Count Black

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Count Black
Alias(es)	Baron Lovsky, his representative in dealings at Silver Maple City 249
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Great Oak Family; Great Oak Territory; allied with Count Colt and the Northern Frontier nobles
Occupation/Role	Count of Great Oak Territory; commander of the Boler County punitive expedition; eastern political and naval strategist
First Appearance	Chapter 111

Background / History

Count Black supported Grand Duke Jola's failed bid for power. After Jola's defeat, Grand Duke Mora reduced Black's territory and restricted his trade caravans, leaving the Great Oak Family under severe political and economic pressure. These circumstances made him receptive to Count Colt's proposal for trade cooperation and mediation between eastern nobles and Northern Frontier enclaves. 111

When Victor Golden Sunflower visited Sunset City, Count Black received him personally and discussed the instability of the eastern counties. He later asked Victor to become the teacher and eventual guardian of his grandson, Brando, tying the Great Oak Family's succession to his alliance with Victor and Count Colt. 239 240

Count Black secretly warned Victor that the Noble Council was intended to target the Northern Frontier nobles. Though Grand Duke Mora ordered him to restrain nobles friendly to Victor and Count Colt, Black disclosed the order and committed himself to their cause. He proposed that Victor lead a combined eastern force against Duchy troops, promising to transfer the resulting merit to him and strengthen his suitability as Brando's guardian. 240

To mislead Silver Maple City, Count Black operated through Baron Lovsky, presenting himself as a repentant loyalist. Lovsky bribed Count Lagos with a 6.5-kilogram gold nugget and fed false intelligence while securing Mora's authorization for Count Black to lead Boler County's nobles against the Northern Frontier. 249

Count Black assembled the Great Oak Territory army at Sunset City and launched an expedition with three battalions—roughly 30% of his territory's forces. He also arranged for the Great Oak fleet to block the Blackwater River estuary, allowing Victor's southbound force to move upriver under Great Oak banners. 252 254

During the punitive expedition, he manipulated the ambitions of Viscounts Isold and Leo into accepting the vanguard role, then sent intelligence on their movements to Victor by carrier pigeon. After Victor defeated and captured both viscounts, Count Black insisted on verification before acting, ultimately withdrew the punitive force, and accepted responsibility for the retreat before the Grand Duke. 271 272 284 305

As the conflict widened, Count Black coordinated military supplies for Count Lloyd's southern rebellion, positioned forces around Perilla Territory, and continued directing eastern mobilization through Knight Yellen. He later ordered Viscount Sonanda to cooperate with the Northern Frontier fleet against the eastern noble fleet. 299 304 449 483

Appearance

Count Black is an elderly noble with white hair. His physical condition declines sharply over the course of the eastern campaign, though he continues to work and travel despite it. 298 450

• Rides a white pacing horse gifted by Victor. 298
• Used pain-relieving herbs, including Joy Grass, to remain active during the punitive expedition. 298
• After returning from Boler County, his health deteriorated to the point that walking became difficult. 450

Personality

Count Black is patient, calculating, and highly attentive to long-term political leverage. He recognizes the weakening of Great Oak authority among the eastern nobles and responds by cultivating alliances, exploiting rival ambitions, and concealing his intentions from both Mora and Count Lagos. 269 271

His decisions are strongly shaped by succession. He seeks a reliable guardian and teacher for Brando, viewing Victor's future rank, eastern background, and alliance with the Iron Birch Family as assets that can protect the Great Oak Family after his death. 239 240 304

Despite his manipulative methods, he trusts Knight Yellen and Steward Magnus, values Yellen's loyalty, and remains personally involved in administrative and military matters even as his health fails. 269 450

Abilities & Skills

Political Intrigue

Count Black operates publicly as a loyal subject of Mora while covertly assisting the Northern Frontier alliance.

• Used Baron Lovsky to bribe Count Lagos and create the appearance of submission to Silver Maple City. 249
• Shared confidential intelligence with Victor regarding Mora's planned suppression of the Northern Frontier. 240
• Used the punitive expedition to weaken hostile or unreliable eastern nobles while avoiding a direct confrontation with Victor. 271 299
• Leveraged the ambitions of Viscounts Isold and Leo to place their armies in the vanguard. 271

Military Command

Count Black can organize regional noble forces while making cautious battlefield decisions.

• Issued conscription orders to Boler County's independent nobles for the campaign against Northern Frontier territories. 251
• Led an expedition comprising three Great Oak battalions and forces contributed by Boler County nobles. 252 269
• Ordered reconnaissance after receiving reports that Isold and Leo had been defeated, refusing to act until the reports were verified. 284
• Managed the punitive force's retreat and assumed responsibility for it before Mora. 305

Naval Strategy

The Great Oak Territory's naval influence is central to Count Black's plans for survival and expansion.

• Helped establish the eastern coastal defense fleet with nobles of Suffolk and Cambridge Counties. 252
• Sought to lift Duchy restrictions on ship size and secure control of maritime trade through participation in the civil war. 252
• Blockaded the Blackwater River estuary to conceal the movement of Victor's southbound fleet. 254
• Ordered Viscount Sonanda to cooperate with the Northern Frontier fleet against the eastern noble fleet. 483

Military Forces

• Great Oak Territory army — Approximately 10,000 troops in total; Count Black committed three battalions, around 30% of this force, to the Boler expedition. 252
• Eastern coastal fleet — Nearly 100 ships jointly established by Great Oak Territory and coastal nobles; Great Oak controlled two-thirds of its ships and personnel. 252
• Boler County punitive force — Included troops from ten participating independent nobles, whose unexpectedly large contributions concerned Count Black. 269

Relationships

• Victor Golden Sunflower — Political ally and intended guardian of Brando; Count Black supports Victor's eastern command and advancement. 239 240
• Brando — Grandson and heir whose future security is Count Black's principal personal concern. 239 240
• Count Colt — Ally in opposition to Mora; their cooperation connects Great Oak's eastern influence with the Northern Frontier's military strength. 111 240
• Knight Yellen — Trusted knight and executor of Count Black's military and political plans. 269 449 450
• Steward Magnus — Loyal steward who worries over Count Black's self-neglect and declining health. 450
• Count Lagos — Political counterpart whom Count Black manipulates through Baron Lovsky's gifts and false loyalty. 249
• Viscount Sonanda — Naval subordinate acting under Count Black's orders against the eastern noble fleet. 483
• Viscounts Isold and Leo — Eastern nobles whose ambition Count Black exploits by sending them as the punitive force's vanguard. 271 272

Notable Quotes

“Victor, I've invested over ten thousand gold coins in this matter. You owe me such a huge favor, so you won't be able to refuse to be Brando's guardian, will you!” 251

“I only trained you to be a soldier. I never taught you these petty, underhanded matters.” 269