Count Black

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Count Black
Alias(es)	Not specified; Baron Lovsky was a separate intermediary acting on his behalf, not an assumed identity 251
Gender	Male
Status	Deceased 502
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
Residence	Sunset City, Suffolk County; also maintained a manor outside the city 111 239
Family	Bull, his deceased son; Brando Great Oak, his grandson and heir; Grand Duke Jola Silver Maple, his grandson 111 239 316 455
First Appearance	Chapter 111

Background / History

Count Black established much of his regional influence by rallying Suffolk County's nobles against an invading East Sea Alliance fleet. Before his rise, the Great Oak Family had long stood opposed to the county's other nineteen independent nobles acting together. His successful leadership against the invasion earned their support and extended his influence throughout the Eastern Region, although interference from the former Grand Duke prevented him from fully achieving his aims. 462 507

He coordinated the coastal nobles of Suffolk and Cambridge Counties in establishing the Coastal Defense Fleet. To balance the coastal families' naval expenditure against inland military strength, he represented the coastal nobles in an agreement limiting viscounts to 2,000 standing troops and barons to 800. The eastern noble counties followed these limits for more than twenty years before the regional order began breaking down. 269

Count Black supported his grandson 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. 111 455

Count Colt's initial proposal included leasing a Great Oak port as a stopover for southbound trade and asking Black to convene eastern nobles whose interference was obstructing the development of Northern Frontier enclaves. Black was initially reluctant to involve himself in Colt's plans and advised Victor to remain cautious after the Golden Sunflower Family's promotion. Victor challenged this position by pointing out the losses suffered by eastern families that had followed Black and Jola, including Black's distant relatives in the Green Oak Family. 111 112

By Chapter 116, Count Colt understood that Black wanted a Northern Frontier noble to help defeat the Duchy's army and become his grandson's teacher and guardian. 116

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

Victor initially accepted the teaching role while questioning whether he should become Brando's guardian. He subsequently accepted the guardianship after understanding the political reasoning behind Black's choice: Count Colt's anticipated ducal position and extensive connections could alarm the Raine Kingdom, whereas Victor's expected rank and smaller power base made him a less threatening protector for Great Oak Territory. 240 241

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. Lovsky subsequently reported the plan's progress to Black by carrier pigeon from Silver Maple City. 249 251

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

Black's actions reflected broader threats to Great Oak Territory. Isold and Leo had expanded their armies beyond the regional limits and disregarded his camp assignments, while coastal nobles were withdrawing ships from the joint fleet or attempting to subvert Great Oak's naval forces. He also believed the Duchy's Direct Legion in southeastern Sextus County was positioned to threaten his territory. Black considered these pressures additional reasons to ally with Colt and remove unreliable eastern rivals through indirect means. 269

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

His assistance to Lloyd included introducing Viscount Ferry to Victor and making Great Oak's caravan network available for transporting military equipment. The resulting negotiated order included weapons for 7,000 troops, 2,000 sets of armor, and fifty advanced bed crossbows, with part of the shipment transported by water through Great Oak's caravans. Before returning to the punitive camp, Black also warned Victor not to attack neighboring territories before the force withdrew. 299 301

After returning to Sunset City, Count Black continued directing the eastern campaign despite his worsening condition. He recalled Yellen to begin their prepared operation, mobilized eastern nobles against the Northern Frontier Allied Army, and prepared a force for Yellen's command. 449 450

The naval operation exposed the extent of Great Oak's preparations. Sonanda arrived aboard a new Wavebreaker more than twice the size of its predecessor and contrary to the Noble Council's shipbuilding restrictions. He confirmed that the cooperation with the Northern fleet and destruction of the eastern noble fleet had been ordered by Black. The appearance of Sonanda's son as a Northern fleet commander further revealed the connections supporting Black's strategy. 483

Count Black eventually died while away from Sunset City. In accordance with his final arrangements, his death was kept secret until the Great Oak party could return home; Victor received his seal and was entrusted with Brando's protection and inheritance. Magnus and Yellen subsequently accepted Victor as their liege, placing the Great Oak Territory army under Victor's command. 502 507

Magnus guarded the carriage carrying Black's body, while Victor concealed the death even from allied nobles to discourage attempts to replace the Great Oak Family as the region's leading power. The southbound army officially remained a joint force led by Victor and Black. Once the main army returned to Great Oak Territory, Magnus and Brando arranged to announce the death, hold the funeral, and complete the inheritance ceremony. 507 516

His death created a succession crisis among Great Oak relatives and regional nobles, many of whom opposed Brando's inheritance because of his youth and their own claims to the territory. Victor later honored Count Black's wishes by granting Magnus a barony and assigning military merit to Brando, while Yellen and Magnus helped preserve Great Oak Territory's stability and develop Sunset City into a prosperous trade center. 516 716

The succession dispute also exposed constraints Black had faced during his lifetime. After the failed civil war, relatives had seized administrative positions and part of the territory's military authority. Their armed supporters were dispersed across the territory and could inflict widespread damage if challenged. Black restrained Magnus from taking extreme measures, both to avoid these losses and because his position as family head depended on obligations and support that limited his freedom of action. 518 520

Black's arrangements continued to shape regional politics after his death. Victor's position as godfather to the young Count Great Oak remained one of the connections underpinning the Golden Sunflower Family's influence in the Eastern Region. 807

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
• Life Grass temporarily halted the worsening of his condition and restored some of his energy, though it did not prevent his eventual death. 450 502
• Victor noticed an increasingly poor complexion and more white hair during his visit to the manor outside Sunset City. 239
• Suffered coughing fits and was advised by his physician to avoid emotional agitation. 269
• Nearly lost his balance while dismounting at his meeting with Victor, who stepped forward to support him. 298
• Privately admitted that Joy Grass was needed to ease pain throughout his body sufficiently for him to eat, and feared that he might not survive until spring. 299

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

Count Black is willing to make difficult arrangements for his family's survival. Before his death, he transferred practical authority over Great Oak Territory's military affairs to Victor and ensured that Magnus and Yellen would support Brando's succession. 502

He is openly affectionate toward Brando and recognizes that his own protective treatment has contributed to the child's shyness. Seeing Brando become comfortable with Victor during their lunch reassures and pleases him. 239

Black's support for allies is pragmatic rather than unconditional. When Yellen worried that the punitive force might overwhelm Victor, Black refused to provide direct military aid, arguing that Victor had chosen to take risks for Colt and must bear the consequences. He remained willing to provide intelligence and trusted Victor's defensive preparations. 269

He distinguishes between visible disobedience and concealed betrayal, considering the latter more dangerous. Although he values caution, his restraint toward dissenting relatives also reflects his obligations as head of the Great Oak Family rather than an unrestricted ability to punish opponents. 269 520

Captain Van Dyke regards Black as a man unlikely to overlook betrayal and fears that his own role in the breakup of the Coastal Defense Fleet could lead Black to settle old scores. 484

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
• Delayed reporting the punitive force's dissolution to Silver Maple City, preserving the appearance of continued action against the Northern Frontier. 318
• Arranged the secret handling of his own death to prevent an immediate collapse of Great Oak influence and secure Brando's succession. 502 507
• Recognized nominal respect as unreliable when contradicted by unauthorized troop expansion and disobedience to deployment orders. 269
• Used Victor's defeat of Isold and Leo to intimidate the remaining nobles and suppress dissent within the punitive force. 298
• Coordinated support for Lloyd's rebellion to divide Silver Maple City's attention and reduce pressure on Victor. 299
• Deliberately tolerated a clandestine private port as an outlet for goods that could not be handled openly, retaining the option to eliminate its operators when useful. 313

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
• Prepared forces and delegated their command to Knight Yellen for the next stage of his eastern operation. 449 450
• Directed that the Great Oak Territory army cooperate fully with Victor following his death. 502
• Previously led the eastern noble coalition that repelled an East Sea Alliance invasion fleet. 462 507
• Positioned the punitive camp on defensible terrain protected by a hill and river. Victor interpreted its apparent openness to observation and the placement of Great Oak troops at the front as deliberate political signaling that also shielded the other nobles from scrutiny. 296
• Evaluated subordinate nobles' usefulness in a crisis, warning Yellen that Piras was loyal but indecisive and identifying Cassian's devotion to the captured viscounts as a more dependable motive for action. 298

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
• Negotiated regional standing-army limits to compensate for the resources coastal nobles invested in naval defense. 269
• Maintained naval preparations beyond the Duchy's restrictions, as demonstrated by Sonanda's oversized new Wavebreaker. 483
• Supported military logistics through Great Oak's trade caravans and waterborne transport network. 301

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. Following his death, the army was placed under Victor Golden Sunflower's command in accordance with his arrangements. 252 502
• 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
• Naval restrictions — The Duchy limited the largest fleet vessels to 300 tons, constraining their combat effectiveness. The later appearance of the much larger new Wavebreaker demonstrated Great Oak's preparations to disregard those restrictions. 252 483
• Mobilization potential — Great Oak Territory had nearly 5,000 square kilometers of land and approximately 400,000 inhabitants. Victor assessed its commerce, handicrafts, and shipping as sufficient to support at least a full legion, but Black publicly attributed his refusal to expand the army to his age and lack of energy; his true reason was not established. 252

Relationships

• Victor Golden Sunflower — Political ally, Brando's intended guardian and teacher, and the executor of Count Black's final arrangements. Count Black entrusted Victor with his seal, Brando's protection, and authority over the Great Oak Territory army. Victor later fulfilled Black's wish to ennoble Magnus and remained the young Count Great Oak's godfather. 239 240 502 716 807
• Brando — Grandson and heir whose future security is Count Black's principal personal concern. Count Black selected Victor as Brando's teacher and guardian and arranged for Victor to support his inheritance. Brando had lived with Black since his father's early death, and Black acknowledged having sheltered him excessively from outsiders. 239 240 502
• Bull Great Oak — Deceased son and Brando's father. Bull also provided Sodoma's early education while the boy lived at Great Oak Castle. 316
• Grand Duke Jola Silver Maple — Grandson whose unsuccessful struggle against Mora drew Black and his eastern allies into the civil war. Black later regretted that greater eastern mobilization might have saved Jola's life or enabled a division of power. 111 269 455
• Count Colt — Ally in opposition to Mora; their cooperation connects Great Oak's eastern influence with the Northern Frontier's military strength. Their initial cooperation included proposals for a leased trade port and mediation over Northern Frontier enclaves. 111 240
• Knight Yellen — Trusted knight and executor of Count Black's military and political plans. Following Count Black's death, Yellen pledged loyalty to Victor and continued supporting Brando's succession. Black trained him primarily as a soldier and later instructed him in recognizing political disobedience and hidden threats. 269 449 450 502
• Steward Magnus — Loyal steward who worries over Count Black's self-neglect and declining health. Magnus safeguarded the Count's final wishes and later accepted Victor's authority over Great Oak affairs. Before Black's death, Magnus had begun infiltrating the relatives who threatened Brando's succession, although Black restrained him from taking extreme measures against them. 450 502 518
• Baron Lovsky — Intermediary who represented Black's apparent submission at Silver Maple City, bribed Lagos, and sent Black reports by carrier pigeon. 249 251
• Count Lagos — Political counterpart whom Count Black manipulates through Baron Lovsky's gifts and false loyalty. 249
• Grand Duke Mora — Political adversary whose territorial reductions, trade restrictions, and pressure on independent nobles drove Black toward the Northern Frontier alliance. Black nevertheless maintained an outward appearance of loyalty while preparing against him. 111 249 299
• Viscount Sonanda — Naval subordinate acting under Count Black's orders against the eastern noble fleet. Black took Sonanda and his son into his protection, helped Sonanda rise within the Coastal Defense Fleet, and persuaded him to inherit the Hawthorn title so that he could use the family's influence to advance his son's prospects. 316 483
• Sodoma — Sonanda's son and a Northern fleet commander. He regarded Black as a benefactor, having grown up at Great Oak Castle without discrimination over his lack of noble status. Black supported efforts to secure him an independent noble title and initially wanted Sonanda's family to remain neutral in the earlier civil war, but father and son chose to support him out of gratitude. 316 483
• Count Lloyd Ironvine — Southern ally whose preparations for rebellion Black helped support by arranging contact with Victor and access to weapons and transport. 299 301
• Viscount Ferry — Lloyd's intermediary in the arms negotiations facilitated by Black. 299 301 305
• Viscounts Isold and Leo — Eastern nobles whose ambition Count Black exploits by sending them as the punitive force's vanguard. Their excessive troop numbers and disregard for his deployment orders convinced him that they were undermining Great Oak's regional authority. 269 271 272
• Viscount Piras — Loyal but indecisive eastern noble whom Black involved in his arrangements for Perilla Territory and the coming campaign. 298 304
• Baron Charles — Lord of Perilla Territory who sought Black's protection after the punitive vanguard's defeat. Black reassured him while preparing the territory for Victor's later operations. 304
• Great Oak collateral relatives — Family members whose acquisition of offices and military authority after the failed civil war constrained Black's actions. Several later opposed Brando's inheritance to preserve their own positions and claims. 516 518 520

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

“He who would wear the crown must bear its weight.” 269

“Before me stands a greedy lion, while behind me lurks a pack of ravenous wolves. Everyone wants to tear Great Oak Territory apart and fill their own empty bellies.” 269

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