Once preparations were in order, the next step was to exchange letters and set the battle schedule. Even in the war between Épinay and Euz, aside from small-scale raids, this process had clearly taken place.

For a long time, they clung to the romantic notion that battles arranged through proper procedure were honorable engagements befitting nobility. It might seem incomprehensible to modern eyes, but that’s because assembling an army of lords was such a complex matter.

Of course, not everyone followed these procedures. People like the Count of Basel and me, who pursued practical advantage, didn’t hesitate to launch surprise attacks. There were no absolute rules on the battlefield.

"That banner bears the crest of the Hildenberg family of Belfort."

The Hildenberg family’s crest was fluttering in the wind; they’d already established their camp. The Baschurten army was also present. Somehow, I’d ended up being the last to arrive.

The Count of Belfort came from a warrior family and was a martial type of lord. His disposition was similar to my father-in-law’s: resolute (neutral). With his thick, rough facial features, he gave off the air of a bold general.

After the counts exchanged pleasantries and caught up with each other, Count Belfort’s gaze turned to me. He reminded me of my father-in-law. The count, who was quite large in stature, asked after his daughter’s well-being.

"Your daughter is doing well in my territory, Count."

"That’s odd. Why is my daughter in your territory?"

"Your son-in-law brought her along for a vacation. But then the civil war suddenly broke out, and Michael was summoned to the duchy’s army, so my wife is looking after her now."

"Is that so? I apologize for the trouble she’s been causing you."

With that, Count Belfort pulled out a silk pouch and placed it squarely in my hand. What’s this? I opened the pouch to find gleaming gold coins sparkling brightly.

"The Hildenberg family considers it shameful to impose on other families. She may be a married daughter, but she’s been a burden on you, so I’m simply paying compensation. Keep it."

He turned out to be a surprisingly generous count.

Refusing would have been an insult to the count, so I accepted.

Suddenly, my sister-in-law’s value in my mind skyrocketed.

I should tell Michael to bring his wife over whenever he likes from now on.

Having received this much, she naturally deserved to be treated accordingly.

Count Euz, who had been watching from the side, seemed to find the whole thing absurd.

"Still wasting money on pointless things, I see."

"It’s my family’s policy, so stay out of it."

"Lord of Feuzen, show me how much this iron-headed count paid you."

I counted them. Twenty gold coins. My fortune had been 50 gold coins, and it had just jumped to 70 in an instant. It was such an unexpected windfall that I was cheering inside. Count Euz frowned.

"So you’ve already recovered from the aftermath of the great war."

"Don’t misunderstand. That was every last coin of my personal spending money."

"...A lord with an allowance. What is this world coming to?"

As it turned out, Count Belfort was currently pouring enormous sums into rebuilding his territory, which had been devastated in the great war. Instead of living lavishly, he used only a fixed monthly amount for personal expenses.

And he’d just handed all of it over to me as compensation.

It was also a matter of Hildenberg family pride.

"Belfort isn’t what it used to be, I see. A mere 20 gold coins for an allowance."

The Count of Baschurten butted in. He was average in build but had a pronounced belly, and living up to his reputation as a lecher, the stench of his perfume was overwhelming. Count Belfort didn’t even spare him a glance.

According to my Scouter, his disposition was lust (evil).

It matched my expectations without a shred of deviation.

"So you’re the famous Streit? Whether you’re truly a great knight as the rumors say—well, we’ll see about that."

"He is a great knight, as the rumors say. Far better in a fight than that brat of yours, Baschurten."

It was Count Euz who fired back at the Count of Baschurten, who had been needling me. The Count of Baschurten’s eyes turned hostile. Count Euz smirked and stared him down until the Count of Baschurten looked away first.

"Let’s see how long Euz can keep up such a fight against Burgundy."

"We in Euz are nothing like a brat who tried to surrender to Burgundy."

He tried to surrender to Burgundy during the great war?

A murderous glint flickered in the Count of Baschurten’s eyes, but he brushed it off and walked away.

Count Euz merely snorted.

"The Count of Baschurten tried to surrender to Burgundy?"

"When the Burgundian forces couldn’t advance due to Belfort’s fierce resistance and rerouted through Baschurten, he barely put up a fight and was ready to surrender. If the Count of Basel hadn’t waged his guerrilla campaign, who knows what would have happened."

This was information I hadn’t anticipated.

And ironically, the Count of Baschurten had been saved by what was now the enemy.

"Then why does he want to participate in this civil war?"

"Didn’t I tell you? That man’s only goal is plunder."

Setting aside Count Euz’s contempt-laden criticism, I realized I needed to keep a close watch on the Count of Baschurten. If he had a track record of attempting to surrender, he couldn’t be trusted as an ally on the battlefield.

He might turn out to be the biggest liability of all.

I formally reported our arrival to the Crown Prince. He was staggered when he saw the total troop count I’d compiled. It was a lot, without a doubt—more than the combined total from the Euz-Épinay war.

"This is the Western Lords’ Army’s total strength?"

"It’s far more than I expected."

Euz Army: 515

Essenbach Army: 1,523

Belfort Army: 788

Baschurten Army: 327

Rosenheim Army: 850

Gale Knights: 58

The Western Lords’ Army totaled 4,061 men.

And in Rosenheim’s case, it was a full mobilization, hence the high number.

This was thanks to the Grand Duke granting the Crown Prince mobilization authority over Rosenheim.

The sheer number of troops pouring out of Rosenheim and its seven villages was impressive. Hissen, which was defending the border, was excluded from the count. If we could hire mercenaries on top of this, the force would rival Essenbach’s in scale.

The problem was that if those fully mobilized troops suffered heavy casualties, Rosenheim’s future could be ruined. So I classified the Rosenheim forces as reserves.

"Your Highness, we’re already being put to the test. Be brave."

"I suppose I must. I boasted a great deal to Lily. I can’t tuck tail and back down now."

And he also wanted to meet Vermeer again.

I could feel the Crown Prince’s solemn resolve.

The Rosenheim army became the Crown Prince’s direct command, with me in charge of operations. When I convened the strategy meeting, an awkward silence hung in the air. As Chief of Staff and operations officer, I opened with a greeting.

"On behalf of His Grace the Grand Duke and His Highness the Crown Prince, I extend my gratitude to the lords who have joined this war effort. Your dedication and loyalty to the Altringen name will be remembered throughout history."

All the counts except the Count of Baschurten nodded in agreement at my address. The Count of Baschurten, his eyes still full of displeasure as he looked at me, even yawned.

Count Euz promptly rebuked him.

"Count Baschurten. If you’re bored, why not go home?"

"I answered the Grand Duke’s summons, not yours. You have no say in whether I stay or go."

"Then sit still and pay attention when the Chief of Staff, appointed by the Grand Duke himself, is speaking."

Having Count Euz handle him directly made things much easier.

The Count of Baschurten glared at Count Euz for a moment before turning his head away. The Crown Prince also fixed the Count of Baschurten with a notably displeased stare.

When their eyes met, the Count of Baschurten quietly averted his gaze. Defying the supreme commander would be too much even for him. The other counts were also glaring at the Count of Baschurten with open contempt.

After gauging the room, he lowered his head as if swallowing his frustration.

And yet, his mindset read: Cold and Calculating.