highly insolent.”

“The number of soldiers they are bringing with them is unusual.”

“There are already dozens of knights in the city.”

“I hear that Viscount Bordeing is bringing forces several hundred strong.”

Some warned as if screaming.

And for good reason, as the scale of the mentioned forces was formidable. Of course, even so, Isabella did not think she would lose the right of succession to a mere feudal vassal.

But she could not be certain.

“My lords, do not worry needlessly. In the end, it’s a small number.”

Therefore, Isabella decided to reassure the nobles.

“Such paltry forces… it’s a scale that can be overturned at any time if I ask my kin for help.”

Isabella’s kin referred to Count Bozen, who ruled a powerful neighboring domain. He was a great lord of a different dimension from the declining Bellua Margraviate.

“Ah…!”

“Th-that’s right. It is.”

Only when she mentioned that reliable backing did the nobles finally feel relieved.

“Ahem, that’s right.”

“No matter what they do, they’re just country bumpkins. Hahaha.”

“How dare they, when they command a few dozen, a few hundred at most. In fact, the number of mercenaries defending the city alone would likely match all of them combined.”

As they said this, they even spewed shameless, belittling words. To them, victory already belonged to Isabella.

They were sycophants, but that appearance was rather satisfying.

Thanks to them, all of Isabella’s worries and anxieties disappeared.

* * *

The people on the outside were not the only ones who were busy. Holed up in the inner castle, I too was tense, preoccupied with processing the information pouring in from all directions.

What was the reason, you ask?

[A Devious Stratagem!]

[You are proceeding with an unprecedented conspiracy. If you succeed, a reward will follow.]

[Success Reward – Stratagem +1 and Trait Open]

[Failure Penalty – Death]

Because the price of failure was death.

If I wanted to live, I absolutely had to make this plan succeed.

“Just as you schemed, My Lord, the nobles are each aligning themselves here and there.”

“Is there any sign that they’ve noticed?”

“No, they are not showing any particular suspicion. In fact, according to the rumors, they seem to be focusing more on the feudal vassals.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“Yes. But just in case, I will have the mercenary captain assign soldiers to secretly watch them, My Lord.”

At Hamil’s words, I let out a sigh of relief.

That was a relief.

The fact that information had not leaked meant that internal control was being managed properly.

It meant that, at the very least, the soldiers I was currently employing were trustworthy.

“However, it seems there is a reason for Isabella’s side to be focusing on the feudal vassals, My Lord.”

“Why?”

“There are already thirty knights brought by the feudal vassals inside the city. Viscount Bordeing is said to be coming with 200 soldiers.”

Goodness. Hearing that, I clicked my tongue.

The number of soldiers was a problem, but the knights were a problem too. One knight demonstrated the combat power of at least five soldiers.

Calculating it that way, the strength of the feudal vassals now gathering in the city was a considerable force.

‘Well, they still can’t affect this plan.’

If they had any foolish ideas, I could just crush them all along with Isabella’s faction. In fact, it would be great if I could use this opportunity to purge the feudal vassals as well.

‘Of course, the chances of that happening are slim.’

The possibility of them taking such a risk, staking their own domains, was slim. At best, they were probably demonstrating while the succession issue was complicated, trying to tear off some profit. Thinking that, I asked Hamil.

“Have all the soldiers gathered?”

“Yes, as of yesterday, all 600 have entered. For now, they are scattered and on standby at the mansions of the nobles who follow you.

They can be mobilized at any time, just say the word.”

Hamil pounded his chest.

Watching him, I grinned.

I had the stablemaster’s confession, the soldiers were ready, and I had identified all the nobles who followed Isabella.

Now, all preparations were complete.

But not yet.

There was one more thing left to do.

“Did you bring what I instructed?”

“Yes, it is here.”

The chamberlain, Hamil, then took a document from his coat and handed it to me.

-Tiriring.

[Pieces of Corruption Discovered.]

[You have uncovered the corruption of the domain’s administrators and clues to the factions connected to them.]

[You have met the conditions to reform the domain.]

[Execution or forgiveness. Reform your corrupt and divided domain.]

The administrative documents with evidence of corruption.

They were things I had instructed Hamil to bring by recalling my memories of playing [Pangea Universalise].

“What do you intend to do with this, My Lord?”

“What do you mean? Don’t I need to get it notarized in the name of God?”

“Notarized… you say?”

Chamberlain Hamil looked at me with a quizzical expression, but I simply smiled mischievously.

Although I had obtained the stablemaster’s confession, in the end, it was still just my claim.

In [Pangea Universalise], there was a need to make a claim into a truth.

And.

There was nothing better for that than a ‘notarization of faith.’

* * *

Faith.

The most important value that permeated life and death in the Middle Ages.

The same was true in [Pangea Universalise], which pursued a reality-based medieval game.

The Pope was God’s representative, and the dioceses scattered in each region were the main channels for propagating God’s will.

‘And the bishop is the final representative of that diocese.’

Therefore, the moment Bishop Marco of the Bellua Margraviate notarized the stablemaster’s confession as truth, it was the same as it becoming truth in the name of God.

In short, it meant I would be granted the justification to depose Isabella without any issue.

‘Of course, the bishop won’t move just as I wish.’

That was why this document, [Kolmar Village Church Construction], was important right now.

Inside it was filled with accusations of Bishop Marco’s corruption. I just had to use this to persuade Bishop Marco, who always wanted to rise to the core of the church.

And just as I was thinking that.

Bishop Marco of the Bellua Margraviate arrived at the office.

“Your Excellency the Margrave. Bishop Marco requests an audience.”

“Let him enter at once.”

With those words, the door opened and Bishop Marco entered.

But I couldn’t help but be surprised at the sight of Bishop Marco.

‘I’m only now realizing that [Pangea Universalise] is a fantasy world after all.’

Curved horns on both sides of his head.

And curly, glossy, yellowish fur covering his body.

Even his horizontal, rectangular eyes.

Bishop Marco was a goat beastman.

“Meeeh~ Why do you look at me with such eyes?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

‘A goat was often symbolized as the devil’s animal in the Middle Ages, so for him to be a bishop is quite the mismatch.’

Of course, in terms of the concept of being extremely greedy, they were a very fitting race.

“By the way, you are very healthy, unlike the rumors, My Lord. Meeeh~.”

Bishop Marco asked, looking me over. He seemed quite surprised by my perfectly fine appearance, which was different from the rumors that I was critically ill.

“Is it not thanks to the Lord’s grace? Now, Bishop Marco. Please, have a seat here.”

I said, offering him a seat along with a glass of wine.

“Meeeh~. This is a fine wine.”

“I opened a cellar. It’s a pretty good one.”

“Thanks to you, I am indulging.”

At my friendly gesture, Bishop Marco sat comfortably in the chair and slowly sipped the wine I gave him.

And at the same time, this quick-witted goat beastman seemed to have grasped the situation. Unlike a moment ago, his mouth was now full of a smile.

‘Hmm….’

What should I say first?

The bishop seemed completely at ease, as if he knew his position well. It meant he had nothing to lose.

After a moment of thought, I decided on a direct approach.

“I need your help.”

“Meeh~ Help? What might you be talking about?”

Bishop Marco feigned ignorance, as if he had no idea what I was talking about.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know.”

“Mehehehet~.”

“Isabella’s recent actions have been crossing the line. This recent fall from the horse. It was not an accident but an assassination attempt. My horse bled after eating a poisonous herb.”

“Meeeh…. Don’t tell me, the stablemaster?”

“That’s right. Under Isabella’s orders, that man dared to do such a thing to me. I have already obtained his confession.”

“If that is already so, what is there for me to help with? If you are perhaps seeking notarization, it is a bit… Meeeh~.

The Holy See has ordered us not to interfere in the political struggles of the domains. Meeeh~.”

Bishop Marco trailed off, his lips twitching.

I could see a greed that seemed to want to tear off even one more thing.

Bishop Marco was that kind of man.

It was so bad that among [Pangea Universalise] users, Bishop Marco was called a man mad for money.

When playing in the southern region, he was one of the bishops whose neck players always ended up slitting because he demanded so many bribes.

But for me, his greediness was actually better.

“Kolmar, Administrator Gilet.”

“Meeeh~?!”

When I spoke, Bishop Marco made a face as if he didn’t know what I was talking about.

Then, the bishop, who quickly understood the meaning of my words, saw his two rectangular pupils become unbelievably round.

“Too much money was being spent on the Kolmar Village church construction, so I checked, and my goodness.

A fellow named Administrator Gilet was overcharging for the material costs. Up to four or five times the usual price. But… it turns out he had a partner.”

“A-are you threatening me now? Meeeh~”

“Threatening? What threat?”

When I shrugged my shoulders, Bishop Marco huffed and puffed.

In truth, embezzling money meant for the church was a major crime. A very serious crime, one that could warrant execution or excommunication.

Of course, I had no intention of threatening Bishop Marco.

Threaten him? Why would I do that? That would only make an enemy.

On the contrary, I should give him what he wants.

“Meeeh~ Do you think I will be dragged around just because you do that-! This is so petty…! I will tell Isabella….”

But Bishop Marco couldn’t hold back and exploded.

Like an angry goat, he looked ready to ram his head into me at any moment. What an impatient man.

If he was going to get so agitated by something like this, he shouldn’t have committed the crime in the first place.

-Tak-!

“Enough. Bishop Marco. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Cutting the bishop off, I placed a pile of documents on the table.

They were the documents related to the embezzlement at the Kolmar church.

“Me, meeeh…?”

Only then did Bishop Marco’s pupils widen once more.

A look of bewilderment was plain on the bishop’s face. He seemed to have never imagined he would see his weakness laid out before his eyes like this.

‘What a great expression.’

It was as intense a reaction as I had expected.

But I wanted more than that.

Looking at the flustered bishop, I calmly set the documents on fire.

“Bishop Marco. Are you not a man destined for great things? It’s only natural for a little speck of dust to appear as one lives.”

-Fwoosh!

The oil-treated paper, meant to keep it from getting wet, burned fiercely.

I held it up, looked at Bishop Marco, and slowly opened my mouth.

“Threatening? If I meant to threaten you, I wouldn’t have called you here in the first place. I simply want to help you.

A Cardinal… don’t you think you should try ascending to that position at least once? I will help you get there directly. So, how about you help me a little as well?”

And as I finished speaking.

-Tiriring.

[Bishop Marco is moved by you.]

[Bishop Marco has been persuaded.]

[Bishop Marco supports you.]

[Execution or forgiveness. For the sake of your corrupt and divided domain, you have chosen forgiveness. The domain will cease its division and find temporary peace, but corruption will be unavoidable.]

[Goat beastmen are greedy, but they are a race that willingly devotes their loyalty if it is to their benefit. You will have to control this corrupt and greedy loyalist well.]

[Notification: You have persuaded a vassal with veteran rhetoric. Diplomacy increases by 1.]

The notification I wanted appeared.

On top of that, a Diplomacy stat increase.

It was, in a word, a fantastic success. Now, all preparations were complete.

All that was left was the hunt.

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