Nora spoke with a detached tone, “The reason you prevailed over those noble families before was their weak foundation. You always fought them one-on-one, and with Resarite’s military prowess, victory was yours. However, the Ferret family you’re up against now has a much deeper heritage. They’re not just any family – they have Mibo, and even a duke among their ranks.”

Howard pondered and then asked, “So, if I were still a knight and Blima had a powerful relative, would I have stood no chance of usurping his title?”

Nora replied coolly, “The diplomat from Duke Jiakai once told me that his lord, the Duke himself, was utterly alarmed by the rapid pace of your rise. He wanted to eliminate you.”

Howard, somewhat incredulous, said, “What? The diplomat outright told you his purpose? That can’t be true.”

Nora explained, “The real intention of the diplomat was to use me to hasten your marriage. It seems Duke Jiakai thought that you would settle down once married.”

Howard questioned, “Is that your guess?”

Nora responded, “Do you remember what the diplomat said during your last meeting? He seemed particularly concerned about your marital affairs.”

Understanding dawned on Howard, and he nodded. “So, you mean to say that my ascent has indeed been much faster than others, to the point where even someone of Duke Jiakai’s stature has taken notice?”

Nora spoke with a hint of nonchalance, “Yes, which brings me back to your earlier question. If Blima had a baron-level ally willing to assist him from the start, you would have stood no chance at all.” “You’ve been extraordinarily lucky. Each of your opponents lacked allies or familial support, facing you alone like unshielded commanders, allowing you to rise to the rank of an earl.”

“However, with Mibo, the scenario changes. He brings alliances and family connections into play. As you climb higher, these networks become denser, and you must be more mindful of diplomatic matters.”

“Even if Blima had a baron as an ally, I’d just take on his ally as well. What’s there to fear? Blima is nothing but a glutton and a drunkard. Could his ally really be that much more competent? Isn’t the endgame all about winning the battles?” Howard retorted with a confident air.

Nora rarely smiled, but now she did, saying, “That’s the spirit. You have one significant advantage over other nobles: your unwavering confidence. Many nobles, including their lords, lack any allies. Their relationships with other vassals are strained, at best.” “Yet, they dare not declare war on their lords. They fear their lords, missing opportunities even when they arise. But you are different. You have a clear goal and act swiftly, demonstrating a keen strategic vision.” “Moreover, your military capabilities are not just about seizing opportunities; they are a guarantee of success. This combination of skills and foresight has shaped the person you are today.”

As Nora conversed with Howard, she gradually began to see him as someone capable of achieving great things. This realization subtly altered her perception of him. Offering a rare compliment, Nora said, “In truth, your military prowess is quite remarkable, often triumphing against greater numbers. Frankly, even if your opponents had allies, with a bit more time, you would still have reached your current position.”

Howard responded with a modest smile, “Thank you.”

As Nora prepared to leave, she remarked, “I’m just stating facts. The battlefield is ever-changing, and so are diplomatic relations. Alliances are ultimately unreliable. Nobles, too, think only of their own preservation, seldom willing to aid their allies. It’s not just Blima who lacked allies.” “Even Mibo, back when he was an earl and you declared war on him, found himself without allies. Perhaps I was too pessimistic earlier. To be honest, I believe that even if every lord you faced had allies and family backing, you would still emerge victorious.” 𝘳.𝑐𝘰

Such high praise from Nora was rare, leaving Howard momentarily stunned, sitting in his chair, lost in thought.

Five days later, initial reports arrived from Portia. According to her informant, Mibo’s ducal relative was currently facing a financial crisis, to the point where even fixing leaks in his castle was unaffordable. It seemed unlikely that he would dispatch troops to aid Mibo. Howard, skeptical, instructed Portia to investigate further, demanding certainty rather than possibilities. Having risen from a knight to a baron, then leaping over the rank of viscount straight to earl, Howard was well aware that the wealth of a superior lord was beyond the imagination of their inferiors. Therefore, he couldn’t believe that a duke would be unable to finance a military campaign just because of some repairs.

As expected, the day before Howard received the report, Mibo’s ducal relative had already resolved the issue. The required sum was a trifle for a duke, who had numerous ways to raise funds. The duke’s primary concern was not the money, but who had “orchestrated” this situation against his son. Knowing his son’s eagerness to earn merit and ruling out embezzlement, the duke had long suspected underhanded dealings. With many eyes and ears at his disposal, a stream of confidential reports flowed onto the duke’s desk under his furious command.

Yesterday morning, the duke summoned Osborne for a private meeting. After their discussion, Osborne emerged from the lord’s hall, staggering and visibly distraught. By noon, Osborne had resolved to take a risk; success would not only spare him from punishment but could also reinstate him as the Minister of Finance.

In the afternoon, at a meeting convened by the duke himself, Osborne publicly confessed his crimes before many vassals. The duke, already aware of the truth since the morning, purposefully revisited the question in the afternoon to demonstrate the ordeal to his vassals. Osborne laid bare his intentions: in a bid to reclaim his position as the duke’s Minister of Finance, he had secretly manipulated the accounts. His aim was to undermine the duke’s son’s handling of the finances, leading to his dismissal and paving the way for Osborne’s anticipated return to the coveted role.

An earl inquired of Osborne, “Was your scheme worth the risk? Any single misstep could have exposed your conspiracy. You were too reckless.”

Baron Osborne had been waiting for just this opportunity. He retorted, “In fact, Lord Lanvin, the duke’s son and current Earl, failed to detect my tampering. Whether Earl Lanvin is fit to be Minister of Finance, I believe, is apparent to all present.”

Baron Osborne’s tactic was cunning and vicious. He seemed to be admitting his role as the puppeteer, yet he audaciously turned the tables, launching an unexpected verbal assault in an area the duke had not anticipated. Osborne’s message was clear: the entire fiasco was his doing, his responsibility. But if Earl Lanvin, the duke’s son, couldn’t even spot Osborne’s falsified accounts, what claim did Lanvin have to financial expertise over Osborne?

Wasn’t it time for Lanvin to step down in favor of the more competent? And in that case, shouldn’t the position of Minister of Finance rightfully return to Osborne, who had just proven his acumen?

Osborne was gambling on the duke’s policy of meritocracy. If the duke truly believed that Osborne was more capable than Lanvin, who had replaced him, then Osborne might regain his position. The duke hadn’t anticipated Osborne’s cunning, a strategy that simultaneously retreated and advanced, trapping the duke in a dilemma of face-saving.

After a moment’s consideration, the duke glanced at the various vassals assembled at the meeting, their expressions a mix of clouds and sunshine. He addressed Osborne, “You created false accounts and secretly diverted gold from my treasury. Do you admit your guilt?”

Without hesitation, Osborne replied, “I do.”

The duke pressed on, “And if I were to sentence you, would you accept it?”

Osborne, ready to risk it all, believed that other vassals would speak up for him. He quickly responded, “Yes, I would.”

True to his expectation, as soon as Osborne uttered his consent, two or three vassals spoke to the duke, “Let’s separate issues. Osborne is indeed at fault, but his objective was to expose Lanvin’s incompetence, not true embezzlement. It was a strategy, not a crime. We hope the duke will judge the matter on its merits and not sentence rashly.”

Lanvin, who had been silent throughout the meeting, stood up and burst out at Osborne, “Why are you doing this to me? I was merely fulfilling my duties as the Minister of Finance. Who did I offend? I am my father’s son, all this will be mine one day. Why are you trying to stop me?”

Osborne remained silent, knowing that at this moment, his silence was more powerful than any words. Other vassals also urged Lanvin to calm down, not to disrupt the solemnity of the meeting.

The duke closed his eyes, savoring a moment of tranquility, then opened them, his gaze sharp and decisive. “Osborne, for embezzling my wealth, you are to be imprisoned effective immediately! All illegally obtained properties shall be confiscated, and a penalty twice the amount is imposed!” “As for Lanvin, his incompetence and lack of the necessary prestige and ability to fulfill the duties of the Minister of Finance are evident. Lanvin, you are hereby relieved of your post, effective immediately!”

Osborne accepted the sentence, while the other vassals harbored their own thoughts. Lanvin, slamming his fist on the conference table, turned to the duke and exclaimed, “Father! This is clearly a trap set by Osborne! If he hadn’t sabotaged me, I would never have had any financial issues!”

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