Chapter 350 350-Negotiations
Perhaps it was Howard's charismatic personality or his approach to matters, but he effectively maintained and continuously strengthened his relationships with his direct vassals.
During the afternoon tea gathering, Bosiden started with casual remarks about recent changes within the kingdom, followed by Vettel's economic analysis.
As the discussion unfolded, each person expressed their opinions in turn.
Howard, keeping his own counsel, spoke less, allowing his vassals the freedom to discuss openly.
Howard held the handle of his teacup, gently bringing the tea to his lips.
Standing behind him was Nora.
This member of the Habsburg family, who had been the empress of the empire for over a year, was now back at Howard's side, thanks to his diplomatic efforts.
Considering Nora's previous role as a secretary, Howard had appointed her as an assistant to his existing secretary.
Nora inquired if the tea was too hot, to which Howard replied that the temperature was just right.
Time marched on, and half a month later, a significant incident occurred in the palace.
According to a maid, a secretary had been secretly taking golden and silver utensils from the palace, selling them for cash.
This issue pertained to the integrity of the palace's internal affairs.
Catherine, the queen, personally investigated the matter and found the stolen items in a market within the Polani County, not far from Pist.
All signs pointed to the secretary being responsible.
Howard personally summoned the palace maids to inquire about the situation.
Among these maids of the Oungria Kindom palace, aside from some who were recruited later, the rest had been with Howard for a long time.
Some of them were quite familiar with Howard.
Under Howard's direct questioning, the truth soon came to light.
The whole affair had been orchestrated by Nora.
Howard called Nora to him and said, "I have uncovered the truth. Due to your previous role as a court secretary, you are well-acquainted with many of the maids. Coupled with your undeniable management skills, you've established a high level of credibility among them. It was all your plan. You are the real culprit."
Nora initially wanted to argue, but considering her current reality, she chose not to and admitted, "Alright, since you've found out, I confess."
Howard sighed, "What's the hurry? The secretary who replaced you has been faultless so far. It wouldn't be right to replace her with you directly. But I've already considered it; sooner or later, I intended to promote you to a full-time position."
After saying this, Howard seemed to sense the irony in his words.
He glanced at the pile of documents on his desk and said, "Nora, you failed in your struggle for power in the empire. Can you not bring those tactics into my court? You, who once were an empress, can't you let go of a mere secretary position?"
Nora suddenly burst into tears, the first time Howard had ever seen her cry.
Afterward, Howard said nothing more; he just held Nora, comforting her.
Five days later, Nora left Howard's palace for the imperial capital Wis City, which Howard had conquered, to pacify the citizens.
Howard believed that a former empress could still contribute significantly to the core city of Wis.
Meanwhile, the secretary, feeling almost powerless over her subordinates and ashamed, resigned.
Howard tried to retain her, assuring her that the fault wasn't hers, as her opponent had been a former empress.
However, she insisted on leaving, so Howard generously gave her ten gold coins.
Truth be told, she hadn't left much of an impression on Howard.
Her work was too academic, often ineffective, failing to gain Howard's favor.
For someone like Howard, who dealt with a multitude of matters daily, he had even forgotten the secretary's name.
Howard lay on the sofa, and Boshni brought a basket of persimmons for him, but he waved them off, not wanting to eat just then.
Sometime later, the Governor of Venice unexpectedly declared war on Oungria Kindom, a development that took Howard by surprise.
Oungria Kindom responded decisively, swiftly capturing the major ports of the Venice region with three separate armies.
In two months, Venice was rapidly defeated.
Although the Venice Governor had hired numerous mercenaries, under the leadership of Howard's newly appointed Military Minister Neplon, all dangers were averted.
Howard, who had been at the forefront of every battle, still couldn't understand why Venice had chosen to attack Oungria Kindom.
Or rather, the real question was: What made Venice think they could defeat him, Howard?
The Governor of Venice explained that he had been deceived; his chief of spies turned out to be a spy for another power, misleading him with claims that Oungria Kindom was in disarray and vulnerable to attack.
Howard chuckled softly and turned to his spy master Portia, asking, "Was it your doing?"
Portia replied, "Serving Your Majesty loyally is my duty."
Pleased, Howard awarded Portia the newly acquired Guzz and Lika ports.
In this battle, Oungria Kindom had triumphed almost effortlessly.
Had they been the aggressors, the Governor's allies might have joined in defense.
But since it was the Governor who had recklessly provoked Oungria Kindom, his allies had no grounds for intervention.
Through this conflict, Howard realized the significance of espionage in warfare.
The Empire was now confined to the Tyro region and its vicinity.
Even the Linth County to the west of Wis City was now in Howard's control.
The once formidable Empire seemed to be in its twilight years.
Marquis Rolf, who had once had relations with Howard, was utterly defeated by Duke Edward and had vanished into obscurity as a commoner.
Howard felt a pang of regret.
The young and astute Edward of the Valuva family, having conquered all of Marquis Rolf's territories, declared the establishment of Lumburd Kingdom.
This news alarmed Catherine in Pist and her father in the Lumburd region.
Howard's father-in-law came to seek Howard's help, meeting him in Guzz.
He approached Howard hastily, pleading, "Howard, you must save me."
Howard, supporting his father-in-law's arm, assured, "Don't worry, I will definitely save you."
His father-in-law exclaimed, "That despicable Edward, he must be a shameful scoundrel. He has even declared the establishment of a kingdom."
At that moment, Ness of the Katerina family happened to walk by and overheard the conversation.
With a stern face, Ness confronted Terni, "My cousin establishing the Lumburd Kingdom is a matter of pride for our people. Why do you malign him like this?"
Terni, visibly agitated, began to berate Ness.
Ness, not one to back down, engaged in a heated verbal spar with Terni.
Howard asked Golan to separate the two and then took his father-in-law to a private room for a conversation.
It turned out that his father-in-law was worried Edward might target him in the future.
And not without reason.
The rationale was that the Lumburd Kingdom was founded on the basis of the Lumburd region, meaning any area culturally associated with Lumburd could potentially fall within the new kingdom's ambit of war.
From this perspective, his father-in-law's concerns were quite valid.
Howard immediately assured him of protection for his lands.
The old man, overwhelmed with gratitude and emotion, clung to Howard's hand, tears streaming down his face, "Howard, I am old and of no use now. I used to think you were just a lucky man who became Earl of Nok, and I looked down upon you. Now, I realize it was my narrow-mindedness."
Howard patted his father-in-law's arm, "Let bygones be bygones. There's no need to dwell on the past."
He then instructed Bosiden to travel to Florence, the current capital of Lumburd Kingdom.
Upon arrival in Florence, Bosiden met with King Edward.
Edward, wearing a crown of gold and dressed in a luxurious blue-purple silk robe, was eating a plump cherry as Bosiden arrived.
He greeted Bosiden with diplomatic courtesies.
Bosiden bowed respectfully, "My lord Howard has not seen Your Majesty for a long time and is deeply concerned about you."
Edward responded, "Hmm, I too have fond memories of him. His investment in my mercenary group resolved an urgent crisis for me, and I hold him in high regard."
Bosiden felt a surge of hope, believing the mission could be successful.
He continued, "Your Majesty, King Howard of Oungria Kindom wishes for your mighty forces to slightly alter their course, to overlook Terni's lands and turn towards others."
Edward asked cautiously, "Does Howard consider this matter of great importance?"
Bosiden replied, "Before departing, my king emphasized repeatedly and instructed me to ensure the success of this mission."
Edward then put down the cherry, which he had been holding between his thumb and forefinger.
The fruit landed back on the plate held by a gracefully kneeling maid.
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