Reincarnated into a Game As the Hero’s Friend

It was noon two days before the duel. While waiting for the Crown Prince, the King, and the Prime Minister to enter the room, the ministers that had gathered were chatting.

“The duel is the day after tomorrow. Will you all be going?” (Minister A)

“I’m not going. The victor is clear, so I have no reason to go.” (Minister B)

“I’m going, or rather I have no choice but to go.” (Seyfart)

Other ministers laughed at Grand Duke Seyfart’s words. In fact, although the duel in two days was an interesting event, all ministers here didn’t want to spend their precious time on it. The Only exception was Grand Duke Seyfart as he was the official person in charge of the Hearthing family.

“Though since the duel was made to start from fighting on top of the horseback, considering the Viscount’s ability, without even watching it. The result is clear.” (Seyfart)

Because Welner was an important link between the country and the Hero, the country couldn’t let Welner die no matter what. That was why the duel was made to start from fighting on top of the horseback, so Welner who had [Spearmanship] skill would have an advantage.

Things like ‘duels’ weren’t necessarily fair. In the past, there was a duel against a king’s close subordinate. The duel was made to be a fight with axes, which was the weapon the king’s close subordinate was most skilled in, so the close subordinate would win.

Since Delitzdam forged documents to make the trial happen, the Bain Kingdom used their authority to decide the rules of the duel to make things more advantageous for Welner. These kinds of things were common in this world. As a duel with countries’ national interest in stake, this much wouldn’t be considered cheating or anything of the sort.

“Plus, as a show, the duel on top of horseback would make a better show even for the commoners.”

“I have to agree to that.” (Seyfart)

The kingdom wanted Welner to have a flashy victory, as such a duel on top of the horseback was a better choice than normal duel.

As Welner had said before, this duel was a bait to lure the problematic nobles, but at the same time, this duel would also act as a show of the kingdom’s power for the commoners.

“Though His Highness said that things happened faster than the original plan.”

“Well, nothing has actually changed from the original plan.” (Seyfart)

The horses used by the duel’s participants would have a huge impact on the outcome of the duel. A weak horse might shake when the participant was dueling, causing the participant to have a hard time dueling. A cowardly horse might also run away in the middle of a duel, as such the participant needed to bring a good horse to win.

“Well, this may be why the royal family gave a good horse to Sir Welner as a reward for his contribution in battle.”

“To be fair, the opponent might have aimed for a bigger prey rather than a young Viscount like Sir Welner.” (Seyfart)

Some of the ministers let out a wry smile as they thought that perhaps the royal family had anticipated such a situation a long time ago.

It seemed like although the Crown Prince mentioned that things were going faster than anticipated, everything was still going according to the plan.

In short, due to the machinations behind the scene, the result of this battle had long been decided, although everything was done in a manner that most people would not realize.

The people of Marquis Coltrezis house, who seemed to be unbothered, were likely one of the people who had not realized this fact as their ability to gather information was quite lacking. On the other hand, Count Zeavert, one of the people who stood at the center of this whole affair, chose to remain silent with a stoic expression.

“Ah, right. It seems like people of Count Gramlich fell into the Sir Welner’s trap.”

“Ah, you’re talking about that rumor. The people of Count house must have believed that information since they think that Viscount is desperately trying to hide his weakness.”

Welner spread the story about what happened between him, Mazell, and the former heir of Count Gramlich house while purposely emphasizing the fact The Hero Mazell did all of the fighting.

Coupled with the information that Welner had bought a magnificent looking armor and he had no notable achievement in one on one battle, many would assume that Welner von Zeavert was actually weak in individual combat.

Ironically, because of how fast everything was moving, most people who knew about Welner fighting one on one with the demon general still remained in Anheim.

There was only Gekke’s mercenary team who knew Welner’s true strength in the capital, but they obviously wouldn’t spread information that would become disadvantages for their employer. The fact that things were moving this quickly was actually advantageous for Welner to manipulate the information.

“His Majesty enter the room!”

Just as the conversation was about to continue, the King, the Crown Prince, and the Prime Minister arrived, so everyone in the room stood up and bowed. It was only after everyone in the room sat down, that the King started to speak.

“Everyone, good work! Let us start from foreign affairs. What was the reaction of the two western countries about the hero’s matter?” (King) 

“As they are currently struggling against the demon army, they seem to be dissatisfied by the fact that Delitzdam is trying to trap the hero.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Equord, responded. To be more precise, the two countries that Mazell had yet to visit were angered by Delitzdam’s action, but it was also true that there were also other things they were anxious about.

Since the Bain Kingdom was located roughly on the center of the continent, the people of Bain Kingdom often referred to other countries as ‘two  countries in the west’, ‘two countries in the south’, or ‘three countries in the east’ but of course, even though the countries were referred together, that didn’t mean each countries had a good relationship with Bain Kingdom.

Also, since Triot was destroyed, there was currently only one country south of Bain Kingdom.

“But it is also true that the two countries seem to be dissatisfied by the fact that our kingdom is showing the attitude of protecting the hero.”

The King nodded in understanding. Attitude of ‘protecting the hero’ could also be interpreted as ‘owning the hero’. If the Bain Kingdom ‘owned’ the hero, that meant when the hero helped another country, that country would be ‘indebted’ to the Bain Kingdom.

“Right now, defeating the Demon King is the priority. Tell them to send the rewards for the Hero’s achievement directly to the hero.”

“Understood.”

It meant Bain Kingdom would not ask for any ‘payment’ and it also meant that if the two countries sent ridiculous rewards like their princess or their noble ladies to the Bain Kingdom, those rewards would be returned.

“How about the three kingdoms in the east?”

“Lestlatga would support our kingdom.”

“On what condition?”

“Lestlatga has lost many of their trading ships in the battle against Four Heavenly Kings which caused their marine trade to be severely impacted.”

The King thought for a moment before nodding.

“We will allow the increase of large trade ships to Lestlatga, but do not compromise on the tariff.”

“As you wish.”

“Allocate the ship that would be sent among several noble houses, so the risk and benefit of increasing trade would not be unevenly distributed.”

Because demons existed even in the sea, trade ships needed to carry sufficient military power to be able to safely cross the sea to do trade.

Sending a trade ship was a high risk high return undertaking. If it failed, the noble that undertook this major undertaking might complain about losses, while if trade successed, other nobles might complain why they didn’t get the same opportunity. In some scenarios, an immensely successful trade might bring huge change to the balance between each nobles’ territories.

Thus, it was important to ensure that risks and benefits of ship trading were distributed among various nobles. The King entrusted the Prime Minister to coordinate on this matter.

“Yes.” (Prime Minister)

“Farlitz in the southeast has yet to give their reply.”

“The current Queen of Farlitz was a princess from Delitzdam, wasn’t she?” (Hubertus)

“That is correct.”(Equord)

Hearing the conversation between the two, the King fell silent for a moment before nodding.

“Very well. Leave Farlitz alone for the moment. Currently five countries have decided to stand with us, so at the very least, Farlitz would not actively stand on Delitzdam’s side.” (King)

“Yes.”

“Once two countries in the west and Zarlos have agreed to support Us, we will send a letter of protest signed by five countries to Delitzdam, then wait for Delitzdam’s response. That is all for foreign affairs. Next, the domestic affair.” (King)

“Understood.”

“There is one thing that bothers me about the Coltrezis house.”

When the Crown Prince said that, everyone turned their gazes to him.

“Captains. How long do you need to conquer the Coltrezis house?” (Crown Prince)

“Although our army is currently already prepared to fight against demons, if we want to conquer a Marquis house, we would need at least 2 months. Of course, it also depends on how fierce the resistance from the Marquis house will be.”

(T/N: All noble houses are equipped with many things that make them like a fortress, thus needing extra preparation for the conquest.)

“I agree. Battling against a Marquis house is different from battling against demons and I don’t think that the Marchioness will surrender without a fight.”

After hearing the answers from both the 1st Division and 2nd Division captains, the Crown Prince nodded.

“Two months. In those two months, the knights will leave the capital. I am afraid that Elder Uwe’s prophecy will come true in two months.” (Hubertus)

“Are you saying that the demons will attack the capital while the knights are absent?” (The King)

“Yes.” (Hubertus)

Grand Duke Seyfart nodded at the Crown Prince’s answer.

“Certainly, if the demon army is one pulling the strings all this time, then it explains why Coltrezis house choose this time to make their move.” (Seyfart)

“Then, how about using other noble houses to attack the Coltrezis house?”(Captain) 

“That won’t work. All noble houses will likely prioritize preparing for defending themselves against demons. If the royal family ordered it, they will not refuse to attack the Coltrezis house, but they will definitely buy time purposely to minimize the need of using their own armies.”(Prime Minister) 

The Knights Captains and the Prime Minister both constantly exchanged their opinions. In the end, they settled to just do everything according to the plan: weaken the Coltrezis house’s influence, wait until the people of Coltrezis house get impatient and try to make a move, then drag them down.

Considering the looming threat of the demon army attacking the capital, they were short on manpower to try to do anything else.

“Let us follow what Sir Welner has done and make a precise map of the Coltrezis territory. Send scouts to survey the terrain and create a map based on the information from the scouts!”

“As you wish!”

“Speaking of which, has the culprit behind the failed assassination attack against Count Zeavert confessed?” (King)

“Not yet.”

Regarding the assassination attempt toward Ingo, even Claudia, his wife, didn’t know let alone Welner. The incident happened without Welner’s knowledge and was now handled by the kingdom without his knowledge.

Well, it was quite obvious who and why someone would send an assassin to Ingo in this kind of situation, but apart from speculations, the kingdom wanted solid proof, thus the kingdom had been interrogating the culprit.

“The assassin was aiming for the life of our loyal Minister. Make sure to find out everything! But as the culprit was also a witness, do not let him die!” (King)

“Yes!”

“Let us move to the next agenda, the relief plan for areas affected by the demon army.”(King)

“Yes. The damage caused by demons in the east area where the hero was currently active has certainly decreased, but… I am afraid the gold compensation we have given would only be enough for them to get through until the end of this year.” (PM)

The Prime Minister answered the King’s question.

“Other than giving money as compensation and reducing the forced labor, we have also given the people who lived in the affected areas a salary in the form of lending livestocks with the kingdom bearing the cost of rearing them.” (PM)

“Is reducing their taxes impossible?” (King)

“Considering the amount of money we would need for fighting the demons, I believe that would be impossible.” (PM)

“Then there is nothing else we can do. Continue as such, but be sure to not to play favoritism. What about the state of the west?”

“Since the influence of the demons in the west is still strong, we have stationed soldiers in the area and have also sent money for the cost of stationing the soldiers in the area.”

“Where did the budget for that money come from?”

The captain of the 1st Division suddenly asked. It was possible that the morale of the soldiers, who were fighting against the demons in that area, would fall because of many deaths. The irritated soldiers might even turn their weapons toward the civilians in the area.

If the budget of the stationed soldiers was too much, it might cause the soldiers to become corrupted but if it was too little, it would be difficult to maintain the soldiers’ needs.

“We plan to use the merchants who sold army supplies to raise the money. We will allow them to do trade in the West on a priority basis. If they deliver ‘inferior goods’ and cause ‘damage to the soldiers’, they will be forced to pay a fine.”

“It’s not a bad idea, but there are certainly some problems with it, are there not?”

Thus the discussion continued for quite a long time and even after the meeting had ended, all ministers returned to their own office and resumed their work.

Due to the amount of their work, it was perhaps natural that they all had no time to watch the duel.

T/N: So not only Welner, but even the country ministers are swamped with work. Maybe the ministers and Welner can find some workaholic commision. Lol.