READ WEBNOVEL Chapter 216.2
Chapter 216.2
“There are many things that need to be coordinated. The big ceremony will take place a little later.” (Seyfart)
“Is it that many?” (Welner)
“There are noble families that have been destroyed recently, some of them died in yesterday’s battle.” (Seyfart)
Did they also have to deal with the cleanup? Some noble families might have been involved with Coffin Sarg and other troublesome groups. Thinking about it, dealing with noble families was going to be a major headache.
Actually, having too many noble families was a problem, but having too few was also a problem.
Noble families acted like local lords. If a noble family responsible for a particular territory got wiped out, there would be no one to take care of administrative matters such as infrastructure development, maintenance of public order, and collection of taxes.
Even if bandits appeared, there would be no one to give orders to defeat them, which would be a big problem for the people’s livelihood.
It might be difficult to understand, but in my previous life, it would be as if the prefecture governor and all government offices related to the country no longer existed. Eventually, everything would fall into disarray.
Considering the success of the war up to this point, it would be necessary to make adjustments so as not to create a political vacuum by having some of the aristocratic families promoted to the rank of nobility.
Moreover, if noble families were carelessly demoted to commoner families or thoroughly crushed as punishment, everyone working for them would be suddenly laid off and unemployed. There was also the danger of a mass outbreak of people.It would take time to consider whether a light punishment would be enough or whether they would have to be crushed.
“Besides, there are still some bigwigs left.” (Seyfart)
“…Is it the Coltrezis House?” (Welner)
“Yeah, they do have a large territory.” (Seyfart)
He didn’t deny it.
Moreover, that phrase meant that there would be at least large-scale reduction of Coltrezis House’s territory, even if the family itself was not destroyed.
The eldest son of Coltrezis House was accompanied by High Priest Leppe and a demon priestess who was thought to be part of the Demon Army, so there was no way to get away with it now, was there? Speaking of which…
“How is Count Yerring doing?” (Welner)
“He is recuperating from his injuries.” (Seyfart)
The Grand Duke presented me with a file, so I took a look at it. Count Yerring had prepared a large number of rations as well as armaments at the count’s main estate…hmm?
According to the recovered documents from Coltrezis House, it also appeared that emissaries frequently went back and forth in Yerring House’s territory. Meanwhile, they seemed to also be trying to create a new faction in the royal capital. Hmmm…
“You mean that he was making arrangements on both fronts?” (Welner)
“Wisely, perhaps.” (Seyfart)
Count Yerring might not have anticipated the attack on the royal capital, but he must have another purpose for making the connection with the High Priest Leppe. But it seemed that High Priest Leppe, who was trying to create chaos in the inner city, chose Count Yerring as his collaborator.
As a result, Count Yerring was planning for both the eventuality of an attack on the royal capital and the eventuality of no attack on the royal capital.
If the royal capital were to suffer catastrophic damage, he would have been able to bring in a large amount of relief supplies and gain the reputation of the people. He would have the delicious part all to himself if he had been making preparations. He might even have thought of evacuating the surviving residents of the royal capital to his own territory.
On the other hand, if the royal capital was safe, he could again choose what to do with the large number of supplies. He could bring the goods to the royal family and sell them as a favor, or he could use them as aid if the Coltrezis House attempted a rebellion. Moreover, it seemed as if they were aiming for that purpose.
“It appears to me that he was planning to betray the Coltrezis House as well in the end.” (Welner)
“You see it that way as well.” (Seyfart)
“They could stab the rebellious Coltrezis House’s army in the back when on the battlefield, after getting support supplies. And if they could get the general’s head during that battle, that in itself would also be a great success for their cause.” (Welner)
“If he partnered with a powerful noble affiliated to the Kingdom’s side, the country would have no choice but to recognize his achievement, as they could not afford to ignore a powerful noble.” (Seyfart)
Was he aiming for the position of Kobayakawa Hideaki in Sekigahara? What was different from Kobayakawa Hideaki was that he seemed to be trying to create it by his own will and actions.
I see, so he was trying to establish a relationship with me, who was reputed to be the Crown Prince’s favorite. I guess it was because he thought I would be of great use if he decided to make his army, which would have been a part of the rebel army led by Coltrezis House, betray Coltrezis House at the right moment.
On the other hand, if Yerring House ended up not being on good terms with me, they could sell their position of merit to a house that did not have good relations with Zeavert House.
Perhaps if he had managed to convince me to become his subordinate, he would have betrayed Coffin Sarg and High Priest Leppe as well. One could say that Count Yerring had an Owl-like ambition.