Chapter 68: The Answer Is Already Decided (2)
“The 5th Prince of the Empire, Jonas von Raheid, it’s nice to see you, Lieutenant.”
“It’s an honor to see Your Highness, Prince.”
“I was late due to a sudden business. I hope the meal I prepared as an apology was to your liking.”
Given that the Empire was military-centric, and even though it was lenient on a man’s sexuality, mentioning women to an unmarried 21-year-old was hardly appropriate.
That was because the Empire’s faith, the Deus religion, demanded that all men and women remain chaste before marriage.
However, this rule wasn’t always strictly adhered to by the nobles, especially in the male-dominated military.
Much like high school students in Korea secretly drank and had fun during school trips, about 95% of them experienced such things around the time of their academy graduation.
Although I came from a common background and had maintained my innocence thanks to the hectic journey here, all unmarried officers had to at least pretend to be pure.
“Yes, the meal you prepared was delicious. It was on par with a royal banquet.”
Jonas looked slightly disappointed, perhaps hoping I had had a good time with Mari.
Did he think I was crazy enough to touch that woman and plant a beautiful spy in my house? No way.
“Our chef worked in the Royal Palace for about 15 years before setting out on his own.”
“No wonder. It was really delicious.”
“If you ever visit again, I’ll make sure to serve even more delicious food.”
I bowed my head in gratitude, but I knew I wouldn’t be visiting this place again.
Thus, the Fifth Prince and I chatted about food, current affairs, and the military for about 10 minutes.
When the mood warmed up, the 5th Prince asked,
“By the way, do you have any idea why I called you today?”
“I’m not sure. However, if you’d like, I can share some of my exploits from the Chekovian Raintlant Front.”
In fact, it was well known that he called me here to recruit a man named Peter Yeager to strengthen his power and position in the Empire, and to take the first step towards becoming the Emperor.
So, pretending to know wouldn’t be a problem, and the 5th Prince would likely appreciate getting to the point quickly.
Part of my visit’s purpose was to ensure the Crown Prince had no doubts about me and to show that Peter Yaeger’s value had increased even in the eyes of the 5th Prince.
And, subtly, to influence the terms the Crown Prince might offer me.
While the Crown Prince had been very generous, I wasn’t going to refuse an opportunity to increase my annual salary from one billion to two billion.
“Stories are good, but I’m somewhat busy. Let’s get to the point. Are you thinking of abandoning the Crown Prince and joining my side?”
I looked at the 5th Prince in complete disbelief.
“You expected this when I called you, didn’t you? Fine. Here’s what I can offer…”
The 5th Prince paused for a moment, then said,
“To be direct, I want to be Emperor, and I need you. I will offer you the best terms. If you continue your achievements and I become Emperor, I promise you’ll wield the Marshal’s Baton before you turn 30.”
The Marshal’s Baton was a symbol of authority, only wielded by a five-star General, effectively making them at the top of the military hierarchy.
“Moreover, why should someone of Marshal’s caliber only be a Baron? You should at least be an Earl. I’ll grant you a title near the capital.”
Around this point, it felt like the 5th Prince might have been making overzealous offers. Touching the Earls near the capital was difficult. They were either tied to the royal family or descendants of legendary national founders.
“If you join me, I’ll bestow upon you immense wealth, honor, and beautiful women. Maybe I can’t promise someone as graceful and beautiful as the noblewoman Laura you brought to the banquet, but certainly someone even more beautiful…”
I was initially swayed by his lavish offer.
At the sheer magnitude of his offer, I recalled a line from an old game I had played where the Demon King tried to tempt the hero.
“I, Baron Peter Yaeger, deeply appreciate the generous and gracious offer from His Highness, the 5th Prince. It would have been an honor for my family to have received such an offer for generations.”
The expression on the 5th Prince’s face crumpled upon hearing my words.
No matter how ignorant a person might have been, they would have understood the implications of what I had just said.
“However, a knight, once sworn to serve a lord, doesn’t change his allegiance unless betrayed by that lord. The same holds true for the values of the Empire’s nobility.”
In reality, in this world, officers who still talked of chivalry were generally considered old-fashioned and were typically overlooked. Most in the Crown Prince’s faction initially supported another Prince for the throne but have since shifted allegiance.
What I was referencing might have sounded clichéd, but it was true in this romantic, chivalrous Empire.
“Even if His Highness the 5th Prince offers me half of the world, as long as the Crown Prince lives, Peter Yaeger will serve him.”
This might have sounded absurdly idealistic by the standards I knew in Korea, but it was a sentiment that resonated in this Empire.
Before I continued, even with all of the 5th Prince’s efforts, the possibility of him becoming the Emperor of the Reich Empire was already an impossible dream.
The 5th Prince, angered by my words, retorted,
“Damn it! Didn’t I offer you everything? All you had to do was accept! Why do you refuse it all?”
I spoke, both to irritate the man before me and, just in case, for any of the hidden ears of the Crown Prince.
“Currently, I, Peter Yaeger, am honored with the title of ‘Baron’ in the Empire, which is more than I deserve. My rise to this position was all due to the Emperor and the Crown Prince recognizing my worth. Otherwise, I would still be a mere commoner orphan.”
Technically, the Crown Prince picked me up after my value was recognized.
“If I hadn’t received a direct report from the Crown Prince during the Chekovia frontline, we would have been remembered in history as fools who lost after winning.”
“To put it another way, a simple sword, when wielded by a great knight, becomes legendary. And I view myself in the same light.”
While speaking like this in front of the Crown Prince might have come off as too obsequious, the reality was different. Yes, I had the Crown Prince’s support, but many were given opportunities and still failed.
The 5th Prince, seemingly giving up on convincing me, then waved me off.
“Leave now. Let’s pretend today never happened.”
“I was busy preparing for a lecture today, so I hadn’t left my house, Your Highness.”
With that, I left the residence of the 5th Prince.
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