𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲 (3)

The most astonishing thing was that there was no way to respond. The order had precisely hit the weak point of the republic.

From Johan’s perspective, he had no choice but to doubt the republic.

They would have doubted Johan too. What could have possibly been discussed when the envoy of the viscount came?

‘𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺!’

The envoys bit their lips.

It was pointless to argue for a face-to-face with the envoy of the viscount. If there was a problem, they could simply kill the envoy. The order was more than capable of that.

The republic received much criticism for being despicable and sly from surrounding forces, but from the republic’s point of view, the order was no easy adversary. Both were the same in not hesitating to use any means for their purposes.

“Can’t you answer? I take it as an acknowledgement of the order’s report.”

“No, Your Excellency! It’s a misunderstanding! Please allow a meeting with the envoy!”

“What difference would it make. Truly disappointing. I thought the republic would uphold our friendship and tell the truth. But such trivial lies.”

Johan spoke in a tone as if he had already made a decision. His expression was one of certainty about the collusion between the republic and the viscount.

If they had reported from the beginning, they might have had a way to defend against such an attack, but once hidden, they had no choice but to be cornered.

“I will restrict the republic’s passage through Yeats’ land and revoke its duty-free rights. The rights to the port will also be revoked.”

“!!”

Regardless of anything else, the port in Coolia territory was essential for smooth control and trade in the Edene Sea.

“Your Excellency! Please reconsider. If you do so, the trade routes in Dolek and Palmon that you own will also. . .”

“Are you threatening me now?”

“N-Not at all.”

“I can handle that much. Better than entrusting my back to those I cannot trust.”

“. . . . . .”

The envoy urgently spoke up.

“Your Excellency. Please wait regarding the port. I understand your misunderstanding. An evil demon has sown plots among us. We will prove our innocence.”

“How so?”

“We will lead a fleet and attack the Emperor’s fiefdom.”

Attacking the Emperor’s fiefdom, governed by the viscount, was not a difficult task.

It wasn’t about capturing the castle but rather raiding a few nearby towns to show off.

Of course, this would terribly worsen relations with the Emperor, but the republic had never been friendly with the Empire anyway.

“That’s not enough.”

Despite Johan’s words, the envoys saw hope. Despite the order’s interference, Johan didn’t seem to want to completely cut ties with the republic.

‘𝘙𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦.’

‘𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵. . .’

“Your Excellency. What should we do to prove our innocence?”

“Since the republic is so close with the viscount, I will assign a task fitting that relationship.”

“. . . . . .”

The envoys sweat at Johan’s meaningful words.

“What is it?”

“Persuade the viscount and his vassals to swear allegiance to me.”

“. . .??!”

The envoys of the republic were shocked by Johan’s unexpected proposal.

The situation in the south was extremely favorable to Johan. Most vassals had already sworn allegiance to him, and the viscount’s fiefdom was surrounded like an island on land.

But persuading them was a different matter. It was uncertain whether the viscount and his vassals, who had been loyal to the Emperor’s family, would easily surrender under unfavorable conditions.

“That. . . that’s. . .”

“If you’re close, such persuasion should be possible.”

“. . . . . .”

“And one more thing.”

The envoys were shocked at Johan’s words. The task they had just heard was already headache-inducing, and now there was one more?

“Don’t worry. This isn’t a difficult task. Send an envoy to the Jekyllid Hundred Kingdoms. I want the ransom for the nobles of the Hundred Kingdoms captured in this battle.”

“Ah. . . Yes.”

Fortunately, it was really easy. All they had to do was pick a few people who were familiar with Eastern languages and send a few ships to the island. They must have been scared stiff by the recent battle, so they will surely pay the ransom.

“If you accomplish these two tasks, I will reconsider revoking the rights to the port.”

“Thank you. Your Excellency. I am truly grateful for your kindness!”

The envoys in a disadvantaged position had no choice but to express their gratitude. Johan nodded in satisfaction.

For just one envoy of the viscount, it was a truly satisfactory outcome. Slyly revoking the transit and duty-free rights. It was like stealing two golden-egg-laying geese.

Although the order continued to slander and insult the republic, the paladins of the order did not arrest the viscount’s envoy. There was never an opportunity for that.

The envoys of the republic were unable to doubt Johan’s lies and were easily deceived. The relationship between the two was so poor that it was possible.

‘𝘐𝘧 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘦𝘳. . .’

The situation of the viscount and his vassals was highly unfavorable, so there was a definite chance of them being persuaded. Moreover, the Emperor was struggling in the north with the Empire.

However, Johan didn’t know viscount Ginolen well. Persuasion requires knowing the other party well. He could only hope that the well-informed envoys of the republic would perform effectively.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

𝕒𝚠𝕖𝚋s𝚝𝘰𝕣𝘪𝘦𝐬.𝕔𝐨𝘮