Can this be considered a misunderstanding?
It was clear that the atmosphere was just before they were about to kiss. Even if Yekaterina had no experience with men, she knew what such an atmosphere meant.
On a terrace under a dark night, all that could be seen was the sparkling night view. There was a woman in a dress holding a glass of red wine.
“So, it’s truly a misunderstanding. We were just about to discuss our unit’s battle plan…”
“Hmm, then we’ll do it that way. Since Lieutenant Colonel insists so strongly.”
“Thank you, Yekaterina.”
“Somehow, even with all the noble ladies’ attention, it’s understandable if you have a mistress when you’re so immune to their charms.”
Enok Revendale, feeling utterly helpless, pressed his forehead with his hand, and Count Jacques Pedro, who was watching, burst out laughing.
“A man like this hero can’t help but be attractive to any rational mind.”
In a separate reception room inside the banquet hall.
Yekaterina came to the terrace because her father, Count Jacques Pedro, wanted to meet Enok Revendale alone as the banquet progressed.
“At last, we can meet more casually now.”
Count Jacques Pedro was the honorary lord of Biyaltock and a former border count.
With his platinum hair neatly combed back, he moved with vigor despite being over forty. His hair color was identical to Yekaterina’s.
“Your Highness, I am truly grateful for not only allowing me an audience but also preparing such a luxurious banquet.”
“Haha, even as a junior officer, your spirit is admirable. Were you originally from a noble family?”
“I’m sorry, but I grew up in a commoner’s household.”
“Well… things aren’t the same as they used to be for nobles either. As long as you know proper etiquette, there shouldn’t be much of a problem.”
Count Jacques Pedro said this. It’s true; he really cares about etiquette. Enok Revendale found this interesting yet felt increasingly tense.
At least for now, he should avoid doing anything that might seem inappropriate given the favorable attitude shown.
Looking at Enok Revendale, who straightened his posture with confidence, Count Pedro continued leisurely.
“But why would a young officer like you want to visit someone as insignificant as an honorary lord like me…”
His eyes gleamed.
“Are you asking me to become your patron?”
“…Impressive.”
“Even though I’m retired, I was once an officer in the Okhraine Army. Our Pedro family has always been military.”
He was skilled not only in the logic of nobility but also in military reasoning.
Indeed, the title of count was not merely ceremonial. He already understood what Enok Revendale truly desired.
“I’ve heard you personally praised Orlando Rus III for his achievements. There’s no reason for us to refuse supporting a promising officer.”
Count Pedro had already grasped the core of the matter even before Enok Revendale proposed it and readily agreed.
Enok Revendale, surprised, bowed his head and sincerely thanked him.
“Thank you.”
“Of course, I have my daughter’s life as collateral.”
If he saw through Enok Revendale’s intentions, it means he had anticipated such a proposal when planning this celebration.
But nothing comes for free.
Given that he mentioned his daughter’s life as collateral, he wouldn’t offer support without conditions.
What could be Count Pedro’s condition? Enok Revendale listened carefully to his next words.
“Our Pedro family has managed the frontline territory of Biyaltock for generations. Since King Orlando I firmly established himself as co-king, all that remains for our family is honor.”
Essentially, he’s talking about gaining access to central power. Enok Revendale could roughly guess the count’s true intentions without needing to hear the rest.
“Everyone knows that Major Sony Chepelin and the current co-king have a close relationship. But I seek something fresher than Sony Chepelin.”
“Are you thinking I could be that?”
“Our family has no hope left. If we continue like this, the Pedro family will decline to become just another minor honorary lord.”
The count looked at his daughter with a bitter expression. Yekaterina also had a less-than-comfortable look.
“This risk she took was to secure the local people’s support. As the eldest daughter of the Pedro family, her actions were aimed at reviving our family.”
“Hmm…”
Enok Revendale thought Yekaterina didn’t just act out of pity for the village.
Since the administrative department failed in the campaign against Modor Village, she hoped to pressure the administrators by taking action herself as the eldest daughter of an honorary lord.
It was a form of check. In Biyaltock, Yekaterina Pedro held a significance beyond that of a typical noble lady.
But before she could even reach the village, she was captured by bandits, leading to the current unfavorable situation.
From the story, it seemed she had been captured for only a few days, so it wasn’t certain whether she was kidnapped or not.
For the count, it must have been quite a surprise to suddenly have his daughter rescued and return home after such a journey.
“The bandits were all eliminated, so it’s good in the end. But considering the danger Yekaterina took, our family gained nothing. It may have been a loss instead.”
“I’m sorry, Father.”
“There’s no need to apologize. Does anyone’s life go as planned?”
Count Pedro tapped the table with his finger and then looked intently at Enok Revendale.
“On the contrary, by looking after such a promising officer, perhaps we’ve gained a far more valuable connection than the general public’s support.”
“I promise, Count. In five years, the Pedro family will enter the center of power again.”
“…Oh, without hesitation.”
“That’s how confident I am.”
—
In five years,
Okhraine Duchy will be engulfed in war.
The Soviev Empire will push its troops through the northernmost Biyaltock and northeastern Chernaos (the area where Chernov City exists).
If Enok Revendale’s plan unfolds, the Biyaltock garrison will successfully block the Soviev forces in the north from Mtsensk Fortress.
While preserving as many troops as possible, they will join the reserves and serve as the tip of the spear for Okhraine.
‘Successfully blocking them will bring all the glory back to Count Pedro of Biyaltock. The co-king couldn’t ignore it.’
This was a reasonable prediction. One could only discard allies when one had the luxury to do so. Given the enormous national strength consumed by merely defending against the Soviev Empire’s offensive, it was clear that the Pedro family couldn’t be abandoned.
“But there’s something hard to understand. Even if you advance rapidly, how much can you advance in five years?”
Indeed, he was sharp. As a former soldier, he naturally understood how the military works. Although Enok Revendale was still a young and promising officer, five years wasn’t much time. This was a natural question.
So, what card should he play here?
Enok Revendale quickly started thinking.
‘This was something I needed to address eventually. The story of the world war.’
A full-scale invasion by the Soviev Empire couldn’t be stopped by Enok Revendale alone. Not only Sony Chepelin but also Co-King Orlando Rus III.
While this information shouldn’t be widely known, key personnel must know about the future disaster.
There’s no need to keep this plan hidden forever. After all, Count Pedro and Enok Revendale have become strict ‘business partners.’
‘I need to present this convincingly.’
Enok Revendale glanced at the door, pretending to be cautious.
Approaching with a much more serious and concerned attitude than before.
“Count Jacques Pedro, I humbly request you not to share this with anyone if you accept my trust.”
“Of course, go ahead.”
“Yekaterina Pedro too, please.”
“I promise, on my name.”
Enok Revendale took a deep breath and then delivered a shocking prophecy.
“Okhraine will face a major invasion by the Soviev Empire.”
Surprised, Pedro and his daughter’s eyes widened.
—
“Father… Is that officer’s statement true?”
