Baron Andrew stammered as he spoke to the envoy.

“Th-this makes no sense! It was just a disagreement over the contract price with the mercenary corps, nothing more!”@@novelbin@@

“Hah! Raising the hiring fee by threefold is an insult to Count Crest! How can we stand by and tolerate such disrespect?”

“Then you should settle it with the mercenary corps, not attack me!”

Andrew’s face was filled with indignation. In this harsh world, he had done his best to live quietly, avoiding any trouble.

The Barony of Nodehill was small and resource-poor, a place no other lords coveted. As long as he didn’t offend anyone, he could survive in peace.

And yet, here he was, faced with a declaration of war over such an absurd reason. It was maddening.

The envoy responded with a condescending look, as though Andrew’s confusion was unwarranted.

“You have a close relationship with the Julien Mercenary Corps, my lord. A master is responsible for the actions of those beneath them.”

“I am not their master!”

“But you are their employer, are you not?”

“Their contract with me is already over. We’re just on friendly terms.”

“Then consider this the cost of your friendship.”

The envoy’s words were outrageously impertinent for someone of his rank. Yet, Andrew and his vassals swallowed their anger, unable to challenge him.

In an era where power dictated right and wrong, weakness was a crime.

Andrew pleaded desperately.

“Even so, how can you justify starting a war over this? The other nobles won’t stand idly by!”

“Who, pray tell, would dare oppose us?”

Andrew fell silent at the envoy’s sharp retort. While the pretext for war was both ridiculous and forced, the envoy wasn’t wrong.

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