Game Mind of a Medieval Modern Person - Chapter 209



Only Noblemtl

209. The Duchy of Prince Makerpois. The name was once an object of contempt.

Because it was that insignificant and had that little power.

The weakest of the Morning Star Islands, having nothing but the geographical advantage of being close to the mainland.

A dishonorable family that had no choice but to silently endure the tyranny of Yubas, who boasted of power that was more than enough to be called king.

Powis had to endure all kinds of slander and speculation ever since his brother Athelton ascended to the throne after the suspicious death of his original king, Athelbear, before he could leave behind an heir.

But as time passed, this situation was reversed.

The change began with Prince Athelton.

Plagued by weak legitimacy and recurring doubts, Athelton sought to assert the legitimacy of his rule in other ways.

By putting forward capable children.

“I know very well that managing a farm is difficult. In particular, there are many cases of people taking advantage of the chaos to abandon their farmland and run away. I will discuss this with my bishop and try to fill in the gaps in your labor.”

“As expected… I will only trust Sir Ethelred. Please let His Eminence the Bishop know what is right!”

The eldest son, Ethelred.

He was one of the few people who could negotiate on equal terms with the notorious Bishop, who was known for his cruelty, and he was a successor who respected the rights of the lords and was well-versed in customs and etiquette.

Among them, the aspect in which Athelred stood out the most was the part where he memorized the family tree of the opposing lords – the so-called ‘genealogy’.

He is well-versed in the history and heraldry of the various regions of the Duchy of Powis, making it easy to win the favor of the lords.

Aethelred, who knew the origins and history of the family, was very sensitive to how the power structure would change whenever the lords attempted to marry, and sometimes even volunteered to act as a matchmaker.

in result.

“You, Anitun Orn Perta, the head of the Perta family, who was granted hereditary succession by Aethelwulf, the third Duke of Powis recognized by the church, for your merits in suppressing the remnants of the heretics. What is it about you and your family that you have made a helmet decorated with a wolf shape as your family heirloom in honor of Aethelwulf, who bestowed you the manor?”

“…! Do you remember our family in such detail?”

“Aren’t all the lords who serve Powis originally knights who served our family with extraordinary bravery and loyalty? I feel like I’ve neglected them, so I’m paying attention to them now. If there’s anything I don’t know, it’s because I’m not fully educated, so I’d like to ask for your understanding first.”

Before his opponent could attack, Ethelred memorized the origins, history, and characteristics of his family to gain the upper hand.

“I’m guessing the reason the Perta family came is to ask for a matchmaking service with the Senigl family?”

“That, that part too…”

“I’ve heard that the Perta family has been having trouble managing their manor recently. It seems that the serfs are demanding more reasonable treatment by giving up their farming rights and becoming tenant farmers for the church, which has left the fields uncultivated. In order to overcome these financial difficulties, they are likely seeking an alliance with the more affluent Senigl family.”

Bishop Narva used to use the information obtained through the power of church administration to figure out how the lords would move.

Of course, an ordinary monarch would not pay much attention to his vassals getting married.

However, Aethelred was a man who watched every move of his vassals, believing that political marriages – marriage alliances – were a major issue that determined domestic order and the political landscape.

That’s understandable, as we live in an era where love marriage is nearly impossible.

The duty of a nobleman was not limited to military service, but also to finding the right spouse and forming a lasting family union.

For this reason, the union between vassals is mainly formed by taking into account various factors.

It may be to gain political allies, to secure economic aid, or sometimes as a stepping stone for long-term integration.

Aethelred’s efforts were directed at preventing these alliances and unifications from threatening the stability of the Duchy of Powis.

“No, Perta. Your decision will only make Perta economically dependent on Senigl. It will only make you and your family poorer.”

“Is that… advice or a threat?”

“I will offer you another alternative. I cannot allow the fall of a loyal knight who served our family, not to mention the love between the parties involved. I will consult with my bishop and help you quell the rebellion of your serfs.”

“!”

Aethelred was already working hard to prevent the more mature lords from preying on the lesser manors and lords.

It promised a chance for revival to families that had fallen into economic decline or were in dishonorable decline over time. And the chance for revival that Ethelred promised was realized with the cooperation and demands of the church.

Ethelred sighed as he saw Anitun Ornferta, the descendant of the old loyalists, leaving with his head bowed repeatedly.

‘It is said that there are many knights who have shown interest in the management of the estate recently, but their education is inevitably shallow, making it difficult to avoid downfall and decline.’

And as the knights became more absorbed in managing the manor, the quality of the knights of the Duchy of Powis began to decline.

Except for the single-nobles who did not yet have a manor or were desperate to be allowed to inherit it, everyone was so desperate to increase the profitability of the manor that even if military service was requested, it ended up just paying the shield tax.

On the contrary, it could be said to be a structural problem that the boring knights who had been steadily honing their skills and practicing military tactics were repeatedly absorbed into other families due to economic decline.

Only two people noticed this trend and came up with countermeasures.

Right now, it was Bishop Ethelred and Narva who were racking their brains.

The alternative Narva proposed was simple indeed.

[The ladies of the estate. How about giving the ladies the job of advising them on accounting and management, and imparting agricultural knowledge? More professionally.]

[You, that means. No way…]

[It is exactly as Sir Ethelred guessed.]

A dream that Bishop Narva has harbored for a long time.

[Bishop Lee, although he is busy with many things, is ready to fulfill his heavy responsibility as the head of a professional educational institution in order to fulfill his mission as an intellectual who must bring the torch of enlightenment to the times.]

“Why is that guy so obsessed with his reputation as a master?”

Ethelred sighed heartily.

Narva was demanding the position of head of an educational institution in return for his active cooperation in reviving the old loyalist families who had asked the Powis for financial aid.

Up until now, Duke Athelton and Aethelred had been doing everything they could to stop him, but now they had reached their limit.

The reason, ironically, lay in Arsenius, Aethelred’s only son and the hope of the Duchy of Powis.

After accepting Arsenios as his godfather.

Narva’s reputation, once known for its eccentric and unruly personality, began to change little by little.

***

The reason why Arsenius was called the hope of the Principality of Powis is simple.

Arsenios was a very patient, considerate, and sociable child.

Even to the point where he could get along with Eurydice, who was so self-righteous and arrogant that she would not stop yelling at the bishop.

Yurid frowned as she noticed Arsenios’ gaze piercing the back of her head as he swung his wooden sword.

“Hey, kid. I told you not to follow me.”

Any normal child would have been scared and run away or hid, but Arsenios was different.

Arsenios raised his arms and lifted his crow’s feet, his eyes bright and filled with longing.

“But, sister, your godfather told you to carefully observe and learn from your usual attitude.”

“What? …Uncle?”

“My father said that my sister has been spoiled by her uncle and has a strong tendency to speak harshly and act as she pleases.”

“Kid, hit me in the forehead. I’ll hit you with my fist.”

“The point is that you try to acquire skills that match your pride without ignoring the fact that your actual skills are insignificant compared to your inflated pride. The way you consistently work hard and diligently is something we should emulate.”

“….”

In 1225, Arsenios, now just six years old, was proving by his impeccable words and actions that he had the makings of a saintly king.

In proportion to this, Narva’s attitude, which was famous for brutally punishing his disciples, was also extremely extreme.

The moment when Yurid, who had raised his fist against Arsenios who had raised his magpie leg, was speechless.

“My lord!!!”

“Godfather!”

As soon as Narva saw Yurid’s fist, he ran over, out of breath.

“Yurid, what are you doing? Your fist is enough to render a man half-crippled with just one hit!”

“Uncle. I’m your nephew too.”

“How can the golden sprouts of the Yurid be the same as the seedlings that have just sprouted?”

Truly blatant favoritism.

The problem also lay with Arsenios, who was greatly favored by his father.

Arsenios was so pure, so good, and so quick-witted that he noticed every time Eurydice stood up crookedly and slightly puffed out her cheeks.

Arsenios, a pure-hearted boy, appealed to Narva to take care of the irritable Eurydice.

“Father, please do not press my sister too hard. My curiosity is what got her offended first, so you should consider that first.”

Then Narva immediately changed his attitude.

“I’m sorry, Yurid. You are also my family, and I couldn’t take full care of you under the pretext of caring for a young child. This uncle is also just a human. This is proof that there are definitely aspects of humanity that are lacking.”

“….”

“This uncle should try harder too.”

“……..”

In reality, the existing disciples had no choice but to have their balls twisted.

Narva, who was always thought to be ruthless and thoughtless, turned out to be a kind and educated man who taught Arsenios with all his heart.

“Arsenios, sometimes you have to make a political scapegoat. You can’t let people hate you.

The driving force that allows you to pursue a policy consistently comes from support for you. Remember, no matter how powerful a ruler is, if you want to create a policy that will last, you must convince others through two things: legal procedures and support for yourself.

“My lord, but aren’t monarchs the ones who represent and protect their fellow human beings on earth as representatives of the human starlight? If they do not take full responsibility, how can they say that they have the right and mission to rule on earth as representatives of the human starlight?”

If it were normal, he would have glared at me and said I was being rude, but he was extremely attentive to Arsenios’ questions.

“As a monarch, is it right to reign for a long time, prevent political chaos, and bring stability and peace to the people, or is it right to follow your conscience and allow a foolish challenge by being resented by the people you are supposed to protect?”

“that…”

“Your Majesty, you must find someone who will be pointed at by the people in your stead. A scapegoat who will take the blame for the people’s resentment, whether he or she has accepted that fate or not. If not, you will have to kill all those who complain yourself.”

“How can a monarch who is supposed to protect the people do that? Isn’t that… giving up his mission?”

“Remember, the job of a monarch is not to protect everyone, but to secure life for as many as possible.”

Narva was swinging his staff around, but when Arsenios showed signs of becoming upset, he immediately knelt down to be at eye level with him.

“The most powerful weapon for a monarch is the love of his people.”

“….”

“Leave what needs to be done to your subjects. Do not forget that it is your duty as a monarch not to lose love. You can rely on this great man, or you can hire four people separately later.”

-The morning system is a frontier.

The scholars from the mainland would not come to the Morning Isles no matter how much they were promised in return, so Narva taught Arsenius himself.

This is where the reversal of reputation began.

Narva not only taught Arsenius the art of kingship and other knowledge that he had, but also guaranteed him physical training and a considerable amount of free time under the pretext of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Rather, there are those who are concerned that Arsenios is being too loose.

“If those who rule over people lose the hearts of the people, will that country run properly?”

This statement cut off the objection in one breath and ensured Arsenios’ free time.

The sincerity did not end here.

Not only did he meticulously check the child’s diet to prevent his child from suffering from loss of appetite, but he also did not forget to intentionally invite children like Yurid, Enon, Martin, or others of the same age to foster social skills.

Even the nobles who hated or avoided Narva were surprised by this sincerity.

“Huh… How can you be so protective of someone who isn’t even your own child?”

“I would like to ask you to be my grandson’s godfather. Even if you are not the godfather, you are more than adequate as a guardian.”

Naturally, this action aroused opposition from existing disciples.

“Sister, you look much healthier than the average girl. It’s nice to see you.”

“Hey, kid. Don’t brag about being nice to your uncle. Hearing you compliments won’t make you feel good.”

“Even the great master praises it!”

“…If you don’t do it for me, what good is it? Get out, kid!”

Yurid’s uncomfortable mood.

“Yurid, I’m talking to you, teacher.”

“What, Uncle.”

“You’re so cruel to Yurid, so mean to me, but aren’t you too lenient to Arsene? You always get beat up by Martin.”

Enon’s grumbling.

“Yes, your Majesty… It is true that Miss Yurid is an attractive woman.”

“That’s right, but why are you trying to trick people into not getting married?”

“There are rumors going around that Yeha has lost interest since he failed to send Miss Yurid to Count Gaitan. How can we just accept that?”

“….”

Until Martin’s desperate resistance.

Finally, the three people gathered together, transcending age, gender, and the time they had spent as disciples.

“Let us also demand appropriate treatment from our teacher!”

The one who led this meeting was Enon.