As soon as the day broke, General Ducat reported this matter to the Emperor.
The Emperor, upon hearing that Fabio had volunteered to go into the battlefield for the Empire, called the general to the Imperial Palace to learn the details.
"Is it true that Baron Rothschild volunteered to go to the battlefield without being ordered to?" the Emperor asked.
The general, upon hearing this, responded coldly, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Baron Rothschild asked to let him personally go to Guillau City to persuade the mayor on behalf of the Empire's national interests."
Every politician, regardless of their party, always says the sa thing: that they will work tirelessly for the people if they are elected.
The nobles of the Toscana Empire, too, always boast that they would willingly die for the Emperor.
However, when it cos ti to actually give up their lives, they often leave the honor of sacrificing themselves to soone else.
It’s not a matter of whether the elder or younger brother should go first.
"...... Honestly, this is unexpected. I never thought that Fabio..."
The Emperor, who was certain that Fabio would never betray him, had a deep confidence that Fabio would remain loyal.
This was because Fabio was famously protective of his wife, children, family, and business.
‘Even if he were to go into exile, my domain and the business would still be mine, no matter what.’
His wife and family could be taken along, as they were few in number.
However, taking his entire territory and business employees into exile would be impossible without divine intervention.
It was one thing if the man had nothing to lose.
But when soone has as much as Fabio, who has so much to protect, there’s no way he would betray the Empire.
"Other young n, for the sake of ambition or honor, would charge into danger without a second thought, but Baron Rothschild already has so much. For him to risk his life like this..."
Those with little to lose often make reckless investnts, chasing after wealth.
Among the nobles, there are those who, when seeking to climb the social ladder, would even join the army and volunteer for the front lines.
However, for soone like Fabio, who already has so much to protect and has earned great wealth and fa, there’s no need for reckless behavior.
‘Loyalty to the throne.’
"He's risking his life for the Empire, I see."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Baron Rothschild has sworn to dedicate his life for Your Majesty."
All politicians, across all ages, always claim they govern for the happiness of the people.
However, the weight of these words changes depending on who says them and in what context.
When King Sejong, who tirelessly invented his own writing system for the benefit of the people, said that the king is the father of all citizens, it carried much more weight.
On the other hand, when King Injo, who survived by charming the spirits of Hong Taiji with his seductive dance moves, said the sa, his words would not have the sa gravity.
Of course, the words of Sejong, the great ruler, would carry much more weight.
Though Fabio might not be a tiless loyalist, his actions in the eyes of both the Emperor and the Baron could only be seen as those of a brave man, one who could be seen as a loyal subject.
Entering Guillau City, a strategically important location, alone and advocating for its surrender is an act of great resolve, sothing that could not be done without deep commitnt.
The Emperor took a sip of his wine, smiling bitterly.
"Others say that Baron Rothschild is wicked and more interested in his own profit than in loyalty to . They speak of absurd things."
The Emperor had often called Fabio his "mad dog" in the past.
In other words, Fabio was like a loyal hound who never bit the hand that fed him.
However, now the Emperor had begun to reconsider.
"Baron Rothschild is loyal to and to the Toscana Empire in his own unique way. He is removing the Empire's enemies in ways no one else has thought of. In his heart, there is always and the Toscana Empire."
The Emperor’s view of Fabio had changed.
From being a three-headed guard dog of hell, he now saw him as a loyal hound with a slight greed for food.
"So foolish people in the Empire do not understand this."
The Emperor’s short remark carried a strong trust in Fabio.
His abilities were so great that speaking about them was futile. He would march into enemy territory, risking his life for the Toscana Empire, and make bold moves. To not trust Fabio would have been the stranger thing.
Of course, if the Emperor knew that Fabio had planned the entire thing, he might think differently.
Luckily, neither the Emperor nor General Ducat nor anyone in the Toscana Empire had discovered that fact.
"It’s a dangerous mission, but Baron Rothschild will handle it well."
Soon after, Fabio, following the Emperor’s orders, headed toward Guillau City alone.
Upon arriving in Guillau City, I was imdiately escorted by the Lyon Kingdom’s army to the city hall.
Realizing that war with the Toscana Empire was only a matter of ti...
I learned they had already stationed central forces in Guillau City to prepare for our attack.
It seems the Lyon Kingdom's command isn’t completely stupid.
‘They may focus on the war with the Holy Empire, but they are not letting their guard down against the Toscana Empire.’
If I judged it rationally, it seed like a very wise strategy.
With limited resources, soldiers, and supplies, focusing efforts and maximizing efficiency is crucial.
Based on the information they had, the Lyon Kingdom’s army must have judged that war with the Holy Empire was imminent.
"There are the commanders and the mayor of Guillau City inside, Baron."
Since no official declaration of war had been made yet, they treated like a noble guest.
Should I be grateful enough to shed a tear?
"I am Colonel Arue de Tangle, sent here to support the defense of Guillau City. The person next to is soone I know well, so there's no need to introduce him."
The mayor of Guillau City subtly tried to exert influence, soone who could have beco my father-in-law.
Of course, it was rely him insisting that I marry his daughter.
Still, we were on good terms.
We didn’t even need words to understand each other.
"May I ask the purpose of your visit, Baron?"
"I’ve co to offer a surrender on behalf of His Majesty, the Emperor of Toscana."
"Surrender offer? You must be out of your mind."
Colonel Arue sneered at .
"I’ve heard rumors that Baron Rothschild is a very capable man. Yet here he is, walking right into a place where he’s bound to die."
He laughed while pretending to hold his stomach.
"Go ahead and say whatever you like. Unlike the despicable Toscana Empire, we Lyon Kingdom adhere to proper manners."
In war, those who care about manners and formalities should be the first to die.
Are they seriously talking about war with such romanticism, as if it still makes sense in an age of line infantry?
I pulled out the Emperor’s letter and began reading it aloud.
"His Majesty, the Emperor of Toscana, orders Mayor of Guillau City to open the port and surrender peacefully. If he complies, the Emperor shall grant him the title of Count of Guillau, and those who support him will be greatly rewarded."
The outco of the war between the Toscana Empire and the Lyon Kingdom would inevitably depend on who controlled Guillau City.
This was well-known to both sides.
The Lyon Kingdom’s command must have realized this and sent additional forces to reinforce the defense.
"However, if you do not surrender, I will bring an army to ensure that not even a single blade of grass or animal remains. I hope you make a wise choice."
As I finished reading, Mayor of Guillau looked at and asked, as if questioning .
"Is that all you have to say?"
"That’s all. If you refuse, please release in accordance with the rules of war."
"It will take ti to write a response. In the anti, please rest and wait."
With those words, Mayor of Guillau issued an order for to be escorted out.
Through the attendant, I sent a letter to the mayor, one only he and I could understand.
The letter contained the following ssage:
"Destroy the defense command and join the Toscana Empire. The Emperor has guaranteed your wealth and glory."
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