The World of Adults is All About Schemes

"Huh?

Cough, cough, cough, cough~

What did you say?"

Count Mori stared blankly at Havent.

Startled by Count Mori's intense reaction, Havent spoke softly, "That's what I read in a book. Send your son to seduce the king.

Then the king thinks everything is fine, but the one who sent the son secretly develops his power, and on a good day, he makes an oath and smashes his wine glass.

By the time the king realizes what's happening, they've already reached the city walls, and the son dies a miserable death.

I'm still so young, I haven't even had a spontaneous trip yet, it would be a shame to die~"

After listening to Havent's soft rambling, the two exchanged glances, and then burst into earth-shattering laughter.

"Hahahaha, hahaha, hahaha, hahaha!

Kevin! Kevin! That kid, that kid really has a vivid imagination!"

Count Hailan even walked behind Havent and slapped him on the back of the head.

"Hahaha~ We nobles have our dignity, how could we do something that disgraces the spirit of knighthood?

Read fewer storybooks written by those bards, you're not doing proper work all day."

Havent rubbed the back of his head, which ached from the blow, and silently grumbled, Two country bumpkins, you don't know anything. This kind of thing was really popular in my last life.

Count Mori laughed for a good while before stopping.

"It's not as complicated as you think. Alright, let's get serious. Now you probably understand what's going on."

Who's not being serious?

He silently scorned the lecherous, bald, dark old man.

"I think I get it. Ever since the empire was founded, the Church has been constantly strengthening its influence, almost becoming the boss, and then it was dealt a blow by our side's best efforts.

Finally, with the efforts of two generations of bosses, it successfully became the leader of Ingis. Then the Sleeping King, who inherited a great situation, was bewitched and easily believed the Church. The Church's desire to ascend to power reignited.

Then the southern lords were bought off, our current boss's position is unstable, and we in the north are loyal to the boss and won't allow the boss to step down.

Isn't that how it is? I'm familiar with this plot."

Count Mori scratched his chin beard. Although he felt Havent's meaning was correct, it sounded strange.

"Hmm~ It's about right. The current situation is like this. Although the surface is calm, in reality, the empire has been divided into three factions: currently, us and the central lords' Royalist Faction, the eastern, western, and neutral factions.

And the southern Church faction. The lords in the southwestern region are currently leaning towards the Church faction.

According to intelligence from the imperial capital, three-fifths of the southwestern lords have accepted various forms of aid from the Church."

It was already close to one in the morning, and the entire Baiman City was quiet, with only the occasional dog bark breaking the silence.

"So, what are you planning to do? I feel like we don't have much ability to resist.

Look at the Church, they have money and people, tsk tsk, what a great boss they look like...

Ouch! Why are you hitting me again?"

Havent turned around and glared angrily at Count Hailan, who had just slapped the back of his head again.

Count Hailan completely ignored Havent's murderous gaze and rubbed Havent's head fiercely with his large hand.

"Son, all good things hide deadly crises underneath. When you become someone with no freedom or thoughts, and the most important thing you do every day is pray to God."

Havent irritably pushed the old man's hand away. Although the touch was comfortable, he didn't want to be touched.

"I was just joking, how could I really think the Church is good? That Aurelion, with his smiling face, doesn't look like a good person."

Havent absolutely detested that Dawn Guard leader who inexplicably pestered him. He smiled so beautifully, it would be a waste not to be a male prostitute.

"You already know the situation reported by the sentries. Although the Church of Death has gone to the border of the Orc Empire, there are still a large number of ghouls remaining within their territory.

Your father and I have discussed it, and we plan to use this crisis with the Church of Death in the north to recall some of the troops stationed at the Armor Defense Line."

"Weren't the replacement troops supposed to be returning? Do we need to pull back more?"

Count Mori chuckled and then said sinisterly, "80% of our army is stationed at the Armor Defense Line. For decades, we northerners have borne too much.

If we only use the remaining forces in our territory to clear them out, the cost will likely be tragic.

Now we'll give those southern lords two choices: either pay money, or send soldiers to garrison the Armor Defense Line."

Listening to Count Mori's description, Havent asked with some confusion, "The Armor Defense Line is so far from the southern lords, will they care?"

At this moment, Count Hailan walked to the window and opened it a crack. The northern night in October was already quite cold, and the chill wind blowing through the gap made Havent involuntarily shiver.

"It's not that far. A cavalry unit fleeing at full speed could reach Anfu Mo Province from the Armor Defense Line in a month at most."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

He didn't quite understand. They were just talking about money, so why were they suddenly talking about something else?

"Before, the Orc Empire's southward invasions happened roughly every five years. In the last twenty years, it's been about every three years, and in the last five years, they've attacked three times."

As he spoke, Havent felt as if he saw Count Mori's aged eyes well up with tears.

"Too many children of the North have died, and they're dying faster and faster.

By incomplete estimates, about six of our territories have turned to ash. The people of these six territories combined are about 190,000.

And every time we resist the Orcs' southward invasion, we lose and injure tens of thousands of soldiers."

Hearing these numbers, Havent felt a pang of sadness. Looking at his father, who stood by the window, he saw a profound sense of grief.

"So, my child, you need to go to the Imperial Capital. Marquis Charlton has already returned from the Armor Defense Line.

You'll have a letter to deliver to His Majesty. Just give this letter to His Majesty, and he'll know what to do.

Of course, besides that, if you're willing, you can help Kubant in the Imperial Capital. He's struggling to manage things there all by himself."

"Kubant?"

Count Mori's face showed a hint of guilt.

"My son, he's been in the Imperial Capital by himself for five years. He's three years older than you."

"Oh, I see..."

Havent quietly observed Count Mori. This old fellow seemed to be more than twenty years older than his father.

Hiss! He's still got it!

"What do you need me to help him with?"

"We adults have our own struggles, and you children will have yours too.

The struggles of nobles begin from a young age. If you could overcome the same batch of noble heirs when you were young, then when you grow up, you'll have a natural advantage over them.

In recent years, there haven't been many outstanding young people from the North, and the Northern nobles have been frequently replaced. Furthermore, the North is burdened by the Armor Defense Line.

So, the support for the children has become increasingly insufficient. Many children couldn't endure the pressure from the scions of nobles from other regions in the Imperial Capital and returned in dejection.

Then, within a few years, they met their end at the Armor Defense Line.

Your intelligence, Uncle Mori has seen it. If you go to the Imperial Capital and can help Kubant, please do. He's a stubborn child who has suffered greatly for the honor of the North."