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There was a story from the world before my possession. It was about a strategist who found his lord unreliable and tried to recruit a new lord from outside. He defected when he finally found a lord who aligned with his ideals, offering his knowledge and maps to him. I wasn’t sure whether this was official history or just a legend, but that story existed.

So, what was the lesson from this story? The importance of maps? The necessity of switching allegiances in chaotic times?

Those were true, but not quite. There was another real lesson.

“This area, this one, and finally this tribe here—are also being forced to move by the evil one.”

“I see, so that’s how it is.”

The true lesson was simple: if you were going to sell them out, do it boldly and completely to become a meritorious subject. If you switch sides too late, you’ll remain at the bottom. But if you were among the first to join while bearing significant gifts, you’ll be treated with respect. And if you bring others along, your value will increase even further.

The Kaitana’s tribal chief—no, Count Kaitana, was running a multi-tiered recruitment operation in the North.

He’s going to make it far.

I couldn’t help but think that as I watched him. This guy was clearly going places. He was the type who would have somehow survived even if the Emperor had chosen extermination over assimilation, and would have somehow secured a position under the new rule even if Kagan had won the last war.

He was a headache, but also a convenient type if certain conditions were met. He’d disappear overnight, taking everything of value with him if his rights and safety weren’t guaranteed, but he’d become a loyal and competent ally if we could fulfill his desires. He’d protect his employer just to ensure his own desires were secured for life.

Not bad, huh?

A tribal chief capable of mustering 3,000 troops on his own and the first to kneel to the Empire—I’d expected him to be competent, but this was beyond expectations.

At this rate, the strongest contender for the title of the empire’s 13th Marquis was likely Count Kaitana. Sure, he was the only tribal leader I had made contact with so far, but I doubt anyone else could surpass him.

Besides, wouldn’t it be a bit tragic if there were multiple people like him in this era? This wasn’t some kind of turncoat competition.

At least he’s working for us.

I’d be losing sleep if he had been on the enemy’s side.

“By the way, I’d like to ask Count Wiridia something, if it’s not too much to ask.”

“Ah, yes. Please speak freely.”

Count Kaitana, who had been enthusiastically pointing at the map and explaining, suddenly turned serious.

“I’ve heard that the title of Count in the Empire is a great honor and that even a Count’s vassals are considered nobility.”

The moment he said those words, I immediately knew what he was getting at.

“Yes, that’s correct. Usually, counts bestow titles on vassals they believe will serve them faithfully, and His Majesty gives final approval.”

Seemingly satisfied with my answer, Count Kaitana’s eyes flickered with calculation.

And I almost let out a hollow laugh at what he said not long after.

“So it doesn’t necessarily have to be from my tribe as long as there’s mutual agreement, right?”

“...That’s correct.”

That satisfied expression... amazing.

He asked about the method of bestowing titles, confirmed that it didn’t have to be limited to his own people, and had already put two and two together. That meant that even wandering clans or nomadic groups unaffiliated with the Kaitana tribe could still be counted under his growing influence.

Did he put that together just from a single sentence?

Did he have settled ancestors somewhere in his lineage?

***On our way back to the base after receiving Count Kaitana’s fervent send-off.

“Um, Master.”

“Yes?”

The 4th Manager, who had been pondering something with a serious face, cautiously opened her mouth.

“Are all other nomads like that?”

I couldn’t bring myself to answer her question, which was full of doubt.

Saying yes would feel like denying my common sense, but saying no was difficult when I couldn’t shake the presence of Count Kaitana from my mind.

***From the moment Carl left for the Kaitana tribe, the nomads’ offensive became even fiercer. The nomads already active on the front lines moved as if they were fighting to the death, and tribes showing aggressive momentum started appearing one by one on the front lines.

News of offensives came from each front. Reckless offensives are expected during a war especially against nomads, but—

They’re not coordinated at all.

Not all tribes on the front lines were launching offensives. Tribes showing intention to surrender to the empire, like the Kaitana tribe, were still quiet.

It was strange. If the nomads were ramping up their attacks, that meant orders had come down from the self-proclaimed Khan. They should be moving to pressure our front lines and inflict damage.

However, to inflict damage on the numerically superior imperial army, the nomads should be launching offensives with all their might. It was impossible with this bizarre front line where some were fighting and others were just watching.

In that case, dealing with traitors first would be normal.

The logical course of action would be to either recall the passive tribes or outright eliminate them. Leaving potential turncoats sitting idle on the front lines was a dangerous oversight. If those tribes suddenly switched sides, the attacking nomads could find themselves surrounded.

Yet, no such measures were being taken. The warring tribes showed no interest in the quiet ones, and the quiet tribes didn’t seem concerned with the escalating conflict.

Of course, there were defecting tribes that withdrew from the front lines, but rather than retreating due to pressure from aggressive tribes, they withdrew while showing off as if asking us to come to their territory, like the Kaitana tribe. It was a situation that was hard to understand.

Have traitors ever been this bold before?

It was confusing. I’d lost count of how many times this war had defied my expectations. Internal strife among the enemy? That was possible. A strong show of surrender? That, too, was understandable.

But internal traitors brazenly roaming freely and being left unchecked? That was unheard of.

Could someone else be the Khan?

I even had such thoughts out of desperation. What if Udesur Dorgon had died long ago and some other ambitious person was impersonating him?

If not, then there was no way to explain this bizarre unity and behavior. Dorgon was the only blood relative and heir of the Rebel. He had the status and ability sufficient to become a symbol to unite the nomads.

The empire evaluated his threat level as high and chased him for three years, but was this all that dangerous element could do?

If Dorgon had shown incompetence in the last war, it might be understandable—but Dorgon mediated between anti-empire tribes that had been on the verge of tearing each other apart. If we were talking about competence or incompetence, he was closer to competent.

I would have seriously thought that someone other than Dorgon was the Khan if I hadn’t seen the sky being torn.

“Your Grace. The Inspector has returned.”

As I was trying to suppress my confusion and update the frontline situation, I nodded at the report of the knight who entered the tent.

Judging by the knight’s reaction, it didn’t seem like Carl had returned because something went wrong. Then, it must mean the negotiations with the Kaitana tribe went smoothly.

And the moment I saw the map he had brought back, I realized that smooth was an understatement.

“The areas marked on the map are the territories of tribes considering surrender.”

“I see.”

There were many. Not every tribe was as large as the Kaitana tribe, which could field thousands of warriors, but even taking that into account—this was a lot.

“Additionally, there are still many tribes that remain undecided. Among them is one that used to serve as a priestly order.”

The fact that a neutral faction still existed was surprising enough, but the number of tribes openly expressing surrender was staggering. If that many had already made up their minds, then potentially even more could follow.

Priests?

Moreover, I couldn’t believe that priests were included in the neutral faction.

To prevent the nomads from regaining their cohesion, the Empire aggressively eradicated their religious institutions. Not only when it came to the Rebel who doubled as their High Priest, but other priests were also tracked down and killed; countless temples were also destroyed. That was how thoroughly the empire trampled their faith.

And yet, a priest of this trampled faith was said to be among the neutral tribes.

How ambiguous.

I would have understood if the priest was pro-war out of resentment for their trampled faith, or anti-war out of despair from losing everything.

But them being in the neutral faction that was neither here nor there probably meant that the tribe had a lot to consider on their own.

“They’re called the Barandiga tribe. They’re not large in scale, but they have a long history and were one of the representatives of tribes that didn’t follow the Rebel in the past.”

Carl’s words made me think even harder. A tribe that was the only focal point of faith at a time when all priests were thought to be dead, with a long history and a record of rejecting the Rebel.

This was a tribe we should have contacted even if they were pro-war, especially in a situation where we needed to worry about conquest and maintenance and not just subjugation of nomads.

However, if there was one thing that bothered me—

We’ll have to recognize their pagan religion.

We couldn’t embrace that focal point of faith and then tell them to abandon that faith. Embracing the Barandiga tribe meant embracing not just their influence but their entire pagan religion.

It was a difficult matter. How could an empire that received the Mandate of Heaven recognize a pagan religion?

This isn’t a decision I can make.

There was a saying that a general on the battlefield didn’t have to listen to the monarch’s orders. Of course, ignoring orders entirely would make one a traitor, but field commanders were expected to make more precise and immediate decisions than rulers sitting far away from the warfront in many cases. That was the reason why the imperial army tended to respect the judgment of commanders on the field.

But this... this was different. Making such a decision on my own was beyond my authority, even as a duke.

“You’ve brought valuable information. Good work. Rest until I call for you again.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

I let out a small sigh as I watched Carl bow and withdraw.

A tempting Holy Grail had come into our hands, but there was poison inside it.

...I’ll have to report this to His Majesty.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t a matter that could be handled in the field.

***The Invincible Duke’s report came in.

A tribe operating with thousands of troops had already surrendered, and several other tribes were showing intentions to surrender.

Moreover, a priest of the pagan religion thought to be completely dead was continuing the lineage and was expressing an ambiguous stance that was neither pro-war nor anti-war.

...

What on earth is this?

I couldn’t help but frown.

Was the situation in the North... this messy?