Let’s think about the Count of Baschurten’s disposition. It was Lust (Evil), but at his core, he was likely consumed by an inferiority complex. After all, the Western Lords had always looked down on him.

The Count of Basel must have lured him in by promising great rewards, but the main force was ultimately the Southern rebels. So wouldn’t Baschurten be eager to claim credit in order to elevate his standing?

Especially if a juicy piece of bait was dangling right in front of him.

The lords and the Crown Prince agreed with my plan.

If Baschurten had possessed even an ordinary reputation, the lords would never have allowed it and would have moved to impeach me instead. When it came down to it, only fellow lords protected a lord.

Because no matter how much they fought and bickered among themselves, they understood better than anyone that if one lord was brought down by outside pressure, any of them could be next.

But Baschurten’s reputation was rock-bottom. Even his fellow lords despised the lunatic who practiced the right of first night. So when I proposed luring him into a trap, not a single objection was raised.

Count Euz went even further, suggesting he bring in Count Belfort so the three of us could pressure Baschurten from three sides. Moments like these really drove home just how important one’s reputation was in noble society.

Before long, an envoy arrived from the Southern rebels.

Through the envoy, the Southern rebels proposed that both sides fight like proper nobles on the Brünheim plains south of Hissen in three days. I signaled the Crown Prince, and he accepted the proposal.

This confirmed everything.

The Count of Essenbach drew the conclusion.

"Your Highness, this is clearly a stalling tactic."

"...Those bastards!"

A curse flew from the Crown Prince’s mouth. The moment it became clear that Lily was in danger, his composure shattered. I, on the other hand, forced myself to stay calm, suppressing the pounding in my chest.

I kept repeating to myself: the more urgent the situation, the more carefully you must proceed.

Losing my head and throwing a fit wouldn’t change a thing.

If it was August and Hilda, they wouldn’t go down easily.

I believed in them.

Feuzen was in danger, that much was true, but I felt I needed to see the broader picture. And what suddenly came to mind was the situation in Euz.

"I have a request for the lords. Please lend me half of your cavalry."

"The Euznirk family owes the Lord of Feuzen a debt. I’ll gladly lend them."

"My daughter is in danger. I can’t just look the other way. You can have mine too."

I was relieved to secure cavalry from Euz and Belfort. The Count of Essenbach was watching me closely. He asked me a question, as if testing me. It seemed to come from his position as deputy commander.

"What do you intend to do after you rescue Feuzen?"

"Baschurten isn’t only targeting Feuzen."

I said this while looking at Count Euz.

My perspective had widened, it seemed.

It was thanks to the Count of Essenbach’s influence.

"You mentioned that Baron Valent was rallying the local nobles to oppose Fried, correct?"

"That’s why I couldn’t bring a larger force. With the remaining troops and Euz Castle, we should be able to withstand the local nobles’ pressure."

"Do you think the Count of Basel recruited only Baschurten?"

"...No, it can’t be!"

Count Euz seemed to finally realize it too. The Count of Baschurten had once taunted Count Euz, asking whether he could really protect Euz from Burgundy to the very end. But it wasn’t about Burgundy.

It was the detachment hidden in Baschurten.

And their numbers were likely considerable.

What would happen if, alongside the attack on Feuzen, they coordinated with the local nobles in Euz to assault Euz Castle? The Euz Castle I’d seen was an impregnable fortress, but the rest of the territory was not. What if the surrounding villages were razed?

It would be a devastating blow to the Euznirk family.

Even if Fried was properly prepared, could he overcome such a numerical disadvantage?

The Count of Essenbach, who had been cold and detached, gave a faint smile and spoke.

"I’ll lend you half of Essenbach’s dragoons. The way you are now, I can entrust them to you."

The cavalry I received from the three lords totaled roughly 400 riders. On top of that, I had my own Gale Knights. I dispatched a messenger to Viktor at full speed, ordering him to withdraw from Hissen.

From now on, it was a race against time.

After the meeting adjourned, I immediately moved to the next phase.

I called Fiel and ordered him to rally the cavalry we’d been promised. Though Fiel was taken aback by the sudden, enormous order, his expression changed the moment he heard Feuzen was in danger.

"Don’t worry. Trust August and Hilda. They’ll be safe until we arrive."

"I’ll have everything ready as fast as I can!"

Everyone moved in swift, coordinated fashion.

I went to the Crown Prince’s room and steadied him as he struggled to regain his composure.

"Your Highness, we need to stay calm, especially at a time like this."

"Hah, aren’t you worried?"

"Nothing changes just because we worry. Your Highness needs to put on an act to deceive the Count of Baschurten."

"I envy your iron will."

Iron will?

No, that was giving me too much credit.

I was barely managing to hide my trembling hands while fighting down the terror that I might lose Hilda and Feuzen. I kept telling myself over and over: my heart burns hotter than fire, but my mind must stay colder than ice.

What I really wanted was to kill the Count of Baschurten on the spot.

But when emotion takes control of the mind, things always go wrong.

This was a time when I needed ice-cold reason to face harsh reality head-on.

"Eisenach! Bring the Count of Baschurten here!"

The Crown Prince steeled himself as well. To expose the secret pact between the Count of Baschurten and the Count of Basel, we needed evidence. And that evidence would become our most powerful justification.

With that justification, I would reduce Baschurten to ashes.

How dare he set his sights on Feuzen, where my wife and retainers live?

[Warning! Feuzen is under attack! Warning!]

What? Damn it all! It’s started!

The system alerted me to Feuzen’s situation.

My heart nearly leapt out of my chest. I lost my composure for a moment, and my legs went weak. It was a miracle I didn’t collapse on the spot.

[Guardian of Feuzen II Quest]

[Defeat the Southern rebel detachment that has invaded Feuzen]

[Reward: 20,000 points, 20 gold coins (hazard pay)]

[Family Prestige: 200 points]

[Danger Rating: ★★★★☆]

A quest was generated.

Four stars was the highest danger rating I’d ever received.

It would be that dangerous and intense. Hilda, please be safe!