The ball hosted by Mayor Guillaume had far more attendees than I had expected.
Given the circumstances, where I needed to minimize variables, this unexpected turn of events was somewhat disconcerting.
But when I consider whether this situation is good or bad, I can say that, despite the unforeseen development, it worked out well for me.
This means that the prominent figures in Guillaume City are all on my side, and among them, there are many I can absolutely trust.
“I truly appreciate all of you gathering here to celebrate my visit, despite your busy schedules.”
At that, everyone responded in a tone of mock humility, saying they were the ones who should be thankful.
"The Baron of Rothschild, who led the prosperity of Guillaume City, has come! There’s no way we wouldn’t drop everything and come to meet him!"
“What could be more important than meeting the Baron?”
Well, even though these words are laced with flattery, they clearly carry a hidden message: they’ll easily drop Count Guillaume and invest their souls into Rothschild Barony as soon as they get the chance.
Such words could only come from someone who doesn’t just follow me, but wholeheartedly supports me.
Mayor Guillaume is really good at this.
One of the guests, clearly trying to impress, presented an extravagant bottle of wine.
“This is the finest Akitelsan wine, which I managed to acquire through all the connections I have. It’s the same top-tier wine served at the Imperial ball.”
If this wine is the same quality as that served at the Imperial ball, just one bottle would easily cost 3 or 4 gold coins.
When considering the bribes paid to secure it, it would likely cost more than 10 gold coins per bottle.
“A total of ten bottles were painstakingly gathered by me and my colleagues, for you and your family to enjoy.”
To me, 100 gold coins isn’t that much.
But to the city’s councilors and high-ranking officials, 100 gold coins would be equivalent to two months' worth of income.
It’s an extravagant gift, but one I simply cannot refuse.
“Perhaps we’ll drink this at my son Leo’s birthday party in a few months. Such fine quality would surely satisfy my father-in-law, Duke...”
I know exactly what I’m doing here.
I’m calling my wife’s father “father-in-law,” even though technically, he's not. But by intentionally using the wrong term, I’m emphasizing how close I am to the Duke and subtly letting them know that their favor will also reach the Duke of Tuscany.
The person who gifted this wine surely caught on, as their shoulders lifted, almost like they’d had something special added to their step.
“While I would love to toast and spend the night celebrating with you all, unfortunately, it seems I can’t do that tonight.”
The expressions on the other guests, aside from Mayor Guillaume, showed embarrassment.
They clearly hadn’t been told the real reason for this gathering, likely to keep everything under wraps.
If they had been informed in advance, there’s no way they would have given away so much wine worth two months' salary.
“You may already know, but your lord, Count Guillaume, sent the thieves’ guild to raid the Rothschild Barony. Because of that, you and I can no longer maintain the friendly relations we once had.”
That’s how war works.
When we kill officers, non-commissioned officers, or soldiers from the North Korean army, it’s not because of personal grudges; it’s because they’re our enemies and we are theirs.
Similarly, the ‘high-ranking figures of the Kingdom of Lyon’ and ‘Count Guillaume’ declared war on the Tuscany Empire without our consent.
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So, now, we have no choice but to fight.
“And so, I’ve come here today to bid you farewell.”
Of course, I’m not actually here to say goodbye.
This is just the setup for the serious and persuasive words I’ll say later.
It’s like dropping a plot point for the next chapter.
“Before I leave, however, I want to give you one last piece of advice.”
I sighed on purpose.
“After I leave, Count Guillaume will not spare you. He will most certainly try to purge you.”
“You’re saying that Count Guillaume will wield his sword against us? That’s nonsense!”
“Think about it. Count Guillaume and I are already enemies. And you and I have been like brothers, haven’t we? We’ve drunk together, exchanged gifts, and done everything but what we weren’t supposed to do.”
You’ve gone to great lengths to impress me by offering such an extravagant gift, haven’t you? You’ve always been supportive.
I’ve even occasionally given you gifts that match your entire yearly salary.
Although we’re not related by blood through marriage...
Money can sometimes create bonds stronger than blood.
“Let’s think about this from the other side.”
By the way, if I were Count Guillaume, I would have killed every one of you without exception.
To me, my family may be a bunch of bad people, but to Count Guillaume, you’re all people who might stab him in the back.
It makes no sense for him to spare you.
The faces of the people around me turned pale as they processed my words.
Taking advantage of this silence, Mayor Guillaume asked me,
"Is there any way we can survive?"
“How about you abandon Count Guillaume and join me?”
This is one of the most common tactics used to manipulate people—scaring them into submission and then offering them a solution to ease their fears.
It’s the same method used by cult leaders.
“You are now in danger of falling into hell when you die, but if you believe in our leader, you will go to heaven where there will be no more pain.”
Though these people are not dumb enough to fall for such methods, it’s a tactic that can still work, given the right context.
“Even if Count Guillaume wants to purge you, he won’t do it before the war ends. No, he won’t even dare to.”
If Count Guillaume isn’t a complete fool, he wouldn’t purge you all before ensuring internal cohesion in such a critical time of war.
Before the war begins, anyone in the social hierarchy of Guillaume City, whether noble, bureaucrat, or public servant, would have benefitted from our Rothschild family’s influence.
To suddenly purge everyone at once, especially the key figures like Mayor Guillaume?
That would not help in preparing for the war.
“He’ll tell you to forget about the past and prove your loyalty if you want to survive.”
To succeed in a large-scale purge of high-ranking individuals, one must ensure they don’t realize it’s happening until it’s too late.
Count Guillaume knows this very well.
If my prediction is wrong, I’ll stop seeing my wife for a month and live in abstinence.
“However, that’s all a lie. Once the war with the Tuscany Empire is over, Count Guillaume will purge all those who are a risk of betraying him.”
I would do the same.
That’s why Count Guillaume will act the same way.
Humans are creatures that ultimately act according to common sense.
“However, if you join me, and we win this war, Mayor Guillaume...”
I grabbed his hand and smiled.
“I’ll give you the entire Guillaume Barony.”
In my heart, I would love to keep it for myself, but if I did that, the Emperor and the Duke would probably punish me for overstepping.
So, I’ll hand over the Guillaume Barony to Mayor Guillaume, who is already tied to me by money.
This way, I can rule indirectly.
“And I will make sure you receive a fair reward. The entire Guillaume Barony will be generously divided among you.”
I pointed upward and asked,
"Do the nobles of the Guillaume Barony have anything more to show for themselves than you do? It's all about having good ancestors."
Feudalism and the hereditary system collapsed for this reason.
It’s all about inheriting land from your ancestors.
“If you rule this land, how much will it flourish? Everyone will benefit. The common people will be happy, thinking that the golden age has arrived.”
When I say “everyone,” I’m clearly referring to those of us gathered here.
But to make it sound more impressive, I must add these flourishes.
It’s like the Joseon dynasty constantly proclaiming its policies as being for the common people.
“How about we all serve His Majesty, the Emperor of Tuscany?”
At those words, everyone nodded in agreement.
Then, I wrote my blood oath on the spot and headed back to my country.
The war was about to begin, and I had to prepare for even worse actions to come.