Chapter 371.
Chapter 371: Allegiance
After the Quake fiasco, no one was willing to retain their lord’s power anymore, and one by one, they handed it over to the Council of State with unparalleled loyalty.
With a wave of bounties, Alda had one more viscount (Old Ford), three more barons (Schroeder, Bryce, and Austin), six more vice-barons, and a whole bunch of knights.
Almost everyone summoned to the halls of the lord’s house was given a title, and there was something for everyone. Ah, except for one person, and that was Laddie Sertia, the acting head of the Hall of Education, because this world had not yet set a precedent for directly knighting women, and noblewomen’s titles were usually inherited from their deceased fathers or husbands, and that’s even if there were no other male heirs.
However, Lardy herself was not very enthusiastic about knighthood, perhaps because of her other identity, she was a bit lighter on the things that people in the world tended to rush to.
After that, Paul instructed Steward Philip to make a feast for the newly promoted lords who had made the leap in rank. The lord’s mansion celebrated all day long, and it was not until the evening that all the people took their leave and dispersed.
Three days later, Steward Philip reported an unexpected news to Paul, a group of Emden nobles led by Sir Herson and Sir Sean – that is, the previous vassals of the Kent family – wanted to visit him together.
Paul asked, “What are they doing here?”
Philip replied, “It seems to be related to the recent knighthood conferral.”
Oh? Could it be that they are also trying to get some favors? It’s just a matter of meeting them first.
“Have them come over, just this weekend.”
“Yes, my lord.”
……
“Congratulations to Lord Gladman!”
Inside the hall of the lord’s mansion, led by Sir Herson and Sir Sean, the Emden nobles saluted Paul in unison.
“Please be seated, all of you!” Paul responded smilingly.
After everyone was seated, Herson said, “We have learned that Lord Gleeman has been restored to power by His Majesty the King, so we have come together to congratulate His Excellency.”
“Oh? This has spread so quickly, huh? It’s only been a few days.”
“Lord Greymane, you’re being a bit outgoing, you should have sent someone to inform us.”
Sir Brett Shawn – the lord of Biddle Castle – had what he thought was the most perfect smile on his face and said so to Paul.
Paul smiled and said, “Haha, isn’t it true that you all knew about it without notification?”
There was a moment of embarrassment in the hall; it was rumored that the young earl was not good at people skills, and it was true.
The nobles exchanged a glance with their eyes, Sir Herson and Sir Sean took a step forward and suddenly knelt down on one knee, then the other nobles followed them.
Paul, who was sitting on the lord’s seat, was a bit confused, “What are you guys doing?”
Sir Helsen raised his head and said, “Please, Lord Gleeman, accept our offer of loyalty!”
Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?
Sir Sean said, “Emden is now under Lord Greymane’s jurisdiction, and we, the lords of Emden, are under your control, and now that you have been restored by His Majesty the King to all the powers that come with being a Peer Sword Noble, it is only right that you should be the lord of us all.”
Haha, so it’s here to hug his thigh.
After coming to the other world and mixing for two years, I finally enjoyed the treatment of a king’s dominance and his little brother’s head bowing in worship.
Paul’s heart was slightly self-satisfied, his eyes turned, stood up, and stretched out his hands in vain.
“Good, good, good! I accept your loyalty, all of you get up. From now on you are the official vassals of my Gladman family.”
Regardless of how sincere they were, of having a large number of extra minions, why not? The crowd was a bit surprised, so simple?
According to tradition, there must be a solemn ceremony, inviting several count-level lords from the surrounding area to witness it, and then the crowd
Swear to the Lord of Light to dedicate everything to the new lord, such a process is only reasonable ah.
Although I can appreciate that Earl Gleiman is very happy, but just casually agreeing like this is too childish and undignified.
To put it bluntly, it was rather like a hot face on a cold ass.
Looking at the confused crowd, Paul cleared his throat and said: ”I roughly guessed what you are thinking, but this count has always disliked tedious things, as long as your loyalty is all sincere, and why should you care about those false gifts? I’ll send someone to inform the neighborhood that you are already under my patronage.”
“Of course we are sincere!”
“Don’t worry, my lord, we will absolutely answer any call!”
“The next time there is a battle, please make sure you send me to fight in the vanguard!”
“In sickness and in health, we will always follow you until death do us part!”
……
There was a commotion in the hall as the lords wagered and swore, each looking excited.
“Good..! I can see that all of you are sincere! Haha.”
Paul also happily responded to the lords.
Of course he didn’t think much of it in his heart. Till death do us part? Maltz Kent has only been cool for half a year, right?
Maltz Kent’s family still has decades or even a hundred years of interest with this group of vassals, relying on marriage and other means of maintenance, and Paul can only give them an empty-headed asylum commitment.
The real war, at best, is “two shots in the air to afford the Emperor’s pay” such a degree.
Expect them to lead the army to fight, do not show, do not stab in the back is good.
But the hand does not hit the smiling face of people, people come to join, self also have to respond.
“Philip!”
“Yes, Lord Gleeman.” The old butler came in response.
“Today we will organize another banquet to feast the lords of Emden. All of you must drink openly and without restraint!”
The crowd responded in unison, “Thank you, Lord Gleeman.”
Paul also instructed Philip to bring Old Ford, Schroeder, Bryce, and others to accompany him.
This layer of appendage was settled.
However, the lords of Emden still have a faint sense of loss in their hearts, they can see that the count of Greiman is certainly very happy with their defection, but did not take it too seriously, is the kind of “there is certainly not bad, if not, it is not a big deal,” this kind of degree.
It’s also true that he has a strong army under his command, and many of them have seen the power of this army in the War of the Usurper. The conscripts hastily gathered by the lords were unbeatable in front of Alda’s army, both in terms of discipline and morale, as well as weaponry, they were crushed and could only rely on their numerical superiority to slowly maneuver around.
Good thing Paul admitted to give them shelter, originally only through the Council of State to restrain them, and now they are in trouble, Paul has to help.
How can one respond to this patronage? Both sides have benefits in order to maintain the relationship for a long time, in the military can not help, we have to think of ways in other areas.
When we consider the rumors of what happened to Paul when he was enthroned as a new vassal, the crowd instantly had mixed feelings.
(End of chapter)