I then proceeded to crush the surrounding small lords one by one.


    When one of the forces that were originally on a par with each other, grows rapidly, it becomes a one-sided battle.


    It is easy to understand this by expressing it in numbers.


    Suppose that the power of each lord is within the range of three numbers from 6 to 8. However, the one with the higher number does not always win.


    Then, when the number 7 absorbs the number 8 to reach 15, there is no force that can win the game by itself.


    To tell the truth, the second and the third stages were much easier than the time of destroying the Viscounts of Mar.


    First of all, we had to increase the number of vassals of the enemy who would become our allies. A large percentage of vassals who are afraid of our attack will easily take advantage of it. If we attacked them, they would betray us and the enemy would be easily destroyed.


    Even if the enemy realizes this in advance and purges their vassals, it will work to our advantage because we will be able to kill their power.


    In the end, seven of the twelve counties of Fordonia were controlled within six months of the overthrow of the Viscounts of Mar.


    Since I could call myself a count now, I sent money to the leaning royal family to ask for permission to use the title of count.


    This kind of appearance is also important. For example, some lords may be willing to obey an order of submission from a count, but they may be reluctant to obey an order from a viscount of the same rank because of their pride.


    Local lords are, in other words, country aristocrats. Even if they are in the countryside, nobles are still nobles, and many of them are particular about their appearance. That''s why they have to be superior not only in ability but also in form.


    The royal permission to call himself a count was easily granted.


    Now I can take the name of the province and call myself Count Fordneria, but since I don''t control the whole province, Count Nevre would be more appropriate. The name of the province would also provoke the remaining forces.


    After becoming a count, I decided to spend some time on the development of my new territory.


    First of all, he created several places where he wanted to develop commerce, mainly in Nayvle, free of taxes. The same system that he had used in the local markets was added in many places.


    He also changed the system so that people could open stalls without having to join a commercial association.


    According to Oda Nobunaga, this is called "rakuichi rakusa. The word "the" in this case refers to the commercial association, although it sounds like a pagan incantation.


    The commercial associations naturally protested against the move, but the government pushed it through on the grounds that it was an order from the lords.


    The commercial association had some value as a protection for merchants when it was established a long time ago, but it has gradually become an organization to protect vested interests. As a result, it became more and more difficult for new merchants to enter the market.


    In addition, the union also leads to a higher price of goods.


    With this kind of leverage, the city developed first. It is obvious that the population of the county capital of Navre is growing and the tax revenue is steadily increasing. The development of the city is a plus for my country, which is already a country, since the laws of the House of Nevre are in effect in my territory.


    Merchants from far away are coming to me. They must have seen the money in it. I would appreciate it if they would drop more money.


    As the city grew richer, I decided to hire a finance bureaucrat as well.


    "Count, you''re very loud, sir."


    In front of me, a dog-eared werewolf man bowed his head.


    He was a wealthy merchant named Fannelia. Originally, he was mainly an oil merchant, but as his wealth grew, he began to deal in a variety of other items.


    "Well, my territory has grown so large that I can''t manage it on my own. I''ll be counting on you."


    Yes, sir. For my part, the abolition of the commercial association will make it easier for me to do business. From now on, the time will come when small merchants who belong to unions will no longer be able to do anything.


    "Agreed. That''s why I hired you. Please."


    "Yes, perhaps there is a place in the port town on the river that could be developed more. Please allow me to do a little research. I think the time will come when we will be able to trade with bigger ships.


    "Okay. We''ll pay you to renovate the port, if necessary."


    We needed to let Fanelia manage commerce for a while.


    We had to think about our relations with the Western powers.


    This is the Minerian territory that I fought for when I defended the fort to the death.


    The Counts of Curtis have ruled the province of Brantal for generations. It is called Minelia because Minelia is the largest city in the province.


    Currently, the war with Minelia has been temporarily suspended. That''s why we took the opportunity to expand our influence, but they must be getting curious.


    Then a messenger came from the other side. It was not a pure vassal, but a priest. The use of priests as messengers is a common practice in all countries.


    The castle was tense because there had not been a messenger for a long time.


    Especially, Laviala was looking at the messenger with a face as if to say, "What are you doing here? However, the messenger, a priest, seemed to be accustomed to this kind of situation, and was relatively unassuming.


    "I have come to congratulate the Viscount on his receiving the title of Count.


    "Well, I''m glad to hear it. I''m glad to hear that from a senior count."


    If you suddenly start fighting, you''ll look like a country bumpkin. I respond with a hawkish attitude.


    "Minelia is now preparing to advance her troops to the north. We would like to form a stronger alliance with Navre, not just a truce. Can''t we have a meeting between the counts?　How about a place at a temple near the border between the two countries?"


    I see. It''s a decent proposal, if you just listen to what I have to say.


    "Mr. Arsrod, this may be a ruse. Please be careful.


    Laviala immediately called for attention. I have that same concern.


    On the other hand, the other messenger has a smile on his face. He is quite an adept.


    "You may be right to be skeptical. I leave it to your judgment. It''s just that--"


    "It might be nice to have an alliance so we don''t have to pay attention to the West. If Minelia attacks us now, we won''t have the troops to defeat the other lords in the east."


    I interrupted them and said.


    "Thank you for speaking so quickly."


    They threatened to attack us if they had to.


    Minelia is still clearly the larger country. They are twice as large in area, and they have a larger population and more troops. They have ruled a province for a long time, so they have more centripetal force than I do.


    In the end, the enemy (at least this messenger) still has their licks on me.


    They probably see me as an upstart who has somehow managed to gain the title of count.


    Raviara seemed to understand this immediately, and she looked grim-faced.


    "Have you come here to insult Nayvel and Mr. Arsrod?　We could attack them from our side, you know?"


    "If it comes to war, we will have to ally ourselves with the neighboring lords of Nevre and go to war with them. We probably won''t have enough troops to withstand an attack from all directions.


    Raviara''s face goes "Geez," and she says, "I don''t know why.


    But I was actually grateful for her attitude. And also the attitude of the messenger.


    "Okay. I will have a meeting with the Count of Mineria."


    I set a date for the meeting and sent the messenger on his way.


    After that, when I was alone with Laviala, she told me some things.


    "Mr. Arsrod, why did you accept such an offer?　On the surface they were polite, but they were arrogant."


    "So it''s all right. If we can make the opposite impression at the meeting, they will be ashamed of their insult to us. It''s worth it to bring Minelia in. It''s not time to fight Mineria yet."


    "But how can you change the impression of those who underestimate you, Mr. Arsrod?"


    "There are a few things I can do."


    I chuckled.


    "First, I''m going to train the army I''m taking with me thoroughly. Not physically, but in terms of leadership.


    So far, most of the troops have been walking around like a bunch of mooks. They look like a hodgepodge.


    But if they came together in full force, the atmosphere would be completely different.


    "Can you do that in such a short time?"


    I''m confident I can do it. I''m not a sore loser."


    In fact, I have acquired a new special ability.


    --Since he has become a Count rank lord, he has acquired the special ability [Guidepost of the High King]. The confidence and concentration of the soldier under his command are increased by 50 percent.