Chapter 42: 40

26th 一Multiple Choice Question

　In exchange for marrying a beautiful girl, Count Vanargand, the Eastern Count, would attack with his cavalry.

　If he accepted the offer of marriage with the Jotuns, he was sure to be in such a situation.

“Ehh, a marriage proposal is a terrible thing.”

“What are you talking about, Klein-sama, who has a part of Jotun’s blood?”

“Come to think of it, I’ve heard of something like that.”

　Klein already knows that he is a distant relative of the Southern Count.

　However, the families do not communicate with each other at all, and until Klein started trading last spring, they were not even close to each other.

　Klein is a viscount, one rank below a count.

　There are many high-rank nobles in the kingdom, even if they are not marquises or counted from the north, south, east, and west.

　Since there are a certain number of nobles in vestments who do not own lands in the capital, several families are of higher rank.

　Under normal circumstances, it would be strange for such an offer to come.

　Yes, under normal circumstances.

　For example, the reason why the marriages with the counts in the capital were not consummated may be because of the known relationship with the Eastern Count.

　Klein started with a check.

“Ha, ahaha. But why are you proposing this to me?”

　A 40-plus-year-old count is seriously in love with a 7-year-old girl.

　It would be better not to reveal yet that he has the level of obsession to kill his rival.

　Klein decided to ask in a roundabout way.

“My predecessor is concerned about the Asgard family, and there has been a discussion of an engagement for some time. When he saw the recent prosperity of the Asgard family, he nods his head and said that the Viscount Asgard would be a good choice.”

“….Is that so, haha.”

　Klein was full of it, though he was making appropriate comments.

　He knew that the previous Count had been concerned about Klein.

　However, the current Count Jotun was not that keen on the idea.

　If he had persuaded Klein and he refused, he would have lost the respect of his predecessors.

　To put it simply, it was a very difficult situation to refuse.

　In fact, he is impressed by the fact that he could have said no in his first life.

　He must have been just a young lad at that time because he didn’t understand what would happen if he refused.

　How did he receive Klein’s response?

　The messenger looks out the window and says, looking at the cityscape, which looks so different from what it used to be a long time ago.

“The Asgard territory has a silver mine, and now various industries have sprung up.”

“Yes, thanks to it, everything is going well.”

“But the farming land is not increasing, and you are having trouble finding food to feed your people.”

　Since they are allowed to import a large amount of food, there is no point in lying.

　Klein could not help but nod in agreement.

　And he knew exactly what the person who made that statement was trying to say.

　Klein’s cheeks are already tight.

“W-, well. I look forward to our continued business in the future―”

“The Asgard family is about to take first place in our export sales. Since we are devoting so much importance to them, I think we need to have a closer relationship with you in the future.”

　Klein’s proximity to the Jotuns, who have become a major exporter, will be very important.

　The Asgard family cannot suddenly terminate the deal, but if the business gets into trouble, it would be a big blow for the counts.

　Naturally, they would want to have an insurance policy against such a situation.

“…Is that so.”

　It makes sense, or rather, there is no reason to refuse.

　That’s why Klein was in trouble.

“You don’t seem too keen on the idea, do you?”

　The Jotun envoy gave him a probing look, which made Klein realize that he had to give up.

　It’s no use.

　No more excuses.

　With that in mind, he made his move.

“Well, didn’t you have an offer from Eastern Count for your lady?”

“Hmm, where did you hear about that?”

“It’s just a rumor, but it seems to be true since you ask me that…”

　I’ve been making indirect jabs, but now it’s time to play.

　Klein carefully watches the messenger’s face and reaction, and he attacks.

“It’s true that Eastern Count is over forty. It must be awkward for him to marry off the lady. But if the Count’s family gets involved in a quarrel, our family will be in serious trouble.”

　I know why you are making this proposal, he indirectly said.

　Klein was honest and forthright in his statement.

　The messenger looked thoughtful, then leaned forward and said

“In case there is a dispute, my family will intervene.”

“Intervene? In this case, since the family has turned down Vanargand and offered marriage to a relative instead, I think the Jotun family is rather a party to this case.”

“…that’s true, but…”

　It’s a messy situation.

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　Klein sighs inwardly.

　If he refuses the offer, it would be a corner to the Southern Count, and if he accepts it, it would be a corner to the Eastern Count.

　From Klein’s point of view, the connection with Southern Count is much stronger, so he can accept a slight worsening of the relationship with the Eastern Count.

　It would be fine as long as it does not lead to the destruction of the territory in an all-out war.

　The problem, however, is that Eastern Count is furious and is certain to invade.

“I think there is a high possibility that the Eastern Count will immediately raise an army if his honor is damaged. What do you think about this?”

“In that case, the justice is ours. Let us gather our troops and fight.”

　Considering the geography around Asgard, the distance between Southern Count and Eastern Count is about the same.

　In fact, Southern Count is somewhat closer.

　From the Eastern Count side, there are several noble houses in between, but there are no other houses between Southern Count and Asgard, so it is easy to go back and forth.

　Certainly, it is normal to think they would get reinforcements in time.

　Again, this was not the norm.

“The reinforcements probably won’t make it in time.”

“… what do you mean?”

“Their main force is cavalry. They could march twice as fast as the Jotuns if they were serious.”

　As a matter of fact, the Eastern Count army is composed almost entirely of cavalry, and their marching speed is extremely fast.

　Even if the Jotuns gathered their army as soon as they heard that Eastern Count had raised its army, the attack would be launched before they could assemble.

　Since they could not get reinforcements in time in their second life, they will likely have to fight alone this time, too.

　He hopes that this point is cleared up, then Klein breaks eye contact.

　The next time they looked at each other, the messenger’s face was shaking with anger.

　And the next moment.

　With the spirit of a man who has been woven into the fabric of the world, he says

“Then it’s all-out war! ! !”

“Wait, what? ?”

　―I failed.

　Klein realized, and the next moment he thought, “Maybe I was too direct.”

　The man in front of him punched the desk in the reception room with his fist and barked again.

“Let’s try to take the fight to Eastern Count from the very beginning! “

　For a moment, Klein was surprised and thought that the Asgard family was going to be destroyed, but it seemed that they were dealing with Eastern Count.

　But that’s okay if a man who is a vassal of the Countess of Jotun and can be considered one of the most powerful men in the land can say such a thing…

　Eastern Count Vanargand family vs. Southern Count Jotun & Asgard family.

　Such a war is likely to happen.

　A full-scale war indeed.

　Klein rolls his eyes in surprise at the messenger’s bloodthirstiness.

　The old messenger spoke his mind in a trembling voice that conveyed real anger.

“We will not give the daughter of our family, who is like our granddaughter… to a l*licon! “

“Um, I’m sure you feel that way. But in terms of politics―”

　The emissary did not stop, even though Klein tried to stop him with a startled look.

“That’s all that matters! If you’re going to hand over the princess because of politics, let’s just go to war! !”

“C-, calm down!”

　I understand what you’re saying, but… Klein is confused by the situation, which is not what he expected.

　But the messenger doesn’t pause and storms at him.

“Viscount Asgard! I’m going to make this very clear: If you don’t marry her, I’m going to have to scale back our business! “

“I’m afraid that’s not possible, sir.”

　How did this happen?

　Klein’s thoughts are already filled with that word.

“It’s one of two things, either you’re going to be indebted to Eastern Count, or you’re going to be indebted to us. Make a decision! “

　This morning was a perfectly normal morning when he woke up.

　Klein never thought that this would be the day he would have to make the ultimate choice between the two. He tries to smile as much as he can and try to back off again.

“So, after discussing it with my retainers…”

“No! Now, here! I want to hear what the Viscount himself has to say! ! “

　Marriage is an important matter.

　It was a matter of life and territory, but he didn’t give Klein any time to think about it.

“Uh, huh….?”

” ―Come on. What’s your answer? ” “

　But this is a one-choice question.

　If we deal with Eastern Count, we may still be able to make a military stand.

　If trade with Southern Count shrinks, the Asgard family will have a food crisis.

　Besides, there is no advantage for Eastern Count to help the Asgard family even if they say they will follow Eastern Count.

　Not only will they not help the Asgard family, but they may even make a mysterious move to destroy the Asgard family to score points with the Southern Count’s father-in-law.

　No matter how many calculations he does in his head. In the end, he had no choice but to nod his head at the offer of marriage.

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