Chapter 63 – A schemer, that might point to someone like that

『We know about the story of the special development procurement by the Earl Baumeister household. However, the eastern nobles including Margrave Browig bear grudges against the Margrave Breithilde household. Even if we request government service, we will be rejected before we can even approach the doormat.』

The bad relationship between the two Margrave households is truly deep.
Moreover it has amplified even more in the last two generations.
It’s very unlikely for Margrave Breithilde to let any concessions flow into the East.
Even in regards to appointment of human resources, it seems that former eastern inhabitants are completely cut off.

『If that’s the case, this is a chance.』 (Klaus)

『Chance, you say! You, what are you on about!?』 (Thomas)

『The encounter was the worst as it was during a rebellion suppression, but you can call this a connection too. You directly met the Head-sama of the Earl household.』 (Klaus)

Due to Klaus’ excessive statement everyone except him is lost for words.
Of course, it’s the same for me.

『Currently it’s a minus, but how about starting over by exerting great effort at this place? You are young. I believe that you are still able to perfectly start over.』 (Klaus)

『However… For that redo…』 (Thomas)

That was the biggest bottleneck for employing them.
Although they have been used as sacrificial pawns, with it turning into a betrayal towards their homes and their former master, there was the possibility of them meeting their relatives once again on the battlefield.
That’s why I also didn’t consider head-hunting them.

『Still, the other side doesn’t think of you as family anymore, do they?』 (Klaus)

『…』 (Thomas)

『I will take your silence as approval.』 (Klaus)

With them being pieces which are to be used and thrown away, they have been told to not talk about their relationship with the Browig camp.
Therefore, at the current time they don’t have something like a home to return to either.
『There are no such people among us』 like that.
Even if Klaus declared that Earl Breithilde won’t take care of them, they could have guessed such circumstances.

『The Browig camp doesn’t want you to be a weak point in negotiations.』 (Klaus)

It was Margrave Browig household’s side which started the war, but of course they can’t continue until one of the households falls.
Aiming to secure rights by occupying successfully at present, they are sure to begin negotiations behind closed doors.
For those negotiations they are nothing more but hindrances.
Since they wanted them to preferably get entirely killed, they had them execute such reckless operation.

『Your esteemed homes should have obtained some kind of benefits by offering you as sacrifices. Instead, even if your personal circumstances come out at the negotiation…』 (Klaus)

Our children don’t have such younger brother.
They will likely reply in such way.

『Don’t you think that it’s frustrating?』 (Klaus)

『…』

『The relationship with your family is certainly something important. However, that’s a matter of being mutually considerate of each other. Something like a relationship where you are only used one-sidedly is equivalent to a fraud, where the family relation is used, on top of it being distorted.』 (Klaus)

Due to Klaus’ harsh words, Thomas’ group felt down and dropped their shoulders.

『Therefore, let’s have you make a comeback here. Those are lives you should have lost once after failing the rebellion anyway. Isn’t there the move to make a fresh start in life and serve the Earl Baumeister household?』 (Klaus)

『Make a fresh start in life…』 (Thomas)

They listened to Klaus sincere persuasion with serious expressions.
Though I believed that I discovered anew the talent of Klaus as swindler.

『How about it?』 (Klaus)

『I will start over! Serving them by raising distinguished war service, I will marry and obtain a home!』

『I will do it, too! I have already accomplished my obligation towards my family’s home!』

『Me too!』

Raising their hands one after the other after a short time, Thomas, who was the only one left not doing so, asks Klaus a question.

『I’m already 32 years old. Will I be able to start over, I wonder?』 (Thomas)

『Yes. Someone like me has already passed the age of 60. Even so, since I’m able to move, Thomas-dono has still time left even if you are older than 30 years.』 (Klaus)

『Then I will start over as well! I will teach my family’s shitty elder brother a lesson!』 (Thomas)

All of them declared that they will participate in the battle against Margrave Browig’s army because of Klaus’ persuasion.

◆◇◆◇◆

“That’s quite an amazing story.” (Ina)

“It’s Klaus’ old man wisdom, I guess?” (Wendelin)

“Even so, his ability in negotiations and persuasion is terrific. It’s an enviable ability for a merchant. So, Klaus-dono is?” (Ina)

“Consulting with the group standing this way.” (Wendelin)

As it will stir up problems if they suddenly blend in with the feudal army commanded by Moritz, we decided to leave stuff like the formation of the other unit to their leader, Thomas, and made him the commanding officer.
And Klaus settled into the role of being a liaison between them and me.
I know that he is a competent one, but my feelings were a bit mixed about his way of splendidly fitting the job.

“Is it alright?” (Ina)

“If he bared his fangs once again, he would definitely hang. That Klaus shouldn’t do something this stupid.” (Wendelin)

It seems they are currently pondering about something like new family names.
Since they have already discarded their family’s home, it seems they want to give themselves new family names and raise war achievements.

“Regarding it as kind advice, isn’t it in fact an advice that cuts off any paths of retreat for those men?” (Ina)

“Since they would have gone to the gallows if it stayed as is, isn’t it more or less kind to… (Why am I covering for Klaus?)” (Wendelin)

As expected, it’s difficult to make use of fellows who refused to serve the household.
Since it would be troublesome to manage them even if they are used like criminal slaves as it’s also wrong to force them onto the capital, the view that they should be executed isn’t mistaken.

“Since my job is to swiftly transport everyone… Yes, even as simple captain of a chartered vessel…” (Henrik)

Klaus was moving freely at another place of Henrik who has a feeling of being somewhat drawn in.

“Everyone is single, right?” (Klaus)

“It will be troublesome for our family’s home if we had a wife and children.” (Thomas)

“If that’s the case, you have to persist here.” (Klaus)

“That means?” (Thomas)

“Although it was delayed by the dispatch of troops this time, Margrave Breithilde-sama planned to hold a large-scale marriage interview meeting.” (Klaus)

If I remember correctly, that has been planned.
At the beginning it apparently was a meeting to push a concubines onto me, but as I refused, it was changed into a meeting to introduce wives to Erw and Roderich.
However, once complaints appeared that it was only the two of them, it evolved into a large-scale meeting allowing all the retainers to attend if they are single.

“If you are officially entering the service of the household after raising achievements in the war, master will allow all of you to participate as well.” (Klaus)

“Ooohhh~~~~!”

“I will be able to marry!”

“I’m full of fighting spirit! I will even capture father and elder brother!”

Hearing about the marriage interview meeting from Klaus, everyone seems to rise their tension to abnormal levels.

“Umm… Does such permission really exist?” (Ina)

“What Klaus says has the highest efficiency on young, single men.” (Wendelin)

“I see. That’s profound.” (Ina)

Leaving the Knight Baumeister territory after a full day, we arrived close to the grasslands at the border of the stationed feudal army of Margrave Breithilde on board a magic airship.