WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Asakusa
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Veteran of the Northern Front ◈
Chapter 50: The Capital, Helenium (2)
──────
Ivan was a figure surrounded by controversy, from Ivan's origins to Ivan's rise to power.
Ivan's family, House Charlotte, had originally been an insignificant viscount's house, half ruined and of little note.
Then, when Ivan joined the Imperial Guard in youth to restore House Charlotte and make a name, Ivan happened to form a connection with the Emperor. After every sort of effort, Ivan succeeded in reviving House Charlotte by making Ivan's younger sister Empress.
During that process, Ivan also received various forms of help from Duke Borgia, leader of the Noble Faction.
Yet for some reason, as soon as Ivan's younger sister gave birth to the Crown Prince, Ivan distanced themself from the Noble Faction and gathered figures excluded from central politics and scions of prestigious houses to form the Emperor Faction.
From the Noble Faction's perspective, they had been stabbed in the back by someone they had supported.
Thus, the Noble Faction was trying to place the Second Prince, the son of an imperial consort, on the throne in order to crush the Emperor Faction completely. Meanwhile, the Emperor Faction supported the Crown Prince alongside the Empress.
‘Honestly, I don't particularly care which side wins.’
What mattered to me was which side would benefit me more.
While those two sides fought each other, I planned to lie back and collect whatever windfalls came my way.
“It was a pleasure meeting you. I shall see you at the awards ceremony.”
“Yes. The honor was mine as well.”
After exchanging brief greetings with Ivan and the other members of the Emperor Faction, I left.
‘I've barely done anything, yet I'm already exhausted.’
I decided to put everything else aside and get some proper rest in my room today.
＊＊＊＊＊
The next day.
I had rushed to the estate as though chased yesterday, so today, I planned to take my time looking around the capital.
“Max, Dihelm, get ready to head out.”
“Yes.”
“Are you planning to go into the city?”
I nodded at Dihelm's question.
“We didn't get a proper look around yesterday.”
Of course, sightseeing was only part of it. My real goal was to find the talented people hidden in the capital before returning north.
‘I've got a rough idea of where they are, so finding them won't be difficult. Both of them will be a great help in managing the territory later, so I absolutely must...’
But then,
“B-Brother!”
Anton came running over with an urgent look on his face.
“What is it? What's happened?”
“Well... you've got a visitor.”
A visitor?
It seemed the Noble Faction had sent someone.
‘Earlier than I expected. But judging from how worked up Anton is, someone fairly influential must have come.’
I frowned and asked him,
“Who on earth came?”
“Well...”
His mouth opened, and I could not hide my surprise.
“What? Really?”
“Yes.”
Why would that person come here?
It was utterly absurd, but since they had come, I had to meet them.
I hurriedly straightened my clothes and went outside.
When I followed the stairs down to the hall at the center of the estate, Jeg came into view, glaring coldly at someone.
At the end of his gaze stood an elderly person with a relaxed smile. Upon spotting me, Duke Borgia raised a hand as though pleased to see me.
“Oh, I heard you were a man of great size and muscles like steel, so I recognized you right away. Are you Ubel Graum?”
“...It is an honor to meet the Imperial Chancellor, Duke Borgia.”
“Hoho, the pleasure is mine.”
With a smile so kindly it was unsettling, Duke Borgia said,
“My name is Rodgo Borgia.”
Duke Borgia.
The leader of the Noble Faction and the most powerful figure in the Empire had come in person to meet me.
‘At most, I expected an attendant or one of Duke Borgia's pawns, like yesterday...’
As though mocking my expectations, Duke Borgia had come in person.
“Hoho, you seem quite surprised that I came without sending word.”
“If you had sent someone, I would have gone to meet you. How could Your Excellency come here yourself...?”
“As one grows older, one should become diligent and humble. And when meeting a war hero like you, it is only natural that I come myself. Would you not agree?”
In other words, if Duke Borgia had only sent someone, I might have made excuses not to come, so Duke Borgia had come in person.
‘...He got me good.’
Who would have expected Duke Borgia himself to visit?
Duke Borgia's unexpected move had thrown me off from the very beginning.
‘Was this Duke Borgia's intention from the start?’
For someone like Duke Borgia, it was entirely possible.
Just as Duke Borgia continued talking to keep me from finding my rhythm,
Jeg stepped forward and came to my rescue.
“You have come without warning early in the morning, so as the host, I find myself quite troubled.”
“Hmm? Hoho, I had forgotten. This is House Hallios's estate, is it not? It has been so long since I last saw Marquis Hallios that it slipped my mind.”
So you were here too? If you were your father, perhaps, but you're not important enough for me to bother with.
“It is all right. Given your age, and considering that Your Excellency the Chancellor has many duties, should a young and inexperienced person like me not be understanding?”
You'll be dead soon enough, so I, the younger one, will be understanding.
The two hid blades within their words as they traded barbs.
At Jeg's retaliation, Duke Borgia let out a faint laugh as though it were ridiculous.
“I heard that you spent last night here enjoying the company of close friends.”
Emphasizing that Duke Borgia had eyes and ears throughout the capital, Duke Borgia patted Jeg on the shoulder.
“Friendship among close friends is a fine thing. Is it not a privilege only young people of your age can enjoy? However...”
Whether by chance or intent,
a chill briefly passed through Duke Borgia's eyes.
“Keep your play within this estate. If it spills outside, it may become a problem for you.”
Duke Borgia was saying that if they insulted Duke Borgia or plotted against Duke Borgia, it would be ignored, but if they acted on it, it would not be overlooked. Jeg clenched his teeth.
“...Are you threatening me?”
“A threat? Think of it as advice, given in consideration of my relationship with your late grandfather.”
“...”
With only a few words, Duke Borgia had silenced Jeg. Then Duke Borgia turned that gaze to me.
“I had hoped to have a serious conversation with you, but today does not seem to be the day. I suppose I should offer only light congratulations and take my leave.”
Duke Borgia wore a warm smile. I had regained some composure and organized my thoughts, so I answered calmly.
“Thank you for your congratulations.”
“Schultz entrusted the north to you, so work hard to live up to his expectations. If you fulfill your duties well, I shall support you in every way I can.”
Duke Borgia was telling me to think carefully. If I stayed out of central affairs, Duke Borgia would take care of me.
I forced a smile and nodded.
“Yes, I will do my best.”
“Good. You must do well, so that Schultz does not lose face.”
That damned old fossil. Duke Borgia had barely given me a carrot before swinging the stick.
My expression hardened as I glared at Duke Borgia.
“It sounds as though you intend to hold former Commander-in-Chief Schultz responsible for my actions.”
“Hohoho, this fellow...”
Step. Step.
Duke Borgia approached and spoke in a low voice, almost whispering.
“I see you understand quickly.”
“...”
“Frankly, I do not care whether you join hands with us or not. It is enough that you do not stand with the Emperor Faction.”
“...”
“Think carefully. Consider what benefits you more, and whether those Emperor Faction fools can truly protect you and Schultz.”
With those final words, Duke Borgia turned away.
“Hoho, then this uninvited guest shall take his leave.”
“...”
“I will see you both at the awards ceremony.”
Duke Borgia departed leisurely with attendants and knights. It felt as though a storm had just passed.
Perhaps angered that he had been overwhelmed by Duke Borgia's presence, Jeg ground his teeth and clenched his fist.
“That damned old man... He's ruined my mood first thing in the morning.”
“Whew. Exactly.”
Duke Borgia's skill at shaking people with a proper balance of carrots and sticks was no ordinary thing.
‘Duke Borgia says I do not need to join them, only remain neutral... That cunning old fossil deliberately left me an escape route, then tried to steer me toward it.’
But perhaps Duke Borgia did not know.
From the beginning, I had never intended to take anyone's side.
‘He'll probably watch until the awards ceremony, and if I do not respond, he will start offering me things one by one. I just need to take whatever is worth taking then.’
I had been startled at first, but on further thought,
today's meeting with Duke Borgia had benefited me.
‘Once word spreads that Duke Borgia visited me, those Emperor Faction fools will grow anxious and come bearing heaps of gifts.’
Two birds with one stone.
After meeting Duke Borgia,
I stayed at Jeg's estate in seclusion rather than going outside.
‘Normally, I would have gone looking for the talented people I wanted to recruit, but...’
With Duke Borgia watching me, there was no reason to reveal my movements. I also needed to appear as though I was agonizing over my choice to the Emperor Faction, so I decided to leave that task to Dihelm and Max.
As expected, when I did not leave the estate for a while, several people from the Emperor Faction came to visit.
They spoke of the Empire's political situation and suggested that I join them.
“I apologize, but I know little about central politics.”
“We are not asking for anything else. We merely wish for you to join us...”
“As a noble and soldier of the Empire, I will focus only on protecting the north. I believe that fine people such as Marquis Ivan will handle central affairs well. If a time comes when you truly need help, I will offer what assistance I can within the authority granted to me.”
I never gave them a definite answer, consistently saying only that I would help later if necessary.
They seemed regretful at my answer, but they did not become angry or greatly disappointed. Whatever the case, they had secured my promise not to join the Noble Faction for now and to help them later.
‘Of course, I have no intention of helping them.’
Once I crossed back into the north, I intended to shut my doors and focus only on developing my territory.
In a sense, I was cleverly hedging my bets without taking either side.
I am Northern Army. I protect the north.
I know nothing about central politics!
...After repeating those words like a parrot, everyone seemed to accept it.
As I handed out empty promises and accumulated social connections and gifts, the day of the awards ceremony soon arrived.
＊＊＊＊＊
Inside the vast grand hall, which resembled a temple,
numerous nobles had gathered in the center, while officials stood to either side.
“We will now begin the awards ceremony!”
Those ranked in the top ten for war merit had gathered in the grand hall. As for those distinguished contributors who could not attend, rewards would be sent to them separately.
‘Most of them are from the Northern Army.’
Including me, seven of those gathered here were from the Northern Army.
The other two were officers from the Noble Faction.
Jeg, who had fought alongside me, was the only one from the Emperor Faction.
“All those called will step forward!”
The awards ceremony proceeded by calling each person forward and having the Emperor grant their reward.
Jeg's turn passed.
The people standing beside me diminished one by one, until it was finally my turn.
“Ubel Graum!”
At the official's call, I stepped forward, knelt according to protocol, and greeted the Emperor.
“This humble subject, Ubel Graum, beholds the sun of the Helion Empire.”
“I have heard of you. They say your achievements in this war were considerable?”
“I merely fulfilled the duty entrusted to me for His Majesty and the Empire.”
“Raise your head.”
As I slowly raised my head,
I saw the Emperor's face upon the throne.
His face was somewhat pale, and his eyes were unfocused.
‘As expected, he does not appear to be in good health.’
He had set aside his imperial duties and continued a debauched life, draining the treasury every day.
‘He does not even seem particularly interested in the awards ceremony.’
It was obvious just by looking at his face.
Even with a new margrave being created, he wore an expression devoid of any particular feeling.
He looked like an older cousin dragged unwillingly to an annoying family gathering.
“...Therefore, Ubel Graum is appointed a margrave of the Empire and granted the Ermil region as his fief. Considering both his war merit and the circumstances of his territory, taxes shall be exempted for five years. Fulfill your duties faithfully as its lord.”
“I will do my utmost to repay Your Majesty's grace.”
When the Emperor formally granted my title,
the officials around us applauded in unison.
Among them was Duke Borgia, who watched me with a meaningful gaze.
‘Forget anyone else, I truly cannot fathom what Duke Borgia is thinking.’
Just as Duke Borgia's unreadable gaze began to make me uncomfortable, the Emperor surprisingly rescued me.
“You may withdraw now.”
As if I had been waiting for those words, I answered at once.
“This servant, Ubel Graum, shall now take his leave.”
Before anyone could say anything else, I immediately bowed and left the grand hall.
“Did it end well?”
Jeg, who had left first, welcomed me.
“It ended so quickly it was almost anticlimactic.”
“That is a relief. So you are officially a count now?”
“Yes, so call me Count from now on.”
“Hehe... I will consider it after I become a marquis.”
“You bastard.”
As Jeg and I traded jokes while leaving the Imperial Palace,
“Lord of the fortress,”
Dihelm was waiting for me there for some reason.
‘For him to come here like this...’
Mindful of Jeg, he spoke to me in a low voice.
“I contacted the people you mentioned and arranged a meeting.”
The corners of my mouth lifted without my realizing it when I heard that he had contacted the talented people I wanted to recruit.
“Well done.”
“Would you like to go now?”
“Of course.”
After asking Jeg's understanding that I had somewhere to stop by,
I eagerly headed with Dihelm toward where Max was waiting.
‘If I can recruit those two...’
then this trip to the capital could practically be considered a success.
Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried
