Axel
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Chapter 382: I Offer You a Choice—Swear Loyalty or Die
🕑 Added 2025-04-14 15:02:01 +0000 UTCFelix Robin couldn’t hold back his frustration and cursed, “Get lost!”
Charlot Mecklenburg urged his demonflame horse to retreat. When he returned to the three Saint-ranked subordinates by his side, he indeed saw a convoy emerge from the group. Felix Robin had the convoy taken over and withdrew with his bandits, not forgetting to give Charlot a long, sarcastic middle finger as he departed.
Charlot sensed that something was off about the whole situation. Before he could ponder further, a eunuch arrived and said, “Princess Axo Axel summons you.”
Charlot decided not to bring his three Saint-ranked subordinates. Though Princess Axo might have been aware of their existence, it was best not to be too overt. Upon reaching the princess's carriage, a soft voice spoke in his ear, “It’s not convenient for me to deliver supplies like this every time. I wonder if Lord Mecklenburg could help me in the future by sending Felix Robin two shipments of supplies each year?”
Charlot was taken aback and wanted to ask, “A whole gang of mountain bandits can’t sustain themselves? They still rely on my sister-in-law, the princess, to send supplies? What a useless bunch!” However, he replied respectfully, “As long as the princess commands it, Charlot will do his utmost.”
In truth, Charlot found the nobles of this world rather baffling. On Earth, even someone terrible at managing finances would have some basic grasp of trade principles and simple business sense gleaned from humanity’s millennia of history. However, the nobles here survived mainly on taxes from their territories and had no concept of commerce or financial management. To them, managing finances was even harder than mastering transcendent magic.
Felix Robin, once a carefree playboy living a lavish life, now bore the responsibility of raising his late brother’s illegitimate children and had somehow formed a gang of mountain bandits in the impoverished lands of Moldova. However, the land was so barren that even after raiding the neighboring lords to bankruptcy, his resources were still insufficient. Hence, he had no choice but to seek aid from Princess Axo Axel, requesting supplies once or twice a year.
Princess Axo spoke softly, “Thank you, Lord Mecklenburg, for your invaluable assistance. I will ask my father to grant you a prosperous fiefdom in return.”
Charlot was overjoyed. Although he controlled over ten cities, most were governed under the title of a steward, not as a feudal lord.
For Charlot, the difference between being a steward and a feudal lord was minimal—he did not rely on taxes but on trade to amass wealth. However, obtaining a legitimate fiefdom would solidify his position and reputation.
...
After experiencing a “robbery,” the envoy delegation did not continue their journey. Instead, they stationed themselves in a small town near the Moldova border.
Charlot, leading a group of knights from the Bretagne family, went “on patrol” outside the city. Unsurprisingly, he “coincidentally” rescued a group of Moldova officials who had been captured. Seeing the disheveled and demoralized officials, Charlot couldn’t help but ask, “Felix Robin is so audacious. Haven’t you considered eradicating him?”
A middle-aged Moldovan official, his face lined with despair, replied, “Moldova is just a small country. We don’t have any strong individuals. Even the captain of our Royal Guard was defeated by him. There’s nothing we can do against such a formidable bandit.”
Charlot’s mind began spinning with ideas as he asked, “If you lack strong individuals, why not overwhelm him with sheer numbers? Moldova must have tens of thousands of soldiers. Even if it’s just cannon fodder, that would crush Felix Robin.”
The official was startled. “Tens of thousands of soldiers? Where would we find that many?”
Charlot’s eyes sparkled. “Surely you have at least a few thousand troops? Even that many could overwhelm Felix Robin.”
The official’s expression grew more pained. “We don’t even have that! The Royal Guard numbers only three thousand. Moldova has six feudal lords, but their private armies are needed to defend their own lands. None are willing to help. Even counting all the noble knights, we barely have a thousand soldiers.”
Charlot’s eyes shone like stars as he pressed further. “So you’re saying Moldova has no means of dealing with Felix Robin?”
Completely unaware of Charlot’s dangerous thoughts, the official replied honestly, “Not only can we do nothing about Felix Robin, but we also can’t handle several other large bandit groups.”
Charlot nodded and drew his blood-red rapier, Blood Rose. Pointing it at the officials, he declared, “I offer you a choice—swear loyalty to me, or die!”
The officials were dumbfounded. The middle-aged official exclaimed, “But you’re part of the Fars Empire’s official envoy delegation!”
Charlot replied calmly, “Apologies—I’m a pirate.”
Turning to Herolf, the Golden Ram, Charlot said, “Introduce us.”
Herolf grinned mischievously and announced, “I am Herolf, the Golden Ram. After being driven from Saint Michael Island by the Fars Empire, I’ve come ashore to seek a foothold. If you know what’s good for you, surrender peacefully. Otherwise, I’ll hand you over to the orcs as their next meal.”
Herolf clapped Silverback Gorilla Choudrou on the shoulder. The orc Saint transformed into his original form—a massive silverback gorilla. Letting out a thunderous roar, Choudrou declared, “I eat a hundred people daily. If you refuse to surrender, you’ll all be dessert tonight.”
Faced with such savage threats, the Moldovan officials, who had never encountered such brutal orcs, quickly chose to surrender.
...
After securing their allegiance, Charlot meticulously questioned them about Moldova’s cities, populations, and the strength of their knight orders. He soon devised a plan to attack Baron Sigma’s fiefdom.
Charlot assembled a small force comprising knights temporarily under Annie Mecklenburg’s command and the Moldovan officials who had just surrendered. Together, they set out for the Sigma Barony.
The Sigma Barony was only a few dozen kilometers from the envoy delegation’s encampment. Riding swift horses, Charlot’s group reached Sigma Castle before dawn.
He forced the Moldovan officials to call for the gates to be opened, claiming to be envoys sent by the Duke of Moldova on an urgent matter requiring Baron Sigma’s immediate attention. The unsuspecting baron recognized the officials and, without realizing the danger, opened the gates.
Within half an hour, Charlot had captured Baron Sigma and taken the castle.
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