Otherworldly Summoning Day 119 [Those in Turmoil] Part 3:

"What in the world is going on here!

Lord Gerhardt could not hide his irritation.
The last few days had brought a series of unpleasant reports to them that should have given them an absolute advantage.

''Well that's why...''

'So what? Won't you say it clearly!

In fact, as a member of Lord Gerhardt's entourage, he had no clue about the details of what was going on.
The only thing that has come to their attention is the fact that a number of the bystanders who promised to help them have turned to the side of Princess Lupis within the past few days.
The people who have turned are all noblemen with a good amount of land.
You'll be able to find out more about the fact that you're going to be able to get a good deal more from them.
Moreover, the only conditions I asked for were to not move my troops and to support Princess Ladine.
The risk to the noblemen who were brought in was infinitesimally small, and yet the benefits were great.
There was an avalanche of noblemen from the sidelines who had been living in disgrace and joined the nobility.
Of course, they had no intention of keeping their promises to those who had turned on Duke Gerhardt.
In the first place, if one calculated accurately, the addition of the promised territory alone would cost nearly half of the kingdom.
It's only natural to realize that this is not possible if you think about it for a while.

''There are only two things we know. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about that. And.........

At this point his aides cut off his words.
He knew that the Lord would be furious if he said the next words.
But at the same time, years of experience have made him understand that keeping silent would result in the same thing.
His entourage prepared for the Lord's thunder to strike and performed their duties.

''There are people among the turned nobles who are showing us a very hardline stance...''

What do you mean? Hardline? ...have you fortified your territory?

Somewhat foolishly, Lord Gerhardt asked.

''That's why ... it seems that they have packed up their territory's troops and entered the royal capital ...''

What?

Lord Gerhardt could not hide his surprise.
This was a story that could not be overlooked.
Even if the aristocrats switched to the princesses, Duke Gerhardt would not be in much trouble.
But if the nobles were to let the soldiers of their domain into the royal capital, this is a completely different situation.
They would be turned over from their factions.
You might think that this would be a big drop in strength, but in fact, that's not the case.
The fact is, however, that this is not the case, as those who would turn over at this time of year are extremely reluctant to do so to their own detriment.
People who are in the habit of taking the bait from the faction but not contributing at all to it.
For example, if we're talking about this time, it's almost always the princess faction's flag that is raised, but they don't contribute troops or funds to the faction, and other non-cooperative attitudes.
At least that's how it's been up to now.
And it is precisely because he knew this that Duke Gerhardt did not ask for excessive cooperation in recruiting the nobles from the sidelines.
Because he knew that there was no point in asking for it.
That's why Lord Gerhardt feels a sense of urgency.
Because his decision to stay in his domain and only show token cooperation to the princess faction was spectacularly off.

''What do you mean by that.......does that mean you really belonged to the princess faction? No, who the hell was that in the first place?

The Earl of Bergston, Count Zeref, and a host of other minor noblemen have arrived at the castle, Your Majesty.

How far do you want to go against me ... no, wait? Are you a princess? Did you belong to the princess faction instead of the knight faction?

Perhaps because Lord Gerhardt was dismayed by the unexpected news, he realized the point he had overlooked.

''Yes, I was also curious and checked repeatedly, but I'm not a knightly person.......I definitely belong to the princess faction.......''

At first glance, it seems to be the same thing, but in reality, it's quite different.
The knightly faction is undoubtedly the princess's supporting body.
But the knightly faction supports the princess not because she is a princess, nor because she was the head of the Kingsguard for the last few years.
It's because the head of the knightly faction, General Hodram, supported Princess Lupis.
It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.
Most of the mid-grade and above knights who unite the unit are incorporated into General Hodram's faction, and that is directly translated into voice.
Princess Lupis is nothing more than a decoration for the knight faction.
But what happens when even a few noblemen come to the support of Princess Lapidus?

Nobles have an army according to the size of their estates.
Mid-level nobles such as the Earl of Bergston have an army of about 1,000.
If the neighboring noble families of Count Bergston and Zeref were to support the princess's faction, the princess would have nearly 4,000 more troops than the Earl of Bergston and Zeref.
Of course, Prince Gerhardt, the leader of the noblemen's faction, currently has about 40,000 men.
If he recruited more peasants from his estate and hired mercenaries, the number of troops would be more than 60,000.
At present, General Hodram's troops were about 15,000-plus.
If the royalists' increase in troops and General Hodram's troops were combined, the number would be less than 20,000.
Although Duke Gerhardt still had the advantage, what was interesting was that the noblemen who had been turned over to him belonged to the princess group.


After dismissing his entourage, Duke Gerhardt sat down deep in his chair and got lost in thought.

(Princess Lupis........are you trying to regain the real power from Hodram?

The matter came to Lord Gerhardt.
When you look at the actions of Count Bergston and Zeref, it can only be analyzed as such.
And you deny that idea to yourself.

(No ... it's impossible. It's impossible for Princess Lupis to do such a thing...)

Prince Gerhardt had questioned Princess Lupis's abilities.
Now Princess Lupis is 22 years old.
She's been the leader of the Kingsguard for about five years, so she's not incompetent by any means.
However, the caveat that it's limited to military matters is attached.
It's only natural.
That's because she has yet to participate in national politics.
Whatever her qualifications, there is no way she can easily do something she has never experienced.
It's a different story if you have an entourage of wise men in your entourage, but the only one named as a member of the princess' entourage is Mertina, the deputy leader of the Kingsguard.
Moreover, even Gerhardt himself understands that he is not a man of wisdom, let alone military prowess.
You can't keep the kingdom of Roselia intact by yourself.

(It would have been different if Princess Lupis had been able to control either military or political affairs. (In order to strengthen his own power).

Lord Gerhardt could understand the thoughts of Hodram, who was his own kind of person.

(Hodram would abandon the princess within three years at the latest ... and then she would be killed or imprisoned, or otherwise made to become Hodram's wife. (Either way, it's not going to be a good thing as far as I'm concerned.

Lord Gerhardt himself didn't care much for the throne.
This is because, if anything, he has a character that takes fruit rather than name.
On the other hand, General Hodram is a character that takes both the name and the fruit.
I can see that he will eventually want the name, even if he only has to put up with the fruit for now.
The name of King.

(Well, if I win, you'll have to die, so it's the same for Princess Lupis...)

To Gerhardt, who already had a new palanquin called Princess Ladine, Princess Lapis was nothing more than an obstacle.
With two people to succeed to the throne, it's obvious that this would be a flashpoint in the war once again.
However, in reality, Duke Gerhardt had quite a bit of doubts about the authenticity of the Princess Ladine he was holding.
It is true that she has the same silver hair as the deceased king, and her face is not at all dissimilar to his.
He also brought the king's will with him, so I can't assume it's a fake.
I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in your own life.
The king dies, and before his heir can take the throne, the former king's child is found.
It could be said that the timing is too good.
The reason why they still have Princess Ladine is because they desperately needed a portable shrine with royal blood to oppose General Hodram.
If they got into a battle with the knightly faction that had Princess Lapidus without a palanquin, they would be accused of being traitors.
If that happens, some of the aristocrats, who are her children, might betray her.
Gerhardt himself thinks it's a foolish thing to do, but a cause is an inevitable necessity in warfare.
Even if it is a false cause.

(Well, that's okay. I'm sure you'll be able to get rid of it later on if you're an imposter.

A smile appears on Gerhardt's face as he thinks this far.
As long as both of them are raising the cause of being princesses, the only thing that matters is the pure difference in strength.
And for now, the aristocracy faction was originally more advantageous in terms of numbers, and they are doing well in capturing the bystanders.
Even if the princess faction had cut back a little, the aristocrats' advantage would not change.

(The question is why the princess faction has suddenly started to move, and I don't think it's the wisdom of that deputy commander. Has someone been appointed to assist him?

There is no change in the favorable situation, so it's fine to ignore it, but the sudden darkening of the princess faction is not a favorable action for Gerhardt either.

''Someone!''

When he had finally come up with a plan, Gerhardt called his aides who were waiting in the next room.

'You wanted to see me, sir?

Hmm. I'm anxious to see what the princess party is up to.

Do you want to release the spies?

Hmm. I don't care how much money it costs. Hire the best urchin you can find.

The entourage looked slightly surprised.
He knew that his master was not a generous man.

And have the princess's entourage investigate to see if there are any sharp men in her entourage ... and if there are, kill them immediately!

Duke Gerhardt, who had risen through the ranks by winning many political battles, did not make lenient decisions.
He gained power by removing obstacles in advance.

''Very well.''

The man in his entourage bowed reverently and left the room.

'Even if it's anyone who gets in my way, I will only kill them!

Lord Gerhardt was ready to do whatever it took.
To be the ruler of this country.