“That’s a bit of a harsh joke, Duke of Saxony.”
“It’s no joke. But such things are not important.”
Real cowards never go around saying they’re scared.
Think about it—Albion is a continent where the romance of knights is more respected than reason.
In such a world, if we only saw the shadows of our known enemies, would we be branded as cowards shaking like a power drill?
It’s the sa as if I, as a military officer, was revealed to have a mbership card in the North Korean Communist Party, getting the sa level of social stigma.
So when the Duke calls himself a coward, this is what I understand it to an:
‘Soone who is cautious enough to be labeled a coward by others.’
Like General Taegong, waiting for the right ti, knowing when to gather all his wealth and soul to make an investnt.
Don’t even try to deceive yourself.
It’s like saying a goalkeeper is there, but the ball doesn’t go in the goal.
“The famous Rothschild Baron, who’s been making a na for himself in the Toscana Empire, surely didn’t co here with nothing to do. What’s the business? Did you co with an imperial command or sothing?”
“Unfortunately, the Toscana Empire has yet to decide whether to side with the new faith or Deus faith.”
A smile appeared on the Duke of Saxony’s face.
The Toscana Empire won’t help you, the leader of the new faith, nor will it help the Deus faith faction led by the Holy Empire’s Emperor.
At least, he’s not worried that we might turn against him.
“Is Toscana just going to stay neutral?”
“Officially, yes.”
“Officially staying neutral? What kind of wordplay is that?”
“You, Duke of Saxony, raised the banner of the new faith, thinking that driving out the corrupted Deus faith would greatly benefit the Holy Empire, didn’t you?”
“Deus has given a divine mandate, so I had no choice but to summon courage. I’m not interested in the imperial throne.”
There was a student in my graduate school who studied Korean history. He once said that Yi Seong-gye, who founded the Joseon Dynasty, kept whining that he wouldn’t beco king, even after overthrowing Goryeo.
But then his loyal ministers like Jo Jun and Jeong Do-jeon shouted that Yi Seong-gye, being virtuous, couldn’t stay kingless, and forced him into the throne.
The Duke of Saxony, after winning this war, will surely have his ministers threaten him with a “sword to the throat,” just like those ministers did to Yi Seong-gye.
Soone without such ambition would keep a priest, or rather a pastor, like Father Stefano in his castle, protecting him?
I’d rather believe the story about a church guy taking a drunken woman to a motel, only holding her hand as he falls asleep next to her.
But, as is customary in diplomatic exchanges, you pretend to ignore what you know.
“You’re truly a faithful servant, always thinking of the Holy Empire’s national interests and ideals. I should follow your loyalty as an example.”
“To hear such words from Toscana’s most loyal subject. It seems that loyal subjects have sothing in common, even if the country is different.”
“Though we serve different monarchs, the essence of loyalty must be the sa, doesn’t it?”
No, you’re like Yi Seong-gye, trying to take advantage of this mont to seize the throne of the Holy Empire, and I’m just a loyal subject trying my best to teach the Crown Prince of Toscana.
What loyalty are we talking about?
I may not be a rare example of loyalty like Admiral Yi Sun-sin, but at least I’m on par with a strategist like Guo Jia under Cao Cao.
I am not so rebellious character like you, my friend.
“Our faith in Deus is quite similar, though.”
At the ntion of faith, the Duke of Saxony’s eyebrows twitched.
“The new faith doesn’t force tithes on its followers, and it shuns excess. Moreover, the clergy only cares about the afterlife and doesn’t get involved in politics. That noble mindset even moved Deus himself.”
“Father Stefano—or rather, as you say, Pastor—I’ve personally seen him tied to the stake, waiting for death as the rain poured down. It was truly a miracle.”
“Of course, for a devout believer like you and .”
“There must be a common purpose then.”
The reason I brought up loyalty to the Empire and faith was purposeful.
Our Toscana Empire hasn’t decided whether to get involved in the war yet.
I can’t openly support the Duke of Saxony, who leads the new faith faction, but I still need to say that I’m on their side.
However, as Machiavelli said, ‘Neutrality is a sin.’
When the Cairo Treaty was signed, there were rumors about evil Japanese supplying materials and pro-Japanese figures loudly proclaiming their loyalty to the Empire of Japan.
If not for the tireless independence movents of the Provisional Governnt and the independence fighters, Korea’s independence would have been much slower.
We’ll strike back at these guys later, but for now, I need to say I’m on the new faith’s side.
‘The best ti to strike is when it matters most.’
“His Majesty, the Emperor of Toscana, hasn’t yet had the chance to suppress or expel the corrupt Deus faith clergy. But he has placed restrictions on the sale of indulgences.”
“Truly, the rulers of other nations, aside from the corrupted Emperor of the Holy Empire, are making the ‘right choice.’”
I know full well that you and I are both using Pastor Stefano to gain sothing.
But don’t act like you’re such a devout believer.
If you die, you’ll probably even ask for canonization as a Protestant saint.
Ugh, this careful coward act is annoying.
When the opportunity arises, you’ll be willing to sell your soul.
Ah, I’m praising you now.
In our industry, the way you dispose of your conscience, according to rational calculations, determines your reputation.
‘Soone like , who’s a decent person, wouldn’t understand. But soone like the Duke of Saxony could probably even beco a professor at Satan University.’
“Though we haven’t officially accepted the new faith, we’ve tacitly allowed Protestantism within Toscana. Even when reports of Protestants co in, the guards are slow to act.”
“So, it’s effectively been legalized?”
“Just like how darkness cannot overco the light, the light of the Gospel is slowly spreading within Toscana.”
The new faith and Deus faith—if you want to explain it to modern people:
‘Communism vs. Capitalism.’
The ideological war between these two led to the Cold War, just like how the new faith and Deus faith are currently at war (with much bloodshed).
So when I say the light of the Gospel, it could be understood as:
‘We’re not Communists, we’re Capitalists, anti-Communists!’
Of course, for the Duke of Saxony, the leader of the BLUE team, it’s a great thing.
“Did you co all this way just to tell that?”
“Yes, indeed. Would you believe it if another noble ca here and said the sa thing?”
My position within the Toscana Empire is quite high.
I’m a war hero who burnt down the Kingdom of Lyon without shedding a drop of blood, a trendsetter of the Empire, the richest noble, and the one who perford miracles saving tens of thousands from the plague.
I’ve personally seen to the rations of every soldier and even married into the Visconti family.
My family’s position is secure as long as I’m alive, breathing.
“I wouldn’t believe it if it weren’t for His Majesty’s official envoy,” I said.
“That’s why I had to co in person.”
“His Majesty, the Emperor of Toscana, seems to be quite a thoughtful person.”
Actually, I didn’t intend to co here.
But since the Emperor gave the role of the Crown Prince’s ntor while I was living a comfortable life, I had no choice but to co.
I could have persuaded them in at least fifty different ways without coming here.
But this is all His Majesty’s fault.
“And there’s sothing I really want to tell you in secret. Could you please give a mont alone?”
“Do as you wish.”
With that, everyone, including the Crown Prince, was ushered out.
After about five minutes, the Duke of Saxony turned to .
“What is it you want to say?”
“Since everyone has left, you can speak freely now. Aren’t you interested in the Emperor’s throne of the Holy Empire?”
“Are you insulting ?”
“Once the corrupt Deus faith is driven out, all the princes will naturally elevate you to Emperor. They’ll vote on it, according to the Empire’s traditions.”
Yi Seong-gye, too, after overthrowing the Goryeo royal family, was forced into the throne by his ministers.
It’s no different in the Holy Empire, where the throne is changed through votes.
The Duke of Saxony didn’t deny my words.
“I will contribute to your victory in this war, and in return, please grant territory in the Holy Empire.”
“Are you planning to be a double vassal?”
“There’s a good example in Baron Fuger, so why not?”
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