Langogne could do like neither of them. Not like the madman who could accept the other party’s requirements without hesitation, nor could he prepare an alternative, like the man who had been driven mad the other day.
Stuck in limbo, he could only groan in his room.
"Sir, you have a visitor."
With a knock, the butler called out to him.
"A guest arriving at this time?"
He said so in a quizzical manner. But soon after, he thought further and frowned. He wondered who would dare visit while he was trying to gather funds in vain.
Hiding none of this displeasure, he inquired.
"Who is it?"
"Yes, sir. It's His Excellency Mearbahn."
Tch. This was somebody he would rather not meet. Count Mearbahn was a rival who he had to go against while trying to expel Lavallee and take his position. Since it was only yesterday, his position as the leader of the faction in Langogne was still unstable. It was crucial that he did not show weakness to this man at this time.
However, he could not avoid meeting him. Regardless of individual beliefs on the matter, they were still comrades in the same faction with the same rank. In addition, Count Mearbahn was his senior. Refusing to meet such a person could start a bad rumour.
He had no choice but to give his permission.
"Excuse me."
A middle-aged man entered the room with an attitude that did not hint a shred of disrespect. Langogne gave a token bow to the noble while keeping his expression stiff as a rock.
"...... Well, well, Count Mearbahn. Good day to you. So, what can I do for you?"
Count Mearbahn chuckled as if he could see right through him and then replied curtly.
"Nope, nothing of the sort. I overheard that you were having some trouble preparing for battle. I thought I'd drop by and see how you're doing."
Here it comes. Most likely, he was here to point out a rival’s failings. He laughed, hiding his annoyance inside.
"Hahaha...... yet another strange rumour."
"Rumour, is it?"
"Is it not? This is the first time in half a century that we are about to engage in an important battle with the East. How dare the rumours say that I am standing idly by in the face of it? It is truly bizarre."
Langogne laughed and made a list of countless names and faces in his head. Who, he wondered, could have made such a rumour?
In contrast, Mearbahn smiled to relax his facial expression.
"Is that so? Ah, I mean that was what I expected. It's a relief to hear Count Langogne's reassuring words."
How dare he speak so brazenly? Even though he was either disappointed with not being able to capitalise on an opponent’s blunder or he was simply mocking him for his bluff. Langone was getting even more frustrated, but he put on a calm expression.
"It's not like you to be disturbed by this kind of rumour. Speaking of which, how are things going over there?"
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
".....Don’t feign ignorance. I'm talking about military preparation. It would be a bit unfair of me not to ask you how you are doing when you have, after all."
"Oh, you got me. It is as you say."
Mearbahn counted with his fingers, as if intentionally being dramatic. And then, just as Langogne was about to get impatient.
"Roughly four thousand, I'd say."
"F-four thousand?"
Langogne blinked at him. Looking at it with amusement, Mearbahn continued.
"Not much, is it? It's common for a count to prepare twice as much as that. My, my, I’m really ashamed as it is."
This man claimed as such, but that that was the standard for a regional noble with a large territory. As for the aristocrats in the centralist faction, who mainly worked in the capital and served the royal court, that number was exceptional.
"Oh, most of them are mercenaries, aren't they? How did you manage to gather that much?"
"No, no. To tell you the truth, I have borrowed some money from some merchants I know well. If I don't get some kind of reward for this war, I'll be in a lot of trouble. Normally, they are always pestering me on loans and debt repayments, but now they are useful. Guess it's both good and bad to be related to moneylenders!"
And thus, the indebted man laughed in front of the man who couldn't find people to borrow from.
(What are you laughing at, fool? Is it so amusing to befriend a debt collector to maintain a life of extravagance? ......It's your head that's funny.)
Langogne looked at the man in front of him with disdain. Of course, he didn't let such feelings appear outwardly.
"My goodness, Count Mearbahn is so reliable! It's exactly the behaviour of a lord. Hahahaha!"
He let out a particularly loud laugh to match Count Mearbahn.
Though he was sure that the Count Mearbahn could surely see right through the inner thoughts of a young noble.
(...Hmph. Being such a greenhorn despite being past his thirties. )
From the point of view of a man of his age, Langogne was a novice who was only familiar with the aristocracy — and that was limited to the royal capital. He didn’t know how to deal with merchants, nor have any experience in dealing with crafty regional nobles. He was just a dreamer who talked big with his friends in his room.
Certainly, this man would be the leader of the young nobles in the centralist faction. However, he could never be a representative for anything more than the young ones. Persuading those who have different dreams, or negotiating with old people who have already seen through to their dreams. He could accomplish neither. This man's eloquence was only effective on those who were immersed in the same dream he held. That's why he couldn’t get a single loan from any merchant.
He certainly has the vigour of youth. That momentum was what drove Lavallee out of the faction's leadership temporarily. However, he was unable to continue after that. Count Mearbahn had caught wind that he was planning to team up with the “Slave Killer” to overwhelm the decentralised faction, but he doubts actually has a concrete plan for that.
If we make a deal with Tullius, how do we deal with the decentralists? Do we weaken them by issuing a law that binds the provinces? But of course, any measure to control the provinces would be met with opposition from the faction of Tullius, which is essentially built on provincial lords. How do we rebuke them? Or do we threaten the decentralised faction with force, relying on our numbers? In that case, the decentralised faction would probably resist with force. Was he prepared for a civil war if things turn for the worse? And if they used force, there was a risk that Tullius, who could count on the strength of Margrave Doldran and his soldiers, could take control of the centralist faction from within. How did he plan to deal with these problems?
......Langogne clearly has no answers to the myriad of issues that could come up. He just kept clamouring for more numbers and more authority. Of course, no one would go along with a plan that had no chance of success. Even Chambery has turned his back on him. If the centralists were comparable to a tree, the fruitless Langogne branch was so thin and fragile that a bat hesitated to hang from it.
If this man takes charge, the faction is finished.
Count Mearbahn concluded gloomily.
In this situation, he had no choice but to request Lavallee come back. That master nemesis of his has probably prepared a number of measures to return. The fact that he easily passed on his position to this easy-to-cook boy was proof of that. He thought about how he could go along with the flow and help the old man, and then take over after he retired, and then he realised.
He was not getting any younger. He was already approaching the sixty mark. Considering the average lifespan of a man, it would not be surprising if he fell ill and had to retire, or if he simply never got up and died. As for Lavallee, he was at an age where such a fate could come for him at any time. And yet, the representative of the youngsters who were next in the line was Langogne.
His gloomy mood only got darker.
(......Should he start training his son now?)
Suddenly, he thought about his legitimate son, who was about to turn thirty. Considering his age, it was about time to make preparations for handing over his position to him. At the same time, he should at least educate him to at least be better than Langogne while he was still alive. Tomorrow is not necessarily going to be the same as today. In fact, just a week ago, they had no idea that their kingdom would be invaded by soldiers from the neighbouring country.
