Dragon Knight Chronicles ~ From a mere mercenary, rise to success through tactics! A small harem with the princess and the lord's daughter!? I'll also develop my territory! ~ - Chapter 98

Chapter 98   Change of Household Head

In August of the Unified Calendar 567…

Urgent messengers rushed daily into the royal palace of the Kingdom of Owen, bringing news of defeat after defeat. This particular battle had resulted in devastating losses because Duke Chad of the Ferguson region, which was supposed to be a safe retreat route, had defected to the enemy.

Marquis Clock, a member of the royal family and the supreme commander, was gravely injured. Many promising young nobles, including the eldest son of the former Chancellor Count Fisher, were killed in action.

Far from capturing the territories of the Garland Nation, the kingdom had lost more than 30% of its own lands due to the betrayal. The royal court sought to place responsibility for this disaster, and their anger turned toward Count Sauer.

“What will come of punishing me? It was Lord Clock who approved the plan! Surely you intend to apply collective responsibility in this matter?” Count Sauer declared in his defense during the court assembly.

The true power within the royal court did not lie with the Queen, but rather with Chancellor Clock.

“Lord Clock fought bravely and was wounded in battle; he cannot be blamed!”

“That’s right! That’s right!”

The voices of the young nobles grew louder, and the calls to hold Count Sauer accountable gradually diminished. However, throughout history, someone has always been held responsible for defeat.

“In that case, could it not be that the Duke of Rillburn, who commands nearly ten thousand soldiers but only sent three thousand, was also in league with Duke Chad and the enemy?”

When Count Sauer presented this theory, he quickly garnered support from the younger nobles.

“Yes, yes! Withholding troops will turn a winnable battle into a loss! We must question the Rillburn family!”

This sentiment became the prevailing opinion at court, and Io, who was coincidentally staying in the capital, Shampur, was summoned.

“Acting Lord! How do you explain this mess?”

“…Um…”

Suddenly confronted by stern and capable officials, Io, who had young Opal with her, felt the blood drain from her face. She had left the governance to her vassals and was not well-versed in the situation.

Those reliable vassals were not with her now. Whether aware of this or not, the officials pressed Io harshly and coldly.

“Does the Rillburn family admit to these charges?”

Three sheets of parchment were laid out before Io. Surrounding her were imposing soldiers, and Opal, held in Io’s arms, was terrified, crying loudly.

“This is outrageous! How dare you show such disrespect to the Duchess!”

Unable to bear the sight, Io’s maid fiercely confronted the officials.

“Silence, you insolent fool! Do you dare to mock the Royal Council? Take this one to the dungeon!”

“Eek!”

In such a terrifying atmosphere, Io had no means of resistance. While it might be considered unbecoming for a noble, her foremost concern was to eliminate the danger threatening her daughter, Opal.

Thus, Io, acting on behalf of the Rillburn family, partially acknowledged responsibility for the defeat and negligence in the recent battle and signed documents relinquishing 70% of the duchy’s farmland to the royal palace.

At that time, I returned to Lebe, battered and exhausted, alongside my weary comrades.

◇◇◇◇◇

In the lord’s hall of Lebe Castle, Io sat in the seat of honor as her retainers exchanged opinions.

“What? Why should we, who sent out our troops, have our pay reduced?”

“Exactly! The Rillburn family doesn’t know how to reward its retainers!”

The old retainers voiced their complaints, criticizing Io for accepting the reduction in the family’s territory. However, it was actually Lord Monkton, the leader of the old retainers, who had initially hesitated to send more troops.

“Given the situation, we must hold the senior advisor accountable. Steward, should you not take responsibility and step down?”

“Yes, indeed!”

As a baronet, I sat among the other retainers, but my voice was small, just one among the many.

“Monkton is the only one fit to take on the responsibilities of this house! What does everyone think?”

“I agree, no objections!”

Monkton was the teacher of both Io and Adelheid, making him an influential figure in the Rollburn family. Even Io, the acting lord, and Adelheid, the current steward, could not openly oppose him.

Io, unable to control this turbulent situation, might have been able to manage it better if the house had been smaller or if she didn’t have Opal, her daughter, to protect. Seeing Io’s distress, Adelheid also agreed to relinquish her position as steward.

“As the steward, I take full responsibility for the failures of this house.”

“Well said!”

“Then, Monkton shall be the new steward!”

“Yes, indeed!”

Since my public disappearance, the arrogance of the old retainers had only increased.

The old retainers were all related by blood, deeply connected to the Rillburn family. To them, I was an outsider, an obstacle.

“…Then, Lord Monkton shall be reinstated as a viscount and appointed as the steward of the Rillburn family. The territory appropriate to his duties will also be increased!”

“Ah, I am most grateful! I am deeply honored!”

After the acting lord Io officially appointed Monkton as the steward, Adelheid was dismissed from her position. Lord Monkton, who had far more influence than the head of the old retainers, Moltke, took over the role of steward.

“Master, is this really okay?” Nataraja whispered to me discreetly in the meeting room.

“Don’t worry. We have the land of Gale. Let them have this rotten place!” I whispered back, patting Nataraja’s head.

…But honestly, it stings. It hurts.

This was land that I had won through my own efforts and developed. Why should it be taken by those who only have connections and ties?

…But that is the reality of politics, the true path of power that has existed since ancient times.

Family ties and connections are part and parcel of land and governance. It’s impossible to rule without them.

Discipline yourself, Shinker. You must not run away from difficulties.

I kept repeating the words of my mentor, Schneider, over and over in my mind…