Free Web NovelEveryone sat down.
Their movements were uniform, like well-trained soldiers.
The sound of chairs ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) scraping against the floor was particularly harsh in the silence. freewёbnoνel.com
Duchess Erwina's gaze swept over everyone present once more.
Those nobles sat upright, hands placed neatly on the table or folded on their laps.
No one dared to make a sound.
Even their breathing became cautious.
"Very well."
Duchess Erwina's voice broke the silence.
"Now, we can have a proper talk, like civilized people."
Her fingers lightly tapped the tabletop.
Once.
And again.
The rhythmic tapping echoed in the room.
"First, let us confirm the current situation."
She paused for a moment.
"Recently, the pro-peace faction, led by Marquise Schwartz and Marquis Hohenheim, launched an offensive."
"The intensity of this offensive has far exceeded our expectations."
"Not to mention the Army General Staff, even the Military Police has begun targeting us at every turn."
Her voice was calm, as if stating a fact that had nothing to do with her.
"From the council to public opinion, everything is working against us."
"Many neutral fence-sitters in the council have begun to reassess the situation."
The atmosphere in the room grew even more oppressive.
The expressions of several nobles turned even more unsightly.
"This is the situation we are currently facing."
Duchess Erwina's fingers stopped tapping.
"Does anyone wish to add anything?"
No one spoke.
"Very well."
She nodded.
"Then, let us discuss our countermeasures."
She looked up at a middle-aged man sitting on the left.
"Earl Klaus, how is the situation in the council?"
The man whose name was called immediately stood up.
He wore a deep blue formal suit, with several medals pinned to his chest, and his hair was meticulously combed.
"Your Grace."
His voice was respectful.
"In the current Imperial Council, the pro-peace faction holds about thirty-seven seats, we hold thirty-five, and the remaining twenty-eight seats belong to the Centrists."
"Originally, sixteen of the centrist seats leaned toward us, but after the pro-peace faction launched their offensive—"
He paused.
"Now only eleven remain."
Duchess Erwina's brow furrowed slightly.
"In other words, we have lost five whole seats?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
Earl Klaus lowered his head.
"Furthermore, among the remaining eleven, at least three more are wavering."
"If they also defect to the pro-peace faction—"
"Then we will completely lose our advantage in the council."
Duchess Erwina's fingers began tapping the table again.
"The reason?"
"The pro-peace faction has obtained some... information unfavorable to us."
Earl Klaus's voice grew even lower.
"We are not yet clear on the specifics."
"But judging by their offensive, this information carries significant weight."
"Enough weight to make those centrist councilors reconsider their stance."
Duchess Erwina was silent for a while.
"What about public opinion?"
She looked at another noble.
He was a young man, appearing under thirty, with blonde hair and emerald green eyes.
"Baron of Brunswick."
The man whose name was called immediately stood up.
"Your Grace."
"The situation with public opinion is even worse."
There was a hint of bitterness in his voice.
"The newspapers controlled by the pro-peace faction have published multiple articles over the past few days, attacking the casualties and consumption brought by the war."
"They cited a large amount of data—death tolls, disability numbers, military expenditures—"
"They even interviewed many families who have lost loved ones."
"These articles have caused a great stir among the people."
"Now, throughout the streets and alleys of Victoria, discussions about a 'ceasefire' are everywhere."
"Some have even begun to gather in the squares, demanding the imperial government stop the war immediately."
Duchess Erwina's expression did not change at all.
"What about our newspapers?"
"We are also fighting back,"
Baron of Brunswick said.
"We emphasize the necessity of the war, the threat of Usar, and how if we stop the war now, the Empire will lose its strategic advantage—"
"But the effect has been poor."
He paused.
"The people care more about their loved ones and their lives."
"They don't care about any strategic advantage."
"They just want the war to end."
Silence fell over the room once more.
Duchess Erwina's fingers stopped tapping.
She leaned back in her chair, her pale gold eyes narrowing slightly.
"In other words, we are currently facing an all-out offensive."
"The council, public opinion, and even within the army."
"The pro-peace faction has clearly come prepared."
Every word she spoke was crystal clear.
"While we were caught off guard."
The faces of several nobles turned even more unsightly.
"But this is not the end."
Duchess Erwina suddenly sat up straight.
"As long as we still have chips to play, there is still a chance to turn the tide."
She looked at Earl Klaus.
"Those seven centrist councilors who are still on our side—send people to stabilize them immediately."
"Use whatever means necessary—money, positions, or threats—it doesn't matter."
"But you must ensure they do not defect to the pro-peace faction."
Earl Klaus nodded immediately.
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Baron of Brunswick."
Duchess Erwina looked at the young man again.
"Regarding public opinion, change the strategy."
"Stop emphasizing the necessity of the war—the people won't listen."
"Instead, emphasize the hypocrisy of the pro-peace faction."
"They talk about a ceasefire, but what happens after?"
"Will Usar abide by the agreement?"
"Or will they take the opportunity to invade even more frantically?"
"Make the people understand that true peace is not gained through compromise, but maintained through strength."
Baron of Brunswick was stunned for a moment, then nodded.
"I understand, Your Grace."
Duchess Erwina's gaze swept over the others present.
"As for the army—"
She paused.
Recall a portion of the garrison troops from Eisenburg and its surrounding areas back to Victoria.
The air in the room froze instantly.
Everyone looked up, staring at Duchess Erwina in shock.
"Your Grace—"
Earl Klaus couldn't help but speak up.
"Doing this, wouldn't it be too—"
"Too what?"
Duchess Erwina interrupted him.
"Too obvious?"
"Too aggressive?"
A cold smile curled at the corner of her mouth.
"I want the pro-peace faction to see it."
"To see our determination."
"If they really want to take things to the extreme—"
"Then we will play along until the end."
Silence fell over the room once more.
But this silence was different from before.
Before, it was fear.
Now, it was—
An oppressive, poised tension.
Duchess Erwina stood up.
"Everyone."
Her voice rang out again.
"I know you are panicked right now."
"You feel that the pro-peace faction is coming on strong this time and that we might not be able to stop them."
"But I tell you—"
Her cane struck the floor heavily.
Thump.
"As long as I am here, the pro-peace faction will not be able to prevail."
Her pale gold eyes swept over every person.
"Now, go and do what you must."
"The next time we meet, I hope to hear good news."
"Not like today, with mutual accusations, pushing, and verbal abuse."
"Understood?"
"Yes, Your Grace!"
Everyone answered in unison.
Their voices were perfectly aligned.
Duchess Erwina nodded.
"Meeting adjourned."
The nobles stood up one after another, bowed, and then left the room.
Soon, only Duchess Erwina remained in the room.
She sat back down, leaned against the chair, and closed her eyes.
Her fingers lightly massaged her temples.
A moment later, a knock came from the door.
"Enter."
Duchess Erwina opened her eyes.
The door was pushed open.
A man walked in.
He looked to be in his forties, wearing a dark formal suit, but it was somewhat wrinkled as if it hadn't been cared for in a long while.
His hair was a bit messy, his face pale, and there were deep dark circles under his eyes.
He looked completely despondent.
Viscount Rosenthal.
Duchess Erwina's brow furrowed slightly.
"Is there something else?"
Viscount Rosenthal walked to the table and bowed.
"Your Grace."
His voice was very low.
"I... I have something I wish to discuss with you in private."
Duchess Erwina looked at him.
There was a hint of displeasure in her pale gold eyes.
This idiot.
If it weren't for him losing "the sleeper" and letting it fall into the hands of the Schwartz Family, they wouldn't be in such a passive position now.
But she still nodded.
"Speak."
Viscount Rosenthal looked up and glanced at the door.
"Here..."
"Rest assured, no one will hear us," Duchess Erwina said.
Viscount Rosenthal swallowed hard.
"Your Grace, I... I wish to atone for my family's mistakes."
"Oh?"
There was no ripple in Duchess Erwina's tone.
"How do you plan to atone?"
Viscount Rosenthal's fingers gripped the fabric of his trousers.
"I... I am willing to pay any price."
He paused.
"Including... my daughter."
Duchess Erwina's frown deepened.
"Your daughter?"
"Yes."
Viscount Rosenthal's voice became even lower.
"My daughter Charlotte has a good relationship with Marquis Hohenheim's daughter."
"They are good friends."
Duchess Erwina's expression became even colder.
She had already guessed what this man wanted to say.
And now, her impression of him had become even worse.
"Go on."
There was a hint of chill in her voice.
Viscount Rosenthal took a deep breath.
"If... if the situation truly reaches an irredeemable point—"
His voice began to tremble.
"I am willing... I am willing to use my daughter Charlotte as bait."
"To let the Pro-war faction take control of Victoria."
"And then... then use her as a chip to blackmail Marquis Hohenheim."
The room was terrifyingly quiet.
Duchess Erwina looked at Viscount Rosenthal.
There was no warmth in those pale gold eyes.
"Do you know what you are saying?"
Her voice wasn't loud.
But every word was like an icicle, piercing into Viscount Rosenthal's heart.
Viscount Rosenthal's body began to tremble.
"I... I know."
"But... but if we don't do this—"
"If we don't do this, we will lose."
"We will lose everything."
"So... so I am willing—"
"Enough."
Duchess Erwina interrupted him.
She stood up, gripped her cane, and walked over to Viscount Rosenthal.
Then—
She raised her cane and struck it hard against Viscount Rosenthal's shoulder.
Viscount Rosenthal cried out in pain and fell to his knees.
"You think you are atoning?"
Duchess Erwina looked down at him.
"You are merely looking for an excuse for your own incompetence."
"You lost 'the sleeper,' putting us in a passive position."
"And now, you want to use your daughter's life to trade for your own safety?"
Her voice grew colder and colder.
"What a coward."
Viscount Rosenthal lay on the floor, his body trembling violently.
"Your Grace... I..."
"Get out."
Duchess Erwina turned around.
"Before I change my mind."
Viscount Rosenthal struggled to his feet and stumbled toward the door.
His back looked exceptionally pathetic.
The door was opened, then closed.
Once again, only Duchess Erwina remained in the room.
She sat back in her chair and closed her eyes.
Her fingers massaged her temples once more.
"Idiot."
She whispered.
"A bunch of idiots."
