Chapter 146 – Marquis Laksir (4)
Upon my return to Milon’s mansion,
“You t him but ca back empty-handed!?”
Nella let out a sharp shout the mont she heard what transpired.
“Just why?”
“It’s not like I could threaten him in broad daylight and have him hand the person over.”
“Where is he? Where is that guy now!?”
“Why? Are you going to go after him yourself?”
“Of course! Ugh, I didn’t think you were this soft……!”
Nella shot a resentful glare in my direction.
“I should just go and kidnap him myself……”
“Why are you so impatient all of a sudden?”
“Impatient? How could I not be!? What if the Marquis hides him away or he escapes!?”
Without the slightest hesitation, I shook my head.
“That won’t happen. I’m sure of it.”
“What?”
Nella’s expression imdiately twisted into a frown.
“You’re certain? Based on what?”
“Because now even Marquis Laksir knows that I’m targeting that old man.”
“What does that even an?”
“Think about it from the Marquis’ perspective.”
I calmly continued explaining.
“He wants sothing from . He’s particularly curious about what I saw in Black Swan and how things are operating internally there.”
“And?”
“However, he knows I wouldn’t share that information willingly, right? That’s why he probably spouted nonsense about making his vassal or whatever.”
“……!”
At so point, Nella had started paying full attention to my words.
“He’s probably been thinking hard about it—what he needs to offer to make agree, or at least to get to the negotiating table. But then, surprise! He suddenly found out what I wanted.”
“……!”
“In that situation, if you were the Marquis, would you just let that old man run away?”
Nella’s eyes widened gradually.
“Of course not, right?”
“You…… Did you even anticipate this?”
I nodded silently.
“Knowing what the opponent wants and folding imdiately is the act of a fool, especially for a seasoned high noble like the Marquis. He’s more likely to use that guy as a pawn to increase his chances of victory.”
Above all, this assumption solidified into certainty after I learned about Marquis Laksir’s hobbies.
“Do you know how to fish?”
“……What? Why bring up fishing all of a sudden?”
Nella’s aggressive energy faltered slightly, and she frowned again.
“Marquis Laksir is fishing right now.”
“What do you an?”
“The mont he realized what I wanted, he retreated without hesitation despite his pride taking a hit.”
All of the Marquis’ knights had been thoroughly beaten by . Moreover, there were plenty of onlookers.
“In other words, he decided the bait was set well enough.”
“So…… you’re saying Marquis Laksir is fishing for you right now?”
I nodded again.
“If you pull the line too quickly when you get a bite, the fish might just escape.”
“You could’ve just explained it plainly instead of using this fishing analogy.”
“Fishing is Marquis Laksir’s hobby.”
“You even found out sothing trivial like that?”
This wasn’t trivial—it was essential.
Know your enemy and know yourself, and you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.
If you know yourself but not your enemy, you’ll win one and lose one.
If you know neither yourself nor your enemy, you’ll be in danger in every battle.
“To devise an infallible strategy, you must know the person thoroughly.”
With that in mind, it was ti to go catch the fish.
Before dusk, I visited Marquis Laksir’s mansion alone.
His residence was more beautiful than any I had ever seen. However, this didn’t necessarily an it was the most expensive.
After all, the value of real estate depends on its location. By the sa logic, houses closer to the royal palace are more expensive.
Marquis Laksir’s mansion, however, was quite far from the palace.
“Ho……”
In front of the mansion was the Rubiton River, which flowed through the capital.
Marquis Laksir was waiting for by the river, seated alone with a fishing rod cast into the water.
“My hobby.”
At his glance, the escorting knights promptly withdrew. However, they didn’t forget to cast hostile glances my way as they left.
“I didn’t expect you to co alone after causing such a commotion. You must have nerves of steel.”
“As you said, that was an ‘accident’. I have no reason to be afraid when I’ve done nothing wrong.”
At that, Marquis Laksir turned to look at with a curious expression, as if he wanted to see what I would do next.
“You certainly live up to your reputation as a daring baron.”
By ‘daring’, he clearly ant ‘reckless fool’.
“Since I’ve mustered the courage, may I ask you a question?”
“Go ahead.”
“What dealings have you had with the eke Principality? I’m referring to Black Swan.”
“……Cutting straight to the chase, are we?”
Marquis Laksir asked, seemingly caught off guard.
“I had a feeling my assumptions weren’t the whole story.”
“What assumptions?”
“A truce would have been a rational decision for a commander acting in his country’s interest. Continued warfare would have required the involvent of Masters. Moreover, with a hydra in the north, you’d have judged that conquering that land with just one Master would be impossible.”
“……!”
Marquis Laksir’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Did you encounter that creature?”
His reaction confird that he was already aware of the hydra’s existence.
“If two masters from the Hart Kingdom were deployed, the eke Principality would surely send two of their own. That would escalate into a full-scale war. If the conflict spiraled out of control……”
My voice trailed off as my gaze darkened.
“……The casualties on both sides would have been catastrophic, benefiting a third party instead.”
“……”
That ‘third party’ was, of course, the Empire.
If the war continued, victory would have been likely. Objectively, the Hart Kingdom had the superior forces. But it would have been a pyrrhic victory.
“So, you decided on a truce and sowed discord among the other races to prepare for the future…… That’s my theory.”
“……”
Marquis Laksir’s face remained calm.
But the slight tremble in his pupils betrayed him. He hadn’t expected that I might have encountered the other races.
‘From the dwarves’ perspective, it’s an unforgivable betrayal, but for the human commanders, it was a highly rational decision.’
Still, this approach required one critical condition.
‘Having allied with the elves once, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t do so again.’
Relying on the truce alone and withdrawing left them vulnerable to betrayal.
The elves might side with one kingdom and split Black Swan between them. Thus, the Hart Kingdom and the eke Principality needed a definitive token of trust.
“……Impressive.”
Marquis Laksir finally broke his silence.
“I’ve changed my mind. You exceed your reputation. However, I cannot answer your question. I swore to keep it confidential.”
“I understand. That’s not what’s important right now, anyway.”
Yes.
Everything so far had been a prelude to what I truly wanted to say.
“It seems you want to make a deal with as well. Am I correct?”
“What makes you think that?”
“If not, there would be no reason for the honorable Marquis of Laksir to engage in such petty behavior.”
At my words, Marquis Laksir chuckled bitterly.
“Was I that petty?”
“Beyond petty—it was disgraceful. A seasoned noble sabotaging a new noble’s attempt to recruit people?”
“Despite such a vile act, you preserved my dignity.”
“Did it seem that way to you?”
“It did.”
Marquis Laksir fixed his sharp gaze on .
“With your temper, it wouldn’t have been surprising if you had beheaded all my knights…… Yet, you restrained yourself.”
To be honest, yes, I restrained myself quite a bit.
“At first, I suspected you had the backing of the eke Principality.”
“The eke Principality? All of a sudden?”
“Why else would Marquis Foltaine, Duke Herman, or Duke Serin have any reason to support you?”
Marquis Laksir’s once-calm eyes now glead with intensity.
“But…… Now, I’ve changed my mind.”
“Should I take that as a good sign?”
“Of course. I find myself deeply intrigued by you and even desirous.”
Whether he was bluffing or not, the mood had shifted for the better, making it easier to approach my main point.
“In that case, I’d like it if you handed over just one person as a gift.”
“And in return, you’ll beco my vassal?”
“Are you married, my lord?”
“Huh?”
Marquis Laksir looked puzzled but soon nodded.
“At my age? Of course, I married long ago.”
“When courting your wife, you didn’t propose on the first day with a gift, did you?”
“……”
Marquis Laksir fell silent, understanding my point.
“Treat as you would a prospective partner. If I end up falling for you, who knows? I might seriously consider becoming your vassal.”
“Hahaha, sounds like you’re planning to take everything I have. That must be my imagination, right?”
Marquis Laksir burst into laughter.
“Still, it’s impossible. Managing the fish I’ve already caught is just as important as pursuing the ones I haven’t.”
“Then, shall we make a bet?”
“A bet……?”
I stepped closer, stopping not far from Marquis Laksir.
“Lend a spare fishing rod.”
“……!”
I challenged him in his strongest domain.
“If you lose, you’ll grant my request.”
“So…… You want to settle this with a fishing contest?”
I nodded.
“You choose the rules, my lord. Should we compete to catch the first fish or the largest one?”
“……”
Marquis Laksir’s previously rigid lips curved into a smile.
Then.
“Bwahahaha!”
He erupted in the loudest laughter I’d heard from him.
“Unbelievable…… To think soone would challenge to a fishing contest.”
“I’m confident.”
“I feel guilty about how unfair it feels. You set the terms. Largest fish or the most fish—it’s your call.”
Marquis Laksir turned to look at , and continued with a smile.
“Personally, the latter sounds more enjoyable. I’d like to talk with you a bit longer.”
We’ll see about that.
“Sounds good. Then let’s go with the most fish caught.”
“You there! Bring my fishing rods imdiately!”
Marquis Laksir shouted, as if worried that I might change my mind.
“Oh, by the way. What’s at stake? If I lose, I’ll hand over Abidal, that old man, as you asked…… But if I win, what do I get? Will you skip the dating phase and accept my proposal outright?”
“No.”
I offered him the best gift I could.
“At the very least, I’ll let you live.”
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