Chapter 310

Meanwhile, at the Vardmoi Marquisate
Marquis Vardmoi’s Point of View
It took three days by high-speed carriage from Vardmoi to McFarlane, and another three days to secure an audience, even though I sent word ahead.
By now, the series of events in Galette County must already be over.
How should I approach this?

“I’ve kept you waiting, Marquis Vardmoi.”

“Thank you for granting my sudden request, Your Majesty.”

“... Let’s dispense with the formalities. What brings you here today?”

As expected of Duke MacFarlane, his sharp gaze is intimidating.
However, this matter involves significant harm to my household.
There’s no room to back down.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Recently, when Lily and I purchased the Connie trees located in Galette County, the Count’s eldest son forcibly requisitioned it and even attempted to seize the payment we made. I’ve come to report that, as a result, I dispatched troops to Galette County.”

“Troops to Galette County?!”

“Yes. A small number of soldiers were sent.”

“Wait, Marquis Vardmoi. Are you out of your mind?”

“I am perfectly sane, Your Majesty. Before proceeding, I obtained prior approval from the McFarlane family to ‘act as I see fit’ regarding this matter.”

I took out a letter from my pocket—the very correspondence sent to me by the McFarlane Ducal Family.
The Duke picked up the letter, reread it multiple times, and then slammed it onto the desk.
His face flushed bright red with anger.

“That foolish son of mine! To disregard the affairs of the Galette County, a vassal house! And to make matters worse, it explicitly states, ‘The Connie trees and all related matters are to be handled as Marquis Vardmoi sees fit.’ This effectively authorizes your intervention in Galette County!”

“Indeed, based on that agreement, I dispatched troops to protect my assets.”

“What was the scale of the deployment? Regardless of prior approval, if the force was large, it could escalate into a territorial conflict!”

“We sent approximately 24 soldiers. Additionally, Lily, as a co-owner, went with her guards and familiars.”

“Lily, that girl… Wait, her familiars? Did the Tarachnathos move as well?”

“That’s correct. Although the troop size was small, it would take just one day to subdue the forces commanded by a spoiled son of a local lord.”

For the first time, Duke McFarlane’s expression faltered, his usual poker face giving way to unease.

“When did the deployment take place?”

“Two days after I departed Vardmoi. The troops traveled by carrier bird to Galette County in two days and completed the operation in one. By now, everything should have been resolved as of yesterday.”

“Damn it… Can’t you withdraw the troops?”

“With the Connie trees and the village residents at risk of being endangered again, it would be difficult. Furthermore, we also received a request for military assistance from the Trade Guild in Galette County.”

“The Trade Guild as well?! What is Count Galette doing?”

“That, I cannot say, Your Majesty…”

Seriously, what *is* he doing?
Surely he can’t feel at ease with foreign troops stationed on his land.

“Understood. I’ll send my son, who caused all of this, to the scene as the person responsible.”

“Are you certain about this?”

“It’s a ruler’s duty to take responsibility for their actions.”

“As you wish. In that case, I will accompany him to ensure a fair resolution.”

“Do as you please. Additionally, the eldest son of the Galette family, who was the heir, will be stripped of his position and placed under house arrest for his role in this incident. I’ll draft the necessary documents. Wait here.”

“Understood. Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Honestly, granting such discretionary authority to an incompetent individual…”

Lord Sharon truly acted carelessly this time.
If we’re not careful, this could cause diplomatic issues.
Hopefully, this incident serves as a valuable lesson.

What do you think about this chapter?