Mercenary System: I can increase innate potential !

Chapter 116 The Count's machinations

"But that's not all. Several minor nobles, once our allies, have turned their backs on our banner. They seek to align themselves with more promising powers, believing that House Ardan is on the wane. A mistake I intend to make them regret."

Maxime nodded slowly. He knew this kind of dynamic well: when a power wavers, even for a moment, its enemies spring up like predators around wounded prey.

"And the capital?" he asked.

"That's where things really play out, isn't it?"

The Count nodded, a bitter smile on his lips.

"Exactly. The capital is the heart of all these machinations. At this council, the king is seeking to reassert his authority by setting up new military alliances. But these alliances depend on the support of the great houses. And there, rumor and slander carry more weight than fact. A good reputation can be destroyed in an evening."

Maxime now understood why the Count was so keen for Lady Aveline to arrive safely. He took another sip of wine before asking a more direct question.

"Your daughter, Lady Aveline... what role does she play in all this?"

The Count leaned forward slightly, staring at Maxime with increased intensity.

"Aveline is my greatest pride. She's not only a woman of noble birth, she's also incredibly intelligent and strategic. Her mission in the capital is twofold: to represent our house at the council and, potentially, to conclude a matrimonial alliance."

"So Lady Aveline's heart is taken? I wish her all the happiness in the world."

He himself, being currently very attached to a certain person, sincerely wished her happiness, with no ulterior motive.

"That's not the case."

Maxime raised an eyebrow, but remained silent.

"Don't judge me too harshly, Maxime. I don't want to marry my daughter off against her will. But she understands, as I do, that the future of our house depends on the alliances we can forge. Some high-ranking nobles have expressed interest in her. If she can seal an alliance through marriage, it could secure our position for decades to come."

"And then, who should she marry?" asked Maxime, sighing lightly.

"The eldest son of Duke Valderic de Rivenclaire," replied the Count, lowering his tone.

Clearly he wasn't proud of his future son-in-law.

The name echoed in Maxime's mind. The duchy of Rivenclaire was one of the most influential in the kingdom of the Frost Eagle, known for its wealth and powerful army. Aveline's union with this family would undoubtedly strengthen the Count's political position. But there was one detail that made Maxime pause.

"The eldest son... This is Dorian Valderic, isn't it?"

The Count nodded, clearly uncomfortable.

"Yes, Dorian. At only twenty, he's already a knight. He's already fought several times, and his reputation on the battlefield is already impressive. He's seen as a future pillar of the kingdom."

"He's undoubtedly a martial genius, destined to reach the stage of great knight, and he certainly won't be one of the weakest."

"Some say he might even reach that stage before the age of 30."

Maxime squinted. He also knew another, less glorious side of Dorian.

Through his discussions with Alaric and other apprentice knights, he had learned a great deal of information, which was only accessible when one possessed a high enough status.

"But that's not all they say about him."

The Count looked away, staring at the flames in the hearth.

"You're right. Dorian is... problematic. His martial talent is undeniable, but his character leaves much to be desired. He's said to be arrogant, self-confident and... cruel, especially to women."

Maxime crossed his arms, his gaze growing colder.

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That was indeed what he'd heard.

"Cruel? Are you referring to his concubines?"

The Count nodded, a mixture of shame and sadness on his face.

"Yes. There are several rumors about him. They say he treats his concubines like possessions. Some are said to have run away, others... to have been severely abused. But his status as future duke and his political influence protect him from any consequences."

A heavy silence settled over the room. Maxime, though outwardly calm, felt anger rising inside him.

He didn't particularly care for Aveline, he simply detested this kind of unscrupulous behavior.

"And you accept this, my lord?" he finally asked, his voice harsher than he would have liked.

Adalric straightened up, stung to the quick.

"Do you think I have a choice, Maxime? I must protect my family and my lands. The king himself supports this union. To refuse would put my duchy in danger."

Maxime stared at him for a moment, weighing his words.

"What about your daughter? What does she think of all this?"

The Count ran a hand over his face, visibly overwhelmed.

"Aveline is a devoted daughter. She understands what's at stake and is willing to sacrifice her happiness for the good of our house."

Maxime clenched his fists on the armrests of his chair, but held back any acerbic comment. He knew the situation was far more complex than it appeared. After a moment's silence, he spoke in a calmer but firm voice.

"I see. But if Dorian represents a danger to Aveline, I won't stand idly by. My group and I will watch over her all the way to the capital."

The Count raised an eyebrow, surprised by Maxime's tone.

"I understand your concern, Maxime. But be careful. Dorian is powerful, and his family even more so. I don't want this affair to endanger your life or the lives of your men."

Maxime gave a cold smile.

"I'm not afraid of Dorian. It's not a young knight from a noble family who will frighten me today, no matter how strong his family."

Adalric watched Maxime for a long moment, then nodded slowly.

In his heart, he knew one thing.

If Dorian was a genius, the young man before him was a monster.

Indeed, he had sensed the aura Maxime unconsciously gave off.

"He hasn't yet reached the stage of the great knight, but he's certainly at the stage of the knight's peak."

"At the age of 18, what could it be other than a monster?"

"If the Valderic family offends him, there's no telling who will end up unhappy in this story in the end."

The Count's thoughts were foggy.

For a moment he even thought of marrying off his daughter to this young man.

But he immediately dismissed the idea.

Potential was still potential, the Valderic family possessed extremely terrifying men of power as well as the political power he needed.

He needed that power now, he didn't have time to wait.

"Very well, then. But please, don't complicate an already delicate situation any further. Protect my daughter, that's all I ask."

Maxime rose from his chair, his gaze determined.

"You have my word, monseigneur. Aveline will remain under my protection."

Obviously, Maxime had no intention of interfering in the Count's affairs after this mission.

There was nothing he himself could do in this situation, so Aveline's future was of no concern to him.

In any case, it was the Count's decision that was leading his own daughter to disaster.

If even the father wanted this situation, was he, as a foreigner, entitled to intervene in it?

Maxime pondered for a moment, thinking of the dangers of this mission now that he knew all this.

"And your enemies know it. They'll do anything to prevent her from reaching the capital, or to besmirch your name before she gets there."

The Count nodded darkly.

"Exactly. That's why I need you. You're a man I can trust, but more importantly, you're unpredictable to my enemies. They have no idea of your strength or that of your men."

As he said this, the Count smiled mysteriously.

Maxime was clearly his joker card.

A powerful card that nobody knew existed.

He paused before adding:

"Be careful, Maxime. You're about to enter a game where cunning counts as much as strength. And never forget that, even if you survive the dangers of the road, greater dangers await you in the capital."

Maxime stood up, bowing his head slightly in respect.

"I will do everything in my power to protect Lady Aveline and preserve the honor of your house."

The Count held out a hand, which Maxime shook firmly.

"I'd expect nothing less from you. Good luck, Maxime. You'll need it."

But Maxime still had one last subject to discuss, a very important one.

"Before I go, Count Ardan, there is one more thing to settle."

The Count, who had begun to raise his cup to his lips, immediately put it down again, intrigued by Maxime's tone.

"Yes?"

Maxime crossed his arms, taking on a neutral but firm tone.

"You expect me and my men to cross dangerous territory, protect your daughter from obvious threats, and potentially confront hostile forces sent by your enemies."

"All this, when you have just exposed to me the extent of the political conflicts in which you are immersed. This goes far beyond a simple escort mission."

The Count raised an eyebrow, but remained calm. At the same time, somehow he liked this kind of situation.

And because he was particularly good at it, he had strengthened his family's military and economic power for decades, while maintaining his strong influence in the southern part of the Kingdom.

"Let's get straight to the point, what exactly do you want Maxime?"