Chapter 69: Provocateur (2)

Chapter 69: Provocateur (2)

Victor spoke with much resentment. Together with Lauber, he was in charge of the internal affairs of the province. It was natural for him to dislike the basic outline of the plan I've drawn up the destruction of enemy logistics with a scorched earth strategy. After all, our tax revenue would be ruined due to that.

"For that matter, you can complain to the St. Gallen army that went out of their way to attack my territory. Or maybe to the old man who instigated it all."

"I've already said that a million times in my mind. Be extra careful with the latter."

"...... Oh, okay."

Due's cheeks twitched at the reply.

I think Victor is the type of person who holds back and accumulates a lot of things. ...... I'm a little worried that one day he's going to break down like my brother. They have similar personalities. He has the same blond hair. Maybe a little tougher than him though.

Victor cleared his throat.

"At any rate, we are too invested in it now. We must defeat the enemy forces at all costs. For that reason, please do not make a mistake in your duties at the provincial capital."

"I know, I know. First of all, you're being sent with me to assist, aren't you? His Excellency the Margrave is also in the carriage behind us."

"That's true, but......"

I said, looking outside the windows to check the convoy. Directly behind us was the carriage of His Excellency Margrave Doldran, a warrior who had been successful in pacifying the west. He is considered my subordinate in the faction, but in terms of the kingdoms nobility, he is a few steps above me. To prevent others from looking down on him if he were to ride alongside with a young man who had just become a count, my carriage bore his family's crest instead. He looked apologetic, but I heard that this was also for the sake of order within the aristocratic society. Was there a point in any of these if we were in the state of war though?

But it's not just his carriage that was riding with us.

"Looking at it this way, it's quite a spectacular view, isn't it?"

"Indeed. It's the first time I've actually seen such columns of military supplies being transported."

Coincidentally, we were riding up a hill, and because of the angle, we could see quite far back into the convoy. Behind us, there were carriages, carriages, and more carriages as far as the eye could see.

This was the primary reason why I left Laubert over at Marlan to handle things. Delivering military supplies from Marlan to the provincial capital was a large-scale logistical operation.

"How much money did we spend on all of this......? Considering we had called on whichever merchants who were close friends of ours and bought whatever supplies they had?"

"If you'd really like to know, would you like to hear a rough estimate?"

"I-Impossible......! What about our long years of service?"

"Public service, perhaps?"

The young noble standing beside their masters side said with a cold, rueful smile.

Victor Delacroix Lorge. He was known as one of the elites of Tullius, being in service since the time Tullius was Viscount of Marlan. From the point of view of this official who had served the Count's family since the previous generation, he was nonetheless a novice. And yet, the young lad was trying to take advantage of the favour he had with the helpless new Count and monopolise power as a vassal of Tullius. As such, the old vassals of the Oubeniel Count family hated such a cheeky person.

The noble looking man looked towards the official who had caused the ruckus with disdain.

"How is it public service to misappropriate taxes and use them to build luxury villas and house women? Huh, I wonder when the definition of service in this country was revised?"

"How......"

The official was at a loss for words.

Victor's words were very precise in pointing out the crimes the man was hiding.

But the official could not admit it. If he admitted it, he would be considered guilty and lose everything, so he would not voluntarily admit it no matter what.

That's a false accusation! Theres no basis for it at all. Don't believe him, Your Excellency!

"False charges?"

At the official's plea, Tullius flung a document on the desk with a disgusted look on his face.

"This is the evidence. Accounting records, discrepancies in the cases you worked on, and notes from the merchant you negotiated with when you bought properties. And theres more where those came from.. well, in any case, sufficient evidence to declare that this isnt a false charge."

"N-N-noo......"

"By the way, we have copies, so there is no point in trying to tear it up or burn it. The originals are held in Marlan."

The official hung his head.

In fact, the very thought of doing so had occurred to him.

"B-but ......! Oh, yes, a trial! At least give me a chance to stand trial! You say you have proof, but it is too outrageous for you to decide the fate of your subjects at your discretion! Let everything come to light with legal processes"